In checking accounts, the less you have the more you pay

Read my New York Times Datapoints column on how the poor pay a higher price than anyone else--yet again.

Two Countries, Two Vastly Different Phone Bills

Read my NYT Datapoints column on US cell phone prices compared with the UK. Why are we paying much higher prices for cell phone service? As far as I can tell, the quality is not demonstrably different. But wouldn't you like to know? Why can't we have a good comparison about cell phone pricing and quality of service in the US?

American pays more for the internet than anyone else

Well maybe not quite more than anyone else but compared with major developed countries! Read my Newsweek piece on how America has the most expensive communications services--phone, TV and internet--compared to the UK, Germany, France and others. And it's not as if the quality of what we get is demonstrably better.

Who You Calling Parochial?

Other nations used to make fun of Americans for not being very well traveled. Most Americans don't even have a valid passport, the joke went. But that is changing. More Americans than ever before hold a current passport. Read my Newsweek piece on the new trend.

Little Italy

How has Italy benefited from the EU? Looking over a ten year period, the Italian economy has actually shrunk. What's next with other major European countries now showing weakness? Read my Newsweek piece on the topic.

Leisure class dismissed

Read my Newsweek piece. You May have more time on your hands than you think.

Universities are chasing endowments at the students' expense

Here's an idea for how to curtail rising college tuition. Read my Newsweek piece and find out.