Today's Question Category Archive: Economy

Should a public hospital have to treat anyone who comes in?

Posted at 6:00 AM on November 23, 2009 by Eric Ringham (19 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Health

Hennepin County Medical Center has announced that, due to budget cuts, it will stop treating uninsured people from outside the county except in emergencies. Should a public hospital have to treat anyone who comes in?

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Should CEOs who accepted federal bailout money have to take deep pay cuts?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 23, 2009 by Anna Weggel (15 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Politics/Government

The Obama administration's pay czar has ordered a 90 percent pay cut for executives at seven companies that took public bailouts. Should CEOs who accepted federal bailout money have to take deep pay cuts?

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How confident are you of being able to keep your job or find a new one?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 16, 2009 by Eric Ringham (15 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

Minnesota's unemployment rate fell to 7.3 percent last month, or two and a half points below the national rate. At the same time, though, the state lost nearly 8,000 jobs. How confident are you of being able to keep your job or find a new one?

Comments texted to MPR:

Nov 1 my job is cut in half to 15 hrs pr week. I have no job interviews lined up because no responses. I have no health insurance now. -anonymous St Paul. Nov 1 my job is cut in half to 15 hrs pr week. I have no job interviews lined up because no responses. I have no health insura... Halle O'Falvey But why all this happen? Because we are wasting wealth and time for war,we wont have hope until our leaders focus on job creation and use the treasure to that! -anonymous

I'm going to quit my job soon to focus on my own business. Know any good salespeople looking for work? Scott Moses Murray, Minneapolis

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Does the current health insurance system keep you from doing something you would otherwise do?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 15, 2009 by Eric Ringham (25 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Health

The difficulty of finding affordable health coverage may be keeping people in jobs or marriages they would like to leave. It may also inhibit potential entrepreneurs from striking out to start businesses of their own. Does the current health insurance system keep you from doing something you would otherwise do?

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How willing are you to help pay for a new Vikings stadium?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 5, 2009 by Anna Weggel (127 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy

Last week the Minnesota Vikings renewed their drive for a new stadium to be built largely at public expense. How willing are you to help pay for a new Vikings stadium?

Given the state's budget crisis and budget cuts to such vital needs as education and health care I feel it is appalling to fund a new stadium with taxpayer dollars. I am outraged. -Lisa Kleingarn, Minneapolis, MN

I love the Vikings but unless Ziggy is going to put up around half for his team's new stadium neither will I. -Alan, Bloomington, MN

I'm not willing to pay for any portion of any new stadium. Enough is enough...middle class America subsidizing Millionaire Players and their Billionaire Employers, when will it end? -Jim, Saint Paul, MN

Zero for Zygi. -Mark Buckholz, Minneapolis, MN

I would rather pay for new schools instead of stadiums. Our tax money is not endless; some sensible prioritization please. -Kate Herberg, Mankato, MN

Stadium funding is inappropriate use of tax dollars; especially when education funding and other expenses that benefit everyone are lacking. -Suzanne, Minneapolis, MN

Absolutely not! Let's be the state that proudly ends the era of supporting billionaire beggars! -Laura, Eden Prairie, MN

Yes, if we get a percentage of the revenue once it's built. -Marty, St. Paul, MN

Public money should go into a new stadium ONLY if we get an equity stake in the franchise, with our portion of profits to go back into public coffers. -Peter, St. Paul, MN

Any stadium funding mechanisms should be voluntary. User fees, a racino, etc., can provide a reasonable compromise solution to this question. -Wade, St. Joe, MN

Why would i pay for something I'll never use? I'm already paying for the Target Field, I'm not a baseball or football fan anyway. Let the owner pay for it or let the Vikings go. -Mark

I'd be glad to pay for the public health option - Vikings never. -Linda, Minneapolis, MN

It does not matter what more than 50 percent of Minnesotans think when the commission, like with the Twins, is SOLD OUT. -E.R.Sotomayor

The Vikings play eight games a year...my kid's school runs 215 days annually, and the experience lasts more than four quarters and an overnight hotel stay. No question where I'd invest 950 million. -anonymous text message

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What would a Chicago Olympics mean for the Midwest?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 1, 2009 by Eric Ringham (8 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy, International affairs

Members of the International Olympic Committee will vote Friday on the city that will host the 2016 Games. Among the contenders is Chicago, with strong support from Barack and Michelle Obama. What would a Chicago Olympics mean for the Midwest?

