Addicted to War: The ABC's of U.S. Military Spending
On today's episode we discuss the military-industrial complex in the wake of the nuclear submarine deal between the United States and Australia, which sparked a diplomatic crisis with France. A new alliance between the US, Australia and the UK trashed a submarine deal France had with Australia worth tens of billions of dollars, awarding the sale instead to the United States. How does the war economy help keep U.S. capitalism afloat? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can check out his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
22 Sep 202133min
War Criminal George W. Bush Confronted
On today's "In the News" roundtable, Brian Becker and Esther Iverem discuss how George W. Bush was directly confronted at a Los Angeles speaking event by anti-war organizers including an Iraq war veteran who said that Bush was personally responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. They also discuss how there are 126,000 fewer childcare workers today than at the start of the pandemic, and the end of the Nabisco workers strike with the approval of a new union contract. Brian and Esther are joined by Mike Prysner and Marissa Sanchez, ANSWER Coalition organizers who protested George W. Bush in Los Angeles. Mike Prysner is an Iraq war veteran. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
21 Sep 20211h
Covid-19: A Socialist View toward Vaccines, Public Health Policy & the Failures of Capitalism
The Coronavirus pandemic coupled with the capitalist system has caused unspeakable suffering in the United States and around the globe. Failures to adequately prepare and respond to the public health emergency led to massive unemployment, hunger, poverty and death. And now that vaccines capable of ending the pandemic are being mass produced, far right political forces are seeking to cynically mobilize people against the most basic public health measures. How should socialists react to this phenomenon? Brian is joined by by Eugene Puryear. He is the host of the podcast The Punch Out on BreakThrough News and host of the weekly live show The Freedom Side on BreakThrough News, which airs every Thursday on YouTube.com/BreakThroughNews at 3 p.m. Eastern/12 p.m. Pacific.
16 Sep 20211h 3min
Grand Theft Banks: How the Government Funds Wall Street
On today's episode we discuss one of the key ways that the biggest capitalist enterprises receive huge government assistance -- quantitative easing. This policy, carried out by central banks, has been the subject of major debate in recent weeks. What is quantitative easing, and is it going away any time soon? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can check out his work at rdwolff.com.
15 Sep 202132min
The U.S. Left's Response to Sept. 11
On today's "In the News" roundtable, Brian Becker, Esther Iverem, Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek discuss the founding of the ANSWER Coalition just 3 days after the tragic September 11 terror attacks that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area. They discuss how the U.S. left reacted after September 11 and how a new mass movement came into being. The panel also covers efforts by right wing Democrats to thwart a major expansion of social programs, police brutality in Louisiana, and more.
14 Sep 20211h 30min
20 Years After Sept. 11 - How the "War on Terror" Changed U.S. & Global Politics (Preview)
20 years after the September 11th terrorist attack, we reflect on the profound impacts this event had on the globe. The U.S. government manipulated the aftermath of the attacks to declare that an "axis of evil" existed -- Iraq, Iran and North Korea -- and committed itself to waging regime change wars against these nations and others. The hardline militarist policy followed by the Bush administration, known as neo-conservatism, became completely dominant in U.S. foreign policy and military circles in the years following 9/11. And in each one of these regime change wars, the United States failed to achieve its goals -- but still caused enormous death and suffering. Brian Becker is interviewed on this topic by Nicole Roussell. Check out the preview now and subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the rest!
11 Sep 202110min
Attica Rebellion 50th Anniversary: A Massacre that changed American Politics
50 years ago today, the inmates at Attica prison in New York state staged a heroic uprising that shook the country and the world. Shortly after the assassination of legendary Black Panther leader George Jackson by prison guards at San Quentin, Attica inmates took over the prison demanding an end to the horrific conditions they were subjected to, including routine beatings and torture at the hands of guards. On September 13, 1971, authorities attacked the prison and carried out a massacre -- but the legacy of the Attica uprising continues to inspire millions today. Brian is joined by by Eugene Puryear. He is the host of the podcast The Punch Out on BreakThrough News and host of the weekly live show The Freedom Side on BreakThrough News, which airs every Thursday on youtube.com/breakthroughnews at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
9 Sep 202154min
Socialism or Capitalism: Millions of Unemployed Workers Lose their Benefits
Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss the state of unemployment in America. Politicians and the media talk constantly about the post-COVID economic recovery, but last month’s weak jobs report suggests that workers are still in the midst of crisis. And despite this dire situation, the unemployment relief programs passed at the onset of the pandemic have now expired. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can check out his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.
8 Sep 202136min
