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Executives from GM, Chrysler, and Ford visited Capitol Hill today to beg for a bailout of their own.

They faced strong criticism from Congressman Spencer Bachus, who mirrored the sentiments of many when he said, "My constituents do not understand why their tax dollars should go to support what they consider less efficient businesses."

What a stunning idea - that swaths of economically disadvantaged people would join together, across racial lines, and create a community to fight the problems and injustices they shared.

 The new documentary Trouble the Water, which won the 2008 Grand Jury prize at Sundance, tells the story of what happened to Kim, an aspiring rap artist, and her husband Scott when they were trapped in New Orleans by deadly floodwaters. The film, which uses Kim and Scott's personal camcorder footage, is a riveting

Has the economic turmoil of late piqued your interest in all things financial?  Still trying to make sense of it all?  This hour is for you, we took a look at the new book and documentary film I.O.U.S.A., which attempts to demistify the nation's financial practices and policies.  We were joined by the co-authors of the book, Addison Wiggin and Kate Incontrera.

Also joining us for part of the discussion were Robert Bixby, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition, Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center on Economics and Policy Research and Stephen Shore, assistant professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University.

I.O.U.S.A. is currently playing at The Charles Theater in Baltimore.  Check their website for movie times.

Welcome to Election Day 2008, the culimination of two years of intense campaigning. The results of today's election are destined to be historic, be it by electing the first African American president or the first woman vice president. Today, the Marc Steiner Show brings you two hours of voices and insights from all over the political map and our community.

After more than a dozen years of debate, the issue of whether or not slot machine gambling has a place in Maryland  is about to be determined.

On Tuesday, voters will make the decision.  Will the Maryland constitution be amended in order to allow 15,000 slot machines to come to five difference locations?

Advocates for both sides made their final pitch.

This hour we're focusing on the history of civil rights in Maryland with Fraser Smith, author of Here Lies Jim Crow: Civil Rights in Maryland.  Fraser is also the author of a weekly column in the Baltimore Sun and the senior news analyst for public radio station WYPR.

First, we'll check in with Mike Tidwell, founder and executive director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, an environmental advocacy organization.  Mike and another member of CCAN recently learned that the Maryland State Police had listed them as terrorists and were spying on them, along with over 50 other peaceful activists around the state.

First today, we're joined by Glenn Greenwald, the author of Great American Hypocrites: Toppling The Big Myths of Republican Politics.  Glenn is also a former constitutional law attorney and contributing writer at Salon.  Read his columns here.

Then, we'll look at the case of Troy Davis, an inmate on death row in Georgia, charged with the 1989 killing of police officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Troy is scheduled to be executed on October 27th, despite doubts that exist regarding his guilt.

We have two guests for this discussion.  One is Martina Correia, Troy Davis' sister, who is also the National Steering Committee Chair for Amnesty International USA's Program to Abolish the Death Penalty and Amnesty International's State Death Penalty Abolitionist Coordinator in Georgia.  The other is Deirdre O'Connor, Professor at Emory Law School and Director of Innocence Matters.

The radio series This I Believe began in the 1950's. Created by Edward R. Murrow, the series examined the beliefs that sustained the most ordinary and extraordinary of Americans.

The series was revived in 2005 and is now heard on several public radio programs including Tell Me More, All Things Considered, and Morning Edition.

First, Slate.com "Moneybox" columnist Daniel Gross dispels the notion that poor minority homeowners and their mortgages are responsible for the financial crisis.

Next, film restoration expert Robert Harris discusses his work on The Godfather Parts I & II, currently showing at the Senator Theater in Baltimore.  Senator owner Tom Kiefarber joins the conversation, as well.

Finally, join us for a trip to the American Visionary Art Museum to see the new exhibit, and to meet featured artist Kenny Irwin, Jr. (pictured above)

Police are hoping for help from the community to solve the murder of former Baltimore City Councilman Ken Harris.  Last week, police released video of the suspects and asked the community to come forward with any information.

Some economists argue that changes in the stock market aren't a good indicator of Main Street's economic reality. But it certainly demonstrates that Americans aren't feeling confidence in their economy. That confidence slips even more when Federal Reserve Chairman says that the outlook for economic growth has worsened, as he did during a speech today.

Skipping school. Playing hooky - it seems like an innocent rite of passage. But in Baltimore, it can be a matter of life and death. Kids who don't attend school are much more likely to end up involved in criminal activity.

We live in uncertain times. A global economic crisis, two wars, skyrocketing home foreclosure rates, the rising price of college education and health care and so much more. It's more important than ever that people's voices are heard and their votes counted as a historically tight election approaches.

Are more federal

The $700 billion bailout plan that was supposed to keep America from going into a economic tailspin was voted down by the House today. Where does the rescue effort go from here? Was the plan fundamentally flawed or was its failure a result of politics?

Is a better plan possible? Marc was joined by:

Edgar Allan Poe kept residences up and down the east coast over the course of his short life. New York City, Richmond, Boston and Philadelphia all have claims to his legend, but he died--and was buried--in Baltimore. What's more, his grave site and the toast of roses and cognac left there every year on his birthday have become integral to our city's lore.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson wants congress to pass the proposed $700-billion financial system bailout as quickly as possible. What's the rush?

Today we mourn the loss of Kenneth Harris, Sr., who was shot outside the New Haven Lounge at the Northwood Shopping Center in northeast Baltimore.

On September 7th, 2008, the federal government announced a takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a disturbing - if not entirely surprising - demonstration of the restructuring the financial industry has undergone in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis.

Today on the show, Marc spoke with Dr. Andres Alonso, chief executive officer of the Baltimore City Public School System.

Maryland voters will decide whether to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland this November. Marc and his guests, State Senator Lisa Gladden and Aaron Meisner from the Stop Slots Maryland Coalition, discussed the implications of this decision.