To the Point
What's Behind the Austerity Backlash?
Unemployment and slow growth in Europe are bringing an end to the "austerity" era of spending cuts and increased taxes. Was austerity a dangerous idea in the first place?
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenUnemployment and slow growth in Europe are bringing an end to the "austerity" era of spending cuts and increased taxes. Was "austerity" a dangerous idea in the first place? Will new ideas about economic reality make a difference to politicians in Washington? Also, three more suspects are detained in the Boston Marathon bombings, and provisions for same-sex relationships could scuttle immigration reform.
Banner image: A May Day protester uses a slingshot to throw a stone at riot police as protesters try to break through barricades to reach the city's main square in central Istanbul May 1, 2013. Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesThree More Detained in Boston Marathon Bombings
Police emphasize there's no threat to public safety, but three new suspects have been arrested in the Boston Marathon bombing. The FBI is holding them, and two are said to have connections to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who's accused of being one of the bombers. Joe Dwinell is managing editor for print-web integration at the Boston Herald .
Read the story8 minThe Backlash Against Austerity
International May Day rallies are supposed to celebrate the dignity of human labor, but with 26 million Europeans out of work and unemployment at 27 percent in Greece and Spain, today's rallies were protests against the consequences of massive spending cuts and increased taxes.
Read the story36 minGay Rights Push Threatens Immigration Deal
The bipartisan Gang of Eight has produced a Senate bill on immigration reform that could make history by passing both houses. Gay rights advocates are insisting that reform allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their foreign-born partners for green cards.
Read the story7 min
