And Mr Solbes argues persuasively that the fundamental benefits, in particular the widening and deepening of capital markets, have already far outweighed the embarrassment of the exchange rate.

ECONOMIST: Pedro Solbes, commissioner for the euro

The federal investigators appear to be interested in Mr Rowland's cottage because among those who paid for the work are several key figures in a widening federal grand-jury investigation of corruption in the state's capital, Hartford.

ECONOMIST: But corruption in this state can be a bipartisan business

The widening of the risk premium today is a major depressant because it has raised the cost of capital for everyone but the U.S Treasury.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Rising capital gains and dividends among the wealthy were the main driver of the widening gap, he concluded, accounting for 72 percent of the increase.

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