money & politics library

 

Money & Politics are virtually inseparable. Learn more about some of the most important political and economic issues of our time.

Featured Article:  How Labor Unions Work

They may seem "old school," but labor unions still play a large role in many professions. Learn about the history and current state of labor unions. See more »

5 Most Expensive Presidential Perks

5 Most Expensive Presidential Perks

The U.S. president rakes in a salary of $400,000 and lives in a 132-room mansion. With a full-time pastry chef and private cinema at his or her disposal, the leader of the free world wants for nothing.

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Are Blood Diamonds Making a Comeback?

Are Blood Diamonds Making a Comeback?

Diamond mining has long been associated with war, death and greed. The Kimberley Process made it possible to regulate the diamond market, but is it on the brink of collapse?

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Can tax rebates really prevent an economic downturn?

Can tax rebates really prevent an economic downturn?

Tax rebates are one trick lawmakers and economists use to prevent a recession. But do they knock the economy back on track or merely delay the inevitable?

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Do special interest groups hurt candidates?

Do special interest groups hurt candidates?

Some special interest groups exist solely to level negative attacks at political candidates. How do these groups work? And can they be stopped?

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Does campaign finance reform restrict free speech?

Does campaign finance reform restrict free speech?

Even with fundraising restrictions, in the 2008 United States presidential election it's estimated that candidates will spend more than $3 billion on advertising. Yet many people argue that campaign finance reform restricts free speech.

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Does trickle-down economics apply to a down market?

Does trickle-down economics apply to a down market?

It's a pretty simple idea: Whatever revenue wealthy citizens generate will eventually trickle down to the lower classes. But it's tough to find the logic in the theory of trickle-down economics when mainstream America is going hungry and the upper cr

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How Campaign Finance Works

How Campaign Finance Works

In the 2004 election, George W. Bush and John Kerry raised nearly half a billion dollars in their bids to win the White House. McCain and Obama will have to raise even more. Where does all that money go?

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How Labor Scabs Work

How Labor Scabs Work

They range from factory workers to plumbers to professional athletes. Labor scabs -- sometimes under threat of bodily harm -- fill jobs when union workers go on strike.

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How Labor Unions Work

How Labor Unions Work

They may seem "old school," but labor unions still play a large role in many professions. Learn about the history and current state of labor unions.

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How much does the U.S. president get paid?

How much does the U.S. president get paid?

While compensation for the U.S. president is very generous when compared with the average American's salary, these men likely didn't get elected to office with the goal of getting rich. So how much does he get paid?

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How NATO Works

How NATO Works

NATO is still in the news regarding its involvement in Iraq and what role it should play in the aftermath of the war. Learn about the history of NATO, how it fits into world affairs and what the alliance means.

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How Strikes Work

How Strikes Work

While the reasons behind strikes can be complex, they all boil down to two key elements: money and power. In this article, we'll explain labor unions' role in worker strikes, investigate U.S. labor laws and more.

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How Trickle-down Economics Works

How Trickle-down Economics Works

Want to get a debate going? Ask a group of politicians if trickle-down economics really works. For a few centuries now, theorists have been postulating that giving society's top earners tax breaks will help the lower classes in the long run. Think it

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How will the U.S. government spend the $700 billion bailout funds?

How will the U.S. government spend the $700 billion bailout funds?

There's no disputing the fact that $700 billion is a lot of money, but there's been plenty of argument over a proposed government bailout plan. Will this plan save the flailing U.S. economy?

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Who Said It: Bush or Obama?

Who Said It: Bush or Obama?

George W. Bush and Barack Obama obviously have strong differences of opinions about many, many things. But check out these quotes about economic matters -- could it be that these two aren't as far apart as we think?

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Who Said It: Obama or FDR?

Who Said It: Obama or FDR?

Think you know everything there is to know about Barack Obama? How about Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one of the biggest-name presidents in America's past? Well get ready for this -- telling the two apart may be harder than you think.

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12 WPA Projects that Still Exist

12 WPA Projects that Still Exist

WPA projects spanned from New York to California, and many still exist today. Find out about 12 WPA projects that can still be found, including Doubleday Field and Camp David.

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14 of the New Deals Alphabet Agencies

14 of the New Deals Alphabet Agencies

The government's Alphabet Agencies were created during the Great Depression to relieve the economic tensions. Learn about these Alphabet Agencies, including the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

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What is the difference between soft money and hard money campaign donations?

Campaign contributions are divided into "soft money and "hard money." What do these terms mean, exactly? And why has there been such a political outcry about this campaign donations in recent years?

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