Best of the Left Podcast

Fri, 30 December 2016

(2016/04/01) The battle to reorganize the economy (Sharing Economy vs. Coops) (Repost)

Edition #1003
Today we take a look at the raging battle for the soul of the new economy. The age of working at the factory for decades before retiring with a pension and gold watch is well behind us but what’s coming next? A world where everyone is completely on their own, scraping together work one gig at a time? Or an economy of worker-owners who are compensated fully for their labor and have a voice in the direction of their companies?
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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: How Good is the Sharing Economy at Sharing? - KQED News - Air Date: 2-4-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: The Sharing Song - Jack Johnson

Ch. 4: Act 2: Chris Mackin: Creating Economic Democracy - @theLFshow w/ @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 7-22-14

Ch. 5: Song 2: RazorWire-Remastered - Chris Priest

Ch. 6: Act 3: Uber isn't nearly as new of an idea as you think - Economic Update w/ @profwolff - Air Date: 3-22-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: Capitalism Is Tearing Us Apart - sole

Ch. 8: Act 4: Uber Wants to Reorganize the Economy? Workers, too Can Play at that Game - The F Word w/ @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date: 2-17-15

Ch. 9: Song 4: Working Poor - Horse Feathers

Ch. 10: Act 5: David J. Thompson on the superiority of cooperatives - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date: 8-1-15

Ch. 11: Song 5: Cooperation - Jim Valley

Ch. 12: Act 6: Nationwide Next System Teach-Ins via @TheNextSystem - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard

Ch. 14: Act 7: Paul Mason - Postcapitalism: A Guide to Our Future - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 3-3-16

TAKE ACTION:

Activism Resources:

Find a Next System Teach-In near you or register to host one where you live at http://teachins.thenextsystem.org

Learn more about the The Next System Project and sign their statement.

Follow The Next System Project on Twitter @TheNextSystem for the latest updates and use '#NextSystem' to join the conversation.

Further Reading:

Not Cool Uber (via Dave Craige on Medium.com)

Sharing Economy Isn’t About Sharing - The Dark Reality Behind This Major Workplace Shift (via Alternet)

Uber on the Road to Nowhere - Uber Drivers are getting creative in their fight for basic workplace rights (via American Prospect)

Latest News/Actions:

Seattle Passes Law Letting Uber, Lyft Drivers Unionize (via Reuters)

Fed up Uber Drivers Aim to Disrupt Super Bowl 50 - With their Own Mobile App (via Mother Jones)

Jakarta Taxi Drivers Protest Against Uber and Grab (via BBC)

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #1003: http://www.bestoftheleft.com/_1003_capitalism

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: Repost_Racism_Air_Date_12-30-16_-_12-30-16_12.53_PM.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Tue, 27 December 2016

(2016/09/20) Building momentum, making progress (Money in Politics) (Repost)

Edition #1043

Today we look at some of the structures of money in politics and how the tide is beginning to turn

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Truth About Citizens United - Follow the Money #8 - Represent.Us - Air Date: 1-26-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: Addiction - Medina

Ch. 4: Act 2: @DerekCressman on Free speech vs paid speech with guest host @AngieCoiro - Bradcast from @TheBradBlog - Air Date 5-31-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Buy My Vote - The Haymarket Squares

Ch. 6: Act 3: How To Destroy The Corrupt Political Establishment - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-20-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: Welcome To the Machine - Pink Floyd

Ch. 8: Act 4: @USRepDavidJolly on The STOP Act Part 1 - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 8-27-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: Moneytalks - Vitamin String Quartet

Ch. 10: Act 5: Steve Israel on Congressional Fundraising - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date 04-04-16

Ch. 11: Song 5: Money Grabber (Live @ KEXP) - Fitz and The Tantrums

Ch. 12: Act 6: @USRepDavidJolly on The STOP Act Part 2 - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 8-27-16

Ch. 13: Song 6: Changes - Langhorne Slim & The Law

Ch. 14: Act 7: Rhode Island Demands Money Out Of Politics - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 06-21-16

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: Repost_Media_Air_Date_12-27-16_Commercials_-_12-27-16_1.18_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Fri, 23 December 2016

(2016/12/23) The War on Christmas™ Dispatch 2016

Edition #1067

Today we look back on the decade-long War on Christmas™ to understand how we got to now as well as the uphill battle we Christmas Warriors now have in the face of a Trump presidency

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: Progressives War On Xmas and O'Reilly's Response - Young Turks Air Date: 2010

