http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/economic/ en-us Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:21:59 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046603/posts WASHINGTON, July 16, 2008 – Two U.S.-military sponsored economic reconstruction programs are helping to put thousands of Iraqi citizens into productive jobs while boosting the country’s business activity, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. In March 2007, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, directed his officers to find ways to provide jobs and increased opportunities for economic expansion, entrepreneurship and skills training for the people of Iraq, recalled Army Maj. Gen. Timothy McHale, director of personnel, logistics and resources for Multinational Force Iraq. The successful Iraqi First LOGCAP and Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046603/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:21:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046580/posts For years, the left have been building a superior online political infrastructure, cultivating a powerful online community of activists, dominating the blogosphere, and leaving conservatives at a severe disadvantage in a web 2.0 world. For conservatives tired of being left behind, we invite you to RightOnline. Join leading conservative bloggers and new media experts, America’s foremost experts in grassroots mobilization, representatives from influential conservative organizations, and hundreds of citizen activists this July 18th and 19th in Austin, Texas. RightOnline will serve as a meeting place for the free enterprise movement, focusing on how we can more effectively leverage the power... RightOnLine.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046580/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:48:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035715/posts Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama will appear at Carnegie Mellon University Thursday, hosting a round-table conversation on competitiveness and the world economy. The morning panel discussion, which will be closed to the public, includes speakers from industry, labor and the academic world.The participants are to include: Lael Brainard, vice president of the Brookings Institution; Eli Broad, founder of the Broad Foundation; Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone; Steve Case, chairman and CEO of Revolution Health and former chairman and CEO of America Online; Susan Hockfield, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Federico Pe??a, former U.S.... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035715/posts#comment Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:18:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003906/posts Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.... The IRS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003906/posts#comment Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:57:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001619/posts Are we headed toward bigger government? Senator McCain's position is that there is a role for government, and the primary thing is that you identify government's role and make sure that it does it well. The striking thing that has come out of the campaign is the degree to which the American people have lost trust in their government to pursue genuine national priorities, and there are three instances in which this gets voiced pretty clearly; probably the most vivid is the immigration debate, where people simply did not believe that the federal government [would secure the borders]...so Senator... US NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001619/posts#comment Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:45:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001140/posts Italians vote as economic disaster looms By Malcolm Moore in Rome Last Updated: 2:41am BST 14/04/2008 Voting began yesterday in Italy's general election but the winner will inherit a country on the brink of disaster. A man in Sorrento was arrested after he announced 'politics makes me sick' and ate his ballot paper According to the International Monetary Fund, Italy's economic growth will not rise above 0.3 per cent this year, and could be zero. The country's growth is the slowest in Europe and Mario Draghi, the governor of the Bank of Italy, warned that "the crisis is not yet... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2001140/posts#comment Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:58:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997778/posts Soaring price of food 'leads to riots' By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent Last Updated: 2:45am BST 07/04/2008 Rising food prices threaten economic stability and could trigger riots, Gordon Brown has been warned. The World Bank said this week that the price of staple foods has risen by 80 per cent in the past three years. For consumers in wealthy nations such as Britain soaring prices are squeezing household finances and keeping inflation up. But for developing nations they can lead to malnutrition and social disruption. Food prices are being driven up by shortages of supply - often caused by bad... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1997778/posts#comment Mon, 7 Apr 2008 03:38:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1983583/posts Capt. Gregory Curry II, commander of Troop A, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division signs over a micro-grant to a general store owner in the Hawr Rajab area. Curry, of Walnut Creek, Ohio, said the purpose of the micro-grants is to improve and jumpstart the local economy. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Paredes. FOB KALSU — With security improving in Hawr Rajab, stores and schools are reopening and a number of programs are revitalizing a community once on the brink of chaos. In November 2007, al-Qaeda launched their last well-coordinated offensives into... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1983583/posts#comment Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:32:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980462/posts House Democrats sponsor economic forum U.S. congressional Democrats said they will have a forum with economic and financial experts looking at implications of problems in housing and credit markets. