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Congress must fix or nix the filibuster.   Charly Carter takes us through the racist origins of the filibuster, and how we must deal with it going forward. Charly Carter Charly Carter is Executive Director of The Democracy Initiative. She tells us how the Republicans have used it as a tool for preventing progress on important issues like voting rights and caused gridlock that put our nation’s credit rating in peril. She gives common-sense solutions for how the filibuster can be changed. Jim Hightower   Should Democrats be the party of small change?   We might expect that corporate billionaires and Koch-funded Republican right-wingers would be howl-at-the-moon opponents of a wealth tax, Medicare-for-All, and other big, progressive ideas to help improve the circumstances of America’s workaday majority. But… Democrats?   Unfortunately, yes. Not grassroots Dems, but a gaggle of don’t-rock-the-corporate-boat, Fraidy-cat Democrats. These naysayers are the Party’s old-line pols, lobbyists, and other insider elites w

How labor and climate activism must work together.   Joe Uehlein is the Founding President of the Labor Network for Sustainability. He tells us about why we need a “Just Transition” for labor and the climate crisis. Joe Uehlein The Labor Network for Sustainability is fighting for a sustainable future for the earth and its people. Joe Uehlein tells us why Democrats must “Go Big, Go Wide, and Go Far” for labor to adapt to the changing economy that climate change is creating. Jim Hightower   What’s the charitable thing to do about inequality?   Our society has coined expressions like “philanthropist” to encourage and hail people’s charitable spirit.   Look on the flip side of that shiny coin of generosity, however, and you’ll find that its base substance is societal selfishness. After all, the need for charity only exists because we’re tolerating intentional injustices and widespread inequality created by power elites.   Ben Wikler On The Ground in the Fight for Democracy   Control of the Senate in 2022 and the

Why do we need a billionaire’s tax?   Frank Clemente is Executive Director at Americans For Tax Fairness. Frank Clemente A Billionaire’s Tax could fund many policy objectives, including universal preschool, paid family leave, expanded Medicare services, making increased child tax credits permanent, and new policies to address climate change.  Jim Hightower   Alert: 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 who’ve long delighted readers and infuriated power elites. And there’s nothing natural about their sudden decline – it’s not the result of a declining talent pool, and certainly not due to a lack of political targets. Rather, what’s happening is that their media habitat is being intentionally destroyed. Michael Steele A Deep Rot Inside the GOP Leadership.   Michael Steele was the Republican Lt. Governor of Maryland and the Chairman of The Republican National

A nation in a deep economic and moral crisis.    Celine-Marie Pascale is a professor of sociology at American University in Washington, D.C., and author of Living on the Edge: When Hard Times Become a Way of Life. Celine-Marie Pascale Celine-Marie Pascale traveled the country to talk with people who are experiencing economic hardship. Her book Living on the Edge is about more than individual experiences. It’s about a nation in a deep economic and moral crisis.  Jim Hightower   How Corporate Greed is Causing Tornado Deaths   Corporate America has proudly elevated good moral values to a special place. That place is the trash can.   Indeed, free market gurus assert that the only ethical obligation a corporation has to society is to deliver as much profit as possible to its big investors – everybody else be damned. Robert Costa A Nation in "Peril."   The transition from Trump to Biden was one of the most dangerous periods in American history. "Peril" tells that story. The book's co-author (with Bob Woodward) is R

A historic fight against privatized public services. Moving toward a racial justice agenda. How the rich rig the tax code and the millionaires who want it to stop.  Dennis Kucinich In his new memoir, Dennis Kucinich writes about how he took on powerful interests to save a public utility. That happened over forty years ago, but the story still carries critical relevance today. Ben Jealous Ben Jealous welcomes efforts at the federal level to rein in abusive policing but says they won't go far enough unless they are matched by transformative reform at the local level.  Erica Payne In 2010, Erica Payne organized some of the richest Americans to demand higher taxes on millionaires like themselves.  Her new 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.

