The Norman Goldman Show - Norm's Blog

Employers Checking Backgrounds!

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We got a call today (Donald, from Alabama) asking about the fact that employers (in his case, the federal government) check credit and other (criminal, etc.) histories. I told him I would check, but that I THOUGHT this was authorized by Congress in the law. I checked, and here is a helpful link:

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs16-bck.htm#5

Tell me what you think!

Norm

THIRD PARTIES SPLITTING MAIN PARTIES

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As I just spoke of on the show, please read this article before advocating for dumping the Democrats for a third party. Then, please call me or e-mail to discuss! Thanks!

Norm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38432473/ns/politics/

Time To Say "The Word"

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With the "seepage" now discovered in the Gulf, the environmental damage done - and threatened - is too catastrophic to either contemplate or tolerate. The price of oil needs to reflect the true dangers this type of fuel presents. Thus, "the word".

Taxes. Like Europe, we should dramatically escalate taxes on "carbon"; especially dirty fuels like oil and coal. Instead of spending vast sums on trying to make these inherently dirty fuels clean, we should just invest in straightforwardly clean fuels. I am talking about a MASSIVE investment - a Manhattan Project-style program. A crash program, fueled (pardon the pun) with whopping amounts of money generated by......TAXES! "Algae" should become a household word, as pleasant as "taxes" is despised.

Let's have the courage to not just say the word, but to confront the plain reality sitting, like an oil slick in the Gulf, before our eyes.

Norm

Justice for (to?) Limbaugh!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I posted this today on HuffPost! please tell me what you think!

Norm

AN OPEN LETTER TO RUSH LIMBAUGH
Dear Mr. Limbaugh:
Your comments on air regarding the recent passing of George Steinbrenner and his estate tax implications were thought provoking. As you accurately stated, the federal estate tax is zero this year - and this year only - and thus Mr. Steinbrenner's family (and others of considerable wealth) will be spared paying taxes to the federal government based upon the value of assets, including (in this case) the New York Yankees. Senator Bunning of Kentucky echoed your remarks in the U.S. Senate at the same time as your statements on air. Apparently, this issue is being very closely watched by the richest Americans - as it should be - since you and they are the only ones who actually pay the estate tax.

Reflecting upon your comments, it seems to me that, given your antipathy to taxes on the super-rich, a valuable opportunity is being presented to you, Senator Bunning and the other elites of (largely) the Republican Party (e.g. the corporate business/Wall Street world) which you would be hard pressed to ignore. Since the estate tax is reinstated to the 55% level (for the wealthiest people) on January 1, 2011, you should ensure your own end by midnight on December 31, 2010. Since your net worth is reportedly near a billion dollars, you would be saving your heirs approximately $550 million dollars!

Indeed, think about the consequences of NOT dying before 2010 is over - the federal government will take your hard earned money and SPEND it! Perhaps they will spend it on minorities, including BLACK PEOPLE, and even (perish the thought) the health care of BLACK PEOPLE! Heck, they may even just hand your money directly to Donovan McNabb! Leaving this world on YOUR terms before the year (and the loophole) expire means you can leave your fortune TAX FREE to LOTS of WHITE people who will know exactly what to do with it! You can even leave it to the Tea Party! YOU are in control, not that that smelly, old, evil government!

Look on the brightest side - because you can start planning your death now, you can do a "Farewell Tour" - indeed, the ULTIMATE farewell tour! You can even emulate LeBron James (I know, he's black, but that's just the way these things go sometimes) and have your demise done LIVE in a one hour ESPN Special on New Year's Eve!

Also, the U.S. financial picture will benefit because, rather than having our socialist government frittering away YOUR money, spendthrift wastrels that YOU designate will quickly spend your fortune and zip that cash right back into our economy! Your patriotic credentials will be sealed for eternity - literally!

This is all a perfect win, win for the wealthy - and befitting the importance of the event, I suggest a name for it - the Final Avoidance Tax plan (The FAT plan). Perfect, don't you think? However, if that does not float your yacht, how about "A Rush to Judgment Day"?

This is truly the American spirit in action - how the right wing wealthy can avoid paying taxes, help the economy, and designate where one's fortune ends up, with NO government interference!

And, the Supreme Court made it EASY for you and your buddies! Look at their recent gun rulings - they paved the path for you to get all the guns you want - such an easy way for you and your compadres to exit life, with exit wounds! You can even choreograph the event - synchronized shooting, like in the Olympics! Understanding, however, that this may be too much for you, we can always ask Dr. Kevorkian to help out. While I have not inquired, I suspect he'd be willing.

As a licensed California attorney, and in the spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship that President Obama has been seeking, I will be happy to lead a team of highly qualified estate lawyers to assist you in the distribution of your worldly assets according to your wishes - absolutely free of charge! While you can continue to hope he fails, certainly, you can enjoy the irony of using the President's calls for bridging differences to take advantage of my offer of free legal services - after all, a progressive radio host/trial lawyer is offering to work for free to help the leading right wing radio host keep the government's grubby hands off of YOUR hard earned pile!

Mr. Limbaugh, since you started with the concept, I believe it is not only wise, but fitting that you follow Mr. Steinbrenner's tax avoidance strategy. Now, all YOU have to do is pass away before the estate tax loophole does!
If you would contact me as soon as possible, we can undertake the plan with the undertaker before it's too late. In conclusion, if you will pardon the expression, when it comes to paying estate taxes in 2010, why retire when you can expire?

Sincerely,

Norman Goldman

Pet Rescue!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I just posted an introduction to our "Norm's Pet Rescue" section and invite you to go take a look! I want this to be VERY interactive, so please join me!

I look forward to building this portion of our website with you!

Norm

Rush - The Band!

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Rush (not the Limbaugh!) got a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, June 25, 2010! A well-deserved honor and I was lucky enough to be invited by Donna Halper! If you are not familiar with Donna Halper and Rush, check out the YouTube video clips at this link!

Oh, and your faithful correspondent was there - the guy in the black sport coat and sunglasses!!

Norm

read more...

Do The Bad Guys Give Up?

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am hearing A LOT of discouragement from the e-mailers and callers to the show. Of course there are grounds for being discouraged - lots of things look AWFUL these days. BUT, do the anti-choice people; the greed heads; the corporatists; the fascists; any of these evil doers who have destroyed so much of what makes America great, do THEY give up??? DID THEY GIVE UP when President Obama was elected and a big Democratic majority was put in place?

No, they FOUGHT - and so must we. If we give up, we are guaranteed to lose. And, despite 30 years of corporatist onslaught, we have STILL made progress! America is more open, more accepting, more diverse and more progressive than when Ronald Reagan took over. Disagree? Call me and we'll discuss! 1-888-321-6001

Norm

If Ever There Was A Show To Podcast....

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our show of June 16 was it! The deal President Obama made with BP for the $20 billion for Gulf damages involves significant legal complexity and I broke it all down for us!

Many questions got answered on this show and I was happy to receive many e-mails to norm@normangoldman.com saying that the "Senior Legal Analysis" was understandable and helpful!

I couldn't ask for more! So, if you have a little time, give a listen and I would love to hear your feedback!

Thank you!

Norm

www.crudethemovie.com and more!

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Check out this link, on the oil disaster in Africa:

http://www.msnbc.com/id/37746494/ns/world news-the new york times/

The story is horrible and unbelievable.

Also, check out this link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crudefund/crude-fight-for-the-first-amendment

The terrible toll that oil is taking on us is too horrific for words. We simply have to get off this stuff.

Norm

THANK YOU, PORTLAND!

Sun, 23 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

My wife (Frances) and I had a WONDERFUL TIME at the Bipartisan Cafe in Portland on Friday night!! I also REALLY enjoyed broadcasting from AM 620, Portland's Progressive Talk, KPOJ, and the folks there were VERY NICE and accommodating to us!!

I am OVERWHELMED by the outpouring of affection and energy from the Portland/KPOJ folks, as shown by the Bipartisan Cafe event! Please know that I am TOTALLY in awe of you and LOVE YOU very much!!

Also, a BIG shout out to the Bipartisan Cafe itself - for being SO VERY nice and opening its doors to us ALL!!!

As the Governor of California once so famously said: "I'll be baaaccckk"....because I LOVE PORTLAND!!!

Norm

Enough Already!

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The BP Oil Disaster needs to END NOW!! The President MUST simply tell BP "Get out of the way" and send in the Coast Guard and Navy, along with the Army Corps of Engineers (and anything else needed!) and STOP THIS GUSHER!!! NO MORE TIMIDITY!!

Sheesh!! What will it take to get this thing stopped???

Norm

The Gulf Oil Spill Nicknames

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We got a LOT of great names for the Gulf Oil Spill last Thursday and Friday! Here are some of my favorites:

1) Palin's Puddle;

2) Lake Landrieu;

3) The Great Ocean of Petroleum (G.O.P.);

4) Spill, Baby, Spill;

5) Gulf of Texaco;

6) Halliburton's Hell Hole;

7) The Texas "T" Party;

8) Dick's Slick;

9) Sarah's Spill, and;

10) O.H.E.C. - Oily Halliburton Environmental Crisis.

