America's Democrats

This week,  Samuel Abrams of the National Center of Privatization in Education on why “public” matters when it comes to public education. And, on the day after tragedy in Florida,  Bill Press interviews Congressman John Yarmuth of Kentucky  on how he earned an “F” from the NRA.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

Samuel Abrams of the National Center of Privatization in Education on why “public” matters when it comes to public education. And, on the day after tragedy in Florida,  Bill Press interviews Congressman John Yarmuth of Kentucky  on how he earned an “F” from the NRA.

Part Two of our conversation with Samuel Abrams about for profit schooling and how public and privatized schools could both do a better job.  

Bill Press talks with Congressman John Yarmuth about the school shooting in Florida and why he’s not afraid to stand up to the NRA.

Back to the tomato future

This week, Nan Aron of the Alliance for Justice on how Donald Trump is reshaping the US Court system. Miles Rapoport of the Kennedy School at Harvard on turning the tide on political gerrymandering. And Bill Press interviews Congressman Ted Lieu of California on why he didn’t applaud everything the President said during the State of the Union, and why that makes him a patriot.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

In his first year of office, Donald Trump made almost 70 judicial nominations.  Nan Aron, a leading opponent of conservative judicial nominees,  says the President is putting politics ahead of the integrity of the courts.

Across the country, citizens and legislators are taking a stand against unfair redistricting maps, and Miles Rapoport says the outlook is bright.

Bill Press talks with California Congressman Ted Lieu.

Why the American majority despises Trump’s Washington

Truth and Promises.  Can Donald Trump really take credit for lowering black unemployment?  Will his infrastructure plan really be a boost for American workers?   And Bill Press talks with Kyle Kondik about his roadmap for Democrats to retake Congress in the midterm elections.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

This week, Janelle Jones of the Economic Policy Institute on black unemployment and the truth behind the numbers. Kevin DeGood of the Center for American Progress fact checks Donald Trump’s promise to repair America’s infrastructure. And Bill Press interviews Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball on the “path for Democrats” in 2018.

In his State of the Union address, President Trump bragged about, and took credit for a drop in black unemployment.   Economist Janelle Jones says that number alone says very little about what needs to be done to achieve equity for African Americans in the workplace.

From the early days of his campaign, President Trump said he would repair the nation’s infrastructure and make it “second to none.”  From what he’s heard so far, infrastructure analyst Kevin DeGood says that plan will fall far short of it’s promise.  

Bill Press talks with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball.

Trump serves the people – rich ones, that is

Across the country, minimum wage is going up.  But is that enough?   More and more journalists take on the challenge of covering Donald Trump.  But does more mean better? And Bill Press talks with Esther Lee of ThinkProgress about DACA and her own experience as a Dreamer.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

This week, Janelle Jones of the Economic Policy Institute on how progressive democrats are winning on the minimum wage. Author David Cay Johnston on what’s not getting covered in the way journalists cover Donald Trump. And Bill Press interviews ThinkProgress reporter Esther Lee for an update on Donald Trump’s immigration policy and the lives left in limbo waiting for a resolution on DACA.

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.

David Cay Johnston is an award winning journalist who says that a vibrant press is needed now more than ever, but journalists who focus on  Russian conspiracies and Donald Trump’s  tweets  are missing the point.

Bill Press talks with ThinkProgress reporter Esther Lee.

Are you ready for corporate America's robot economy?

This week, Matt Rozsa on why Democrats should take a stand on legalizing marijuana. Author David Cay Johnston on why a year of President Trump is worse than we think. And Bill Press interviews Democratic Strategist Karen Finney on grassroots activists, women candidates and the possibility of a mid term blue wave.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

Jeff Sessions’ plan for a federal crackdown on states that legalize marijuana may be seen as an unwelcome escalation in the war on drugs. Journalist Matthew Rozsa sees something else … a moment of opportunity for Democrats

David Cay Johnston is an award winning journalist who once revealed President Trumps “true net worth.”  Now, he’s revealing the President’s true impact on American lives.

Bill Press talks with Democratic Strategist and former Clinton campaign spokeswoman Karen Finney about how progressive Democrats can turn grassroots energy into electoral victory.

Are job incentive programs good for communities?

This week, Donald Kerwin of the Center for Migration Studies on why everyone loses as Donald Trump pulls the plug on Temporary Protected Status. Author and poverty researcher Kathryn Edin on what poor people lose when politicians do welfare reform. And Bill Press interviews Representative Dan Kildee of Michigan .  

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

Donald Trump’s recent despicable and  racist comments about immigrants came as a response to an effort to maintain TPS … Temporary Protected Status.  Donald Kerwin is a national authority on immigration who says the end of TPS will only lead to suffering for our most vulnerable immigrants who are  hard working, legal and playing an important role in our nation’s economy.

Scholar and author Kathryn Edin documents the lives of people who live on almost no cash income and says much of what we think we know about those lives is wrong.