The best interviews of 2021 - Part 1   This week we discuss Voting rights with Amel Ahmed and David Daley. And Greg Sargent discusses how President Biden is reaching out to rural America with his policy agenda. 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.    David Daley In his newest book, David Daley tells important stories about activists who are winning crucial battles for voting rights. And as they do, Daley says Republicans continue to rig the rules in their favor and put democracy at risk.   Greg Sargent President Biden’s Covid policy includes a significant focus on rural America. Greg Sargent says it’s an excellent example of how Biden’s policy agenda can unify a divided America.   

Rethinking the role of immigrants in the U.S. labor market.   Why the old narratives about immigration need to be changed. Ruth Milkman Ruth Milkman is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center and the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. She is the co-editor, with Deepak Bhargava and Penny Lewis, of Immigration Matters: Movements, Visions, and Strategies for a Progressive Future. Jim Hightower   Special gifts for special people   Ho-Ho-Ho, wait till you hear about the gifts I gave to some of America’s power elites for Christmas.   To each of our Congress critters, I sent my fondest wish that from now on they receive the exact same income, health care, and pensions that we average citizens get. Jonathan Karl Trump's "Betrayal" of America   Bill Press says Jonathan Karl’s new book Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show, is the best book on the final year of the Trump Presidency. Karl was the Chief White House correspondent for ABC News through the end of the Trump administration. H

A call to rebuild union power.     Hamilton Nolan on why the recent strive wave demands stronger unions.  Hamilton Nolan Labor reporter Hamilton Nolan says the recent wave of workers on strike is politically inspiring. But if it is to turn into real change, we must rediscover the power of unions.  Jim Hightower   The Plasticization of Planet Earth   What do your toothbrush and your running shoes have in common?   Plastic. We now live on Planet Plastic, billions of tons of waste from everyday products made of these chemical contaminants are strewn literally everywhere – on the highest mountaintops, into the deepest seabeds, in dense tropical jungles, and all across barren deserts.  Brian Beutler America Under Attack. From Inside.   This latest attack on America is a nonviolent coup. It's taking place across the country. It's led by Donald Trump himself. It's being carried out by his loyal followers. How can Democrats fight back? A discussion with Brian Beutler, Editor-in-chief of Crooked Media, a company forme

Why now is the time to expand the Supreme Court. And Bill Press with a report card on the nation’s economy.   Sarah Lipton-Lubet on how to break the conservative stranglehold on the Supreme Court. Plus Bill Press with former Amalgamated Bank CEO  Keith Mestrich on the direction of our economic recovery.  Sarah Lipton Lubet With a conservative 6-to-3 majority, the Supreme Court in its current composition has already shown what they are willing to sacrifice to a political agenda. Sarah Lipton Lubet advocates for restoring balance and integrity to the Court, and she says expanding the court is the way to do that. Jim Hightower  “Team Greed” plays big-time sports!   ‘Tis the season, right? Traditionally, this time of year celebrates spirituality and festivities – including Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.   In modern-day America, however, the Winter Solstice signals the faithful to gather from afar in monumental temples to worship our nation’s supreme secular deity: Big Time Sports!  Keith Mestrich  Bill Press t

The private takeover of public resources, and how to fight back.  Plus Bill Press on the censuring of  Paul Gosar.   Donald Cohen on his new book  The Privatization of Everything. Plus Bill Press with highlights of the House floor debate over the censuring of Paul Gosar after he posted an animated video depicting him killing fellow lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  Donald Cohen In his newest book, co-author Donald Cohen explores what happens when necessary public services are privatized.  He makes a powerful case for returning public goods to public control rather than allowing them to enrich the few.  Bill Press Bill Press with highlights of the floor debate leading up to the vote to censure Representative Paul Gosar and remove him from his committee assignments. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressPods.com.  Jim Hightower What’s the “Quits Rate?” And Why Is It Skyrocketing? Corporate bosses across America have been sputtering in outrage at you working stiffs this summer, spewing exple

