The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, explained the chances of gun control passing through the Senate, why he opposes chained CPI, why we need more revenue to close the budget gap, why House Republicans will own the sequester and why Senator Whitehouse thinks filibuster the reforms agreed to by the Senate leadership are significant.

Insurance industry Whistle blower Wendell Potter explained how insurance companies are planning on ruining Obamacare's health care exchanges, how the insurance industries profit from selling high premium low benefit policies, what health care reform got right, why the federal government does not have the power to control rate increases, why Obamacare is the end of the beginning of reform and how industry favors get into Congressional bills.

Ari Rabin-Havt, co-host of The Agenda, explained what happened with filibuster reform, why the Senate will probably run a bit better, why progressives may be well positioned, the three groups in the House Republican Caucus and why Republicans are terrified of negotiating.

On The Better Half: top executives at bailed out firms receive government approved bonuses, more thoughts on filibuster reform, Tennessee pushes "don't say Gay bill", law school applications plummet and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 01-31-13-Senator_Whitehouse-Wendell_Potter-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

Investigative report, Will Potter explained why the FBI is monitoring non-violent activists, how corporations created the eco-terror scare, Will's own experience being harassed by FBI agents for passing out leaflets and who the major corporations behind environmental group targeting.

On The Better Half: what's really happening with today's GDP numbers, Gabby Giffords moving Senate testimony, Sam talks with an undocumented immigrant protected by President Obama's deferred action order and Fox News ratings lowest since 2001.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!  

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Direct download: 01-30-13-Will_Potter-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:59pm EDT

David Brooks has delusional hopes for the Republican Party, Senate leaders unveil an immigration plan, as immigration reform moves forward, Rush sounds more and more depressed, Fox News, oppressed by President Obama?!, new studies destroy right wing myths about Hispanic immigration and Sarah Palin from irrelevance to oblivion.

On The Better Half: how Boeings anti-union policies grounded the Dreamliner Jet, why its so hard to unionize, the latest on the NLRB ruling, Random Rush and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 01-29-13-Sam_Seder_Immigration-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Author, Arthur Goldwag, explained the history of conspiracy culture on the right, the two fears that drive conservative conspiracy culture, the enduring importance of the Protocols Of The Elders of Zion in conspiracy culture, he global distribution of conspiracies, how mainstream Right-wing organizations use conspiracy theories and the dangerous mix of rising inequality and conspiracy culture.

On The Better Half: new Senate immigration reform proposal ultra right-wing circuit court rules Obama recess appointments to NLRB are unconstitutional, why Filibuster reform faltered in the Senate and a callerdebates gun control in New York state.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 01-28-13-Arthur_Goldwag-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Cliff Schecter, eviscerated the Senate Democrats for backing down on Filibuster reform,  explained the selfishness of the Senate, Rand Paul's absurd questioning of Hillary Clinton during the Benghazi hearings, why those hearings are preview of 2016 if Hillary runs, the new rhetorical stance from Democrats, and Republicans facing electoral oblivion aggressively push new policies to steal elections.

And Film guy, Matthew Weiss, recommended the movie Compliance, called out Isabel Gillies for picking a Justin Beiber movie and Sam promised that Gillies V Weiss 2 is coming up soon.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 1-25-13-Cliff_Schecter-Film_Guy_Matthew-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT

Former New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, explained the new Frontline documentary Thr Untouchables, why the Obama Administration failed to prosecute fraud on Wall Street, why the Justice Department did not aggressively investigate fraud across the financial industry, the resignation of Lanny Breuer  why paying fines will not solve the problem of crime on Wall Street, Obama's good choice for the new head of the SEC and the need for justice to be more creative and structural .

On The Better Half: Libertarian caller wanted to debate Reaganomics, new hilarious revelations from the Bachman campaign, will the Obama Administration get serious on emissions? And Catholic hospitalises think differently about abortion when money is on the line.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 01-24-13-Eliot_Spitzer-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:43pm EDT

Talking Points Memo's Senior Congressional Correspondent, Brian Beutler explained the chances of substantive filibuster reform passing the senate, the importance of a talking Filibuster, the more aggressive approach of Senate Democrats, what the Republicans cave on the debt ceiling means, what their long term strategy is, what cuts mean for domestic spending? and is the "grand bargain" project over?

On The Better Half: Is Brian Kilmeade really that stupid or is he a method actor? Pew polls show Millenials are liberal, the Sierra Club will engage in civil disobedience for the first time in its history and when the public sector out performs the private sector,

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!  

