Good Politics Radio

President Obama, in his weekly address to the nation said that while times are still too difficult for too many American families, this week saw real evidence of progress in the economy.  On Thursday, we learned that in the third quarter the GDP grew for the first time in over a year, and grew faster than it has in the previous two years.

“Each week, I’ve spoken with you about the challenges we face as a nation and the path we must take to meet them. And the truth is, over the past ten months, I’ve often had to report distressing news during what has been a difficult time for our country. But today, I am pleased to offer some better news that – while not cause for celebration – is certainly reason to believe that we are moving in the right direction.

On Thursday, we received a report on our Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. This is an important measure of our economy as a whole, one that tells us how much we are producing and how much businesses and families are earning. We learned that the economy grew for the first time in more than a year and faster than at any point in the previous two years. So while we have a long way to go before we return to prosperity, and there will undoubtedly be ups and downs along the road, it’s also true that we’ve come a long way. It is easy to forget that it was only several months ago that the economy was shrinking rapidly and many economists feared another Great Depression.

Now, economic growth is no substitute for job growth. And we will likely see further job losses in the coming days, a fact that is both troubling for our economy and heartbreaking for the men and women who suddenly find themselves out of work. But we will not create the jobs we need unless the economy is growing; that’s why this GDP report is a good sign. And we can see clearly now that the steps my administration is taking are making a difference, blunting the worst of this recession and helping to bring about its conclusion. (more…)

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry gets a wrap-up on gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, along with a look at special Congressional elections from John Gizzi, political editor and White House correspondent for Human Events the national conservative weekly; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on allowing states to opt-out of nationalized health care; And, Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring USA has an American Radio Journal commentary on “high noon” for health care reform.

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American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop on Washington

Mark Levine joins Terry D. Kester and Garland Nixon on the Dialogue show.  The trio have fun talking about the latest developments with health care reform.

They also talk about the swine flu and availability of vaccine.

Finally, they discuss the latest developments in the Afghanistan war and they speculate on President Obama’s next moves.

The Dialogue is lively and enlightening.

Click here to listen to this podcast.

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The Inside Scoop is nationally syndicated on the Head-On Radio Network and iTunes. The show can be heard on radio weekdays, 5-6 pm Eastern, and can be seen on television Monday 7-8 pm Eastern.

Since June 2003, Mark Levine has given listeners The Inside Scoop from political players inside the Beltway – news that the Media almost never reports and those in power in the Government do not want you to know about. Mark welcomes all during his talk radio hour, and he particularly values calls from folks who disagree with him.

Visit Radio Inside Scoop.com to access more information and additional podcast shows.

President Obama, in his weekly address to the nation, spoke of how important small businesses are to the economy and described the steps his administration is taking to support them.

“All across America, even today, on a Saturday, millions of Americans are hard at work. They’re running the mom and pop stores and neighborhood restaurants we know and love. They’re building tiny startups with big ideas that could revolutionize an industry, maybe even transform our economy. They are the more than half of all Americans who work at a small business, or own a small business. And they embody the spirit of possibility, the relentless work ethic, and the hope for something better that is at the heart of the American Dream.

They also represent a segment of our economy that has been hard hit by this recession. Over the past couple of years, small businesses have lost hundreds of thousands of jobs. Many have struggled to get the loans they need to finance their inventories and make payroll. Many entrepreneurs can’t get financing to start a small business in the first place. And many more are discouraged from even trying because of the crushing costs of health care – costs that have forced too many small businesses to cut benefits, shed jobs, or shut their doors for good.

Small businesses have always been the engine of our economy – creating 65 percent of all new jobs over the past decade and a half – and they must be at the forefront of our recovery. That’s why the Recovery Act was designed to help small businesses expand and create jobs. It’s provided $5 billion worth of tax relief, as well as temporarily reducing or eliminating fees on SBA loans and guaranteeing some of these loans up to 90 percent, which has supported nearly $13 billion in new lending to more than 33,000 businesses.

In addition, our health reform plan will allow small businesses to buy insurance for their employees through an insurance exchange, which may offer better coverage at lower costs – and we’ll provide tax credits for those that choose to do so.

And this past week, I called on Congress to increase the maximum size of various SBA loans, so that more small business owners can set up shop and grow their operations. I also announced that we’ll be taking additional steps through our Financial Stability plan to make more credit available to the small local and community banks that so many small businesses depend on – the banks who know their borrowers, who gave them their first loan and watched them grow. (more…)

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel starts out talking about the move to regulate top executive’s pay in the companies that the Government bailed out.  There are going to be huge payouts and bonuses to top executives.  The right and left seem to agree that their projected pay is too high.

