The Rick Smith Show

The Next Tea Party | 8-12-21 (1st Hour)

Rick opens the show with a conversation about how recent right-wing generated political feuds have turned local and are beginning to look like the disastrous Tea Party movement in 2010. Then we are joined by former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh to talk about the infrastructure plans that are moving through Congress, and what their success or failure will mean for American families, and then Bill Scher of Politico joins us to discuss several current and breaking news items, including the budget resolution and recent discussions about which party is better at ridding itself of bad apples.

The Next Tea Party | 8-12-21 (2nd Hour)

The second hour begins with author professor Harvey Kaye and a discussion about creeping authoritarianism in America and how it has accelerated at a frightening pace in the last few years, and then we end the night with Bob Ney, the former Ohio Congressman and political analyst, who will walk us through some recent votes in the House and Senate, and what we can expect in the coming weeks.

Trae Crowder, Writer/Comedian @traecrowder

Scott Paul Talks Infrastructure and Bipartisanship

Scott Paul of The Alliance for American Manufacturing joins us to discuss the passage of an infrastructure bill in the Senate, and what needs to happen next. @ScottPaulAAM @KeepItMadeinUSA

Scott Paul is the President of Alliance for American Manufacturing

"The Aggressive Progressive" Chris Hahn Joins the Show

The second hour begins with “The Aggressive Progressive” Chris Hahn and a discussion on recent Senate testimony by former Trump DOJ officials, and what it could mean for Trump and his minions. @christopherhahn Christopherhahn.com

Poverty Expert Jaboa Lake on The Eviction Moratorium

We end the night with Jaboa Lake, policy analyst for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress for a conversation about the eviction moratorium & poverty in the richest nation in the history of history.

 @jaboalake @amprog @CAPPoverty @CAPAction

Infrastructure Week | 8-11-21 (1st Hour)

Rick opens the show with a conversation about bipartisanship, the reemergence of infrastructure week, and the most recent spike in CEO pay. Then we are joined by comedian Trae Crowder to see if we can find a little funny in the events of the day, and then Scott Paul of The Alliance for American Manufacturing joins us to discuss the passage of an infrastructure bill in the Senate, and what needs to happen next.

Infrastructure Week | 8-11-21 (2nd Hour)

The second hour begins with “The Aggressive Progressive” Chris Hahn and a discussion on recent Senate testimony by former Trump DOJ officials, and what it could mean for Trump and his minions, and then we end the night with Jaboa Lake, policy analyst for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress for a conversation about the eviction moratorium & poverty in the richest nation in the history of history.

Greg Regan Talks Jobs & Infrastructure

We are joined by Greg Regan of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO for a discussion on infrastructure and how it will affect the lives of working people @TTDAFLCIO

Greg Regan is president of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD)

Justin Hendrix - Editor at Tech Policy Press

Justin Hendrix of Tech Policy Press talks tech, social media, and breaking news on the Trump attempted coup. @justinhendrix #TrumpIsGUILTY   https://techpolicy.press/

Renato Mariotti on the 1/6 Commission and Accountability for the GOP

The second hour begins with former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti for a discussion on Jeffrey Rosen’s Senate testimony and other recent stories. @renato_mariotti #OnTopic

Slow Progress | 8-10-21 (1st Hour)

Rick opens the show with a conversation about current events and the non-stop new cycle coming out of DC. Then we are joined by Greg Regan of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO for a discussion on infrastructure and how it will affect the lives of working people, and then Justin Hendrix of Tech Policy Press talks tech, social media, and breaking news from on the Trump attempted coup.

Slow Progress | 8-10-21 (2nd Hour)

The second hour begins with former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti for a discussion on Jeffrey Rosen’s Senate testimony and other recent stories, and then we end the night with former GOP congressman Bob Ney and a discussion about the latest madness in DC and what it means for working people across the country.

Vinny Alvarez

Vinny Alvarez, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

 

Shaun Richman

Shaun Richman, Program Director of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies at SUNY Empire State College and author of TELL THE BOSSES WERE COMING: A NEW ACTION PLAN FOR WORKERS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

WBAI Call in Show

Saturday August 7, 2021 We remembered Rich Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO who passed away unexpectedly.  Our guests were

Vinny Alvarez, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Shaun Richman, Program Director of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies at SUNY Empire State College and author of TELL THE BOSSES WERE COMING: A NEW ACTION PLAN FOR WORKERS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Josh Sword and Rick Levy of the AFL-CIO Remember Richard Trumka

We are joined byJosh Sword of the West Virginia AFL-CIO and Rick Levy of the Texas AFL-CIO for a discussion on the future of the organization, and the impact of the loss of labor legend and AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka. @RickTxAFLCIO @TexasAFLCIO @WestVirginiaAFL

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale

Rick Bloomingdale of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins the tribute to Richard Trumka and the discussion about the next steps for the AFL-CIO and its growing membership. @PaAFL_CIO @RWBloomingdale

Back to School in the Time of Covid

The second hour begins with Professor Arthur Steinberg of the American Federation of Teachers for a discussion about starting the school year at a very dangerous time. @AFTPA @AFTPA_Pres

Losing A Legend | 8-6-21 (1st Hour)

Rick opens the show with a tribute to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who passed away today. Then we are joined by Josh Sword of the West Virginia AFL-CIO for a discussion on the future of the organization, and the impact of the loss of a labor legend, and then Rick Bloomingdale of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins the tribute and the discussion about the next steps for the AFL-CIO and its growing membership.