The Rick Smith Show

Rick Bloomingdale on Historic PA Election & the Labor's GOTV Effort

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the grassroots organizing and the hard work volunteers put in to make the historic November 3rd election of three Democratic Supreme Court Justices possible. 

Rebecca Vallas talks Ban the Box

Rebecca Vallas, Director of Policy for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss recent action by President Obama to “Ban the Box” in the federal employment process and truly give citizens a second chance after service their sentence and what action means for all workers.  

Full Show for November 2, 2015

David Fillman, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts and why this November 3rd election is important, and, historic.  Any Problems on Election Day go here for answers.

 

Richard Cucarese, Rapid Response Coordinator with United Steelworkers Local 4889 joins Rick to talk job killing, community killing Free Trade schemes and the death of a might industrial nation.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to give a recap of the Citizen’s Media Forum at Kutztown University and the to update news on organizing efforts by adjunct professors at Duquesne University and Temple University.

Bruce Lederman, BATS Attorney joins Rick to talk about the upcoming Supreme Court case Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association and the amicus brief he is helping to craft in defense of teachers, students, and public education.

 

Melissa Tomlinson, BATS Assistant Executive Director joins Rick to share stories from the ground and explains why the Supreme Court case could destroy public education and rip apart what’s left of the American social contract.

Kevin Mahoney Rages On as Adjuncts Fired for Organizing

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to give a recap of the Citizen’s Media Forum at Kutztown University and the to update news on organizing efforts by adjunct professors at Duquesne University and Temple University.

Melissa Tomlinson talks Bad-ass Teachers Standing Up, Being Heard

Melissa Tomlinson, BATS Assistant Executive Director joins Rick to share stories from the ground and explains why the Supreme Court case could destroy public education and rip apart what’s left of the American social contract.

Bruce Lederman talks Taking on the Anti-Worker Crowd

Bruce Lederman, BATS Attorney joins Rick to talk about the upcoming Supreme Court case Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association and the amicus brief he is helping to craft in defense of teachers, students, and public education.

Richard Cucarese talks Who Killed Manufacturing

Richard Cucarese, Rapid Response Coordinator with United Steelworkers Local 4889 joins Rick to talk job killing, community killing Free Trade schemes and the death of a might industrial nation.

Dave Fillman talks GOTV and #AFSCMEStrong

David Fillman, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts and why this November 3rd election is important, and, historic.  Any Problems on Election Day go here for answers.

Full Show for October 30, 2015

Mark Bortman, business owner of Exact Solar joins Rick to discuss his support for raising the minimum and why other business leaders should support a livable minimum.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about the recently passed budget deal and what the potential consequences are for failing to raise the debt limit.

Terrance Heath, contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about the recent Our Future Gala from Washington DC and to look back at the Wing Nut Week in Review.

John Neurohr, Political Strategist joins Rick to discuss the importance of the upcoming November 3rd election in Pennsylvania and discuss the messaging coming out of the latest GOP Debacle. 

Mark Bortman talks Minimum Wage & Cashing in on the Sun

Mark Bortman, business owner of Exact Solar joins Rick to discuss his support for raising the minimum and why other business leaders should support a livable minimum.

Matías Vernengo talks Debt Deal Pros and Cons

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about the recently passed budget deal and what the potential consequences are for failing to raise the debt limit.

Terrance Heath talks Wing Nut Week in Review.

Terrance Heath, contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about the recent Our Future Gala from Washington DC and to look back at the Wing Nut Week in Review.

John Neurohr on November 3rd Election

John Neurohr, Political Strategist joins Rick to discuss the importance of the upcoming November 3rd election in Pennsylvania and discuss the messaging coming out of the latest GOP Debacle. 

Full Show for October 29, 2015

Rachel Calvert, Researcher at Media Matters for America joins Rick to explore the good, the bad, and the ridiculous during the third Republican Debate.  Is this the end of Jeb?  Did the people of Florida find Marco? Marco? So much to find out.

Scott Klinger, Director of Revenue and Spending Policies at the Center for Effective Government joins Rick to talk about their new report on CEO retirement packages and the lack of retirement security for everyone else.

Matt Lee-Ashley, Director of Public Lands at the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to talk about the enormous costs of inaction on Climate Change in light of the extended and deadly Western US Fire Season that has destroyed thousands of homes, cost lives, and has families displaced. 

Joshua Holland, Writing Fellow with The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute joins Rick to discuss the insanity of the GOP’s third Presidential Debate and examine the lack of working class priorities in the policy positions of the GOP field. 

Rachel Calvert on 3rd GOP Debacle

Rachel Calvert, Researcher at Media Matters for America joins Rick to explore the good, the bad, and the ridiculous during the third Republican Debate.  Is this the end of Jeb?  Did the people of Florida find Marco? Marco? So much to find out.

Scott Klinger on Out of Control CEO Retirement Schemes

Scott Klinger, Director of Revenue and Spending Policies at the Center for Effective Government joins Rick to talk about their new report on CEO retirement packages and the lack of retirement security for everyone else.

Matt Lee-Ashley On the Costs of the Recent Deadly Fire Season

Matt Lee-Ashley, Director of Public Lands at the Center for American Progress Action Fund joins Rick to talk about the enormous costs of inaction on Climate Change in light of the extended and deadly Western US Fire Season that has destroyed thousands of homes, cost lives, and has families displaced. 

Joshua Holland on Third GOP Debate

Joshua Holland, Writing Fellow with The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute joins Rick to discuss the insanity of the GOP’s third Presidential Debate and examine the lack of working class priorities in the policy positions of the GOP field. 

Megan Tracey on Why She Wants to be a Teacher

Megan Tracey, an early education major at Bowling Green State University in Ohio joins Rick to talk about her what she is seeing in the classrooms where she learns how to be an effective educator and the one where she helps young children begin their educational journey, and her work as a public school advocate. 

Polly Yukevich on the Importance of Music Education

Polly Yukevich, Educator and PhD candidate at the University of Nebraska joins Rick to discuss her creative work getting music into the lives of students and the work of her non-profit organization that teaches kids how to build and play a ukulele.