Topic “Live Blog”

No matter how you calculate it, minimum wage has flat-lined over the past 50 years. That's the finding in a 2012 study from the Center for Economic Policy Research. The study reads, “By all of the most commonly used benchmarks – inflation, average wages, and productivity – the minimum wage is now far below its historical level.” If wages had kept up with productivity gains since 1968, it would be nearly $22 dollars an hour.

Catch The Thom Hartmann Program LIVE 3-6pm ET M-F!

In for Thom today, please welcome Dr. Mike Newcomb of 1480AM KPHX, Phoenix, AZ - The Mike Newcomb Show"

Hour One: Phoenix...in the cross hairs of climate change - William DeBuys, A Great Aridness: Climate Change and the Future of the American Southwest"

When you think European financial crisis, you think Greece, or Spain, or Italy. But economic trouble in the small island nation of Cyprus is causing a serious panic throughout Europe. Because of Cyprus banks' exposure to the financial troubles in neighboring Greece, the island nation's banks need a bailout.

For generations, the American ideal has been that each successive generation becomes more prosperous and successful than the one before it.  But unfortunately, that's no longer the case.  A new study from the Urban Institute indicates that, while American wealth as a whole has doubled over the last 25 years, younger people have fallen behind as a group.

The Obama Administration wants to hand over access to your financial records to the CIA, NSA, and other law enforcement agencies. According to a new report from Reuters, a Treasury Department plan gives spy agencies full access to more raw financial data then ever before, under the guise of national security.

Catch The Thom Hartmann Program LIVE 3-6pm ET M-F!

Hour One: A new Pope debuts on the world stage / Plus, what is the "Back to Work Budget?"  Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ, 3rd district)

Hour Two: "Pop-tart bill"...isn't this really about guns?  State Senator J.B. Jennings (R-MD, 7th District)

Hour Three: Conservatives...the new Taliban

Today Senate Democrats will introduce a plan to replace the sequester, and the propose $100 billion in stimulus spending.  Senate Budget Committee Chairperson Patty Murray will present the plan, which reduces the deficit by $1.85 trillion with a balanced approach of 50-50 spending cuts and new revenues.  

Catch The Thom Hartmann Program LIVE 3-6pm ET M-F!

Hour One: Is it "big government" to make gun ownership mandatory?  Edith Portillo-Nelson, GA City Council

Hour Two: Is it time for an internet sales tax?  J.D. Tuccille, Reason 24/7

Hour Three: Take a lesson from Mexico...break up our telecom monopoly

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp is supposed to insure deposits and regulate banks, but the agency has helped the banksters avoid trial for their crimes since the 2008 financial meltdown. The LA Times reports that the very agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting bank procedures that crashed our economy has been quietly settling charges out of court – and out of the view of the American public.

Catch The Thom Hartmann Program LIVE 3-6pm ET M-F!

Hour One: Former President of Iran says "Argo is wrong"

Hour Two: Hartmann vs. Ferrara...Keynesian economics -  Peter Ferrara, The Carleson Center for Public Policy

Hour Three: Saving our social safety net from Wall Street hustlers - Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th District)