Trickle-Down Socialism

Pat talks to journalist Ben Norton of Multipolarista about multiple countries and regions in Latin America. The interview focuses on what we miss as consumers of US media, namely the working-class opinion of Socialist regimes like Maduro in Venezuela and the Cuban government. The topic of Puerto Rico also came up and Ben explains the devastating consequences that have come from the privatization of national utilities after Hurricane Maria. As a show, we have always been dedicated to countering mainstream media narratives and this episode takes that same focus to examine Latin American countries that are often misrepresented in American media. 

In the open, CMoney, Dan, and Pat provide a lot of context that will help the listener understand the issues discussed in interviews. Also discussed is the recent Congressional passage of a law allowing for Puerto Rico to hold a vote deciding its future: will Puerto Rico join the Union as the 51st state, vote for independence, or vote for something in between?

CMoney talks to Kentucky Congressional Candidate, Progressive Democrat Connor Halbleib about his run in the whitest and second poorest district in the US. Halbleib outlines the ways in which a Progressive platform can appeal to working-class voters, even in a red district. The GOP incumbent in the district, Hal Rogers, has been in office since 1981 and is nicknamed the "Prince of Pork" for his ability to bring money to the district (despite the fact that this money mostly benefits the super-rich and corporations.) 

Connor explains that Medicare for All, while it would be transformative, is still a compromise position because it isn't the strongest single-payer option on the table. In a similar way, Connor explains each of the policies in his platform and why they would benefit the constituents of Kentucky's 5th district. Also discussed in the open and interview is the draft Supreme Court opinion from Justice Sam Alito which was leaked - a decision that would establish a new precedent on a woman's right to choose, essentially setting us back decades and making access to safe and legal abortion unavailable in many states. 

You can learn more about Connor Halbleib's campaign here: https://conorhalbleib.com/ 

Pat talks to Joe Thomspon about the push to form a Union at a Santa Cruz, CA, Starbucks shop. Joe discussed how the Union-busting efforts undertaken at the direction of CEO Howard Schultz have backfired. Starbucks brought in help from high priced anti-union law firms, but it hasn't slowed the effort to form unions across the country. This episode focuses on the working conditions that led to a union push from Starbucks workers, the steps taken to register with the National Labor Relations Board, and the resolve of workers to stay with the fight despite countless efforts to bust the Union efforts. 

Also discussed, Joe Thompson's run for CA Assembly - CA AD28. You can follow Joe on Twitter @JoeForAssembly and you can learn more about their run for CA Assembly here  

In this episode, Pat talks to Jason Call, candidate for Congress in Washington's 2nd District, about the need for Single-Payer Healthcare, the outsized influence of money in our political system, and what Call has been working for through Progressive Activism in the last 30 years. Jason Call started as a public school teacher and has been active in trying to get the Washington State Democratic Party to focus on Grassroots sources of funding instead of taking money from corporate lobbyists. Also discussed is the push for Single Payer healthcare in Washington State, which Jason has been doing through the group Whole Washington. Jason provides an example of how the lax regulation of Boeing jets, because of corporate influence on the regulatory committee, led to the 747 Max crashes. 

In the open, Dan, Pat, and CMoney define the term "Regulatory Capture" and give examples to help listeners understand this detrimental practice. Also discussed were the efforts to pass single payer at the state level, some recent Union wins, and more. 

Learn more about Jason Call's Campaign for Washington's 2nd district here

You can follow him on Twitter @CallforCongress 

Follow us @TrickleDownSoc 

Pat talks to California resident, father, immigrant and indigenous advocate, Shervin Aazami who is running for US Congress in CA's 32nd district. Aazami brings a committed voice for fighting poverty: Housing First, public health advocacy for the unhoused, financial reform, the Green New Deal, and the public's overwhelming support for these bold programs was among topics discussed. As the child of Iranian immigrants by way of Italy, Aazami knows first-hand about both the opportunities in the US and the pitfalls of the predatory system of extraction that is our free-market, Capitalist system. 

Aazami shows deep knowledge of topics and brings life-experience that include lobbying Congress on behalf of indigenous groups. He spoke to Pat about the experience of having bills that were critical to the health of entire tribal groups tied to completely unrelated legislation. When elected leaders told Aazami that he should have "fought harder" for his cause, he knew that the system was rigged by corporate influence in the form of campaign sponsorship and other means. This episode focuses on two main topics: the system of extraction perpetuated by the undue influence of money on our political system and measures that SHOULD be passed into law which would eradicate poverty (for a sum of roughly 70 billion dollars in a year.)

For more on the Faircloth amendment (law which severely limits construction of new Federally subsidized housing) and contemporary attempts to block it: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/opinion/public-housing-faircloth-amendment-repeal.html

For more on Shervin Aazami, his policy positions, and his background: https://shervin4congress.com/

Pat talked to Megha Agarwal, the Executive Director of the Bridge Project about Guaranteed Income. The Bridge Project is New York City’s first guaranteed income program. Launched in June 2021 by The Monarch Foundation, the Bridge Project is designed to support low-income mothers in New York City during the first 1,000 days of their children’s lives by providing them with consistent, unconditional cash on a biweekly basis. 

