The Rick Smith Show

Full Three-Hour Show for September 9, 2015

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and show regular joins Rick to talk about the growing surveillance state in the post 9-11 world and a recent Washington State Supreme Court case ruling that the state’s new charter school law is unconstitutional.  What does it all mean?  Irwin lays it out.

James Hoffa, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters joins Rick as the Teamsters roll out there “Let’s Get America Working” campaign to rebuild our infrastructure, retirement security, a prosperous working class, and the American Dream.

Danay, an Allentown school student joins Rick to talk about the growing activism amongst Allentown School District students as they stand up against the budget cuts of the past four years, larger class size, limited opportunities, and more.

Victor Tan Chen, author of "Cut Loose: Jobless and Hopeless in an Unfair Economy" joins Rick to discuss the new book that compares how American and Canadian autoworkers faired during the Great Bush Recession and where American policy toward workers has failed them.

Irwin Aronson Talks Surveillance State and it's not always who you think

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and show regular joins Rick to talk about the growing surveillance state in the post 9-11 world and a recent Washington State Supreme Court case ruling that the state’s new charter school law is unconstitutional.  What does it all mean?  Irwin lays it out. 

Teamster President James Hoffa rolls out plan to Get America Working

James Hoffa, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters joins Rick as the Teamsters roll out there “Let’s Get America Working” campaign to rebuild our infrastructure, retirement security, a prosperous working class, and the American Dream. 

Danay from Allentown's Youth United Party talks education activism

Danay, an Allentown school student joins Rick to talk about the growing activism amongst Allentown School District students as they stand up against the budget cuts of the past four years, larger class size, limited opportunities, and more. 

Victor Tan Chen Talks about his new Book Cut Loose: Jobless and Hopeless in an Unfair Economy

Victor Tan Chen, author of "Cut Loose: Jobless and Hopeless in an Unfair Economy" joins Rick to discuss the new book that compares how American and Canadian autoworkers fared during the Great Bush Recession and where American policy toward workers has failed them.

Full 3 hour show for September 8, 2015

Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing joins Rick to talk manufacturing job loss, China, and what needs to be accomplished as the Do Nothing Congress returns from summer vacation.

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union joins Rick to talk about the 2016 presidential field and what the current forerunners means for workers.

Laura Durso, Director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the latest developments surrounding Kim Davis and to discuss the what’s, how’s, where’s, why’s of Religious Freedom

Jeanette Taylor-Ramann joins Rick to explain why she and 11 other community activists have been on a hunger strike since August 17th.  Hear her story of not wanting her child to have to travel 16 miles on multiple buses to get to school in one of the most dangerous cities in the nation.  

Mercedes Martinez, president of the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR) talks about the Neo-liberal education policies that are closing community schools in Puerto Rico and moving toward a re-branded Charter School model where profiteers line their pockets and kids suffer.

AAM''s Scott Paul calling on the President to stand up the China on trade

Scott N. Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing joins Rick to talk manufacturing job loss, China, and what needs to be accomplished as the Do Nothing Congress returns from summer vacation.

ATU's Larry Hanley talks about 2016 Presidential race

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union joins Rick to talk about the 2016 presidential field and what the current forerunners means for workers.

CAP's Laura Durso on the Circus in KY

Laura Durso, Director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the latest developments surrounding Kim Davis and to discuss the what’s, how’s, where’s, why’s of Religious Freedom 

#BATradio Jeanette Taylor-Ramann talks about her Hunger Strike to save her kid's school

Jeanette Taylor-Ramann joins Rick to explain why she and 11 other community activists have been on a hunger strike since August 17th.  Hear her story of not wanting her child to have to travel 16 miles on multiple buses to get to school in one of the most dangerous cities in the nation.   

#BATradio Mercedes Martinez, president of the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR) takes it to the street

Mercedes Martinez, president of the Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR) talks about the Neo-liberal education policies that are closing community schools in Puerto Rico and moving toward a re-branded Charter School model where profiteers line their pockets and kids suffer. 

September 4, 2015 full 3-hour pre-Labor Day weekend show

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick with a Labor Day message and highlights the continuing struggles of workers across the commonwealth and the nation.

Mary Bottari, Deputy Director of the Center for Media and Democracy joins Rick to highlight all of the anti-worker assaults going on ahead of the Labor Day holiday. 

Isaiah Poole, Online Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to give his take on the Labor Day holiday and what we should remember as we celebrate this holiday.  

Eric Epstein, Contributor at Rock The Capital joins Rick to look back of the past 66 days without a budget, preview the coming days and talk about developments with PP&L.

Rock the Capital's Eric Epstein rocks the news with everything Harrisburg

Eric Epstein, Contributor at Rock The Capital joins Rick to look back of the past 66 days without a budget, preview the coming days and talk about developments with PP&L.

Isiah Poole lays out the reality of where workers are and what needs to be done this Labor Day

Isaiah Poole, Online Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to give his take on the Labor Day holiday and what we should remember as we celebrate this holiday.  

CMD's Mary Bottari outlining the attacks on workers as a reminder going into the holiday

Mary Bottari, Deputy Director of the Center for Media and Democracy joins Rick to highlight all of the anti-worker assaults going on ahead of the Labor Day holiday. 

PA AFL-CIO Prez Rick Bloomingdale brings the Labor Day message home

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick with a Labor Day message and highlights the continuing struggles of workers across the commonwealth and the nation.

September 3 Full Three Hour Program

Mark Price, Labor Economist at the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to talk about their latest report, The State of Working PA and discuss what needs to be done to move the commonwealth forward.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and Naked Keynes Blogger joins Rick to talk about what is going on in Greece and how that effects the global economy.

Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to lay out the hows and whys of Kim Davis being jailed for contempt of court and what this means for those seeking to get married. 

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist with the AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk trade deficits, trade policies, and the job loss that comes with both of those.  

AFL-CiO's Celeste Drake shooting down the TPP and all the Free Trade Myths

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist with the AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk trade deficits, trade policies, and the job loss that comes with both of those.  

Ian Millhiser on the Kim Davis nonsense in KY

Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Editor of ThinkProgress Justice joins Rick to lay out the hows and whys of Kim Davis being jailed for contempt of court and what this means for those seeking to get married. 

NAKED KEYNESIANISM's Matias Vernengo Lays out the Greek Crisis and options

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and Naked Keynes Blogger joins Rick to talk about what is going on in Greece and how that effects the global economy.