25 episodes

Entertaining Daily Politics, Award Winning Long-Form Interviews and Irreverent, Independent Analysis. For more info see Majority.FM

The Majority Report with Sam Seder Sam Seder

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    • 4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

Entertaining Daily Politics, Award Winning Long-Form Interviews and Irreverent, Independent Analysis. For more info see Majority.FM

    3305 - MAGA’s Viktor Orbán Love Affair; Toxic Air Pollution Rising w/ Casey Michel, Joel Thornton

    3305 - MAGA’s Viktor Orbán Love Affair; Toxic Air Pollution Rising w/ Casey Michel, Joel Thornton

    It's another EmMajority Report Thursday! Emma speaks with Casey Michel, Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation, to discuss his recent piece in the New Republic entitled “How Viktor Orbán Conquered the Heritage Foundation.” Then, she’s joined by Joel Thornton, professor in the department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington, to discuss the recently released global air quality report. First, Emma runs through updates on international and US opposition to Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Gaza, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the death toll of immigration, SBF’s prison sentence, Matt Schlapp’s case, the Moscow terror attack (and subsequent violence), Disney v. DeSantis, and NBC v. Ronna McDaniel, before parsing through the legacy of a broken healthcare system that Joe Lieberman leaves. Casey Michel then joins, diving right into Orbán’s role as Hungary’s authoritarian Prime Minister, serving his 14th year, and far-right icon in the war against “wokeness” and democracy. Expanding on this, Michel parses through Orbán’s recent low-key visit to the US to meet with the Heritage Foundation, walking through the nationalist parallels between Trump and Orbán (particularly with their evangelical bases), the influence that modern autocrats like Putin and original fascists like Mussolini have provided to Orbán regime, and how the US far-right think tanks are attempting to pick up on his blueprint. After briefly touching on the expansive role of foreign autocracies and authoritarian regimes in financing right-wing think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, Emma and Casey wrap up the interview with an assessment of the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” and their attempt to turn Donald Trump into a more efficient fascist. Professor Joel Thornton then walks Emma through the context for IQAir’s recent report on the severe standing of air quality globally in 2023, including the for-profit incentives of the company, and the wide breadth of standards for the research, before stepping back to explore what we can glean from the report, and the genuine state of air pollution. Expanding on this, Professor Thornton explores the major role climate change has played in offsetting the progress various countries have made in containing the proliferation of particulates, with 2023’s myriad forest fires playing a major role in the year’s problem of air quality, and assesses the major effects these particulates can have on human health, impacting everything from the respiratory tract to cognitive function.
    And in the Fun Half: Emma is joined by Matt Binder as they tackle SBF’s 25-year prison sentence for conspiracy and fraud, watch the German Press continue their century-long tradition of genocide apologia, and talk with Malik from PA about an ongoing project at the expense of the Susquehanna river. The MR Crew also watches RFK’s running mate get hyped over disillusionment, and Jason from Ontario dives into extensive labor progress made at the student newspaper the Brock Press, plus, your calls and IMs!
    Check out Casey's piece here: https://newrepublic.com/article/179776/heritage-foundation-viktor-orban-trump
    Follow Joel on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/atmostaj
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    Check out this GoFundMe in support of Mohammad Aldaghma's niece in Gaza, who has Down Syndrome: http://tinyurl.com/7zb4hujt
    Check out the "Repair Gaza" campaign courtesy of the Glia Project here: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/rebuild_gaza_help_repair_and_rebuild_the_lives_and_work_of_our_glia_team#!/
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    • 1 hr 8 min
    3304 - Mifepristone and "Chevron Doctrine" at SCOTUS; Oregon Nurses Labor Action