Building infrastructure that is just and sustainable. Bill Press on flight attendants facing airline violence.   Kevin DeGood on the impact infrastructure projects can have on the goals of opportunity, equity, and sustainability. Plus Bill Press with Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants. Kevin DeGood  Kevin DeGood says the recently passed infrastructure bill is a powerful investment in jobs for American workers.  But the work is not over. It’s now up to us to make sure those investments advance inclusive economic growth and national climate goals.   Sara Nelson Bill Press talks with Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressPods.com.  Jim Hightower Making Work Work for Workers As a writer, I get stuck every so often straining for the right words to tell my story. Over the years, though, I’ve learned when to quit tying myself into mental knots over sentence construction, instead of stepping back and rethink

Why workers rights’ is an issue for all of us. And Bill Press on what it took to finally pass an infrastructure bill Terri Gerstein on how better conditions for workers can make life better for all of us. Plus Bill Press with Representative Don Beyer (D VA) on what’s actually in the recently passed infrastructure bill.  Terri Gerstein The pandemic is advancing our understanding that when workers are subjected to poor working conditions, we are all less safe. Terri Gerstein says a broad based investment in workers’ rights is an investment in our collective well being and security.  Don Beyer Bill Press talks  with Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) about the recently passed infrastructure bill. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressPods.com.  Jim Hightower Why Did the Democrat Lose Virginia’s Gubernatorial Race?   Here they come again – That gaggle of Washington politicos and pundits who keep assailing Joe Biden’s package of FDRish proposals that, at long last, would begin lifting up America’s infrastruc

Protecting Remote Workers.  Rethinking the Alamo.  And Bill Press on the crisis at the NRA.   Stephen Hill on labor standards in the remote working world. Jason Stanford on the myths and realities of the Texas origin story. Plus Bill Press with Tim Mak on his new book Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA  Stephen Hill The pandemic is transforming the way we work. Stephen Hill says the shift to remote work can come at a cost to workers unless new protections are put in place. Jason Stanford Almost 200 years after the battle of the Alamo, a new book aims to correct the historical record. Co-author Jason Stanford explains how the myth of the Alamo continues to be used to advance political agendas and encourage racism. Tim Mak Bill Press talks Tim Mak, Washington investigative correspondent for NPR and author of Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressPods.com.  Jim Hightower   Repair Your Own Products? Corporations Say No!   America’s economic and poli

How Republicans undermine government to help themselves.  Fighting for progressive power at the state level.  And Bill Press with California Congressman Adam Schiff on why no one should be above the law when it comes to January 6.   Amy Fried, author of At War With Government: How Conservatives Weaponized Distrust from Goldwater to Trump. Gaby Goldstein on why building a progressive future begins with state legislatures. Bill Press with Adam Schiff on his new book "Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could." Amy Fried Polling shows that Americans’ trust in government sits near a historic low. In her newest book, Amy Fried reveals that this is no accident, but rather a conservative political strategy that  goes back decades.  Gaby Goldstein Republicans have made the control of state legislatures a priority, and it’s working.  Gaby Goldstein says it’s time for Democrats to catch up, and that’s why she co-founded a project to help them do just that. Adam Schiff  Bill Press talks wi

How redistricting reform is being co-opted.  Why Democrats need to rethink their campaign ground game. And Bill Press on Republican support for Democratic candidates.   David Daley on how independent redistricting commissions are being undermined by partisan pressures. Peter Fenn on why Democratic campaigning needs to move out of the past. Plus Bill Press with former New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman on when it makes sense for Republican voters to back Democrats. David Daley Discussions on gerrymandering often call for the creation of independent redistricting commissions to draw electoral maps and keep partisan politics out of the process. But as national gerrymandering expert David Daley explains, true independence is proving harder to achieve than expected.  Peter Fenn Peter Fenn has been helping Democrats win elections for decades. In a recent oped, he makes the case that changes in the media landscape demand a shift in focus from paid advertising to hardcore political organizing. Christine Todd

