THOM - PLEASE report on your home state of MICHIGAN where republicans are about to pass a law even worse than WISCONSIN'S.

Gov. Rick Snyder's budget proposes not just to cut off aid to local government, but he wants the ability to, at his sole discretion, declare a financial emergency in any area, and send in his administration's appointed manager to fire the local elected officials. Snyder's goons will have the power to do whatever they want and to void any contract, including (and specifically) collective bargaining contracts.

WILL THE NEXT STEP BE HITLER'S ENABLING ACT:

"Restrictions on personal liberty, the right of free expression of opinion, freedom of the press, the rights of assembly and association; in addition to violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, and warrants for house searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed."

I think that the recall effort of Wisconsin Republican state senators should also be coupled with recalling as many Republican state assembly members in Wisconsin as well! The sooner the people of Wisconsin wake up to the one-party rule power grab by the Republicans and get power back to Democrats, the better.

Why not have Noam Chomsky, and Derrick Jensen, and Ravi Batra, and Chris Hedges on? I'd rather hear a round table discussion, or debate, with those progressive minds. It would be much more educational than debating "Right-Wing Wackadoodles" (your term) like Dan Gainor! Come on Thom, Give Our Country Another Narrative. I would like to hear from the so-called "radical left." We already know where the Rich stand. BTW: It's Up vs. Down, NOT Left vs. Right. It's Rich vs. Poor, NOT Conservative vs. Liberal. Where is your messaging? You're really slipping, Thom.

It would be very wrong to suggest the workers of Wisconsin storm the capital building, taking the Governor and the Republican legislators that voted for this travesty of law out to a public square to be appropriately and publicly humiliated ... but it would them serve right if that is what ended up happening. A better idea would be to publicly humiliate them in (what's left of) the political process and recall as many as the voters of Wisconsin can. Then vote in progressive candidates to take over the state government and repeal the heinous work the Republicans are doing as a further example to others of the proper master Wisconsin (and other American) legislators should really be serving.

I think we are in for property and casualty insurance claims of epic proportions.

They keep exposing their true intentions every day like an open book. This is going to come back and bite them in their assets. The truth will out and they are presenting it. At first I could have bit my tongue off by watching their inhumane attacks on the working people...now I am enjoying their exposing their true platform against the producers of the country. If there is one word that fits them perfectly it is PARASITE.

dictionary: par-a-site n. a person who receives, support, advantage, or the like, from another or others without giving any useful or proper return esp. one who lives on the hospitality of others.

Thom or Louise,

What role do conservative Democrats play in this current attack on people's rights? I have a hard time believing it's all the Republicans' fault. An inaction is an action. And democrats' refusal to play hardball on the hardball court is hurting the whole team. We picked them to play our game. We can either be happy with losing all the time or we can build a new team. We can't wait for a Bad News Bears moment, we will have to create our own.

I love the new Progressives United but it isn't grassroots and I feel it won't last. We need 'big P' change and we need it to start with Thom Hartmann, Russ Feingold, Michael Moore, Alan Grayson, and Bernie Sanders. We need them out soapboxing and speaking from the heart, not teleprompters. And I suggest radical left fluffers behind the scenes to get them pumped up before their speeches. Well maybe not Thom.

You back up our natural leaders with some RATM and you'll start a movement. We're hungry for it.

" I feel they've made it EASIER for Obama to win in 2012!" "Only the public will tell!"

I agree. I view President Obama as a conservative. I'll admit that I fully backed him and gave him credit where credit wasn't due. Lesson learned on my part.

But I'll have a hard time voting for him come 2012. I don't buy the traditional arguments of "voting for Obama is better than voting in a conservative". I have the right to vote for whomever I wish, not what someone else forces upon me. If a candidate doesn't hold most of my views then I simply won't vote for them.

So far I'll be staying home.

