Why So Many American Aren’t Getting Ahead

By Marketplace
Michael, left, and Patricia Jackson sift through bank documents in their home Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Marietta, Ga. On a suburban cul-de-sac northwest of Atlanta, the Jacksons are struggling to keep a house worth $100,000 less than they owe. Their voices and those of many others tell the story of a country that, for all the economic turmoil of the past few years, continues to believe things will get better. But until it does, families are trying to hang on to what they’ve got left. The Great Recession claimed nearly 40 percent of Americans’ wealth, the Federal Reserve reported last week. The new figures, showing Americans’ net worth has plunged back to what it was in 1992, left economists shuddering.
Michael, left, and Patricia Jackson sift through bank documents in their home Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Marietta, Ga. On a suburban cul-de-sac northwest of Atlanta, the Jacksons are struggling to keep a house worth $100,000 less than they owe. Their voices and those of many others tell the story of a country that, for all the economic turmoil of the past few years, continues to believe things will get better. But until it does, families are trying to hang on to what they've got left. The Great Recession claimed nearly 40 percent of Americans' wealth, the Federal Reserve reported last week. The new figures, showing Americans' net worth has plunged back to what it was in 1992, left economists shuddering. David Goldman/AP, file
Michael, left, and Patricia Jackson sift through bank documents in their home Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Marietta, Ga. On a suburban cul-de-sac northwest of Atlanta, the Jacksons are struggling to keep a house worth $100,000 less than they owe. Their voices and those of many others tell the story of a country that, for all the economic turmoil of the past few years, continues to believe things will get better. But until it does, families are trying to hang on to what they’ve got left. The Great Recession claimed nearly 40 percent of Americans’ wealth, the Federal Reserve reported last week. The new figures, showing Americans’ net worth has plunged back to what it was in 1992, left economists shuddering.
Michael, left, and Patricia Jackson sift through bank documents in their home Saturday, June 16, 2012, in Marietta, Ga. On a suburban cul-de-sac northwest of Atlanta, the Jacksons are struggling to keep a house worth $100,000 less than they owe. Their voices and those of many others tell the story of a country that, for all the economic turmoil of the past few years, continues to believe things will get better. But until it does, families are trying to hang on to what they've got left. The Great Recession claimed nearly 40 percent of Americans' wealth, the Federal Reserve reported last week. The new figures, showing Americans' net worth has plunged back to what it was in 1992, left economists shuddering. David Goldman/AP, file

Why So Many American Aren’t Getting Ahead

By Marketplace
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The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on a bill to impose stricter sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia. On today’s show, we’ll talk about how these sanctions impact U.S. businesses. Afterwards, we’ll discuss Michael Kors’ decision to buy Jimmy Choo in a $1.2 billion deal: Plus: A look at why the American dream is still out of reach for so many. The nonprofit Prosperity Now finds that more than a third of American households don’t have enough on hand to cover basic needs for about three months.