America's Democrats

A Nation More Divided. How policing and prison is dividing cities. How the GOP tax plan is widening the gap between rich and poor. Plus, how Democrats can unite around a message of progressive change.

Author Dan Cooper on the devastating impact of a criminal justice system that targets poor neighborhoods. Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers International Union on the stock buyback bonanza fueled by the GOP tax plan. Plus, Bill Press with Mike Lux, author of “How to Democrat in the Age of Trump.”

Dan Cooper is a scholar and activist who fights for more equitable cities. He says  policies designed to keep our cities safe are only deepening the cycle of violence and poverty.

Leo Gerard is President of North America’s largest industrial union. He says  the plan to cut American’s taxes has been a windfall for corporate executives at the expense of American workers.

Bill Press talks with Mike Lux, author of “How to Democrat in the Age of Trump.”

The New York Times strikes out

Returning to our American roots.  The egalitarian call of the Declaration of Independence.  The American vision defined by immigrants. Plus, after a bruising week of politics, what Progressive Democrats need to do now.

Donald Kerwin of the Center for Migration Studies on what America stands to gain by keeping the door open to refugees.  Democracy theorist Danielle Allen on why equality is at the core of the American idea. Plus, Peter Ogburn sitting in for Bill Press,  talks with Kaili Joy Gray of Shareblue Media on the week’s good news and bad news in politics, and why giving up is not an option.

Donald Kerwin is a national authority on immigration who says

America and the world only stands to lose when refugees are turned away.

Danielle Allen is one of our nation’s leading democracy theorists.

In an interview from our archives, she speaks to the lesson we still need to learn from the Declaration of Independence …  that equality is the essential partner of liberty.

Peter Ogburn sitting in for Bill Press, talks with Kaili Joy Gray of Shareblue Media.

Why is Trump waging war on the poor?

Economic Populism … from ideas to action.  How states are fighting for economic justice. How ballot measures affect everything progressives fight for.  Plus Bill Press on how unions are fighting for workers rights on the global stage.

Author Christopher Witko on his new book about how states are taking the lead against economic inequality. Advocate Kellie Dupree on  how voters are making a powerful impact with ballot measures. And Bill Press talks with Steve Cotton of the International Transport Workers Federation on the global impact of labor unions.

Christopher Witko is a scholar who studies the politics and policies of job creation and economic fairness.  He says states have picked up the fight where the federal government has failed.

Kellie Dupree has made a career advocating for progressive change. Now, she is helping citizens use the power of ballot measures to fight for social justice.

Bill Press talks with Steve Cotton, General Secretary of the Transport Workers Federation.

The Koch Coup.

Rights Matter.  A Supreme Court decision strikes a blow to workers rights.  Plus, how denying the right to vote to felons strikes a blow to democracy.  And Bill Press talks with Sam Baker from Axios about the GOP’s latest move on Affordable Healthcare and the threat to protections on pre-existing conditions.

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Labor law scholar Alexander Colvin explains why a recent decision on arbitration will have far ranging impact for workers’ rights. Nicole Porter of the Sentencing Project tells us why at least 6 million Americans are denied the right to vote.  And Bill Press talks with Sam Baker about what’s coming up next at the Supreme Court and another setback for Affordable Healthcare.

Alexander Colvin is one of the nation’s foremost experts on workplace arbitration.  He says that the recent Supreme Court decision to deny the right for employees to engage in class action lawsuits is “backlash on steroids” to the movement for workers rights.

Nicole Porter is an advocate for eliminating racial disparities in the criminal justice system. She says the practice of denying felons the right to vote has deep historical roots designed to limit the vote to wealthy and white elites.

Bill Press talks with Sam Baker of Axios on the latest battle over affordable healthcare that could jeopardize legal protections on pre-existing medical conditions.

Could you live on “Psychic Income?”

Fighting for economic justice, from the bottom up and the top down.  A new report on the massive pay gap between CEOs and the average worker. Plus reviving Martin Luther King’s poverty campaign  fifty years later. And Bill Press talks with Stu Eizenstat for a definitive history of the Carter Administration.

This week, Brandon Rees of the AFL CIO reports that executive earnings are now 61 times that of the average employee, and we all pay.  Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis reports from the frontlines of a new movement to fight poverty and redefine our moral agenda. And Bill Press talks with author Stu Eizenstat about his new book “President Carter: The White House Years”.

Brandon Rees tracks executive pay for the AFL CIO and says the gap between CEO and worker pay is growing at unprecedented levels and driving inequality in America.

Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis has spent decades fighting poverty.  In a new movement inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she says poor people are rising up and demanding justice.

Bill Press talks with author Stu Eizenstat for a first hand history of the Carter Administration and why he calls him the most accomplished one-term president ever.

