Ralph Nader Radio Hour

Ralph interviews Steven Shafarman, program director of an organization called Basic Income Action, who explains how we can solve a lot of our nation's problems by guaranteeing about $1,000 a month to every citizen for food and shelter.  Ralph also critiques the recent bankruptcy decision that shields General Motors from lawsuits stemming from deaths due to faulty ignition switches. Plus more of your Facebook questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Salon political columnist Bill Curry joins us again to analyze Hillary Clinton's announcement for President and Dr. Helene Z. Hill tells us about her fourteen year odyssey to reform the system for blowing the whistle on medical research fraud.  Plus, Ralph answers more of your FaceBook questions.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We talk to Ralph about his new book, Return To Sender: Unanswered Letters to the President 2001-2015, a compilation of letters he sent to both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.  The Nation magazine called Return To Sender " a twofer:  a spiritual exercise in citizen participation and a counterfactual history lesson in what might have been if only our government had hewn to democratic first principles and priorities over the last fifteen years. And, as always, more listener questions." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

In this week's episode, we talk to Remar Sutton, director of the Foolproof Foundation about how to teach your kids  how to be smart about spending money and using credit cards.  Ralph also talks to old friend and compatriot, Lois Gibbs, of Love Canal fame about how regular people can organize and make a difference in their communities. Plus more listener questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph talks to Professor Allison Stanger about her book One Nation Under Contract and how private contractors have become an integral part of our foreign policy.  We also talk to Bob Hunter, insurance director of the Consumer Federation of America, who warns us about the latest scam that may be affecting your auto insurance rates.  Plus, Ralph tells us how you should be "getting steamed." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph talks to labor activist and author Bill Fletcher Jr. about the state of labor and the overall performance of the Congressional Black Caucus.  And Good Jobs First research director Phil Mattera stops by to unveil a new web-tool (subsidy tracker) they have developed that identifies which prominent corporations are living off the government teat.  Plus, more listener questions.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Former NYC Public Advocate and Nader's Raider Mark Green engages Ralph in a lively debate over Hillary Clinton and the difference between a politician versus an advocate.  We also delve into Israeli Prime Minister's address to Congress and the letter to Iran signed by forty-seven Republicans.  We also discuss those that the economic upturn have left behind in Ohio.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph gets into a debate with his old friend, Victor Schwartz, about malpractice lawsuits and hot coffee.  Along the way, former President Bill Clinton horns in on the discussion, and we get a visit from the ghost of Ronald Reagan.  Plus more listener questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

 Renowned investigative reporter, James Ridgeway, tells us about his latest project, Solitary Watch, which exposes the uses and abuses of solitary confinement in our prison system.  Ralph also answers a listener question about what it will take to spawn a second American Revolution. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We talk to peace activist and war tax resister, Frances Crowe, about her memoir Frances Crowe: Finding My Radical Soul and how she's been arrested for civil disobedience more times than she can remember.  Ralph also fills us in on the mess in Libya, tells us about how United Airlines employees are getting screwed, and we answer more listener questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We talk sports with Dr. Ken Reed policy director of League of Fans and author of How We Can Save Sports: A Game Plan.  Ralph pitches his idea for bettering the country by organizing people born in the same year to support civic engagement, and he also explains how Canada may be following our bad example. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We talk to one of Ralph’s favorite Republicans, attorney Bruce Fein, about the constitution and how Bush, Cheney, Obama, and Hillary Clinton could be tried as war criminals.   Ralph actually has some praise for the NFL during the Super Bowl and answers a slew of listener FaceBook questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We could call this the "peace and love" show with our guest Colman McCarthy explaining how he teaches peace and Ralph later quizzing Steve and David about love.  In between, we discuss Mitch McConnell courting Democrats, Elizabeth Warren declaring war against Big Pharma; and Ralph wraps it all up with a poem. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph talks to Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First about how to fight shady development deals in your community and along the way Steve and David find out that the New York Stock Exchange is actually a non-profit organization. Ralph also gives his review of the president's State of the Union address, and we answer more listener questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph talks to Dr. Charles Blatt of the Lown Cardiovascular Clinic about their philosophy of "doing more for patients and less to patients."  We talk about the emerging trend of "professional cuddlers."  Ralph gives his view of the latest consumer electronics show in Vegas, and David has a surprising take on the tragic events in Paris. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

We speak to legendary legal thinker, Edgar Cahn, who explains how we can make the world a better place through a concept called "Time Banking."  We also discuss the terrible pass interference non-call in the Cowboys/Lions game, the legacy of the late Mario Cuomo and answer more listener questions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Environmental activist extraordinaire, Walter Hang, tells us the inspiring story of how a highly organized grassroots movement led to Governor Cuomo prohibiting fracking in New York State.  Ralph also tells us about the letter he sent to the President, and we discuss our Holiday reading. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

In this special holiday edition, we devote the episode to your FaceBook questions.  Plus Ralph recommends some books and David makes an embarrassing joke.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Law Professor Rena Steinzor talks to Ralph about her new book, Why Not Jail? which makes the case for treating corporate criminal like we treat street criminals.  We discuss the new opening up to Cuba and Ralph tells us about some of his personal encounters with Fidel Castro. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com

Ralph talks to advocate and writer, David Halperin, about how for profit colleges are ripping you off.  We also discuss the Senate report on torture, the demonstrations on police brutality, and the congressional omnibus spending bill that is loaded with a lot of corporate goodies. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ralphnader.substack.com