Mini Show #59: Health Insurance, CIA Failure, Rail Workers, AOC Confronted & More!
Oct 16, 2022
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James Risen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, joins David Sirota, an economic and political writer, and Maximilian Alvarez, editor of The Real News Network, along with Terry Gerstein from Harvard Law. They dive into CIA failures around the Ukraine invasion and critique the health insurance industry's pricing abuses despite government support. The panel also examines labor dynamics, the right to strike, and the influence of corporate interests on the Supreme Court, emphasizing the need for collective action and stronger worker rights.
The Supreme Court case involving Glacier Northwest Inc. and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union could set a dangerous precedent for employers to sue unions for damages resulting from strikes, impacting workers' collective right to strike across various industries.
A potential positive outcome of the Supreme Court case is the potential weakening of preemption, creating space for progressive states and cities to take action to protect workers' rights.
The Supreme Court case may open up opportunities for workers to seek remedies or damages in state courts for violations of their rights, potentially leading to increased action by progressive states and cities to pursue justice outside of the federal labor law framework.
The podcast emphasizes the need for healthcare reform and alternatives such as the public option or Medicare for all to address the issue of health insurance companies increasing prices while benefiting from government subsidies.
Deep dives
The Supreme Court reviews case that could restrict the right to strike
The Supreme Court has agreed to review a case involving Glacier Northwest Inc. and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union. The case revolves around a one-week walkout by workers in 2017, during which loaded concrete trucks were left running to prevent the concrete from hardening. The company claims intentional property damage and is suing the union for economic damages. This case could have far-reaching implications for the right to strike, as it raises questions about the ability of employers to weaponize courts against unions. The ruling could discourage workers from going on strike and could disrupt the delicate balance between employers and workers.
Implications of the Supreme Court case
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Glacier Northwest, it could set a dangerous precedent that allows employers to sue unions for damages resulting from strikes. This could have significant negative consequences for workers' collective right to strike across various industries. For example, perishable products like food, seasonal products like clothing, and even industries like fast food could be affected. On the other hand, a potential silver lining could be the weakening of preemption, which could create space for progressive states and cities to take action to protect workers' rights. However, it remains to be seen how consistent the Supreme Court will be in considering this possibility.
Potential positive outcomes and concerns
One potential positive outcome of the Supreme Court case is that it may open up opportunities for workers to seek remedies or damages in state courts for violations of their rights, such as retaliation or unpaid wages. This could lead to increased action by progressive states and cities, allowing workers to seek justice outside of the federal labor law framework. However, the overall concern is that a ruling in favor of the company could give employers greater power to discourage strikes and hold unions financially liable for the economic disruption caused by collective action. This would undermine the fundamental right to strike and upset the delicate balance between employers and workers.
US intelligence budget and its impact on human intelligence
The podcast discusses the staggering amount of money allocated to US intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA. The speaker highlights the doubling of the CIA's budget during the early years of the war on terror, with the likelihood that it has doubled again. This excessive funding has primarily been directed towards technical intelligence rather than human intelligence, leading to a lack of effective understanding and interaction with local populations in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq. The podcast emphasizes the challenge of obtaining reliable human intelligence due to the limited presence on the ground and the security precautions taken by US forces.
Health insurance prices and the influence of government subsidies
The podcast exposes the issue of health insurers increasing prices while benefiting from government subsidies. The report reveals that six out of seven major health insurance companies in the US now generate a majority of their revenues from government funding. Despite promising coverage and cost reduction under the Affordable Care Act, these insurers have raised prices by a significant 24% in a single year. This price surge is attributed to the lack of competition in the oligopolized health insurance industry, where a few giants control multiple markets. The podcast underscores the need for healthcare reform and alternatives such as the public option or Medicare for all, instead of relying on further subsidies that only boost insurance company profits.
The power of strikes as a labor tool
The podcast explores the significance of strikes as a powerful weapon for labor. It acknowledges the inherent advantage employers hold with their power to hire, fire, coerce, and control workers' livelihoods. By withholding labor collectively, workers can disrupt production and demand fair treatment. The podcast highlights the importance of collective organization and action, emphasizing that workers' strength and ability to counterbalance bosses' power lies in their unity and numbers. It underscores the historical effectiveness of strikes and the need for rank-and-file involvement and reminds listeners that unions are not all-powerful entities, but rather a necessary force to protect workers' rights and needs in an imbalanced system.
The Supreme Court's impact on worker rights
The podcast examines the Supreme Court's role in eroding worker protections and siding with corporate interests. It analyzes recent decisions that have shown hostility towards collective bargaining and workers' rights, such as the Janus case and the Epic Systems case. The podcast also raises concerns about the current court's ideological makeup and its tendency to make outcomes-based rulings that align with the interests of the ruling class. It emphasizes the need for Congress to take action through legislation and court reform to counter these detrimental decisions and ensure protection for workers' rights.
The importance of public sector regulation and collective action
The podcast discusses the critical role of the state and public sector in addressing collective needs and ensuring oversight of corporations. It critiques the dismantling of the regulatory state and highlights the dangers of anti-regulation sentiments championed by the Reagan era. The podcast points out the necessity for collective action in times of crisis, such as the pandemic and climate change. It emphasizes that regulations and oversight are essential to protect everyone's interests, highlighting the harm caused by decisions that prioritize corporate power over public welfare. The podcast concludes by underlining the importance of a functioning state that serves the collective interests of the people and promotes fair and equitable regulations.
