Threadbare Country [Rebroadcast]

American democracy is supposed to come with a warranty: equal opportunity, social mobility, the promise of success with hard work. But the fabled Dream is fraying. In fact, journalist Eduardo Porter says, it was never sold as advertised. This week we’re replaying an episode that speaks to the current impasse in Congress over social spending. To mend a tattered republic, Porter tells Siva and Will, we need “a new idea of America,” made from policies that address wealth inequality across the social spectrum.