The republicans have shown their true colors, they will not stop until the working class is destroyed . they have the cauldrons of hot lead ready . Hopefully we could stop them with the next elections and political proccesses, if not with the billionaires and now supreme court on their side the only alternative way to stop them will be with cold lead

I think it's time for a National Demonstration, Boycott or Strike! All Corporations - All Conservative Media - All Conservative conglomerates! Let’s all boycott Fixed News and ALL their Advertisers! Anyone associated with this right-wing middle-class killing movement!

One day or 2 - let’s all stay home - shut out all media and boycott all these super-rich obscene Middle-Class killing robber barons!

And what all these republican state governors are doing Nationwide is Democracy killing! Some of the policies and agendas they are pushing are as democracy destroying as it can get in any dictatorial fascist regime: you’d think they attended some fascist meetings in pre-war Germany!

American Democracy is under attack in America. And the Middle Class.

Enough!

By the way...I have noticed that what happens on many of the Thom Hartman shows is what might be described as the Max Headroom syndrome and that happens mostly when Thom is talking about somethng like the Koch Bros. The video and audio glitches making what he said inaudible and he looks like he has a severe case of Parkinsons Disease or is having a bad acid trip. His eyes shift rapidly back and forth repeatably when this happens. I have not noticed this same effect on any of the other Dish Network shows. I am wondering is Skype is involved in the feed from Thom Hartman show.

I think the Koch Bros are probably doing something to the signal....do they own the satellites?

Anyone remember the Art Bell program, many years ago, being jerked off line completely by a "failed" satellite when this very frightening guy caller was freaking out in his telling of his knowledge of master plans that certain powerful elite groups, in the US, had plans to do something terrible to large masses of people in the US..affecting all major cities...and that he was on the run from them because he was to be terminated for having discovered this knowledge and for going public with it. He was crying and really freaking out and just when the listener was about to write him off as a terribly mentally disturbed nut case...then the air waves went completely dead. Many minutes later, Art Bell came back on and explained that they lost a satellite feed line...somethng that could only have been done by whoever controlled the satellite. Anyway, it was really good theatrics...I don't know if this was a hoax or if that guy was extremely paranoid, sure sounded like it but after all that has happened in the last decade...especially the last few years...with the inside job 911, and the massive economy fraud and taxpayer bailouts I think that maybe he wasn't so paranoid or that the satellite thing was not just a coincidence.

Haven't listened to Art Bell in quite a few years...don't even know if he is still on.

Palindromedary wrote 18 min 5 sec ago

Dylan Ratigan is making a lot

You a paid lobbyist?

• Mother Jones' own David Corn: "President Barack Obama's speech in Tucson was undeniably a high moment of his presidency. But you can judge that for yourself. (As the father of a nine-year-old daughter, I could not imagine delivering such an address—and keeping it together.)"
• The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan: "To rate this address on any political meter would be to demean it. The president wrested free of politics tonight and spoke of greater things. I pledge myself to try and follow his advice and debate with vigor and spirit and candor and bluntness, but with more civility, more empathy, and, yes, more love."
• Time's Joe Klein: "And in summoning the community and the nation and the Congresswoman that Christine Taylor Green imagined we are, he summoned for us the country that we should be. On this night. certainly, he was the President she—and we—imagined he might be. On this night, finally, he became President of all the people. It was a privilege to behold."
• National Review's Rich Lowry: "President Obama turned in a magnificent performance. This was a non-accusatory, genuinely civil, case for civility, in stark contrast to what we've read and heard over the last few days. He subtly rebuked the Left's finger-pointing, and rose above the rancor of both sides, exactly as a president should. Tonight, he re-captured some of the tone of his famous 2004 convention speech. Well done."
• Slate's Dahlia Lithwick: "President Obama’s speech in Tucson last night should be ranked with his greatest oratorical moments, largely because in the end he was brave enough to sidestep politics and ideology, and speak instead of love, and family, and the need for kindness. He answered two years of enraged Mama Grizzly with 30 powerful minutes of quiet Papa Bear."
• The Atlantic's James Fallows: "The standard comparisons of the past four days have been to Ronald Reagan after the Challenger disaster and Bill Clinton after Oklahoma City. Tonight's speech matched those as a demonstration of "head of state" presence, and far exceeded them as oratory—while being completely different in tone and nature. They, in retrospect, were mainly—and effectively—designed to note tragic loss. Obama turned this into a celebration—of the people who were killed, of the values they lived by, and of the way their example could bring out the better in all of us and in our country."
• National Review's John Pitney: "President Obama gave a fine speech reminding us that there is more to life than politics, and more to politics than self-interest."
• Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein: "Obama or any president represents us—makes us present even though we are not present—because we have contended with him, because he's had to make so many promises to us about what he will do, how he will act, who he will be. Barack Obama is, as we all know, a talented speaker. The Barack Obama who gave the speech in Tucson, however, is one who has built himself through his interactions with the electorate, who has become our representative in a rich sense, not a narrow one. That's why even the worst of them, even a Jimmy Carter or a George W. Bush, are usually able to deliver when the occasion calls for it. Put a little oratorical skill into the mix, and, well, you're going to get what you heard last night in Tucson."
• Blogger Andrew Sprung: "In building his image of a national family, embodied in the people whose lives he sketched, Obama moved miles behind his 'no red state/blue state —> United States' credo of 2004. In evoking the reactions of the bereaved, he spoke as husband, father and son. He made me proud to be part of his family."
• The New York Times' Nate Silver: "President Obama’s speech in Tucson tonight seems to have won nearly universal praise. I suspect it will be remembered as one of his best moments, almost regardless of what else takes place during the remainder of his presidency."
• National Review's John Miller: "I think it may be the best speech he’s ever given."

