Marshall Steinbaum (@Econ_Marshall), the Research Director & Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute joins us to detail the demise of Sears and explain the state in our current financial system. Steinbaum lays out how the wealthiest parties in the economy use their legal standing to maximize profits at the expense of the company's financial health. At the heart of the Sears bankruptcy is the company's CEO Eddie Lampert. Lampert loaded debt onto the foundational parts of Sears' business while spinning off the corporation's most profitable pieces to his own hedge funds when the bills came due. This financial business model has grown over the past several decades as judicial interpretations have loosened antitrust laws, allowing corporations to be increasingly profitable for a smaller and smaller class of shareholders. Steinbaum and Sam also discuss Amazon's big PR push for $15 an hour raise and why third-party contracted workers may not receive the newly raised salary.

And in the Fun Half: Sam's disappointing softball stats, Ralph Nader is open to Bloomberg 2020, How Sam should debate Charlie Kirk, Scott Walker wants to gut the ACA but has a family with preexisting conditions, NY WFP gives its line to Cuomo, Eddie Glaude explains how "Campus Free Speech" is a conservative cottage industry, the racist TPUSA chapter at FIU, how does a Sanders campaign differ from a Warren campaign, Patriot Prayer and the gun cache in Portland, a caller describes working for Alex Jones, how Eddie Lampert is also taking Sears Canada for ride, Florida races will come down to the wire, plus your calls and IMs!

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Author Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) joins us to discuss his new book, A History of America in Ten Strikes.

On today's show: Elizabeth Warren takes DNA test, finds she has some Native American ancestry; Trump refuses to pay up.

Erik Loomis (@ErikLoomis) joins us to discuss his new book, A History of America in Ten Strikes. Why organized labor must oppose racism and sexism if it is going to succeed. What's happened in the past when (white) workers chose race over class, particularly in the south. How a sympathetic (or at least neutral) government can play a role in labor victories. The Democratic Party's spotty history with labor and why Loomis believes labor progressives can, and should, take over the Democratic Party now. Some important strikes in history.

On the fun half: Fox News' twisted take on Antifa and the Proud Boys' conflict in NYC. Gavin McInnes on why violence is the answer. Trump's primary regret so far? How badly the press has treated him. Trump says 60 Minutes' fact-checking doesn't matter: "I'm president, you're not." CNN focus group of independent voters calls Trump a dictator.  Larry Kudlow says UN scientists "overestimate" on climate change. Marco Rubio says he won't 'destroy our economy' for climate change. ND support for Heitkamp increases among soybean farmers hurt by Trump's tariffs on China. A call from the Mooch! Dave in Jamaica questions the intelligence/character of CNN's independent voters; Jamie agrees, exhorts the Democrats not to center them. An update on the sex abuse scandal in the PA Catholic church. Racist white woman ("Cornerstone Caroline") accuses black child of groping her in a store. A caller explains why his dad voted Obama 2x, then swung to Trump.

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Heather “Digby” Parton (@digby56) and Film Guy Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) join us.

On today's show: Michigan GOP governor is a creep in found 1989 TV interview.

Digby a.k.a. Heather Parton, of Salon.com and Hullabaloo, joins us to break down the news from Washington. Turkey has video of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The economic ties that keep the White House from holding the Saudi government responsible. Brett Kavanaugh as reactionary activist judge. Chuck Schumer's failed leadership. Trump's court packing as existential threat to the Democrats.

Matthew "Film Guy" Weiss (@langdonboom) joins us to talk movies. Today's pick: Okja (2017), from Bong Joon-ho (director of Snowpiercer), is a heartwrenching action-adventure factory farm dystopia. The crew talks compassion for animals, Sam's brief stint on the Atkins diet, and how Matthew's new low-meat lifestyle has helped him lose weight and feel good!

On the fun half: Paul Ryan brazenly lies about Medicare-for-all. Is compulsory voting a good idea? Melania Trump: "I'm the most bullied person on the world." Jeff Flake wants Trump primaried so we can return to "real conservative values." Steve Mnuchin going to Saudi Arabia despite Khashoggi disappearance, says Saudis have been a "good partner." DHS coerces 5-year-old girl from Honduras to sign away her rights.

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Eric Levitz (@EricLevitz) of New York Magazine joins Michael to discuss his latest piece on conservative outrage and militarism, "Republicans: Protesters Are an Unruly Mob — Unless They’re Heavily Armed and Support Us."

On today's show: TV shrink Gina Loudon says she has learned to trust Donald Trump.

Eric Levitz, staff writer at New York Magazine, joins us to discuss his latest piece, "Republicans: Protesters Are an Unruly Mob — Unless They’re Heavily Armed and Support Us." In it, he argues that the GOP's attacks on anti-Kavanaugh protesters are rooted in (authoritarian) principle that dictates only conservatives can wield dissent properly. When progressives — particularly POC — do it, it's a "scary mob." Levitz's take on Eric Holder's statement: "when they go low, we kick them. That's what this new Democratic Party is about." How the Clintons triangulated on issues of race. What's changed since the '90s to allow for a new kind of politics.

