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Protecting America’s Future.   Children are not allowed to vote, but they have the most vested interest in America’s future. Today we hear from experts about how the way complex political fights affect minors and what can be done about them. Simon Workman Simon Workman works on policy solutions that will improve the lives of children. It’s an issue, he says, that affects all Americans and tells us how voters can make politicians accountable. Danielle Allen Danielle Allen tells the story of her cousin, a young man who was tried as an adult at age 15 for attempted carjacking.  After 13 years in prison, he was released and died violently at the age of 29. It is a story she says, about the deep and destructive “war on drugs” that has corrupted a criminal justice system that has abandoned our nation’s youth. Jim Hightower   Kartoonus Americanus Is Going Extinct!   Right before our eyes, an invaluable American species is fast disappearing from view. Kar-toon-us A-mer-i-kan-as.   These are the newspaper cartoonists

The trap of poverty wages. According to researchers, the number of Americans living at or near the poverty line has risen sharply since the beginning of the pandemic. This week, we hear from experts about the plight of poverty-wage workers around the world and the best strategies for combatting those conditions at home. Annelise Orleck Historian Annelise Orleck traveled the world to write a book about  workers who live on poverty wages. What she found gave her a renewed sense of hope and possibility. Elizabeth Lower-Basch Elizabeth Lower-Basch has a long history inside and outside of government figuring out the best ways to assist struggling families. She says that “work requirements” for people on public assistance is exactly not the way to help. Jim Hightower   How Can Democrats Save the Party… From Their Own Leaders?   “It’s over.” “Biden’s numbers are in the ditch.” “Democrats are doomed.” “Call the priest.”   These are Democrats talking! Even before November’s congressional elections are run, many conven

Rebuilding our nation’s manufacturing muscle.   The supply chain is in the news lately, with most stories about it focusing on the end results for consumers. But how can government look out for the interests of American manufacturing workers in a way that protects their rights while strengthening domestic manufacturing? This week, we talk to two experts about how to achieve those goals.  John Pouland John Pouland explains a study that details how the conventional political wisdom has completely missed the biggest electoral earthquake of the last decade, specifically highlighting how both Democratic and Republican parties have discounted and misjudged their appeals to voters in manufacturing-heavy working-class towns.  Tom Conway As head of North America’s largest industrial union, Tom Conway speaks for over 800,000 workers. He says now more than ever, we need to protect working people and fight to rebuild our nation’s manufacturing muscle.  Jim Hightower   Enthroning Corporate Power Over America   “Equal Just

A minimum and maximum wage.   The minimum wage often stands in for a variety of different workers-rights issues in political debates. This week we dig into how minimum wage laws can function as part of a broader social agenda—and study their direct, and incredibly intriguing opposite.  Janelle Jones Economic analyst Janelle Jones says a higher minimum wage is a crucial tool in bridging our nation’s widening income inequality gap  And in the face of federal inaction, cities and states are setting up to the plate. Sam Pizzigati Income inequality in America is now at a rate we haven’t seen in close to 100 years.  In a new book, author Sam Pizzigati says it’s time to resurrect an idea once endorsed by President Franklin  D. Roosevelt … a maximum wage for our nation’s highest earners. Jim Hightower   A Rube Goldberg Inflationary Spiral   Last July, several GOP senators combined their 5-watt intellects to charge that inflation was rising because of the “insane tax and spending spree of President Biden and the Democ

Teachers at the front line of progressive politics.   How a wave of teachers strikes in red state America is changing the political landscape. Education advocate Jeff Bryant tells us why a record number of educators are running for office, and what they want. Eric Blanc In 2018, in some of the reddest states in our nation, teachers led  a series of walkouts demanding not only better pay for themselves, but better schools for the children they teach.  Writer Eric Blanc embedded himself in this unlikely and powerful rebellion for an inside view of a movement that has the potential to rebuild working class politics in America. Jeff Bryant Jeff Bryant has written extensively about the intersection of education and politics. He says that a movement that began with teachers’ walkouts has turned into an a record number of educators running for office and fighting for the future of public schools. Jim Hightower   Save the Whales! Save Polar Bears! Save Political Cartoonists!   I never dreamed of growing up to be a po