My husband is a trucker and he hates driving through Chicago now because of congestion. The Olympics are really going to make a bigger mess of that city. -Mechelle, Lake Park, MN

Share your reply in the comments: What would a Chicago Olympics mean for the Midwest?

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When you have a choice, do you try to buy American?

Posted at 6:00 AM on September 29, 2009 by Anna Weggel (32 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy

Requirements that stimulus funds be spent on American products and materials have sparked a dispute over whether such rules hurt American business in the long run. Some of that controversy is being aired in a debate at noon today on Midday. When you have a choice, do you try to buy American?

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What will it take for you to recover from the recession?

Posted at 6:00 AM on September 21, 2009 by Eric Ringham (16 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Security

The recession is showing signs of easing, but for many people it could be some time before a sense of security returns. What will it take for you to recover from the recession?

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Can you afford to take five to seven days off work because of the flu?

Posted at 6:00 AM on September 18, 2009 by Eric Ringham (29 Comments)
Filed under: Economy, Health

Now that Minnesota is classified as a state where flu is "widespread," officials are recommending that children age 5 and younger be kept home from school or daycare for seven days after symptoms first appear. Guidelines urge that students stay home for 24 hours after a fever subsides, and that adults stay home from work if they are sick. Can you afford to take five to seven days off work because of the flu?

Fortunately, I'm a nanny, and work through an agency that has advised that we call in sick with flu symptoms so that the families we work with can use an on-call nanny provided by the agency for lesser inconvenience. We're also told we can call to discuss refusal to care for ill children. -Chelsea Chase, River Falls, WI

No kids here, but no paid time off left either. Sick kids and parents, too, need to stay home. Our company is assuming lots of telecommuting will happen. -Kathleen, St. Louis Park, MN

We have minimum wage jobs and a daughter on the way. Most of my girlfriend's check is burned up paying for health insurance and mine barely pays for food and other bills. 5 to 7 days off is impossible. -Dave, Minneapolis, MN

I will certainly stay home, even though self-employment means no pay, nobody else deserves getting ill because of my selfish greed. -Roger, Cambridge, MN

Share your reply in the comments: Can you afford to take five to seven days off work because of the flu?

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Does the recession feel over to you?

Posted at 6:00 AM on August 17, 2009 by Anna Weggel (22 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said economic activity is leveling out and conditions in financial markets have improved, signaling an ending to the recession. The Fed reported that consumer spending is stabilizing despite continued job losses and tight credit. Two years after it began, does the recession feel over to you?

The recession may look like it is over - but if unemployment raises over the next year and on, then Recession is certainly not over -Laxmi

No, my business is on a sliding scale and although my volume has stayed high, the avg price people pay has gone down over the last few months. -anonymous text message

If the first plunge of recession was initiated by subprime mortgages, the commercial mortgage collapse may provide a profound second dip. -Kevin, New York, NY

The recession doesn't feel over to me. I am facing a layoff from North Memorial Medical Center. -Allison, St. Paul, MN

Seems to be just beginning in my world... -Bonnie Russ

I can see a few signs of improvement, but it will take a long time for that to trickle down to most of us. I had to relocate to a different state to keep my job. When I can sell the house at the old location I will feel a little more secure and not wonder every day if I make the right choice, then I will feel like we are making progress. -Debi Cox

I think the effects of the recession are multiplying for some of us. Cripes. -Edward J Curran

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Is owning a home part of your American Dream?

Posted at 6:00 AM on August 12, 2009 by Anna Weggel (27 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy

A recent study shows the rate of homeownership in America has declined by more than 2 percent since 2004, and is projected to drop even more over the coming years. Has homeownership lost its luster in the wake of the mortgage crisis and recession? Is owning a home part of your American Dream?

