The Great American Wealth Divide

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The Census Bureau-s annual current population survey is the official measure of America-s wealth and poverty. Those figures, just out today, show that poverty is on the increase, and while executive salaries are down a bit, too, examples like former New York Stock Exchange head Richard Grasso-s $140 million show there-s still an enormous difference between the top and the bottom. Is there a connection between poverty and excessive wealth? Should government try harder to narrow the gap, or is the divide between economic classes a necessary--even desirable--characteristic of a dynamic economy? We get perspective from the former head of the Congressional Budget Office, labor policy and financial analysts, and an heiress who advocates for -responsible wealth.- Making News: Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Debate in New York All ten candidates for next year-s Democratic presidential nomination debated for 2 hours yesterday in New York, and the economy was a hot topic. Given the claim that President Bush-s tax cuts favor the rich, the candidates were asked to define what it means to be rich in America. Jim VandeHei covered yesterday's debate for the Washington Post. Reporter's Notebook: US Troops Grab Power and Govern in Iraq Despite all the talk about returning authority to the Iraqi people, the US military will be in charge for the foreseeable future. It has divided the country into geographical sectors, with each one controlled by an American commander who has broad discretion over how to manage Iraqi affairs. Emily Harris, who has been in Iraq for the past month for National Public Radio, says discretionary power and style vary from sector to sector.
The Census Bureau-s annual current population survey is the official measure of America-s wealth and poverty. Those figures, just out today, show that poverty is on the increase, and while executive salaries are down a bit, too, examples like former New York Stock Exchange head Richard Grasso-s $140 million show there-s still an enormous difference between the top and the bottom. Is there a connection between poverty and excessive wealth? Should government try harder to narrow the gap, or is the divide between economic classes a necessary--even desirable--characteristic of a dynamic economy? We get perspective from the former head of the Congressional Budget Office, labor policy and financial analysts, and an heiress who advocates for -responsible wealth.-
  • Making News: Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Debate in New York
    All ten candidates for next year-s Democratic presidential nomination debated for 2 hours yesterday in New York, and the economy was a hot topic. Given the claim that President Bush-s tax cuts favor the rich, the candidates were asked to define what it means to be rich in America. Jim VandeHei covered yesterday's debate for the Washington Post.
  • Reporter's Notebook: US Troops Grab Power and Govern in Iraq
    Despite all the talk about returning authority to the Iraqi people, the US military will be in charge for the foreseeable future. It has divided the country into geographical sectors, with each one controlled by an American commander who has broad discretion over how to manage Iraqi affairs. Emily Harris, who has been in Iraq for the past month for National Public Radio, says discretionary power and style vary from sector to sector.

Democratic Presidential candidates- debate

VandeHei's article on debate

Census Bureau report on poverty

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney