Hi, I'm Orman Alney, host of To the Point, produced at the non-profit public radio station, KCRW.

We're going to start this podcast in just a few seconds. First, though, I just want to ask you for a little

support, because in order to be comprehensive, we have to talk to people all over the world. That's

expensive. We have six producers, and they work very hard. That adds to what we need to do in order to try to meet your

expectations. So we've made it easy to help. You can donate 10 bucks by texting KCRW to

20222. Do that, if you will. Let's now start the show and thanks.

From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

America, the nation of workaholics.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Poet from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

More stores are requiring workers to show up on Thanksgiving Day,

and Americans already work longer and harder than anyone else.

In the only advanced economy with no guaranteed paid vacations,

the 40-hour week is a thing of the past, not only because of economic necessity.

Even the rich are working harder than ever, despite evidence that overwork reduces productivity and makes for illness

of both the mind and the body. Do we do it by choice, or is it part of the culture? Will technology

make us free? Today's talking point, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Balloons

then and now. First, here's the news.

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel. Stream BBC World Service, NPR and KCRW programs, continuous coverage and accessible

via our smartphone app or online at KCRW.com.

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren Alney. Back with To the Po. There is a lot of evidence that Americans are

...