Ellen Schultz has given us a fascinating account of the ways in which corporate America has been able to game legal and accounting rules to emasculate the private pension system. It was only a few decades ago that a secure pension was a staple of middle class life. Workers in middle class jobs, whether in offices, construction, or manufacturing expected to have a pension in retirement to supplement their Social Security income. In many cases, the pension would provide the larger portion of their income, with the Social Security benefit being the supplement.

In the many accounts of the latest wrinkle in our huge mortgage crisis of the day, I have noticed that media always makes room for some one decrying those homeowners who stay in their homes because their mortgages are unenforceable. So color me bleeding heart liberal, but I do not see how anyone can look at those cases where due to fraud the homeowner and family have been contracted to buy a house that now the bank/mortgagor wants more than they do, and decide the case for the other party to the contract on the house. Now, without clear title to the house, that other party can’t even legitimately sell it.

Moshe Adler’s Economics for the Rest of US is a strong introduction to the core conceits and theories of modern economics. The book takes readers on a well written tour of leading thoughts on key topics of perennial concern. Employment, equality, efficiency, wages are thrown around moving minds and legislation. As we struggle with high unemployment, stagnant wages and international competition, these issues must be understood. I would recommend this work as a intellectually curious guide to thinking about vital issues and the discipline of economics. It is valuable to have a fast, smooth run through of these topics. The interplay between the field of economics and the economy is a long ignored and vital discussion.