Apr 11, 2013

Marketplace for Thursday, April 11, 2013

McDonald’s says wants to be faster and friendlier after a report called them otherwise. We ask a few customers how fast they want their fast food. Also in food, gluten-free diets are all the rage and it's becoming a booming industry. Then, from the Wealth and Poverty desk, we wonder if social security benefits should be targeted toward the poor. Should the well-off benefit?

Segments From this episode

Final Note

A third of Americans like doing their taxes

by Kai Ryssdal

Apr 11, 2013

Thirty-four percent of Americans "like or love" doing their taxes, according to a new survey from the Pew Center for the People and the Press.

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Egyptians turn to 'gray market' for dollars

by Julia Simon

Apr 11, 2013

A foreign currency shortage has Egyptians turning to informal dollar exchanges to keep businesses going.

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Six diet-related lifestyle changes: Which works for you?

by Millie Jefferson

Apr 11, 2013

Gluten-free diets are picking up steam, but they're not alone. We pin six more common lifestyle and diet changes.

Safeway customers shop for peaches in Livermore, Calif.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Gluten-free has its day, and restaurants respond

by Adriene Hill

Apr 11, 2013

The notion that gluten-free is good has worked its way onto menus and into prepared foods.

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What's so great about austerity, anyway?

by Scott Tong

Apr 11, 2013

The idea that government should be balance its budget and stay out of the way has been around a long time. It's gained ascendance in Washington even as more economists agree the government should spend more and help the economy.

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Guns and dollars

States and cities take gun laws into their own hands with tax plans

by David Gura

Apr 11, 2013

While Congress struggles with gun legislation in the wake of Newtown, states and municipalities are taking the lead, many with tax proposals

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McDonald's demands swifter service with a smile

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Apr 11, 2013

McDonald’s faces rising complaints about unfriendly and slow service. So the burger reportedly plans to get employees to step on the accelerator and turn up the charm.

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Show Us Your Safety Net

What if you got less Social Security if you didn't need it as much?

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 11, 2013

Current recipients have different reactions. Some scholars say basing the amount of payments on need could make the program less popular.

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Young, with a juvenile record, and looking for work

by Ashley Williams

Apr 11, 2013

More cities and states consider laws that would "ban the box" that job applicants check if they've been convicted of a crime.

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Ready, fire, aim: Why Silicon Valley shoots from the hip

by Sally Herships

Apr 11, 2013

After embarrassing misstatements during the launch of a Mark Zuckerberg nonprofit, hear why blunders like this can happen in Silicon Valley, the capital of social media.

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McDonald’s says wants to be faster and friendlier after a report called them otherwise. We ask a few customers how fast they want their fast food. Also in food, gluten-free diets are all the rage and it’s becoming a booming industry. Then, from the Wealth and Poverty desk, we wonder if social security benefits should be targeted toward the poor. Should the well-off benefit?