Photo by Fritz Blakey

Robert Samelson's weekly column explores political, economic and social issues. He helps readers comprehend swarms of facts, figures and conflicting claims to produce common-sense conclusions on baffling subjects.

Samuelson began his journalism career as a reporter on The Washington Post's business desk in 1969. After four years he left the paper to free-lance. His articles were published by the Sunday Times of London, the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The New Republic and other publications. He joined The National Journal as an economics correspondent in 1976 and began writing its "Economic Focus" column. He started writing a column for The Washington Post in 1977.

In 1984, Samuelson left The National Journal and joined Newsweek as a contributing editor. Samuelson has won numerous journalism awards. The list includes: The National Headliner Award for Consistently Outstanding Column on One Subject in 1995, 1993, 1992 and 1987; a 1993 John Hancock Award for Best Business and Financial Columnist; The Gerald Loeb Award for Best Commentary in 1993, 1986 and 1983; a Clarion Award for Best Magazine Editorial/Opinion Column from Women in Communications in 1994; and a 1981 National Magazine Award.

In 1997, he was a finalist for the Gerald Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism for commentary and the Washingtonian magazine named him among the top 50 journalists in the capital city. His book, "The Good Life and Its Discontents: The American Dream in the Age of Entitlement, 1945-1995," was published in 1995 by Times Books.

He joined The Washington Post Writers Group in January 1996. Samuelson was born in New York City. He is a 1967 graduate of Harvard with a B.A. in government. He resides in Bethesda, Md., with his wife Judith and three children.