The Rick Smith Show

The Panel on the Week that Was | 5-23-21

The panel is back to break down the week and the stories that did and did not get enough attention in the mainstream media. From the fake election audit in Arizona to Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend diming him out to the feds, the panel pulls no punches. This week’s panel includes Scott Dworkin from the Democratic Coalition, RawStory Reporter Sarah Burris, and Rich Ojeda, National Spokesman for No Dem Left Behind.

Is the Post Office Spying on Us?

David Carrol joins us to discuss internet security, The Post Office, and some new wrinkles in the fake Arizona vote audit and what these new developments might mean for future elections, and then we finish the hour talking about the post-pandemic job market. @profcarroll @parsonsdesign

Federal Prosecutor Renato Mariotti on #GaetzGate

Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti discusses the GOP election mythology and why they never defend it in court, and he also weighs in on the Matt Gaetz story and how all signs point toward an indictment for the Florida congressman in the near future. #OnTopic @renato_mariotti

RawStory Reporter Sarah Burris on GOP Insurrection Denial

The second half of the program starts with a visit from one of our favorite journalists, Sarah Burris of RawStory, who will walk us through a number of recent bombshell stories. @SarahBurris @RawStory

Trump Tantrum | 5-21-21 (1st Hour)

 

Rick opens with a few thoughts on why some workers are refusing to return to the dead-end jobs they once did, and how COVID has changed how many of us think about life at a fundamental level. Then David Carrol joins us to discuss internet security, and some new wrinkles in the fake Arizona vote audit and what these new developments might mean for future elections, and then we finish the hour talking about the post-pandemic job market, and then former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti discusses the GOP election mythology and why they never defend it in court, and he also weighs in on the Matt Gaetz story and how all signs point toward an indictment for the Florida congressman in the near future.

Trump Tantrum | 5-21-21 (2nd Hour)

 

The second half of the program starts with a visit from one of our favorite journalists, Sarah Burris of RawStory, who will walk us through a number of recent bombshell stories. And then we end the show with former Ohio congressman and current political analyst Bob Ney, who will walk us through the backroom deals and threats that were almost certainly behind the GOP’s resistance to the newly proposed 1/6 Commission.

Why the 1/6 Commission Scares the GOP

Justin Hendrix, CEO and Editor at Tech Policy Press talks about developments in the creation of a 1/6 Commission, including more bad faith negotiations by the GOP. @justinhendrix

Fighting for Working People with Max Berger of More Perfect Union

Max Berger of More Perfect Union joins us to talk about a number of stories his team is working on, from voter suppression to union busting to how the rich are trying to get out of paying their fair share. @maxberger @MorePerfectUS

Use It or Lose It | 5-20-21 (1st Hour)

Rick opens with a warning for Democrats, who seem to be hesitant to exercise the massive power that the voters gave them. Use it or lose it in 2022. Then Justin Hendrix, CEO and Editor at Tech Policy Press talks about developments in the creation of a 1/6 Commission, including more bad faith negotiations by the GOP, and then Max Berger of More Perfect Union joins us to talk about a number of stories his team is working on, from voter suppr

Use It or Lose It | 5-20-21 (2nd Hour)

The second half of the program starts with a visit from the Badass Teachers Association, in which we talk about education issues and what post-pandemic schools will be like for our kids. And then we end the show with “The Last Sane Conservative” and former GOP congressman Bob Ney, who will share with us what’s going on under the big top at the circus and clown show that has become the modern Republican Party.

Driverless Vehicles ... Are We Ready, or Just Greedy?

Greg Regan of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO educates us on the new wave of driverless vehicles, what we need to do to make them safe, and what greedy corporations will certainly do if we don't hold them accountable.

"Buy American" Starts with Electric Cars

Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing tells us about how “Build Back Better” can only really happen if we find a way to both make and buy American. @ScottPaulAAM @KeepItMadeinUSA

Economists Say It's Time for the US to "Be Bold"

Matias Vernengo explains a bit about the US economy and some of the signs we should look for in the coming months, and what those signs mean for American working families. @NakedKeynes @BucknellU

Build Back American | 5-19-21 (1st Hour)

 

 

Rick starts the show with commentary of a variety of stories, from the new Susan Collins fraud story to the GOP House members who endorse hate crimes and want to erase the 1/6 insurrection. Then union leader and transportation expert Greg Regan explains the need for massive investments in the ways we move people and products around the country, and how we can’t remain competitive in a global marketplace much longer if we don’t invest, and then Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing tells us about how “Build Back Better” can only really happen if we find a way to both make and buy American.

 

Build Back American | 5-19-21 (2nd Hour)

 

 

Policy Expert Helaine Olen stops by to talk about everything from the Child Tax Credit to how men and women seem to be recovering differently from the pandemic’s economic effects. Then economics professor Matias Vernengo explains a bit about the US economy and some of the signs we should look for in the coming months, and what those signs mean for American working families.

 

Policy Expert Talks Tax Credits for Working Families

Robert Lord of the Institute for Policy Studies joins us to discuss tax fairness and Biden’s Child Tax Credit plan. @AZBobLord

Rich Guy Says "Tax the Rich!"

Morris Pearl of Patriotic Millionaires stops by to talk about how the rich got a heck of a lot richer during the pandemic, and how they robbed working people in the process. @morris_pearl

State Senator on the Importance of State Legislatures

Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street starts the second hour with a conversation about the state’s upcoming primary election day and the dangerous right-wing policies coming out of GOP controlled state legislatures. @SenSharifStreet

United States of Oz | 5-18-21 (1st Hour)

Rick has a few words on how the right’s disinformation campaign has successfully transported much of their audience into a world the rest of us simply do not inhabit. Then Robert Lord joins us to discuss tax fairness and Biden’s Child Tax Credit plan, and Morris Pearl of Patriotic Millionaires stops by to talk about how the rich got a heck of a lot richer during the pandemic, and how they robbed working people in the process.

United States of Oz | 5-18-21 (2nd Hour)

Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street starts the second hour with a conversation about the state’s upcoming primary election day and the dangerous right-wing policies coming out of GOP controlled state legislatures. Then former Ohio Congressman Bob Ney joins us in the final segment of the program, and he brings his no-nonsense brand of political analysis with him. He has plenty to say about what’s going on in DC these days, and what it means for American families.