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Last broadcast on Sun, 31 Jan 2010, 19:15 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
The US budget is over three trillion dollars. Matt Frei talks to US budget expert Stan Collender to translate what all those zeros in 'trillion' mean for the federal budget and national debt.
Matt Frei talks to Grammy Award-winning musician Steve Earle about how one in ten Americans face unemployment. They discuss how those numbers affect real Americans and the songs sung about them. Americana hears from three people who have lost jobs in the last year, from South Dakota, Nashville and Oregon.
Americans are counting down the days until one of the largest national unified television viewing experiences arrives, the Superbowl. The Superbowl typically draws over 90 million viewers. It also draws over two million dollars for a 30-second window of advertising. The most controversial ad in the Superbowl line-up this year brings the abortion debate to the field.
This will be the 44th Superbowl and sports writer Don Steinberg notes that the nation also just elected its 44th president. Matt Frei talks to Don to learn when, if ever, US leadership is more impressive than in its championship football games.
Trillions budgeted trillions owed
Matt Frei talks to U.S. budget expert Stan Collender to get a grip on the giant numbers the federal government has worked into the budget this year and how the trillions really influence life in America.
Millions struggle
Matt Frei talks to Grammy Award winning musician Steve Earle for an artist’s view on the hard times the United States faces. With one in ten Americans out of work, Americana hears from those who have lost their job in the last year. Americans from Oregon, South Dakota and Nashville share their stories.
The photo is of: Glory Harp
Photo credit: Vicky Wicks
Useful Links: Unemployment rate by county
"More than a year after the meltdown of the financial markets, the unemployment rate continues to edge up providing evidence that the economy, though expanding, has not yet grown enough to end the brutal conditions facing American workers. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this map shows how each county is faring".
Interactive map of unemployment rate by county (from The Washington Post)
Useful Links: Hard Times
"Over the course of 2009, we followed a dozen Oregonians as they weathered the worst of economic times".
How Did The Last Year Change You? (from Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Ads cost millions
Americans are counting down the days until the Superbowl. It’s the most watched television event in the United States each year and the most expensive one during which to advertise. Companies pay over 2 million dollars for 30 seconds of broadcast.
Matt Frei talks to Gary Schneeberger of Focus on the Family to learn why the Evangelical Christian organization is getting so much attention over an advertisement which purportedly references both the star quarterback Tim Tebow and the abortion debate at once.
CBS defends decision to run politically sensitive Tim Tebow ad during Super Bowl (from LA Times)
Useful Links: An open letter from Nancy Northup
An open letter from Nancy Northup, the President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, to the Matthew Margo, Senior Vice President of Program Practices at CBS.
Tebow Story Raises Serious Accuracy Questions (Huffington Post)
44 Superbowls 44 Presidents
In one week the New Orleans Louisiana Saints play the Indianapolis Indiana Colts in the 44th National Football League Superbowl contest. Matt Frei talks to sports writer Don Steinberg to find out how the 44 U.S. Presidents stack up against the 44 football championships.
Broadcast
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Sun 31 Jan 201019:15
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