Alternative Visions

By Progressive Radio Network

Technology Podcasting

What's Alternative Visions about?

Dr. Jack Rasmus will focus on today’s continuing crisis in the U.S. and global economies.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Alternative Visions episodes:

04.22.2024
Alternative Visions- USA’s Failing Russian Sanctions Regime: Russia vs. Germany
today’s show focuses on the theme of the impact of Russian sanctions since the start of the Ukraine war. How the sanctions have failed to impact Russia’s economy while simultaneously helping to wreck Europe’s, and especially the core German economy...
04.15.2024
Alternative Visions- US Inflation, the Fed, and Ukraine-Israel Wars Update
Today’s show covers the key events, economic & political, of the past week: US latest inflation numbers and trends, why Fed rate cuts are off the table, instability in regional banks and commercial real estate continue, Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s...
04.05.2024
Alternative Visions- Shifting Strategies in the Ukraine War
2024 is junctural year in Ukraine war. All three parties’ strategies—US/NATO, Ukraine, Russia—are in flux and changing as fallout from Ukraine’s summer 2023 offensive defeat by Russia continues to reverberate in political terms and as Russia offensive in 2024 emerges....
04.03.2024
Alternative Visions- Contradictions in US Economy, Policies, and Challenges to the US Global Empire
How the US economy is different today from 1930s and becoming increasing so due to technological change, financialization, and other forces. Why 21st century US fiscal and monetary policies are increasingly inefficient, ineffective and exacerbating the deficits, US debt, and running...
03.29.2024
Alternative Visions- Russian Mall Attack, Europe’s Economy & US Treasury Market
Latest on evidence of Moscow’s Mall Terrorist attack. Pros & Cons of evidence to date Ukraine sources’ involvement. Putin’s dire warning re. F-16s. Is Macron’s threat to send troops suspended? Will Europe re-arm and create its own defense industry? Euro...
03.18.2024
Alternative Visions- Bad (Good) News Comes in Threes?
Today’s show reviews 3 important speeches of the past week: by Putin, France’s president Macron, and US Senator, Chuck Shumer. Speeches related to the US 3 wars in progress: Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, and Yemen. The Macron speech, an interview, reflected his...
03.04.2024
Alternative Visions- How US Presidents Become Multimillionaires
Following initial comments on the Federal Reserve’s just issued Monetary Report’s warning about bank assets declining in value, this week’s show focuses on the topic of how US Presidents become multimillionaires after leaving office. Corruption by politicians promises to be...
02.29.2024
Alternative Visions- Ukraine War and the Ghost of Clausewitz
Today’s show is dedicated to a discussion of the current state of the War in Ukraine. The theme is an analysis of the military action and strategies of both sides since the February 2022 start of the war, using the...
02.19.2024
Alternative Visions- Is the Global Economy Slowing?
Today’s show looks at the important key economies of the world as a growing number begin to slip into recession: new data shows Japan’s economy has been contracting the past six months. Germany has entered recession. So too has the...
02.09.2024
Alternative Visions- Carlson-Putin Interview
Dr. Rasmus analyzes the Tucker Carlson-Putin Interview in detail today. What did Putin say about the war, its causes, prospects and future of NATO?
02.07.2024
Alternative Visions- How US Media ‘Cherry-Picks’ US Statistics to Report
Today’s show addresses the US media’s practice of reporting the most favorable statistics on jobs, unemployment, inflation, wages, GDP from the mountain of data provided by the US Labor and Commerce departments. Dr. Rasmus gives a deep dive into the...
01.29.2024
Alternative Visions- 2023 US GDP Analysis In Depth
Today’s show is dedicated to dissecting the just released US first report on 2023 GDP by the Commerce Dept. Dr. Rasmus breaks down the various contributing elements to US GDP (Consumption, Business Investment, Government Spending, and Net Exports) to identify...
01.23.2024
Alternative Visions- Soft Landing’ Revisited & Previewing 2023 GDP