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Direct download: 01-23-13-Brian_Beutler-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

Sam's responded to Obama's second inaugural, praised the President's strong rhetorical defense of the social safety net and his aggressive approach on Gay rights and climate change and thought the country will be better if Obama lives up to his rhetoric.

Professor,Tacy Weitz, explained the state level assault on Abortion rights, the connection between anti abortion activism and elite economic policies, what really motivates the fight against abortion rights, and grounding abortion rights in broader progressive politics.

On The Better Half: Virginia Republicans use the inauguration day to make a stunningly cynical voter disenfranchisement bill law, what the Republican retreat on the debt ceiling means, and Random Rush.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 01-22-13-Tracy_Weitz-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:44pm EDT

Happy MLK Jr. Day. Today’s show is a brief compilation of clips including excerpts from "The Frank McGee Sunday Report: Martin Luther King Profile," NBC News, May 7, 1967, followed by a brief excerpt from a speech at Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1967. Then extended excerpts of a MLK sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 30, 1967, then the CBS evening news with Walter Cronkite reporting on the assassination on  4-4-68 and finally, Nina Simone singing “Why?” recorded live three days after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Members will also hear MLK's last speech

'Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution" delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968

Direct download: 01-21-2013-MLK_Day_Compilation-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:39pm EDT

Cliff Schecter talked about the importance of holding Democrats accountable on guns, the right wing fixation on guns, why Democrats are exploiting social wedge issues to their advantage and why demographics and cultural progress favor the Democratic Party

Sam watched Win-Win, Isabel Gillies last recommendation but refused to tell her what he thought of it, Isabel, recommended Justin Beiber's  movie,Never Say Never, Isabel liked Les Miserables and wants us all to watch the Football Playoffs.

And on The Better Half: Glenn Beck's sleazy business model revealed by Beck himself, more thoughts on names for Sam's new baby, Republican election theft schemes, and a new Libertarian challenge.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!  

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Direct download: 01-18-13-Cliff_Schecter-Isabel_Gillies-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

The NRA runs a shockingly offensive ad aimed at President Obama's daughters, what's in Obama's gun control package, the crucial role that universal background checks play in Gun Control, coming automatic budget cuts in domestic spending, will the Republicans blink in their insane push on the debt ceiling, the Republicans new strategy for stealing presidential elections and why "important" people hate Social Security so much.

On The Better Half: Aaron's Law, New York's gun control legislation, Republican Congressman compares Obama to Saddam Hussain and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!  

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Direct download: 01-17-13-Sam_Seder_Obama_Guns-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:05pm EDT

Michael Hastings, explained the disconnect between the intelligence that led to Ben Laden and torture why Zero Dark Thirty embraced the pro torture narrative,the CIA's role in the film production and Michael discussed his new book on the 2012 campaign, "Panic 2012" how Obama won his second term, why Tony Robbins offered to help the Obama campaign after the first debate and the story that Hastings reported that almost got him thrown off the campaign plane.

On The Better Half: Republicans developing anti rape comment pr strategy, but their actual views on rape are horrifying, Scientology doing amazingly well according to paid editorial in the Atlantic, and the Blaze runs a story that is false according to the Blaze, prosecutors were warned that Aaron Swartz was a suicide risk, and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 1-15-13-Michael_Hastings-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Sam remembered and honored the legacy of Aaron Swartz.

Matt Taibbi explained why liberal and conservative lawmakers killed the first TARP bill, the bait and switch that eventually got TARP through Congress, how TARP coddled the banks, why government accepted bonuses and fraudulent accounting, why the to big to fail banks stock prices are still high, why "systemically important" institutions are immune from criminal prosecution and what will the next bubble be?

On The Better Half: We hear from a recovering Libertarian, President Obama plays strong and smart on the debt ceiling, CNBC publishes a stunningly stupid article on income inequality, Pat Robertson morning jock marriage advice and bankers blow up the economy and walk free while Aaron Swartz is targeted.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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: 1-14-13-Matt_Taibbi-PUB1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51pm EDT

1/11/13

Cliff Schecter explained when the right went nuts, the modern infrastructure of the Republican movement, how guns became a social issue, what the White House is considering on Gun Control, how the NRA suppressed evidence on the benefits of Gun Control, and how the right-wing con game works.

Huffington Post's Entertainment Editor, Chris Rosen returned to the show after a long absence, things got a little awkward, Chris gives his Golden Globe predictions  and recommended the movie Bernie streaming on Netflix.

And Georgie Congressman Phil Gingrey, half endorses Tod Akin's rape theory, Sam plays a classic bit from the Break Room Live days and your calls and IMs

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!  

