Patt Morrison for Thursday, December 30, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 30, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:30

America’s new year’s resolution in 2011:  more jobs

GDP growth, job growth, consumer confidence growth, export growth, durable goods orders growth.  Remember those 2010 headlines, the ones that indicated the economy was recovering, good times are ahead and a dropping unemployment rate couldn’t be far behind?  The jobless rate has been what we--and, specifically, President Obama, have been talking about all year.  But even with all this growth, unemployment is higher than it was at the start of the year.  Why are there still so many people unemployed?  Is it because our economy is shifting and the jobs that existed before the recession are history?  Or is it because of steps the government is or isn't taking?  We ask these questions as we look ahead, plan strategically, and hope voraciously--that the jobs we've been waiting for turn up in 2011.

 

Guests:

Robert Lerman, Institute Fellow at The Urban Institute and Professor of Economics at the American University

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• The Urban Institute gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers technical assistance overseas, and educates Americans on social and economic issues — to foster sound public policy and effective government.

 

 

 

1:30 - 1:39

A Tea Party Supreme Court?

Virginia Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is the co-founder of the Tea Party advocacy group called "Liberty Central," and she was until recently on the Tea Party lecture circuit.  Mrs. Thomas is just a private citizen, of course, but many have begun to wonder: does the Supreme Court now have a Tea Party agenda as well?  A look back at the Supreme Court's record in 2010 reveals a deluge of conservative rulings. We've seen the end of any limit on anonymous corporate contributions to political campaigns, and we may soon see a decision barring consumer lawsuits against the manufacturers of dangerous products.  We have seen the Court expanding the right to bear arms, weakening the separation of church and state, and enhancing the powers of the Executive Branch to commit torture and to infringe individuals' privacy rights.  The same court has threatened abortion rights, affirmative action, and the rights of suspects in criminal cases.  How far will the Court go?  Patt sits down with UCI law school Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, whose new book The Conservative Assault on the Constitution, takes a look at the Court's shift to the right and where it has brought us.  What might we expect in 2011?

Guest:
Erwin Chemerinsky, Founding Dean, UC Irvine School of Law and author most recently of The Conservative Assault on the Constitution.
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2:06 – 2:19

Senate back in action… “who’s on first,” with Senator Bernie Sanders

Arguably the most independent legislator in Congress, and indeed the only avowed socialist in the Senate, Bernie often sides with Democrats but can’t be taken for granted by anyone. Just earlier this month, he bashed President Obama’s tax bill with an eight and a half hour filibuster, railing against “giving tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.”  He’s taken on the FCC for their approval of the Comcast merger, supports gay rights, is pro-choice, voted against Tim Geithner’s nomination as Treasury Secretary and introduced, with Barbara Boxer, the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007. Today we hear from Senator Sanders on the contentious issues facing the 112^th Congress as the Republicans flex their majority muscles and new congressmen and women learn the ways of the D.C. Beltway.

 

Guest:

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont.  He is a member of the Environment and Public Works », Energy and Natural Resources », Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions », Budget », and Veterans' Affairs »Committees.

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2:21 – 2:39

OPEN

 

 

2:41 – 2:58:30

Happy New Year’s Eve! I have no plans.
Ah New Year’s Eve, a night of inflated expectations, expensive tabs and hopes for the coming new year that are wrapped up in the symbolism of one overblown night.  OK, so we’ve had some bad New Year’s Eve experiences on the Patt Morrison program but as 2010 rolls into 2011, and with an economy that continues to struggle toward recovery, there are good deals to be had throughout Southern California.  Restaurants, bars and lounges, eager to attract crowds, are slashing entrance fees and offering multi-course meals at very friendly prices—look hard enough and you can find an entertaining and affordable way to ring in the new year.  Need some help?  Patt plays party planner for your New Year’s Eve.

 

Guest:
Jessica Gelt covers Food and Nightlife for the Los Angeles Times
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Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

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626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

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