The Rick Smith Show

Professor Andrew Austin on Lack of Civility in VP Debate

Andrew Austin, Associate Professor and Chair of Democracy and Justice Studies and Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay joins Rick to critique the Vice President candidate’s performance during the recent debate and share his thoughts on what we saw and how it reflects on “We the People.”

Rich Fiesta responds to Gov. Pence's Defense of Donald Trump on Social Security

Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans joins Rick to discuss comments made during the Vice President debate regarding the nation’s Social Security system and to talk about what needs to be done by whomever is elected in November to strengthen Social Security for future generations.

Marc Stier talk Looming Crisis in Pennsylvania

Marc Stier, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to talk about the impending troubles faced by Pennsylvanians as the recent release of state revenue numbers paint a grim picture.

Matt Elliott talks Energy Efficiency Day & Job Creation

Matt Elliott, Executive Director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) joins Rick to kick-off the first Energy Efficiency Day, discuss how Pennsylvania is doing in the energy efficiency arena and to evaluate current and pending legislation.

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hours Show for 10-4-2016

Craig Harrington, Director of the Economic Policy Program at Media Matters for America joins Rick to discuss the upcoming Vice President’s debate and how the media is, and will spin, hype, or distort it before, during, and after its concluded.

Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) joins Rick to discuss her union’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton as the nation’s next president and to preview the upcoming Vice President’s debate.

Anisha Singh, Campaign Manager for Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the opening day of this US Supreme Court term, how an eight-member court is expected to operate, and what cases are on, and off the docket.

Chuck Collins, Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies and author joins Rick to discuss his latest book, “Born on Third Base” and talk about his work dedicated to closing inequality gap. 

Craig Harrington previews VP Debate

Craig Harrington, Director of the Economic Policy Program at Media Matters for America joins Rick to discuss the upcoming Vice President’s debate and how the media is, and will spin, hype, or distort it before, during, and after its concluded.

Mary Kay Henry previews VP Debate & Talks Rebuilding Middle Class

Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) joins Rick to discuss her union’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton as the nation’s next president and to preview the upcoming Vice President’s debate.

Anisha Singh on Why Courts Matter

Anisha Singh, Campaign Manager for Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss the opening day of this US Supreme Court term, how an eight-member court is expected to operate, and what cases are on, and off the docket.

Chuck Collins talks Inequality and the Commons

Chuck Collins, Director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies and author joins Rick to discuss his latest book, “Born on Third Base” and talk about his work dedicated to closing inequality gap. 

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hours Show for 10-3-2016

Matt Mittenthal, National Spokesperson for the Hillary Clinton campaign joins Rick to discuss the recent New York Times story on Republican opponent Donald Trump declaring a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns and explain what the campaign believes the limited information shows on how the GOP candidate would govern.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale joins Rick to talk about the recent New York Times story regarding what is knows about the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps leaked limited 1995 taxes returns and what aggressive tax avoidance schemes have done to state coffers and public services.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero and the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to report on the latest news and up-to-date information on the continuing contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the union (APSCUF) representing higher education faculty.

Jonathan Pelto, manager of Education Bloggers Network, blogger, former Connecticut House Representative and current US Congressional candidate joins Rick to talk about the disastrous new SAT test and talk about the SAT whistleblowerwho exposed what is described as a “global fraud” “committed against millions of students and their families.”

Dr. Tim Slekar, Dean of Education at Edgewood College in Wisconsin and Host of BustED Pencils Radio joins Rick to talk about the political nature of the “teacher shortage” as there appears to be a mass exodus of teachers leaving the profession due to the ongoing attacks on public education and their profession.

Matt Mittenthal on Why Donald Trump's Tax Returns Matter

Matt Mittenthal, National Spokesperson for the Hillary Clinton campaign joins Rick to discuss the recent New York Times story on Republican opponent Donald Trump declaring a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns and explain what the campaign believes the limited information shows on how the GOP candidate would govern.

PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale explains Costs of Trump's Tax Avoidance

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale joins Rick to talk about the recent New York Times story regarding what is knows about the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps leaked limited 1995 taxes returns and what aggressive tax avoidance schemes have done to state coffers and public services.

Kevin Mahoney Rages Over Glacial Contract Talks as Potential Strike Looms

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero and the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to report on the latest news and up-to-date information on the continuing contract negotiations between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the union (APSCUF) representing higher education faculty.

Jonathan Pelto talks Corporate SAT Industry

Jonathan Pelto, manager of Education Bloggers Network, blogger, former Connecticut House Representative and current US Congressional candidate joins Rick to talk about the disastrous new SAT test and talk about the SAT whistleblower who exposed what is described as a “global fraud” “committed against millions of students and their families.”

Dr. Slekar exposes Mass Exodus of Teachers from Profession

Dr. Tim Slekar, Dean of Education at Edgewood College in Wisconsin and Host of BustED Pencils Radio joins Rick to talk about the political nature of the “teacher shortage” as there appears to be a mass exodus of teachers leaving the profession due to the ongoing attacks on public education and their profession.

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hours Show for 9-29-2016

Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness joins Rick to discuss Monday night’s debate focusing on why Donald Trump has continually refused to release his tax returns and what the possible reasons could be for the Trump camp’s willingness to continue the media attention.

Andy Hoover, Legislative Director with ACLU of Pennsylvania joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania Senate’s recently passed Asset Forfeiture Bill, what’s in it, and why his organizations believes it’s not enough to protect citizens from having their property stolen by authorities.

Pete Dominick, Comedian and Host of Stand Up with Pete on SiriusXM Insight joins Rick to share his experience on Monday night at Hofstra University’s hosting of the Presidential debate and examine the bizarre aftermath as the spin machines shift into warp speed.

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk about his organization’s opposition to GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump’s positions and statements regarding veterans and veteran’s issues and examine where Hillary Clinton stands on veteran issues. 

Tyler Cherry, Media Matters Researcher breaks out the BS meter on Fake News as he joins Rick to talk about the recent Fox News memo telling their hosts not to use online polls and other unscientific polls in their broadcasts.  Basically they were told to stop making stuff up.  Has Fox News gone too far? 

Frank Clemente on Trump's Taxes & WHY He'll Never Release Them

Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness joins Rick to discuss Monday night’s debate focusing on why Donald Trump has continually refused to release his tax returns and what the possible reasons could be for the Trump camp’s willingness to continue the media attention.

Andy Hoover exposes Seriously Flawed PA Forfeiture Bill

Andy Hoover, Legislative Director with ACLU of Pennsylvania joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania Senate’s recently passed Asset Forfeiture Bill, what’s in it, and why his organizations believes it’s not enough to protect citizens from having their property stolen by authorities.

Pete Dominick bring Truth and Humor to Debate Night Spin

Pete Dominick, Comedian and Host of Stand Up with Pete on SiriusXM Insight joins Rick to share his experience on Monday night at Hofstra University’s hosting of the Presidential debate and examine the bizarre aftermath as the spin machines shift into warp speed.

Will Fischer Calls Out Charlatan Chicken Hawk Trump

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk about his organization’s opposition to GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump’s positions and statements regarding veterans and veteran’s issues and examine where Hillary Clinton stands on veteran issues.