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Direct download: 1-11-13-Cliff_Schecter-Chris_Rosen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:50pm EDT

AlterNet's, Kristen Gwynne, explained the rape of a sixteen girl by members of the Steubenville High School of Football Team, the disgusting details of the rape, did some of the evenings assaults take place in the local prosecutors home? The connection between the Police Department and Steubenville's Football team, Anonymous's role in uncovering new details in the case and the activism that has grown out of the case.

On The Better Half: Joe Scarborough has a bullying meltdown after being called a chauvinist, Libertarian caller does not like car safety features, the Family Research Council's Tony Perkin's hates the "wacky" yoga and mediation classes being offered to the military service members and your calls and IM's.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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: 1-10-13-Kristen_Gwynne-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:27pm EDT

The Guardian's, Glenn Greenwald explained John Brennan's role in the Bush Administration's torture program, how Brennan worked his way into Obama's inner circle, Brennan's history of dishonesty public on national security issues, his role as the architect of the Obama Administration's drone program and why Brennan's nomination in 2013 should be even more controversial than his possible nomination in 2008.

On The Better Half: An epic Libertarian caller! More on light bulbs and Libertarian craziness and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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: 1-9-13-Glenn_Greenwald-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

Producer Matt Binder, calls in from the podcast awards with great news, Republicans demand draconian cuts in exchanging for raising the debt ceiling, but won't say what they want cut, why the platinum coin option could be the smart move on the debt ceiling, and a top IMF economist apologises for underestimating the danger of austerity,

On The Better Half: Alex Jones loses it on Piers Morgan's show and now thinks the Illuminati is after him, Dick Armey's amazingly entertaining break up with FreedomWorks and the conservative art of the con, eight college activists occupy the TransCanada offices in Massachusetts in an action against the Keystone pipeline and Random Rush!

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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: 1-8-13-Sam_Seder_Platinum_Coin-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

Mother Jone's Kevin Drum explained why crime really goes down, what Lead does to the brain, why faddish crime theories don't explain the drop in crime, ways to measure the connection between Lead and crime,  why comparing crime to an epidemic doesn't make sense, and why we need to aggressively clean up Lead across America.

On The Better Half: Obama has a good pick for Secretary Defense and an awful pick for Director of the CIA, why we don't care about torture, more thoughts on Lead, a corporation is my co-pilot, Sam reminisces about his time at Air America and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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: 1-7-13-Kevin_Drum-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Cliff Schecter, talked about Republican hypocrisy on Hurricane Sandy relief, the core lack of compassion and empathy in the Republican Party, Jonathan Alter's obnoxious new piece, phony figures on life expectancy, who really threatened the passage of Health care Reform and what leverage progressives still have over President Obama.

David Cross joined Sam, to talk about his recent marriage, what the new episodes of Arrested Development will be like and recommended the David O Russell, movie, Silver Linings Play Book, which isn't available on Netflix yet.

And more on today's Freebie Friday!

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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: 1-4-13-Cliff_Schecter-David_Cross-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Author, Guy Lawson explained how Mexican Drug Cartels operate in Mexico in the United States, how cartels operate like multinational corporations, how drug prohibition promotes violence, what the HSBC drug money laundering tells us, why its important to pick the right kind of ponzi scheme to operate and the latest news on the "stoner" arms dealers.

And on The Better half: Al Jazeera buys Current, Time Warner drops Current, Sam predicts Republicans won't pay any price for the fiscal deal, Chris Christie talks tough but Sam takes him to task for his ultra right politics, Peter King embarrasses himself yet again and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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: 1-3-13-Guy_Lawson-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

The Huffington Post's, Ryan Grim, explained what was in the fiscal cliff deal, he and Sam wondered if the Democrats really did cave? Will Obama hold firm on the debt ceiling? why Ar Fleicher may not be able to give as much to charity this year and what if anything the bill got right.

On The Better Half: The FBI uncovers Plans to assassinate Occupy leaders? a Republican politician is very angry about all the focus on kwanzaa , Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg's sister does not want her digital privacy violated and a Libertarian takes up the challenge.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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: 1-2-13-Ryan_Grimm-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

On the final Best of 2012, an interview with political scientist Corey Robin on his book, The Reactionary Mind, Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Sarah Palin, How great social movements provoke reaction from the RightAnd economist Richard Wolff, discussed when capitalism fails and what Roosevelt did during the Great Depression.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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: 01-01-13-Best_of_2012-Corey_Robin-Richard_Wolff-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

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