WHAT: Series of Tuesday forums

WHERE: Niemann Media Theatre, Hedberg Library, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, Wis.

WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 30, and Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28

CONTACT: Mary Krome at 262-551-2308, mkrome@carthage.edu

Many voters and political analysts consider the state of the U.S. economy the biggest issue in the current presidential campaign. Yet in-depth discussion of policy issues that help determine the direction of the economy is often neglected in media campaign coverage, or overshadowed by rhetoric and sound bites.

The A. W. Clausen Center for World Business at Carthage College will present a series of five free Tuesday evening discussion programs examining economic issues, starting Sept. 30. The program facilitators are Mary Krome, associate professor of business administration at Carthage; and Jerald Mast, associate professor of political science.

These are not small issues, but media focus on them has been limited," Prof. Krome says. "I listen to news, and we’re hearing nonsense about candidates’ attire and haircuts."

Introductory presentations from both major political parties are planned. The town hall format of the programs then will allow 45 minutes for questions and answers from the audience

Prof. Krome says the programs will emphasize national issues of strong interest in southeastern Wisconsin, and the impact of economic policy choices on this area. She points out that southeastern Wisconsin has been affected greatly by economic globalization in the past three decades.

"Our role is to explain why that is happening," Prof. Krome says. "The question is, ‘what are we going to do?’"

Here are the scheduled topics:

Sept. 30:	Job Loss from Globalization
Oct. 7:	Public Transportation Investment
Oct. 14:	Energy: Oil Use, Renewable Energy, Energy Security, Sustainability
Oct. 21:	Wall Street at Risk: What it Means for Pensions 401(k) Plans
Oct. 28:	Tax Policy and Deficit Spending

"The idea of this is to produce informed voters," Prof. Krome says. "You may not change your positions on the candidates, but you will know where they stand."