Equal Time with Anthony Pollina, Carl Etnier, & Traven

September 6, 2010: Labor Day Edition

The Labor Day theme show combines a reprise of an interview relevant to labor movements' work for greater equality and a new interview about ways to save energy and money commuting to work.

Kate Pickett is co-author of The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger, and the book asks, Which is more important for a strong society--high overall levels of wealth, or equal distribution of wealth? The authors argue that more equal countries and US states have greater longevity, fewer homicides, more trust, and other better outcomes, but average wealth doesn't matter much. The interview is edited from her appearance on the show on February 1, 2010.

Ross MacDonald, manager of the Go Vermont carpool and vanpool service for the Agency of Transportation, talks about the many tools they have to help people find a carpool or vanpool partner.

Carl Etnier hosts.

Mike Prokosch, campaign coordinator for 25% Solution, explains why communities are organizing to cut the $700 billion annual “defense” budget, arguing that real security comes with strong communities with adequate resources for health, welfare, education, housing and environmental protection. Mike calls for an immediate 25% cut in military spending to be achieved by withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, cutting weapons systems and closing half of the 800 foreign military bases the U.S. maintains.

Jeffrey Thompson, PERI Research Professor, author a new study: Prioritizing Approaches to Economic Development in New England: Skills, Infrastructure, and Tax Incentives, explains that investing in areas at the core of the public sector mission — providing education and maintaining infrastructure — are effective at creating jobs in the short term and building prosperous economies over the long term; that the tax cuts and business-subsidies approach to economic development, on the other hand, does little to create jobs in the short run, and is not the most effective approach to generating growth over the long term.

Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics and Co-Director of the Political Economy Research Institute at UMass, Amherst, discusses the dangers of the global elite's proposed austerity measures, explains the roots of the current global slump, and advocates alternative policies for job creation and economic revival.

Donny Osman discusses why he's running for Washington County State Senate, and what he means by fighting for the things that matter most to Washington County’s working families, meeting Vermont’s challenges in this Great Recession

Dr. Jack Rasmus, author of Epic Recession: Prelude To Global Depression offers an account of the current economic crisis, its similarities and differences from prior depressions and recessions, his critique of Bush and Obama recovery programs, and a comprehensive program for recovery.

Chris Gauvreau, National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations and Charlotte Dennett (P), author of 'People vs. Bush' and candidate for the 2010 Vermont Attorney General office report on a United
National Antiwar Conference's plans to build a mass social movement to Bring the Troops Home Now!

In Renewing the American Dream: A Citizens Guide, three business people argue that the US' economic future requires investing in jobs building green energy and other sustainable infrastructure, plus strengthening the middle class, encouraging small businesses and entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens. Co-author Ed Crego explains why these things make sense from a business perspective.

In the open phones segment, Carl talks about the Gulf oil gusher and discusses natural gas in Vermont with a caller.

Carl Etnier hosts.

As May's unemployment numbers show, we're still in a jobless recovery, with the private sector creating only a few part-time jobs. Economist Dr. Jack Rasmus, author of Epic Recession:Prelude to Global Depression explains the origins and future direction of the current economic crisis, and the relationships between the banking system's breakdown and the economy in general.

Joel Geier, author of Contradictions of the Recovery: Can Economic Crisis Return argues that the banks have their fragile recovery, purchased by the largest financial bailout in history, while high unemployment continues. There is no confidence that recovery is sustainable without ongoing state stimulus; yet the stimulus/Great Recession has produced deficit and debt problems triggering a new stage of the crisis: the possibility of sovereign debt default as in Greece. There is general agreement in both corporate parties to solve this crisis by cutting the standard of living of the working class; cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; and more state and municipal budget cuts. Our solution is to organize the fight back to resist austerity.