The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Professor and author of Crowds and Party Jodi Dean explains how individualism undermines modern organizing. Why the problem is bigger than neoliberalism. The left and discipline. How we can have collective politics and why we need it. The distinction between liberalism and the left from the perspective of political theory. Is the individual a fiction? How Capitalism relies on the myth of the individual. What are crowds and why they matter. How the left can and should push the crowd. Do we need a Communist Party? Why the real Left does exist and the Bernie Sanders opportunity. (9:15)

On The Fun Half: Donald Trump loves the "poorly educated". Why the Republicans can't stop Trump. Why the MSM still does not get it. A Nevada Caucus crowd blows off Glenn Beck for Donald Trump. Alex Jones thinks Trump is in danger and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 02-24-16-Jodi_Dean-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

On today’s show journalist Bill Fletcher Jr. (@BillFletcherJr) joins us to discuss his most recent piece in the Jacobin Bernie and the Movement. How does Bernie’s campaign fit into building a larger movement for the future. Comparisons with the Jesse Jackson “Rainbow Coalition” campaign. Bernie as “movement-exciter” rather than “Bernie-creator.” Jackson’s relationship with the Democratic establishment. The fact that elections focussed on individuals do not necessarily lead to ongoing movements. The difference in the political environment the Jackson and Sanders campaign. How to bridge between Sanders’ rhetoric and policies: energizing the base. Hillary Clinton’s fluency in discussing racial politics. The importance of electoral, mass movements, and legal considerations in winning power for progressive people. (5:30)

On the Fun Half: Gerrymandering, the Movement for Bernie, Ben Carson is obstinate on Bill O'Reilly, why Baby Boomers don’t get Bernie, and your calls and IMs. 

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Direct download: 02-23-16-Bill_Fletcher_jr-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

Huffington Post's Senior Political Editor Sam Stein joins us to discuss his new podcast, Candidate Confessional, and the 2016 race. Jeb drops out. Why the hesitation by the GOP establishment to fall behind Marco Rubio? What’s up with Marco’s medical and birth history? What to make of the Nevada results for Bernie and Hillary. (10:00)

Sam discusses the primaries: what to make of the turnout and demographic trends.

On the Fun Half: The super delegates issue as a red herring. Who is more attractive to independents between Hillary and the GOP candidates? A call for the legalization of drugs. The virtue of the Bernie Sanders campaign when it comes to highlighting issues. What to make of Krugman’s assertion Bernie’s is engaging in “voodoo economics.” The “no free lunch” arguments coming from establishment Dems.

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Direct download: 02-22-16-Sam_Stein-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:54pm EDT

Robert Smigel on Triumph and insult comedy in 2016. Mocking the left vs mocking the right. On comedy's relationship with social progress. The bias-free language guide. On working with Hulu. The beauty of covering the presidential primaries. On the abilities technology gives to creative people. Robert's perspective on the Donald Trump phenomenon. (6:00)

Lily Geismer, author of Don't Blame Us: Suburban Liberals and the Transformation of the Democratic Party on her Jacobin piece "Atari Democrats." The McGovern campaign and the shift from labor to white-collar professionals. The "Massachusetts Miracle." The "creative class," and wine and beer tracks. The apparent impossibility of change within the Democratic establishment. (42:30)

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Direct download: 2-19-16-Robert_Smigel-Lily_Geismer-MEM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee is on to discuss the PCCC's success in getting a pledge from Hillary Clinton to not cut social security. Adam's appearance on Fox & Friends. The media/campaign strategy behind the timing of the pledge challenge. The theory of change employed by the PCCC. Hillary's attempts to muddy the waters on issues like the social security cap. Presidential Appointments Matter: The new push to have the candidates give specific examples of people they would consider for key posts standing up to Wall Street power. (9:00)

Informationer - Nixon and the Pentagon Papers (28:00)

On Saturday, June 12th, 1971, President Nixon enjoyed one of his happiest days in the White House, celebrating the wedding of his daughter Tricia in the Rose Garden. A little after noon the following day, he received a call from his deputy National Security advisor Al Haig informing him of the Pentagon Papers leak, a major blow to the already unpopular Vietnam War.

Three calls included:

1. Deputy NSA Advisor Al Haig and Nixon, 6/13/71. (WHT 005-050)

2. Domestic Advisor John Ehrlichman the following day (WHT 005-068). Ehrlichman tells Nixon to send a warning to the NYT, advises him to call Attorney General John Mitchell who is anxious to do so.

