You're missing the point. I did not say trash doesn't get published. And, I did not say this paper is trash. I said this is fine as a term paper in an econometrics class as a vehicle for demonstrating that the students are capable of using various tools. Even in that context, if I were teaching this class, it would merit a B mainly due to the paucity of their references.
In a different context, one could criticize the paper much more harshly, but it is OK as a term paper.