The Peril of Being a Bald Economist

 

Source of graphic:  online version of the WSJ article cited below.

  

‘The term ‘income inequality’ is a bit misleading because it suggests in a somewhat pejorative way that the rich are getting richer at the expense of the poor," Edward Lazear, a Stanford University labor economist who is now chairman of Mr. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers, said last May. While it’s a concern that some people are being left behind, he said, "There is some good news…most of the inequality reflects an increase in returns to ‘investing in skills.’"

Mr. Lazear has nurtured his relationship with Mr. Bush. His office is decorated with photos of the two mountain biking. When he gave Mr. Bush a copy of the Economic Report of the President this year, Mr. Bush gave him a bear hug and kissed the top of his bald head, according to people who were present.

 

For the full story, see:

GREG IP and JOHN D. MCKINNON.  "THE OUTLOOK; Bush Reorients Rhetoric, Acknowledges Income Gap."  The Wall Street Journal  (Mon., March 26, 2007):  A2.

 

MedianWageGDPgraph.gif   Source of graphic:  online version of the WSJ article cited above.

 

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