So I guess this was a bunch of BS, and where was the anonited ONE when all the name calling and threats were going on ??? You people are a JOKE !!! LOL

30 yrs ago it was cool to act like you where into the TV show Miami -Vice ,love Ronald Reagan and brag about turning into a republican... Wow have times changed !

CORPORATIONS support and are pulling out all stops to silence the voice of all people, more especially, the working class! And according to history, which "We" are sadly repeating, this movement is FASCIST! Are "We" prepared to go back in time and suffer the forces that advocate Corporate take over, meddling in every aspect of our precious freedoms? DID it work for Germany? These are deadly, gr$$d, diseased heretics. And yes, as a Christian, I "Dare" call these dark entities heretics. (HERETIC: One who is not orthodoxed in their beliefs) These deceivers have used faith to undermine the less wary. Those who know me are aware that while I'm a FIRM believer of the Fisherman, I do not abide the lack of truth coming out of many organized, faith based, groups.. Gr$$d rules in all areas of power! Many faith based groups, because of the ole mighty dollar, have failed. Those who are behind this "POWER GRAB" are the very same people "We" Bailed Out".... These are the very same people that have gotten away with gross Violations, Felonies, polluters of our water, air & food, , mis-use of huge sums of money, scams, Monopolies, fraud with the intention to commit fraud. And the list goes on! So far these entities, with a great deal of help from America's mainstream media, have polluted US with "Bait & Switch then spin it to death! Any semblance of truth or jUStice does not exists within these corporate owned networks! So far all of these abusive entities have gotten off SCOTT, No pun intended, FREE! Now, arrogant that they are, they've escalated their pernicious agenda's with the audacity, NO HOPE HERE, to throw their victims out of their homes, break the back of collective bargaining while they raise the cost of food, gas and, on the other-hand, find ways to fund wars of convenience.. American's are struggling in all aspects of their lives & they're being asked to sacrifice more! MORE WHAT? What is this MORE that these gr$$dy people want from America's citizens? Assume Nothing! Question Everything! Meanwhile, back at the ranch! What is Washington doing while American's are under assault from those who should be tried as traitors, imprisoned, the key thrown away and or thrown out of the country? These are traitors! Usurpers! Violators! Empire grabbers! Polluters! MONEY GRABBERS! FREEDOM KILLERS! And the list goes on........ While this travesty is unfolding Washington sellouts are conniving to further undermine the precious rights and protections of "We" the people! I've been at this for so long I've become numb! But I can tell you this, those of US who have been on the front, not back lines, realized, years ago, that these entities were, would and have, without any reservation nor conscience, declared war on some 80 % of America's citizens. And where are the power grabbers? Looking down on the masses while they hide, like the cowards they are, in their IVORY TOWERS. Thank God American's are waking up. Barbara/founder/dtdn.net www.TheBridgeToNoWhere.org

Thomas Jefferson said: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." and "Every generation needs a new revolution."