Whether ‘soft landing’ of the US economy—with inflation assumed to continue to abate and GDP to continue to grow—is in the works is the main topic of today’s show. Explained in depth is how US price index estimates are key...
01.02.2024
Alternative Visions- 2023 Review + Colorado-Maine Ballots
Today’s show reviews the main economic & political events of 2023. Topics on the Economy include: US GDP & ‘Soft Landing’ talk; Inflation and Jobs trends; the March 2023 regional bank crisis; US Budget >$1T Deficit & $34T National Debt;...
12.18.2023
Alternative Visions- Has Union Concession Bargaining Ended in 2023? + Why the CPI Underestimates Inflation
Today’s show addresses two important developments of the past year. Dr. Rasmus reviews the major union contract settlements of the past year (Railroad, Teamsters, Longshore, Auto) to determine if the past 44 yrs of union concession bargaining has finally ended...
12.14.2023
Alternative Visions- Why Ukraine Can’t Win the War + November Jobs Numbers
Just released US jobs numbers for November are reviewed in first half of the show. Not much change from October, with services sector jobs still growing and goods sector jobs slightly declining. Both reflect the US economy growth/no growth condition...
12.05.2023
Alternative Visions- Ukraine War & Zelensky’s ‘Danny Trejo Grift’
Today’s shows raises the expose of Zelensky government corruption that US mainstream media has been assiduously avoiding. Actor Danny Trejo just spilled the beans on another Zelensky grift. US celebrities who have been trekking to Kiev apparently get paid $150,000...
11.24.2023
Alternative Visions- Soft Landing in 2024..Or Deeper Recession?
Today’s show discusses the growing media spin on the US economy that it’s headed for a ‘soft landing’—i.e. no recession as inflation continues to abate. Dr. Rasmus dissects the 3rd quarter US GDP numbers of 4.9% annual growth rate that is...
11.03.2023
Alternative Visions- Why the Fed is RAISING rates, NOT PAUSING! + War Updates
The Fed this past week held off raising interest rates once again. Or did it? Dr. Rasmus explains why the Fed may have paused raising short term rates but it is simultaneously raising long term Fed interest rates (10,30 Treasury...
10.30.2023
Alternative Visions- War and US GDP
The just released preliminary estimates for US third quarter 2023 GDP, showing how the estimated 4.9% annual rate of US growth is actually much lower than reported. Rasmus explains how GDP in 2013 was redefined, boosting its number by more...
10.16.2023
Alternative Visions- Most Dangerous Time in Decades
The title for today’s show is a direct quote this past week from Chase Bank CEO, Jamie Dimon. It reflects the growing concern being expressed widely about the global and US economy and geopolitical conditions. In another quote the giant...
10.02.2023
Alternative Visions- President Jimmy Carter’s True Legacy + Updates on UAW, Writers & Actors Strike
Latest developments as of 9-30 in the auto workers, writers & actors strikes. Former president Jimmy Carter turns 99 this weekend. No doubt US corporate media has prepared puff piece obituaries, hailing Carter as the most humane and moral president...
09.25.2023
Alternative Visions- Ukraine: Political Fallout from Failing Offensive + UAW Strike + Fed Rates & Govt Shutdown
As Ukraine’s Failed Offensive becomes increasingly obvious, political repercussions are being felt in the US, Ukraine and Europe. Half of UN delegates refuse to show up for Zelensky’s speech; 32 House Reps and 6 Republican Senators go on record they...
09.18.2023
Alternative Visions- UAW Strike + Latest Inflation Reports
most of today’s show is dedicated to understanding the UAW strike that began at midnight last night. What are the union’s demands and the Big 3 auto corporations offers. Rasmus explains how the companies are flush with cash, with $250B...
09.11.2023
Alternative Visions- How Reliable is US Economic Data?
Dr. Rasmus comments on a Wall St. Journal report of Sept. 8 admitting that revisions to US data and reports are showing bigger swings in corrections and occurring more often. The show addresses his oft-stated view that the Covid recession...
09.06.2023
Alternative Visions - How Biden and Mainstream Media Spin the Jobs and Inflation Reports
