Episode 434: Dealing With Danger, Death, And Crime

Published February 8, 2013 at 5:00 PM EST

On today's show: Four short stories about how we deal with the threat of danger, death, and crime.

Here's more on those stories:

1. Why Is The Government In The Flood Insurance Business? The quick answer to why the government sells flood insurance: a hugely damaging hurricane named Betsy.

2. Should Gun Owners Have To Buy Liability Insurance? Most states require car owners to have liability insurance to cover damages their vehicles cause to others; some economists think we should require the same for gun owners.

3. Lance Armstrong's Confession Could Cost Him Millions How one interview could mean he'll have to pay back all the money the U.S. Postal Service and others paid to sponsor his cycling career.

4. How Happy Is America? The government is considering adopting a national happiness index. But how do you measure happiness?

Music: Sinkane's "Jeeper Creeper," Sam Yahel Trio's "Man O' War," St. Lucia's "September," and Fredrik's "Flax," Find us: Twitter/ Facebook/ Spotify/ Tumblr. Download the Planet Money iPhone App.