Daily Topics - Monday December 27th, 2010
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This week - I am sending a signed book Rebooting the American Dream to anyone that donates $250 to Salem. This money goes directly to care for kids that are in long term care. They are the kids that need your help the most because when no one else can step in - we do at Salem. Go to www.salemchildrensvillage.org and help now
Truthout is proud to bring you an exclusive series from America's No. 1 progressive radio host, Thom Hartmann. We'll be publishing weekly installments of Hartmann's acclaimed new book, "Rebooting the American Dream: 11 Ways to Rebuild Our Country." We invite Truthout readers to join us as, chapter by chapter, we explore these groundbreaking ideas for national transformation.
Quote of the Day: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." -- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Hour One: Should states be allowed to go bankrupt?
Hour Two: Why the NLRB should "go to hell"?! Really?! Thom confronts anti-union founder/CEO of of Education Action Group Foundation, Kyle Olson, contributing columnist for Big Government.com - www.kyleolson.org
Hour Three: Lobbyist In Charge Of ‘Trying To Kill’ Financial Reform Hired By GOP Chair To Oversee Financial Regulations - Thom talks with Lee Fang, Reporter/Blogger for Think Progress.org - www.thinkprogress.org
Comments
![rladlof's picture rladlof's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0adf211c57d076746c78c678de2bee47.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
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GOPers Remove 'Labor' From House Committee Name:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/gopers-remove-labor-from-comm...
![Maxrot's picture Maxrot's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82a2b67c16146efad3acec404514722f.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
So what effect will the Republican't controlled House have anyway. Just because you have these loons on these committees, will they be able to actually do anything? They won't be able to push anything through the Democratic Senate that the Democratic party is against. I expect that the only thing we'll get is a congress that gets nothing done, because nothing of value will originate from the house, and nothing corrupt should pass the Senate. Well I know, I know, the last part of that statement may be terribly naive, but still, it should be that way, no?
N
![Maxrot's picture Maxrot's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82a2b67c16146efad3acec404514722f.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
Conspiracy by definition doesn't mean there is a secret, it only means that two or more people have agreed upon an action in which they plan on enacting. So the Republican'ts conspiring in the open, is no misnomer.
N
![Maxrot's picture Maxrot's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82a2b67c16146efad3acec404514722f.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
No no, Thom not the City of Bellflower, it was the City of Bell that was completely corrupt and raising taxes to pay its City administrators/council obscene paychecks. I live in Bellflower, it's not a perfect city, but no they haven't been caught doing that.
In fact Bell is a far more a ghetto city, really poor, and in fact living in the area, really makes the crime even that more shocking. The fact that these City officials were paying themselves so much money for a city that is so broke, that was the real twisted reality of it.
Though I have to admit, Bellflower is no Beverly Hills or Laguna Beach either.
N
![Maxrot's picture Maxrot's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82a2b67c16146efad3acec404514722f.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
Its onerous to let employees know that they have a right to unionize. We can't let them know they have the right, they might just act on it... that's just horrible.
N
![Erik300's picture Erik300's picture](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4b1a80f3d90f3252485eff578e393d17.jpg?d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomhartmann.com%2Fsites%2Fall%2Fmodules%2Fcontrib%2Fgravatar%2Favatar-clear.png&s=100&r=G)
Regarding the study that shows rich people have less empathy and cant read peoples emotions as well as the poor. This is also a trait of Asperger's syndrome.
So do rich people have a degree of Asperger's? Or does their independence that lots of money gives them decay their sense of empathy? Republicans, rich and poor, also obviously have this lack of empathy.
![making progress's picture making progress's picture](https://www.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-31874.jpg)
We are moving from a society where we are skillfully manipulated by lies and illusions to one where we are overtly controlled. - Chris Hedges "2011: A brave New Dystopia"
http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/2011_a_brave_new_dystopia_20101227/
Thom, I expect that you read Chris Hedges every Monday. Yet, you rarely mention or discuss his views on our current state of affairs. Is he too negative for you?
![gerald's picture gerald's picture](https://www.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-26927.jpg)
Normalcy Bias
Americans in the United States of Mortal Sin suffer from what is called – normalcy bias. Americans have never had to really suffer as other citizens in other countries. We will never or we can never learn. We will not listen. It may be naivete, ignorance, or outright arrogance. Americans tend to believe that nothing bad can happen to them. America’s collapse and destruction will be of epic proportions. Make no mistake our manifest destiny is to die as a people and as a country.
![gerald's picture gerald's picture](https://www.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-26927.jpg)
Persons with money are not in tune with persons who do not have money. I have mine and so screw you if you do not have yours!!!
![j.sea's picture j.sea's picture](https://www.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-384.jpg)
God/dess Bless you Thom......
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Thom, thanks for repeatedly mentioning the fact that we are spending $160 billion/ year to destroy a country with $2 billion/ year GDP...amazingly in these 8+ years since we have occupied Afghanistan I never thought of this nor have I seen/ heard ANYONE else mention it in the national media! This insanity should be run on the front page of every American newspaper and news web site til the people can understand the INSANITY of this!
![cysciborg's picture cysciborg's picture](https://www.thomhartmann.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-49442.jpg)
being an abused child, my heart goes out to you Thomm, and I know how you feel, I think. As I took on a child, with mental issues. whom, on one day, climbed into an dumpster, to get out of a -40 below zero wind. to warm up. and the local police officer, placed cinder blocks on the lids, to lock him in there, having seen him climb in there. as the child had been an police issue, for acting out. in public. this is, and was life threatening, in our area. so as a retired police officer, I took on the protection of that kid. and for over 20+ years he and I are still friends. and his kids and wife also. he went on to get a 4 yr.degree, and is working to have a professional career, and has been on many groups and boards for rights of mental ill. so, when it breaks you up. I feel it too. and only wish I was not so poor, as to be able to donate to the children's village this year. perhaps next. but, wanted to tell you, I understand pretty much why it touches you, so deeply.
RED states . . . Sure . . . Then we can annex them into America.