Romney's tax returns raise eyebrows :: Tax Rates Explained

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U.S. Midwest Jobs Return :: Cars :: Applesauce :: Mining

From northern Michigan’s iron mines to Pennsylvania’s natural-gas fields, the industrial heartland of America is humming with jobs again as a region once left for dead recovers faster than the rest of the U.S.

The turnaround may shape this year’s race for the White House as President Barack Obama seeks to reverse Republican gains in the Midwest. The title of his State of the Union address, “An America Built to Last,” evoked a theme of manufacturing’s revival meant to resonate on the campaign trail.
The economies of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- all states Obama won in 2008 -- have improved faster than that of the U.S. since the recession’s depth in April 2009, according to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve. Michigan is expected to lead all 50 states during the next six months, the Fed data show.

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Bill Gates: People Like Me Don't Pay Enough In Taxes

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Durable Goods Orders in U.S. Climb 3%, Stronger Than Economists Estimated

Orders for U.S. durable goods climbed more than forecast in December, pointing to a rebound in business investment that will help support the world’s largest economy in early 2012. Bookings  for long-lasting goods advanced 3 percent after rising 4.3 percent the prior month, the biggest back-to-back gains in almost a year, according to Commerce Department data today in Washington. Other reports showed indexes of leading indicators and consumer comfort improved, jobless claims rose from an almost four-year low and sales of new houses dropped.

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