On the fun half: How important a quality is "viability" in a Democratic candidate? More discussion of Bernie 2020. Voter suppression in FL and GA. Trump says there wouldn't be a Saudi Arabia without the US. Donald Trump says he has spoken with the Saudis about the "very bad" disappearance of Khasshogi. Dissident Peasant on racist voter ID laws in GA. (Vote Stacey Abrams!) Jordan Peterson explains the wonders of a meat only diet to Dr. Oz. Laura Ingraham rewrites history, lies about Trump's neo-Nazi Charlottesville comments. Trump says Bernie's Medicare-for-all plan will raise Americans' taxes by 400%.

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On today's show: Trump wants to know who "drew" the IPCC report. How the GOP is suppressing the voting rights of Native Americans in ND. Ford lays off 20% of workforce due to Trump's tariffs. Trump at Iowa rally warns of the Democrat "left wing mob" ahead of midterms, implies Feinstein leaked Blasey Ford letter; crowd chants "lock her up!" Rand Paul frets over the current political climate, says he fears the left will assassinate someone, tweeted very recently about the right to take up arms against the government. Kellyanne Conway says it's Democrats like Hillary Clinton who are violent and uncivil. Related: GOP still trying to murder people via healthcare policy.

On the fun half: Rand Paul gets under Brian Kilmeade's skin re: endless war in the Middle East. A caller wonders if voters are inclined to act in favor of the status quo (no). A caller defends nuclear power. Trump says he hopes the Jamal Khashoggi (disappeared journalist in Saudi Arabia) situation will sort itself out. Thomas Friedman writes bad, possibly dangerous take on MBS and Khashoggi. Jeff in GA a.k.a. Dissident Peasant has a novel idea about using ice floes to dispose of the ruling class.

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New York Magazine's David Wallace-Wells, (@dwallacewells) joins us to discuss the new IPCC report on the acceleration of the climate crisis. Read his piece, "How Did the End of the World Become Old News?"

On today's show: Nikki Haley out at UN, claims the world now respects US power.

David Wallace-Wells, deputy editor of New York Magazine, joins us to discuss his piece on climate change, "How Did the End of the World Become Old News?" In this piece, Wallace-Wells goes over scientific findings on the scope and immediacy of a climate change crisis. This crisis will impact many areas of human life: Some cities will literally be too hot to live in, the world's grain production will drop, conflict will rise, and the GDP will decrease. We have the technology to totally green the economy, but that option is politically impossible even in the US, and would only work if the whole world did it. While he has no definitive answers, Wallace-Wells offers alarming ways to frame the issue to make the average person care. Post-interview, Jamie gives her reasoning for why there's no way to solve this problem under global capitalism.

On the fun half: Joe Rogan's alt-right following. Will the Kavanaugh appointment make liberals stop rehabilitating figures like GWB? Jacob Soboroff asks UC Davis students if they're voting...they're probably not. Trump says he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25% less" than he did before she told fans to vote for Democrats. Sebastian Gorka claims the left has "normalized violence in America in the last two years." Kavanaugh pledges to be "independent and impartial," immediately drags his haters. A caller reminds folks in New York's 22nd district to vote Anthony Brindisi for Congress. Richard Linklater made a TX Senate race ad that asks: "Is Ted Cruz tough as Texas?" Trump apologizes to Kavanaugh's family for "terrible pain and suffering."

Today is the last day to register to vote in time for the midterms, so everyone please remember to get registered!

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Good morning on today's show, Carol Anderson, (@ProfCAnderson) the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University and author of One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy joins us.

Carol Anderson's One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy explores the history of voting and its struggle to make democracy real through the 15th amendment. Anderson examines previous examples of voter suppression like the poll tax and literacy test in the 19th century as points where black voters and poor voters were kept from the polls in southern states. In modern times, voter ID laws have become the hot legislation to disenfranchise citizens from voting. Anderson cites Indiana's 2005 voter ID law as a particularly absurd measure which was enacted in a state that had never charged a citizen with voter fraud. Anderson argues that the 14th and 15th amendment have been stripped of their legal protections by cases brought to the Supreme Court. Anderson argues that Reagan's southern strategy and the migration of the Dixiecrats to the Republican party helped drive the GOP further to the right and are now doubling down on a white ethnic identity party funded by special corporate interest. So what's next? Anderson insists that non-partisan redistricting commissions come to the forefront, beyond that we must elect politicians whose commitment to the Voting Rights Act is unquestionable.