    3304 - Mifepristone and "Chevron Doctrine" at SCOTUS; Oregon Nurses Labor Action

    It’s Hump Day! Sam speaks with Lisa Heinzerling, law professor at Georgetown University, to discuss the impact of the Supreme Court’s upcoming rulings on Loper Bright Enterprises  v. Raimondo & Relentless v. Department of Commerce, as well as the court hearing arguments yesterday regarding mifepristone and medication abortion. Then, Sam speaks with Heather Herbert, a hospice registered nurse at PeaceHealth Medical Center in Springfield, Oregon and member of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA),  to discuss the recent strike action at the hospital and the new labor complaints they’ve filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). First, Sam runs through updates on the US public’s disapproval of Israel’s genocide, the US State Department, Texas’ fascist border power grab, labor action across the US, legal woes for Trump and Co., and Ronna McDaniel’s brief NBC tenure, before diving into details of the collision that collapsed Francis Scott Key in Baltimore, and the profiteering that drives disasters like this one. Professor Lisa Heinzerling then joins, diving right into the context of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine’s suit against the FDA, including their objections to the FDA’s relaxation of requirements for Mifepristone, the most common abortion medication in the US, and the overwhelming scientific evidence for the efficacy and safety of the drug. Expanding on this, Professor Heinzerling looks at this case within the broader context of the Supreme Court’s attack on the administrative state, fitting neatly into a pattern of cases with very vague and obscure claims of injury resulting in massive shakeups to the legal and political structure in the US, something also reflected in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, before walking through the greater idea of the Chevron Doctrine and administrative deference. After assessing where this current iteration of the Roberts Court stands among the most extreme activist courts, Lisa and Sam wrap up the interview with a brief conversation on the reaction of legal institutions and law schools to the myriad ongoing Supreme Court scandals. Nurse Heather Herbert and Sam then dive into the context of ONA’s ongoing labor action, with contract negotiations stalling for over a year as PeaceHealth attempted to force lower pay on some 125 hospice and home care workers, despite the same qualifications as hospital nurses with additionally extensive and expensive training required. After expanding on the serious hit this process took on these Nurses, Herbert dives into the hospice Nurses' difficult decision to strike, tackling the clear unfair labor practices exercised by PeaceHealth in response, and wrapping up with a conversation on the strike’s support from and impact on patients and community members.
    And in the Fun half: Sam admires the growing protests against US complicity in the genocide of Gaza, including actions against Reps Jeffries and McGovern and President Biden, and watches the right-wing attempt to spin the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster into a diversity issue instead of a capitalism one. Casey in DC uncovers some odd coincidences in Rep. Bill Johnson’s (R-OH) post-congress career path, Bobby from Georgia explores the perception of inflation under Biden alongside rising housing costs, and Fox News hosts react to the Ronna McDaniel saga. Dylan from Ft. Collins on the slow journey out of right-wing conspiracy, Pep from Texas on Blinken’s Zionism, and Stephen Crowder’s workplace and domestic abuses come to the fore, plus, your calls and IMs!
    Check out some of Lisa's writing here: https://www.bostonreview.net/authors/lisa-heinzerling/
    Find out more about the ONA here: https://www.oregonrn.org/
    https://www.oregonrn.org/page/SHHCSStrike
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    • 1 hr 8 min
    3303 - Trump Hat In Hand, Blinken's Laughable Certification & GOP's Social Security Cuts

    3303 - Trump Hat In Hand, Blinken's Laughable Certification & GOP's Social Security Cuts

    It's News Day Tuesday! Sam and Emma break down the biggest headlines of the day. First, they run through updates on Anthony Blinken’s certification of Israel’s military integrity, the NYT’s subtle backtracking on its 10/7 article, Julien Assange, Biden’s Polling, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Mifepristone, the Moscow Terror attack, Florida’s youth social media ban, Elon Musk’s legal battles, and RFK’s big tech donor-turned VP, before parsing through Donald Trump’s ongoing financial woes. Next, Sam and Emma look to SCOTUS as they preview their upcoming Mifepristone decision based on a 19th Century lewdity law, explore the GOP’s failing agenda, and parse through Biden’s complete obliteration of any goodwill in the eyes of the US public over the last few months. Expanding on this, they walk through Matt Miller’s disturbing comments on the US’ disregard for international law, and what is sacrificed in Biden’s all-out support for genocide in Gaza.
    And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma watch James Comer try to give his Biden impeachment attempt a second life, Dave Rubin has Sam Seder flashbacks, and they discuss the growing problem of islamophobia in the US government as a Muslim judicial nomination comes into question. They talk with Marceline from PA and Ben from Flagstaff about MR’s coverage, Rachel Maddow addresses the election-denying elephant in the NBC green room, and Joe Rogan tackles the ever-relevant “cancel culture in academia” with Jonathan Haidt, plus, your calls and IMs!
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    Check out this GoFundMe in support of Mohammad Aldaghma's niece in Gaza, who has Down Syndrome: http://tinyurl.com/7zb4hujt
    Check out the "Repair Gaza" campaign courtesy of the Glia Project here: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/rebuild_gaza_help_repair_and_rebuild_the_lives_and_work_of_our_glia_team#!/
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    • 1 hr 23 min
    3302 - "Limitarianism": The Case Against Extreme Wealth w/ Ingrid Robeyns

