John Ydstie

Romney's Jobs Plan Relies On His Tax Proposal

John Ydstie — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:23:50 +0000

As part of Solve This, NPR's series on major issues facing the country, we're examining the presidential candidate's approach to boosting employment. After looking at President Obama's strategy, it's time to examine the plan of GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney says he has a plan with 59 bullet points detailing how to boost growth and job creation.

Critics Say Ryan's Record Belies Tough Deficit Talk

John Ydstie — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:27:16 +0000

Paul Ryan has a reputation as a deficit hawk. Mitt Romney's running mate has proposed budgets that cut non-defense spending significantly, and advocated controlling Medicare costs by making it a voucher program. But critics argue there's a lot in the Wisconsin congressman's record that undermines his deficit-hawk reputation.

When Ryan gave the GOP response to President Obama's State of the Union address last year, he restated his commitment to debt and deficit reduction.

"We face a crushing burden of debt.

What's making Americans less hungry for gasoline?

John Ydstie — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:53:18 +0000

The price of gasoline keeps rising for Americans, but it's not because of rising demand from consumers.

Since the first Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, the U.S. has struggled to quench a growing appetite for oil and gasoline. Now, that trend is changing.

"When you look at the U.S. oil market, you see that there's actually no growth," says Daniel Yergin, chairman of IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

He says gasoline demand peaked in 2007 and has fallen each year since, even though the economy has begun to recover.

"The U.S.