The Rick Smith Show

Kathay Feng on SCOTUS Arguments on Fair Redistricting

Kathay Feng, national redistricting director at Common Cause joins Rick to discuss the days US Supreme Court’s hearing oral arguments on a Maryland gerrymandering case that could potentially end partisan gerrymandering ushering a new, hopefully fairer way of drawing legislative maps.

Sarah Burris talks Story of the Day

Sarah Burris, reporter at Raw Story joins Rick to discuss the top stories of the day and Stormy, Stormy, Stormy.

Ken Mash talks PA Promise

Ken Mash, President. Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties joins Rick to explain why US News and World Report has ranked Pennsylvania dead last in the country for higher education because of costs, a state legislature that has walked away from education, and why his organization supports Pennsylvania Promise and Senate Bill 1111.

The Rick Smith Show 3-22-2018

Scott Dworkin, Co-Founder of the Democratic Coalition and Host of The Dworkin Report joins Rick to discuss the news about Cambridge Analytica, John Bolton being named National Security Adivsor, and discuss why what Obama did in 2008/2012 is different to what Trump did in 2016 (outside of Trump’s potentially treasonous acts).

 

Christopher Stroop, Creator of #EmptyPews and #YouDontKnowEvangelicals and Political writer joins Rick to discuss John Bolton’s rise to National Security Advisor, the extreme religious right’s reaction, and to talk about the background of the homeschooled terrorist from Austin.

 

Amy Bahena, Wisconsin Public School Teacher joins Rick to discuss the heavy push toward privatizing Wisconsin’s public schools and what impact it is having on the students, teachers, and the community.  

Scott Dworkin talks Cambridge Analytica

Scott Dworkin, Co-Founder of the Democratic Coalition and Host of The Dworkin Report joins Rick to discuss the news about Cambridge Analytica, John Bolton being named National Security Adivsor, and discuss why what Obama did in 2008/2012 is different to what Trump did in 2016 (outside of Trump’s potentially treasonous acts).

Christopher Stroop talks Religious Extremism in America

Christopher Stroop, Creator of #EmptythePews and #YouDontKnowEvangelicals and Political writer joins Rick to discuss John Bolton’s rise to National Security Advisor, the extreme religious right’s reaction, and to talk about the background of the homeschooled terrorist from Austin.

Amy Bahena talks Privatization and De-Professionalization of Education

Amy Bahena, Wisconsin Public School Teacher joins Rick to discuss the heavy push toward privatizing Wisconsin’s public schools and what impact it is having on the students, teachers, and the community.  

The Rick Smith Show 3-21-2018

Dan Vicuna, National Redistricting Manager at Common Cause joins Rick to explain why the recent decision by the US Supreme case to take a gerrymandering case from Maryland could be a positive sign that the court could be willing to move on partisan gerrymandering.

Helaine Olen, Author of Pound Foolish. Co-author of The Index Card, and Blogger at the Washington Post’s Plum Line joins Rick to discuss her recent article on millennial women overwhelmingly identifying as Democrats and what the reason could be for this massive shift.

 

Jon Shelton, Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay joins Rick to discuss teachers taking to the streets to strike back against poverty wages, long hours, diminishing benefits, and an apparent lack of respect and to explain why this moment in history could be an important time for all workers.

Dan Vicuna explains Why SCOTUS taking Gerrymandering Case is a Big Deal

Dan Vicuna, National Redistricting Manager at Common Cause joins Rick to explain why the recent decision by the US Supreme case to take a gerrymandering case from Maryland could be a positive sign that the court could be willing to move on partisan gerrymandering.

Helaine Olen explains Why Millennial Women are Choosing the Democratic Party

Helaine Olen, Author of Pound Foolish. Co-author of The Index Card, and Blogger at the Washington Post’s Plum Line joins Rick to discuss her recent article on millennial women overwhelmingly identifying as Democrats and what the reason could be for this massive shift.

