1. What do you think is the most pressing macroeconomic problem facing the US today? What approaches would you take to fix the problem? Wherever possible, try to make a case for your solution based on material from the text or other credible sources.
2. In recent years, rates of private saving have decreased to near historic lows. (scroll down the page on this link to see the historical trend) Please comment on the following questions.
   • What factors do you think contributed to the long decline in savings rates?
   • What factors do you think contributed to the very recent increase in savings rates?
   • Why might economists and others be concerned about the long decline in savings rates?
   • Why might economists and others be concerned about the recent increase in savings?
   • What are some of the possible benefits of decreased savings rates?
   • What are some of the possible benefits of increased savings rates?