American Economy

Robert Greenstein ("stine" not "steen"), executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. His group has just released a new study that shows how many state's budget cuts have had meant a disproportionate cut in programs for the poor.

We examine the implications of the economic collapse with Washington Post reporter Jerry Knight.

Journalist James O'Shea is former chief economic correspondent for The Chicago Tribune. His book, "The Daisy Chain," is a case history of what went wrong with the Savings and Loans in this country. It looks at an S&L in Vernon, Texas owned by Don Dixon who was recently sentenced for defrauding regulators, illegally spending depositors' money, and other misdeeds.

The second of a two-part interview with the writer and political economist. Today, Reich discusses how the U.S. can improve its economic health in light of a shifting global landscape.

The first half of a two part interview with political economist Robert Reich. Reich's new book, "The Work of Nations," examines how new global realities have changed economic conditions for Americans. While many blue collar jobs go overseas, wealth in the U.S. has become concentrated in the top fifth of population.

Christopher Flavin is a senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based think tank that monitors the state of the environment. He believes President Bush's new energy policies miss several opportunities for reforms, including taxes which would promote greater conservation of resources.

Economics writer Robert Kuttner returns to discuss his new book, "The End of Laissez Faire." In it, he proposes that the United States give up its roles as world policeman and focus on the type of governmental economic planning that has benefited the Japanese and Germans.

Economist Robert Kuttner joins Fresh Air to talk about how the war affects the economy. Though the stock market has soared, the real economy has suffered, the the national debt grows deeper every day.

Contributing editor to Harper's Magazine L.J Davis recently reported on the history and current crisis of the savings and loans system.

Liberal economist Robert Reich. His latest books include "The Next American Frontier" and "The Resurgent Liberal."