Ch. 3: Song 1: War On Christmas - The Enablers & Friends

Ch. 4: Act 2: The War on Christmas: Sam's Big Chance to Further the Cause - Majority Report - Air Date: 11-25-15

Ch. 5: Song 2: The Holidays Are Here (and We're Still at War) - Brett Dennen

Ch. 6: Act 3: Genesis of Bill O'Reilly's War On Christmas - Jimmy Dore Show - Air Date 12-6-13

Ch. 7: Song 3: War Medley: Onward Christian Soldiers / I'm On the Battlefield / Keep On the Firing Line - Sanders Family

Ch. 8: Act 4: Megyn Kelly: Don't Worry Kids, Jesus and Santa Are White!! - Majority Report - Air Date: 12-13-13

Ch. 9: Song 4: The War On the War On Christmas - Macarone

Ch. 10: Act 5: Sarah Palin 'War on Christmas' Book Flops - David Pakman Show - Air Date: 12-06-13

Ch. 11: Song 5: War On Christmas Is Over - Steve Goodie

Ch. 12: Act 6: Right Wing's Fake War on Christmas Started Nearly 100 Years Ago - Majority Report - Air Date: 12-19-13

Ch. 13: Song 6: Christians and Pagans - Dar Williams

Ch. 14: Act 7: Christians Very Offended By Starbucks Holiday Cups - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-10-15

Ch. 15: Song 7: War on Christmas - Jamie Kilstein and the Agenda

Ch. 16: Act 8: War on Christmas Update: Congressional Resolution Phase - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 12-16-15

Ch. 17: Song 8: War On Christmas Day - Tim Di Pasqua & Tom Anderson

Ch. 18: Act 9: Fox News: Corey Lewandowski Appears On Hannity & Announces War On Christmas Victory! - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 12-8-16

Ch. 19: Song 9: Tiny Tree Christmas - Guster

Ch. 20: Act 10: Right Wing leaders assume Republican gullibility w _Obama_s War on Christmas_ deception - @AllInWithChris Hayes - Air Date 12-8-16

Ch. 21: Song 10: White Wine in the Sun - Tim Minchin

Ch. 22: Act 11: Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat - Colbert Report - Air Date: 2010

Ch. 23: Final comments on todays activism and preparing for next years war

Closing Music: There's No War On Christmas When Christmas Is In Your Heart - The Mockers

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 1067_War_on_Christmas_Air_Date_12-23-16_-_12-23-16_6.34_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Tue, 20 December 2016

(2016/12/20) The economics of the greater good (Culture)

Edition #1066

Today we look at the economics of our society through fresh eyes and make the case for a smarter way to work that taps into the things that really matter

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: A history of happiness - Backstory - Air Date 7-17-15

Ch. 3: Song 1: Mirage - Sabrina Carpenter

Ch. 4: Act 2: How Does the Commons Work? - @TheNextSystem Project - Air Date 6-21-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: N/A

Ch. 6: Act 3: The case for the 32-hour workweek - The Atlantic - Air Date 7-9-15

Ch. 7: Song 3: This Moment (Live @ KEXP) - Led To Sea

Ch. 8: Act 4: Courtney E. Martin: The new American Dream - TEDTalks - Air Date: 9-7-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: Struggle - Ringside

Ch. 10: Act 5: The Pluralist Commonwealth - @TheNextSystem Project- Air Date 9-6-16

Ch. 11: Song 5: Common Good - David Andrews

Ch. 12: Act 6: Get Community Activism Skills with Citizen Muscle Boot Camp via @storyofstuff - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 13: Song 6: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard

Ch. 14: Act 7: The Economics of Externalities - Progressive Faith Sermons w/ @RevDrRay - Air Date 12-4-16

Voicemails

Ch. 15: A few thoughts from a conservative perspective - Bill from Michigan

Ch. 16: They're against it because we're in favor of it - Eric from San Francisco

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 17: Final comments in response to todays voicemails

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

Activism:

TAKE ACTION

INSPIRE YOURSELF

After the Election: We Keep Pushing Forward (Story of Stuff Project Blog)

She Was Just One Person…Until She Joined Up with Her Neighbors to Take on Nestlé (Story of Stuff Project Blog)

All Hands on Deck! How We'll Move Forward in 2017 (Story of Stuff Project Blog)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 1066_Culture_Air_Date_12-20-16_-_12-20-16_6.08_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Fri, 16 December 2016

(2016/12/16) The fight for truth in a post-fact world (Media)

Edition #1065

Today we look at the problems with the media, so many problems, and what lessons we should learn in the wake of the election

