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From coast to coast, 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: 28/02/2011

28/02/2011

BBC World Service - Americana, 28/02/2011

Matt Frei examines the history of unions in America and what may come next.

American Unions:
Credited with creating the 40 hour work week and minimum wage, American labor unions are also criticised for creating headaches and hurdles for American businesses. With comment from James P. Hoffa, President of the Teamsters union and son of the late Jimmy Hoffa, experts Judith Stein and Kevin Williamson discuss the history and possible future for unions in the United States.

Protest Songs:
Writer, performer and satirist Kinky Friedman explains the useful melodies and sarcastic wit of protest songs both popular and less well known.

Raising the volume:
Colin Goddard was a student at Virginia Tech University in 2007 when gunman Seung-Hui Cho burst through the classroom door to shoot and kill 10 of Colin's 17 classmates. Goddard recovered from his multiple gunshot wounds and now travels the country to call for increased gun restrictions. He shares his thoughts about the gun debate with Americana.

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