Homegrown extremism in America.   This week marks the ten-year anniversary of the Facebook corporation going public on Wall Street. We examine that story from two different angles: The growing income inequality in America, which has often been fueled by Silicon Valley bubbles and the financialization of our economy, and the way Big Tech has helped stoke right-wing rhetoric—and even violence.   Ron Formisano Distinguished historian Ron Formisano has written a book about plutocracy and says we are in a new “gilded age” when the state and federal governments are up for sale. Brian Levin Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University San Bernardino, is one of the most trusted voices on hate and extremism in America. We discuss how the landscape of political violence has changed under the Trump administration. Jim Hightower   Why Should We the People Respect a Court That Disrespects the People?   Mitch McConnell, the perpetually sour old goose who heads the S

From rideshare apps to food-delivery services—to ballot measures like California’s proposition 22, which allows companies to treat their employees interchangeable and dispensable—the new economy of the gig and temporary work is proving to be a disaster for workers' rights and long-term stability. This week we talk to two experts about just what is being lost in this transformation.  David Rolf Union leader David Rolf says even Republicans can be persuaded that America will be better off with a strong middle class. But it’s the plutocrats and their hired guns standing in the way. Louis Hyman In his book, labor historian Louis Hyman tells the story of America’s transformation to a temp economy and why he calls it the moral crisis of work in the 21st century. Jim Hightower   America needs a quality childcare system   Nearly every nation with an advanced economy (and some not so advanced) treats child care as a fundamental public good essential to nurturing children, families, and the whole society. But not our U

We must go further with voting rights.   With primary races soon to be in full swing, we take a closer look at some of the structural hurdles Americans face at the polls—and at just how narrowly President Biden was elected two Novembers ago.  Phil Keisling Phil Keisling used to be the secretary of state for Oregon, one of three states that allow people to vote by mail. He said the practice increases turnout, especially among younger and more diverse voters. Amel Ahmed The passage of H.R.1 would mark a necessary advance in defense of the right to vote.  But does that go far enough? Amel Ahmed says more can be done to go on the offense in the struggle over voting rights.  Jim Hightower   We’re Stuck on a Monopoly Merry-Go-Round   The problem with our so-called “free market” is that it’s not free for you and me. It’s largely controlled by monopolies, which are free to inflate prices just because they can, letting gougers gleefully extract unwarranted monopoly profits from us.   This milking of consumers by tight

There are two tax systems, one for the rich, and one for the rest of us.   Donald Trump is certainly a figure of unique notoriety, but his manipulation of tax law is simply one window into the way the wealthy avoid paying their fair share. This week, we look at what his case can teach us about the 1 percent more broadly—and at one solution that might make American taxation more equitable. David Cay Johnston  David Cay Johnston has spent years reporting on Donald Trump’s business practices, and on the inequities of the U.S. tax code. He says reporting from the New York Times on Trump’s taxes offers greater proof of two tax systems, separate and unequal.  Emmanuel Saez Economist Emmanuel Saez studies wealth and income inequality around the world. His book argues that the American economy isn’t working for half of the nation and makes the case for a tax system that is truly progressive. Jim Hightower   The Corporatization of Pet Care: Animal Cruelty?   For many people, the animals they adopt and love become more

Fighting right-wing smears of progressive healthcare proposals.   Republicans have been so effective at smearing so-called “government-run” healthcare as expensive and wasteful that they have obscured just how much the current, private healthcare industry gouges Americans on everything from pharmaceutical drugs to routine care. This week, we’re re-airing two interviews with experts who say healthcare can be safer and more affordable if corporations got out of our collective pockets.  Dan Zuberi  If hospitals would spend a little more money paying their own employees, instead of outsourcing for the cheapest support workers, they would save money by cutting down on costly hospital infections. That’s the analysis from health professor Dan Zuberi. Steve Knievel  Steve Knievel is an advocate for Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines program, focusing on expanding affordable access to medicines. They say that to help stop Big Pharma’s price gouging in the U.S., Congress must listen to the American public, ignore the

