The Hartmann Report

Latest Episodes:

Trump continues what Reagan started- dismantling the systems that kept our economy intact and promoted equality. As he moves to weaken the Endangered Species Act, sells off federal land, and monkey-wrenches social security in a fresh new way (as we hear from Alex Lawson), is the economic unraveling the natural outcome of pro-billionaire policies? Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

Donald Trump and his billionaire, oil drilling buddies are trying to get rid of the Endangered Species Act. Biodiversity is the foundation on which all life depends, including human life. Now, with Trump’s attack on the Endangered Species Act, the web of life is more at risk than ever before. And, does the Statue of Liberty only hold her light up for white people? And could the reason the economy is weak have something to do with paying the bottom half of the population less and less money? ~~~ Alex Lawson of Social Security Works on the latest backdoor attack on Social Security- now they are going after the unions so they can get rid of the most capable people within the system to weaken the system from inside. ~~~ Progressive Congressman Mark Pocan takes calls from Thom's listeners. ~~~ Thom will be performing as a Depression era radio announcer this weekend with Opera Theater Oregon for a special stage performance of "This Land Sings" inspired by the enduring folk melodies of musician and activist, Woody Guthrie. Thom speaks with Justin Ralls, the artistic co-director for the upcoming performance. ~~~ Bob Ney with Talk Media News on the price of tuition, updating the Statue of Liberty, and keeping out non-white college students is becoming our immigration policy.

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The economic winds are howling... the result of three decades of neoliberalism in the United States and Europe, what we used to call Reaganism and Thatcherism, damage and shake the world financial system. Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Thom comments on the police crack down of pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong. Also with the raid of Jeffrey Epstein's island, Bill Barr will now have possession of all the compromising material left behind by the recently deceased sex offender. Might he be following the model of J. Edgar Hoover? - In 2008, we saw the result of three decades of neoliberalism in the United States and Europe, what we used to call Reaganism and Thatcherism, damage and shake the world financial system. Rather than resolving the problem by repudiating neoliberalism, including its emphasis on more money for rich people and less money for workers, big tax breaks for the wealthy, the deregulation of corporations from pollution to banking, and so-called “free trade,“ the central banks of the world have been desperately trying to hold things together with bubblegum and bailing wire – also known as low interest rates. - Caller Jennifer speaks with Thom about the economy of the Confederate mentality stemming from the Civil War. - Talk Media News correspondent Doug Christian reports on the recent activity of the Dow and Russia's moves towards nuclear powered missiles.

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On the show today - a deep discussion on Jeffrey Epstein- what we know, what we want to know, and the many guesses and theories floating around out there. Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Thom lays out the facts we know about Jeffrey Epstein's disturbing history...... Epstein was hired by Bill Barr's father to teach high school girls, the same Bill Barr's father who wrote a novel about sex slavery. Epstein goes on to prosper in the sex trafficking business. Meanwhile, Trump's close friend Epstein introduces him to Melania Knauss, and they end up married. Epstein gets arrested and Barr recuses himself because his law firm defended Epstein, then un-recuses himself after talking with Trump. Woman files a lawsuit saying that both Epstein and Trump raped her when she was 13; it's certified by a court. Following Epstein's arrest, reports come out that Barr's Justice Department now has hundreds of videos, movies and pictures of Epstein's rich and powerful male friends having sex with the girls he's been trafficking. Barr supervises the prison Epstein is put in, where he mysteriously dies. Now cons are suggesting Bill Clinton is behind this and trending with help from foreign bots. - Thom summarizes the strangeness surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case with Morris in Long Beach. - Was Epstein operating a honeypot? And Jean in Pennsylvania wants to know what we can do to investigate and prosecute The criminal 'Coverup-General' Bill Barr! - Thom fact-checks the Epstein case with Bob Ney of Talk Media News. - Thom reads from 'No Visible Bruises: What we don't know about domestic violence can kill us' by Rachel Louise Snyder. - Thom debates the Epstein case with a conservative who believes the right-wing propaganda stories being spread around out there. - Lisa Stifler joins Thom- she is the senior council for the Center for Responsible Lending, which is alarmed at the restrictions Trump's people are about to lift on debt collector harassment. - Thom looks at a case in Oregon where an elderly man and his wife commit suicide because of overwhelming medical bills- is this what America has come to?.. And Bernie throws down with the health insurance lobbyists.

