The Tuesday Podcast: Fannie And Freddie's Rise And Fall

It's Fannie and Freddie week on Planet Money!

They're two of the strangest companies in U.S. history — and their bailouts cost taxpayers more than the bailouts of AIG, GM, Citigroup, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs combined.

On today's Podcast, we tell the story of the rise and fall of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

On Friday's podcast, we ask: What does it mean for taxpayers to own Fannie and Freddie? And where do we go from here?

For more: Read our series on Fannie and Freddie: Part one, "Kill Them, Bury Them," part two, "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy," and part three, "What's Next."

In other news: From Baldur, Planet Money's intern:

I'm facing an economic dilemma, and I want your advice.

I'm from Iceland. On April 9th, my country is holding a referendum to decide whether to pay back the $5 billion one of our bankrupt banks owes to the Netherlands and the U.K.

How should I vote?

Read more about Baldur's dilemma — and cast your vote online.

Download the podcast, or subscribe. Music: Spoon's "Before Destruction." Find us: Twitter/ Facebook.

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