The Nation-State of California?
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California's being called a nation-state without the tools or the vision to act in its own interests. We hear some ideas about how it might live up to its potential. Also, is medical marijuana out of control in LA? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, credit card companies, once denounced for offering easy credit, are under fire for tightening up, using psychological profiles of customers. We hear the latest about reforms the President wants to sign by Memorial Day.
Main Topic
Credit Card Companies Max Themselves Out on Capitol Hill ()
Liberal Senate Democrat Chris Dodd and conservative Republican Richard Shelby have co-authored a bill to reform the business of credit-card lending. In his latest weekly radio address, President Obama indicated that its time has come.
Guests:
- Sudeep Reddy: Economics Reporter, Wall Street Journal, @Reddy
- Travis Plunkett: Legislative Director, Consumer Federation of America
- David John: Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation, @Heritage
- Michael Hiltzik: Columnist, Los Angeles Times, @latimeshiltzik
- Charles Duhigg: Reporter, New York Times
Links:
- Hiltzik's column on vilification of credit card companies
- Duhigg's Sunday magazine article on credit card companies' risk profiling
- John's article on credit card bill as restrictive and damaging
- Plunkett on House passage of Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act
- Reddy's article on amendments to credit card reform bill
- Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act (HR 627)
Main Topic
The Nation-State of California? ()
California is a state that's the size of a nation — more diverse than almost any place else, with the world's eighth largest economy and increasing interdependence with other countries. But it's inwardly focused, and it's failing to exercise global influence or to act in its own interest. That's according to Abraham Lowenthal, former head of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He's written the book, Global California: Rising to the Cosmopolitan Challenge, hoping to ”change the mindset” of California. Los Angeles Times financial writer James Flanigan has written on similar themes. His new book is Smile Southern California, You're the Center of the Universe: The Economy and People of a Global Region.
Guests:
- Abraham Lowenthal: Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California
- James Flanigan: Business Columnist, New York Times
Reporter's Notebook
Marijuana Dispensaries Mushrooming in LA ()
Medical marijuana was legalized by California voters in 1996 and the state legislature drew up regulations to govern its use. Now it’s a major industry. In the City of Los Angeles, pot dispensaries outnumber Starbucks. That’s according to a report airing tomorrow on SoCal Connected on KCET. USC Journalism Professor and former ABC Correspondent Judy Muller is the reporter.
Guests:
- Judy Muller: Emmy Award-winning TV correspondent
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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