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Americana

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An insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

From coast to coast, an insider's guide to the stories and people shaping the USA today

Americana: 31/01/2010

31/01/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Americana, 31/01/2010

Matt Frei talks to Stan Collender about the US federal budget and national debt.

Matt Frei presents an insider guide to the people and the stories shaping America today.

The US budget is over three trillion dollars. Matt Frei talks to US budget expert Stan Collender to translate what all those zeros in 'trillion' mean for the federal budget and national debt. 

Matt Frei talks to Grammy Award-winning musician Steve Earle about how one in ten Americans face unemployment. They discuss how those numbers affect real Americans and the songs sung about them. Americana hears from three people who have lost jobs in the last year, from South Dakota, Nashville and Oregon.

Americans are counting down the days until one of the largest national unified television viewing experiences arrives, the Superbowl. The Superbowl typically draws over 90 million viewers. It also draws over two million dollars for a 30-second window of advertising. The most controversial ad in the Superbowl line-up this year brings the abortion debate to the field. 

This will be the 44th Superbowl and sports writer Don Steinberg notes that the nation also just elected its 44th president. Matt Frei talks to Don to learn when, if ever, US leadership is more impressive than in its championship football games.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Americana

31/01/2010

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