How bad public policy happens

Why early childhood is a progressive economic issue and how voters can make an impact.  Plus, a life in politics fighting for progressive ideals. And Bill Press talks with Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball about presidential pardons, the latest news at the ballot box and a look ahead to mid-term elections.  

This week, early childhood advocate Simon Workman explains about why progressive democrats should pay more attention to early childhood.  Veteran politician Joseph Tydings talks about his new book “My Life in Progressive Politics: Against the Grain.” And Bill Press gets a “political reading” from Kyle Kondik, Managing Director of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.  

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.

Joseph Tydings spent his entire life in politics fighting corruption and promoting progressive ideals. It’s a career that began over fifty years ago when he took a bold stand against segregation.  

Bill Press talks  with Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball on the state of play in electoral politics

How low can the barons of high finance go?

The inseparable tie between identity politics and economic justice.  The troubling tie between charter schools and segregation. And Bill Press talks with Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).  

Author Raynard Sanders explains how charter schools are bringing back racial segregation. Political scientist Eric Schickler calls on progressive democrats to embrace racial justice. And Bill Press talks with Congressman Earl Blumenauer about his battle to legalize marijuana. (D-OR).  

Scholar and author Raynard Sanders has committed his career to equity in education.  In a new book, he explains how that vision is being set back and why charter schools are to blame.

Eric Schickler is a political scientist who writes about party politics.  He says that racial justice energized the democratic party in the past and can do so again today.

Bill Press talks with Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) on his prediction that marijuana will become legal in the United States .

Doctor Trump Prescribes a Sugar-Coated Nothing Pill

Progressive change is not a spectator sport.  How teachers are leading the way for a comeback of organized labor.  Plus, the art of powerful citizenship. And Bill Press talks with Jeff Weaver about his new book “How Bernie Won: Inside the revolution That’s Taking Back our Country”.

This week,  Scholar Pedro Noguera explains why teachers strikes matter to our democracy. Author Eric Liu calls on all of us to find our power to fight for change. And Bill Press talks with Bernie Sanders former campaign manager about his new book, “How Bernie Won.”  

Urban sociologist Pedro Noguera writes about the intersection of education and social justice.  He says the wave of teachers strikes across the country are galvanizing the movement for workers’ rights and setting the stage for a more equitable democracy.

Eric Liu has spent a career practicing and teaching civic power.  In his latest book, he explains how each of us can take action to make lasting change.

Bill Press talks with author Jeff Weaver on the lasting impact of Bernie Sanders and why the revolution has only just begun.

Koch industries is becoming the government

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What doesn’t work about work requirements for public assistance. What does work about teachers unions. Plus, Bill Press talks with former Ohio State Senator Capri Cafaro for primaries update.

Author William Ayers debunks the myth that teachers unions are bad for public education. Elizabeth Lower-Basch of the Center on Law and Social Policy explains what’s wrong with Donald Trump’s approach to welfare reform. And Bill Press talks with Democratic strategist and former Ohio State Senator Capri Cafaro  

Elizabeth Lower-Basch has a long history inside and outside of government figuring out the best ways to help struggling families.  She says that new “work requirements” for people on public assistance is exactly not the way to do that.

William Ayers is one of America’s leading voices on the role of education in  building democracy. In his newest book, he argues that “activist teachers” have a vital part to play in that vision.

Bill Press talks with democratic strategist Capri Cafaro for the takeaways from the Ohio primary elections.

Why is Trump waging war on the poor?

Donald Trump is making millions as President, and Americans are footing the bill. Plus a report card on Jeff Sessions first year as Attorney General. And Peter Ogburn of the Bill Press Show talks with Alayna Treene of Axios on Marco Rubio’s confession that the GOP tax cuts are failing the American worker.

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Public Citizen’s Alan Zibel reports on how Donald Trump has gotten rich being President.  Elliot Mincberg of People for the American Way gives a failing grade to Jeff Sessions. Plus Peter Ogburn of the Bill Press Show talks with Axios Reporter Alayna Treene about Marco Rubio’s latest attack on Republican tax cuts.

Alan Zibel tracks all the ongoing and emerging conflicts of interests involving the Trump Administration and how they are having an impact on the American people.  He says the amount of taxpayer dollars the President is spending on his own businesses is already at unprecedented heights.

Elliot Mincberg has been researching the American justice system for over three decades. He says that in his first year as Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has put the fundamental rights that system is supposed to protect at risk.

Peter Ogburn of the Bill Press Show talks with Alayna Treene of Axios about what Marco Rubio is saying about GOP tax cuts that benefit corporations at the expense of American workers.

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Are job incentive programs good for communities?