And Mr Solbes argues persuasively that the fundamental benefits, in particular the widening and deepening of capital markets, have already far outweighed the embarrassment of the exchange rate.

ECONOMIST: Pedro Solbes, commissioner for the euro

The federal investigators appear to be interested in Mr Rowland's cottage because among those who paid for the work are several key figures in a widening federal grand-jury investigation of corruption in the state's capital, Hartford.

ECONOMIST: But corruption in this state can be a bipartisan business

The widening of the risk premium today is a major depressant because it has raised the cost of capital for everyone but the U.S Treasury.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Rising capital gains and dividends among the wealthy were the main driver of the widening gap, he concluded, accounting for 72 percent of the increase.

MSN: Only on NBCNews.com

This kind of capital flight could lead to rising borrowing costs for the country as well as a widening income gap between the haves and the have-nots, analysts say, threatening social stability at a time when China wants it the most ahead of its once-in-a-decade leadership transition.

WSJ: Chongqing Court Convicts 18 of Running $10 Billion Money-Smuggling Ring in China