The Rick Smith Show

The Rick Smith Show for 6-14-2017

Ed Wytkind, President of the Transpiration Trades Department of the AFL-CIO joins Rick to discuss what’s right, and what’s really wrong with President Trump’s infrastructure plan and explain how can, and must do better for the future of the nation and its workers.

Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness joins Rick to explain how under the cover of the Russia/Comey/Sessions/Trump cloud the Senate Republicans are moving forward on an ObamaCare repeal that will leave millions uninsured and vulnerable while shifting billions in tax breaks to the wealthiest American’s in a move that even Donald Trump has called “mean.”  Help stop the “mean” Republicans by signing the petition.

Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to explain the details of the latest Pension “Reform” bill to be signed into law and what the most recent changes will mean for the state’s retirees, and current and future state employees going forward and to answer the simple question of, “Is this the end of the attacks on Pennsylvania state employees or will there be more coming.”

Ed Wytkind talks Infrastructure

Ed Wytkind, President of the Transpiration Trades Department of the AFL-CIO joins Rick to discuss what’s right, and what’s really wrong with President Trump’s infrastructure plan and explain how can, and must do better for the future of the nation and its workers.

Frank Clemente talks TrumpCare

Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness joins Rick to explain how under the cover of the Russia/Comey/Sessions/Trump cloud the Senate Republicans are moving forward on an ObamaCare repeal that will leave millions uninsured and vulnerable while shifting billions in tax breaks to the wealthiest American’s in a move that even Donald Trump has called “mean.”  Help stop the “mean” Republicans by signing the petition.

Stephen Herzenberg talks PA Pension Reform Law

Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to explain the details of the latest Pension “Reform” bill to be signed into law and what the most recent changes will mean for the state’s retirees, and current and future state employees going forward and to answer the simple question of, “Is this the end of the attacks on Pennsylvania state employees or will there be more coming.”

The Rick Smith Show for 6-13-2017

Jarad Geldner, Communications and Strategists with the Democratic Coalition joins Rick to examine recent reports of President Trump weighting the prospect of firing Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and discuss what Americans need to be focusing on in the coming weeks and months as the investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia continues.

Andrea Chalupa, writer and co-organizer of the March for Truth joins Rick to discuss recent reports coming from a friend of the President claiming Mr. Trump is considering firing Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and explain why the continued focus on the administration’s ties to Russia is so important.

Jarad Geldner on Latest RussiaGates News

Jarad Geldner, Communications and Strategists with the Democratic Coalition joins Rick to examine recent reports of President Trump weighting the prospect of firing Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and discuss what Americans need to be focusing on in the coming weeks and months as the investigation into the Trump administration’s ties to Russia continues.

Andrea Chalupa explains Latest Information in the Trump Saga

Andrea Chalupa, writer and co-organizer of the March for Truth joins Rick to discuss recent reports coming from a friend of the President claiming Mr. Trump is considering firing Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and explain why the continued focus on the administration’s ties to Russia is so important.

The Rick Smith Show for 6-12-2017

Propane Jane is back joining Rick for a weekly dose of sanity looking at what effect the First Lady and President Trump’s youngest child moving into the White House could have on the president and to discuss to group think victimization on display by the right wing and Trump’s adult children.

Corey Dolgon, author of Kill It to Save It: An Autopsy of Capitalism's Triumph over Democracy joins Rick to discuss his recent book and to discuss how, as a nation American’s have come to expect less from their government while actually encouraging avarice and greed.

Propane Jane Brings the Sanity in an Insane Administration

Propane Jane is back joining Rick for a weekly dose of sanity looking at what effect the First Lady and President Trump’s youngest child moving into the White House could have on the president and to discuss to group think victimization on display by the right wing and Trump’s adult children.

Corey Dolgon on Capitalism Autopsy

Corey Dolgon, author of Kill It to Save It: An Autopsy of Capitalism's Triumph over Democracy joins Rick to discuss his recent book and to discuss how, as a nation American’s have come to expect less from their government while actually encouraging avarice and greed.

The Rick Smith Show for 6-9-2017

Sarah Kendzior, writer and political commentator joins Rick to look back on the testimony of former FBI director James Comey and explain why this hearing is so important for the nation, democracy, and America’s image around the world.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and blogger joins Rick to talk about President Trump’s #InfrastructureWeek plan derailment and why a big sloppy wet kiss to #WallStreet is no way to rebuild the nation’s highways and byways. 

David Yankovich, Wisconsin congressional candidate joins Rick to share his thoughts on the recent senate hearing with former FBI director James Comey and give and update from the campaign trail as he bids to unseat Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in Wisconsin’s 1^st congressional district.

Sarah Kendzior, on Comey Fest

Sarah Kendzior, writer and political commentator joins Rick to look back on the testimony of former FBI director James Comey and explain why this hearing is so important for the nation, democracy, and America’s image around the world.

Matías Vernengo, talks Trump’s #InfrastructureWeek plan derailment

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and blogger joins Rick to talk about President Trump’s #InfrastructureWeek plan derailment and why a big sloppy wet kiss to #WallStreet is no way to rebuild the nation’s highways and byways. 

David Yankovich talks Comey Hearing & Paul Ryan Realities

David Yankovich, Wisconsin congressional candidate joins Rick to share his thoughts on the recent senate hearing with former FBI director James Comey and give and update from the campaign trail as he bids to unseat Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan in Wisconsin’s 1^st congressional district.

The Rick Smith Show for 6-8-2017

Dr. Wilmer Leon, host of Sirius/XM’s #InsideTheIssues  and nationally syndicated columnist joins Rick to discuss the major societal shift from the JFK era to the Trump era and how centuries old divisions have continued to be employed to keep working people pitted against one another.

Liz Kennedy, Director of Democracy and Government Reform at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the potential benefits of enacting an Automatic Voter Registration system to encourage greater voter participation.

Dr. Wilmer Leon talks Destruction of Democracy

Dr. Wilmer Leon, host of Sirius/XM’s #InsideTheIssues  and nationally syndicated columnist joins Rick to discuss the major societal shift from the JFK era to the Trump era and how centuries old divisions have continued to be employed to keep working people pitted against one another.

Liz Kennedy talks How to Get More People to Vote

Liz Kennedy, Director of Democracy and Government Reform at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the potential benefits of enacting an Automatic Voter Registration system to encourage greater voter participation.

The Rick Smith Show for 6-7-2017

Greg Palast, investigative reporter, author, and filmmaker of the recently released movie:  The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits joins Rick to discuss what Americans should be focusing on to make sure elections are safe and how the GOP pushing their nationwide Crosscheck system is dangerous to democracy.

Celeste Drake, AFL-CIO’s Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist joins Rick to discuss what the Trump administration should be doing with regards to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and how a change in the basic premise of least restrictive trade barrier will do to raise wages and grow a global middle class.

Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to talk about his organization’s participation in a massive rally at the Pennsylvania state capital demanding a budget that funds vital programs for the state’s most vulnerable and funds education and investment in the future.

Greg Palast On How the 2018 Election Will Be Stolen

Greg Palast, investigative reporter, author, and filmmaker of the recently released movie:  The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: A Tale of Billionaires and Ballot Bandits joins Rick to discuss what Americans should be focusing on to make sure elections are safe and how the GOP pushing their nationwide Crosscheck system is dangerous to democracy.

Celeste Drake talks Renegotiating NAFTA

Celeste Drake, AFL-CIO’s Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist joins Rick to discuss what the Trump administration should be doing with regards to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and how a change in the basic premise of least restrictive trade barrier will do to raise wages and grow a global middle class.