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The real kinds of bias that still exist in the media - @InDeepRadio w @AngieCoiro - Air Date 6-11-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: The System - Abscondo

Ch. 4: Act 2: Money isn't the only bad influence on the media - @RalphNader Radio Hour - Air Date 10-1-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Follow The Money - Zounds

Ch. 6: Act 3: The media and President-Elect Trump - @LastWeekTonight w: @iamjohnoliver - Air Date 11-13-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: Sunrise - Norah Jones

Ch. 8: Act 4: Media lessons to learn from the election - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 11-11-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: Having a Good Time - Theo Bard

Ch. 10: Act 5: Mainstream Media Fighting Trump...Don't Count On It - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-16-16

Ch. 11: Song 5: Old News - Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Ch. 12: Act 6: Reporting on the editor of "The platform for the alt-right" - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 11-18-16

Ch. 13: Song 6: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Ch. 14: Act 7: Stopping fake news - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 11-24-16

Ch. 15: Song 7: Happy Song Is A Happy Song - Nick Rivera

Ch. 16: Act 8: Christiane Amanpour on the state of the media in a post fact-world - The Investigators with Diana Swain, CBC - Air Date 11-25-16

Voicemails

Ch. 17: Pulling together the threads of the economics of despair - Erin from Philadelphia

Ch. 18: How to talk about climate change - Dan from Greenville, SC

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 19: Final comments on the biggest free lunch humanity have thought it had

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

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Direct download: 1065_Media_Air_Date_12-16-16_-_12-16-16_7.37_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Tue, 13 December 2016

(2016/12/13) Desperate times, desperate measures (Voting Rights and the Electoral College)

Edition #1064

Today we look at the systematic suppression of voting rights during the election and the hail mary attempt to avert a Trump presidency through the electoral college

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: The Myth of Voter Fraud - On The Media - Air Date 10-21-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: Fear is a villain - Theo Bard

Ch. 4: Act 2: @AriBerman on voter suppression being back in a big way - Bradcast from @TheBradBlog - Air Date 11-11-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Beneath the Lies - Abscondo

Ch. 6: Act 3: Republicans Gloat Over Supressing Black Vote - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 11-11-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: Abuse of Power - Lion of Light

Ch. 8: Act 4: How Do We Fix Our Broken Voting System? (w/Guest: Mark Crispin Miller) - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 11-08-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: The Fix Is In - Ok Go

Ch. 10: Act 5: The Big Lie - @FullFrontalSamB - Air Date 12-5-16

Ch. 11: Song 5: Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who

Ch. 12: Act 6: First Republican "Hamilton Elector" Breaks Ranks Against Trump - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-07-16

Ch. 13: Song 6: The Game Is Rigged - The Great Malarkey

Ch. 14: Act 7: Tell the Electoral College to #StopTrump & Vote with the People via @DemSpring and directelection.org - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 15: Song 7: This Fickle World - Theo Bard

Ch. 16: Act 8: Introduction to the Hamilton Electors - Amicus from @Slate - Air Date 12-10-16

Voicemails

Ch. 17: Resist Trump Letters - Alan from Connecticut

Ch. 18: How to get around the fact gap - Andrew from Chicago

Ch. 19: Who's got the conservative argument talking points? - Eli from Northern California

Ch. 20: Conservative argument on the need for real policies - Ryan from Phoenix

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 21: Final comments on small changes for the member’s feed and a call for conservative appeals for voting rights and against the electoral college

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

TAKE ACTION

RSVP for the Democracy Spring December 19th rally at a state capitol building near you at savedemocracy.org

ASAP ONLY! Download everything you need to print and mail letters to the 273 Electoral College members pledged to vote for Trump at directelection.org

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Here are the people who will cast a formal vote for president next month (Politico)

The People Who Pick the President (Politico)

Electoral College: Make Hillary Clinton President (Change.org)

Meet the Hamilton Electors Hoping for an Electoral College Revolt (The Atlantic)

The Electoral Collage was Meant to Stop Men like Trump from Becoming President (The Atlantic)

Posted December 13, 2016, written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

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Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 1064_Election_Air_Date_12-13-16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Fri, 9 December 2016

(2016/12/09) How to debate friends and influence people

Edition #1063

Today we look at some of the underlying issues that undercuts our ability to effectively debate and explore ways to use this knowledge to improve our communication skills

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Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: How to argue based on the morals of your debating partner Part 1 - You are not so smart - Air Date 11-4-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: Debate - Wait Until Dusk

