Alternative Visions

Alternative Visions - Medicare-Medicaid - 10/24/12

This Wednesday Dr. Jack Rasmus will welcome guests from National Nurses United. The show topic will be the coming attacks on Medicare-Medicaid that will follow the November national elections. The discussion will raise questions, Is there really a Medicare crisis?  How can Medicare be defended and expanded right now? How has Romney’s Massachusetts ‘Romneycare’ program really performed? What are the problems with ‘Obamacare’. How have Insurance companies and hospitals been exploiting the transition in 2012-13 to Obamacare? What’s ‘Medicare for All’?

Joining Dr. Rasmus will be Sandy Eaton and Donna Smith. Sandy is a retired RN with the Quincy Medical Center in Massachusetts, a member of the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, affiliated with the union,  National Nurses United, NNU, AFLCIO. Sandy is also a former chair of the Legislative Council of the NNU, a member of the national Steering Committee for the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare, and editor of the ‘Seachange Bulletin” addressing healthcare and labor issues. Donna Smith is a community organizer and legislative advocate for the National Nurses United and author of many essays on the healthcare crisis in America. Donna has appeared on the Bill Moyers show, in Michael Moore’s 2007 documentary film, SICKO, and on many national broadcasts and radio shows.

Alternative Visions - Michael Albert - 10/17/12

Dr. Jack Rasmus will comment on the second presidential debate held on Tuesday and then introduce his guest for this week, Michael Albert. Michael is the co-founder of ‘Z’ communications, a progressive print and media publisher, and a key organizer for the ‘International Organization of Participatory Society, IOPS. His most recent work co-authored is the three volume book, ‘Fanfare for the Future’ published this summer.  Michael and Jack will discuss alternative visions about how work can be organized on a more democratic basis and how that could prevent unnecessary hardship and economic crises such as are occurring worldwide today.

Alternative Visions - What Next For Occupy? - 10/10/12

Jack’s guests for today’s show, ‘What Next for Occupy’, include Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers, who will discuss recent developments and new directions for the Occupy Movement. Kevin and Margaret were both organizers for the 2011 ‘Occupy Washington DC’ movement. Kevin is an attorney active in 3^rd party politics in the DC area and co-director with Margaret of the ‘Our Economy’ research organization. Margaret is an MD and health care advocate and a past Congressional Fellow for Physicians for a National Health Program.

Alternative Visions - Defense Budget - 10/03/12

Dr. Jack Rasmus will welcome two guests to discuss the defense budget and the likelihood (or unliklihood) it will be part of the massive multi-trillion dollar spending cuts that are coming immediately after the November 6 election regardless who wins.  How big is the defense  budget really? What is it costing us?  Can defense be provided with much less spending? Jack will welcome Michael Eisenscher, Co-Coordinator of US Labor Against the War, and Mike Prokasch of the ‘New Priorities Network’, both of whom have some ideas worth hearing.

Alternative Visions - Proposals for Economic Recovery - 09/26/12

In the last show, Dr. Rasmus reviewed in detail the economic programs and proposals of the two candidates, Romney and President Obama. In today’s show, the topic of discussion will be ‘alternative’ views and proposals for economic recovery offered by himself and other economists. Other ways to create jobs, rescue homeowners, restore state and local government finances, tax the super wealthy, restructure the banking and tax systems, save medicare and social security, and eliminate student debt.

Alternative Visions - Comparing Obama and Romney Economic Programs - 09/19/12

Dr. Jack Rasmus introduces his new show, ALTERNATIVE VISIONS, and explains its focus and theme. The show then dives into the topic: ‘Comparing Obama and Romney Economic Programs’. The similarities and differences between the two programs are discussed, based on Dr. Rasmus’ forthcoming feature article in ‘Z’ magazine, by the same title. Future show topics and guests are announced.