Why don't you post some of your favorites?

Norm

Will We EVER Get Rid Of The Filibuster?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today, for the third time this week, the Republicans in the United States Senate blocked even the mere opening of debate on the re-regulation of our financial system. There are 41 Republicans - and out of 100 - they control the Senate. This "minority rule" is a crazy system, and it all goes back to the filibuster, which allows 41 to block 59. A long tradition in the Senate, it is being abused mercilessly by Republicans. The damage to America is clear - a minority of corporate-owned lackeys is running the nation from the United States Senate. When will we force the Senate to work for US and not the 41 Republicans who are responsive only to corporations? WHEN? It's only America hanging in the balance.

Norm

Just Who Are The Democrats?

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There are reports of a fight within the Senate Democratic caucus on how to approach financial re-regulation. On one side are Democrats who say 'get aggressive - force Republicans out into the open protecting Wall Street'. On the other side are the deal makers - water down the bill to get "bipartisan" support.

This brings to light the question of just who are the Democrats? So long as they take corporate money and give deference to the barons of Wall Street and corporate America, the Democrats will be Republican-lite; half the fat cat of our regular Republicans. Unless and until the Democrats embrace a fully populist position; swear off corporate money and speak only for the middle class, working and poor people, they will be forever locked into being a corporatist party.

The Great Poem On Illegal Immigration

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Listener Jim Curtis sent this great poem to norm@normangoldman.com....we got a LOT of requests for it....so, here it is! Thanks, Jim!

JOSE CAN YOU SEE
BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT
SOME PEOPLE HATE YOU
JUST CAUSE YOU AIN'T WHITE

THEY'LL TAKE YOUR CHEAP LABOR
CAUSE THEY'RE FILLED WITH GREED
BUT THEY'LL NEVER HELP YOU
WHEN YOU'RE FAMILIES IN NEED

THEY'LL TRY TO DEPORT YOU
CAUSE YOU HAD THE NERVE
TO WANT ALL THE GOOD THINGS
ONLY WHITE FOLKS DESERVE

THEY CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS
BUT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND
THE WORLD GREATEST SAVIOR
WAS ANOTHER BROWN MAN.

In Memoriam - Oklahoma City Victims

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On this day, let us remember it was not 168 people murdered in the Alfred Murrah Federal Building, it was one person; one family; one group of friends, repeated 168 times. This comes across most strongly by reading the brief but poignant obituaries of the people killed. When will the hate and murdering stop?

Take a moment to read some of these and remember - it cannot happen again.

Norm

http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/secondary.php?section=1&catid=24

Tea Partiers ARE Stupid!

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On our radio show, I have treated the Tea Party people with some of the same language and attitude that they have used towards the President. They have not reacted well! Apparently, they can dish it out, but they can't take it! Further, the hate machine that is Fox and right wing talk radio has been so vicious for so long - and gotten away with it - that now when some of that same language comes back at them, they squeal and whine like little children.
Well, the truth is that everything we are saying about the Tea Partiers is true, and here is the proof. The Tea Party people are indeed stupid. Many call them "low information voters". I prefer the more direct word.

� They protest the supposed raising of their taxes when their taxes have actually gone down. Facts don't matter to them. That is stupid.

� Calling President Obama a "dictator" when he was democratically elected by a 10 million vote margin (and a huge electoral vote landslide) while not saying the same when George W. Bush, Katherine Harris, Jeb Bush and the Supreme Court stole the 2000 election (and Ken Blackwell in Ohio helped steal Ohio in 2004) is stupid.
� Calling President Obama a "socialist" and a "Nazi" is stupid, since the two are polar opposites. They MAY mean "totalitarian" but are too stupid to even know that or use the correct words.
� Saying "socialism" is bad without even knowing the definition is stupid. Indeed, they don't even know the definition of "fascism". Nor do they know the definition of "stupid".
� Voting and working AGAINST their own best interests and arguing FOR those powerful forces that use and abuse them (and us) while screaming smugly in their own self assurance, is stupid.
� Blaming President Obama for the bank bailouts and budget deficits of George W. Bush is stupid.
� Though they have some legitimate complaints (e.g. huge budget deficits) their answer is to brandish guns, celebrate and threaten violence and act in ways so anti-democratic that they disgrace America and our ideals, all the while loudly bleating that THEY are the real Americans. This is, in a word, stupid.

Note to the Tea Partiers: When you stop acting stupid, I'll stop telling the truth by calling you stupid.

Norm

Tax Day

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I paid my federal income taxes today. I want a veto over how the government can spend my money. I do not want my tax dollars going to Iraq; nuclear weapons or corporate welfare. The anti-choice people are so smug that they insist THEY are special - they get to veto where their tax dollars go. And politicians - including Democrats - pander to them. That is wrong. So, today, I am telling the federal government that I want my tax dollars to go as follows: One-third to coal mine safety inspections, shut downs and prosecutions of reckless coal mine owners; one-third to support the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), to help unions, and one-third to public education. There! I said it! Now, will the government obey me? Or, should I hang tea bags from my hat and march around like an idiot?

Norm

Questions About The Health Insurance Bill

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We got a call today asking about the health insurance bill - with the statement: "No one knows what's in it - there is a lot of confusion." I said there were LOTS of resources on the Internet to summarize the key points. Well, listener Karen H. sent this EXTREMELY HELPFUL link and here it is: THANK YOU, Karen!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-Meeting

DEFEAT MICHELE BACHMANN

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday on the show, we discussed how to defeat that loony-toon on the far right wing fringe, Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (Minnesota). A caller told me that the Democratic candidate in that district is Tarryl Clark. I checked it out and indeed, it is true! So, i donated $100.00 and then went onto Twitter and tweeted about it, @normangoldman.

Here is the contact information if you want to help send Michele Bachmann into retirement!

http://www.tarrylclark.com/

Norm

Long Term Care Insurance

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today, we spend some time on a type of insurance policy called "Long Term Care" coverage. This is a growing area and a lot of people are paying a lot of money for this type of insurance. Like with all insurance companies, there are claims denials and other hassles, such as when dealing with insurance companies over ANYTHING!

So, as a public service, today we interview Michael Hiltzik, of the Los Angeles Times, who wrote a terrific article in today's paper (www.latimes.com) on the subject. I also post - right here - some helpful links. DON'T GET RIPPED OFF!

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik7-2010apr07,0,7567632.column

http://www.usnews.com/health/managing-your-healthcare/healthcare/articles/2009/12/21/pros-and-cons-of-long-term-care-insurance.html

http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Money/6-08-10-WhatAGoodLTC.htm

http://www.aarphealthcare.com/learn/choosinglongtermcare.aspx

http://www.kaiseredu.org/tutorials/elderly/player.html

"NOW you get mad???"

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

James F. submitted this via norm@normangoldman.com and it's GREAT! Apparently, HE got it from: www.rosie.com)

"We had eight years of Bush and Cheney, Now you get mad!?

You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.

You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy.

You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.

You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.

You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.

You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion(and counting) on said illegal war.

You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.

You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.

You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.

You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.

You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.

You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.

You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich.

You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.

You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no."

Let's Be Honest Here....

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am being told I am in the minority on this health insurance bill, but I cannot shake the views that I have - and I cannot change my views based on criticism from those who disagree with me!

Let's face facts: The ONLY reason this bill passed was because the President and Congress gave the corporate interests what they wanted. The insurance companies got no public option; no Medicare buy-in, no breaking of their monopoly - BUT 32 million new customers COMPELLED TO DO BUSINESS WITH THEM, and implicit guarantees of massive (and growing) federal subsidies; the drug companies got no negotiation of prescription drug prices and gave back a paltry $8 billion per year; hospitals got no public option, no expansion of Medicare BUT expanded Medicaid and Medicare payments.

it's MASSIVE CORPORATE WELFARE and that's why it passed. There will be NO PUBLIC OPTION or other PRO-CONSUMER changes anytime in my lifetime. I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am right!

Right now, the Senate CAN PASS A PUBLIC OPTION! Will they? No, because the fix is in.

Norm

MoveOn Shows the Split

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With MoveOn.org now soliciting money to target Democrats who vote AGAINST the Senate/Obama health insurance bill that is pending in the House, they have set themselves against Dennis Kucinich, Michael Moore and me - and I have been a financial supporter of MoveOn from the start! This shows how the debate and bill has split the Democratic Party right down the middle - with lots of people outraged at a perceived sell-out and lots of others angry at those of us who are "perfectionists" or whatever we are being called!

It is important to remember who put us in this position - not just Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson - but the President and Harry Reid and now Nancy Pelosi. I am very dismayed at this split - but it is not my fault or your fault. It was inept politics by our leaders. Now, we are being forced to figure out what we are going to do. I made my choice - have you? Either way, we need to figure out how (literally) move on after this to better America. How do we proceed?

