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Marketplace for Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Jun 6, 2012

Marketplace for Wednesday, June 6, 2012

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General Motors is facing a pension crisis. To save themselves more than $20 billion in pension obligations, they're giving big buyouts to some retirees. A new study shows that having a trade certificate under your belt dramatically improves your salary. Compared to earlier this year, oil prices are way down -- so when will our wallets notice the difference? We hears from listeners about their thoughts on last week's View Park story and about what it means to be middle class. And Kai Ryssdal talks to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz about how inequality harms our economy.

Segments From this episode

Letters: What the middle class means to you

Jun 6, 2012
Going over listeners' responses to our recent Wealth & Poverty stories on the 'black Beverly Hills' and the middle class.

GM's pension buyout sets corporate example

Jun 6, 2012
General Motors' move to cut pensions costs is likely to copied by other companies struggling with underfunded plans for retirees.
The General Motors (GM) world headquarters in Detroit, Mich. General Motors' move to cut pensions costs is likely to copied by other companies struggling with underfunded plans for retirees.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Economist Joseph Stiglitz on income inequality in the U.S.

Jun 6, 2012
The Nobel Prize for Economics winner talks about how he thinks income inequality is harming our economy.

Watching the L.A. Kings make history

Jun 6, 2012
The Los Angeles Kings could win their first Stanley Cup hockey championship ever tonight. But fans will have to pay a premium to see it whether they watch from the pricey seats at the Staples Center, in a sports bar or at home on cable TV.

What's up, Europe? Italy looks forward

Jun 6, 2012
Italians are holding out hope that a meeting of European leaders on June 28 will prove to be a turning point in the euro crisis.

Trade certificates help men more than women

Jun 6, 2012
A study says women earn certificates in lower-paid fields and are less likely to add a college degree.

Sheila Bair on new watchdog group, Systemic Risk Council

Jun 6, 2012
The former chairwoman of the FDIC talks about her new financial watchdog group, the Systemic Risk Council, and the state of the global financial industry.

What to expect from gas prices in the short term

Jun 6, 2012
Gas prices may be a bit of bright spot in a dark and stormy world economy.

Remembering Ray Bradbury

Jun 6, 2012
Author Ray Bradbury passed away at age 91. He was more than just a science fiction writer.

General Motors is facing a pension crisis. To save themselves more than $20 billion in pension obligations, they’re giving big buyouts to some retirees. A new study shows that having a trade certificate under your belt dramatically improves your salary. Compared to earlier this year, oil prices are way down — so when will our wallets notice the difference? We hears from listeners about their thoughts on last week’s View Park story and about what it means to be middle class. And Kai Ryssdal talks to Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz about how inequality harms our economy.

Music from the episode

It. 122 Alexander Robotnick, Ludus Pinsky
Float On Modest Mouse
Motion Sickness Hot Chip
The Reeling Passion Pit