Early studies, some of which are discussed on this episode, are showing a plethora of benefits to providing no strings attached, unconditional income to young mothers. By providing an income "floor" under which no participant falls under, Guaranteed Income trials have demonstrated that mothers and babies thrive. Some studies have even shown that brain development is improved in babies whose mothers are provided with cash assistance (as compared with babies of mothers in similar neighborhoods with similar base incomes.) Additionally, mothers who receive a Guaranteed Income are giving help that is flexible - instead of food aid or help with housing costs, cash allows moms to make the decisions based on their needs and the needs of their children. Cash aid given to working mothers (or fathers, or single adults, in other trials) often results in the recipient finding more employment or better paying jobs. Megha Agarwal explains that unconditional cash allows for a level of trust and dignity that isn't matched by any other social safety net program. 

Unlike some plans for Universal Basic Income, Guaranteed income is not designed to replace other forms of assistance. By providing an income floor, the underlying theory of Guaranteed Income is that no one should live below a certain income threshold. A strong Guaranteed Income program would signal that poverty is unacceptable and it would assure that no one had to live in poverty, a financial state that has been proven to have a multitude of deleterious effects on life outcomes as well as physical and mental health.

Also discussed on this episode, the potential benefits of a Guaranteed Income, as written by Erik Olen Wright in his exceedingly practical and theoretically expansive: "How to be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century" and shared by @CMoneyBurns:

- Can reduce size of bureaucracy

- Takes 

- Strengthens Communities

- Helps Worker Co-Operatives by helping them compete with companies that can pay more for labor 

- Helps increase attractiveness of Co-ops for loans from credit unions by increasing their credit worthiness and long-term viability 

- Targeted support for small farmers, helps them compete against big agri-business 

The Child Tax Credit is also discussed as it was the closest thing to Guaranteed Income we have experienced in the US. Dan suggests that Democrats write a clean bill that not only extends the currently defunct Child Tax Credit but they should double the amount of monthly payouts going to families under the bill. Democrats' weak politically messaging is also discussed. The Build Back Better Bill is criticized for the scattered, poorly messaged Omnibus bill that it is. 

Also on this episode, Dan, Pat and CMoney add some class-consciousness, some historical context, and some complexity to the narrative that is being presented by Western media about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One source for this content, which we encourage you to examine, can be found at this link: 

Why is Ukraine the West's Fault? Featuring John Mearsheimer 

Follow the Bridge Project: @bridgeprojectny 

Pat talks to Shawn Lawler, a leftist podcaster from Ontario, about the "Freedom Convoy" or "Trucker Convoy," protests that have grown into blockades of various roadways. Shawn and Pat examined the influence of Right Wing media and Facebook on the anti-vaccine mandate demands from the participating individuals as well as the role US billionaires have played in funding the blockades. Shawn explains that police have been sympathetic, at times even helping protestors who have shown little regard for the people of Ottawa. Also discussed was the contradiction inherent in the protests: while the protestors are accusing the Canadian government of instituting overbearing laws, it is the US Government policy requiring vaccination of drivers for trucks to cross the border.

In the open, co-hosts Pat Donohue, CMoney Burns, and Dan Goldsbury, discuss recent Union wins, Union agitation at Starbucks locations across the country, a new vote at Bessemer, Alabama's Amazon facility and more. 

You can hear Shawn Lawler's podcast on the NFL here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-boundz/id1509494421

Trickle-Down Socialism is edited, mixed, and mastered by CMoney Burns. If you have audio needs, contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @CMoneyBurns 

Journalist, Novelist, Author Ross Barkan talks to Pat about the overwhelming influence wasted by Senator Manchin, Biden's first year in office and how Biden should get some important work done with Executive Actions, the NYC Mayoral race of 2021, and the future of Progressivism after a likely defeat for Democrats in the 2022 Midterms. 

Ross Barkan is a freelance journalist whose work is featured in Jacobin, the Guardian, and many other important publications. He writes novels and non-fiction - his latest novel, "The Night Burns Bright" is due out in February of this year. His perspective is unique and his writing is clear and often critical of elements of the Left that are not productive. Subscribe to his substack, and consider becoming a subscriber, here: https://rossbarkan.substack.com/

Episode Topics: Biden's First Year, Cancelling Student Loan Debt, How Biden could lower prescription drug prices, Pharmaceutical influence on Congress, Why Senator Manchin is Impervious to criticism, Senator Sinema and how she doesn't represent what Arizona is becoming, Corporate influence on the Media, The loss of local papers across the country, and What will happen to the Progressive movement if (when) Democrats lose in the 2022 midterms. 

This episode was mixed, mastered, and edited by CMoney Burns. If you have audio content that needs a professional touch and a golden ear, contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @Cmoneyburns