Articles by Edwin Dean
US economy not likely to fall into second recession
Just as we are climbing painfully and slowly out of a very deep recession, along comes a small army of commentators to warn us that a second big hole is lying just a few steps ahead. And, they say, …
Lowering of infant death rate
In 1900, more than 11 percent of all newborn babies in the U.S. died before their first birthday. This high infant death rate affected my own family. My father, who was born in 1907, was one of eight …
Let’s give three hurrahs to the big bank bailouts
Millions of Americans believe that the bank bailout was a huge mistake; they think it simply fattened bankers’ profits and provided few benefits to average Americans. But in my view the bailout deserves three cheers. Let me explain, starting with a comparison of the current recession and the Great Depression ...
Preference for boys spurs scarcity of young women
A global war against baby girls is in progress.
Lessons from history
Is our Great Recession a close cousin of the Great Depression that hit the world in 1929? There are indeed similarities between the two, as some analysts point out; but the differences are far more …
Program’s elimination short-sighted
The Obama administration wants to eliminate a program that produces information critical to improving U.S. global competitiveness.
Questions about real wages should rely on real data
Paul Krugman, the prominent economist and New York Times columnist, has written that “the stagnation of real wages — wages adjusted for inflation — actually goes back more than 30 years.” …
Some ways to keep the dance going
Congress may be taking the wrong path to reforming our crisis-prone financial system. The bill that just passed the House of Representatives continues the traditional focus on making individual banks safer.
What you need to know about the CPI
If you receive Social Security, were you expecting a higher monthly payment next year, to make up for inflation?
The jobless rate is much worse than you think
Some of the bad news about U.S. employment is widely known. Many people know that since this long recession began in December 2007, we have lost …
Woman’s death epitome of health system’s failure
Nikki White, a young Tennessee woman, had lupus, a serious but treatable disease. If she had lived in Japan, France, or one of many other countries, she would have received treatment and could have …
Take the fiddle out of markets
Should we blame economists for our current financial crisis? The answer is “yes — but,” and the “but” is just as important as the “yes.”
Bet on it: Gas prices headed up
Crude oil and gasoline prices have taken us on a wild and crazy ride over the past two years. Crude oil prices rose from $51 a barrel in January 2007 to $145 in July 2008, a jump of 184 percent. Then …
Human well-being improving
This may surprise you: human well-being, according to many social indicators, is steadily improving. True, headlines announce war, poverty, and global warming, and they aren’t trumpeting false …
Fight drunken driving
In 1980, Candy Lightner’s 13-year-old daughter Cari was killed by a drunken driver. She and other California mothers got MADD — they founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving to fight for tougher …
TARP crucial for financial system
In this grim season, here’s something to be thankful for: Our banking system is still surviving. The U.S. Treasury’s “bailout” program probably has saved it. Still, the bailout program has severe critics. Bloggers, newspaper writers and a new congressional oversight committee have harshly criticized the program — known also as ...
Protect free trade, economies
As you read this, thousands of ships are plying the high seas, carrying goods produced in developing countries to hundreds of destinations. They carry machinery from China, crude oil from Nigeria, …
Name your stimulus
What makes politicians tick? Do their votes on legislation usually support their own constituents' interests? Do they vote to favor special interest groups that make large contributions to their campaign war chests? Or do they vote according to their personal beliefs or ideologies? Or, finally, is the answer all of the above?
Democrats’ hands aren’t clean, either
Who got us into this painful economic crisis? Polls show that most Americans blame the Republicans more than the Democrats, and the evidence supports this view. But are the Democrats so innocent that they may fairly cast the proverbial first stone?
The Federal Reserve’s role in the financial crisis
Most economists, this one included, believe that the Bush administration’s economic policies are dreadful. Yet, in fairness, the administration may deserve less blame than its opponents allege for the current financial crisis.
Man accused of killing Glenburn teen denied bail, has received death threats, attorney says
Family remembers Nichole “CoCo” Cable, warns of social media dangers
Kyle Dube arrest, murder charge surprising to some who know him
Glenburn woman gets 18 months for embezzling $100,000 from beagle rescue group
Man linked to Boston bombing suspect killed by FBI in Florida
Nichole Cable: In our minds, hearts
Guest Post: “I’m about ready to name my daughter Revolution.”
How to humble a wing nut
Bucksport’s Wood enjoying the professional cage in MMA bouts
Unity Raceway heading in new direction when track opens for season Sunday
Former Dexter, Nokomis coach Pratt takes Mount View football post
UMaine’s Fransoso overcomes injuries, turns passion for baseball into stellar career
Houlton makes plans for new hockey boards at Millar Civic Center
Bangor veteran of World War II exemplifies the way life should be
Microsoft unveils new Xbox One game console