Thom,

I don't know what the next step will be. But I know what I'd LIKE it to be. Wisconsin unions should show some solidarity with the public workers unions and call for a general strike, till that bill is repealed. Wisconsin voters should start immediate recall procedings on all who voted for that bill, and on their governor, because they went against the will of the people. If that doesn't work, then the next step is probably armed resistance. We have to take back our OWN government FROM OUR ELECTED GOVERNORS!!!!! As ridiculous as that sounds, it is what needs to be done.

The Shock Doctrine is exploding in the USA. I agree that Gov. Walker has truly shown his hand with these clandestine meetings to destroy collective bargaining. I watched the video of poor Senator Miller with his hand raised and being totally ignored, and I was just sickened. I know the question is what would I do, but I'm sick because I can't think of anything. Thom, I agree with you that we need to join our local committees, etc. But that gives slow results. Where is the legal, positive, middle-of-the-night meeting that will turn this around? Why haven't Walker and Gov. Rick Snyder been arrested?

Read this Prime example of someone who didn't complete the first grade! Totally useless!

I'm a fairly recent retiree from the federal government. I worked with numerous agencies for about 33 years. I was a Labor Relations Specialist and as such my job was to take the management role in collective bargaining. We regularly bargained with unions. Most of the Departments I worked for did not bargain pay but, a few do (DOI Bureau of Reclamation - for one). We bargained working conditions. If the bargaining agreement didn't cover a condition - we entered into interim bargaining.

I felt it was necessary to call this to your attention given the conversations near the end of today's broadcast! Scott Walker clearly doesn't know what he was talking about on MANY subjects!!

I agree with Making Progress. I am sick of listening to those right wing idiots...even though Thom always winds up kicking their a$$e$. I would prefer to hear from Noam Chomski and those others...as well as from Michael Hudson, the economist.

Excuse me, Skype, it is LiveStream that, I believe, is causing the Max Headroom antics (audio stuttering and video twitching). Does the Koch brothers own LiveStream?
I've noticed the terrible video and audio break ups on other programs on FSTV programs as well. While I'm on a rant, maybe I should point out that captions would be nice for those who have a hard time hearing or understanding the poor audio quality on FSTV. I know FSTV is low budget and maybe that's the problem. I still greatly appreciate FSTV for all it does. But unless they get feedback, they might think everything is fine and there are no problems. But it just seems like the video and audio problems, like Thom Hartmann's head and eyes shifting rapidly back and forth, happen during his rants on the Koch Bros. or some other really right-wing faux pas.

Thom, I am listening to the rerun of your Friday show on 92.1 in Madison, WI, which I am SOOO grateful they have been doing! Anyway, when I worked part-time for an insurance company (purely out of desperation) AND was already an advocate for national healthcare, I was astonished by the Stepford-type attitude of the workers there, mostly if not all without a bachelor's degree like I had. The fear that you said the corporations and the right-wing have instilled in these people is that if we change our health care system THEY WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS AND THEIR LIVLIHOOD! Insurance companies are very plush places to work with great benefits and beautiful offices. I was so mortified by this attitude! It was 1988 and these people didnt even know who was running for President, but they KNEW they had to vote for Republicans or they'd be "fired." They were completely brainwashed and had no idea that insurance companies are cutthroat opportunists, bottom feeders who will ALWAYS come out smelling like a rose. When we have Medicare for all, they'll just start selling insurance for cosmetic surgeries, elective surgeries and things not covered by the govt coverage. And they will then be feeding off their own kind...sweet vegence! I knew that then and I still believe it now!