Why we should rethink voting rights. An alternative history of the Constitution. Plus Bill Press on what’s in store in the newest Supreme Court term.   Elections expert Amel Ahmed makes the case for voting as a positive right. Author John F. Kowal on how people have made our Constitution more democratic. Plus Bill Press with NBC News Justice Correspondent Pete Williams. 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.  John F. Kowal In his new book, co-author John F. Kowal tells the story of how 200 years of constitutional amendments have made our founding document more inclusive and more democratic. It’s a history, he says, with great relevance for today.    Pete Williams Bill Press talks with Pete Williams of NBC News on what to expect as the Supreme Court opens its momentous new term. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressP

Factory towns as political battlegrounds. Growing Black women’s political power. Plus Bill Press on the meaning of “patriotic philanthropy”.   John Pouland on a new report showing big losses for Democrats in factory towns, and why that matters. Glynda Carr on how to get more Black women elected to office. Plus Bill Press with billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein on what it means to give back to our nation. 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.  Glynda Carr A record number of Black women ran for Congress in 2020. Political strategist Glynda Carr says that record could be broken again in 2022.   And if Black women win, she says we all stand to gain.  David Rubenstein Bill Press talks with billionaire David Rube

Farmers on the front lines of climate change.  A Wyoming view on 2022. Plus, Bill Press on the very real threat of election subversion.   Former secretary of agriculture Dan Glickman makes an urgent call for climate smart agriculture. Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto lays out a plan to prevail in the midterms. And election law expert Rick Hasan tells Bill Press why “election subversion" is the greater threat to American Democracy than voter suppression. Dan Glickman There’s a growing acknowledgment that even as agriculture feels some of the worst impacts of climate change, it also contributes to the crisis. Former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman says farmers can be part of the solution and public policy can help them do that. Joe Barbuto Democrats face daunting odds in Wyoming. But, with a midterm election on the horizon, Joe Barbuto says Democrats can beat those odds… with the right strategy. Rick Hasan Coming up, Bill Press talks with national election law expert Rick Hasan on the mounting t

Budget reconciliation and the future of health care.  The Black women who fought to vote. Plus, Bill Press on why the Justice Department should begin a criminal investigation of Donald Trump.   Frederick Isasi of Families USA on why now is the time for Congress to take a stand on lowering health care costs. Historian Martha S. Jones on her new book Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All. Plus Bill Press with legal analyst Barbara McQuade on holding Donald Trump responsible for his actions leading up to January 6. Frederick Isasi  As Democrats' reconciliation bill makes its way through Congress, health advocates will be closely watching. Frederick Isasi says this is an opportunity to make a critical and necessary investment in the health of every American. Martha S. Jones In her newest book, acclaimed historian Martha S. Jones writes about the Black women who fought for the vote, even after the 19th Amendment was passed. It’s a little-known history but one that

The populist message progressive voters need to hear. And Bill Press on holding Donald Trump accountable for his role in the January 6 insurrection. This week, pollster Vic Fingerhut on how progressive populism can win elections. Plus, Bill Press with a timeline of events leading up to January 6, and how they implicate Trump in the effort to overturn an election. Vic Fingerhut  Vic Fingerhut has established an unmatched record of moving millions of votes to the progressive side of the political spectrum. Recently he lent his expertise to Canada’s New Democratic Party as they face a pivotal election.   Ryan Goodman Bill Press with the first of his three-part series, “Our Democracy in Peril”, with Ryan Goodman, founding co-editor-in-chief of Just Security. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, visit BillPressPods.com. Jim Hightower How About an Award for Sleaziest Corporate Profiteering? We’ve got the Academy Awards, the Emmy’s, and GRAMMYs… but what should we call the award for the most extraordinary perfo