USAFacts: An Injection of Facts

Have you ever wondered where the US tax revenue exactly comes from and where it goes? To most US citizens the thought of traversing a mountain of US government financial data could seem like a nightmare. But this nightmare is no more, thanks to our friendly neighborhood (former) Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer. With the help of economists, writers, researchers from the academic communities, Ballmer was able to compile government financial data into a user-friendly format. USAFacts is this “portrait” of the US tax system. USAFacts is described by Ballmer a “nonpartisan, data-driven” website that provides reports on the US population Continue reading USAFacts: An Injection of Facts

Argentina Eyes on Macri

In Buenos Aires all eyes have been on newly elected Argentine president, Mauricio Macri to fix the inflated state of the country’s economy. Macri was elected in December and promised Argentina’s citizens that he would curb inflation. But 8 months later there were reportedly tens of thousands rallying in front of the presidential palace in an “anti-Macri demonstration.” Some labor leaders and citizens are angry at the trajectory of the economy and for good reason. INDEC, the national statistics institute, stated that prices went up by 4.2% in May and The Wall Street Journal reported that unemployment rose to 9.3%. Continue reading Argentina Eyes on Macri

Opportunity or a Trap? The Economic Impact of Scottish Independence

The contention between Scotland and England is a historical issue and there have been calls for Scottish Independence for hundreds of years. In the past these views have been dismissed, but under Scottish Prime Minister Alex Salmond, Independence has taken a new seat in the headlines. While there are surely deep national and politic issues surrounding this topic, what would succession mean economically? Independence for Scotland would offer a buffet of options that were not available say 60, or even 20 years ago. Unexhausted rich oil reserves along the Scottish coast are a hot topic when talking about potential Scottish Continue reading Opportunity or a Trap? The Economic Impact of Scottish Independence