Biden's Deficit Spending | Lawrence Bookseller Versus Amazon

By Steve Kraske,

Zach Wilson, Mackenzie Martin, Danie Alexander

Published March 17, 2021 at 4:25 PM CDT

The American Relief Plan will invest $1.9 trillion dollars into the U.S. economy helping households and small businesses stay afloat through the pandemic.

Economist Stephanie Kelton says it's times like these that require big spending by the federal government and an independent bookstore owner is gaining attention in his campaign to get consumers to buy local.

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: Economist Stephanie Kelton supports deficit spending to get America back on its feet.

Kelton wasn't at all surprised by the size of the American Relief Act nor does she think it will be the last of the government investment needed for the country to recover.

Stephanie Kelton, professor of economics, Stony Brook University and author of "Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy"

Segment 2, beginning at 26:47: A bookstore owner in Lawrence, Kansas, just wrote a book about how to 'resist Amazon.'

The owner of The Raven says paying more for a book locally can be a better investment long-term, since most of the money stays in the community. Danny Caine takes time to explain to customers why he charges more for books than online giant Amazon. He took that conversation to Twitter, then gathered his ideas into a zine, then expanded that into a book.

Danny Caine, owner of The Raven bookstore and author of "How to Resist Amazon and Why: The Fight for Local Economies, Data Privacy, Fair Labor, Independent Bookstores and a People-Powered Future"

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I construct daily conversations that give our listeners context to the issues of our time. I strive to provide a platform that holds those in power accountable, while also spotlighting the voices of Kansas City’s creatives and visionaries that may otherwise go unheard. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Whether it’s something happening right now or something that happened 100 years ago, some stories don’t fit in the short few minutes of a newscast. As a podcast producer and reporter at KCUR Studios, I help investigate questions and local curiosities in a way that brings listeners along for adventures with plot twists and thought-provoking ideas. Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer in the end – but my hope is that we all leave with a greater understanding of the city we live in. Reach me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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