Yes, owning a home is part of my "American Dream." But I'm realistic & could never afford all the extra bills & responsibilities. -@ELBfoto

Although my wife and I are going through a foreclosure right now, I got to be a homeowner as a 25 year old! In what other country would that even be possible? We plan on doing it again someday when we have more money. -Kyle Sumrow, Plymouth, MN

An immigrant owning a home in America is a part of mine and my parents American dream. -Igor Flider, Maple Grove, MN

As odd as it may seem, owning a home is not a part of my American Dream. Am I in the minority there? -@AHKaufman

If the American Dream is to watch Star Wars at whatever volume I see fit, then count me in! -Jeremy, Fargo, ND

My American dream is to have the freedom and flexibility to work and live in different places. I was able to take advantage of a job opportunity in the Brainerd area and then another opportunity to rent a lake home that I could never afford to own. Home ownership can be a beast of burden keeping people from pursuing other dreams and is not for everyone. -anonymous text message

Yes, home ownership falls into my idea of the American dream. Preferably in the city, not the suburbs. -@leesejared

It's not my American Dream, but I hope to buy one this year for the free $8000 anyway. -anonymous text message

If the American Dream is owning a home the Minnesota dream is owning a cabin on a lake! We bought a a cabin in the fall 2009 because of the very low prices. -anonymous text message

No! Perhaps property. But that's as far as I'd go. -@jenniferphd

The American dream is about freedom, not home ownership. Owning a home is not appropriate for everyone. -anonymous text message

Share your reply in the comments: Is owning a home part of your American Dream?

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How important to you is the U.S. mail in the Internet age?

Posted at 6:00 AM on July 28, 2009 by Eric Ringham (26 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy

The U.S. Postal Service is considering the closure of thousands of post offices around the country, including two dozen in Minnesota. Officials blame sharply declining mail volume, due in part to the rise in Web-based alternatives to traditional mail. How important to you is the U.S. mail in the Internet age?

Having grown up in the internet age, I find the USPS to be mostly useless. These closings are to be expected and welcomed. -Nick, Inver Grove Heights, MN

I am 23, and the only time writing letters was important to me was basic training. Nowadays when friends go away, they say Facebook me, not write me. -Durrell, Minneapolis, MN

Close them. We don't need a office in every town. -Mike Rowan, Big Lake, MN

Even though I'm a Net junkie, there's still nothing like getting a real letter in the mail. The Post Office needs to stay. -John Charles Wilson, Minneapolis, MN

Holding a letter in my hands and knowing that person took the time and effort to write it and send it to me is an experience not possible through email. -Noah, Hastings, MN

Close them and go to THREE day a week delivery. -anonymous text message

Share your reply in the comments: How important to you is the U.S. mail in the Internet age?

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What do you remember from your first recession?

Posted at 6:00 AM on July 27, 2009 by Eric Ringham (9 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

Economic hardship can be a formative experience for young people, marking them for the rest of their lives. Today on "All Things Considered" and at MPRNewsQ.org, young people are telling their stories of life in a recession. What do you remember from your first recession?

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When, if ever, is public art a good use of taxpayers' money?

Posted at 6:00 AM on July 15, 2009 by Eric Ringham (14 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy, Politics/Government

In a hearing today, members of the St. Paul City Council are considering whether to dedicate funds to the creation and maintenance of public art. When, if ever, is public art a good use of taxpayers' money?

I believe the tax money toward public art benefits the local tourism economy and public appearances. My vote: better than building professional stadiums. -Steven Larson, Duluth, MN

Art is a good use of taxpayers' money when it creates a cultural environment that brings businesses and jobs to the area, especially young families and entrepreneurs. -Lauren, Minneapolis, MN

Art and culture is always an easy target in times of economic hardship but many would argue that it is these times when we need art and culture the most as a way to give ourselves perspective and to create dialog and a sense of community. To many public art can seem to be a luxury but for most it is a necessity as it is a component of the environment we live in. In the same way that one pays attention to aesthetic detail in their homes shouldn't we also give our communities that same treatment? There also tends to be a notion that public art is competing for dollars that would otherwise go to social services and this is rarely the case. -Melinda Childs, Minneapolis, MN

Simple: ALWAYS! Art improves everyones quality of life! -anonymous text message

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What's your summer adventure?

Posted at 6:00 AM on July 6, 2009 by Anna Weggel (16 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Economy

Adventure can mean different things to different people. Whether it's traveling to a foreign country, starting a new career, or finding creative ways to have fun in a tough economy, we want to know what the highlight of your summer is going to be this year. What's your summer adventure?

