To the Point
Will More Babies Save Us from Economic Decline?
With the US birthrate declining, warnings about a population explosion are being pushed aside. Will that lead to economic disaster? What are the causes? The possible cures?
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenWarnings about a population explosion are being pushed aside by the fact that America's birthrate is on the decline. Will that lead to economic disaster? What are the causes? What are the possible cures? We hear a debate that ranges from women's rights to immigration reform. Also, Will dropping Saturday mail save the US Postal Service? On Reporter's Notebook, General Stanley McChrystal on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Banner image: Christine TM
In this episode
3 storiesWill Dropping Saturday Mail Save the US Postal Service?
The US Post Office is taking another shot at ending first class mail delivery on Saturdays. The goal is to save $2 billion — after losing $15 billion last year. At a news conference this morning, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe attributed the loss to a steady decline in first class mail, as people increasingly pay their bills online.
Read the story8 minShould Americans Be Having More Babies?
In the late 1960's, Paul Ehrlich warned that a Population Bomb was creating so many people they wouldn't be able to feed themselves within 20 years. The new book, What to Expect When No One's Expecting , is claiming the opposite: the root of America's problems is that the birthrate's declining.
Read the story31 minFighting and Winning Wars in the 21st Century
Two years ago, Four-Star General Stanley McChrystal resigned his command in Afghanistan after an article in Rolling Stone magazine quoted Mc Chrystal's aides criticizing President Obama. We talk with Mc Chrystal about his new book, My Share of the Task , about Iraq, Afghanistan and all things military.
Read the story13 min
