A recent study shows the average American family of four will pay more than $25,000 in health care costs this year. Our guest explains the reasons behind the high costs, and talks about whether the trend will continue. We also listen to some Memorial Day themed music, and look at the role third parties play in the political process.
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Music Host Offers Recommended Music To Mark Memorial Day
Music can be a powerful way to evoke emotions and doubly so when the piece reflects on the sacrifices people made for their country.
With Monday’s Memorial Day rememberances fresh in mind, Stephanie Elkins, a folk and classical music host at Wisconsin Public Radio, said that music has been used to reflect on the losses and heroism from many different conflicts, and by diverse groups of people impacted by war.
One song that Elkins said she finds especially powerful is “No Man’s Land,” by singer-songwriter Eric Bogle. She said that as an Australian, he brings a different perspective to World War I and the tremendous loss of life on battlefields so removed from his homeland. Bogle was inspired by a visit to a military cemetery in northern France.
“There’s no question that this one is an angry song about the deep loss of life from World War I,” Elkins said.
She said that Bogle spoke about writing this particular song and how despite the beautiful pastoral setting of the cemetery.
“He didn’t feel the peace that you would normally feel in a place like that. In fact, he felt like he was sensing anger and frustration, and that’s what led to the inspiration for this song,” she said.
Generation after generation of Native Americans have served in the military in the highest numbers proportionally of any other ethnic group in the U.S. Elkins shared a recording of the Ho-Chunk service song performed by the Wisconsin group, Winnebago Sons. Elkins said that there are versions of the service song for each of the four branches of the armed services, and that they are performed each year on Memorial Day at pow wows in the Black River Falls area.
“It’s a ritual,” Elkins said, adding that as each branch’s song is played, those who served get up and join in the dance.
“(The Ho-Chunk) have a tradition that having come into contact with blood and with death, that they’re welcomed home with these songs, or songs and kind of celebrations and ceremonies. They’re sort of a spiritual cleansing and healing, and they at the same time honor those who have fallen in battle,” Elkins said.
She shared other pieces, both contemporary and classical, that are appropriate for commemmorating Memorial Day:
- “Touch a Name,” Joel Mabus
- “Tombeau de Couperin,” Maurice Ravel
- “Ashokan Farewell,” Jay Unger and Molly Mason, which served as the theme for Ken Burns’ documentary “The Civil War.”
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Average Family Health Care Costs Top $25,000 In 2016
A recent study found the average cost of health care for a family of four tops $25,000 in 2016. An author of the study explains the reasons behind the high costs, and what this tells us about the health care industry.
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Music For Memorial Day Monday
WPR music host Stephanie Elkins joins us to share some great music selections for Memorial Day Monday.
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Third Parties, Outsider Candidates, And Anti-Establishment Sentiment In The Race For The White House
It’s been a big year for party outsiders in the presidential race–and some voters on both sides are looking at possible independent or third-party alternatives. A political scientist looks at the appeal of politicians outside the party establishment.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Veronica Rueckert Producer
- Matt Oleson Producer
- Rob Ferrett Producer
- Stephanie E Elkins Guest
- Sue Hart Guest
- Alexandra Reckendorf Guest
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
