This week our listeners wrote in about auto-worker benefits, the Great Depression and the darker side of Tinkerbell. Also, abut a pirate who's no Capt. Hook. Kai Ryssdal picks out a few.
In the most recent issue of Harper's, Eric Janszen, founder of iTulip.com, calls for a broad re-industrialization of the American economy. Kai Ryssdal talks with him about putting strength back into the country.
The Treasury wants to extend the bailout beyond banks, because it's a way of injecting capital into the economy quickly. But Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale reports that not everyone likes the idea.
The credit markets are starting to thaw, and that means confidence is returning to the banking system. Why now? Jeremy Hobson looks into whether the election had any effect on the country's financial mood.
Finance ministers from the European Union are meeting in Brussels today to talk about the global financial crisis. One idea on the table: having the U.S. play a smaller role in the IMF. Stephen Beard reports.
The Treasury Department is moving forward on how to spend the $700 billion rescue fund, and is thinking about buying up stakes in more companies. Alisa Roth reports the idea is to support a wider range of financial companies.
As readers hunger for information about the financial crisis, publishers are hurrying to get new business books on the table. And old ones, too. Sally Herships learns that's not so easy to do.
Next up in financial crisis headlines: credit cards. Delinquencies on card payments are on the rise and consumers are cutting back on credit card use. Neither is good for credit card companies. Rachel Dornhelm reports
Ethanol's future as alternative fuel isn't looking so bright right now. Goldman Sachs has abandoned analysis of the industry and the largest publicly traded producer has filed for bankruptcy protection. Steve Henn has more.
