The Tax Break Industrial Complex
Ralph talks about how ending corporate tax giveaways and enacting a stock transfer tax can help the country recover from the recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic with first Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First and then New York State Assemblyman, Phil Steck. Plus, we pay tribute to a number of progressive activists and thinkers we’ve lost recently, including one of our favorite and frequent guests, the Green Cowboy, David Freeman.
Trump Death Clock/Saving the Post Office
Award-winning filmmaker, Eugene Jarecki, joins Ralph to talk about the electronic billboard he put up in New York’s Times Square, the “Trump Death Clock.” And Mark Dimondstein, head of the American Postal Workers Union, reminds how the health and safety of postal workers as well as the preservation of the post office is essential for delivering medicines and other vital goods as well as protecting democracy. Plus, listener questions!
Crooked Prosecutors/AWOL Congress
Former Governor of Alabama, Don Siegelman, who was convicted on dubious corruption charges and spent five years in prison joins us to talk about his chronicle of those events in his book “Stealing Democracy: How the Political Assassination of a Governor Threatens Our Nation.” And old friend and constitutional scholar, Bruce Fein, makes the case that Congress has once again abdicated its responsibility during the Covid-19 crisis.
Dr. Michael Osterholm on Covid-19
Infectious disease expert, Dr. Michael Osterholm, comes back to update us on the latest in the battle against Covid-19. And Naila Bolus, president and CEO of “Jumpstart,” joins us to talk about how the money spent on early education gives society a tremendous return on investment.
Earth Day Turns Fifty!
On the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, Ralph welcomes environmental historian, Adam Rome, author of “The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach- In Unexpectedly Made the First Green Generation.” And the Green Cowboy, S. David Freeman returns to talk about the state of the environment today. Plus, we debut a special song in honor of Earth Day.
Nurses on the Front Lines/Captain Bligh
Jean Ross, president of the largest nurses’ union in the country, National Nurses United, joins Ralph to talk about how healthcare workers are not being protected from Covid-19. And Yale psychiatrist, Dr. Bandy Lee, comes back to update us on the Donald Trump’s mental pathology.
January 12, 2015
We speak to legendary legal thinker, Edgar Cahn, who explains how we can make the world a better place through a concept called “Time Banking.” We also discuss the terrible pass interference non-call in the Cowboys/Lions game, the legacy of the late Mario Cuomo and answer more listener questions.
January 4, 2015
Environmental activist extraordinaire, Walter Hang, tells us the inspiring story of how a highly organized grassroots movement led to Governor Cuomo signing a bill to prohibit fracking in New York State. Ralph also tells us about the letter he sent to the President, and we discuss our Holiday reading.
December 28, 2014
In this special holiday edition, we devote the episode to your Facebook questions. Plus Ralph recommends some books and David makes an embarrassing joke.
December 22, 2014
Law Professor Rena Steinzor talks to Ralph about her new book, Why Not Jail? which makes the case for treating corporate criminal like we treat street criminals. We discuss the new opening up to Cuba and Ralph tells us about some of his personal encounters with Fidel Castro.
December 13, 2014
Ralph talks to advocate and writer, David Halperin, about how for profit colleges are ripping you off. We also discuss the Senate report on torture, the demonstrations on police brutality, and the congressional omnibus spending bill that is loaded with a lot of corporate goodies.
December 6, 2014
Our guest, Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers’ Union, tells us how the forces of privatization are trying to cripple the Post Office, and what we can do about it. We discuss the latest report on how drone attacks are actually losing us the “war on terror.” And Ralph explains why he has never owned a credit card.
November 28, 2014
Public Citizen’s Lori Wallach explains in clear and engaging detail why so-called “Free Trade” is really an international corporate coup. In addition, Ralph talks about the lack of anti-war voices on major media, and the good news about solar power.
November 23, 2014
This week, we talk with the feisty and effective executive director of the California Nurses Association and Nurses United, RoseAnn DeMoro, about ebola, Robin Hood taxes and the problem with doctors. Plus, Tanaka airbag update and listener questions.