Secondly, when our WI gov (i refuse to give him the publicity or the "respect" to use his name) and the odiferous Repubs stole our state last Nov, I told my spouse, "They know no what they've done...when they wake up it will be Armeggedon!" When I got done grieving for Russ Feingold's defeat and realized I could not leave the state, all that remained was the Shame that they are now yelling at the very people most of them voted for. I still feel the conflict that I felt then; I weeped for the loss of the Progressive dream that my state emboddied, but at the same time found solice in what your caller articulated. These people are reaping what they sowed and I'm afraid that it is the ONLY way they would begin to question the lies of the right wing and Faux Noise. I will suffer; my kids will suffer; but hopefully not more than the seniors who voted straight Republican and killed Seniorcare, the working class who believe Rash Limbo has their best interests in mind whose kids will have larger class sizes and small businesses will have no customers, the students who refused to vote in 2010 to punish Obama for not being FDR and will pay 20% more tuition and the poor, disinterested, and unemployed who will lose their benefits, their BadgerCare and their Headstart programs. Necessary evil? The worst part is my own county elected Scott Fitzgerald!! I am ashamed.

Lastly, Michigan and the other states are in similar positions, but there is a difference. WI is target #1 for Repukes. They knew if they could get rid of the cleanest, most honest, most helpful, hardest-working Senator who EVEN McCain weeped for his defeat, Russ Feingold, they could defeat ANY Congressman. He was the Seniors' greatest advocate and they rode him out of town on a rail bought and paid for by Karl Rove and the Koch Bros. It is the home of workers rights, consumer safety, & progressive values, is in their sights with their AKs47's locked and loaded. They are NOT only attacking the collective bargaining rights of workers and destroying the unions that began in our state, they are destroying the "Wisconsin Idea", the very fabric of our state and our beliefs...they are not only raping and pillaging our public lands, our power plants, our public eduation and privatizing our state, they are trampling on our souls, our very being, that which makes us Wisconsinites. Let them just try to sell the Packers to a private owner! Maybe THAT would wake up the rest of them. I will write a letter to the editor, "What's next, Sell the Packers to a Private Owner?"

We need to stop GOP Inc and Tea Party Inc. they objectives have become clear for 2010-2012 –
1) destroy union, the only large contributor left to Democratic so their billionaire buddies can spend without challenge, we will find out in 2012 what congress costs to buy with the white house
2) Limit who can vote, in all tea party inc won states, bills have been induced to stop people from voting much like the Jim crow laws of the 150’s and 60’s
3) Limit the rights of women, in the time of supposed budget crisis, all the tea party inc governors are worried about a woman’s choice and reproductive rights
4) Provide big tax cuts to multinational and billionaires not small businesses like they promised.
5) Reduce the Social safety net and promote social Darwinism ( if you are unemployed or in a bad way you deserve it, fix your situation and it will get better)
6) Keeps the middle class fighting among ourselves so we ignore the rich getting richer? Google republican myths about public employees. The joke about the billionaire, union guy and the tea partier and the dozen cookies is all too true. The billionaire gobbles 11 cookies, and tells the tea party look out the union guy wants your cookie.
If they win in 2012, especially the white house you will see (this already been hinted out)
1) Destroy net neutrality if they can control the internet they can stop Egypt style protests, sad that Egypt had to show us the way
2) Eliminate minimum wage and child labor laws this was proposed by some of the losing tea party back senate candidates
3) Eliminate worker safety and health federal organizations again proposed by the tea party senate candidates who wanted it limited to state government who are more easily controlled.
Further ahead as Ed Shultz and Michael Moore point we out number they and we can currently vote them out until they change the laws back to the original definition of voters that you had to be male and a property owner. Consider the foreclosure crisis and the attack on woman’s rights, if you don’t think it is coming. Even when Bank of America falsified documents to speed foreclosure has anyone gone to jail – NO, have people gotten their homes back – Not all. If the rich are the only ones that own property they will be the only ones voting. End of that pesky problem of the working poor voting people in that might help them.