The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites), author of Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World, joins us.

On today's show: Candidate Andrew Gillum talks about climate change while DeSantis looks like his human face is about to melt off in FL gubernatorial debate.

Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites) joins us to discuss his new book, Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World. In this book, the former New York Times columnist explores how global elites' efforts to "change the world" through NGOs and charity work actually just preserve their position atop the hierarchy. Rather than let these elites coast on the fantasy of the meritocracy and an updated form of feudal noblesse oblige, Giridharadas calls on regular people to build mass movements capable of changing the system in ways that get closer to the root causes of inequality.

On the fun half: Tattooed army vet Richard Ojeda takes on corporate polluters in effective WV Congressional campaign ad. Josh from Chicago continues Friday's discussion of race and class. Charlie Kirk flips out at Hasan Piker at Politicon. Sam schools Charlie Kirk on how banks work. How did Cenk Uygur do in his debate against Tucker Carlson? Tucker Carlson says the problem with Khashoggi's death is "ruling class" overreaction. Jared Kushner talks to Van Jones about his advice to MBS. Brenda calls in about Trump's attack on transgender people. Gohmert and Bill Hemmer talk about the migrant caravan being Soros funded. Brian Kilmeade lies about ankle bracelets, says they're largely cut off when there's actually a 99% compliance rate.

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Direct download: 10-22-18-Anand_Ghiridharas-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:23pm EDT

Cliff Schecter (@CliffSchecter) from the UnPresidented podcast joins us.

On today's show: Pompeo says Saudi Arabia should get a few more days for Khashoggi investigation. Cliff Schecter (@CliffSchecter) joins us to discuss the week in news including the fallout from Jamal Khashoggi's murder, Chuck Schumer and the Dems stumbling into the midterms, and the GOP's new take on preexisting conditions. Also: Trump hails body slamming Congressman Greg Gianforte in Montana.

On the fun half: VA House rep Dave Brat tells prison inmates they both got it tough, conflates opponent with Nancy Pelosi. Danny from PA gives an update on the "window of justice" bill that would extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases. Is the Marxist left alienating POC by applying an economic analysis to the rise of right-wing populism? Jason Miller suing Will Menaker of Chapo Trap House for calling him a "rat face baby killer." Tom Friedman is still defending his fawning MBS piece. Jamie hobnobs with AOC.

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Direct download: 10-19-18-Cliff_schecter-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

Jeff Hauser (@jeffhauser) from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) joins the Majority Report to discuss his latest piece in The Hill, "Dems Can Use Subpoena Power to Reclaim the Mantle of Populism." In this piece, Jeff lays out plans for how Democratic representatives in Congress could use their powers of oversight to stand up for regular people by uncovering corruption of all kinds across not only the breadth of the Trump administration, but the economy as a whole. Also: Hauser's take on Chuck Schumer's terrible leadership and what the Democrats would do if they wanted to effectively resist the GOP.

On the fun half: John from San Antonio offers up some topics for Politicon, reminds Sam to give Bernie credit. Dissident Peasant a.k.a. Jeff in GA gets stoked about Stacey Abrams for governor. GA's secretary of state releases voting PSA where they don't even try to hide voter suppression. How likely are the Democrats to make voting rights federal, if/when they take back power? Eric Trump lies about government deficit and debt. Larry Kudlow claims tax revenue is growing, deficit shrinking. Eric Trump claims his family is not in any way invested in Saudi Arabia. YDSA member confronts TP USA coward about racist group chats. Charlie Kirk copies Benny Johnson's misleading Kanye tweet. What is the long-term inoculation against capital rolling back progressive gains in the future? Jamie and Sam debate the role of economics in Trump's rise to power.

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Direct download: 10-18-18-Jeff_Hauser-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:29pm EDT

Tina Vasquez (@TheTinaVasquez) of Rewire.News joins the Majority Report to discuss her latest piece, "Abolish ICE: Beyond a Slogan."

On today's show: Mike Pompeo says "I don't want to talk about any of the facts" re: Khashoggi.

Tina Vasquez, of Rewire.News, joins us to talk about her latest piece, "Abolish ICE: Beyond a Slogan." The 2003 birth of ICE as an agency used to target Muslims after 9/11. How inflated funding enabled ICE to become a paramilitary body. How ICE's activities changed from the Obama years to the Trump years. The web of agencies implicated in terrorizing immigrants and the role played by private prison contractors. What abolishing ICE and ICE-like practices would actually entail, and what should replace it: a community-based alternative to a violent immigration system.

On the fun half: Ted Cruz says it's been a partisan circus since 2016...Beto O'Rourke says "that's funny" given Cruz's record. Beto O'Rourke explains why Trump called Cruz "Lyin' Ted," calls out Cruz's vote for tax break. Lindsey Graham jokes DNA test will reveal he's Iranian — "That would be, like, terrible" — prompting Brian Kilmeade to defend Iranians. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's surprisingly woke tweets and budding connection with Virgil Texas(!) Was Warren's DNA test the wrong move? Josh from Chicago says NY Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins is dead to him because he appeared with Jimmy Dorr. "The Today Show" profiles white nationalist group Identity Evropa. Photo of Gavin McInnes with no beard reveals he has no chin. Tracing Hitchens' political devolution. Black Voters Matter blocked (temporarily) from taking seniors to vote. A caller on Redneck Revolt, gun culture, and self-defense on the left.

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Direct download: 10-17-18-Tina_Vasquez-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-16-18-Marshall_Steinbaum-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:08pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-15-18-Erik_Loomis-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-12-18-Digby_Film_Guy_Matthew-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-11-18-Eric_levitz-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-10-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm EDT

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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Direct download: 10-08-18-David_Wallace_Wells-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm EDT