Laura Knoy

Yesterday, in a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to uphold most of President Obama's signature health care law.  The decision came with mixed reactions in New Hampshire. Some applauded the ruling while others plotted political revenge. Both Democrats and Republicans have called it a political 'leg up' for their hopes in November, but only time will tell who is right?  Today we'll look at this decision, how it will affect Granite Staters and how it may play out politically both nationally and here in New Hampshire.

Guests

Dartmouth physician Ira Byock says even with incredible advances in medicine, far too many Americans suffer needlessly and die “badly”.  In a new book, Byock calls for a new approach toward the end of life; one focused on taking care of persons, not just “bodies”, and helping patients and their families reach decisions about dying.

Guest: 

 "Why have fundamentally good people, with good intentions, allowed our democracy to be co-opted by outside interests?", asks Harvard professor, Lawrence Lessig. His new book "Republic, Lost" explores how he says money has corrupted American politics.  Lessig blames special interests and campaign finance rules to the fact that U.S citizens trust government less than ever. He also  suggests  a widespread mobilization and new Constitution Convention to regain control over what he says is a 'corrupted but redeemable representational system. 

Guest

The controversial mining method known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", has led to a boom in production of cheap natural gas by getting at what was previously inaccessible pockets of gas contained in shale. Energy companies see it as way to reduce America’s dependence on oil and lower our energy bills, but concerns over environmental safety have others saying we need to slow down and study the issue. We cover all sides of fracking and its potential impacts here in New England. 

Guests:

Recently we’ve seen dueling definitions of what it means to be poor. The U.S. Census Bureau came up with two figures, depending on whether factors like food stamps are included.  And another study defined poverty as having scant resources. But some have long said that poverty figures are exaggerated and used for political purposes.

Guests:

Beth Mattingly: Director of Research on Vulnerable Families at the Carsey Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire.

Next week on the Exchange,  we bring you some of our very favorite past programs.  We’ll begin with a new definition of poverty, and why it’s creating some political waves.  Then we look at the controversial but growing practice of fracking as a source for natural gas.  We talk to Harvard Professor, Lawrence Lessig who asks why 'fundamentally good people, with good intentions, allowed our democracy to be co-opted by outside interests?" Later, Dartmouth doctor Ira Byock talks about end-of-life care, and his book “the best care possible”.  And we end the week with an environmental author…on h

Heavy hitters from Richard Ford to Dave Eggers to John Irving have new offerings. There are books on Bruce Springsteen, James Joyce and the Obamas and as the weather warms, you may want to read the steamy pages of Fifty shades of Gray. We’ll look at the books you’ll want to take with you to the beach the mountains or just as your lounging in your backyard for the summer of 2012 .

Guests

A new book by a Dartmouth professor explores the changing world of advances in technology, medicine, and marketing and the greater role that developing nations are playing.  More and more, innovations are occurring in poorer countries, then exported to wealthy nations, turning traditional patterns on their head.  We’ll hear some examples, and why our guest says this could benefit everyone.  

Guest

This fall, Granite Staters will vote on a constitutional amendment that would forever forbid the adoption of broad-based income taxes.  Supporters say enshrining this principle will protect what they’ve long called “The New Hampshire Advantage”,while opponents predict it’ll tie the hands of future leaders to address state priorities.   We'll look at both sides of this debate.

Guests

We sit down with a panel of Statehouse leaders to discuss the 2012 Legislative year.  We’ll hear from top members of the State House and State Senate about what they say are their biggest accomplishments and disappointments of this session.  We’ll also get their thoughts on how what happened at the Statehouse this year will affect what happens at the ballot box this fall. 

Guests

Headlines have quieted down on the Hydro-power project called Northern Pass, but efforts to continue and thwart the project are ongoing.  A new study questions the need for Northern Pass’s  hydropower, given low natural gas prices. Meanwhile, there’s been activity  on land purchases in the North Country that could connect the dots for the project’s final route. We will look at that latest news around Northern Pass.

Guests

With the focus on Europe’s economic woes and China’s clout, it’s easy to overlook that our nation’s largest geographic border, Canada, is also our largest trading partner.  Although, it works well most of the time, there are some tensions, like  over duty-free status, controversial energy projects, and imbalances in tourism traffic.  We’ll look at how these issues affect the bottom dollar in both countries. 

Guests

Even though the Housing Market seems to be stabilizing, foreclosures are still a major problem.  Some homeowners, who have tried to negotiate with banks are now going to court, saying they’ve not been able to get any clarity.  Meanwhile,  Lenders say they are making efforts, as they still are wading through an unprecedented number of troubled mortgages.  We'll look how foreclosures are fairing in the Granite State.

Guests

When the recession began, Americans started pinching their pennies and repaying debt, causing some to speculate that consumers might permanently abandon their free-spending ways.  But now, Americans are again loosening their purse-strings. We’ll  look at how and why our saving habits change and how these variations affect the larger economy. 

Guests

A new book by liberal commentator Chris Hayes examines the widespread institutional failures over the last ten years…from government to Wall Street to the Catholic Church to major league baseball.  Hayes says this “lost decade” has led the public to distrust anyone in authority…and he points blame at a fundamental cherished  American ideal:  the meritocracy.