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said the economic forum will be Wednesday in the Capitol. Restoring the American dream for millions of our nation's working families has been a central priority for House Democrats, Pelosi said in a news release. Congress will continue to focus our attention and efforts on the strains Americans are feeling, especially with the... Politicom http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980462/posts#comment Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:49:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976212/posts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush believes it is too early to decide whether a second economic stimulus package is needed to ward off a recession but would not rule it out, governors who met with him said on Monday. After a $152 billion package was signed into law earlier this month, U.S. governors during a White House meeting pressed Bush to back another stimulus plan that would include funding for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. They argued that such a program would address unemployment and put the economy on a more sustainable path of growth. "We... Reuters on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1976212/posts#comment Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:12:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968225/posts CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez on Sunday threatened to cut off oil sales to the United States in an "economic war" if Exxon Mobil Corp. wins court judgments to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets. Exxon Mobil has gone after the assets of state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA in U.S., British and Dutch courts as it challenges the nationalization of a multibillion dollar oil project by Chavez's government. A British court has issued an injunction "freezing" as much as $12 billion in assets. "If you end up freezing (Venezuelan assets) and it harms us, we're going... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1968225/posts#comment Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:26:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961569/posts BREAKING NEWS: House of Representatives overwhelmingly passes economic-stimulus measure; Senate takes up bill next. Full story to follow shortly. The Wall Street Journal (excerpt, subscription) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961569/posts#comment Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:25:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959931/posts Its package may spend more for food stamps and unemployment benefits. Some fear the House-crafted compromise could be unraveled ...Greg Valliere, chief political strategist for the financial services firm Stanford Group Co., said he expected a plan to clear Congress, even if the Senate fiddled with it: "The Senate is notoriously independent and unwilling to be stampeded; this will be no exception." Still, he expected a package to become law within the next few weeks. "In the final analysis, most lawmakers are aghast to see their public approval ratings at all-time lows. This gives them an opportunity to show they... LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1959931/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:53:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948519/posts 1/4/2008 - LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- A recently-approved $300,000 construction contract promises economic growth for Afghans here, according to the Airman leading engineering efforts for the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team. The contract for the construction of four new agricultural buildings in the Mehtar Lam agricultural compound was signed Dec. 30, according to PRT engineer, Capt. Peter Joo. One of the agricultural buildings will be for farm equipment storage and maintenance, the second building will be for general purpose storage (to include feed and fertilizer) and the third and fourth, smaller buildings will be used for cool storage. "The... Air Force Link http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948519/posts#comment Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:34:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940065/posts FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU — The road to economic prosperity south of Baghdad is being paved by Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. With assistance from the 2nd BCT embedded provincial reconstruction team, local government councils and Iraqi contractors, the task of restoring roads and improving roads damaged by war is in full swing. “It’s all about … helping the agricultural market in our area,” said Capt. Brian Love, ePRT military liason. The area, comprised of Arab Jabour, Hawr Rajab, Al Buaytha and Adwaniyah, is mainly agriculturally-based. The improvements, which began in October,... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940065/posts#comment Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:44:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931664/posts Top White House economic adviser Allan Hubbard is expected to leave his post at the end of this year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday in its on-line edition. The resignation, the latest in a spate of White House departures as President George W Bush's term winds down, could be announced later in the day, the Journal said. Hubbard, 60, joined the White House as director of the National Economic Council after Bush's re-election in 2004. His departure would come as the Bush administration is facing a crisis in the mortgage industry that has caused rising housing foreclosures and... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931664/posts#comment Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:11:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1927459/posts Citizens in BaghdadÂ’s Doura district go into a corner market to buy food. Neighborhoods in the district have shown a recent economic revival after years of fighting. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons, 1st Infantry Division, Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — Bullet holes attest to the battleground that was this two-block portion of the Doura neighborhood. Just a few months ago, residents were afraid to step outside, leaving their neighborhood filled with garbage, without power and with most of its shops closed. That was until members of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division,... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1927459/posts#comment Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:18:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925847/posts BAGHDAD, Nov. 14, 2007 – Bullet holes attest to the battleground that was this two-block portion of the Doura neighborhood. Just a few months ago, residents were afraid to step outside, leaving their neighborhood filled with garbage, without power and with most of its shops closed. Citizens in Baghdad’s Doura district go into a corner market to buy food. Neighborhoods in the district have shown a recent economic revival after years of fighting. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. That was until members of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925847/posts#comment Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:08:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925776/posts WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2007 – Security in Iraq has made tremendous gains, and now is the time to cement that security in place with economic gains, coalition officials said in Baghdad today. The U.S. Defense Department is spending money in Iraq to get basic services working and to prime the pump for private businesses, said Paul A. Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of defense for business transformation. Brinkley was joined at the news conference by Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryl Scott, commander of Joint Contracting Command Iraq, and Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, chief of Multinational Force Iraq Communications Division. Coalition... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925776/posts#comment Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:13:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923856/posts Bin Laden never thought he could destroy the United States with bombs. In an interview shortly after 9/11 he said he expected the US to bankrupt itself. It seems that is well on our way to fullfilling his expectation. Of course the war in Iraq is costly but even more costly has been the effect of the war against terror has had on business. Seven hour border crossing cut trade not only directly but indirectly..those that never even try because its not worth it..and as the economic gloom increases other markets seem more attractive anyway. The constant drumbeat to increase... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923856/posts#comment Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:03:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920394/posts The world’s financial system came precariously close to seizing up recently. In fact, as far as some big banks and financial institutions were concerned, for a moment in time, the system was in a full-blown cardiac arrest. Liquidity, the flow of money—the lifeblood of today’s economic structure—came uncomfortably close to clotting up in August this year. Defibrillators sizzling and money flowing, central banks around the world acted in concert to jump-start financial markets, slashing lending rates and injecting nearly a half trillion in dollar steroids into the economic pulmonary system. But contrary to what the big media outlets may have... The Trumpet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920394/posts#comment Sat, 3 Nov 2007 10:25:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916432/posts US imposes strict economic sanctions on Iran By Toby Harnden in Washington and Damien McElroy Last Updated: 7:45pm BST 25/10/2007 The United States has announced its toughest action against Iran since the aftermath of the 1979 revolution by instituting a raft of unilateral sanctions. The unprecedented steps are designed to cut international financial support to Teheran's theocratic regime as well as targeting Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corp, which is accused of supporting Shia insurgents in Iraq. Henry Paulson, US Treasury Secretary, and Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, announce the sanctions Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, and Henry Paulson,... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916432/posts#comment Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:08:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915976/posts This past month, the Bush Administration opened the U.S. border to trucks from Mexico. Trying to soften the blow, they called it a "pilot program" but it clearly sacrifices the economic security of American workers and the safety and health of the U.S. public on George Bush's altar of free trade. There is no better example of how big money has corrupted government decision making than cross border trucking. This scheme is opposed by the Teamsters and the entire labor movement, opposed by environmental groups and the Sierra Club, opposed by Public Citizen and a host of other non-governmental organizations,... Oakland Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1915976/posts#comment Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:31:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912909/posts Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 Governor Mitt Romney Excerpts Of Remarks At The Club For Growth (Live Via Video) Washington, D.C. Governor Romney On The Line-Item Veto: Governor Romney: "I should also note that perhaps the best way to get our spending down was to be able to use the line-item veto. I used that 844 times as Governor of Massachusetts. I'm glad I had it." Governor Romney On His Conservative Blueprint To Lower Taxes: Governor Romney: "Let me tell you what I'd do, as opposed to what Hillary Clinton would do with regard to our tax and spending policies. First... Romney for President 2008 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912909/posts#comment Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:36:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902800/posts Two engineers about to go on trial for allegedly stealing confidential computer chip designs from their Silicon Valley employer and a partner firm were indicted Wednesday on the rare and more serious charge of economic espionage, prosecutors said. The indictment returned by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in San Jose accuses Lan Lee, 42, of Palo Alto, and Yuefei Ge, 34, a Chinese national living in San Jose, of orchestrating the computer-chip plot so they could go into business with the Chinese military. The men are accused of stealing secret data sheets and other confidential documents from NetLogic... AP on Bakersfield Californian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1902800/posts#comment Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:02:00 GMT