    3302 - "Limitarianism": The Case Against Extreme Wealth w/ Ingrid Robeyns

    Happy Monday! Sam and Emma speak with Ingrid Robeyns, humanities professor at the Utrech University in The Netherlands, to discuss her recent book Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth. First, Sam and Emma run through updates on the passage of a UNSC ceasefire resolution, Congress averting a government shutdown, the terror attack in Moscow, Mike Johnson’s speakership, Congress’ killing of an important internet subsidy, Donald Trump’s legal woes, Mifepristone, New Jersey’s senate race, and Ronna McDaniel’s NBC gig, before parsing through the details of the first UNSC ceasefire resolution not vetoed by the US. Professor Ingrid Robeyns then joins, diving right into the concept of “limitarianism” as a political belief that emphasizes the central importance of limiting wealth inequality and concentration in a functioning society, with the extreme stratification seen in the West (and particularly in the US) pushing severe social and political ills with little to no moral grounding. Expanding on the former, Professor Robeyns dives into the problems that arise in the relationship between money and politics under extreme inequality, with various factors, from campaign finance to political lobbying, giving a very wealthy few immense political power, before she, Sam, and Emma explore how extreme wealth concentration can give these same individuals the freedom to dictate social programs and overtake the public sphere to the detriment of everyone else, and the environment. After briefly touching on the particular role capitalism’s ills play within these issues, Ingrid walks Sam and Emma through the moral philosophical grounding of “limitarianism” as a refutation of modern society’s supposed meritocracy, bringing into question the role of the individual in coming out the victor of countless natural and social lotteries. Next, Professor Robeyns tackles the role of wealth inequality in creating an inequality division between capital and labor, allowing the former to dictate the rules of the latter, and parses through what solutions are needed – particularly in terms of welfare, social and housing programs, and unionization – to rebalance that dichotomy, before wrapping up the interview looking at the importance of taking fiscal action against tax havens and unregulated free trade, and why changing the public perception on wealth is so necessary in this battle.
    And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma discuss Bibi’s response to the US not vetoing the UNSC ceasefire resolution, the state of Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Gaza, AOC’s direct callout of Israel’s genocide, and Chuck Todd’s direct callout of his NBC employers over their hiring of Ronna McDaniel. Fox News gears up against MTG and Matt Gaetz as another speakership coup attempt takes root against Mike Johnson, and Mike Lindell comes forward with evidence of – get this – voter fraud in 2020, plus, your IMs!
    Check out Ingrid's book here: https://astrapublishinghouse.com/product/limitarianism-9781662601842/
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    Check out this GoFundMe in support of Mohammad Aldaghma's niece in Gaza, who has Down Syndrome: http://tinyurl.com/7zb4hujt
    Check out the "Repair Gaza" campaign courtesy of the Glia Project here: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/rebuild_gaza_help_repair_and_rebuild_the_lives_and_work_of_our_glia_team#!/
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    • 1 hr 30 min
    3301 - U.S.- UN Gambit Fail, Government Shutdown Averted, & MTG's GOP Mutiny w/ Jason Myles

    3301 - U.S.- UN Gambit Fail, Government Shutdown Averted, & MTG's GOP Mutiny w/ Jason Myles

    It's Casual Friday! And the MR Crew is doing an all CALLS & CLIPS SHOW! Then, they're joined by Jason Myles, co-host of the This Is Revolution podcast! First, Sam and Emma run through updates on the US’ faux-ceasefire resolution, the UK’s threat of an arms embargo to Israel, UNRWA funding, humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Netanyahu’s potential visit to Congress, aid to Ukraine, the GOP agenda, the DOJ’s agenda, and Bob Menendez’s why I left the left (foreign bribes), also watching Phyllis Bennis unpack exactly why the US’ faux ceasefire resolution was so pernicious. They also dive into the US media’s coverage of famine in Gaza, the balance between Democratic incompetence and Democratic malfeasance on Israel, and watch Chip Roy and Marjorie Taylor Greene initiate the most recent House GOP mutiny. After running through some highlights of the Right’s response to Trump’s massive debt to New York, Jason Myles joins, diving right into his recent article “Same as it Ever Was: The Illusion of American Political Discourse In Media,” on the faux-evolution of US political discourse alongside immaterial policy changes. Jason tackles the progression of US immigration policy from the progressive facade of the Obama Administration, through the backlash to Trump’s objectionable and visibly brutal border policy, up to Biden’s recent pivot to completely embrace the GOP and Trump’s far-right framing of the border crisis, before he, Sam, and Emma parse through parallels with the rhetoric around crime and the Defund movement.
    Sam and Emma then expand on the ongoing GOP mutiny against Speaker Mike Johnson, parse through the dramatic break between Candace Owens and the Daily Wire, and bask in the complete unraveling of the GOP’s Biden inquiry, with some help from Russian collusion.
    Check out This Is Revolution here: https://www.thisisrevolutionpodcast.com/
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    Check out, and share friend of the show Janek Ambros's new documentary for The Nation, "Ukrainians in Exile" here!: https://twitter.com/thenation/status/1760681194382119399?s=20
    Check out this GoFundMe in support of Mohammad Aldaghma's niece in Gaza, who has Down Syndrome: http://tinyurl.com/7zb4hujt
    Check out the "Repair Gaza" campaign courtesy of the Glia Project here: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/rebuild_gaza_help_repair_and_rebuild_the_lives_and_work_of_our_glia_team#!/
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    • 2 hr 39 min
    3301 - Reclaiming ‘Open Borders’; Colonial Wounds In Congo w/ John Washington, Christoph Vogel

