America's Democrats

Professor Gordon Lafer reviews the corporate war against labor. Antitrust expert Sandeep Vaheesan reveals a corporate conspiracy to repeal the laws against monopolies. And Bill Press interviews Democratic consultant Erikka Knuti.

Another Labor Day, but what’s to celebrate? Professor Gordon Lafer says issues like the minimum wage, a living wage and paid sick days are winning issues politically and progressive candidates should call out big business – and win. Antitrust expert Sandeep Vaheesan calls out what he says is a corporate conspiracy, aided and abetted by Democrats, to trash the nation’s anti-monopoly laws. And Bill Press interviews Democratic strategist Erikka Knuti.

As we commemorate another Labor Day, professor Gordon Lafer reminds us that unions gave us the minimum wage, the 8-hour day, and child labor laws – all of which were opposed by the Chamber of Commerce, which continues to oppose what most working Americans demand.

http://www.epi.org/people/gordon-lafer/

Antitrust expert Sandheep Vaheesan reveals how a corporate conspiracy has turned consumers into opponents of government regulation and let monopolies run wild.

http://www.antitrustinstitute.org/content/sandeep-vaheesan

Bill Press and his guest, political analyst Erikka Knuti.

Labor Day lesson: there's no such thing as a "consumer".

David Chappell reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King. David O’Connell has surprising conclusions about presidents and religion. And Bill Press interviews Jillien Meier about hunger in America.

Another anniversary of the March on Washington comes amidst a crisis in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil rights historian David Chappell reviews the legacy of the “I Have a Dream Speech.” Presidents always invoke God in their major speeches, but political scientist David O’Connell says it never really works in changing minds. And Bill Press interviews Jillien Meier about hunger in America.

In this time of continued turmoil, civil rights historian David Chappell says that 41 years ago at the March on Wahsington, Martin Luther King was really not talking about hope but about sacrifice and struggle.

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/26218/waking-from-the-dream-by-david-l-chappell

When presidents invoke religion and God, it is usually to promote a controversial policy, or because they are in the middle of a scandal. And historian David O’Connell says it never works.

http://www.dickinson.edu/site/custom_scripts/dc_faculty_profile_index.php?fac=oconneld

Bill Press and his guest, Jillien Meier, with shocking statistics on hunger in America.

Texas Grand Jury Indicts a Ham Sandwich

Law professor Jack Balkin says we have to reclaim the Constitution,  historian Harvey Kaye says we have to reclaim the Four Freedoms ,and Madison Paige explains “micropolitics.”

It’s been 80-some years, but the New Deal is still on our radar screens. Conservatives want to repeal it and progressives need to remind people about what FDR really wanted out of it. Law professor Jack Balkin explains how progressives can also use the Constitution’s original language to fight conservative attempts to roll back the New Deal. Historian Harvey Kaye reminds us of FDR’s Four Freedoms speech and the legacy that remains unfulfilled. And micropolitics activist Madison Paige focuses on the need for more people to run for office at the very local level.

We all get a little exasperated when conservatives talk forever about the “original” meaning of the Constitution. But law professor Jack Balkin says progressives have just as much right to the original wording – for example, free speech, equal protection of the law and voting rights.

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/jbalkin/

New Deal historian Harvey Kaye says President Reagan turned FDR upside down and inside out and progressives have to reclaim his legacy.

http://www.uwgb.edu/history/faculty/kaye/

Did you know that half of all state legislature candidates have no opponent? Micropolitics activist Madison Paige does and she wants people to start challenging them.

www.boldbluemedia.com

The lesson from Ferguson, Missouri.

Fred Rotondaro says the border crisis is a pro-life issue. Journalist Chuck McCutcheon decodes Beltway blather. And Bill Press interviews Ohio Congressional candidate Michael Wager.

Regular commentator Fred Rotondaro says the border crisis should be seen as a “pro-life” issue among Catholics, and others. Journalist Chuck McCutcheon explains the secret language spoken inside the Beltway. And Bill Press interviews Michael Wager, running for Congress in Northeast Ohio.

With the Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Jesuit Society pushing hard for a compassionate response to the influx of unaccompanied Central American children, commentator Fred Rotondaro says he would like to see Church leaders  “turn the screws” on congressional Republicans.

http://www.americanprogress.org

What is the definition of “reasonable Republicans?” How about “adults in the room?” Sometimes they are one and the same, explains journalist Chuck McCutcheon, who has written a book  about Washington jargon.

http://dogwhistlebook.com/

Bill Press and his guest, Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Michael Wager.  

The damning nuttiness of the GOP's "hell no" faction.

Ruy Teixeira on white working class voters … Mike Konczal on protecting the social safety net … and Bill Press interviews retiring Senator Tom Harkin, founder of 21st Century Democrats.

With just three months left before the midterm elections, the outlook for Democrats depends on how the white working class votes, says public opinion expert Ruy Teixeira. Economic analyst Mike Konczal says Democrats have to defend the social safety net because the evidence says voluntary help to the poor never works. And Bill Press interviews retiring Senator Tom Harkin, the founder of 21st Century Democrats.

Noted Democratic political analyst Ruy Teixeira says Democrats have an uphill battle in the 2014 elections – and maybe in 2016 -- unless the white working class can be turned around.  

http://americanprogress.org/about/staff/teixeira-ruy/bio/

Whenever Republicans have tried to replace the social safety net with private support, it has failed. Economic analyst Mike Konczal offers a history of how Republicans want only the people they like to get government benefits.

http://rooseveltinstitute.org/people/fellows/mike-konczal

Bill Press and his guest, retiring Senator Tom Harkin, the founder of 21st Century Democrats.

