On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, among others, that has caused widespread panic. The federal government has bailed out these banks, which will make hard-felt U.S. inflation even worse. Are we headed for another economic crisis?

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Collapsing Banks & A Weakening U.S. Empire

We mark the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War by revisiting some of the classic clips from our cowed and deferential news media circa 2003. PLUS: What is artificial intelligence and what does it mean for the future? Pulitzer-winning columnist Thomas Friedman doesn't know, but that didn't stop him from writing about it.

Michael and Us

#414 - Artificial Intelligence

On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the three months of protests and 11 days of strikes in France against President Macron's attempt to roll back residents' full rights to retirement pensions.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Why France Is In the Streets

Before it was colonized and divided, China was once the most powerful economy in the world. Today it is re-emerging as a leading force, under “socialism with Chinese characteristics.” What paths has China taken since the 1949 revolution and is the country still headed to socialism?

Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, activist with Pivot to Peace, and author of the new book “China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future,” which was just released at 1804books.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

China’s Return: the Quest for a Socialist Future and the US’s Huge Miscalculation

On today's episode Brian Becker and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss how Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy have unveiled a “debt ceiling” agreement involving major attacks on workers and the environment. The two are now racing to push through Congress a deal that would see stepped up production of fossil fuels, cuts to food stamps, and the rollback of vital services – all while making it easier for the rich to evade taxes and exempting the Pentagon from any spending limits.

Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Biden & Republicans Unite Against the Poor and the Environment

Argentina is trapped in unpayable odious debt owed to US vulture funds like BlackRock and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is fueling extreme inflation and far-right demagogues such as Javier Milei, who are calling for dollarization, adopting the dollar as the country's currency.

VIDEO: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1BRx90DhYWM

Sources and more information here: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2023/05/25/argentina-us-dollar-inflation-neocolonialism

How Argentina has been trapped in neocolonial debt for 200 years: An economic history: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/12/18/argentina-neocolonial-debt-history

How a US debt trap in Argentina is fueling inflation, dollarization, far right

We are back with another installment of THE GAY LIST and as promised we found the straightest guys we know to help us out. Listen to Will and Nate's podcast A Closer Look (Hesse is featured there as well)

Also subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus content.

SD 231 - Ya Man's Gay Pt. 2 w/ Will Sennet & Nate Fisher

Major media outlets have claimed China is building a secret station in Cuba to spy on the US, citing anonymous intelligence officials. But the Pentagon admitted this story is false. It is part of a larger information warfare campaign against Beijing, and could sabotage any attempts at diplomacy.

VIDEO: https://youtube.com/watch?v=mtrprreJvoU

Debunked: Media falsely claims China is building spy base in Cuba

Former US President Donald Trump boasted at a campaign rally, "When I left, Venezuela was ready to collapse. We would have taken it over; we would have gotten to all that oil; it would have been right next door". This confirms the ulterior motives behind Washington's 2019 coup attempt with Juan Guaidó.

VIDEO: https://youtube.com/watch?v=uqE-WqxfT1E

Trump advisor John Bolton admits planning US coups in Venezuela and beyond: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/07/12/trump-john-bolton-coups-venezuela

Trump wanted US military attacks on Venezuela, Defense Secretary Mark Esper details in book: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/05/19/trump-us-military-venezuela-mark-esper

How Trump and John Bolton attempted a coup in Venezuela: https://youtube.com/watch?v=tzoJ_UVBV7w

Trump boasts he wanted to take Venezuela's oil after overthrowing its government

Lucy, Theo and Andrew bring you: A wet Jeep, the stinkiest Nazi rubber in Texas, airholing the Kennebec River, angry cows, Swiss diaper trouble, and a dispatch from a big dinner.
***
Support our show and get exclusive bonus episodes by subscribing on Patreon: www.patreon.com/BoontaVista
***
Email the show at mailbag@boontavista.com! Call in and leave us a question or a message on 1800-317-515 to be answered on the show!
***
Twitter: twitter.com/boontavista
Website: boontavista.com
Merchandise: shop.boontavista.com/
Twitch: twitch.tv/boontavista

EPISODE 301: All Kinds Of Wet Treasure

Bonus Episodes

The United States has made provocation after provocation toward China – and this week, the day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to China to reduce U.S.-China tension, U.S. President Biden denigrated Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him a “dictator” and alleging that he didn’t know what was going on in his own country. Blinken’s trip was supposed to be months ago, but was rescheduled because of another provocation — when the United States shot down a Chinese balloon.

Brian Becker is joined by Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University, founding director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, activist with Pivot to Peace, and author of the new book “China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future,” which was just released at 1804books.com.

Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Blinken’s Visit and Biden’s True Colors: Imperialist Arrogance Toward China

News and views about the world for those who want to change it, with Brian Becker

Biden & Republicans Unite Against the Poor and the Environment

The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

Related tracks