1. Suddenly, the state is worried about its budget deficit and total debt. Your governor has reluctantly decided to raise revenues (taxes) to help "right the ship" since the spending cuts can only go so far. Your reputation as a "non-partisan economist" has resulted in you being summoned to the Governor's office to advise "which" tax or taxes to raise (it's not a question of "if" but rather "which" tax).

So, as a middle-class Wisconsinite, consider the possible choices you have and make your best case, remembering that anything that hurts the middle class more than others, hurts you, and most of Wisconsin. So, which tax(es) will you raise (or implement)?

2. Pretend that the national unemployment rate is around 10%. Assume that you personally are working at a job you like. Why do you (personally) care that the unemployment rate is so high? How does it impact you? What is a "normal" or good unemployment number?

3. Saving is a good thing, right? Under what circumstances is an increased saving rate actually not good for an economy?