Showing posts with label More Perfect Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label More Perfect Union. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

The Lincoln Project: Aftermath (video)

"Donald Trump’s plan for America is no secret. Beating Trump this November is the only mission. The Lincoln Project invites you to take a peek at the terrible future Donald Trump would impose on America.

The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization in the United States — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy. Our fight against Trumpism is only beginning. We must combat these forces everywhere and at all times — our democracy depends on it. "

video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpLpOtFNFWg 

Note: As mentioned last week, I generally avoid big party politics. As the election season leading to November 2024 develops, I will share something worthy of conversation so we can maintain a democratic process. It is not perfect, we are working towards a more perfect union, but it could be a whole lot worse. 


Wednesday, June 26, 2024

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 97 - Juneteenth (audio)

In this episode, the group and guest Dr. Kenneth Elmore discuss the history of Juneteenth, what this day means to so many people, the politics around it, how it influences and brings to light certain issues in America, and much more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 96 - Democrats vs Republicans (audio)

In this episode, the group discusses many topics when taking a deep dive into Democrats vs Republicans, such as presidential elections, immigration, bills, and much more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app
Find other wfpr.fm podcasts on the wfpr page ->   https://wfpr.fm/wfpr_v3_011.htm

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

More Perfect Union shares the marginal income tax history from 1913 to 2017

marginal income tax history
marginal income tax history


More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) posted on Mon, Jun 17, 2024:
"Before we had the fake "trickle down" idea we had "make the rich pay high taxes and use that money to help other people." https://t.co/aN7Xe6E1rK



What does More Perfect Union do?
More Perfect Union is a nonprofit education, advocacy, and journalism organization with a mission to build power for the working class. We tell the stories of working class Americans by covering politics, policy, labor, business, and economics news through a class lens. We pair our reporting with activism to win policy fights that support families and the working class.

The organization is made up of More Perfect Union Action (EIN: 85-3190605), a 501(c)(4) organization that covers policy fights, electoral stories, and ballot initiatives to empower the working class within the political process and More Perfect Union Foundation (EIN: 85-3189807), a 501(c)(3) organization that creates educational content, publishes investigative reports on corporate accountability, and advocates for working class issues.   https://perfectunion.us/about/

A recent video shares info on Uber which is likely going to be a ballot question for MA in November ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w5RjuTmztU


Saturday, February 10, 2024

More Perfect Union - WFPR

More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Listen to More Perfect Union on wfpr.fm or 102.9 on  Monday's at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 8 PM

Find all the episodes in your favorite podcast app or https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/

More Perfect Union - WFPR
More Perfect Union - WFPR

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 93 - "Right To Shelter" Law, Maura Healey & Running Out of Room (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the "Right to Shelter" law, Maura Healey's announcement and current state of dwindling shelter in the state of Massachusetts.



Franklin Interfaith Council donation page ->   https://franklininterfaith.org/donations/

Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 90 - The Police Raided A Small Kansas Newspaper (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the Police Raid of a small Kansas newspaper, freedom of the press, the First Amendment and more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 89 - Abortion Banned in Indiana and Trump's Legal Fees (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss a panoply of topics including the anti-abortion legislation in Ohio, the current polarization in Congress and voting, Trump's legal fees & indictments and more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Monday, August 28, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 88 - More Indictments (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the recent indictments against Trump, what he's being called for, what his response has been, how this will (or won't) affect his voter base, the 2024 election and much more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Sunday, August 27, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 87 - The Headlines Coming from Florida and Texas, Rudy Giuliani and Lying (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss Florida and Texas, the backwards policy changes taking place, the stacking of the courts by both parties, the increased polarization in the country, Rudy Giuliani lying and much more.


Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Friday, August 4, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 86 - Discussing The Fourth, Mass Shootings, Regulations, Legislation & more (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss their fourth of July traditions, mass shootings that happened over the weekend, how legislation and regulations help, the other components of this problem, and much more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Monday, July 24, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 85 - The Supreme Court, Ethics, and Independence Day

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the recent decisions made by the Supreme Court in the past weeks, whether these decisions are ethical or not, what it means for the future of America, and how this ties into Independence Day as well as Juneteenth



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 84 - What is Juneteenth? (With Dr. Ken Elmore) (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down with Dr. Ken Elmore, president of Dean College, for a special episode to talk about Juneteenth, what the date signifies, it's recent addition as a recognized U.S. holiday, the important lessons that come with Juneteenth, how African Americans commemorate this day, and much more.


Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong as they conduct a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Franklin TV: Juneteenth – Then and Now

The Story behind the Story.
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 06/18/2023


This is our third celebration of Juneteenth as the nation’s newest federal holiday. It’s happening on Monday, June 19th. How will you celebrate? Good question. Let me suggest that you listen to wfpr.fm online or at 102.9 on your radio.

A More Perfect Union
A More Perfect Union
11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – with Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos
We recorded our program on Friday morning 6/16, and held an enlightening conversation with our roundtable of radio regulars along with our special guest, Dr. Ken Elmore, Dean College President.

The simplistic telling of events for Juneteenth is that it marks the end of slavery. The Union Army’s General Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform the last of the slaves in the region that they were free men. The fuller understanding of that time and events is not so clear cut. The news was suppressed. The entrenched interests of slavery and forces of fear and hate were not so easily eradicated.

We discussed the historical record, the attitudes of the times and the significance of Juneteenth. Then as now, beyond the oppression of slavery, the pernicious forces of systemic racism were also in play – and they continue to this day. True freedom for all was not wrought in an instant through a simple declaration – like flipping on a light switch – et voila – freedom. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery and offers a national moment for reflection and jubilation. However, writ large, it also marks the beginning of a long, painful yet necessary journey toward truly equitable, unfettered freedom – not just for the black community but for all of us. We know the immortalized words – All men are created equal. Juneteenth offers all of us an annual opportunity to listen, learn and live those words.

That’s why our march to truly equitable freedom – and the vigilant, steadfast work to eradicate hate and systemic suppression in all its forms must go on.

Join us on Monday and listen as we delve into the deeper story of Juneteenth. 

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm.
And – as always – thanks for watching.


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   


Saturday, June 3, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 82 - Trump On CNN (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the recent airing of Trump at Town Hall from CNN; why it was a blunder for the network, how other Republicans play into this, how it impacts the upcoming election, the Democrats response, and more...

Audio file -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/more-perfect-union-82-trump-on-cnn


Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 81 - The Debt Ceiling (audio)

In this episode, the group is joined by Frank Falvey to discuss the debt ceiling; why the U.S. continues to borrow and go over budget on its loans, the current debt ceiling standoff, what the government is doing (and isn't) and the dangers this could mean for the future of the U.S. and the dollar.


Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Monday, May 15, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 80 - The Supreme Court, Ethics, Trial Against Trump and Justice

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss a smorgasboard of topics on the Supreme Court and its role in US politics, Ethics, the ongoing trial against former president Donald Trump and the U.S. Justice system.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Franklin TV: The Federal Budget & The Debt Ceiling

Congress holds the purse strings.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/14/2023

This week (Monday 11 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM) we discuss the U.S. Federal Budget on our radio program ‘More Perfect Union’. Dr. Michael Walker-Jones sent a link to this overview by David Wessel of The Brookings Institute. It’s worth a read.

When the federal government runs a deficit by spending more than it collects in revenue it borrows money to cover the difference by issuing IOUs as U.S. Treasury securities. The debt ceiling is a limit set by Congress on the amount the Treasury can borrow (Currently $31.4 trillion). The Treasury hit that ceiling in January and has been taking what are known as “extraordinary measures” to keep paying the bills. But it will run out of maneuvering room sometime in the next several months, perhaps as early as June, unless Congress acts.