Ch. 4: Act 2: Jonathan Haidt: The moral roots of liberals and conservatives - TEDTalks - Air Date 9-18-08

Ch. 5: Song 2: Truth - Vaughan Penn

Ch. 6: Act 3: Change my view - You are not so smart - Air Date 10-9-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: The Debate Is Over (If You Want It) - Anti-Flag

Ch. 8: Act 4: The importance of emotionally appealing to voters - @BillMoyersHQ in Conversation - Air Date 4-15-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: When Anger Shows - Editors

Ch. 10: Act 5: How to argue based on the morals of your debating partner Part 2 - You are not so smart - Air Date 11-4-16

Voicemails

Ch. 11: In response to the discussion about college and work - Justin from Indiana

Ch. 12: Explaining jokes about Trump's small hands - Colin from Cleveland, OH

Ch. 13: College isn't just for work, it's for life - Eric from Paris, France

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 14: Final comments with a call for help creating a political translation dictionary

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 1063_Debate_Air_Date_12-9-16_-_12-9-16_7.18_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Tue, 6 December 2016

(2016/12/06) Defend the sacred (Dakota Access Pipeline)

Edition #1062

Today we look at some of the recent violence waged against protectors and independent journalists at Standing Rock North Dakota and the temporary victory of the permitting denial from the Army Corp of Engineers for the Dakota Access Pipeline

Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991

Show Notes

Ch. 1: Opening Theme: A Fond Farewell - From a Basement On the Hill

Ch. 2: Act 1: RISE With Standing Rock - @theLFshow w: @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date 10-10-16

Ch. 3: Song 1: N/A

Ch. 4: Act 2: Thanksgiving from an Indian Perspective - Progressive Faith Sermons w @RevDrRay - Air Date 11-27-16

Ch. 5: Song 2: Battle of the Little Bighorn - John Murrin Cornelius

Ch. 6: Act 3: Independent media attacked and abused for the crime of journalism at Standing Rock - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 10-28-16

Ch. 7: Song 3: Good people - Jack Johnson

Ch. 8: Act 4: Michelle Cook on facing human rights violations at Standing Rock - @theLFshow w @GRITlaura Flanders - Air Date 10-3-16

Ch. 9: Song 4: N/A

Ch. 10: Act 5: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Discusses the State of Standing Rock - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date: 11-24-16

Ch. 11: Song 5: Abuse of power - Cutting Edge

Ch. 12: Act 6: The #NoDAPL Fight Is Not Over - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 12-05-16

Ch. 13: Song 6: Fight to Win (feat. Cee Lo Green) - Goodie Mob

Ch. 14: Act 7: Financial Disaster Could Dakota Access Pipeline Lose Its Contracts with Oil Companies on Jan. 1 - @DemocracyNow - Air Date 12-05-16

Ch. 15: Song 7: Moneytalks - Vitamin String Quartet

Ch. 16: Act 8: Call on President Obama to Make Standing Rock a National Monument #NODAPL - Best of the Left Activism

Ch. 17: Song 8: Right to Complain - Trombone Shorty & Marc Broussard

Ch. 18: Act 9: HISTORIC Victory At Standing Rock - @theyoungturks - Air Date 12-05-16

Voicemails

Ch. 19: Questioning body shaming against Trump - Kyle from Portland

Ch. 20: Nerds and bullies help explain the feeling of white oppression - Nathan from San Jose

Ch. 21: A 1920's Germany expert chimes in on Trump and authoritarianism - Erica from Massachusetts

Voicemail Music: Loud Pipes - Classics

Ch. 22: Final comments on body shaming and the connection between nerds and fascists

Closing Music: Here We Are - Everyone's in Everyone

TAKE ACTION

Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111

Get the info to write to the President by visiting the contact page on whitehouse.gov

EDUCATE YOURSELF

The Historic Victory at Standing Rock (The Atlantic)

Standing Rock: Tulsi Gabbard on What the Dakota Pipeline Decision Means (Rolling Stone)

FAQ: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's Litigation on the Dakota Access Pipeline (Earth Justice)

President Obama: Declare a "Standing Rock" national monument to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline (Our Revolution)

Posted December 6, 2016, written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman.

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Review the show on iTunes and Stitcher!

Direct download: 1062_NODAPL_Air_Date_12-6-16_-_12-6-16_7.16_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

Fri, 2 December 2016

(2016/04/29) In praise of higher taxes (Economics) (Repost)

Edition #1010

Today we take a look at the way our current low-tax structure ends up redistributing the burden of funding society to those least able to pay for it while widening the already staggeringly-large wealth gap.

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