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Today- A powerful look at the growing inequality based on new data from the Fed that in 33 years the bottom American 90% will own almost nothing, continuing the wealth redistribution towards the Republican goal. Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

New Federal Reserve data shows that if trends since 1980 continue, in 33 years the bottom 90 percent of the U.S. population will own almost nothing. Thom powerfully shows that increasing inequality continues to make the rich richer while everyone else gets screwed. - John in Minnesota reminds us there is no political freedom without economic freedom. And Thom has a long thoughtful discussion with libertarian John in Bangor. - Talk Media News correspondent Bob Ney reports on the surveillance gathered on migrants recently arrested in the ICE raids. - Thom speaks with David in San Francisco whose ancestor signed the Constitution. - Kyle, Thom's "Republican Troll" discuss the corruption of private health insurance. - Thom reads from the new book "Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America" by Christopher Leonard.

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Congressman Mark Pocan comments on the recent mass shootings, while Thom has a conversation with a reformed Neo-Nazi. Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

Rep. Mark Pocan considers with Thom the recent mass shootings and what steps Congress can take to remedy the problem. - NRA defender and former legislator, Bob Barr debates Thom on the 2nd Amendment. - For the book club, Thom reads from "How to Be Less Stupid About Race- On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide" by Crystal Marie Fleming - Thom reviews the recent Op-Ed in the Washington Post, "Hispanics in America are under attack" from 39 Latino leaders - A conversation with former Neo-Nazi, Christian Picciolini and author of "White American Youth: My Descent into America's Most Violent Hate Movement--and How I Got Out."

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We do have a mental illness problem & it's in the White House. Thom analyses gun violence, historical racism and the rise of fascism in the United States. Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

Trump, the NRA, and the Republican Party keep talking about mental illness as the core of our problem right now in America. Our president is mentally ill, and until we recognize that, acknowledge that, and begin a national conversation about it there can be no healing or reconciliation. - For the book club, Thom Hartmann reads from his newest publication, 'The Hidden History of Guns and the Second Amendment' - Talk Media News correspondent Bob Ney reports on the Republican gun defense of indicting video games as the culprit behind mass shootings.

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Diverse callers across the nation join Thom in trying to understand what is driving these horrific mass murders. Plus - investigative reporter Greg Papast examines what the shooters have in common- is white supremacy the main cause? Is it really the economy and lack of jobs that is partly to blame? Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Many ideas shared by Thom's thoughtful and curious listeners.

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In the wake of the latest murderous shootings, is Trump's promotion of racial strife and hatred cause enough to impeach him? Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Thom makes the case that the violence perpetrated by racists specifically naming Trump as their inspiration is a result of Trump's racial invective combined with the huge number of guns in civilian hands in our country. ~~~ Thom reads from his latest book 'The Hidden History of Guns and the Second Amendment'. ~~~ Thom dives deep into the possible consequences of hard British Brexit with reporter Victoria Jones. ~~~ Professor Richard Wolff considers whether a hard Brexit could also take down the US economy. ~~~ Dr. Justin Frank, author of 'Trump on the Couch' brilliantly connects Trump to the murders perpetrated in his name by racial extremists. ~~~ - And finally, former Republican Congressman and now reporter Bob Ney adds his insight as well to the events of the day.

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Why are Republicans praised by the media as the party of supposed 'Big Ideas' (that make the rich richer) while Democratic ideas to foster the middle class are ridiculed? Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

Thom considers the history of Republican 'big ideas' compared to those of the Democrats. ~~~ A reading from the new book 'Shadowlands: Fear and Freedom at the Oregon Standoff'. ~~~ Thom once again reality-checks the Democratic Progressive agenda with House leader Representative Mark Pocan.

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Did CNN try to set the Democratic candidates against each other with their debate format? Thom's take on where we're at- plus an enlightening debate with conservative Grover Norquist. Aug 01, 2019

Show notes

Thom's take on the outcome of CNN's attempts to set the candidates against each other in the latest Democratic debate. - Thom broadens the lens and looks at the basis of the Democratic Party's perspective as he debates conservative Grover Norquist. - Trump & Kushner's rat-infested Baltimore apartments. - Thom checks in with the astute political observer, former Republican Congressman Bob Ney, for his take on the debates. - Taking the pulse of the Progressive response to the Democratic debates.

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