There have been four Federal shutdowns where operations were affected for more than one business day. In 1995-1996, President Clinton and the Republican Congress were unable to agree on spending levels, so the government shut down twice, for a total of 26 days. In 2013, a standoff over funding for the Affordable Care Act resulted in a 16-day shutdown. And in December 2018 and January 2019, a dispute over border wall funding led to a shutdown that lasted 35 days.

Because tax revenues aren’t sufficient to cover all federal spending, the federal government borrows a lot—an average of more than $7 billion per business day. Raising the debt ceiling doesn’t increase federal spending beyond what already has been approved by Congress; it simply allows the government to pay for purchases and obligations it already has made. Because Congress in the past has always lifted the debt ceiling before the Treasury has run out of money, no one knows for sure what will happen if Congress doesn’t act this time—what the Treasury and the Federal Reserve will do, and how financial markets will react. Failure to make timely interest and principal payments on U.S. Treasury securities, regarded as the safest financial asset in the world, would be an unprecedented default and, among other things, would call into question the credibility of the U.S. government’s promises and probably raise the interest rate that investors demand to hold U.S. Treasury debt in the future.

In contrast to government shutdowns, a failure to raise the debt ceiling threatens not only the spending subject to annual appropriation by Congress, but all federal spending—including interest on the debt and Social Security, Medicare, and other government benefits. Federal employees can continue working—there is no need for agencies to decide which services are essential and which are not—but their paychecks may be delayed.
 
We know from transcripts of Federal Reserve meetings that when this issue arose in 2011, the Obama Treasury was planning to make all interest and principal payments and to delay paying all its other bills—including government benefits.
The Biden Treasury hasn’t said what it plans to do if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling in time. It is, however, likely to make interest and principal payments on Treasury debt. Whether and how it will prioritize other payments is unclear— but someone will not get paid on time; there simply won’t be enough cash to meet every obligation.

What is the connection between raising the debt ceiling and reducing the federal deficit? Legally, there is no connection, though sometimes the two issues occur close together if the Treasury bumps up against the debt ceiling close to the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, the deadline for approving appropriations bills (even if only temporary ones).

Still, members of Congress have used the imperative of raising the debt ceiling as leverage in negotiations in Congress and with the White House over appropriation bills and, sometimes, over broader tax and spending policies. (This maneuver usually is used by members of Congress from a party other than the president’s party.) In 2011, for instance, President Obama and the Republican majority in the House reached a multi-part agreement—the Budget Control Act—just a couple of days before the Treasury ran out of cash. Among other things, it put caps on total appropriated spending and created a special congressional committee to craft a plan to reduce future deficits. The committee failed to come to agreement, triggering a series of automatic spending cuts.

The Brookings Institution is financed through the support of a diverse array of foundations, corporations, governments, individuals, as well as an endowment. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions in this report are solely those of its author(s) and are not influenced by any donors.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

IMHO:
This too shall pass. Odds are that it will be resolved timely. Neither political party wants to repeat the traumas of past shutdowns. Over the decades both parties have raised the debt limit as necessary.

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 
And – as always – thanks for watching.


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin TV: The Federal Budget & The Debt Ceiling
Franklin TV: The Federal Budget & The Debt Ceiling

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Sunday, April 30, 2023

More Perfect Union -wfpr.fm: Episode 79 - Ralph Yarl, Stand Your Ground, and Self Defense (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the recent shooting of Ralph Yarl, a black teen from Kansas City, who was shot after going to the wrong address. They talk over self defense and firearms, the dangers and responsibilities of being a firearm owner, what can be done to mitigate shootings like this from happening in the future and more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 78 - The Trump Indictment Part 2 (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss the recent trial around Trump's Indictment; going over the details that have happened so far, what we know about the case, how the state of New York is handling it and more.



Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)
More Perfect Union - WFPR
Discussing American Politics and Current Events
Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.
Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app