The Breakdown

Why, exactly, is the federal government deficit a bad thing? We've all heard the numerous objections: the deficit increases interest burdens, contributes to currency inflation and leaves us in debt to foreign states and investors. But why has deficit spending, as we're told, suddenly reached "crisis" level? On this week's edition of The Breakdown, DC Editor Chris Hayes and economist Robert Pollin talk about why the standard arguments against deficit spending don't tell the whole truth, and why our economy is unhealthy for reasons other than simple debt accumulation.

Can the fractious elements of the party—including tea party fanatics, fiscal hawks and the religious right—come together behind a single candidate?

Political analyst Joshua M. Landis explains why the Syrian president's recent concessions are too little too late for a burgeoning protest movement that's interested in more than piecemeal reform.

Are other countries as vulnerable to the effects of money and private interests in politics as we are in the United States?

Boeing's workers allege that the company retaliated against them for exercising their statutory right to go on strike and collectively bargain—what can the National Labor Relations Board do about it?

The IRS is investigating whether five wealthy donors financing political advocacy groups should be paying additional taxes on their contributions. What is this tax, and why hasn't this been enforced before?  

In the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden, will the US alter its strategy in the 'War on Terror'? Jeremy Scahill joins Chris Hayes to explain how the death of the Al Qaeda leader will influence US foreign policy.

Political analyst Joshua M. Landis explains why the Syrian president's recent concessions are too little too late for a burgeoning protest movement that's interested in more than piecemeal reform.

Years after we were first told that the banks were "too big to fail," we still seem to be held captive by the same financial system that caused our economic mess in the first place.

Are other countries as vulnerable to the effects of money and private interests in politics as we are in the United States?

Matthew Yglesias joins Chris Hayes to explain the vital role the Fed plays in managing the health of the economy.

With AT&T's announcement that it will buy T-Mobile, the wireless industry goes from four major carriers to three. Does anyone care about antitrust and consumer protection laws anymore?

Exactly one week ago, citing the UN Security Council mandate to impose a no-fly zone, President Obama announced the US shall pursue military operations in Libya. Remarkably, for a Congress usually quick to question the constitutionality of the President's every move, members on both sides of the aisle have only in the past few days begun to raise serious questions. In this week's edition of The Breakdown, DC Editor Christopher Hayes talks with constitutional scholar Bruce Ackerman about the War Powers Resolution and the Obama administration's legal rationale for intervention in Libya.

As Republicans escalate their assault on the benefits and livelihoods of public sector workers, they continue to point to so-called "unfunded" pension programs as a symbol of broken government. But how did these pensions become "unfunded" in the first place? Christopher Hayes and Dean Baker explain.

With no help likely to come from Congress, Dorian Warren and Chris Hayes ask: what can Obama, his National Labor Relations Board appointees and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis do to promote labor organizing?