Government

GAO found that many of the nearly 300 sexual assault incidents reported to the VA police were not reported to VA leadership officials and the VA OIG. GAO found significant weaknesses in the implementation of these physical security precautions ... including poor monitoring of surveillance cameras, alarm system malfunctions, and the failure of alarms ... more »

The housing sector typically plays an important role in economic recoveries; the depressed state of housing in the United States is a big reason that the current recovery is less vigorous than we would like... Overall inflation measures reflect these [commodity] price increases: ... over the six months through April, the price index for personal consumption expenditures has risen at an annual rate of about 3-1/2 percent, compared with an average of less than 1 percent over the preceding two years. more »

The emerging Republican presidential field draws tepid ratings. Just a quarter of voters (25%) have an excellent or good impression of the possible GOP candidates. Most who have heard of Palin and Gingrich say there is no chance they would vote for them (63% each. About as many (60%) say there is no chance they would support Paul. more »

These findings show that while economic theories have emphasized the importance of precautionary assets to shield against shocks and sociologists have emphasized the importance of family or friends, in fact, both play a role in how individuals plan to cope with a financial shock. The highest levels of coping capacity? Canada more »