Author: Dee Shore

Mar 4, 2011

The decline of carpooling

With gas prices rising, it seems the interest in carpooling should increase. What has been happening with carpooling? Has it risen and fallen with gas prices? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 3, 2011

Spending versus investing

In President Obama’s State of the Union address he made a distinction between spending money and investing money. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains the difference between the two. 

Mar 2, 2011

Guess who's number one in manufacturing

Most people know two things about manufacturing: First, the relative importance of manufacturing has shrunk in our country. And second, manufacturing in several other countries -- particularly in Asia -- has been on the rise. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says this doesn't mean the United States is now in the second tier of manufacturing countries. 

Mar 1, 2011

Farm share of food prices

Increases in commodity and energy prices worldwide have been factors for unrest in some countries. Americans spend a small share of their income -- about 13 percent -- on food. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden addresses the concern that the rise in food input prices might increase the amount. 

Feb 28, 2011

Why aren't jobs returning?

Many economic indicators have improved over the last year, but one that has trailed in gains has been jobs. Why is that? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 25, 2011

We're back to where we were

By one economic measure, the economy has finally recovered -- what was lost, by that measure, has been regained. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 24, 2011

Some improvement in the housing market

There were some big smiles among workers in the housing industry when the latest sales numbers were released. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden talks about the source of that optimism? 

Feb 23, 2011

How did we do?

As the economy slowly begins to turn for the better, maybe it is valuable to look back and see how North Carolina did economically speaking in recent years. Some say we made very little progress at all. Did we? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 22, 2011

Impacts of China’s currency

China’s president recently made a state visit to the United States, and there were numerous headlines about China’s currency and its impact on world trade. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 21, 2011

The economy and demographics

Sometimes we try to make simple things more complicated than they need to be. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says economists do this sometimes, too, and as a result tend to overlook a simple factor related to economic improvement.