Social Insecurity: Inside the ‘Trust Fund’ Illusion

Washington has been borrowing Social Security’s surpluses for decades and issuing IOUs in return. However, the ability to pay those IOUs depends on the Treasury borrowing more money on global bond markets at affordable rates. T…

The Higher the Debt Ceiling, the Deeper the Hole

When some new members of Congress recently said they oppose raising the U.S. debt limit, it triggered warnings of “catastrophic consequences.” Indeed, the result wouldn’t be pretty. But here’s what’s at stake as the country’s d…

Why Interest Rates Keep Rising, Despite QE2

The Federal Reserve is doling out billions to buy bonds in hopes of keeping interest rates low and stimulating the economy. However, several powerful forces are working against that low-rate strategy, ranging from investor psyc…

How Long Is America’s Road Back to Full Employment?

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: The U.S. job deficit is huge, and it will take years to fix. But investors shouldn’t become too pessimistic. America’s economy has the capacity to adapt and renew itself faster than many folks ex…