3. Minutes later, Nixon calls Mitchell. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger joins the call as well. (WHT 005-070)

Music: "Holes" by Mercury Rev

FOR MEMBERS: 7/6/2005 - Sam is joined by Slate Supreme Court reporter Dahlia Lithwick to discuss Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation, the politicization of the Supreme Court, Roe v Wade, judicial activism, Robert Bork, and John Roberts. 

 

 

Direct download: 2-18-16-Adam_Green-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am EDT

Lester Spence, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of Knocking the Hustle: Against the Neoliberal Turn in Black PoliticsWhat is Neoliberalism? Jay-Z's "I'm not a business man, I am a business, man." The history of the term "hustle." How do the effects of neoliberalism change across racial lines? The "prosperity gospel." (8:40)

Hustle as theft of labor. Creflo Dollar. What is the ongoing conversation about this within black intellectual circles. The neglect of considerations of political economy. The growing activity within black intellectual discourse. The cultural turn against political economy. Class bifurcation within identity politics. (21:00)

Critiques of Cornel West's "Race Matters," and Barack Obama's "My Brother's Keeper." Michael Nutter's troublesome reaction to Problems as mayor of Philadelphia. The importance of speaking truth to power. A critique of David Harvey's views on Neoliberalism neglecting race. Racialized populations as the locus for the neoliberal turn. Racial resentment in policy. (29:10)

And for members: June 16, 2005, Sam has then-Congressman Bernie Sanders on to discuss his amendment blocking Patriot Act surveillance.

Direct download: 2-17-16-Lester_Spence-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:56am EDT

On today's show Benjamin Dixon, host of the Benjamin Dixon Show, joins us to discuss the GOP's brawl of a debate in South Carolina (11:30), approaching Bernie Sanders as a black voter (23:30), and the developing conversation on class in America (32:00).

On the Fun Half - Scalia's death, "constitutionalism," Donald Trump says we were lied into Iraq, and your calls and IMs! 

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Direct download: 02-15-16-Benjamin_Dixon-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:13pm EDT

Ian Millhiser joins Sam for a special episode to discuss the legal and political ramifications of the death of Antonin Scalia.

For Members: Foreshadowing the current GOP dumpster fire, Glenn Greenwald joined Sam and Janeane a decade ago on February 12, 2006 to discuss the ideological rift forming in the GOP.

Direct download: 02-15-16-Ian_Millhiser-Scalia-Special-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

Cliff Schecter reflects on how disheartening the 2008 Democratic Primary. Sam and Cliff gloat about the failure of Chris Christie. Chris Christie a failure of media vetting. Why Christie is the worst. Why John Kasich is a radical right and anti women candidate. Why the Republicans Party is all about resentment. Marco Rubio implodes and Sam and Michael called it. Who won the Hillary Bernie debate? How Clinton can sharpen her message.

Marc Maron joins us possibly from his bathroom. Maron describes the new phones set up in his house in anticipation of Obama's visit. Was 2015 the best year of Marc Maron's life? Maron reflects on the experience of getting somewhere. Will Sam and Marc ever work together again? Tension with Joe Rogan? Maron's resentments and how Marc relates to Bernie Sanders.

Hillary Clinton's confused foreign policy stance and your IMs.

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Direct download: 02-12-16-Cliff_Schecter-Marc_Maron-MEM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:31pm EDT

Jennifer Mittelstadt an Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University and author of The Rise of the Military Welfare State explains the social welfare state of the United States Military. The end of the draft and the free market makeover of the military. How the draft became politically impossible at the end of the Vietnam era. The challenges of a all volunteer military service. (10:10)

General Westmoreland and Milton Freidman debate the draft. The growth of Military benefits and the difference between the all volunteer army and the GI era. The class and gender dimensions of the military welfare state. The United States and the social welfare state. How social welfare is a military comparative advantage and how the Military hid the nature of its welfare state. (22:00)

On The Fun Half: Jeb Bush told to stop talking at Rotary Rotary luncheon. Voter disenfranchisement and the Democratic primary. Bernie Sanders and the African American vote. Ted Cruz launches a shrewd attack on Donald Trump. Alex Jones liberal women love Jihadis. One last occupier in Oregon threatens to kill himself and your calls and IMs.

Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming a MEMBER. You can also show your support by clicking thru to the DONATE button for a one-time donation. Thanks!

Direct download: 02-11-16-Jennifer_Mittelstadt-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51pm EDT