The Rick Smith Show

Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims talks Voting

Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims joins Rick to discuss a series of bills he is sponsoring to help citizens register to vote in the commonwealth, make it easier to cast absentee ballots, and address the Gerrymandering crisis that has gripped Pennsylvania, among other states. 

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer of Worker’s Independent News

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer of Worker’s Independent News joins Rick to highlight the important Labor News of the day.

Michael Frassetto, Organizer with the United Youth Party in Allentown, PA

Michael Frassetto, Organizer with the United Youth Party in Allentown, PA joins Rick to talk about the work his group has been doing in the community and their fight to save public education for all students. 

Full Three-Hour Show for September 15, 2015

Bernadette Ellorin, Chairperson of BAYAN USA joins Rick to talk about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement and what it means to workers in the Philippines and throughout Asia. 

David Yankovich, Writer, former Naval Intelligence Specialist, Communications Specialist joins Rick to discuss his latest HuffPo article titled, “Is This the End of the GOP?”

Angela Kelley, Executive Director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to discuss the upcoming GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and examine just how far from President Reagan the candidates have gone.

George Bezanis, History Teacher and Building Union Representative for Central High School in Philadelphia joins Rick to highlight the devastating effects of the Corbett era GOP education cuts on a school that was ranking #1 in the city. 

Bernadette Ellorin, Chairperson of BAYAN USA talks trade

Bernadette Ellorin, Chairperson of BAYAN USA joins Rick to talk about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement and what it means to workers in the Philippines and throughout Asia.  

David Yankovich, on HuffPo article titled, “Is This the End of the GOP?”

David Yankovich, Writer, former Naval Intelligence Specialist, Communications Specialist joins Rick to discuss his latest HuffPo article titled, “Is This the End of the GOP?” 

Angela Kelley, Exec. Dir CAP previews #CNNdebate of Party of Not Reagan like candidates

Angela Kelley, Executive Director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to discuss the upcoming GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and examine just how far from President Reagan the candidates have gone.

George Bezanis, talks school pain thanks to years of GOP cuts

George Bezanis, History Teacher and Building Union Representative for Central High School in Philadelphia joins Rick to highlight the devastating effects of the Corbett era GOP education cuts on a school that was ranking #1 in the city. 

Ian Millhiser, Editor of ThinkProgress Justice on Christian Wannabe Martyr Kim Davis

Ian Millhiser, Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to talk about the latest development in the Kim Davis saga.  Does she go back to jail and the Martyrdom continue or is there a way out of this without further elevating her in the eyes of extremists?

Janelle Wilson, a Fast Food worker in Pittsburgh talks Fight for 15, and a union

Janelle Wilson, a Fast Food worker in Pittsburgh joins Rick to talk about the recent developments for workers in NY as they Fight for 15, and a union and what they are doing in Pittsburgh.. 

Karen Sprowal, shares her child's story-The kind every parent fears

Karen Sprowal, parent of a New York City school child and public school advocate joins Rick to share the story of her kindergarten son's 12 days at Success Academy Charter School and how completely different the education system is from when her older children attended school.

Wayne Au talks reclaiming the public in public schools

Wayne Au, Associate Professor of Education at the University of Washington, also one of the named appellants in the WA Supreme Court suit overturning the Washington charter law joins Rick to talk about the recent Washington State Supreme Court decision ruling charter schools in the state unconstitutional.

Full Three-Hour Show for September 11, 2015

Cecelia Tichi, Author of Jack London: A Writer’s Fight for a Better America joins Rick to discuss her recent book and answer why Jack London’s work is relevant today.

Dave Johnson, Contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to discuss the 2016 field of fanatics vying for the GOP nomination and the need to rebuild and invest in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

John Neurohr, Communications Director at Keystone Progress joins Rick to talk about their recent endorsements of the three Democratic Supreme Court candidates and why this is the election of a lifetime.

Cecelia Tichi talks about the need of this generation to read Jack London's works

Cecelia Tichi, Author of Jack London: A Writer’s Fight for a Better America joins Rick to discuss her recent book and answer why Jack London’s work is relevant today.

Dave Johnson, Contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future Talks Trump and Trade

Dave Johnson, Contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to discuss the 2016 field of fanatics vying for the GOP nomination and the need to rebuild and invest in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

John Neurohr, Communications Director at Keystone Progress talks PA Supreme Court races

John Neurohr, Communications Director at Keystone Progress joins Rick to talk about their recent endorsements of the three Democratic Supreme Court candidates and why this is the election of a lifetime.

Full Three-Hour Show for September 10, 2015

Abe Amoros Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to discuss where the budget is and what is being heard in the halls of the capital in Harrisburg. 

Rosemary Boland, President, Scranton Federation of Teachers joins Rick to talk about the situation in Scranton as students, parents, and teachers fight for quality public education.

Patrick Festa, Vice-President of the Scranton Federation of Teachers and classroom teacher joins Rick to discuss the recent teacher’s action and what the current proposal will mean to him and other teachers in the classrooms. 

Abe Amoros Bringing the Class War

Abe Amoros Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to discuss where the budget is and what is being heard in the halls of the capital in Harrisburg. Abe also addresses the need for transportation investment.  

Patrick Festa, Scranton teacher standing up for students

Patrick Festa, Vice-President of the Scranton Federation of Teachers and classroom teacher joins Rick to discuss the recent teacher’s action and what the current proposal will mean to him and other teachers in the classrooms. 

Rosemary Boland, President, Scranton Federation of Teachers

Rosemary Boland, President, Scranton Federation of Teachers joins Rick to talk about the situation in Scranton as students, parents, and teachers fight for quality public education.