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US oil production vs imports: Trade/Monetary
Since 2007, oil that is imported has created more than half of the total trade deficit. The US is importing about 2.2 million fewer barrels per day since 2008, which reduces about $80 billion in the annual deficit.http://www.drillingcontractor.org/analyst-numbers-show-that-us-is-drilling-its-way-to-zero-net-oil-imports-15686 -
2008 Federal Fund Rate: Savings/Monetary
Because of the “Great Recession” the Federal Reserve lowered the federal fund rate from 5.25% to a range from 0 to 0.25%. This action encouraged banks to take loans because the interest rate was practically zero. After the economy returned to a more stable level, the Fed began raising rates on December 16, 2015. http://www.aei.org/publication/tax-policy-during-the-recession-the-role-of-fiscal-stimulus/ -
Housing Recession: Budget/Fiscal
The housing recession, along with the fall of the American economy was caused by an increase in the amount of foreclosures that began in the late 2007 and ended in 2008. The housing bubble that followed after grew larger until 2012 where it exploded leading to a crash in the housing market, economy and the credit market. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_housing_bubble -
USA China Trade Deficit: Trade/Fiscal
The Trade deficit between the USA and China only exists because of the amount of resources and goods that the USA imports from China, while barley exporting anything too China. The main reason that the trade deficit exists between the two countries is that American factory owners can pay less money to Chinese workers, the exchange rate is fixed to the dollar. https://www.thebalance.com/u-s-china-trade-deficit-causes-effects-and-solutions-3306277 -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Budget/Fiscal
This Act was Obama’s attempt to improve the economy through $787 billion in hopes of ending the 2008 recession. This was to boost economic confidence and to influence people to trust the financial industry.
https://www.thebalance.com/what-was-obama-s-stimulus-package-3305625 -
ObamaCare: Leadership/Monetary
ObamaCare shows the government’s improper use of taxpayer’s money. It was created with a lot of unforeseen issues and has not made any real improvements in society. Medical costs are still high and unattainable for some people. This article predicted that ObamaCare will either come to an end as result of a congress decision or eventually just come to a halt soon. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-obamacare-fail-health-care-insurance-medicine-0911-jm-20160909-story.html
