The Rick Smith Show

Ryan Shaw on Teacher Evaluations and the Humanities

Ryan Shaw, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Capital University joins Rick to talk about what the recent teacher evaluation craze has done to music and art classes and the teachers at the front of those classes.  

Full Three Hour Show for October 16, 2015

John Neurohr, Communication Director at Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss the state of Pennsylvania’s budget progress, or lack thereof and the need for citizens/voters to hold their elected representatives accountable for holding our kids and citizens hostage in their latest standoff.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University and NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to talk about the recent Democratic Presidential debate and its focus, thanks to Senator Bernie Sanders, on inequality.

Doug Cunningham, Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service is back to highlight the working class news of the day and give his take on the education privatization crazy sweeping across the board rooms and hedge funds. 

And Flashback Friday with a look back at a November 2010 interview with Professor Richard Wolf.  Predictions, ah, Predictions.  Not much has changed in 5 years time with the exception of Senator Bernie Sanders changing the public debate.  Tell us what you think.  Rick@thericksmithshow.com

It's Flashback Friday-We Travel back to November 2010 with Professor Richard Wolff

It's Flashback Friday with a look back at a November 2010 interview with Professor Richard Wolf.  Predictions, ah, Predictions.  Not much has changed in 5 years time with the exception of Senator Bernie Sanders changing the public debate.  Tell us what you think.  Rick@thericksmithshow.com

John Neurohr highlights PA GOP Holding Kids & Vulnerable Hostage...Again

John Neurohr, Communication Director at Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss the state of Pennsylvania’s budget progress, or lack thereof and the need for citizens/voters to hold their elected representatives accountable for holding our kids and citizens hostage in their latest standoff.

Matías Vernengo takes on Inequality & Talks Closing the Massive Gap

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University and NakedKeynesianism Blogger joins Rick to talk about the recent Democratic Presidential debate and its focus, thanks to Senator Bernie Sanders, on inequality.

Doug Cunningham brings the Working Class News

Doug Cunningham, Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service is back to highlight the working class news of the day and give his take on the education privatization crazy sweeping across the board rooms and hedge funds. 

Full Show for October 14, 2015

Irwin Aronson, Labor lawyer and Rick Smith Show contributor is back to highlight the horrendously divisive PA Senate Bill 501 introduced by Senator John Eichelberger and rammed through a PA GOP led Senate at a time when the state is without a budget for more than 100 days.  Can anyone say distraction?

Anne Johnson, Executive Director of Generation Progress joins Rick to discuss the recent Worker’s Voice Summit held at the White House, talk about the workers stories, how these issues impact millennial workers, and solutions to rebuild the once prosperous working class in America.

Julie Alderman, Researcher at Media Matters for America gives her take on Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and discusses the morning after media reaction.

Drew Gibson, Contributor at Virtually Suppressed joins Rick to talk Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and examine the rock of granite known as former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.

Irwin Aronson on PA GOP's divisive ideological scheme to harm workers

Irwin Aronson, Labor lawyer and Rick Smith Show contributor is back to highlight the horrendously divisive PA Senate Bill 501 introduced by Senator John Eichelberger and rammed through a PA GOP led Senate at a time when the state is without a budget for more than 100 days.  Can anyone say distraction?

Anne Johnson on White House Worker's Summit

Anne Johnson, Executive Director of Generation Progress joins Rick to discuss the recent Worker’s Voice Summit held at the White House, talk about the workers stories, how these issues impact millennial workers, and solutions to rebuild the once prosperous working class in America.

Drew Gibson Talks Dem Debate & the End of the Road for Lincoln Chafee

Drew Gibson, Contributor at Virtually Suppressed joins Rick to talk Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and examine the rock of granite known as former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.

Julie Alderman talks Morning After Debate

Julie Alderman, Researcher at Media Matters for America gives her take on Tuesday evening’s Democratic Presidential debate and discusses the morning after media reaction.

Joe Sestak on the Road to Restore the American Dream

Former Congressman Admiral Joe Sestak joins Rick to talk about his 422 mile walk across Pennsylvania to restore the American Dream and share the stories from the road that has motivated him to pursue the Democratic Party’s nod to take on incumbent Senator Pat Toomey in 2016.

Kevin Mahoney Raging on Citizen Media Project

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to discuss his latest passion, The 2015 Citizen Media Forum being held on October 14^th at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA and the need for alternative voices outside the corporate dominated news.

Larry Hanley previews debate

Larry Hanley, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) joins Rick to preview the night’s big Democratic Party’s Presidential debate and to highlight Bernie’s support for his members in Grand Rapids, MI as they fight for their survival.   

BAT Michael Flanagan Highlights the Low-lights of New DOE Secretary John King

Michael Flanagan, New York Teacher and Co-Director of Badass Teachers Association Action Committee joins Rick to give his inside view of the newly appointed Secretary of Education John King and whether this marks a change of course, or more of the same bad policy directives.  

Tripp Jeffers talks Fallout from NEA's Endorsement of Hillary

Tripp Jeffers, North Carolina history teacher and member of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Board of Directors joins Rick to talk about his union’s endorsement of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the feedback they’ve received from members.

Full Three Hour Show for October 9, 2015

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the PA Budget in light of the most recent GOP refusal to responsibly tax Marcellus Shale extraction or raise revenue to stop the rapid increase in property taxes for homeowners.

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk the bad, the ugly, and the ridiculousness of the recently completed global free trade pact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement and what it means for workers at home and around the world.

Isaiah J. Poole, On-Line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about GOP House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s exit from the race to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner and to roll out a new tool to help voters identify which presidential candidates share their values.  

John Neurohr, Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to discuss the latest news on the Pennsylvania budget standoff and what the most recent vote in the house means moving forward.

Rick Bloomingdale Lays Out Budget Impasse And Looks toward the Future

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the PA Budget in light of the most recent GOP refusal to responsibly tax Marcellus Shale extraction or raise revenue to stop the rapid increase in property taxes for homeowners.

Matias Vernengo on Bad Trade Scheme

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk the bad, the ugly, and the ridiculousness of the recently completed global free trade pact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement and what it means for workers at home and around the world.

Isaiah Poole on Imploding GOP & Candidate Scorecard

Isaiah J. Poole, On-Line Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about GOP House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s exit from the race to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner and to roll out a new tool to help voters identify which presidential candidates share their values.