Norm

My 11 Predictions on Health Insurance

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I wrote up my 11 predictions on health insurance and read them on the air today. Here they are:

1) The Senate bill will pass the House;

2) There will be no public option or Medicare buy-in - now or EVER;

3) Many people will disobey the mandate;

4) The government will soft pedal enforcement;

5) The insurance companies will massively jack up rates AND PAY LOTS OF CLAIMS AND DEMAND HUGE SUBSIDIES (AND RECEIVE THEM);

6) The government will pay bigger than expected subsidies;

7) The cost curve will not bend, due to no public option, no Medicare buy-in, no competition, no repeal of the anti-trust exemption, no incentive to lower costs;

8) Lots more people will have access to insurance - but not all - this is NOT UNIVERSAL COVERAGE;

9) Deductibles and co-pays will remain a problem for many consumers;

10) The program will ULTIMATELY be seen as better than before it was enacted;

11) The whole thing will cost double what the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) estimated;

AND A BONUS PREDICTION:

12) The moment this whole thing passes, in the next few weeks, all Democratic politicians will drop the issue like the hottest of hot potatoes and will use the excuse of "The bill is complex, many of the provisions don't kick in for years, we gotta give the thing a chance to work, we can tweak it later (when they are out of politics or dead) so we shouldn't do anything now."

After the 1994 Clinton health insurance war and this one, WHAT POLITICIAN IN HIS OR HER RIGHT MIND WILL WANT TO TOUCH THIS ISSUE AGAIN?????

Those are my predictions. Let's see if I am right. Time will tell.

Norm

Fiercely Independent!

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I have taken a lot of heat over my stance on health insurance reform. Indeed, this issue has split the Democratic Party - and caused rifts similar to the Obama/Clinton fight for the nomination in 2008.

I have argued with callers telling me to "fall in line" and "get behind the President" and I have resisted mightily!

It occurs to me that the words "fiercely independent" apply not just to me, but to a growing number of Americans. People everywhere are renouncing BOTH political parties AND looking at politics, and the world, in new ways.

Let ours be a show where the fiercely independent meet - every day - and forge a new middle in America. Let's reject those who tell us "no we can't" and that we have to fall in line. I say that this is the place where the fiercely independent meet - and it is time for US to stand up and make OUR voices heard! Are you with me?????

Norm

It's Obama and Reid's Fault!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Cleveland Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich is out there refusing to vote for House passage of the Senate health insurance bill. Even with 253 Democrats in the House, Nancy Pelosi is trying to round up 216 votes (she can lose 37 and still win!) to pass the bill and she is having trouble. Now, we on the correct side of American politics are having a food fight with each other - we are all on the same team - and yet we are fighting with each other!

How did we get here? I blame the President and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). They TOTALLY mismanaged this entire process. The House did a good job on THEIR health insurance bill, but now they are being asked to totally scrap their bill (and all the work that went into it) and simply adopt the Joe Lieberman - Ben Nelson - Max Baucus authored bill. Many House members are upset, and I don't blame them. We have been handed a terrible situation by our OWN LEADERS - the President and the Senate, led by Mr. Reid. They have to fix it.

Norm

CONTACT DICK DURBIN!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Please call Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and ask him why he is going to ask Democrats to not vote for the public option through reconciliation. He is the #2 Democrat in the Senate and the Huffington Post reports he is against the public option through reconciliation. He has NOT signed the Bennet letter, which now has 41 votes. Here is his contact information:

WASHINGTON, D.C.
309 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
9 am to 6 pm
(202) 224-2152 - ph
(202) 228-0400 - fx

CHICAGO
230 S Dearborn St.
Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
8:30 am to 5 pm
(312) 353-4952 - ph
(312) 353-0150 - fx

SPRINGFIELD
525 South 8th St.
Springfield, IL 62703
8:30 am to 5 pm
(217) 492-4062 - ph
(217) 492-4382 - fx

CARBONDALE
250 W. Cherry Street
Suite 115-D
Carbondale, IL 62901
8:30 am to 5 pm
(618) 351-1122 - ph
(618) 351-1124 - fx

A Good Swift Kick In The Pants

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Democrats are acting like "Fraidy-crats" and they need a good swift kick in the pants! With 37 signatories now committed to the "Bennet Letter" on a public option through reconciliation, we are 13 short of getting it done! Since the Democrats won't act like Democrats, we must force them to do so!

Today I will publicly identify those recalcitrant Senators and ask you to help me have them help us!

Don't miss it!

Norm

It Will Be A Failure If....

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I have made no secret of my unhappiness with the Senate health insurance bill. Some of the big ones are: No public option; no Medicare buy-in for those under 65; massive subsidies to private insurers; no repeal of the anti-trust exemption insurance companies have; insufficient savings from Medicare prescription drug purchases, via no negotiation, and taxing union plans.

Now that the President has said he is on board with a simple majority vote and its accompanying reconciliation procedure in the Senate, we are now free of the shackles of Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, Mary Landrieu and their ilk.

So, let's go for the gusto! how about a real public option; and dare I say "single payer"?? How about a REAL Medicare buy-in? Come on, Senators, you are free now to do the right thing! Will you? Or are you Democrats too corrupt to do the people's will?

Norm

Smash Mouth Football

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The President appears to be finally ready to go it alone on health insurance reform. By using "reconciliation" the Senate will be able to pass real reform with a simple majority - you know - the way democracies do it! However, it appears the President is still playing footsie with Republicans; Republicans who have demonstrated they want nothing more than to destroy the President. Take a look at this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35656271/ns/politics-health_care_reform/

Why is the President doing this? If the Democrats will go it alone, then by all means, go it alone! Pass a REAL public option; pass a REAL Medicare buy-in; or even go for single payer - that will CLEARLY impact the budget and thus can be done via reconciliation. What is the matter with these Democrats? Why won't they play smash mouth football?

Norm

Should We Be Encouraged?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Now that "The Summit" has ended, will the President (and, even more importantly, Harry Reid and the Senate) stop messing around with Republicans (and chasing "bipartisanship" that will never happen) and FINALLY just muscle through a REAL, viable public option for us - and even add a Medicare buy-in for those under 65?

Republicans have used reconciliation many times over the last 29 years - it is time for the Democrats to show they have a back bone!

So, are the noises being made now by Democrats (the President included) about reconciliation (a Senate procedure requiring just 50 votes plus the Vice President) cause for encouragement or will we once again be disappointed by Lucy pulling away the football from us Charlie Browns?

For me, I simply don't trust Harry Reid and the President on this - I have been burned too many times. The burden is now squarely on them to prove they will deliver the goods for the American people on health insurance reform. We are waiting. People are still dying.

Bobby Fischer is Dead

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Chess was never my game. Bobby Fischer made it huge, but he died over two years ago. Apparently, the President is his heir apparent! Today, the chess pieces move some more on health insurance. Frankly, I am ready to say "take this rook and shove it"! Can we all just agree that Bobby Fischer is dead - and stop with the silly chess games - and analogies - already?

Look, I am a political junkie, and even I am getting nauseated by the "process" of the Senate, and the House, and their interplay.

It's time for results! It is my fervent hope that today, after the charade of this "bipartisan" health insurance summit, that the President and Congress will declare "check mate" and get on with ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING!!

Reconciliation, anyone?

www.whipcongress.com

Norm

Accomplishments, PLEASE?????

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Obama Administration plays a great chess game! BUT, are they accomplishing anything - especially on health insurance? For me, I wish they would stop already with the game playing and just ACCOMPLISH STUFF!!

If the Democrats in Congress would just RAM THINGS THROUGH, using reconciliation and/or killing the filibuster, their approval ratings would shoot skyward, and the President would be hailed as a conquering hero!

The more dawdling they do, the more the public hates them! That includes ME!

Norm

Which Senators Have Guts?

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado has a letter circulating that demands Harry Reid use "reconciliation" to move the public option back into the health insurance reform bill. So far, 16 Senators have signed. We need 50. www.whipcongress.com is a website by BoldProgressives to make the Senate do what WE want!

I have been demanding that the Senate work for US for a long time now - will they? On this issue at least? Please? Pretty bleepin' please, with sugar on top?

I still say Harry Reid must be dismissed as Senate Majority Leader - perhaps this letter can catapult someone on the list into his spot - to actually get something done here! The Democrats were given a small window of opportunity to get big things done. So far they have failed and that window is closing fast. Will things change?

Norm

March?

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I was on the radio with Ed Schultz today and we talked about marching on Washington. I THOUGHT we had done the hard work ("Mission Accomplished" if you'll pardon the expression) and could watch our elected representatives accomplish their (and our) goals. But, apparently I was wrong - it now appears we need to send a message loud and clear to the Washington elites - do your jobs now or lose your jobs in November.

