[lbo-talk] Dustup

[Doug Henwood]

I'm doing an exchange on economic issues this week with Steven  
Landsburg of Slate and the University of Rochester, a self-described  
"hardcore libertarian," on the LA Times website. Here's the link:

<http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-dustup-2008- 
jul21-25,0,1728086.storygallery>

or

<http://tinyurl.com/6fy6a4>.

The topics:

Monday: Was Phil Gramm right about the current economic malaise being  
a "mental" recession?
Point: Steven. Counterpoint: Doug.

Tuesday: How much to speculators contribute to high oil prices?
Point: Doug. Counterpoint: Steven.

Wednesday: There's evidence that a large percentage of modified  
mortgages with lower interest rates and loans with new repayment  
plans are going bad again. What does this say about the housing crisis?

Point: Steven. Counterpoint: Doug.

Thursday: Why shouldn't Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (and other large  
lenders) be allowed to fail?
Point: Doug. Counterpoint: Steven.

Friday: Have the Federal Reserve and government regulators gotten  
themselves into the position of trying to prop up the comfortable  
lifestyle of the middle class?
Point: Steven. Counterpoint: Doug.

Monday's up.

Doug