I'm climbing mt Kilimanjaro and a service project to construct a building for an aids orphanage in Tanzania. Not my normal summer. -Matt, St. Paul, MN

Our summer adventure includes driving 13 hours from North Minnesota to St. Louis and keeping two toddlers interested without constant help from DVDs. We plan on many MN and IA school parks. -Aimee Foszpanczyk, Hoyt Lakes, MN

Hiking Isle Royal's Minog Trail. -Brent, Menomonie, WI

In August I will be attending a graduate reunion to celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Seing Eye, this country's first guide dog school. I have worked with 5 Seeing Eye Dogs. -Lolly, Minneapolis, MN

I'm taking my family to Arkansas to dig for diamonds. -Joey E

Going horseback riding in Medora, ND. -Kris, Goodhue, MN

We are going to ride our new recumbent bikes around our beautiful state! -Gae Jarvis

Our summer adventure is to time travel in another country. We will turn our clock back 20 years when we vacation in Upper Michigan mid-August. -Steve, Farmington, MN

I'm going to volunteer at Ojibwe Forest Rally in Bemidji at the end of August when rally competitors from all over the world come to race on our forest roads. -Amy, Motley, MN

Goin' to Jamaica mon and have me some rum punch. Everyting all irie. -Chad, New York, NY (Former St. Louis Park resident)

My summer adventure will be dealing with a blown out disc in my back and no insurance. If you want to feel true loneliness visit the ER and tell them you have no insurance. -Moses

My partner and I will become parents of twin baby girls. Real adventure that goes on and on. -Lisa, St. Paul, MN

Share your reply in the comments: What's your summer adventure?

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How do you decide whom to trust with your money?

Posted at 6:00 AM on June 30, 2009 by Eric Ringham (6 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

Bernard Madoff gets 150 years for swindling people out of their savings. Regulators in Minnesota close a Pine City bank. It's clear that, these days, small savers and investors need to watch out. How do you decide whom to trust with your money?

I have a broker whom I've known for 30 years. Even so, I do not put all my wealth into accounts he services. I put restrictions on any trading, which require my approval. I self manage about 50% of my wealth and the other 50% I utilize a wealth management expert. -Lee Stastny, Plymouth, MN

Institutions that have stood the test of time -who have time and again done the right thing even when no one's watching. As someone who has worked in the financial services industry for seven years the mutual insurers have stood out for me as the institutions who can be trusted the most. These companies are owned by directly by policyholders as opposed to stockholder (wall street). -Ashish Tomar, Edina, MN

With banks failing and the FDIC needind a bailout last September and still short funded the insurance companies of the country seem to be the best bet. No investor has ever not been paid by these companies as they usually have stong reserves and in Minnesota many products are backed also by the Minnesota Life and Health Guaranty Association Law. At the end of the day they remain strong because they are forced to adhere to sound economic principle and audits. -Robert Ward, Grand Rapids, MN

It doesn't matter -- just don't trust the same one person with ALL of your money. -Bill, St. Paul, MN

I've been in the financial services and life insurance for the past 29 years. Free enterprise and open societies are build on trust and confidence with open and honest exchange of products and services between individuals. Without both trust and confidence between and among individuals and enterprises no society or economy is healthy and sustainable. The Good Life is not built on fear and greed, but is successful when everyone is empowered to participate in a free market. Growth alone, however, is no guarantee that a lifestyle, and community is sustainable. Our economy is only as healthy and prosperous and our most vulnerable citizens. -Bob Sixta, Rochester, MN

I am the guy that people need to trust with their money. My advice is threefold: recommendation, currrent recognized designation, FINRA licensed representative status. -Rick Dworsky, St. Louis Park, MN

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In a shaky economy, what's your Plan B?

Posted at 6:00 AM on June 26, 2009 by Eric Ringham (14 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

President Obama acknowledged this week that the unemployment rate was likely to pass 10 percent. We'd like to know about your backup plan.

If you've lost your job, or you're worried about it, what's your Plan B?

