Trickle-Down Socialism

Pat Donohue, Dan Goldsbury, and C$ Burns
  • 5.0 (35)
  • POLITICS

Welcome to Trickle-Down Socialism, where we discuss how the US currently has a system of socialism for the super rich and corporations, we try to defang the term “socialism” and explore how government, with a major shift in priorities, could be a force for good in all of our lives. Capitalism kills, economic justice, campaign finance reform, Progressive politics, Labor Unions, Labor Movement

  1. 06/15/2022

    Ben Norton of Multipolarista Countering the Mainstream Narrative on Latin America

    Pat talks to journalist Ben Norton of Multipolarista about multiple countries and regions in Latin America. The interview focuses on what we miss as consumers of US media, namely the working-class opinion of Socialist regimes like Maduro in Venezuela and the Cuban government. The topic of Puerto Rico also came up and Ben explains the devastating consequences that have come from the privatization of national utilities after Hurricane Maria. As a show, we have always been dedicated to countering mainstream media narratives and this episode takes that same focus to examine Latin American countries that are often misrepresented in American media.  In the open, CMoney, Dan, and Pat provide a lot of context that will help the listener understand the issues discussed in interviews. Also discussed is the recent Congressional passage of a law allowing for Puerto Rico to hold a vote deciding its future: will Puerto Rico join the Union as the 51st state, vote for independence, or vote for something in between?

    1h 13m

  2. 05/18/2022

    Progressive in Kentucky, It's Easier to Go Big | Connor Halbleib for KY5

    CMoney talks to Kentucky Congressional Candidate, Progressive Democrat Connor Halbleib about his run in the whitest and second poorest district in the US. Halbleib outlines the ways in which a Progressive platform can appeal to working-class voters, even in a red district. The GOP incumbent in the district, Hal Rogers, has been in office since 1981 and is nicknamed the "Prince of Pork" for his ability to bring money to the district (despite the fact that this money mostly benefits the super-rich and corporations.)  Connor explains that Medicare for All, while it would be transformative, is still a compromise position because it isn't the strongest single-payer option on the table. In a similar way, Connor explains each of the policies in his platform and why they would benefit the constituents of Kentucky's 5th district. Also discussed in the open and interview is the draft Supreme Court opinion from Justice Sam Alito which was leaked - a decision that would establish a new precedent on a woman's right to choose, essentially setting us back decades and making access to safe and legal abortion unavailable in many states.  You can learn more about Connor Halbleib's campaign here: https://conorhalbleib.com/

    46 min

  3. 05/05/2022

    Starbucks Worker Joe Thomspon on Union Push and a Run for CA Assembly

    Pat talks to Joe Thomspon about the push to form a Union at a Santa Cruz, CA, Starbucks shop. Joe discussed how the Union-busting efforts undertaken at the direction of CEO Howard Schultz have backfired. Starbucks brought in help from high priced anti-union law firms, but it hasn't slowed the effort to form unions across the country. This episode focuses on the working conditions that led to a union push from Starbucks workers, the steps taken to register with the National Labor Relations Board, and the resolve of workers to stay with the fight despite countless efforts to bust the Union efforts.  Also discussed, Joe Thompson's run for CA Assembly - CA AD28. You can follow Joe on Twitter @JoeForAssembly and you can learn more about their run for CA Assembly here

    54 min

  4. 04/13/2022

    Jason Call | Regulatory Capture, Corporations Buying Influence

    In this episode, Pat talks to Jason Call, candidate for Congress in Washington's 2nd District, about the need for Single-Payer Healthcare, the outsized influence of money in our political system, and what Call has been working for through Progressive Activism in the last 30 years. Jason Call started as a public school teacher and has been active in trying to get the Washington State Democratic Party to focus on Grassroots sources of funding instead of taking money from corporate lobbyists. Also discussed is the push for Single Payer healthcare in Washington State, which Jason has been doing through the group Whole Washington. Jason provides an example of how the lax regulation of Boeing jets, because of corporate influence on the regulatory committee, led to the 747 Max crashes.  In the open, Dan, Pat, and CMoney define the term "Regulatory Capture" and give examples to help listeners understand this detrimental practice. Also discussed were the efforts to pass single payer at the state level, some recent Union wins, and more.  Learn more about Jason Call's Campaign for Washington's 2nd district here You can follow him on Twitter @CallforCongress  Follow us @TrickleDownSoc

