Category Archives: Social Issues

May 12, 2013

Harvard Professor Ryan Enos has studied what happens when racial or ethnic groups live and work in close proximity. The results are not always positive, and that’s a potential problem for maintaining the Obama voting coalition.

Former House Democratic whip David Bonior laments the decline of social justice and the ravaging of labor unions.

And Bill Press talks with Representative Rosa DeLauro about dinner with President Obama – jobs, immigration and gun safety.

  • May 12, 2013 May 12, 2013 Professor Ryan Enos says watch out for voter backlash. David Bonior wants more focus on social justice. And Rep. Rosa DeLauro discusses dinner with the president.
  • Ryan Enos Ryan Enos There is potential trouble for the Democratic coalition that re-elected President Obama, says Harvard Professor Ryan Enos. He reports on evidence that as people from different races or ethnic groups get together, they don’t always stay together.
  • David Bonior David Bonior David Bonior was the longest serving elected party whip in the history of the House of Representatives. Now long retired, he has some suggestions on how to improve the place – including a change of heart on term limits.
  • Rosa DeLauro Rosa DeLauro Bill Press and his guest Representative Rosa DeLauro talk about a meeting between President Obama and House Democrats.
  • Jim Hightower Jim Hightower Diverting shareholder funds into "dark money" politics.

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April 7, 2013

With the deadline for filing your returns just days away, a historian of the income tax says you can’t talk about taxes these days without talking about class.

Our regular contributor and Catholic activist Fred Rotondaro talks about his expectations for Pope Francis.

And Bill Press talks with immigration advocate Angela Kelley about prospects for congressional action.

  • Apr. 7, 2013 Apr. 7, 2013 Rendering unto Caesar – conversations this week about income taxes and about the new pope’s commitment to the poor.
  • Molly Michelmore Molly Michelmore Professor Molly Michelmore has written about the history of the income tax, now 100 years old. Originally, it was very popular because it was seen as a way of sticking it to the robber barons. Now, she says, we still can’t talk about taxes without talking about class.
  • Fred Rotondaro Fred Rotondaro Fred Rotondaro, a regular contributor, is a progressive Catholic activist. He sees the election of Pope Francis as a move toward a new emphasis on the issues of inequality, poverty and the role of women in the church.
  • Angela Kelley Angela Kelley Bill Press and his guest, Angela Kelley of the Center for American Progress, on prospects for immigration reform legislation.
  • Jim Hightower Jim Hightower The wisdom of the wealthy.

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February 24, 2013

Economist James K. Galbraith talks about the “mania” on the right to cut Social Security and Medicare, which he says will only further weaken the purchasing power of the elderly.
Gas prices are going through the roof … and Steven Coll, president of the New America Foundation, has written a book exposing how Exxon Mobil determines both the price of gasoline and U.S. foreign policy.
And Bill Press talks with an expert on the Chinese hacking of America.

  • Feb. 24, 2013 Feb. 24, 2013 Will a $12 an hour minimum wage work? $5 a gallon of gas certainly does not. Nor does Chinese computer theft of America’s secrets.
  • James K. Galbraith James K. Galbraith James K. Galbraith, a world famous economist, sheds some light for us about the effects of any cuts in Medicare or Social Security … and he makes the case for a minimum wage of $12 an hour.
  • Steven Coll Steven Coll Now, with gas prices on everyone’s mind, we’ll hear from Steven Coll, author of a book exposing how Exxon Mobil influences U.S. energy and foreign policy. He says that over the decades, the U.S. government has not achieved its energy objectives, but Exxon has.
  • Dan McWhorter Dan McWhorter Bill Press guest Dan McWhorter, a computer expert, reveals how China is stealing America’s intellectual property.
  • Jim Hightower Jim Hightower The GOP's disdain for low-wage workers.

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February 17, 2013

Why is there so much dysfunction in Congress? Constitutional scholar Ian Millhiser says, simply, it is “deeply baked into the legislative system.”

Author and demographer Phillip Longman has some surprising data about how your job determines how long you live, and how winning an Oscar affects health in Hollywood.

And Bill Press talks with Brendon Ayanbadejo of the world champion Baltimore Ravens about safety on the gridiron — and gay rights.

  • Feb. 17, 2013 Feb. 17, 2013 Which house of Congress better represents the people? And how does winning an Oscar affect your health? Some surprising answers today.
  • Ian Millhiser Ian Millhiser Constitutional law expert Ian Millhiser says the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court may not lead to more Republicans, but it will lead to worse Democrats. He also says because of gerrymandering, the so-called “upper House,” the Senate, is actually more representative of the American people than the “people’s house.”
  • Phillip Longman Phillip Longman Do race and class matter in health care? Absolutely, says demographer Phillip Longman. It is not only the level of socioeconomic status, it is the disparity between the races and income levels that kills people.
  • Brendon Ayanbadejo Brendon Ayanbadejo Bill Press and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo talk gay rights.
  • Jim Hightower Jim Hightower Do more than the minimum on minimum wage.

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