I shudder at the thought of Republicans coming back to power, but, with the Democrats looking like clowns, voters will continue "ping ponging" between the parties, and it's the Republicans' turn. This is rewarding obstructionism; so that's why I say it's time for us to march - take the initiative away from the fringe loony Teabaggers - and send a BIG MESSAGE from REAL AMERICANS to get things fixed now or leave the office later!

Health Insurance Status

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Th President keeps reaching his hands out to Republicans - the latest is this "summit". The Republicans keep telling the President he is wasting his time. Will the President finally - and soon - make clear to everyone that he has tried and tried and tried again to get these people working with him - and finally gives up? Will he then go all "LBJ" on them and ram things through? Let's see, but the stakes are too high to be playing footsie with Republicans!

Norm

Toyota's Lessons To Us

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Toyota had sludge problems that ruined some of their engines 5 and 6 years ago. They blamed the owners for poor maintenance until finally agreeing to proper remedies. Toyota blamed bad floor mats and sticky pedals for what may be bad computers and wiring, causing the sudden acceleration problems that have killed and maimed people. Now, Toyota has a Prius problem, recalling many of those hybrid cars (a major claim to Toyota fame)for bad brakes.

Getting ahead of these problems is crucial - for all of us. 'Fessing up - being honest - is an attribute that seems in short supply these days. This is as true for companies as it is people. Where did honesty and being ethical disappear to? Why did Toyota refuse to take responsibility?

The consequences for Toyota are huge: Stock price down 20%; huge losses mounting and its vaunted reputation sullied. Where does Toyota go to get its reputation back?

We should ALL consider this when trouble arrives.....

Norm

Why is the Military a Sacred Cow?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With record deficits both in past years, the current year and going into the future as far as the eye can see, why is it off limits to attack waste, fraud and abuse in the military budget? I remain amazed at how timid our political leaders are when it comes to the boondoggles of unneeded weapons systems, out-of-control cost overruns and the extremely cozy relationship between the military and the contractors who make so much profit off the war machine.

One of my missions in doing this show is to take this issue on - and I have an ally - Taxpayers For Common Sense, a group I have admired for a long time. They will be with us for interviews to help us see the waste, fraud and abuse in the federal budget, not just the military but the military is no sacred cow here!

Norm

Life After Air America

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Connection. Information. Inclusion. These are three key elements to any successful talk radio show. I learned this early on in my broadcasting career, and it applied as well in my legal career, with clients, judges and juries. Indeed, I believe this applies to any medium requiring acceptance from consumers. No matter the format, topic, or political bent, being able to connect with the listener (one at a time) and provide intriguing, topical, entertaining and engaging talk is crucial to success.

There is much talk about Air America and the state of talk radio after its demise. History has shown a landscape littered with failed shows as well as networks. Nothing has changed - radio is about entertainment - but that word "entertainment" can be broadly defined. Cooking shows, car repair shows, sports talk shows, all must meet these requirements of informing, connecting, entertaining. What makes radio so much fun for the listener, and so frustrating for programmers, is that the uniqueness of the host determines pretty much everything for any show. That is why there is one Rush Limbaugh and one hundred wannabes.

Yet in progressive talk, as in conservative talk, some hosts connect with the audience and others do not. Air America could have succeeded, even with its blatantly ideological bent and messianic message, if it had found, nurtured and grown great talents. The successful programmer is part talent scout - knowing a hit when you hear it. Finding a good potential host, being patient (not easy these days) and coaching a coachable talent maximize the chances of a hit show. Air America never knew this and we see the consequences.

Air America never understood the fundamentals of radio. People tune in to hear a particular host, not to hear "conservative talk" or "liberal talk." Compelling radio hosts will always find an audience, and smart programmers know that fundamentals matter - connect, inform, include, entertain, be a friend and a companion, over a sustained period of time, and watch the ratings grow. It seems to me this is as true for cooking shows and car repair shows as it is for relationship shows and political talk.

When Will Obama Learn?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Immediately after taking office, Fox "News" was after the President for the continuing tanking of the Dow Jones Industrial average. They blamed him for it. Then the market rebounded and Fox dropped the issue. It just VANISHED. Then they started with "where are the jobs"? and today the economic numbers are very encouraging. The Republicans are a military-style organization: The top gives the daily marching orders and the rest follow. Part of this coordinated 'vast right wing conspiracy' effort is a uniform block of all Republicans in Congress voting 'no' on everything and Republican Senate filibusters on everything. The President keeps reaching out to them and they keep hitting him and spitting at him.

When will the President learn? Vilify them and run them over. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top. Smash them. Do you have it in you, Mr. President?

CORPORATIONS FOR CONGRESS!

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

During Wednesday's show, this guy and this website were a big topic and a big hit!

http://www.murrayhillincforcongress.com/

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In tonight's State of the Union address, the President is expected to focus on jobs. Truth is, the private economy is not creating jobs. We have spent mind-boggling sums bailing out huge banks and they have NOT re-paid us with lending to get business, especially small and medium sized business, moving. When FDR was confronted with this same situation, he created the WPA and CCC and got America working again.

The government has the money to replicate the WPA and CCC. There are so many needs here at home - let's get people working again. Enough with building up Iraq - build up America! I will discuss this in greater detail on today's show!

Norm

Air America

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am sorry to see Air America go. I am a radio listener, too! We need our voices heard!

This will be spun by those on the right-wing side as the failure of progressive talk. Of course, they are wrong. I am just getting started and am NOT affiliated in any way with Air America. Many other hosts that we know and love are NOT Air America, either. So, let's keep plowing forward - we have much to do!!

Norm

The Lessons To Be Learned

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The voters of Massachusetts expressed their anger yesterday. The question is: What are they angry about? The answer is they are mad at BOTH PARTIES for being corporate suck-ups. They voted for CHANGE last year and did not get it. They got the same bank and insurance company bail outs and a REALLY ugly legislative sausage-making process that makes people vomit at the thought of politicians. They do not perceive a viable third party option, so they keep going back and forth between the two parties. The Republicans are hopelessly whoring for the corporate elite. So, sadly, are many Democrats. Is it time for a third party?

Norm

Kill The Fil - ibuster?????

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I am continuously amazed that, with the Massachusetts Senate race to be decided in a few hours, and the Democrats poised to lose their "Magic 60" (such as it is) that there is NO DISCUSSION of killing the filibuster! This archaic, stupid, ant-democratic rule is accepted as if God has decreed it must exist. Mark my words - the Republicans WILL KILL THE FILIBUSTER when they have the majority - we should get the jump on them for once!

I have blogged about this and talked about this incessantly; no one else (save a few folks) has joined me and it is frustrating! With the filibuster gone, we could have REAL health insurance reform, and the Massachusetts Senate race would be irrelevant.

I will keep banging this drum.....will you join me?

Norm

Why I am A Better Conservative Than Most Conservatives

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I have said from the start that "I am a better conservative than most conservatives" and that many conservatives are "big government liberals". They just don't know it, or won't admit it. "Conservatives" want big government to boss people around in their private lives - with very intrusive government action - like warrantless wiretapping under Mr. Bush; outlawing a woman's right to choose; the "War on Drugs" and outlawing a person's right to end their life if they have a terminal illness.

Here are 9 reasons why I am a conservative:

1) I believe in hard work;

2) I believe in self-reliance and self-control and self-discipline;

3) I believe in saving and not looking to others to bail me out;

4) I believe in compassion;

5) I believe in charity, especially to those who are in unfortunate circumstances;

6) I believe that government should be small but effective and does have a proper role in our lives, like giving a hand up, not a hand out; but government should not be viewed as the savior of people;

7) I believe that people deserve privacy and respect;

8) I believe in balanced budgets and responsible spending;

9) I believe in personal responsibility.

I also believe most "liberals" would readily agree with many, if not all, of these points and that the words "liberal" and "conservative" have no meaning anymore. What do you think?

Norm

Irresponsibility

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The way Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh and the Fox-ites have reacted to the Haiti disaster is telling. They refuse to lay down their "weapons" for even a moment, to come together to do the right thing to save lives (aren't they "the party of life"?) and help the people of Haiti. Instead, they have immediately turned this catastrophe into a political circus and used it to further their cynical aims. It is irresponsible. President Obama keeps reaching his hand across for cooperation; they keep spitting on it. For this political party to claim they are "the Daddy Party" and the Democrats are "the Mommy Party" because the Republicans are "tough" shows just how dangerously out of touch they are. George W. Bush and his cronies in Congress showed they are not fit to govern; now they show they are not even fit to speak or act in the wake of a calamity like the earthquake in Haiti. Terrible. And irresponsible.

Norm

Movies About Race Relations In America

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We've had a great two days talking about race and race relations; all keyed to the Harry Reid comments revealed in the new book "Game Change".