Today’s show main theme discusses how the Biden administration and mainstream media are spinning the latest jobs and inflation reports. The official ‘messaging’ by politicians and media alike is that both jobs and inflation are steadily-if slowly-improving. The messaging: the...
08.28.2023
Alternative Visions- Jackson Hole: Why the Fed Must Keep Raising Interest Rates
The show begins with an analysis of the past week of the death of Wagner mercenary forces leader, Prigozhin. The show then moves to the main topic: the forces driving the Fed to continue to raise interest rates; for certain...
08.21.2023
Alternative Visions- Inflation Reduction Act One Year After + What’s Exploitation?
Dr. Rasmus debunks Biden’s and other Dem party notables’ ( HRC, Reich, Krugman)celebration of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on its one year anniversary. Why the IRA has had no impact on inflation but is best understood as part of...
08.07.2023
Alternative Visions- Fitch Downgrades the US Government-Causes & Consequences?
Dr. Rasmus discusses in depth the causes and consequences the Fitch Credit Rating Company’s decision this past week to downgrade the US government’s credit worthiness. What’s behind the decision? What are some of the consequences? Rasmus reviews the past 22...
07.24.2023
Alternative Visions- Is US Labor’s ‘Great Detour’ About to End? + Biden’s Phony ‘Bidenomics’ Tour
With Teamsters-UPS contract negotiations deadline of end of July approaching, the Writers-Sag-Aftra unions’ strike continuing, and Auto workers about to begin bargaining to reverse past concessions, is union Labor about to rise again? Dr. Rasmus describes the various forces behind...
07.17.2023
Alternative Visions- Unpacking the CPI and PPI Inflation Reports
The mainstream media is now spinning last week’s inflation reports to message that inflation is now under control, therefore the Fed won’t need to raise rates further, and that in turn means a ‘soft landing’ with no recession. Dr. Rasmus...
07.10.2023
Alternative Visions- Bidenomics as Neoliberal Policy in Crisis
This past week the Biden administration launched a new PR offensive, touting its package of economic policies as a reversal of ‘trickle down’ economics the past 40 years. Bidenomics is supposed to be a break from the past 4 decades...
07.05.2023
Alternative Visions- Prighozin’s Rebellion, Student Loans & Biden’s Neoliberal Policy Regime
Dr. Rasmus examines some facts about Russia’s mercenary Wagner group and its leader, Prighozin, recent mutiny. What are some interesting facts behind the origin of the rebellion not reported by the US mainstream media? The show next addresses in depth...
06.19.2023
Alternative Visions- Fed’s Rate Pause and the Growing Contradictions of US Monetary Policy
What’s behind the Fed’s decision to temporarily halt rate hikes this past week? Then raise rates later again this year? Dr. Rasmus explains the Fed is more concerned in the short run with exacerbating the continuing regional banking crisis than...
06.12.2023
Alternative Visions China Inflation and Ukraine Offensive
Why is inflation in China virtually zero while it remains chronically high in the US and Europe around 5% and more? Dr. Rasmus describes the forces continuing to keep prices high in the ‘west’ and why China’s economy has little...
06.05.2023
Alternative Visions- Final Debt Ceiling Deal, May Jobs Report & Fed’s Next Moves
The May jobs report: why one govt survey shows 339K new jobs and another shows -440k more unemployment. The final version of the Debt Ceiling deal is then reviewed, including last minute Senate additions requiring retroactive student debt interest payments....
05.30.2023
Alternative Visions- The Biden-McCarthy Debt Ceiling Deal
Dr. Rasmus describes the likely terms of an imminent debt ceiling deal about to be announced this weekend. Reportedly ‘caps’ will be imposed on non-defense social program spending in a two year agreement, while Pentagon spending will rise 11% in...
05.22.2023
Alternative Visions - The Debt Ceiling Negotiations Dance
What’s behind the debt ceiling negotiations? Is June 1 the real deadline date? Dr. Rasmus describes what’s happened to the national debt since 2000 and the causes for its rise from $4T to $31.4T and why interest on the debt...
