What is unusual about Liveris' comments on the diminishing presence of manufacturing in America and his criticisms of the American government for letting that happen is that he is chairman of Dow Chemical Company, the giant multinational headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Unlike most of his fellow CEOs of U.S.-based multinationals, Liveris actively campaigns for more manufacturing in this country. In his new book, Make It In America: The Case for Reinventing the...]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Listen to a top economist in the Obama administration describe Paul A. Volcker, the former Federal Reserve chairman who endorsed Mr. Obama early in his election campaign and who stood by his side during the financial crisis.

Paul A. Volcker, second from left, in a meeting in May at the White House with President Obama and his economic advisory board.

“The guy’s a giant, he’s a genius, he is a great human being,” said Austan D. Goolsbee, counselor to Mr. Obama since their Chicago days. “Whenever he has advice, the administration is very interested.”

Well, not lately. The aging Mr. Volcker (he is 82) has some advice, deeply felt. He has been...]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 If the Obama administration has a strategy for reviving manufacturing, Douglas Bartlett would like to know what it is.

ON THE ROAD In the ’50s and ’60s, highway building helped a thriving economy grow. These women worked in Iowa in 1967.

But this time that may not happen. Public spending, American style, has worked best in good times, when people have jobs and executives are eager to invest. A new public highway is soon lined — in good times — with stores and malls filled with consumers. A dollar spent by government generates three or four from the private...]]>