Suppose that Dmitri, an economist from an AM talk radio program, and Frances, an economist from a school of industrial relations, are arguing over saving incentives. The following dialogue shows an excerpt from their debate: Caroline: The usefulness of government intervention in the economy is a long-standing issue that economists continue to debate.
Antonio: I feel that government involvement in the economy should be reduced because government programs cause more harm than good.
Caroline: While I do agree that government programs can be inefficient, I really think they are necessary to help the less fortunate.
1. The disagreement between these economists is most likely due to
a. differences in values
b. differences in scientific judgement
c. differences in perception verse reality.
2. Despite their differences, with which proposition are two economists chosen at random most likely to agree?
a. Lawyers make up an excessive percentage of elected officials.
b. Minimum wage laws do more to harm low-skilled workers than help them.
c. Tariffs and import quotas generally reduce economic welfare.

The gilbert instrument corporation is considering replacing the wood steamer it currently uses to shape guitar sides. the steamer has 6 years of remaining life. if kept,the steamer will have depreciaiton expenses of $650 for five years and $325 for the sixthyear. its current book value is $3,575, and it can be sold on an internet auction site for$4,150 at this time. if the old steamer is not replaced, it can be sold for $800 at the endof its useful life. gilbert is considering purchasing the side steamer 3000, a higher-end steamer, whichcosts $12,000 and has an estimated useful life of 6 years with an estimated salvage value of$1,500. this steamer falls into the macrs 5-year class, so the applicable depreciationrates are 20.00%, 32.00%, 19.20%, 11.52%, 11.52%, and 5.76%. the new steamer is fasterand allows for an output expansion, so sales would rise by $2,000 per year; the newmachine's much greater efficiency would reduce operating expenses by $1,900 per year.to support the greater sales, the new machine would require that inventories increase by$2,900, but accounts payable would simultaneously increase by $700. gilbert's marginalfederal-plus-state tax rate is 40%, and its wacc is 15%.a. should it replace the old steamer? b. npv of replace = $2,083.51