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It's your agenda

Election day is Nov. 7, and the politicians are buying ads and making speeches. But are they offering solutions to the problems we really care about? We wanted to find out what's on your agenda. So we asked listeners and thousands of people in our national network of sources.

About the Real Agenda
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THE REAL AGENDA


Got something to add? Help us tell the story as our coverage continues.

THE SERIES

Immigration's ground zero

With little federal progress being made on immigration issues, Arizona once again has an immigration initiative on the ballot. Claudine LoMonaco reports.

Arizona considers election lottery

A novel initiative is on Arizona's Nov. 7 ballot. It would set up a million-dollar lottery to entice voters to go to the polls. Christine LoMonaco talks to the man behind it — and his critics.

How do we fix education?

With less than a week left until Election Day, commentators David Frum and Robert Reich wrap up a series of Real Agenda debates. This time: Education — it's on the ballot in a dozen states.

Missouri tries to cure its Medicaid mess

Last year, Missouri went from being one of the best states for insuring its citizens to one of the worst. So it's scrapping its Medicaid system and starting over, Hillary Wicai reports.

Can we end our oil addiction?

Commentators David Frum and Robert Reich give their respective two cents on the issues that matter most — but probably won't get any air time — in the upcoming midterm elections. This week, alternative energy and foreign oil.

Let's up the Social Security tax

Forget privatization. Writer and commentator Jim Carrier argues that the Social Security withholding tax should be boosted — and invested.

Biofuel supporters better step on it

Illinois wants half the motor fuel used in the state to be supplied by homegrown, alternative sources by 2017. But right now flex fuel vehicles and biofuel stations are few and far between, Sam Eaton reports.

Scraping by on minimum wage

Oregon has one of the highest minimum wages in the country. Mitchell Hartman reports from Portland on how recipients are getting by on $7.50 an hour.

Can we afford to secure Iraq, North Korea . . . ?

Commentators David Frum and Robert Reich give their respective two cents on the issues that matter most — but probably won't get any air time — in the upcoming midterm elections. This week, defense spending and world architecture.

It's all about job security

Commentator and airline pilot Jonathan Hobbs says employee loyalty can sometimes pay off.

A model for universal health care?

About 46 million Americans don't have health insurance. Some states have stopped waiting on the federal government and put universal health care measures on their ballots. Leading the way: Massachusetts. Helen Palmer reports.

Putting dollars behind those green ambitions

Voters say a top concern for them is the environment. California wants to build a million solar roofs in the next decade. But it's expensive. Will people go for it?

Pain in the mouth

Book store clerk Moira Manion describes what she went through when it became clear she needed pricey dental work.

Houston's commuter experiment

Houston traffic ranks 5th worst in the country. So in a citywide experiment, commuters from 130 companies there volunteered to temporarily shift their work hours to see if that could help ease congestion. Hillary Wicai reports.

Sick days for all

Voters in San Francisco are expected to make their city the first in the country to require paid sick leave for all workers. Could it spark a trend on the national level? Rachel Dornhelm reports.

Is the legislative branch broken?

Congress is out until Election Day and politicians are back in their home districts buying ads and making speeches. But are they solving anything we really care about? Scott Tong reports.

Taking federal issues into their own hands

What happens when a state like California jumps into issues usually reserved for Congress? Jeff Tyler reports.




Real Agenda stories air on both Marketplace and the Marketplace Morning Report.

Find out when Marketplace is on air in your market or check back here throughout the election season for the latest from The Real Agenda.

   
OUR EXPERTS' VIEWS
Marketplace commentators Robert Reich and David Frum debated issues from The Real Agenda at a recent conference of the Public Radio Program Directors. The event was moderated by Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal.





YOUR COMMENTS

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The Real Agenda:

"Why did we stop talking about term limits for Congress a few years ago? Is it the fault of Congress that the masses refuse to participate, learn, and act to make the political systems work? Maybe." . . .

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