    3301 - Reclaiming ‘Open Borders’; Colonial Wounds In Congo w/ John Washington, Christoph Vogel

    It's another EmMajority Report Thursday! Emma speaks with John Washington, staff writer at Arizona Luminaria and contributor for The Intercept, to discuss his recent book The Case For Open Borders. Then, she's joined by Christoph N. Vogel, research director of the Insecure Livelihoods Project at Ghent University and author of the book Conflict Minerals, Inc.: War, Profit and White Saviourism in Eastern Congo, to discuss recent developments in the conflict involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. First, Emma runs through updates on the US recent tiptoe toward calling for a ceasefire, Israel’s ongoing siege on Gaza, the major wins for the right in the upcoming government funding bill, Bernie and AOC’s new Green New Deal for housing, Trump’s financial woes, Julian Assange, the GOP’s Biden inquiry, the DOJ v. Apple, Bolsonaro’s falsified documents, and AMLO’s response to Texas, before parsing a little deeper through the makeup of Congress’ recent funding bill. John Washington then joins, parsing through the Democrats’ recent complete capitulation to Donald Trump’s far-right border militancy agenda, the common thread of this tactic by Democrats, and the absurdity of their rhetorical posturing alongside policy acquiescence, with a clear parallel in the politics of Mexico’s AMLO. Expanding on this, Washington and Emma tackle the political class’ commitment to the status quo on immigration, despite the relative recency (and ineffectiveness) of the shift toward closed, militarized borders, and how an argument for more humane and responsive immigration policy is still grounded in modern-day examples and is much more aligned with the rhetoric that much of the “progressive” west employs. John then dives into the economics of border militancy, with the increased precarity for migrants pushing them into more and more exploitative conditions and driving down wage and condition standards for citizens as well, with the globalization of exploitation alongside the restriction of the movement of people becoming cemented with the Free Trade Agreements of the neoliberal era. Wrapping up, Washington and Emma walk through the brutal ineffectiveness of border militancy, and what alternative visions to immigration could look like. Christoph Vogel then dives into the major problems with Western coverage of conflict in the Congo, largely employing a depoliticized, resource– and narrative-driven form of storytelling about issues with deeply political roots. After briefly touching on the role of Mobutu Sese Seko in Congolese relations to the West, Vogel walks through the three major periods of conflict in the recent history of the DRC, beginning with the rule and eventual overthrow of Mobutu in the ‘90s, the return of the DRC name under Laurent and then Joseph Kabila in the early 2000s (including the first democratic elections in 2006) during the Second Congo War, and finally the ongoing period of unstable and fracturing political and security environment, with countless militia and belligerent groups revolting and driving record displacement in the country. Expanding on the ongoing period of crisis, Vogel walks through the constant speculation and polemics around the data of the displacement and devastation by the main parties involved, and the relatively minor role resource extraction, particularly mining, has played in generating and maintaining these conflicts. Lastly, Chris Albright joins to discuss the devastating impact of last year’s environmental disaster in East Palestine, walking through the major impacts on the health of him and his community, and the lackluster response from Joe Biden and Ohio representatives, also touching on their ongoing attempt to hold the President and representatives accountable, and what those of us outside of East Palestine can do to support their cause.
    And in the Fun Half: Emma is joined by Matt Binder and Brandon Sutton as they watch Karine Jean-Pierre’s cal

    • 1 hr 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
3.2K Ratings

3.2K Ratings

John Blanco ,

Sam and Emma are great!

Been listening to Sam since Air America. Majority Report is informative and fun! And Emma is such a great co-host!

davidgryczynski ,

Love this show

I have been listening for years and years and continue to love the direction that Seder is steering this leftist ship.

tilghmac ,

Really

Come on Sam, biden has never been a fan of bibi! And i m pretty sure you dont believe biden has no care for the Palestinians. Not a fair assessment Ive been listening since air America days Whats the point of trying to create that kind of space on the left. Not a real place of disagreement

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