The panelists talk about the public option which seems be be gaining favor again.

The panel also talks about the Obama administration’s war on Fox News.  It seems to be hurting President Obama.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right,  Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and  Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere is away.  Tony Blankley is away today and Mike Gonzalez is on the show and representing the right.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks Phelim McAleer producer/director of Not Evil, Just Wrong the new film on environmental extremism; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story behind the defeat of the “doc fix” portion of Obamacare; and Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (Ret.) has an American Radio Journal commentary on the need for health care to focus on wellness rather than cure.

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American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop on Washington

Mark Levine is on the Air America show Clout, subbing for Richard Green.  He agreed to go meatless for the day, making it a meatless Monday.

Therefore, Mark decided to make suffering by humans and animals the subject of the show.

Levine asks:

Whose suffering moves you most?

Animals? (Are you a vegetarian?)
Your family’s?
People in your neighborhood, city, or nation?
People with inadequate health care?
People suffering genocide?
People who don’t deserve suffering?
The homeless?
People of your race, religion, or ethnicity?

Levine also talks to Joel Segal about health care reform.

Later in the show Levine talks to several callers who talk about vegetarianism.

Click here to listen to this podcast.

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The Inside Scoop is nationally syndicated on the Head-On Radio Network and iTunes. The show can be heard on radio weekdays, 5-6 pm Eastern, and can be seen on television Monday 7-8 pm Eastern.

Since June 2003, Mark Levine has given listeners The Inside Scoop from political players inside the Beltway – news that the Media almost never reports and those in power in the Government do not want you to know about. Mark welcomes all during his talk radio hour, and he particularly values calls from folks who disagree with him.

Visit Radio Inside Scoop.com to access more information and additional podcast shows.

The following podcast is brought to you courtesy of A World of Possibilities and The Mainstream Media Project.

Despite his best efforts, like the very establishments he excoriates, Studs has become an American institution. A man of the people, he is also an unapologetic liberal and intellectual in a country that respects neither. In this program, drawn from a nonstop three-hour conversation, Studs reflects on a life spent listening to the battered but unbowed spirit of ordinary and extraordinary Americans.

Guests:
Studs Terkel pt.1, prize-winning author and radio broadcast personality
Studs Terkel pt. 2
Studs Terkel pt. 3

(Please click on a guest’s name to listen to their full unedited interview.)

Credits:
Host: Mark Sommer
Senior Producer: Gregg McVicar
Associate Producers: Matt Fidler, Naihma Deady
Production Engineer: Michael Schwartz
WFMT Recording Engineer: Eric Arunas
Music in this program: Open – “Laura” by Charlie Parker – Polygram Records; “A United Earth I” by Alan Stivell and Yousou N’Dour – Putamayo World Music; “My Kind of Town” by Frank Sinatra – Folkway Records; “City of New Orleans” by Arlo Guthrie – Red Pajama Records; “Careless Love” by Odetta – Sony Music; “Move On Up a Little Higher” by Mahalia Jackson – Vanguard Records;
Funding: Listeners Like You

Duration: 55:00 minutes

To listen to this podcast click here.

Want to listen to additional recordings of Studs Terkel?  The Chicago Historical Society has a wonderful collection of broadcasts from WFMT-FM, Chicago, that were aired between 1952 and 1997.  There are about 255 recordings in the current collection with more to come.  Click here.

Short Biography of Studs Terkel.

President Obama, in his weekly address to the nation, praised the progress that has been made on health insurance reform, and spoke out against those who defend the status quo in order to score political points and protect their profits.

“Over the better part of the past year, a great debate has taken place in Washington and across America, about how to reform our health care system to provide security for people with insurance, coverage for those without insurance, and lower costs for everyone. From the halls of Congress to the homes of ordinary Americans, this debate has helped us to forge consensus and find common ground. That’s a good thing. That’s what America is all about.

Now, as the debate draws to a close, we can point to a broad and growing coalition of doctors and nurses, workers and businesses, hospitals and even drug companies – folks who represent different parties and perspectives, including leading Democrats and many leading Republicans – who recognize the urgency of action. Just this week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support. For the first time ever, all five committees in Congress responsible for health reform have passed a version of legislation. As I speak to you today, we are closer to reforming the health care system than we have ever been in history.

