The Economy Is Booming. Or Is It?

<p>The United States economy is in the middle of a record-long expansion. So why is the government deploying an economic weapon it last used during the 2008 financial crisis? Guest: Ben Casselman, who covers the economy for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/thedaily" target="_blank">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>The Federal Reserve<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/business/economy/federal-reserve-interest-rate-cut.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than a decade</a> as it tried to insulate the economy from President Trump’s trade war and a global slowdown.</li><li>The quarter-point reduction is unlikely to get you a better mortgage rate. Here’s<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/your-money/fed-interest-rates.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> where you might see effects</a>.</li></ul>