05.15.2023
Alternative Visions - Inflation USA: Analysis of Latest CPI and PPI Reports
In this week’s show Dr. Rasmus takes a ‘deep dive’ into last week’s Consumer and Producer Price Index Reports. Conclusions: Fed record rate hikes have shaken out demand driven causes of inflation but further gains will require even higher interest...
05.08.2023
Alternative Visions - US Economic Updates: the Fed, Banking Crisis, and US Productivity & Jobs Reports
The show begins with two questions: Will the Fed’s recent interest rate hike last week be its last? Has the Fed failed in its inflation objective, given the continuing rise of prices in the US services sector? Discussion then turns...
05.01.2023
Alternative Visions - De-Dollarization (continued) + Banking Crisis Updates
Dr. Rasmus picks up the discussion on the global de-dollarization trend from last week, focusing on the Congressional Budget Office’s April Report “The U.S. Dollar as an International Currency and Its Economic Effects” analysis—i.e. the official US govt view of...
04.24.2023
Alternative Visions - De-Dollarization Trends + US Economic Update
Dr. Rasmus reports on several latest data releases showing growing slowdown of US economy: latest housing states -2.4%; manufacturing PMIs contracting faster; and US leading economic indicators down -7.8% year on year, the worst seen since 19981 recession. Second half...
04.10.2023
Alternative Visions - US Economy & Global Empire Weakens + The Military Situation in Ukraine
Dr. Rasmus reviews important news events of this past week: US jobs report, Chase Bank CEO, Jaime Dimon’s letter to shareholders, OPEC announcement of big production cuts, China’s brokering of deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, expanding trade using China...
04.03.2023
Alternative Visions - Artificial Intelligence vs. the Working Class
Today’s show begins with discussion of several reports issued this past week: first, evidence by the Wall St. Journal that the 11m open jobs reported by the US Labor Dept’s ‘JOLT’ statistic may be wrong; second, why widespread media reports...
03.27.2023
Alternataive Visions - The Fed’s Role in the Emerging US Banking Crisis
Dr. Rasmus explains how the Fed is ultimately behind the current banking crisis. Distinguishing between causes of the crisis that are ‘fundamental’, ‘enabling’, and ‘precipitating’, Dr. Rasmus explains how the Fed’s pumping $9T of free money (lowering rates to zero...
03.17.2023
Alternative Visions - From Silicon Valley Bank to Larger Banking Crisis?
Dr. Rasmus gives an update on US and global banking instability in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank a week ago this friday. What exactly happened at Silicon Valley Bank and is that process occurring elsewhere? What...
03.13.2023
Alternative Visions - Silicon Valley Bank Collapses—Canary in the Financial Coal Mine?
Dr.Rasmus discusses the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank in California in last 24 hrs and what it means for the Tech sector and potential financial instability. Stocks & bond mkts plummet in response. Fear of uncertain contagion effects over...
03.06.2023
Alternative Visions - Social Security Under Attack—Again! Here Comes Austerity Policy
In today’s show Dr. Rasmus discusses the dimensions of the current attack on the social security system taking shape behind the curtain of the Debt Ceiling negotiations and just before Biden releases his final budget proposals for 2023 next week...
02.27.2023
Alternative Visions - Ukraine: Revisiting ’10 Reasons Why the US May Want Russia to Invade Ukraine’ Article, January 2022
Dr. Rasmus revisits his article of January 2022 in which he predicted reasons why the US wanted Russia to invade Ukraine and why the invasion of February 24, 2022 happened. The show initially discusses the past year’s sanctions on Russia...
02.24.2023
Alternative Visions - Ukraine: Revisiting ’10 Reasons Why the US May Want Russia to Invade Ukraine’ Article, January 2022
Dr. Rasmus revisits his article of January 2022 in which he predicted reasons why the US wanted Russia to invade Ukraine and why the invasion of February 24, 2022 happened. The show initially discusses the past year’s sanctions on Russia...

