Marketplace: Tuesday, August 31, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 51.40 (0.51%) ; NASDAQ 1.61 (0.09%) ; S&P 500 5.09 (0.46%)

Newscast Consumers may be breathing a sigh of relief today over oil prices, but chances are they won't feel the real financial strain until November It's a different story in Alaska, one place where high oil prices means happy people... Listen to all newscast items

Features It's the economy, stupid... David Brown talks with reporter John Micklethwaite, of The Economist Magazine, in New York about what to expect of the Grand Ol' Party's economic platform. Q + A: David Brown with John Micklethwaite Related Story: GOP moderates try to balance Bush platform Dark Weather - Catie Curtis Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Just Say ... Yes? There's a new war on drugs, and this time it's being fought in the pharmacy. Our commentator argues that the U.S. - like Canada and Europe - should let America purchase drugs in bulk. Commentator: Jamie Court Related Story: OP-ED: Reimportation not cost-effective Never Let Me Down Again - Smashing Pumpkins Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource We ask CEO's - How much is enough? As companies continue to outsource more labor, CEO's are watching their paychecks grow. It looks like there is a correlation between outsourcing and CEO's salary increases... Reporter: Bob Moon Related Story: Options drive $33.5M payout for Waters CEO I Know - The Beta Band Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Japanese post office What's important about the Japanese mail? For starters, it's the biggest financial institution in the world. David Brown talks with Richard Katz, editor of Oriental Economist Report, about why the U.S. isn't happy about Japan's move to privatize their system. Q + A: David Brown, with Richard Katz Related Story: Why even Japan's mighty post office must deliver Rich - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Letters, letters, letters Marketplace's David Brown looks through the mailbag to find out what's on listeners' minds. Reporter: David Brown Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Coming up on Marketplace... Confessions of a professional dance machine