Bill Press talks with Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan.

What's killing America's middle class?

This week, Georgetown law professor Peter Edelman explains how the justice system punishes the poor and rewards the rich. Former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps says pending media mergers will give big business even more influence on what we see and hear.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

Just before the end of the year, Attorney General Jeff sessions revoked an Obama-era administration guideline that advised local courts against imposing excessive fines and fees on poor people.  The issue attracted wide attention after an investigation into the practice  in Ferguson, MIssouri raised concerns of a “modern day debtors’ prison.”  It also attracted the attention of Georgetown University law professor Peter Edelman who wrote a book about the issue titled, “Not a Crime to be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America”.

Michael J. Copps was an FCC commissioner from 2001 to 2011 and currently heads the Media and Democracy Reform Initiative at Common Cause.

How America's middle class rose… and fell.

Law professor James Forman Jr. puts truth to the lie that African Americans don’t care about crime.  Author Tim Snyder says Trump’s America is not a tyranny  …. yet.  But could we slip into one? And our remembrance of Fred Rotondaro.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

James Forman Jr. is a law professor at Yale, a former public defender,  and the author of  Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America.  Last July,  he spoke with us about how America’s  aggressive “war on crime” drew support from many African American leaders …. with devastating consequences.  

Yale historian Timothy Snyder has spent decades studying the rise of fascism and authoritarianism  in Europe, and is the author of  On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century, In an interview last July, he called on us to learn from that horrific past if we want to avoid repeating it.

Fred Rotondaro passed away in June at the age of 78.  Born into a coal mining family in Pennsylvania, Fred’s path led him to a PhD in American Studies from NYU and a career in journalism, teaching, anti-poverty work  and civil rights advocacy.  Following his retirement, he was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.  Fred was a fierce opponent of programs and policies that promoted economic inequality, and we are grateful to have had him as a regular commentator on this podcast.  This is Fred Rotondaro …. in a final interview with us last April about what he really thought about President Trump.

Hard times (still) in the fields.

What would it actually take to reverse inequality in our nation? Why young progressive democrats should run for office to make a real difference.  Plus, the real truth about the GOP tax plan.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

This week, Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies tells us that real change is possible to reverse inequality in America. Amanda Littman tells young progressives,  if they want to make a meaningful change…. Run for Office. And Bill Press interviews Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio.

The Institute for Policy Studies’ Chuck Collins says that inequality in America is hardly inevitable, but  knowing where it comes from is key to change.

Political organizer and author Amanda Litman turned anger into positive change when she started a new organization called “Run for Something” in the wake of Donald Trump’s election.

Bill Press interviews Congressman Tim Ryan about the real impact of the GOP tax plan, and what Progressive Democrats need to do now.

DADDY'S PHILOSOPHY

"Progressives turning the Tide" How voters in Maine turned a corner or Medicaid. How legislators in Kansas turned around a bad tax cut bill. And how democrats in Alabama turned red ... into blue.

-------------------------------------

Had enough of Fox News, the House Freedom Caucus, and Donald Trump? If you want the facts that you won’t get from them or from the fake news sites of the alt-right … then stay tuned!
.
Our sponsor, 21st Century Democrats, works hard to get everyday Democrats involved in returning our party to its roots... and to success at the ballot box.

Sit back and listen, then stand up and fight. And follow 21st Century Democrats on Facebook for all the latest progressive news.

We’re glad you can join us.

-------------------------------------

This week, heathcare organizer Jennie Pirkl on how Maine became the first state to expand Medicaid by a ballot initiative Tuesday, Nov. 7. .  Kansas State Senator Anthony Hensley on how legislators in his state confronted a bad tax cut bill and …. ended it. And Bill Press with Jess O'Connell, CEO of the  Democratic National Committee,  on the role of women in electing Doug Jones in Alabama and the DNC strategy to keep winning elections in the era of Donald Trump

Last November, voters in Maine went to the polls and  overwhemingly voted YES to a ballot measure to expand Medicaid, allowing many more low income residents to receive health insurance. That makes Maine the first in the nation to use a citizen’s initiative to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.  It took an enormous on-the-ground campaign and Jennie Pirkl was in the middle of it. She is a Healthcare Organizer with Maine People’s Alliance and served as the Campaign Manager for  Mainers for Healthcare

In 2012, Kansas Republican Governor Sam Brownback enacted a massive tax cut plan with a promise that supply side economics.  Five years later, faced with an exploding deficit, Democrat AND Republican legislators in Kansas voted to roll back the tax cuts.  The “ experiment” was a failure … and now, it’s a cautionary tale for the rest of the nation. As Senate Minority Leader in Kansas, Democrat Anthony Hensley was pivotal in the roll back success.

Bill Press talks with  Jess O’Connell, CEO of the  Democratic National Committee

Back to the tomato future