    1h 9m

  5. 04/04/2022

    Exterminate Capital's Exploitative Grip | Travis Smith

    Pat, Dan, and C$ Burns open the episode, which features Travis Smith (@Extermin8) a Communist Party Activist, by discussing some of our own inherited anti-Communist Bias, we discussed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's grace and the dog-whistle racism she faced when being interviewed by GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee like Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) and we discussed some of the important background listeners might need to stay engaged in the interview.  Pat and Travis talk about Travis' ideological journey from Evangelical, Conservative family in East Texas, always uncomfortable with the racism endemic on the Right, to an anti-Capitalist who first attended some meetings of Democratic Socialists of America but ended up finding himself identifying with and soon joining and engaging in activism with the Communist Party. The discussion centers around understanding how Communists aren't violent, rather the Revolution that is oft-discussed would most likely entail pushing people into struggle, aiming to radically reduce the economic hierarchy in the society, and eliminate Fascist elements (possibly through education, as an example.) None of this is violent if the Capitalists understand that the worker majority is determined to ensure every person's needs are met. Also discussed was Travis' belief that a Popular Front against Fascism is needed and that our current system of Capitalism is violent every day towards the disenfranchised, the unbanked, the unhoused, the incarcerated, and he uninsured.  We ask listeners to keep an open mind as they listen - you might find you agree more than you disagree with a Communist.  Communist Party USA: CPUSA.org World Peace Council: wpc-in.org  Travis' Etsy store

    1h 34m

  6. 03/15/2022

    Poverty is a Policy Choice w/ CA-32 Candidate Shervin Aazami

    Pat talks to California resident, father, immigrant and indigenous advocate, Shervin Aazami who is running for US Congress in CA's 32nd district. Aazami brings a committed voice for fighting poverty: Housing First, public health advocacy for the unhoused, financial reform, the Green New Deal, and the public's overwhelming support for these bold programs was among topics discussed. As the child of Iranian immigrants by way of Italy, Aazami knows first-hand about both the opportunities in the US and the pitfalls of the predatory system of extraction that is our free-market, Capitalist system.  Aazami shows deep knowledge of topics and brings life-experience that include lobbying Congress on behalf of indigenous groups. He spoke to Pat about the experience of having bills that were critical to the health of entire tribal groups tied to completely unrelated legislation. When elected leaders told Aazami that he should have "fought harder" for his cause, he knew that the system was rigged by corporate influence in the form of campaign sponsorship and other means. This episode focuses on two main topics: the system of extraction perpetuated by the undue influence of money on our political system and measures that SHOULD be passed into law which would eradicate poverty (for a sum of roughly 70 billion dollars in a year.) For more on the Faircloth amendment (law which severely limits construction of new Federally subsidized housing) and contemporary attempts to block it: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/opinion/public-housing-faircloth-amendment-repeal.html For more on Shervin Aazami, his policy positions, and his background: https://shervin4congress.com/

    1h 10m

  7. 03/04/2022

    Guaranteed Income: Dignity and Trust that no other Safety Net Program Provides w/ Megha Agarwal of the Bridge Project

