Episodes
Wednesday May 29, 2013
Alternative Visions - 05/29/13
Wednesday May 29, 2013
Wednesday May 29, 2013
Dr. Jack Rasmus invites long time union representative and guest, Jerry Gordon, to report on the recent conference in New Jersey at which a ‘National Labor Fight Back Network’ was launched at the conference by more than 100 local union, community, and student leaders to take more aggressive action to stop cuts in social security, medicare, education, jobs, and other programs. Guest Jerry Gordon explains the new Labor Fightback Network has been formed with the goal of taking direct action—marches, protests, independent political organizing, etc. Gordon describes the new organization’s program and mission statement, and potential future organizing activity. Not a political party or substitute for the trade union or community organizations, Gordon explains the Network seeks to play the role as an organizing tool for a new grass roots movement. For more information and where to join and participate in the Network efforts, go to the website: laborfightback.org/conference for mission, program, and email information; or mail to: Labor Fightback, P. O. Box 187, Flanders, New Jersey, 07836.
Wednesday May 22, 2013
Wednesday May 22, 2013
Dr. Jack Rasmus interviews Ellen Brown on her soon to be released new book, ‘The Public Banking Solution’, and both analyze the emerging Bankers’ solution to the next global bank crisis—the ‘bail ins’ policy (i.e. make small depositors pay for future bailouts) planned by bankers and governments in the Eurozone, U.S., and U.K. Ellen discusses the memo by the US FDIC and UK Bank of England last December indicating plans to convert depositors savings accounts to worthless bank stock in the event of another banking crisis. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to limit student loans to 0.75%, instead of current 6.8%, are also discussed.
Ellen Brown is a noted authority on Public Banking and author of many books and articles on the topic, as well as President of the Public Banking Institute. Visit her works on her website, webofdebt.org and on the Institute’s website, publicbankinginstitute.org and the upcoming conference on June 2-4 in California on public banking.
Wednesday May 15, 2013
Alternative Visions - Rick Wolff - 05/15/13
Wednesday May 15, 2013
Wednesday May 15, 2013
Dr. Rasmus Interviews Economist, Rick Wolff, on the US and Global Economy
Host Jack Rasmus interviews economist, Rick Wolff, on the current state and direction of the US and global economy. Why has the US recovery been so poor for all but banksters, corporations, CEOs, investors and speculators, and the fundamental structural problems responsible for the US tepid recovery. Jack and Rick discuss why the US economy will continue in a sub-par longer term growth path, and why it keeps having ‘spring swoons’. Also addressed are topics of the role of finance in the crisis, public banking, and Europe’s continuing economic recession.
Rick Wolff is professor of economics emeritus from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and visiting professor at New School University, New York. He is the author of two recent books, Occupy the Economy and Democracy at Work. A frequent contributor to many blogs and publications, and host of his own radio show, Economic Update, on WBAI NY. Rick Wolff is also the shadow chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, for the recently formed ‘Green Shadow Cabinet’.
Wednesday May 08, 2013
Wednesday May 08, 2013
Dr. Jack Rasmus continues with his series on predicting the future direction of the US economy. Today’s show consider in depth and detail the recent 1st Quarter GDP numbers as well as last week’s April jobs report. Dr. Rasmus explains how average GDP real per capita growth the past nine months is really only about 1%, after adjusted properly for real inflation and after temporary factors in each of the last three quarters are accounted for. April jobs numbers were also far weaker than reported, with the majority of jobs part time or temporary. The US job market long term is also ‘marking time’, churning out permanent for part time/temp, high wage for low wage, and new hires for millions leaving the labor force. Next week, May 15, Dr. Rasmus discusses the economy with Rick Wolff, Shadow Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, of the just formed Green Shadow Cabinet
Wednesday May 08, 2013
Wednesday May 01, 2013
What’s the ‘Green Shadow Cabinet’, Its Program, and Strategy for Change? - 05/01/13
Wednesday May 01, 2013
Wednesday May 01, 2013
Dr. Jack Rasmus interviews Green Shadow Cabinet Presidential Nominee, Jill Stein, who explains what is the recently formed (April 22) Green Shadow Cabinet, who’s in it, what are its policy proposals and future planned activities, and where can interested listeners go to get involved. The Green Shadow Cabinet is projected as an alternative to the two wings of the current corporate political parties in the US. Alternative policies for the economy, society, and politics in the US are proposed by the GSC by an impressive list of well known activists in the US. Jack and guest, Jill Stein, provide an introduction. For more info beyond the interview today, go to greenshadowcabinet.us.