What's Alternative Visions about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Alternative Visions episodes:

Alternative Visions- USA’s Failing Russian Sanctions Regime: Russia vs. Germany

Alternative Visions- US Inflation, the Fed, and Ukraine-Israel Wars Update

Alternative Visions- Shifting Strategies in the Ukraine War

Alternative Visions- Contradictions in US Economy, Policies, and Challenges to the US Global Empire

Alternative Visions- Russian Mall Attack, Europe’s Economy & US Treasury Market

Alternative Visions- Bad (Good) News Comes in Threes?

Alternative Visions- How US Presidents Become Multimillionaires

Alternative Visions- Ukraine War and the Ghost of Clausewitz

Alternative Visions- Is the Global Economy Slowing?

Alternative Visions- Carlson-Putin Interview

Alternative Visions- How US Media ‘Cherry-Picks’ US Statistics to Report

Alternative Visions- 2023 US GDP Analysis In Depth

Alternative Visions- Soft Landing’ Revisited & Previewing 2023 GDP

Alternative Visions- 2023 Review + Colorado-Maine Ballots

Alternative Visions- Has Union Concession Bargaining Ended in 2023? + Why the CPI Underestimates Inflation

Alternative Visions- Why Ukraine Can’t Win the War + November Jobs Numbers

Alternative Visions- Ukraine War & Zelensky’s ‘Danny Trejo Grift’

Alternative Visions- Soft Landing in 2024..Or Deeper Recession?

Alternative Visions- Why the Fed is RAISING rates, NOT PAUSING! + War Updates

Alternative Visions- War and US GDP

Alternative Visions- Most Dangerous Time in Decades

Alternative Visions- President Jimmy Carter’s True Legacy + Updates on UAW, Writers & Actors Strike

Alternative Visions- Ukraine: Political Fallout from Failing Offensive + UAW Strike + Fed Rates & Govt Shutdown

Alternative Visions- UAW Strike + Latest Inflation Reports

Alternative Visions- How Reliable is US Economic Data?

Alternative Visions - How Biden and Mainstream Media Spin the Jobs and Inflation Reports

Alternative Visions- Jackson Hole: Why the Fed Must Keep Raising Interest Rates

Alternative Visions- Inflation Reduction Act One Year After + What’s Exploitation?

Alternative Visions- Fitch Downgrades the US Government-Causes & Consequences?

Alternative Visions- Is US Labor’s ‘Great Detour’ About to End? + Biden’s Phony ‘Bidenomics’ Tour

Alternative Visions- Unpacking the CPI and PPI Inflation Reports

Alternative Visions- Bidenomics as Neoliberal Policy in Crisis

Alternative Visions- Prighozin’s Rebellion, Student Loans & Biden’s Neoliberal Policy Regime

Alternative Visions- Fed’s Rate Pause and the Growing Contradictions of US Monetary Policy

Alternative Visions China Inflation and Ukraine Offensive

Alternative Visions- Final Debt Ceiling Deal, May Jobs Report & Fed’s Next Moves

Alternative Visions- The Biden-McCarthy Debt Ceiling Deal

Alternative Visions - The Debt Ceiling Negotiations Dance

Alternative Visions - Inflation USA: Analysis of Latest CPI and PPI Reports

Alternative Visions - US Economic Updates: the Fed, Banking Crisis, and US Productivity & Jobs Reports

Alternative Visions - De-Dollarization (continued) + Banking Crisis Updates

Alternative Visions - De-Dollarization Trends + US Economic Update

Alternative Visions - US Economy & Global Empire Weakens + The Military Situation in Ukraine

Alternative Visions - Artificial Intelligence vs. the Working Class

Alternataive Visions - The Fed’s Role in the Emerging US Banking Crisis

Alternative Visions - From Silicon Valley Bank to Larger Banking Crisis?

Alternative Visions - Silicon Valley Bank Collapses—Canary in the Financial Coal Mine?

Alternative Visions - Social Security Under Attack—Again! Here Comes Austerity Policy

Alternative Visions - Ukraine: Revisiting ’10 Reasons Why the US May Want Russia to Invade Ukraine’ Article, January 2022

Alternative Visions - Ukraine: Revisiting ’10 Reasons Why the US May Want Russia to Invade Ukraine’ Article, January 2022