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Marketplace for Monday, December 19, 2011
Dec 19, 2011

Marketplace for Monday, December 19, 2011

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died, which leaves his country and its economy up in the air. Here in the U.S., Congress continues debating extending the payroll tax cut. Some have accused Congress of 'kicking the can' on some issues, but where does that phrase come from? Commentator John Steele Gordon says politicians are to blame for the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A Saudi prince invested in Twitter. UPS is trying to go green. And migrant farmers in Guatemala are choosing between poverty, or pursuing a new life in an unfriendly U.S.

Segments From this episode

Regulating Fannie and Freddie

Dec 19, 2011
The SEC charged two former CEOs of the mortgage giants for failing to fully report their companies' exposure to subprime mortgages.

Twitter gets royal treatment

Dec 19, 2011
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is said to be acquiring a 3 percent stake in Twitter. The social network is growing fast in the Arab world.

The origin of "kick the can"

Dec 19, 2011
It's been said Congress is "kicking the can" in the debate over the payroll tax. But where exactly did that phrase come from and why has it become a metaphor for political dysfunction?

Payroll tax cut, what payroll tax cut?

Dec 19, 2011
Some New Yorkers told Marketplace they don't know what the payroll tax cut is, how much money it put in their pockets, or whether they spent it.

Risky business: Leaving Guatemala

Dec 19, 2011
Guatemalan workers deported three years ago debate whether to return to the United States.

Brown goes green

Dec 19, 2011
UPS new chief sustainability officer rings in holiday environmental goals.

North Korea: A fragile economy after Kim Jong-Il

Dec 19, 2011
Death of dictator creates a new region of uncertainty. What it means for North Korea's economy, the U.S. and neighboring countries as the nation's military decides whether to accept Kim Jong-Il's son as leader.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died, which leaves his country and its economy up in the air. Here in the U.S., Congress continues debating extending the payroll tax cut. Some have accused Congress of ‘kicking the can’ on some issues, but where does that phrase come from? Commentator John Steele Gordon says politicians are to blame for the failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A Saudi prince invested in Twitter. UPS is trying to go green. And migrant farmers in Guatemala are choosing between poverty, or pursuing a new life in an unfriendly U.S.

Music from the episode

Swagger Mocean Worker
Swagger Mocean Worker