I started talking about movies on the subject - and then people started e-mailing me and and calling me with more! So, here is the list - compiled by ALL OF US!!:

[THESE ARE NOT IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE OR RANKED IN ANY WAY]

1) A Family Thing (1996) James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall;

2) The Gristle (2001) Michael Dorn; Barry Corbin and a bunch of people we never heard of but it's a GREAT MOVIE!;

3) Malibu's Most Wanted (2003) Jamie Kennedy;

4) Lonestar (1996) Chris Cooper, Kris Kristofferson and a bunch of other great actors;

5) Glory Road (2006) Josh Lucas;

6) Finding Forrester (2000) Sean Connery;

7) Glory (1989) Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick;

8) Crash (2004) Sandra Bullock and a bunch of other great actors;

9) Grand Canyon (1991) Danny Glover, Kevin Kline and bunch of other great actors;

10) Mississippi Masala (1991) Denzel Washington and;

11) Blazing Saddles (1974) Mel Brooks, Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens and whole bunch of other great actors!

ENJOY!!

Norm

If We REALLY Wanted To Win The War on Terror

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

If we REALLY wanted to win the "war on terror" we would do a low-intensity, long-term, world-wide slog with infiltrators, electronic intercepts, human intelligence, and great police work and not dignify these murderers with attention. Dismiss them as fringe criminals and look down on them as weak, pathetic, sick little people who are craving attention. To run around like chickens with our heads cut off; all the hysteria, and give up our liberties like this is not only ridiculous but plays right into their hands.

norm

Rescuing Greyhounds

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

There is an emergency situation; Dean explained in an e-mail on Jan. 7:

"I listen to you on Seattle's KPTK 1090 via i-Tunes Radio, but I am in based in metro Detroit. At the close of your Thursday show you previewed Friday's interview with Best Friends. I know of that group their involvement with the Star Mazda Race series & the Andersen Racing Team.

As your Friday topic will be animals (& I assume pet adoption?) I wanted to alert you to a current emergency.

On December 31st 2009 the Dairyland Greyhound Park (DGP) closed & about 450+ dogs had a problem. DGP sent many of the greys to tracks in AZ & mainly to FL (seeming to want to bypass the numerous rescue groups). My SE/ MI greyhound rescue group, REGAP (Retired Greyhounds As Pets) of Michigan is getting about 55-60 dogs. This is a flood to their system, so if any of your Midwest listeners want to foster or adopt one of the greatest breed of dog on the planet...

.. PLEASE have them contact any number of the greyhound rescue groups in MI, OH, IL, IN, & WI. Google REGAP & your state will pop up... or better yet EM me back & I will provide links to the sites. ReGAP MI even has a Facebook page! Look forward to Friday's show

-DEAN

Then he wrote, the next day (today - Friday, Jan. 8)

Thank you so much for spreading the word as we need all the homes either foster or adoptive we can get. The best contacts about what's going on right now is Linda Cliffel with www.greyhoundalliance.org or with Kevin Newman at Grey2K www.grey2kusa.org Anyone is always welcome to call or text 248-425-3107 or email me.

MI REGAP's website is www.rescuedgreyhounds.org Please contact me anytime today after 4pm or text me before that.

Thanks

Suzanne

So, if you can do something to help - by fostering or rescuing a greyhound - it would be a wonderful thing in an emergency situation. THANKS!

Norm

Bust The Filibuster

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Now is the time - and it's not too late - to improve the bad health insurance bill passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve. The Senate can simultaneously provide a valuable public service - bust the filibuster and consign it to history.

As has been said, "Elections have consequences". In a democracy, the majority rules - within bounds. The "people's House" has passed a good, not great, health insurance bill, which is a good start and can be built upon later. A majority of the Senate would likely follow the House, but the filibuster is being played cynically by a small group of Senators (those Democrats and Democratically-aligned Senators, numerically between 50 and 60) to bend majority rule to a super-small minority rule. This is undemocratic, anti-democratic, and just a plain insane way to make public policy. And it is unnecessary. Dumping the filibuster would further democratize a nation that has evolved its democracy from the start.

John Burton, a former Democratic Congressman and powerful California state senator, once told by a witness at a Sacramento hearing that the bill under consideration was unconstitutional, said "we pass unconstitutional legislation all the time, that's what courts are for". And the courts are very undemocratic - federal judges (all of them, not just Supreme Court justices) are appointed for life, and their compensation cannot be reduced once in office. They can only be removed by impeachment, same as the President. Thus, one of the three branches of government is, by design, anti-democratic. The Senate (one-half of the legislative branch of government) itself was all-appointed until passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913. The filibuster continues the tradition of undemocratic rule.

Senators have had the power to stop legislation cold with the filibuster; from nobody (that's right, no one - prior to 1917, filibusters could not be ended at all) to the 2/3 "cloture" rule that was enacted at the start of the 1918 session of Congress, to the 1975 change that made the 2/3 rule a 3/5 rule, where it stands today. There have been efforts to simply get rid of the filibuster. All efforts failed, but, as above, it has been changed over the years. It is now time to dump it onto the ash bin of history. In 2005, when Democratic Senators were filibustering George W. Bush judicial nominees, then-Majority Leader Bill Frist threatened the "nuclear option" to end the 3/5 rule and approve judges by simple majority vote. The "Gang of 14" prevented that, but the filibuster came close to meeting its end there.

What is to stop the Senate from dumping the filibuster? Nothing. Past Senates cannot bind future/current Senates - they can change their rules at will. And mark my words, one day Senate Republicans will end the filibuster - they will "go nuclear" - since they know how to actually use power, unlike the spineless Democrats, who are too craven to fight for their beliefs.

Now, on an issue so historic, so important to America, as health insurance reform, 218 members of the House (including more than 80 members of the Progressive Caucus) and 50 Democratic Senators are being forced to swallow corporate welfare in the form of the current Senate bill - all shoved down their throats by a tiny group of Senators.

Finally, the filibuster, as with so many other Senate rules, is being abused by the Republicans. When Senators routinely put "holds" on bills and nominees (like Jim DeMint of South Carolina holding up the TSA nominee due to fears of unionization) it is time to revamp Senate rules. To those who argue "tradition" we say: �Just who is the boss here - is the Senate funded by our taxes, to make public policy for us, or are we slaves to a hidebound Senate with antiquated rules and procedures?' So, when 40 Republicans (no "Gang of 14" here) vote as a block to filibuster the health insurance bill, opportunists like Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson take full advantage. Poor Bernie Sanders, Russ Feingold and others (who could play the same tactic as Lieberman/Nelson) are so intent on getting health care to millions of the needy; they are having their own good hearts used against them by the cynical Senators who are too heartless to care. The uninsured are being held hostage by Lieberman and Nelson (and a few others) with the threat of nothing, unless their demands are met. We can think of no better time to turn the tables, change the rules, make the Liebermans irrelevant, dump the filibuster and get 50 good or good enough Senators to vote for the guts of the House bill. It is time.

No Mo Joe

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Joe Lieberman should have been exiled from the Democratic caucus long ago. He should be kicked out now. After bolting the Party and not respecting the will of Connecticut Democrats in 2006's primary loss to Ned Lamont, he got re-elected to the Senate with big Republican help. Then he endorsed John McCain last year. Then he went to the Republican Convention. Then he gave a speech at that convention blasting Barack Obama. The Democrats still invited him back this year, gave him a committee chairmanship and now are letting him run their Party. What would Republicans do to one of their members who acted this way? Would we ever find the body?

There is no benefit to having him as "the 60th vote" if he is not going to support the majority, but is going to bend the majority to his will. Not only should the Democrats say "no" to more Joe, they should realize they are destroying their base and the President has lost his mojo.

The President has also lost his perspective. So desperate to make a deal, any deal, on health insurance, so that he can declare "victory", he is telling all the Democrats to do whatever Lieberman wants. And they are going along with it. On Sen. Byron Dorgan's prescription drug re-importation amendment, 30 Democrats voted "no" and the amendment still passed - 51-48. But it didn't pass. Why? It didn't reach the filibuster-proof magic number of 60. The President made a deal with the drug companies (they still support the bill, and we still don't have negotiated prescription drug prices in Medicare) and that is why he asked the 30 Democrats to vote against the Dorgan Amendment. They went along with the President, damaging their constituents for $19 billion dollars per year and working for the drug companies.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Russ Feingold (at least) should turn the tables on the President and Mr. Lieberman by making their own demands - or else they will join the Republican filibuster! Two can play this game! Senators Sanders and Feingold should demand a real public option, plus a Medicare buy-in for those 50 and above, plus no subsidies to private insurers (if insurance is unaffordable, enroll the people in Medicare and Medicaid; the rules of capitalism do not say �pay with taxpayer dollars to make an unaffordable product affordable' - if anti-abortion people can say they don't want their tax dollars going to abortion, I don't want my tax dollars going to insurance company corporate welfare) plus negotiated prices for prescription drugs in the Medicare program, plus re-importation of prescription drugs. Or else filibuster.

