Alternative Visions

Alternative Visions - China and the USA: Updates to Economic Predictions - 07/17/13

Dr. Jack Rasmus reviews the key trends in the US and China economies over the past 60-90 days, noting how both economies are slowing significantly.  Jack discusses how these trends were predicted in his May 2013 written article, ‘Predicting the US and Global Economies, 2013-2014’. The recent shift and reversal in US Federal Reserve policy in the past month (future direction of QE and interest rates) is discussed in particular detail, as well as Jack’s key point that banks and financial speculators are now increasingly ‘addicted’ to free money (QE and near zero rates) from the Federal Reserve and central banks worldwide and threaten global asset price collapse at the prospect of the free money spigot being turned off.” (see Jack’s ‘Predictions’ article on the PRN website, as well as his shorter item ‘Song of the Central Bankers’.

Alternative Visions - 07/10/13

Alternative Visions - The Egyptian Revolution’s Pending New Stage - 07/03/13

Jack’s return guest is Carl Finamore, eyewitness journalist to the Egyptian revolution in 2011 and 2012.  Carl explains his analysis of the recent week’s events in Egypt and the likely new clash and upheaval within days occurring there.  Will the religious fundamentalists, led by increasingly authoritarian president, Morsi, weather the growing storm? Will the army, now threatening to intervene do so? Will workers and secularists demanding improvements in the standard of living and political rights, now under attack by Morsi, force to the revolution to a higher stage? Listen to Carl Finamore’s explanation and likely predictions.

Alternative Visions - 06/26/13

Alternative Visions - 06/19/13

Are Producer Cooperatives (Worker Run Enterprises) A Political Strategy? Jack Rasmus interviews guest, Greg Godels, on the increasingly popular advocacy of producers coops, aka worker run companies, by left writers and intellectuals.  What are the positives of the proposals for worker coops?  The limits of the same in a market based, capitalist economy?  While the idea encourages workers to take control of their own working lives and challenges the idea that capitalist managers are needed to produce goods and services, does it also represent another limited example of single issue politics and solutions to the current economic crisis?  Greg Godels presents his views on this topic, and he and Jack discuss the subject as strategy vs. tactic.

Alternative Visions - Predicting the Global Economy - 06/12/13

Alternative Visions - 06/05/13

Alternative Visions - 05/29/13

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.

Alternative Visions - Ellen Brown on ‘Bail Ins’ and New Book, The Public Banking Solution - 05/22/13

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.

Alternative Visions - Rick Wolff - 05/15/13

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’.