Marketplace: Tuesday, September 14, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 3.40 (0.03%) ; NASDAQ 5.02 (0.26%) ; S&P 500 2.51 (0.22%)

Newscast On this September 14th, investors in Russia must be feeling some affinity with the owners of beachfront businesses in Alabama and Mississippi. Great when it's sunny. But here come some ominous clouds. Russian President Vladimir Putin's consolidation of political power has some wondering whether the country is returning to the centrally-planned economy of the Soviet days. Oil prices were up again today, after a surreal scene on the Tigriss River in Iraq. Flames lit up the sky, fueled by gushing oil from a blasted pipeline in northern Iraq. In a predawn attack, saboteurs targeted a juncture where several pipelines cross the river. Officials have been struggling to protect the oil infrastructure as militants have become ever savvier about when and where to attack... Stop it! That warning from U.S. regulators to credit card companies that promote high credit limits to people with poor credit histories. In an advisory letter today, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also told banks not to market credit cards with low promotional rates unless they make limitations clear to consumers - like how long the low rate will be in effect. Listen to all newscast items

Features The hotels California ... In Los Angeles and Washington DC, 7,000 housekeepers, bartenders, cooks, and other hotel workers have voted to give their union leaders the power to call a strike. But that was yesterday. Today, the local in San Francisco is voting on the same question. Reporter: Rachel Myrow Related Story: Los Angeles hotel workers vote for strike authorization Hotel California - The Gypsy Kings Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Reducing lawsuit abuse Lawmakers in the House took up what they call the "Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act" and other related bills today in what some GOP sponsors are calling 'Lawsuit Abuse Week'. The focus is limiting cases brought by consumers. Commentator and activist Jamie Court argues if you're talking frivolity, consumers are the wrong target. Commentator: Jamie Court Related Story: House passes lawsuit reduction bill Suits are Picking Up the Bill - Squirrel Nut Zippers Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Please Mr. Postman ..... Let's open the mailbag, and do those Marketplace Letters! Your host - David Brown ... Exploring campaign finances This political season, we're monitoring the influence of money in the big races. We're calling it Ballot Bucks 2004. And we're keeping a close eye on tomorrow's hearing in a lawsuit brought by the Bush Campaign. They're trying to force the Federal Election Commission to crack down on the money being raised and spent by so-called 527 groups - sometimes called shadow parties. Pro-Kerry 527's have been raising substantially more money than their pro-Bush counterparts. But today, a bi-partisan lawsuit was filed to force the FEC to clamp down on soft money. The plaintiffs: some of the architects of the new campaign finance reform laws. Reporter: Scott Tong Related Story: Opinion: '527' attacks change how elections can be won Wrote it Down and Burned It - John Hiatt Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Should we or shouldn't we .... recycle Two years ago, New York City abandoned recycling. Too expensive, city leaders said. Funny how perceptions of cost-effectiveness can turn things around. Today, the city that never sleeps rolled over. Alisa Roth reports how New York City has rethought recycling... Reporter: Alisa Roth Related Story: New Plan For NYC To Recycle Trash Use Me - Bill Withers Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource One city, two mayors, and some very clean streets ... Imagine, for a moment, a city so divided that there were two mayors - two different police forces - two sets of rules - two separate budgets. Sounds unmanageable to say the least, but it can be done. Albeit in a somewhat smaller setting... and with a high tolerance for friction. Visit San Luis, an Argentine town about the size of Savannah, Georgia. Marketplace Americas Desk reporter Dan Grech did just that. Reporter: Dan Grech Two Princes - The Spin Doctors Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

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