    Pat talked to Megha Agarwal, the Executive Director of the Bridge Project about Guaranteed Income. The Bridge Project is New York City’s first guaranteed income program. Launched in June 2021 by The Monarch Foundation, the Bridge Project is designed to support low-income mothers in New York City during the first 1,000 days of their children’s lives by providing them with consistent, unconditional cash on a biweekly basis.  Early studies, some of which are discussed on this episode, are showing a plethora of benefits to providing no strings attached, unconditional income to young mothers. By providing an income "floor" under which no participant falls under, Guaranteed Income trials have demonstrated that mothers and babies thrive. Some studies have even shown that brain development is improved in babies whose mothers are provided with cash assistance (as compared with babies of mothers in similar neighborhoods with similar base incomes.) Additionally, mothers who receive a Guaranteed Income are giving help that is flexible - instead of food aid or help with housing costs, cash allows moms to make the decisions based on their needs and the needs of their children. Cash aid given to working mothers (or fathers, or single adults, in other trials) often results in the recipient finding more employment or better paying jobs. Megha Agarwal explains that unconditional cash allows for a level of trust and dignity that isn't matched by any other social safety net program.  Unlike some plans for Universal Basic Income, Guaranteed income is not designed to replace other forms of assistance. By providing an income floor, the underlying theory of Guaranteed Income is that no one should live below a certain income threshold. A strong Guaranteed Income program would signal that poverty is unacceptable and it would assure that no one had to live in poverty, a financial state that has been proven to have a multitude of deleterious effects on life outcomes as well as physical and mental health. Also discussed on this episode, the potential benefits of a Guaranteed Income, as written by Erik Olen Wright in his exceedingly practical and theoretically expansive: "How to be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century" and shared by @CMoneyBurns: - Doesn't disincentivize work like some means-tested programs - Can reduce size of bureaucracy - Takes  - Strengthens Communities - Helps Worker Co-Operatives by helping them compete with companies that can pay more for labor  - Helps increase attractiveness of Co-ops for loans from credit unions by increasing their credit worthiness and long-term viability  - Targeted support for small farmers, helps them compete against big agri-business  The Child Tax Credit is also discussed as it was the closest thing to Guaranteed Income we have experienced in the US. Dan suggests that Democrats write a clean bill that not only extends the currently defunct Child Tax Credit but they should double the amount of monthly payouts going to families under the bill. Democrats' weak politically messaging is also discussed. The Build Back Better Bill is criticized for the scattered, poorly messaged Omnibus bill that it is.  Also on this episode, Dan, Pat and CMoney add some class-consciousness, some historical context, and some complexity to the narrative that is being presented by Western media about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One source for this content, which we encourage you to examine, can be found at this link:  Why is Ukraine the West's Fault? Featuring John Mearsheimer  Follow the Bridge Project: @bridgeprojectny

    38 min

  8. 02/18/2022

    Trucker Convoy, the Few Endanger the Many w/ Shawn Lawler

    Pat talks to Shawn Lawler, a leftist podcaster from Ontario, about the "Freedom Convoy" or "Trucker Convoy," protests that have grown into blockades of various roadways. Shawn and Pat examined the influence of Right Wing media and Facebook on the anti-vaccine mandate demands from the participating individuals as well as the role US billionaires have played in funding the blockades. Shawn explains that police have been sympathetic, at times even helping protestors who have shown little regard for the people of Ottawa. Also discussed was the contradiction inherent in the protests: while the protestors are accusing the Canadian government of instituting overbearing laws, it is the US Government policy requiring vaccination of drivers for trucks to cross the border. In the open, co-hosts Pat Donohue, CMoney Burns, and Dan Goldsbury, discuss recent Union wins, Union agitation at Starbucks locations across the country, a new vote at Bessemer, Alabama's Amazon facility and more.  You can hear Shawn Lawler's podcast on the NFL here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-boundz/id1509494421 Trickle-Down Socialism is edited, mixed, and mastered by CMoney Burns. If you have audio needs, contact him at Cmoneyburns@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CMoneyBurns

    1h 9m
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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Welcome to Trickle-Down Socialism, where we discuss how the US currently has a system of socialism for the super rich and corporations, we try to defang the term “socialism” and explore how government, with a major shift in priorities, could be a force for good in all of our lives. Capitalism kills, economic justice, campaign finance reform, Progressive politics, Labor Unions, Labor Movement

Information

  • Creator
    Pat Donohue, Dan Goldsbury, and C$ Burns
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2022
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pat Donohue, Dan Goldsbury, and C$ Burns
  • Show Website
    Trickle-Down Socialism