The Rick Smith Show

Kevin DeGood talks Horrible #Infrastructure Plan

Kevin DeGood, Director of Infrastructure Policy at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the Trump administrations infrastructure plan and explains why it’s bad policy.

Christine Campbell talks West Virginia General Strike

Christine Campbell, president of the American Federation of Teachers- West Virginia (AFT-WV) joins Rick to talk about the General Strike of educators in West Virginia that shut down schools in the states 55 counties, why they have taken to the picket lines and state capital, and what it’s going to take to get them back. 

Marla Kilfoyle and Melissa Tomlinson,talk Janus and Day of Action

Marla Kilfoyle, Executive Director of the Badass Teacher’s Association (BAT) and Melissa Tomlinson, Assistant Executive Director of the BATs joins Rick to talk about the upcoming day of action and the Janus v. AFSCME case that prompted the rallies.

The Rick Smith Show 2-21-2018

Helaine Olen, Author of Pound Foolish, Co-author of The Index Card and a Blogger at the Washington Post’s Plum Line joins Rick to talk about her recent article, Another day, another Trump attack on the Affordable Care Act and to explain how this is going to harm not only the ACA but working families. @helaineolen

Joshua Holland, Contributor at The Nation joins Rick to talk about the attacks on the survivors of the Parkland shooting, the extreme gun cult that dominates the nation’s political arena, and where he sees things heading.

Steve Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to talk about the upcoming workers day of action in Philadelphia and around the country, the upcoming Supreme Court case that has sparked these rallies, and what a negative outcome for Labor will mean for Labor, workers, and their communities.

Helaine Olen explains Latest Trump Assault on ACA

Helaine Olen, Author of Pound Foolish, Co-author of The Index Card and a Blogger at the Washington Post’s Plum Line joins Rick to talk about her recent article, Another day, another Trump attack on the Affordable Care Act and to explain how this is going to harm not only the ACA but working families.

Joshua Holland talks Chocolate Milk and Guns

Joshua Holland, Contributor at The Nation joins Rick to talk about the attacks on the survivors of the Parkland shooting, the extreme gun cult that dominates the nation’s political arena, and where he sees things heading.

Steve Herzenberg talks Janus Case & Weekend of Action

Steve Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to talk about the upcoming workers day of action in Philadelphia and around the country, the upcoming Supreme Court case that has sparked these rallies, and what a negative outcome for Labor will mean for Labor, workers, and their communities.

The Rick Smith Show 2-20-2018

David Yankovich, political strategist joins Rick to talk about a 7^th grade student who shot himself today in an Ohio Middle School where his sister attends, his memory of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and other moments where the potential of an active shooter was front and center has influenced his life and has moved him to calling for an assault weapons ban. 

Melissa Ryan, visiting fellow at Media Matters for America and editor of Ctrl Alt Right Delete’s weekly newsletter joins Rick to discuss the right wing attack on the Parkland School shooting survivors and to explain where these false flag claims come from and who is behind it.

Ken Mash, President of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) joins Rick to talk about the upcoming February 24 Worker’s Day of Action to call attention to the upcoming oral argument before the US Supreme Court as they hear the Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 and to discuss what the potential outcome will be be and what it means to the labor movement.

David Yankovich talks Gun Violence

David Yankovich, political strategist joins Rick to talk about a 7^th grade student who shot himself today in an Ohio Middle School where his sister attends, his memory of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and other moments where the potential of an active shooter was front and center has influenced his life and has moved him to calling for an assault weapons ban. 

Melissa Ryan on Right Wing Allegations of Parkland Shooting being a False Flag

Melissa Ryan, visiting fellow at Media Matters for America and editor of Ctrl Alt Right Delete’s weekly newsletter joins Rick to discuss the right wing attack on the Parkland School shooting survivors and to explain where these false flag claims come from and who is behind it. 

Ken Mash on Worker's Day of Action Ahead of Janus vs. AFSCME

Ken Mash, President of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) joins Rick to talk about the upcoming February 24 Worker’s Day of Action to call attention to the upcoming oral argument before the US Supreme Court as they hear the Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 and to discuss what the potential outcome will be be and what it means to the labor movement.

The Rick Smith Show 2-19-201

Andrea Chalupa, writer and political commentator joins Rick to explain why Paul Manafort’s right hand man Rick Gates plea deal is important to the Mueller investigation and to discuss the possibility of Trump son-in-law  Jared Kushner could be next to turn on the Trump team.

Propane Jane is back after another bizarre Trumpian weekend of deflection, blame, and denial to discuss what the latest Trump tirade against Oprah, the FBI, and sanity means as the Mueller Investigation continues.

Ted Kirsch, President of AFT-PA joins Rick to discuss the upcoming Janus vs. AFSCME Supreme Court case and what it will mean for workers and their unions in its aftermath.  Ted also talks about the tragic shooting in Florida and the 3 union member teachers killed protecting students.

Andrea Chalupa on Gates Plea Deal

Andrea Chalupa, writer and political commentator joins Rick to explain why Paul Manafort’s right hand man Rick Gates plea deal is important to the Mueller investigation and to discuss the possibility of Trump son-in-law  Jared Kushner could be next to turn on the Trump team.

Propane Jane on Bizarre Weekend Rants

Propane Jane is back after another bizarre Trumpian weekend of deflection, blame, and denial to discuss what the latest Trump tirade against Oprah, the FBI, and sanity means as the Mueller Investigation continues.

Ted Kirsch talks Potential Janus Case Fallout

Ted Kirsch, President of AFT-PA joins Rick to discuss the upcoming Janus vs. AFSCME Supreme Court case and what it will mean for workers and their unions in its aftermath.  Ted also talks about the tragic shooting in Florida and the 3 union member teachers killed protecting students.

The Rick Smith Show 2-16-2018

Adam Parkhomenko, Political strategist and Political Advisor to Hillary Clinton joins Rick to discuss the recent indictments of 13 Russian operatives and 3 Russian business and what is possibly next.

Ian Millhiser, Justice Editor at ThinkProgress joins Rick to discuss the recent move by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to reject the Republican’s redrawn map and explain what options are left going forward. 

Deanne Bass, Special Education Teacher and Badass Teacher Association member joins Rick to discuss the need to more funding for education and state of education funding in Oregon.

Adam Parkhomenko talks #Mueller Indictments

Adam Parkhomenko, Political strategist and Political Advisor to Hillary Clinton joins Rick to discuss the recent indictments of 13 Russian operatives and 3 Russian business and what is possibly next.

Ian Millhiser on PA Gerrymandering

Ian Millhiser, Justice Editor at ThinkProgress joins Rick to discuss the recent move by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to reject the Republican’s redrawn map and explain what options are left going forward. 

Deanne Bass talks Education Funding

Deanne Bass, Special Education Teacher and Badass Teacher Association member joins Rick to discuss the need to more funding for education and state of education funding in Oregon.

The Rick Smith Show 2-15-2018

Scott Dworkin, co-founder of The Democratic Coalition joins Rick to discuss why, given the current political climate, it’s impossible to get anything done to stop the gun violence that has continued to occur and to talk about the recent news of another Trump campaign person working on a plea deal.

 

Ellen Bravo, co-director of Family Values @ Work joins Rick to discus the recent news of the possibility of Paid Parental leave and why workers need to be fighting for Paid Family Leave.

 

Michael Sozan, senior vice president for Government Affairs at the Center for American Progress @CAPDemocracy joins Rick to talk about how to prevent further Russian meddling in America’s elector process and restore and maintain ballot sanctity.