The Rick Smith Show

John Meyerson on Sobering Facts of Liquor Plan

John Meyerson, Political Consultant and Organizer with UFCW Local 1776 joins Rick to discuss the potential ramifications of the recently signed liquor legislation and attempt to answer the plethora of questions on what the future holds for the commonwealth.

Frank Clemente talks Real Fair Tax Proposal

Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness joins Rick to discuss his testimony before the Democratic Platform Committee and his call for a progressive tax system to help address income inequality, and creating an economy that works for everyone.

Rebecca Vallas on a True Better Way

Rebecca Vallas, Managing Director of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress joins Rick in light of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s “A Better Way” propaganda release to talk about a truly better way to fight poverty and create an economy that works for all.  

Robert Weiner talks Paul Ryan Failed Policy

Robert Weiner, former Clinton White House spokesman and current consultant with Robert Weiner and Associates joins Rick to talk about his recent op-ed on House Speaker Paul Ryan’s “A Better Way” propaganda and refocus what is at stake in this presidential election cycle. 

The Rick Smith Show Full 3 hours for June 8, 2016

Irwin Aronson, labor attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to explain the latest National Labor Relations Board decision that will make it harder for employers to permanently replace striking workers and what it means for future for workers and employers at the bargaining table. 

Helaine Olen, Slate columnist joins Rick to discuss her recent article on The Donald and his University, and claims Trump U. was a hustle designed to fleece the poorly educated.

Bakari Sellers, Former SC State Rep. and Hillary Clinton spokesperson joins Rick to talk about Tuesday’s primary victories and the historic wins that will catapult Hillary Clinton to the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

Amy Lee, parent of two children in the Manatee County, FL, and administrator of their local opt out network joins Rick to explain what the school district was thinking when they threatened to fail third grades who did not take the state’s high stakes tests and what response they received. 

Irwin Aronson talks Importance of NLRB Decision

Irwin Aronson, labor attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to explain the latest National Labor Relations Board decision that will make it harder for employers to permanently replace striking workers and what it means for future for workers and employers at the bargaining table. 

Helaine Olen on Trump-tastic University

Helaine Olen, Slate columnist joins Rick to discuss her recent article on The Donald and his University, and claims Trump U. was a hustle designed to fleece the poorly educated.

Bakari Sellers on Hillary's Historic Victory & Unifying Democratic Voters

Bakari Sellers, Former SC State Rep. and Hillary Clinton spokesperson joins Rick to talk about Tuesday’s primary victories and the historic wins that will catapult Hillary Clinton to the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

Amy Lee Talks Opt Out and Standing Up for Education

Amy Lee, parent of two children in the Manatee County, FL, and administrator of their local opt out network joins Rick to explain what the school district was thinking when they threatened to fail third grades who did not take the state’s high stakes tests and what response they received. 

The Rick Smith Show Full 3 hours for June 3, 2016

Will Fischer Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk Chickhawk Charlatan Donald Trump's recent Vet stunt and what a Trump presidency would mean for veterans.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to discuss the ramifications associated with the recent abysmal job numbers.  Is recession around the corner?  Will the Federal Reserve end its talk on raising interest rates?

Isaiah J. Poole, Director of Online Communications at the Campaign for America's Future joins Rick to talk job numbers and President Obama's 180-degree speech on expanding Social Security.  Is it the Bernie effect? 

Robert Weiner, former spokesman for the Clinton White House joins Rick to discuss Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s recent foreign policy speech aimed at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and The Donald’s response.

Will Fischer talks Chickhawk Charlatan Donald Trump

Will Fischer, Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to talk 

Chickhawk Charlatan Donald Trump's recent Vet stunt and what a Trump presidency would mean for veterans. 

Matías Vernengo talks Jobs Numbers

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics Bucknell University and NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to discuss the ramifications associated with the recent abysmal job numbers.  Is recession around the corner?  Will the Federal Reserve end its talk on raising interest rates? 

Isaiah J. Poole talks Jobs and Expanding Social Security

Isaiah J. Poole, Director of Online Communications at the Campaign for America's Future joins Rick to talk job numbers and President Obama's 180 degree speech on expanding Social Security.  Is it the Bernie effect?  

Robert Weiner talks commanding Hillary Clinton speech

Robert Weiner, former spokesman for the Clinton White House joins Rick to discuss Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s recent foreign policy speech aimed at GOP front runner Donald Trump and The Donald’s response. 

The Rick Smith Show Full 3 hours for June 1, 2016

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to talk fixing Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Insurance system and discuss more proposed attacks on workers in the commonwealth. 

Jim Gardler, President CWA Local 13000 joins Rick to celebrate the massive victory by his union and its members in winning contract to protect jobs in America, solid wages, and secure benefits.

Christian E. Weller, Senior Fellow at American Progress and professor of public policy at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston joins Rick to explain the looming retirement crisis, discuss what needs to be done to correct it, and examine the presidential candidates plans, if any.  

Dr. Steven Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to discuss the Obama administration's regulatory change boosting the wage floor for salaried exempt status and how the corporate class has responded.  Also, get your ticket for the Keystone Research Center's 20th year conferencehere or by emailing me Rick@thericksmithshow.comfor a chance to win tickets. 

Irwin Aronson Talks PA GOP Led Unemployment Failure

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to talk fixing Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Insurance system and discuss more proposed attacks on workers in the commonwealth. 

Jim Gardler talks CWA workers Victory at Verizon

Jim Gardler, President CWA Local 13000 joins Rick to celebrate the massive victory by his union and its members in winning contract to protect jobs in America, solid wages, and secure benefits.

Christian Weller on Retirement

Christian E. Weller, Senior Fellow at American Progress and professor of public policy at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston joins Rick to explain the looming retirement crisis, discuss what needs to be done to correct it, and examine the presidential candidates plans, if any.  

Dr. Herzenberg talks OT

Dr. Steven Herzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to discuss the Obama administration's regulatory change boosting the wage floor for salaried exempt status and how the corporate class has responded.  Also, get your ticket for the Keystone Research Center's 20th year conferencehere or by emailing me Rick@thericksmithshow.comfor a chance to win tickets. 

The Rick Smith Show Full 3 hours for May 25, 2016

Irwin Aronson, labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to talk about recent anti-worker,anti-union legislation making its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and why workers should be concerned.

Rich Dezzi, CWA Local 13000 Eastern Region VP joins Rick to talk about the latest news on the CWA strike against Verizon and to discuss Verizon’s major losses and the massive backlog customers are experiencing as the 6-week long strike continues.

Rebecca Vallas, Managing Director of the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss repeated calls by Republicans, and some Democrats to raise the Social Security age even higher and why it would be disastrous for working people. 

Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to talk about yesterday’s press conference held by PA State Senator Scott Wagner to roll out the good senator’s tax cut plan and to discuss what drugs or planet the senator currently resides.