The President has forgotten who put him into the building where he lives and works. He has also forgotten that the bigger they are, the harder they fall. He got so many people so energized, that the fall into disappointment and bitterness is a long ride - and the base, once burned this badly, will no longer respond when the President and Democrats, playing �Lucy with the football' in Charlie Brown comics-style, says �Come on, kick the ball, I won't pull it away this time'.
The first rule of politics is "punish your enemies, reward your friends". Even George W. Bush knew this rule. The President and his fellow Democrats have forgotten this and will pay the price.

Can victory be snatched from the jaws of defeat? Yes, in at least two ways.

First, the President can rescue his Presidency - and Democrats can rescue their Party - by immediately using reconciliation to pass a real public option plus a Medicare buy-in immediately after the President signs the turd that Congress is about to pass on health insurance. A second bill. By using the reconciliation procedure (which requires only a simple majority vote - no filibuster) Mr. Obama and the Democrats in Congress can say to their base "See? We were playing chess all along - we got what we all wanted but couldn't tip our hands in the first bill because Joe never would have voted for the first bill."

Second, the filibuster should be abolished. We already have one anti-democratic branch of government - the federal courts. Lieberman is using this antidemocratic rule to leverage himself into the real leader of the Democratic Party - a party he left over 3 years ago! Wait for alleged Democratic Senator Ben Nelson to say the price for his vote is abolishing all abortions - will the President say "do that too"?
With the filibuster gone, we can say "No More Joe" and pass what real Democrats want - leaving Blanche Lincoln and the rest behind. We are so close, yet so far - all because of the silly, anachronistic filibuster rule. Let democracy rule - for good and for ill.

At least I can still dream.

Norm's Movie Picks

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) starring Gregory Peck
2. 12 Angry Men (1957) starring Henry Fonda (notice 12 angry white men & no women)
3. My Cousin Vinny (1992) Comedy (1992) starring Joe Pesci, Marrisa Tormei
4. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) starring James Stewart, Lee Remick
5. Inherit the Wind (1960) starring Spencer Tracy, Frederic March
6. Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Charles Laughton, Marlena Dietrich
7. The Verdict (1982) starring Paul Newman
8. Erin Brochovich (2000) starring Julia Roberts
9. Philadelphia (1993) starring Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks
10. A Civil Action (1998) starring John Travolta, William Macy, Robert Duvall

Bonus Picks
1. Judgement at Nurenberg (1961) starring Spencer Tracy, Richard Windmark

Gun Control

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We had a very civil, intelligent discussion today about gun control and I thank everyone for that! Just so I am not misleading you, here are my thoughts:

1) No guns (ever) for convicted criminals - any kind of violent convicted criminals;

2) No guns for the mentally ill - ever;

3) REAL background checks - supported by the best technology and with fingerprints used to search databases;

4) No loopholes, like the "gun show loophole"

5) An assault weapons ban;

6) Trigger locks;

7) Try to stem the flow of guns into the country;

8) Educate people with stories of little kids shot by other little kids and the other horrors we have seen with gun violence - all to get people to be more careful and responsible;

9) Bullet control - I don't know how but it's a great idea! and;

10) Judges, parole boards and governors have to be MUCH more careful in who they release.

I do not claim to have all the answers. I do claim that we can do better than we are doing now and that we can reasonably lessen gun violence, while understanding we cannot eliminate all of it.

What do you think? Thank you for being a part of our show!!

Who's a Terrorist?

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Republicans were quick to label the recent shooting at Ft. Hood a "terrorist attack" and Maj. Nadal Hasan a "terrorist". It drives them crazy that President Obama has kept us safe longer than George W. Bush, so they pounced on this as an equivalent terrorist attack. Was it? And, just what is a "terrorist"? I see four elements:
A) Violence, and the threat of more violence;
B) Political motive (not financial gain) seeking to change specific future political behavior;
C) The organized use of many people, across large geographic areas and a long time, and;
D) The willingness to target random, innocent civilians.
I suggest there are four categories of "terrorism" if broadly defined.
1) Street crime/muggings; home burglaries/invasions; stick-ups at banks and convenience stores are examples on one-on-one (or small group) crimes with single/small groups of actors seeking material goods in a single or repeated episodes. The object is material gain. There are no political statements made or political positions advanced and the victims are random civilians, chosen for their ability to pay. No change of future political conduct (by nations or peoples) is demanded. Yet, the effect is clearly terrorizing on the victims (having been there myself many times, I can attest to that) but is this "terrorism" as we use it in political discourse, or is it "crime"?
2) The "Son of Sam" shootings in New York in 1976-1977 and the "D.C. Sniper" shootings in Washington, D.C. in 2002 are examples of broader violence and threats of more violence - terrorizing a whole city - with, again, individual/small group actors; no apparent or announced political motives; the attacks are on random civilians, no years-long struggle is at issue and no material gain is sought or demanded. Certainly, New York and Washington, D.C. were "terrorized" in these cases, but is this "terrorism" as we mean it now?
3) Hesham Mohamed Hadayet opened fire at Los Angeles International Airport in July 2002, at the El Al ticket counter, killing three. The attack was on random civilians, by a lone gunman - with a political statement, not for material gain, but not linked with attacks in concert with others to change specific future political behavior. The June 2009 shooting of a security guard at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. fits this same mold - a white supremacist making a political statement by attacking random civilians at a chosen political target. Again, there was no link to an organized group with long term demands for specific political changes by nations or peoples. Are these examples of "terrorism"?
4) Al Qaeda, the Irish Republican Army, the Red Brigades and others are different in that they use violence and the threat of violence against innocent victims, with political motives - but these groups are part of a multi-generational, well organized, ongoing effort, spread across large geographical areas, and designed to change specific future political behavior on a broad scale. These groups constantly seek new recruits; have demands for continuous funding and are "institutional" in that their leaders may change, but the organization - and its goals - persists. This makes for the "terrorism" we think of today.
What is common among the attackers in groups two (Son of Sam/D.C. Sniper) and three (El Al ticket counter/Holocaust Museum) is mental illness - there is a gloss of political motive/statement in group three, but these sole actors are, simply stated, deranged. Maj. Hasan and his actions at Ft. Hood fit into category three - a political motive appears to exist; he targeted random people; he did not seek material gain but he also did not appear to be linked to any large group, as part of an ongoing effort to change specific future political action.
However, the anti-abortion movement in the United States is a classic terrorist effort. Scott Roeder, the confessed killer of Dr. George Tiller, was part of an organized, institutional effort, across a long expanse of time and wide geography, to change specific political behavior and policy in the United States. Bombing abortion clinics targets random civilians and the threat of more violence persists. No extortion or monetary demands are made to stop the campaign - the object is not material gain. All the elements that we think of with Al Qaeda are present with the anti-abortion movement - they simply have different political agendas.
Parenthetically, the anti-abortion movement's claim to be "right to life" is false as they are not pacifists and do not oppose war or the death penalty, quite the opposite, they are supporters of violence and death, not life.
Therefore, Maj. Hasan is not a "terrorist" as we commonly use the term - he was a lone deranged gunman targeting random individuals with the gloss of a political motive or statement - a member of group three, and, unlike Al Qaeda, did not kill three thousand people in one attack.

Health Co-ops?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I had some GREAT conversation today with our Seattle callers who taught me a lot about Washington State's Group Health plan. They got me thinking about my prior support for "co-ops" as a concept: Can there be a for profit co-op? I believe not. A co-op can work - but it must be non-profit; no exorbitant CEO and executive salaries; low overhead (administrative costs must be contained) and the members need to have their choice of doctors, with no HMO-style gate keeping by "primary care physicians". The members must understand that their premiums go up and down with consumption of health care and that healthy outcomes and life styles not only prolong their lives but lead to good QUALITY of life, as well as keep costs down. Most importantly, the pool must be large enough and diverse enough to support the people most needing care - each of us will have our turn at consuming a lot of health care in a short period of time. What do you think? Can co-ops be a part of the solution? And THANKS FOR BEING A BIG PART OF THE NORMAN GOLDMAN SHOW!!

Where Are The Shareholders

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Goldman Sachs is planning to use $20 billion to pay bonuses. TWENTY BILLION DOLLARS!!! The investors (big ones) are mad and want that cut to $10 billion. TEN BILLION IS A CUT!!! How wonderful of them! Insanity reigns and there are no adults in the room to stop the greed-fest. Goldman Sachs got $10 billion in bailout money - no strings attached. That's the amount the big investors want for bonuses. Should we all say "You're welcome"? The Administration is nowhere to be found (indeed, current Treasury Secretary and last year's bailout leader as chief of the New York Fed, Tim Geithner, is the chief enabler) and Congress is too corrupt to stop this nonsense. When they had a chance to add strings last year, they did not. Now, the Wall Street gang is using our tax dollars to further bribe Congress (yes, that's very much you too, Democrats) to not have any meaningful regulatory reform. Thus, we are prone to future collapse right back into the mess we have now.

