The Rick Smith Show

Full Three Hour Show for September 29, 2015

Ian Millhiser, Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to discuss the 10 year anniversary of the Robert Court and what a decade of Balls and Strikes have looked like for consumers, workers, and democracy. 

David Yankovich, Huffington Post reporter joins Rick to discuss what John Boehner’s departure means for the GOP.  Is this the end of the Grand Old Party?  Also, David shares his thoughts from a recently published article on the privatized prison system.

Harry Stein, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to examine the Tax Plans of GOP presidential candidates, The Donald and Jeb! And what those plans mean for workers, their families, and the nation. 

Mitchell Robinson, an associate professor and chair of music education at Michigan State University. Robinson taught music for 10 years in the Fulton (NY) City School District, and held collegiate appointments at the University of Connecticut and the Eastman School of Music. He’s written extensively about TFA:

T. Jameson Brewer is an advanced PhD student of educational policy studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned a M.S. in social foundations of education from Georgia State University and a B.S.Ed. in secondary education from Valdosta State University. His research focuses on the impact(s) of privatization/marketization of public schools by way of charters, vouchers, and Teach for America. More at www.tjamesonbrewer.com 

Ian Millhiser On the 10th Anniversary on John Roberts Confirmation. The Not-So Good, The Bad, and The Are You Kidding?

Ian Millhiser, Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to discuss the 10 year anniversary of the Robert Court and what a decade of Balls and Strikes have looked like for consumers, workers, and democracy. 

David Yankovich On the end of the Grand Old Party.

David Yankovich, Huffington Post reporter joins Rick to discuss what John Boehner’s departure means for the GOP.  Is this the end of the Grand Old Party?  Also, David shares his thoughts from a recently published article on the privatized prison system.

Harry Stein Exposes the Failed Tax Cut Fetish for what it is, more the top

Harry Stein, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to examine the Tax Plans of GOP presidential candidates, The Donald and Jeb! And what those plans mean for workers, their families, and the nation. 

Mitchell Robinson talks Creation of Teach for America

Mitchell Robinson, an associate professor and chair of music education at Michigan State University. Robinson taught music for 10 years in the Fulton (NY) City School District, and held collegiate appointments at the University of Connecticut and the Eastman School of Music.  He’s written extensively about TFA 

T. Jameson Brewer talks Teach for America scheme

T. Jameson Brewer is an advanced PhD student of educational policy studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned a M.S. in social foundations of education from Georgia State University and a B.S.Ed. in secondary education from Valdosta State University. His research focuses on the impact(s) of privatization/marketization of public schools by way of charters, vouchers, and Teach For America.More at www.tjamesonbrewer.com

Pennsylvania State Rep Patrick Harkins talks PA GOP Budget Gimmickry.

Pennsylvania State Rep Patrick Harkins joins Rick to give his perspective on the PA Budget and layout the consequences of another bad budget and more Corbett era gimmickry.

Craig Harrington talks Screw You Guys Boehner's Going Home

Craig Harrington, Economic Policy Program Director at Media Matters for America joins Rick to discuss the ramifications from Speaker of the House John Boehner’s abrupt resignation.

Terrance Heath bring the Wingnut Week in Review

Terrance Heath, Online Producer at Campaign for America's Future bring his Wingnut Week in Review to the program and gives his take on the pope’s visit to Washington, DC.

Eric Epstein Rocks the Capital with everything Harrisburg

Eric Epstein, contributor at Rock the Capital fills in the gaps of everything that is Harrisburg and offers his take on the sudden resignation of House Speaker John Boehner. 

Full Three-Hour Show for September 23, 2015

PA State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski joins Rick to wade through the right wing minutia, lay out what’s known on the budget talks, and talk direction of the state Democratic Party.

Cristina Lopez G, Hispanic media researcher and reporter at Media Matters joins Rick to discuss the Right Wing media’s reaction to Pope Francis and the message he brings to Washington DC. 

Doug Cunningham, Worker’s Independent News joins Rick to talk about the Rise and Fall of WI Governor Scott Walker and what it means for Wisconsin/The Nation and labor news of the day.

Dr. Steve Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to talk about the need across Pennsylvania for a budget that invests in education, infrastructure and the future rather than more ideological pie fighting. 

PA State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski talks PA Budget

PA State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski joins Rick to wade through the right wing minutia, lay out what’s known on the budget talks, and talk direction of the state Democratic Party.

Cristina Lopez G, from DC on the Pope's visit

Cristina Lopez G, Hispanic media researcher and reporter at Media Matters joins Rick to discuss the Right Wing media’s reaction to Pope Francis and the message he brings to Washington DC. 

Doug Cunningham talks Labor News of the day

Doug Cunningham, Worker’s Independent News joins Rick to talk about the Rise and Fall of WI Governor Scott Walker and what it means for Wisconsin/The Nation and labor news of the day.

Dr. Steve Herzenberg talks PA Budget

Dr. Steve Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to talk about the need across Pennsylvania for a budget that invests in education, infrastructure and the future rather than more ideological pie fighting. 

Full Three-Hour Show for September 22, 2015

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to dissect the recent story from the Allentown Morning Call that more than $82 million was spent on building their minor league arena before a single brick was laid and push back against the right wing frame that destroying prevailing wage laws would cut construction costs by 30%.

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to examine the demise of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s presidential ambitions and discuss the message that comes from Walker’s popularity dive.

Daniel Linarez, striking port truck driver joins Rick to talk about the 11-week strike for proper classification and to put an end to wage theft. 

Chris Reeves, DailyKos State Leader, Kansas-Missouri joins Rick to highlight the anti-worker insanity that has gripped the Missouri State legislature and detail the scary consequences of the laws MO Governor Jay Nixon vetoed that the legislature recently voted to override.

Sally Steenland, Director of the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about the Pope’s arrival and preview his visit.

Sundiata Brown, Organizer with the United Youth Party of Allentown joins Rick to discuss organizing efforts underway in the Allentown School District to raise awareness to the districts 40% high school dropout rate and demand accountability and a voice.

Abe Amoros Bringing the Class War

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to dissect the recent story from the Allentown Morning Call that more than $82 million was spent on building their minor league arena before a single brick was laid and push back against the right wing frame that destroying prevailing wage laws would cut construction costs by 30%.

Rick Bloomingdale on WI Gov Scott Walker's demise

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to examine the demise of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s presidential ambitions and discuss the message that comes from Walker’s popularity dive.

Daniel Linarez talks strike for dignity

Daniel Linarez, striking port truck driver joins Rick to talk about the 11-week strike for proper classification and to put an end to wage theft.  

Chris Reeves on the potential of a corporate police state

Chris Reeves, DailyKos State Leader, Kansas-Missouri joins Rick to highlight the anti-worker insanity that has gripped the Missouri State legislature and detail the scary consequences of the laws MO Governor Jay Nixon vetoed that the legislature recently voted to override.