But this is not the time to pat ourselves on the back. This is not the time to grow complacent. There are still significant details and disagreements to be worked out in the coming weeks. And there are still those who would try to kill reform at any cost. The history is clear: for decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families, businesses, and the economy. And for decades, whenever we have tried to reform the system, the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us.  (more…)

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel starts out talking about the run up in the stock markets on Wall Street.  They discuss the problems with commercial real estate and toxic assets.  They also talk about the record earnings of top banking managers who are benefitting greatly from the government bailout of banking.

The panel also talks about the Senate Finance Committee bringing the health care bill out of the committee.  There is plenty of reconcilliation ahead with the question of the public option still relevant.

Lastly, they talk briefly about Balloon Boy.  They ran out of time to talk about Afghanistan and Iraq, which they will talk about next week.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right,  Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and  Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere is away.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

The moment has finally arrived. The Stand Up Take Action global event has officially begun. One by one, country by country, millions of citizens across the globe attempt to break another Guinness World Record by showing their governments they won’t stand for broken promises to the world’s poor.

Online activism is connecting millions around the globe. This year, for the first time, the UN Millennium Campaign has partnered with Skype and Ustream, a unique partnership that will bridge technologies in order to connect the world in conversation about the most important issues facing our generation. We have gathered an interesting array of high profile speakers to participating in a 30 minute conversation with ordinary citizens around the world to discuss poverty and its root causes. So far we have had Angelique Kidjo speaking with youth in Uganda about education, Femi Kuti talking with school children in Kenya about poverty, Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives discussing with Italian Parliamentarian Mario Barbi high level relief strategies, and Mary Robinson speaking with Dalit youth in India about the MDGs as human rights. These talks have been inspiring to say the least and have helped identify ways we as a global society can all work together to end poverty.

Tomorrow ordinary New Yorkers will speak to Kenyan school children from G-STAR’s store in New York City, and the actor Tyson Beckford will be there. Viewers are encouraged to start their own conversations about poverty and its root causes on these powerful social networking platforms.

For more details and to watch and participate in the conversations live visit http://facebook.com/mcampaign. Media wishing to view or embed the live conversations can visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stand-up-against-poverty and media wishing to download and broadcast the clips after the conversations have occurred should use http://ustream.tv/UNcampaign.

The Millennium Development Goals are an eight-point road map with measurable targets and clear deadlines for improving the lives of the worlds poorest people. World leaders have agreed to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

For more information about the Millennium Development Goals go to the website, http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/.

Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop on Washington

Mark Levine is on the Leslie Marshall Show today talking about the Gay Rights March and Congressman Barney Frank’s comment that “the only thing the marchers are putting pressure on is the grass.”

According to Levine, “We march to approve four laws:  to work, to marry, to serve our country, and to be free from violence.  These are conservative, mainstream American values…if conservatives only weren’t too bigoted to see that.”

Click here to listen to this podcast.

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The Inside Scoop is nationally syndicated on the Head-On Radio Network and iTunes. The show can be heard on radio weekdays, 5-6 pm Eastern, and can be seen on television Monday 7-8 pm Eastern.

Since June 2003, Mark Levine has given listeners The Inside Scoop from political players inside the Beltway – news that the Media almost never reports and those in power in the Government do not want you to know about. Mark welcomes all during his talk radio hour, and he particularly values calls from folks who disagree with him.

Visit Radio Inside Scoop.com to access more information and additional podcast shows.

Professor M S Swaminathan has been acclaimed by TIME magazine as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century and one of the only three from India, the other two being Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. He has been described by the United Nations Environment Program as “the Father of Economic Ecology” and by Javier Perez de Cuellar, past Secretary General of the United Nations, as “a living legend who will go into the annals of history as a world scientist of rare distinction”. (more…)

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Kenneth R. Timmerman a contributing editor to www.Newsmax.com about the future of America’s involvement in Afghanistan; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on the Republican civil war that has erupted over the special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District; And, Dr. Paul Kengor from the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College has an American Radio Journal commentary on President Barack Obama and the Nobel Prize.

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American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

The following podcast is brought to you courtesy of A World of Possibilities and The Mainstream Media Project.

A disputed election, street demonstrations, open dissent from founding fathers of the Islamic Republic, brutal repression, revelations of a nuclear enrichment plant… Events that would have seemed unthinkable just months ago are now daily news. When candidate Barack Obama pledged to open unconditional negotiations with Iran, he could hardly have imagined they would take place in such a minefield. Located in one of the world’s most volatile regions, Iran is bordered by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s also an oil superpower and a key player in regional and now global politics. Nuclear negotiations with Iran must take into account relations with Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the European Union. No one said this would be easy. But is it even possible?
With hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-installed as president of the Islamic Republic, what options, if any, remain for the U.S. to move forward with Iran? We’ll hear from both Iranian and American analysts about the possibilities and perils of nuclear negotiations.