Jon Shelton talks Teachers Striking for Respect

Jon Shelton, Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay joins Rick to discuss teachers taking to the streets to strike back against poverty wages, long hours, diminishing benefits, and an apparent lack of respect and to explain why this moment in history could be an important time for all workers.

The Rick Smith Show 3-20-2018

Adam Parkomenko, political consultant and David Yankovich, digital strategist join Rick to discuss the recent breaking news surrounding Cambridge Analytica, the possibility of combating political dirty tricks, and Trumps congratulatory call to Putin.

 

Matthew Chapman, National Political Writer at Share Blue joins Rick to discuss his recent article on a Kentucky Republican candidate’s threatening tweet to a congressman and how to combat misinformation and propaganda on the internet.

Adam Parkomenko and David Yankovich talk Cambridge Analytica

Adam Parkomenko, political consultant and David Yankovich, digital strategist join Rick to discuss the recent breaking news surrounding Cambridge Analytica, the possibility of combating political dirty tricks, and Trumps congratulatory call to Putin.

Matthew Chapman talks Right Wing Extremism

Matthew Chapman, National Political Writer at Share Blue joins Rick to discuss his recent article on a Kentucky Republican candidate’s threatening tweet to a congressman and how to combat misinformation and propaganda on the internet.

The Rick Smith Show 3-19-2018

Renato Mariotti, Candidate for Illinois Attorney General joins Rick to talk about why workers need an Attorney General who will stand up for them by protecting workers rights to organize, stopping wage theft, and prosecuting those who knowingly allow unsafe conditions for their workers.

Patrick Green, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 joins Rick to discuss his union’s ongoing, "Let's Move Nashville" campaign to fight for a $9 billion investment in public transportation and to talk about transportation needs across the nation.

Propane Jane, joins Rick to discuss the recent rash of departures and firings by the Trump Administration and what this could potentially mean as the pressure of the Mueller investigation mounts on Donald Trump and there are fewer people he trusts around him.

Renato Mariotti explains Why He is Running for Attorney General in IL

Renato Mariotti, Candidate for Illinois Attorney General joins Rick to talk about why workers need an Attorney General who will stand up for them by protecting workers rights to organize, stopping wage theft, and prosecuting those who knowingly allow unsafe conditions for their workers.

Tuesday Mach 20, is the Illinois Primary....Get Out To Vote.

Patrick Green talks Transit Campaign for Improvement and Safety

Patrick Green, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 joins Rick to discuss his union’s ongoing, "Let's Move Nashville" campaign to fight for a $9 billion investment in public transportation and to talk about transportation needs across the nation.

Propane Jane on Rash of Recent Firings

Propane Jane, joins Rick to discuss the recent rash of departures and firings by the Trump Administration and what this could potentially mean as the pressure of the Mueller investigation mounts on Donald Trump and there are fewer people he trusts around him.

The Rick Smith Show 3-16-2018

Omar Vaid, Union member and Candidate for Congress in New York’s 11th district joins Rick to talk about his recently released video and discuss the issues voters in his district tell him are important to them.

Nina Esposito-Visgitis, President of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers joins Rick to share her thoughts on the recent Democratic victory in Pennsylvania’s 18^th Congressional District and what it took to mobilize union members and volunteers.

Isaiah Poole, founder of Poole Media joins Rick to wrap of the week that was highlighting the top issues and why they are important from Trump’s firing of Rex Tillerson to the Republican’s shutting down the House Intelligence Committee investigation into Trump/Russia to Tuesday’s big win in Pennsylvania.

Andy Thorburn, Candidate for Congress in California’s 39th Congressional District joins Rick to discuss why he is running for congress after years of fighting for workers, building and losing and rebuilding a successful business and to talk about what issues are most important to him.

Omar Vaid talks Congressional Run

Omar Vaid, Union member and Candidate for Congress in New York’s 11th district joins Rick to talk about his recently released video and discuss the issues voters in his district tell him are important to them.