Election Day
Listen
Voters in Virginia and New Jersey chose governors, a seat is up for grabs in New York’s 23rd Congressional district, and in a handful of states ballot measures on hot-button issues like medical marijuana, gambling and same-sex marriage will be decided. In Washington state, Referendum 71 would extend greater rights to domestic partners. It’s provoked a fight over whether the signatures that put the referendum on the ballot should be made public. We speak with Austin Jenkins, political reporter for Northwest News Network.
What is Capitalism?
Listen
We think the answer is markets and the invisible hand, but our guest Bruce Scott says we’ve been getting it disastrously wrong for a long time now. Capitalism, as he defines it, is a form of governance, in which rules and rule-making are the system as much as the market. When you look at it closely, says Scott, it’s really the visible hand of regulators and regulation that make it capitalism. Bruce R. Scott, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School, is writing a book on capitalism. A key chapter from the book, “The Concept of Capitalism,” has been published independently.
Clinton in Egypt
Listen
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Cairo today for a hastily arranged meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. She was scheduled to travel home, but instead appears to be responding to Egyptian concerns the U-S may be recalibrating its approach to the Middle East Peace process. The meeting comes amid speculation about President Mubarak, who is 81 years old. The BBC’s Middle East Correspondent Christian Fraser reports on who might be in line to replace him.
Andy Williams’ ‘Moon River and Me’
Andy Williams (AP)
Iconic musician Andy Williams has had his ups and downs over his 70-year career in show biz. His successes include ten years on an Emmy-award winning television series, 18 gold and 3 platinum albums and 20 years playing in Las Vegas. On the downside, he trudged through seedy nightclubs in the 1950’s, rarely getting paid much if anything. At 82, Andy Williams takes us through his storied career, as presented in his new memoir, “Moon River and Me.”
Music from the Show
- Air, “Mike Mills”
- Ahmad Jamal, “Patterns”
- Freddie Hubbard, “Little Sunflower”
- Fred Hirsch, “Desafinado”
- Tito Puente, “Royal T”
Be sure to ask him about his rant concerning how Obama is turning the nation into a Socialist dictatorship. Thanks!
Posted by ted paxton, on November 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 amIt’s about time someone talked about how rules and regulations are necessary for capitalism to work in a way that doesn’t destroy our society.
Posted by Audrey Roth, on November 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 pmI loved the Andy Williams interview, and his recording of “Moon River.” but lets not forget the slightly better version by Jerry Butler. Although both would improve with a little less production.
Posted by Don Spence, on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 pmThank you so much for having Professor Scott on your show today. He is the first person I recall hearing make the analogy between capitalism and sports, and their both needing rules or there would be chaos. I have been thinking exactly that for a while, even though I have limited understanding of economics. It just seems so obvious, which makes it so interesting why others seem to be oblivious to the idea.
He made many great points and observations and I hope he gets a lot more exposure. He needs to be heard.
Posted by Lisa Recko, on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:28 pmHearing Andy Williams speak and sing is deeply nostalgic. My mother was his personal secretary at the Moon River Theatre for many years. I remember staying backstage and hearing him sing Moon River almost nightly when I was 6. I’m proud to say I was the first to show him The Simpsons clip too.
Thank you so much for bringing these memories back!
Posted by Sean Church, on November 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 pmWe need Prof. Scott advising Pres. Obama and Congress instead of Larry Summers, Tim Geitner, and all the other devotees of unfettered capitalism. Let’s get him into the spotlight and keep him there.
Posted by Janice McDaniel, on November 4th, 2009 at 11:52 amForget the sports analogy – they’re just games w/ a time limit.
Posted by Jack, on November 6th, 2009 at 10:48 pmWhat is needed is a framework that everyone currently subscibes to and accepts everyday regardless of party affiliation (or athletic ability) – think traffic laws.
We all loathe them, yet follow them or face the consequences. They allow you to get where you need to go and, if you plan ahead can get there ontime (profits!). For those that want to “speed” ahead of the rest, they can take their chances with the law – but without a federal bailout!
Nobody claims the current traffic system (however imperfect) to be socialism, so why not something similar for the economy?