Cultivating the next Labor movement.   Many of the policy decisions that affect workers’ lives seem arcane and abstract, and are not the hot-button news items that other issues inevitably become. Today we look at two different spheres of policy that have serious, immediate effects on the lives of American workers.  Nelson Lichtenstein Labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein explains how the current antitrust revival has the potential to prevent similar failures and advance unionization at Amazon and other giant corporations. Dan Mauer Communications Workers of America’s Dan Mauer says trade policy under NAFTA benefits multinational corporations at the expense of American workers and calls for a new framework that puts workers’ rights first. Jim Hightower   Democrats, please Be Democrats!   I think we can now say the obvious: The Republican Party has gone bull goose bonkers. Its leaders have turned the once-proud GOP brand into an unprincipled gaggle of corporate profiteers, hatemongers, and screwball conspiracy t

The rich have organized themselves into a powerful lobby.   The wealthiest Americans like to imagine the current economic system as a meritocracy, where their status is the inevitable result of hard work and virtue. This week, we talk to two experts about how, in fact, the rich have rigged the tax code and economic policy to secure the economic order and prevent it from ever changing.  Isaac Martin Professor Isaac Martin has studied one particular economic trend in American history and tells us about that, and the topic of his book “The Rich People’s Movements.” Erica Payne In 2010, Erica Payne organized some of the richest Americans to demand higher taxes on millionaires like themselves.  Her recent book offers an insider’s view of how the wealthy have rigged the tax code in their favor and offers a blueprint to unrig it. Jim Hightower   Supreme Thieves in Robes of “Justice”   As we know, “government ethics” can be a very slippery concept.   That’s why We The People have insisted that every public official –

The myths—and dangers—of austerity politics   Republicans often tout simple spending cuts as markers of economic responsibility. But that sort of superficial belt-tightening often proves to be far more reckless in the long run. This week, we revisit interviews with two economists about the myths—and dangers—of austerity politics.  Mark Blyth Mark Blyth is a professor of international economy at Brown University, and he succinctly explains what’s wrong with austerity as a cure for an ailing economy: “Tighter belts,” he says, “only work if we all wear the same pants.” Simon Johnson Economist Simon Johnson warns that irresponsible austerity methods proposed by Republicans could throw the world into a financial catastrophe. And, he says, it would be the private sector that really suffers. Jim Hightower   What’s Up with This Crazy Trucker Protest?   The recent traffic-clogging protests by truck drivers in the US and Canada are about drivers being angry over COVID-19 vaccine mandates – right?   Uh… no. That’s the l

Building state-level progressivism.   In continuing our effort to examine power at the state and local level, we look at two case studies: The state senates in Colorado and Kansas, and how progressive agendas were devised and executed in each.  Jessie Ulibarri  Former Colorado state senator Jessie Ulibarri talks about building progressive power in statehouses. Anthony Hensley Then-Kansas state senate minority leader Anthony Hensley tells us about a bipartisan effort to roll back a statewide tax cut from five years prior.  Jim Hightower   Now, Robots are Coming for White-Collar Jobs   In CorporateSpeak, there are no “job cuts.” Instead, firings are blandly referred to as “employment adjustments.”   Now, though, corporate wordsmiths will need a whole new thesaurus of euphemisms, for masses of job cuts are coming for employees in the higher echelons of the corporate structure. Don’t look now, but an unanticipated result of the ongoing pandemic is that it has given cover for CEOs to speed up the adoption of highl

Fighting back against the Plutocrats.   With Russia in the news lately, a lot has been said about the power wielded by that country’s plutocrats. This week, we look back at the overwhelming influence a few wealthy billionaires have over the American government—and at the ways Americans are ready to fight back. Sheila Simon Former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Sheila Simon explains how her state was taken over by a Republican governor operating not on ideology but on helping his business buddies make more money. Stanley Greenberg Progressive Democrats are not only fighting to get Donald Trump out of the White House,  but for a new alignment of politics in America that will realize a progressive agenda on everything from jobs and immigration to health care and the climate. Jim Hightower   Is Your Job in the Robot Kill Path?   Hunters have come up with euphemisms to make what they do sound… well, less unpleasant. For example, animals aren’t killed, they’re “harvested.”   Corporate America is now ado