Travel. It's amazing how little money you really need when going through organizations like WWOOF. I just signed up. I'm 18 (just graduated) and taking a year off to see the west coast through it. -Ema Adams, Willmar, MN

My husband and I have a business we've been starting but have been unable to get investment funding thus far. Our Plan B - take the engineers we've hired and turn ourselves into a consulting firm while we continue to look for funding.I'm also looking for a job. I have a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and right now teaching is hard to come by. I'm offering consulting to seniors writing their college application essays and looking into teaching online courses. -Elizabeth Wahl, Palo Alto, CA

My Plan B is to put 100% of my effort into my side business, Renavance LLC which licenses product ideas to other companies. It's difficult to leave the security of a job but not having an income would make the development of my business worth the time spent. -Atul Patel, Eden Prairie, MN

I'm living it! My HR Director position in a n-f-p was eliminated last fall. I was VERY lucky to find a 6 month temp HR job, but have been home for 3 months. I am volunteering my time with several organizations - some even doing HR. Between my husband (who is still working) and I, we have had 6 layoffs in the 20 years we've been out of college - so we have always budgeted for a layoff. Although the part of my income that unemployment compensation does not make up is sorely missed, we can pay our bills without touching our savings. That money is only for "real" emergencies. My plan's to volunteer to get out of the house & keep sanity, and network network network to find something soon! -Moira Webster, Burnsville, MN

Leaving the states for a 9-month adventure in New Zealand, hoping the economy is better when I get back. -@cjsinner

My "Plan B" has been in effect since 2/26/2009, when I was laid off by my employer 366 days after being sold to them in an outsourcing deal. Like many in the Information Technology field, I've watched outsourcing going on around me for 10 years. I've accumulated savings against this very possibility. I am pursing a two-pronged attack: getting additional training in the IT field, and looking for other opportunities, out of IT, which cannot be easily outsourced/offshored. -Steve Sacco, Saint Cloud, FL

My B/U plan: My work as a nurse practitioner is pretty secure since we are cost effective providers. If my husband's corporate job is cut, I'd work more and we'd cut out frills like the unlimited car wash and the fraud monitoring on our credit. -Dianne Willer, Lake Elmo, MN.

I am worried about losing my job, and I have thought a lot about it. My Plan B is to move back to Michigan where all my family lives, so I can get support from people who love me. Then, even though it's a worse economy there, look for a job. So many people have scattered families and I think that our society needs stronger families. I feel that strongly enough that I would move back. -Linda Witham, Olympia, WA

Cash out 401k and move to hawaii. -Todd, Bloomington, MN

Plan B? Oh, seriously now! You must be joking! We passed plan B a long time ago! I lost not just one but TWO jobs last year and I'm only slightly employed with an online writing position that brings in a few pennies a day while my hubby is putting off retirement for what -- two, three, five, twenty years -- maybe till he drops dead of exhaustion or I do, whichever comes first. But he can't stop working because then we'd have no health insurance and we & the grown kids & for awhile the much overgrown parents of hubby depended on his earnings &/or insurance for our insurance or moolah. Who bothers with plans anymore? That's all gone by the wayside. It's more by "skin of the teeth" now. -Diana Gaine, Greenville, TX

I have written a couple novels and I guess I would try harder to get them published. My job is iffy, and I suspect if I could get published, I would make enough not to have to worry about the economic downturn. As long as I paid the IRS what they want ;=) -Jeff Bray, Sioux Falls SD

My wife and I have some cash in the bank (not as much as we'd like), and as a web developer and nurse, we both have skills that are still in demand - our plan is to find another job if we have to... what else could we do? -Nick Benson, Eagan, MN

I just lost my business to the down economy, and I am scrambling for contracts to keep me afloat. Basically I am putting together a patchwork of whatever I can do, with the idea of working at a local grocery that offers health insurance as a fall-back. I am a professional with a Master's degree, but will work for $10/hour for health insurance & then work full time plus to pay the mortgage. That is the only Plan B I can think of. -Eva Schweber, Portland OR

I'm 26 and have only now figured out plan A when others are trying to work on Plan B, so I am worried that I will be fighting with Plan B people to get my nursing degree! -Jeanette Middleton, St. Paul, MN

Share your reply in the comments: What's your Plan B?

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