Ann Owen, former Federal Reserve economist and economics professor at Hamilton College says, "The most significant part of John Kerry's economic proposals is his plan to reduce the deficit. Unfortunately for Kerry, however, deficit reduction is a difficult issue on which to win an election. Many people don't entirely understand what the deficit is or how its reduction will affect them personally, even though in the long-run the effects could be very significant. A debt-laden economy will also be in poor fiscal shape to deal with the challenges ahead--rising health care costs, an insolvent Social Security and Medicare system, and the challenges of increased global competition."
Owen focuses her research primarily on issues related to income distribution and human capital formation. She serves as director of the Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center at Hamilton College.
Contact Owen: 315-859-4419(office) or aowen@hamilton.edu
