The Rick Smith Show

Anne Johnson on White House Worker's Summit

Anne Johnson, Executive Director of Generation Progress joins Rick to discuss the recent Worker’s Voice Summit held at the White House, talk about the workers stories, how these issues impact millennial workers, and solutions to rebuild the once prosperous working class in America.

Drew Gibson Talks Dem Debate & the End of the Road for Lincoln Chafee

Drew Gibson, Contributor at Virtually Suppressed joins Rick to talk Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and examine the rock of granite known as former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.

Julie Alderman talks Morning After Debate

Julie Alderman, Researcher at Media Matters for America gives her take on Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and discusses the morning after media reaction.

Joe Sestak on the Road to Restore the American Dream

Former Congressman Admiral Joe Sestak joins Rick to talk about his 422 mile walk across Pennsylvania to restore the American Dream and share the stories from the road that has motivated him to pursue the Democratic Party’s nod to take on incumbent Senator Pat Toomey in 2016.

Kevin Mahoney Raging on Citizen Media Project

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to discuss his latest passion, The 2015 Citizen Media Forum being held on October 14^th at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA and the need for alternative voices outside the corporate dominated news.

Larry Hanley previews debate

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) joins Rick to preview the night’s big Democratic Party’s Presidential debate and to highlight Bernie’s support for his members in Grand Rapids, MI as they fight for their survival.   

BAT Michael Flanagan Highlights the Low-lights of New DOE Secretary John King

Michael Flanagan, New York Teacher and Co-Director of Badass Teachers Association Action Committee joins Rick to give his inside view of the newly appointed Secretary of Education John King and whether this marks a change of course, or more of the same bad policy directives.  

Tripp Jeffers talks Fallout from NEA's Endorsement of Hillary

Tripp Jeffers, North Carolina history teacher and member of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Board of Directors joins Rick to talk about his union’s endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the feedback they’ve received from members.

Full Three Hour Show for October 9, 2015

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the PA Budget in light of the most recent GOP refusal to responsibly tax Marcellus Shale extraction or raise revenue to stop the rapid increase in property taxes for homeowners.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk the bad, the ugly, and the ridiculousness of the recently completed global free trade pact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement and what it means for workers at home and around the world.

Isaiah J. Poole, On-Line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about GOP House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s exit from the race to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner and to roll out a new tool to help voters identify which presidential candidates share their values.  

John Neurohr, Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss the latest news on the Pennsylvania budget standoff and what the most recent vote in the house means moving forward.

Rick Bloomingdale Lays Out Budget Impasse And Looks toward the Future

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the PA Budget in light of the most recent GOP refusal to responsibly tax Marcellus Shale extraction or raise revenue to stop the rapid increase in property taxes for homeowners.

Matias Vernengo on Bad Trade Scheme

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk the bad, the ugly, and the ridiculousness of the recently completed global free trade pact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement and what it means for workers at home and around the world.

Isaiah Poole on Imploding GOP & Candidate Scorecard

Isaiah J. Poole, On-Line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about GOP House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s exit from the race to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner and to roll out a new tool to help voters identify which presidential candidates share their values.  

John Neurohr on #PABudget Insanity

John Neurohr, Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss the latest news on the Pennsylvania budget standoff and what the most recent vote in the house means moving forward.

Full Three Hour Show for October 5, 2015

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to talk budget and preview the week ahead as the PA GOP attempts another Washington DC stop gap budget gimmick.

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist with the AFL-CIO is back, and so is the dreaded TransPacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement.  Celeste lays out what we know, what we need to know, and what needs to be done to stop another job killing FTA from becoming the law of the globe.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to report on last week’s week of action in Allentown that saw students take to the streets to highlight their concerns over an education system they believe is not working for them.

Karran Harper Royal, New Orleans parent and public education activist joins Rick to share her personal experiences with the corporate education system that has taken over the New Orleans, LA schools.

Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the Director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership at California State University Sacramento joins Rick to discuss the “Slave” Market Education Deform that has gripped policymakers, and the moneyed special interest seeking more, and more profit.

Abe Amoros talking Reality about Corbett Era budget tactics

Abe Amoros, Pennsylvania Legislative Director for LIUNA joins Rick to talk budget and preview the week ahead as the PA GOP attempts another Washington DC stop gap budget gimmick.

Celeste Drake Exposing it All on TPP

Celeste Drake, Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist with the AFL-CIO is back, and so is the dreaded TransPacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement.  Celeste lays out what we know, what we need to know, and what needs to be done to stop another job killing FTA from becoming the law of the globe.

Kevin Mahoney talks Building a Movement in Allentown

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chick Press joins Rick to report on last week’s week of action in Allentown that saw students take to the streets to highlight their concerns over an education system they believe is not working for them. 

Karran Harper Royal Shares her Horror Story in Private/Public Schools of New Orleans

Karran Harper Royal, New Orleans parent and public education activist joins Rick to share her personal experiences with the corporate education system that has taken over the New Orleans, LA schools.  

Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig Talks "Slave" Market Education Deform

Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and the Director of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership at California State University Sacramento joins Rick to discuss the “Slave” Market Education Deform that has gripped policymakers, and the moneyed special interest seeking more, and more profit. 

Full Three Hour Show for October 2, 2015

Katie McGinty, Pennsylvania Democratic Senatorial Candidate joins Rick to talk about her campaign and highlight the differences between her views and incumbent Senator Pat Toomey's record on jobs and trade.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about the economy, the economy, the economy.  Yes, an actual economist talking about the how to get the economy back on the right track.

Dave Johnson, Fellow with the Campaign for America's Future joins Rick to talk trade, 2016 Presidential race, and more on the privatization efforts to steal the US Postal Service.

John Neurohr Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the latest PA GOP budget stunt and answer, “What is it about Republicans and White Supremacists?”