Guests:

This program was funded by The Ploughshares Fund

Duration: 55:00 minutes

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop on Washington

Mark Levine debates Republican strategist Mike Lane on several topics.

- Iran
- Afghanistan and Counter-Insurgency Strategy
- Health Insurance Reform (including the “Mark Levine One-Sentence Solution to Health Reform”)
- The Economy
- The Pending Supreme Court Case on Whether to Allow Corporations to Fund Political Campaigns

Click here to listen to this podcast.

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The Inside Scoop is nationally syndicated on the Head-On Radio Network and iTunes. The show can be heard on radio weekdays, 5-6 pm Eastern, and can be seen on television Monday 7-8 pm Eastern.

Since June 2003, Mark Levine has given listeners The Inside Scoop from political players inside the Beltway – news that the Media almost never reports and those in power in the Government do not want you to know about. Mark welcomes all during his talk radio hour, and he particularly values calls from folks who disagree with him.

Visit Radio Inside Scoop.com to access more information and additional podcast shows.

President Obama, in his weekly address to the nation, praised past and current political leaders from across the spectrum who have come forward to support reform. Doctors, nurses, hospitals, and drug companies have already expressed their support.

“The historic movement to bring real, meaningful health insurance reform to the American people gathered momentum this week as we approach the final days of this debate. Having worked on this issue for the better part of a year, the Senate Finance Committee is finishing deliberations on their version of a health insurance reform bill that will soon be merged with other reform bills produced by other Congressional committees.

After evaluating the Finance Committee’s bill, the Congressional Budget Office – an office that provides independent, nonpartisan analysis – concluded that the legislation would make coverage affordable for millions of Americans who don’t have it today. It will bring greater security to Americans who have coverage, with new insurance protections. And, by attacking waste and fraud within the system, it will slow the growth in health care costs, without adding a dime to our deficits.

This is another milestone on what has been a long, hard road toward health insurance reform. In recent months, we’ve heard every side of every argument from both sides of the aisle. And rightly so – health insurance reform is a complex and critical issue that deserves a vigorous national debate, and we’ve had one. The approach that is emerging includes the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats, and people across the political spectrum. (more…)

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel talks about the stunning and unexpected announcement that President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.  They talk about whether this huge award might help him or hurt him in the long run and about what this may mean for the war in Afghanistan.  Comparisons to the Vietnam war are discussed.

The panel also talks about the Senate Finance Committee bringing the health care bill to a vote soon.  They talk about how the Baucus bill will be paid for and they talk about how the Senate and the House bills will be made into a final bill.  They also talk about the possible penalties that will be imposed on those who do not choose health care programs.  The debate is very lively.

Lastly, the panel talks about the dollar being down against world currencies.  The Asian countries seem to be the only ones interested in keeping the dollar strong.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right,  Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and  Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere is away.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

Click here to read the Washington Post article on President Obama and Afghanistan.

Click here to read the N.Y. Times article about the world reaction to President Obama winning the Nobel Price for Peace.

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with James Lakely of the Heartland Institute about how “Net Neutrality” will result in government regulation of the internet; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on the budget deficit and the latest on health care reform; And, Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring, USA has an American Radio Journal commentary on a rule change requiring Congress to post bills on the internet for 72 hours before voting on them.

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American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

Professor M S Swaminathan has been acclaimed by TIME magazine as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century and one of the only three from India, the other two being Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. He has been described by the United Nations Environment Program as “the Father of Economic Ecology” and by Javier Perez de Cuellar, past Secretary General of the United Nations, as “a living legend who will go into the annals of history as a world scientist of rare distinction”.

A plant geneticist by training, Professor Swaminathan’s contributions to the agricultural renaissance of India have led to his being widely referred to as the scientific leader of the green revolution movement. His advocacy of sustainable agriculture leading to an ever-green revolution makes him an acknowledged world leader in the field of sustainable food security. The International Association of Women and Development conferred on him the first international award for significant contributions to promoting the knowledge, skill, and technological empowerment of women in agriculture and for his pioneering role in mainstreaming gender considerations in agriculture and rural development. Professor Swaminathan was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1971, the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986, and the first World Food Prize in 1987.

Professor Swaminathan is a Fellow of many of the leading scientific academies of India and the world, including the Royal Society of London and the U S National Academy of Sciences. He has received 58 honorary doctorate degrees from universities around the world. He currently holds the UNESCO Chair in Ecotechnology at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai (Madras), India. (more…)