Lower Deficit Predictions May Hamper U.S. Budget Deal
The recovering economy is producing greater tax revenues, but an improving deficit picture also reflects the accumulating effects of prior rounds of spending cuts.
Democrats
Congress Moves to Finally Approve 2013 Budget
Congress is finally cleaning up its unfinished budget business for the long-underway 2013 budget year with a bipartisan funding bill -- but stark differences remain.
Treasury's Lew Sees Likelihood of Budget Deal
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew says that he is optimistic that President Obama will be able to reach an agreement with Republicans in Congress to break a budget impasse.
Obama Seeks Cash as Romney Expresses Confidence
President Barack Obama made a cross-country swing for cash and Hispanic support Monday amid signs that Republican rival Mitt Romney is cutting into his lead in some key swing states as the campaign enters its final four weeks.
George Soros Bails Out the Democrats with $2 Million
Just when everyone thought that Soros was focusing on philanthropy and ignoring Democratic calls for cash because of a perceived snub, "The Man Who Broke The Bank of England" is back in action, rescuing the Democrats from an October in which they're severely outgunned financially.
Obama vs. Romney: How Costco, Staples and Walmart Are Voting
For years, Barack Obama's critics have positioned him as the scourge of big business. Last week, however, the co-founder of one of America's biggest companies, Costco, offered a strong rebuttal to the Obama-as-villain argument.
Fiscal Cliff Ahead: The Party's Over for the Payroll Tax Holiday
When pundits talk about the fiscal cliff, they7 usually focus on the damage that'll be caused by the expiring Bush tax cuts and the across-the-board budget cuts. But what you'll probably feel first will be the end of the payroll tax holiday, which will take an instant bite out of your paycheck.
Can Restaurant Sales Predict Who Will Win the Presidential Election?
A recent Los Angeles Times article surveyed the eating habits -- and political affiliations -- of American restaurant goers, which made us wonder: If a restaurant chain's sales are booming, are the politics it's associated with gaining favor too?
Democrats Are From Starbucks, Republicans Are From Visa
Can you tell a person's political affiliation from where they do their shopping? According to "global neuro-insight firm" Buyology, you can. And Buyology's come up with some peculiar political observations from the world of retail.
Democrats Are From Starbucks, Republicans Are From Visa
Can you tell a person's political affiliation from where they do their shopping? According to "global neuro-insight firm" Buyology, you can. And Buyology's come up with some peculiar political observations from the world of retail.
Who Shouldn't U.S. Pay If Debt Deal Isn't Reached?
The debt ceiling debate is raging inside the Beltway, but many Americans are tuning it out. And among those paying attention, a majority would ignore the consequences and let the U.S. default. Find out who they'd chose to stiff first -- and tell us who you think the country shouldn't pay if it has to skip out on some of its obligations.
Social Security Isn't Broke, But We Still Should Fix It
It's true that Social Security paid out more than it collected in 2010. But the Trust Fund owns $2.6 trillion in Treasury bonds, and though some people may claim those holdings are an illusion, they aren't. Still, there are some fairly painless steps we could take to shore up the program's balance sheet for the long term.
Is Social Security Safe with the Tea Party in Power?
The Tea Party-led Republican Party has already won the battle to cut this year's federal budget, and it has announced a plan to dismantle Medicare. Is a proposal to cut Social Security payments next?
Who Wins and Who Loses If the Government Shuts Down
Unless lawmakers can agree on budget legislation to keep the federal government running, a shutdown at midnight Friday looms. If it happens, there will be a few clear winners, some who break even and a whole lot of losers.
Will Senate Repeal an Unpopular Tax-Reporting Requirement?
The U.S. Senate is schedule to vote Tuesday on a bill that would repeal an unpopular tax-reporting requirement enacted as part of last year's health-care law. The House of Representatives approved the bill last month.