author, 'The Influence Machine'
Investigative reporter and a member of the editorial board at the New York Daily News; author of The Influence Machine: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Corporate Capture of American Life
PROFILE
Alyssa Katz
Guest
FROM Alyssa Katz
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Influence Machine Last week, The New York Times revealed that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, America’s largest trade group, has been fighting for big tobacco worldwide. According to our guest, it’s just one example of how the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has become a political juggernaut for many corporate causes that may go against the public good. What was once a low-key business advocacy group is now a massive lobbying organization with interests around the world.
Which Way, L.A.?
Homeownership and the Fading American Dream In the aftermath of the housing market collapse and the sub-prime mortgage scandal, President Obama promised help for millions of homeowners trying to avoid foreclosures. That hasn't happened. We hear what's going wrong and what it could mean for the future.
To the Point
Homeownership and the Fading American Dream Since the Great Depression, the US government has encouraged home ownership, most conspicuously with the homeowner's tax deduction. In the aftermath of the housing market collapse and the sub-prime mortgage scandal, President Obama promised help for millions of homeowners trying to avoid foreclosures. Now six million Americans are facing foreclosure, but new federal programs may be doing more harm than good. Instead of help with mortgage modification or refinance, desperate homeowners face a blizzard of paperwork and official errors with little or no supervision. Is homeownership all that it's cracked up to be? If not, what are the consequences for the economy and a cornerstone of American culture?
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To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.