Corporate interests have long advocated "say-on-pay" for unions so that no objecting union member's dues could be used for political purposes. There is no corresponding restriction for shareholders on corporations. We need corporate reform (what I call "corp reform" to mimic "tort reform") by way of requiring ALL shareholders to approve ALL pay of ALL executives at ALL publicly traded corporations. Gramm-Leach-Bliley (which led directly to our current Depression) should be repealed and Glass-Steagall should be restored. The long-standing, incestuous practice of officers nominating directors and directors deciding on the pay of officers, is crazy and must end. Only when the shareholders have true control of the corporations can this looting insanity end.

A Veteran's Day Message

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We honor our veterans today and quite properly so - these people - our brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors and fellow Americans - put their lives at risk for us. While Memorial Day is to honor the fallen, Veterans Day is to honor the living. Are we honoring them by having so many homeless vets? By not caring for their mental disorders, like PTSD and depression? By not supporting them in their most basic needs (like housing) and then abusing their work for political purposes? George W. Bush & Co. used the military like Hollywood uses props - as decorative background settings. Now, politicians are doing what is expressed best by this link:

http://www.someecards.com/newsletter-november-9th.html

Let's help our veterans!!!

Norm

Election Day Results

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I am amazed that the corporate media keeps trying to pin this tail on the Obama (Democratic Party) donkey! The people of New Jersey and Virginia had plenty of local issues to deal with - while the people of the 23rd Congressional District KNEW they were sending a representative to Congress - to work on national issues with the President!! This is no great day for Republicans - if anything, Democrats should be worried that their voters are not fired up! Now, why is that? Lack of action! Let's see some action!!

Gay marriage took a hit ion Maine, but is getting closer!! And, marijuana is the big winner! Legalization is next!

Relax, Democrats, this is no big deal! Democrats won governorships all over the country during Bush's years and the corporate media did not make such a big deal about it.

Norm

Woodrow Wilson Is Relevant Now!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As I promised on today's show, here is the quote....but first, the back story! Woodrow Wilson was elected President in 1912 - in a three-way race where Teddy Roosevelt ran as a third party candidate - the "Progressive Party" candidate (they were commonly known as the "Bull Moose Party", but were formally the Progressives) challenging his former hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, the Republican. Roosevelt left office in 1908 and had hand-picked Taft but quickly soured on him. Wilson was a college president and then Governor of New Jersey. He was angling for national prominence, but was not a public official in 1909. On October 30, 1909 (exactly 100 years - and a few days ago - today) Woodrow Wilson said the Democratic Party should not:

"Allow itself to be embarrassed by old formulas formulated for another age, which had other and very different questions to settle. Take the old ideal of 'as little government as possible'...It is no longer possible with the modern combinations of industry and transportation to discriminate interests of the states as they could once be discriminated. Interests once local and separate have become unified and national. They must be treated by the national government" Courtesy, New York Times

Why isn't some Democrat just saying that now - and laying the Republicans to waste? Why??????

Norm

This Is The Republican Party?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With a guy who does not live in the district; has no political credentials to speak of; is extreme and is backed by the loony fringe of the Republican Party, Doug Hoffman has shoved a Republican state Assembly member off the election ballot in upstate New York's 23rd Congressional District. Yet, John Boehner, the chief Republican in the House of Representatives, still says the Republican Party is a "big tent"! Looks to me like the Republicans are indeed the party of Limbaugh and Palin. Enjoy your minority status for decades to come, you extremists!! Norm

Joe Lieberman - Lying Then or Now?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have posted -- right here on our website -- the video of Sen. Joe Lieberman during a debate in 2006 (after he had lost the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont but before the general election, when he was running as an "independent") where he promised the ability of Americans to buy into a health insurance program as part of his pledge to achieve universal coverage.

Now he does a 180 and says he will join Republicans to filibuster the exact thing that he promised just three years ago! So, Joe, were you lying then or are you lying now?

Media Matters Catches the Right Wing Media

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Today we interview Jess Levin (two days in a row!) and want everyone to watch the video that Media Matters for America (www.mediamatters.org) has put up on YouTube exposing the right wing media campaign against the President and anyone who disagrees with them! Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQnmxW-UyKo

Enjoy!!

Norm

It's Nice To Be Right!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have been saying, for years, that Fox "News" is nothing but a propaganda organization, totally in the bag for the Republican Party. Now, Media Matters for America has put the last nail in that coffin! Here is the link to watch the video that simply knocks all the varnish off that piece of wood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDR47EKTrCQ

We Have Overfished The Oceans - Let's Stop!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We know that fish and seafood is healthy for us - lean protein; fish oil and low fat. But, we have over fished the oceans and polluted the planet! So, for healthy seafood options, go to www.seafoodwatch.org and let's see if we can help keep ourselves and the planet healthy!! Norm

A Republican Who Found Sanity!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I was NOT a fan of Bruce Bartlett back in the Reagan and Bush I days of the 1980's. He was one of the "Reaganomics" and "Laffer Curve" guys; but he has gone FAR off the reservation and is now anathema to Republicans. We interviewed him today (a two-parter!) and his new book is an indictment of George W. Bush and the Republican Party. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/New-American-Economy-Failure-Reaganomics/dp/0230615872

We Can Find Common Ground

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The President has famously tried to find common ground with Republicans. They keep slapping his hand away. I believe there is a huge issue where we can actually work with right wingers - whether Republicans or not - and that issue is economic populism. It is a major issue - them versus us - and the "us" is the 98% of America that is not in the top 2%. If only the President would grab hold of the issue and run with it! He is trying to get financial regulations updated - and Congress is disposing of those quite shamefully but handily. This is proof of the old saying "The President proposes and Congress disposes" except this is the President's own party! The President should elevate the issue to one of big publicity and see if that moves Congress!

The President - and all of us - should approach the right wingers to join forces and wring at least a major reduction in corporate compensation from Wall Street. The righties will part company with us on economic regulation, but at least we can take down some of these symbols that have us all outraged and show some power over these greedy pigs who act as if nothing is wrong with their behavior.

On our radio show, I keep saying "it's not about right and left, it's about right and wrong" and this is a perfect example to prove that! We need to engage the right wing folks (who are also steamed about this) to join with us to demand justice from Congress!

We Want Our Money Back!!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When I say "it's not about right and left, it's about right and wrong" this is one classic issue to support my argument! The right wingers went crazy when the TARP bill was going through Congress and the House of Representatives first voted the bill down - sinking the stock market another 1,000 points! But then, the bill passed and Big Business was bailed out massively. Now, they are lobbying to stop new regulations - regulations which would prevent this sort of thing from happening again. The righties and us normal folks should unite to say "where is the money" and "we want our money back!". This is an issue where we can all find common ground!

Norm

Limbaugh to file FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS!!???!!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Lush Limbo is rattling his saber....he is now threatening to sue people who talk about the racially charged statements he's made over the years. Since he is a 'public figure' he would have to prove actual malice - but of course, TRUTH is an absolute defense! So, go to www.mediamatters.org and read the press release they did cataloging the Limbaugh remarks about blacks. But, to me, threatening to sue brings up the whole issue of TORT REFORM and "frivolous lawsuits." Would ol' Lush Limbo ACTUALLY file a frivolous lawsuit???? Norm

Health Insurers Have It All But Want Still More

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The health insurance industry has us all by the throat - and yet they want more! They have a "10 Point Stranglehold Program" on America - but they want 13. Here's what I mean:

Insurance companies have 10 things already:

1) No rate regulation;
2) No rate caps;
3) No competition;
4) No federal regulation;
5)Anti-trust exemption;
6) ERISA protection (podcast my Oct. 8, 2009 show for lots on ERISA);
7) Domination of state regulators;
8) Pre-existing conditions to cherry-pick only the customers they want;
9) Rescission to dump patients who cost them money;
10) Life time caps to limit their liability and exposure to paying claims.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!! They now demand three more things:

11) A federal mandate to buy coverage;
12) Whopping penalties to enforce the mandate and make our government their enforcement and collection agent;
13) Whopping subsidies of tax dollars (some call it money laundering) to pay for their overpriced, crappy product.

According to the rules of capitalism, a product that is bad and overpriced fails in the marketplace. So does the company selling the junk. But, in corporate, crony capitalism-land (America, 1980-present) the rules of the game don't apply. Yet, they call us Communists and Socialists. They are Fascists - plain and simple - the merger of big business and big government.

Only single payer will break their grip from around our throat.

Class Warfare

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Have we been repaid our bailout money yet? With The Dow hitting 10,000, the bulls on Wall Street are crowing about "recovery" - their recovery! Where are the JOBS?? Where is the Employee Free Choice Act? Why are we still shipping jobs overseas? Where is OUR President and his advocacy for the middle class? I am sick of the government taking care of the pillars of the economy while letting us all go down the drain! It's class warfare - big business style! And, it's downright un-American!

Foxes Decry Chicken Coop Repairs!

