Posts By Mike Angel

Politics. Ethics. Economic Literacy.

Many of the pressing moral and political issues today have an economic origin. Students especially need to have the critical tools to help them evaluate economic policy issues and the principles underlying and dividing them. At the UH Hobby Center for Public Policy, we now have the means to provide students with such tools. ARead… Read more »

Happy Texas Independence Day! The Texas Declaration of Independence Turns 176

The Texas Declaration of Independence was initiated at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the Brazos on March 1. Very similar to the United States Declaration of Independence, it echoes the contentions of Thomas Jefferson and John Locke when discussing governmental philosophy, and includes complaints against the governing nation and a call for independence. The declarationRead… Read more »

Commemorating African American Achievements in Houston

February’s Black History Week was established by historian Carter Woodson in 1926 to recognize the achievements of African Americans. Fifty years later under President Ford’s leadership, the week was expanded to a month now also known as National African American History Month. A history of African American achievements in Houston is beyond the scope ofRead… Read more »

Measuring Unemployment: Bad News, Good News, and When to Know the Difference

On the surface, the drop in the civilian unemployment rate to 8.6 percent signals an important and positive breakthrough. Data provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louisshows that since the most recent recession “officially” ended in June 2009, there has been an uneven, but steady downward trend in the unemployment rate. Figure 1Read… Read more »

Presidential Approval Polls: The Effect of International Events

Presidential approval ratings have important consequences for legislative success and, of course, re-election. We also know presidential approval ratings, when they rise or fall below a certain level, signal future presidential successes or presidential struggles. An approval rising above or falling below 50 percent is an important benchmark. There are many factors influencing fluctuations inRead… Read more »

Would Cutting Federal Spending Slow the Economy?

Right now federal spending is consuming 24 percent of national income. At the same time, the amount of tax revenue the government is receiving is 14 percent of national income. In the event economic growth fails to increase at rates to close this spending-revenue gap, then cutting spending or raising taxes become the policy options.Read… Read more »

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through History, Numbers and Public Service

Did you know that we are in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month? In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson established an annual week-long celebration of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expandedRead… Read more »

Criteria for Judging New Jobs Creation Initiatives

The Obama Administration is offering new job creation proposals. The success or failure of these initiatives depends on accurate problem definition. One major obstacle is stagnant consumer spending. In a previous post we remarked: Research on private consumption, going back 100 years, more or less emphasizes that individuals balance present and future satisfaction when theyRead… Read more »

Federal Spending Options If the Debt Ceiling Is Not Lifted

If the debt ceiling is not raised in the very near future, then the U.S. government will only be able to spend the tax revenue coming in every month. No more borrowing until the debt ceiling is raised. How much spending and how much tax revenue exist in August? According to a new report byRead… Read more »

American Citizenship 101

Celebrating American Citizenship A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated American Independence Day with all of the usual festivities. We commemorated our nation’s birthday by attending a parade, watching the night sky light up with fireworks in downtown Houston or enjoying a three-day weekend with family and friends. Moments like these remind us just howRead… Read more »