Question

5) In recent weeks the stock markets in the Wall Street has show an unexpected level of ups and downs mainly attributed to the uncertainty of healthcare reform under Trump administration and retail stores closing such as Macys’, JCPenny, Sears, another possible cutting govt. programs (in an effort to reduce budget deficit). In the process, the value of the $ has risen against the Euro, the Yuan (Renminbi), yen and many other currencies.

A) Given the current condition of the US economy, do you think US policy makers would prefer to see the $ rise in value, decline in value or stay at its current value? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to the US economy at this time of a stronger vs. a weaker $. Frame your answer in terms of the current Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply situation of the US economy. 3pts

B) Draw an AS/AD diagram to illustrate your answers for Question A) above. Clearly label axes and the current position of AS & AD relative to full employment RGDP….also indicate any shifts that would occur if the exchange rate of the $ rose sharply against other major currencies 3pts

. 6) Suppose current annualized yields on 1 year US treasury securities are only 0.28%....while current annualized yields on 2year US treasury securities are 0.69% (note you may assume that both 1 and 2year securities in this example are “0” coupon securities with no payment other than the maturity value on the maturity date.

What does this data suggest about financial market expectations of 1-year yields, 1 year from now? Explain…. (Assume investors are risk neutral in these short time horizons with default free treasuries.) 4pts.

7) Each year since winning control of the House of Representatives in the 2010 election, Tea Party Republicans have argued that we need to immediately initiate sharp reductions in government spending and entitlement programs and rapidly move towards a balanced budget, (although they have never actually produced a budget proposal in which tax revenues would match government spending plus entitlement transfers). Many Democrats, while arguing that tax rate increases on high income earners need to be part of the any deficit reduction program, have agreed that we need to initiate budget deficit reduction now. Under the current Trump Administration, there is a widespread discussion going on in the US Congress to find their ways to avoid any possible govt shut down mainly attributed to on-going crisis of the budget deficit and accumulated public debt of almost $19 Trillion.

A) What is the argument against attempting to balance the Federal Government budget rapidly at the present time via either deep cuts in Federal Government spending or sharp increases in federal income tax rates? 4pts

B) Does this argument imply that budget deficits don’t matter in the long run? If not, why might the impact of large deficits predicted in the long run under current tax and spending programs be different than the impact today? Explain. 4pts.

Answer 1

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