A look back at Republican tactics.   While Donald Trump dominated the news for much of the last half-decade, Republicans have been tinkering with messaging that obscures just how hostile they are to most Americans’ wants and needs. Today we look back at two instances of this: their attempts to cast theirs as the party of economic equality, and their willingness to use racial and cultural wars and wedge issues to divide the working class. Tom Geoghegan Labor lawyer Tom Geoghegan thinks Republican “faux populism” is a good sign for Democrats … because we own the issue. Daniel McGraw Donald Trump’s anti-Hispanic rhetoric may make no difference. Why? Because the Latino vote is mostly set in states other than Florida and possibly Colorado, says voting analyst Daniel McGraw. Jim Hightower   A Rube Goldberg Inflationary Spiral   Last July, several GOP senators combined their 5-watt intellects to charge that inflation was rising because of the “insane tax and spending spree of President Biden and the Democrats.”   Ne

The threat of Republican gerrymandering on the 2022 Midterms.   David Daley With Texas starting their vote process for the 2022 Midterms this week, with one of the most devastatingly gerrymandered maps in the country, we take a look back to how we got here. David Daley is one of the nation's leading authorities on partisan gerrymandering. And he says if Democrats don’t do more to stop it, Republicans will have the power to shape elections for years to come.  Jim Hightower   A Phoenix is Rising   Our local newspapers are being merged, purged, shrunk, shut down, and looted by Wall Street profiteers – yet there’s good news. In the towns those media vultures are torching, a phoenix is rising!   Hundreds of determined locals, often led by people of color, are finding new ways to pay for and revive top-quality, local journalism. For example, the Ferndale (CA) Enterprise moved to an old Victorian home, renting upstairs rooms to vacationers to subsidize the paper. Jamie Raskin "This Was a Coup."   Congressman Jamie R

The legacy of Jimmy Carter   James Fallows Jimmy Carter was an “outsider” who won the Democratic presidential nomination 40 years ago. His former speechwriter, James Fallows, says that an outsider can win the White House if the public feels there is a crisis – but then it becomes very hard to actually govern. He also says that he should be remembered for many things, not the least of which is deregulation, which paved the way for, among other things, microbreweries! Jim Hightower   Who was Smedley Darlington Butler, and why is he important?   Many Americans can’t believe that political coups are part of our country’s history – but consider the Wall Street Putsch of 1933.   Ever heard of it? It was a corporate conspiracy to oust Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had just been elected president. With the Great Depression raging and millions of families financially devastated, FDR had launched several economic recovery programs to help people get back on their feet. Jack Jenkins Christian Nationalism Linked to The Insu

A powerful history of workers’ strikes in America. How unions will shape the future of democracy.  Eric Loomis Historian Eric Loomis says if we truly want to understand the history of labor movements in the United States, look to the moments when workers went on strike. Loomis reminds us of the powerful change that can happen when workers are willing to fight. Jim Hightower   Corporate Sponsors Win Olympic Gold in “Downhill Ethical Backflip”   In this year’s Beijing Olympics, the top team performance has been Corporate America’s breathtaking “Double-twist Ethical Backflip.”   This group of corporate giants loudly tout their code of ethics, pledging to stand against repressive regimes that abuse human rights. But here came the Olympics, posing a direct test… and they flopped! Sarah Longwell   Defending Democracy with Republican Sarah Longwell   Sarah Longwell is a veteran Republican Political Strategist who is at the center of key never-Trump organizations. She heads Defending Democracy Together, The Republica

Congress took a step forward on healthcare costs, but there is much more left to do.   Steve Knievel on his 3 pillars to improve our healthcare system. Steve Knievel  Steve Knievel is an advocate for Public Citizen’s Access to Medicines program, focusing on expanding affordable access to medicines. They say that to help stop Big Pharma’s price gouging in the U.S., Congress must listen to the American public, ignore the pharmaceutical industry’s high-paid lobbyists and finally pass legislation granting Medicare the authority to negotiate drug prices. Jim Hightower   How to get Congress to reform our broken healthcare system   For $3.5 Trillion a year, shouldn’t we Americans have a world-class healthcare system? Yet, while we spend the most of any advanced nation in the world to get care (more than $10,000 a year per person), we get the worst results.   No surprise then, that the “Medicare-for-All” idea is now backed by 85 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of Independents, and (get this) 52 percent of Republic