Perry goes from callous to disgusting.

Mike Barnes on trouble in Ukraine … Tom Malleson on trouble in the economy and Bill Press with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro on trouble at the border.

Former Congressman and foreign policy expert Mike Barnes offers his thoughts on Ukraine, Western Europe and Florida politics. Economic researcher Tom Malleson makes the case for economic democracy in the workplace. And Bill Press interviews Congresswoman Rosa deLauro on the border crisis.

Foreign policy expert and former Congressman Mike Barnes offers his assessment of Vladimir Putin and the struggle in Ukraine.

http://www.ciponline.org/about-us/experts-staff/michael_barnes

The Occupy Wall Street movement failed because it didn’t spell out concrete alternatives to the current economy, says researcher Tom Malleson – who lays out his alternative – economic democracy in the workplace.

http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199330102.do

Bill Press and his guest, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut discuss the trouble on the border.

What job creation numbers don’t tell us.

GOP sues Obama but can YOU sue anyone anymore? Lina Khan says no. Tech innovator Aneesh Chopra offers lessons on government data collection. And Bill Press interviews Washington, D.C.’s “Mayor for Life” Marion Barry

If you think John Boehner’s lawsuit against the president will be laughed out of court, wait till you find out that when YOU try to sue, it’s no laughing matter. President Obama’s first technology adviser has some advice on how partnerships between the feds and corporations can improve government services. Finally, Bill Press interviews D.C. “Mayor for Life” Marion Barry

When you sign up for cable, join a gym or buy a phone you have given up your right to sue. Policy analyst Lina Khan explains how the courts let us sign away our legal rights.

http://newamerica.net/people/lina_khan

There’s a lot of negative talk about government efficiency, but President Obama’s first chief technology officer, Aneesh Chopra, says innovation can and will improve things.

http://www.innovativestate.com/

Bill Press and his guest, Washington, D.C.’s “Mayor for Life.”

Warning: Boehner at work!

Religion is on the menu today with theologian James Skillen, activist nun Simone Campbell and a Bill Press interview with Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the Hobby Lobby case.

With all the furor over the Supreme Court’s injection of religion into public policy, we hear from theologian James Skillen about the true nature of this country’s spiritual foundation. And activist nun Simone Campbell reveals what she would ask Pope Francis, if she could. Finally, Bill Press interviews Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Hobby Lobby and impeachment.

The Supreme Court’s exemption for Hobby Lobby from Obamacare and the justice’s incredible decision about contraception makes this is a good time to hear from an actual theologian – Professor James Skillen -- about the true role of faith in American politics.

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-good-of-politics/342640

Activist nun Simone Campbell says the Catholic movement for economic justice is well within the teachings of the Church. And she reveals what she would ask Pope Francis.

http://www.amazon.com/Nun-Bus-Create-Change-Community/dp/006227354X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399053054&sr=8-1&keywords=a+nun+on+the+bus

Bill Press interviews DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Hobby Lobby and impeachment.

Lifting America up by raising the wage floor.

Economist Gordon Lafer on the GOP and the Supreme Court’s war on workers …  author Harvey Kaye on the legacy of FDR’s “Four Freedoms” and Bill Press with steelworkers president Leo Gerard

The Supreme Court has just struck another blow against unions, and economist Gordon Lafer traces the Republican war on workers. Historian Harvey Kaye has written a book about FDR’s “Four Freedoms” and how they propelled us through the Depression and World War II. But he says Democrats have let them fall into disuse. And Bill Press talks with Steelworkers President Leo Gerard about  the Supreme Court’s “baloney” decision encouraging workers to freeload off of unions.

Professor Gordon Lafer says the Republican war on workers is most intense in battleground states where the Koch Brothers are spending money and is targeting government employees, just like the Supreme Court just did.

http://www.epi.org/people/gordon-lafer/

Historian Harvey Kaye has written a book on the legacy of FDR’s “Four Freedoms” and says we need a march on Washington to demand their fulfillment.

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Fight-for-the-Four-Freedoms/Harvey-J-Kaye/9781451691436

Bill Press talks with Steelworkers President Leo Gerard about  the Supreme Court’s “baloney” decision encouraging workers to freeload off of unions.

Time for "We the People" to re-declare our independence.

Diplomat Peter Galbraith says Obama is on the right course in Iraq. Professor Danielle Allen explains the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. And Bill Press interviews author Jonathan Allen about Hillary Clinton’s wealth.

What went wrong in Iraq? Former diplomat Peter Galbraith says it was the Bush fantasy that we could establish a national army -- where there was no nation. What’s the meaning of the Declaration of Independence? Professor Danielle Allen explains it is the explicit link between liberty and equality. And Bill Press talks with Hillary Clinton expert Jonathan Allen.

Diplomat Peter Galbraith says there is nothing we can do to put Iraq back together again.

http://armscontrolcenter.org/about/staff/pgalbraith/

Professor Danielle Allen has written a book about our most sacred political document, the Declaration of Independence, which intertwines both liberty AND equality.

https://www.ias.edu/people/faculty-and-emeriti/allen

Bill Press and his guest, Bloomberg News Washington Bureau Chief Jonathan Allen

https://twitter.com/jonallendc

The deep goofiness of Speaker Boehner.