Economists could do some solid and useful work by researching historical as well as current cost/benefit scenarios. So much at least of general public knowledg

Economists could do some solid and useful work by researching historical as well as current cost/benefit scenarios. So much at least of general public knowledge and reporting in the realm is focused upon "prediction". How about painting some clear pictures of what has happened; why; and who paid and who benefited? And as our knowledge, e.g. of long-term health effects, continues to grow, such topics remain open for further analysis and refinement. Perhaps Ken Burns could put together a series on the economic history of the U.S., for example. (Perhaps those spreadsheets are more interesting when subjected to a slow pan... ;-) Seriously, though. Last year I got sucked into yet another discussion of recent politics, and I suggested putting the whole situation under a comprehensive cost accounting analysis. For the other parties in the discussion, it -- a bit surprisingly, to me -- seemed to be something of a "lightbulb moment".