And in the Fun Half: Climate catastrophe, Brett Stephens' bad faith climate argument, fascist regimes will fail to protect their constituents, the Teamster UPS contract dispute, Michael goes in on the idea of "anti-corruption" political campaigns citing last night's election in Brazil, Mitch McConnell's career dedication to the ultra-elite is unmatched in American history, Orin Hatch dismisses female protestors in the most unsavory way, it's Dinesh Dsouza revisionist history hours on Fox & Friends, Taylor Swift is voting Democratic and Charlie Kirk is crushed, plus your calls and IMs!

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Sam is live from the Mass Torts conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Sam speaks with David Pakman (@dpakman), host of the David Pakman Show, live from the Mass Torts Conference in Las Vegas. Sam and David break down the ins and outs of how the Kavanaugh vote could go. Does the left, broadly speaking, need to be more aware of the judiciary branch? And what does that actually mean in practice? Also: The new NAFTA is a real mixed bag for workers.

Sam speaks with lawyer Michael Berg about his work representing victims of gas explosions: How our crumbling infrastructure contributes to the problem, how gas companies are committing malfeasance, and what Berg and his clients are doing to fight back.

Sam speaks with Bobby Kennedy about his work holding Monsanto accountable for exposing people to pesticides that cause cancer, particularly lymphoma. In addition to outlining his current work, Kennedy gives some history of Monsanto's crimes in the name of profit, stretching back to its current parent company IG Farben.

On the fun half: Chuck Grassley and Maria Bartiromo wonder if George Soros is behind the Kavanaugh protests, Trump tweets about it 80 minutes later. Rep. Louis Gohmert goes Nazi on George Soros, the Democratic Party. A sex worker and DACA recipient calls in to give her perspective on SESTA/FOSTA and how these laws will hurt both sex workers and trafficking victims. Trump has toilet paper stuck to his shoe as he boards AF1 for MN rally. Generation Forward poll finds millennials favor socialism over capitalism, especially millennial POC. DCCC ad takes on tax breaks for the wealthy. Another ad encourages young people to vote for Democrats to own the olds. The Yankees cross a hotel strike picket line in Boston.

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Good morning everyone, on today's show, Sam reports from the Torts conference in Las Vegas. For those new to the MR family, a brief explainer: Sam heads twice a year to the Mass Torts Conference in Las Vegas and gives an inside look into the biggest legal battles against America's worst corporate actors.

Sam sits down with attorney Jeff Gaddy from Levin Papantonio to discuss the status of the multi-state Opioid lawsuit and how lawyers are using similar tactics those used in the Big Tobacco lawsuit of the 80s. Sam is then joined by Steve Babin an attorney with Chapin Legal Group who is engaged in an interesting work wage lawsuit defending exotic dancers in Ohio looking to win dancers backpay for years of dubious independent contracting and indefensible wages.  Attorney Becca Timmons explains how SESTA-FOSTA legislation is both trying to hold tech companies accountable for human trafficking but is simultaneously driving sex workers to the dark web. Sam then interviews attorney Daniel Nigh about his lawsuit against Valsartan which has been recalled for having NDNA in it, a compound found in jet fuel, and how corporations too often make the decision that allows tainted products to reach consumers.

And in the Fun Half: demoralizing polling for Democrats in the wake of the Kavanaugh investigation, why we need greater female representation in government, Heidi Heitkamp is a No on Kavanaugh, Devin Nunes' illegal immigrant farmers, Americans in Brazil have the worst of both political worlds.

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Meagan Day, staff writer at Jacobin Magazine, joins the Majority Report to discuss her piece, "The Banality of Brett Kavanaugh."

On today's show: Trump mocks Christine Blasey Ford: "I don't remember."

Meagan Day, staff writer at Jacobin Magazine, joins us to discuss her piece in Jacobin, "The Banality of Brett Kavanaugh." After his unhinged testimony, casual perjury, and completely unremarkable hearings about his judicial record, Brett Kavanaugh has revealed himself to be the poster boy for Unremarkable White Men. In this piece, Day explores how this nomination fight spotlights the American myth of the meritocracy, and how that idea is used to justify massive inequality. From Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, to the rise of Trump, to incompetence in Democratic Party leadership, recent events reveal the crumbling edifice of American meritocracy and the resultant rise of a populist impulse that could be used for good or ill. Also: in her piece "Austerity By Paperwork," Day explores how conservative politicians are limiting access to social safety net benefits like Medicaid by making it increasingly difficult to qualify, or even apply. The answer: universal programs.

On the fun half: Was DSA being "just like Jimmy Dore" when they released their statement on AOC endorsing Cuomo? Danny Glover films PSA in support of Lula. A caller on what we can learn from Mao Zedong and other flawed communist leaders. Amazon's Alexa schools Stephen Crowder on socialism, shows herself to be a crazy SJW liberal. News report shows DHS was unprepared to deal with family separation policy, resulting in horrible conditions for detainees. Amazon workers celebrate news of new $15/hour minimum wage for all US workers. Is "dum dum" left a bad term? A story from an elite all-boys summer camp. Numerous potential sources say the FBI has not contacted them in Kavanaugh investigation.

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