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The health insurance companies have written a report blasting reform! What a surprise! They say reform will raise costs! Since THEY CONTROL THE COSTS, are we shocked? I say we put them in their place - either a public option or single payer - and show them what capitalism REALLY means! Norm

MUST WATCH: The Sarkisyans Confront CIGNA on Daughter Nataline's Death

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Crush Videos"

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There are 6.5 BILLION people on Planet Earth. Only a few of them are needed to cause major mischief - in so many different ways. So, now we have some folks FILMING TERRIBLE CRUEL ACTS KILLING ANIMALS - and this give sexual satisfaction and other "jollies" to some people. It makes me wonder about humanity. I cannot believe that some people not only MAKE this crap - but that others actually PAY to watch it! What kind of world is this???

5 Hours of radio Today!

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Doing the last 2 hours of the Ed Schultz Show and then my three hours from 3 - 6 Pacific (6 - 9 Eastern). Lots to talk about today - the Obama trip did not get the Olympics for Chicago; David Letterman reveals a stunner and the economy is sliding backwards. Norm

Guns

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Podcast today's show and, in the first hour, you will hear both my legal analysis of the Supreme Court and the 2nd amendment and some gruesome statistics on gun violence in America. This amount of violence is unacceptable in America! Norm

Amazingly Bad Dems

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A big majority in the Senate; a big majority on the Senate Finance Committee; and yet the Republicans control the agenda! AMAZING! Today, two Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee (Rockefeller and Schumer) propose two versions of public option and they get voted down by DEMOCRATS!!! SHAMEFUL!! If we stop giving them money, will that change things? Or, will they continue taking $$ from the lobbyists?? That's why we need to fund the people looking for opponents of these corporate Democrats and running ads back in their home states. That means you, Max Baucus. Count me in. Norm

Subbing for Ed

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I will be doing the second and third hours of the Ed Schultz Show on Thursday....tomorrow! Join Ed...and me! tomorrow on The Ed Schultz Show!

Animal Rescue!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have been a major proponent of animal rescues for a long time! Today we interview a guy you won't want to miss - he is not your typical - or stereotypical - animal rescuer! The National Geographic Channel premieres "Rescue Ink" on Friday, September 26, 10 PM Eastern and Pacific and you can hear Joe Panz discuss his unique style of animal rescue and don't forget their website www.rescueink.org! Norm

"Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform"

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This insurance-company-sponsored gift to themselves has been accepted by so many folks that it now includes President Obama! The truth is insurance companies have propagandized so much that people -- including the President -- are believing this stuff! The facts show that "medical malpractice and tort reform" is bogus. Check this out: former judge Robert Bork (a right wing extremist who tried to get rid of punitive damages) sued for punitive damages after slipping and falling down stairs! Thousands of people die and are injured from medical errors every year. We will discuss this all on the Norman Goldman Show! thanks for being with me! Norm

Credit Card Abuses of Consumers by Banks

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last week we brought you the story of Ann Minch and her YouTube sensation over telling Bank of America to go jump in the lake when they hiked her interest rate way up even though she pays her bills on time and pays interest! Today we will update the story and I ask you: Should we go with credit unions and tell banks to jump in the lake? Should we start coop banks - non-profit, consumer owned and operated banks? Norm

Live Show Blog for Monday, September 21, 2009: Is the President being a wimp on health care?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Blog the Show: Is the President being a wimp on health care? Is President Obama a "corprocrat"? Is he giving in to the insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies? Your calls and comments when we do today's Norman Goldman Show!

The New Militia Movement

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When I say it's not about right and left, it's about right and wrong, one thing i mean is that it is WRONG to use violence or the threat of violence against a President! The extreme fringe on the right has been coddled, encouraged and PLAYED by the establishment Republicans and they have now gone out of control. How do we deal with it? Kick their asses at the polling place! What do you think?? Is that serving justice? Norm

Max Baucus and his long trek

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks for being with me here where justice is served, the Norman Goldman Show! To try his own hand at proving it's not about right and left, it's about right and wrong, Sen. Max Baucus unveiled his "bipartisan" health care bill today - the final bill from the last Congressional committee handling health care - the Senate Finance Committee. This bill will get no Republican support - even though Sen. Baucus catered to all their whims. He should abandon his bill and go with the House bills - much better for the people - much worse for the special interests! Norm

Debtor's Revolt

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A California woman told Bank of America to "take this credit card and shove it" in a fantastic YouTube video! Here is a link, via Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/14/debtors-revolt-woman-refu_n_285394.html

Can we ignite a debtor's revolt in America? Can we get these Tea Party people to see who their REAL enemy is - not Obama - but the greedheads on Wall Street?

Can we?

Norm

Fed. Judge Rejects B of A and SEC Settlement

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/work_career/2009/09/14/2009-09-14_judge_rejects_bofa_bonus_settlement_calling_it_a_contrivance.html

shows why the judge rejected the settlement. it was a sham settlement. the judge was appointed by pres. clinton. WOW! a judge with integrity! imagine that!!

norm

List of Banks Receiving Bailout Money

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is the link to show the INCREDIBLE LIST of banks (and the staggering amounts they received!) that received our tax dollars to be bailed out AFTER they ran wild and pillaged us all and then collapsed:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/storysupplement/bankbailout/

1 Year Anniversary of Wall Street meltdown

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Today is the one year anniversary of the Lehman Bros.' bank collapse. The meltdown on Wall Street saw George W. Bush abandon all his "free market" principles and pump billions of taxpayer dollars into saving companies that took hundreds of billions in profits before the party ended. Now, President Obama wants to tighten regulation of these companies to prevent a repeat of this debacle - and he's getting opposition from his own party. Are we doomed to keep this cycle going, over and over again? If a company fails, the bosses get fired - plain and simple. Why did this not happen? Why is Wall Street (and the insurance industry, and the other pillars of industry) so special? They screwed up the economy, we should fix the regulatory system that let it happen!

Norm

Sept. 12 march in Washington

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"Thousands" showed up? In a nation of 300 million, we can get "thousands" to show up for anything. The REAL question is: how many of these folks don't have health insurance? President Obama is trying to help THESE PEOPLE, but they are arguing "No, let me keep throwing myself into the arms of the same big business creeps that cheated us and collapsed the economy last year". I would be impressed with these folks IF THEY HAD PROTESTED BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS SPENDING US INTO BANKRUPTCY. Did they? No.

Oh, but NOW they're concerned about overspending???? Did they just wake up?? Or, is there something ELSE going on here????

Norm

September 11 and Patriotism

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Why have we sunken back into using patriotism as a weapon? Why do some people get the idea they and only they get to define who is a patriotic American? When we will return to acknowledging that we are ALL Americans who love our country, who deserve respect and that we should talk through our differences? I am absolutely convinced that we will be surprised at how much common ground there is between us, if we'd just get to the issues! That's what the Norman Goldman Show is all about - not left and right, but right and wrong!

"YOU LIE!"

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So many on the extreme right fringe believe the definition of "patriotism" is THEIR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY! If someone had yelled "YOU LIE!" at George W. Bush during a joint appearance before Congress, there would have been such an uproar - and an immediate trial for treason - followed by a hanging outside the Capitol, that the Republicans' heads would have exploded! We need to re-claim the word "PATRIOTISM"! I am sick of these scoundrels hiding behind the flag to enable big business to steal from us! It is WRONG and I am all about right and wrong! Norm

Live Show Blog for Thursday, September 10, 2009: Family Values Republicans

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks EVERYONE for listening to my show. Now more than ever, we need to get together every day to discuss this and other great topics that are important to YOU AND OUR COUNTRY.

NormanGoldman.com: It's Ground Zero for Justice Served in America.

Please pass this note along to all your friends. It's time to get organized and fight back!

"Make Everyday a Streamin' Norman Day!"

On today's show

"You Lie!" are you kidding me? Have the Republican members of congress lost their minds? I suspect you haven't lost yours, so please listen and weigh in starting at 6PM Eastern, 3 Pacific, 4 Mountain and 5 Central.

Also,

A local (So. Cal.) Republican (Mike Duvall) made some VERY NASTY remarks (of a sexual nature) about women and was forced to resign. We'll discuss why it's always these family values types doing this today on The Norman Goldman Show! Listen at 3PM Pacific, 6PM Eastern. Simply click the listen live button above and join in. You can also call in while the show is on. Our number is 888-321-6001. Bring your brain and your voice. We want to hear from you!

Thank you for making us part of your listening day!

Norm

Live Blog Wednesday's Show

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sorry this came up late, folks. But comment on tonight's show here.

Have at it!

Have fun!

Justice, politics and the important issues that face our country - sometimes it seems as if they're all on a collision course. It takes some straight talk to straighten it all out

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

That's what we'll be doing every weekday here at the Norman Goldman Show. We'll have news, commentary, call-ins and more on famous cases, infamous cases, politics, media, and the issues that really matter to people all across the country. We'll be talking on the air and we'll be talking right here online, too. We hope you'll be joining us. We want to hear what you have to say.