Next Economy Notes - Economists Forecast A Solid 2012

Driving the discussion today, a survey of 50 top economists results in a prediction that our economy will grow faster than expected this year. Some key predictions:

•The economy will grow 2.5% this year vs. their 2.3% forecast three months ago.

•Employment gains averaging 185,000 new jobs a month through December, 29,000 more than economists forecast in January.

•Unemployment averaging 8% in the fourth quarter vs. 8.2% now.

•Regular gasoline at an average of $4 a gallon on July 4 and $3.80 on Election Day. Sunday's average was $3.86, according to AAA.

Of course, this all assumes a European country to be named later doesn't drag the global economy down the drain. This week's contestant: Spain

Politico asks Five Key Questions About the Economy.

The Economist notes that Mitt Romney is steering his economic policies rightward.

The Department of Commerce is fueling regional innovation.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 helped trigger the economic collapse. Four years later, do we know what really happened at Lehman Brothers? 60 Minutes investigates.

Finally, this headline from 2007 is pretty comical.