Why has Trump still not paid cities for police protection of his campaign rallies in 2016? What does Trump owe foreign nationals for helping his campaign? And Bernie Sanders joins Thom to discuss his latest push towards legally protecting American's economic freedoms and rights. ~~~ Thom on America's growing division as the Republican and Democratic majority states move in radically different directions. ~~~ Michael in California wants to know why the multi-million dollar corruption of McConnell and Trump's cabinet gets so little attention. ~~~ Professor Richard Wolff on the consequences of the extreme tax cuts the rich have received under Republican presidents- and who bears the tax burden now. ~~~ Pope Francis pushes oil executives to commit to fight climate change- Luke Vargas has the story. ~~~ Dean Obeidallah has won a judgement against US Nazi mag 'The Daily Stormer'- he joins Thom with the details. ~~~ Enacting one chapter of the fascist playbook, Trump is getting rough with refugees on the border- stuffing them into open cages unprotected from the elements, and preparing to ship them all to military facilities to evade public oversight.

Is Trump trying to get one of our spies inside the Kremlin outed as a favor to Putin? And what details are emerging from the continued analysis of the Mueller report?.. Plus Luke Vargas on corporate tax evasion. and Cole Stangler with the results of the European Parliamentary elections.

Since the Supreme Court has effectively made corruption legal, the billionaire-lobbyist-corporate machine and the bought-out media and political classes have been busy implementing an oligarchy. This corruption has many consequences small and large in all of our lives. Can the Progressives expunge some of the poison in our body-politic? ------ Dr Richard Wolff drops some deep thinking on us about Venezuela and the weak arguments against the Green New Deal. ----- A brilliant analysis of the North Korea summit and the web of international relations involved with Luke Vargas, Chief Foreign Correspondent of Talk Media News. ------ Brilliant callers discuss some of the problems of inequality - from Trump's overreaching the constitution, to the corrosive influence of private companies like Facebook, Google, Fox and Clear Channel on our public discourse, and why Bernie and Elizabeth Warren are more trustworthy than other politicians.

Thom analyzes what the withdrawal of Paul Manafort's plea agreement could be in the chess game between Trump and his Special Prosecutor. And thoughts given to Mia Love's comments to Trump, and the possible economic recession that may be predicted by GM's plant closures. -------- A fascinating reading from 'Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance' by Ian Goldin. -------- DNC Chair Tom Perez presents Democratic party strategy in the context of Trump's gradual unraveling. -------- With the Senate runoff in Mississippi in play, and with Stacey Abrams still speaking out over the hanky-panky in Georgia, investigative journalist Greg Palast has alot to talk about today.  -------- Then, Thom looks at some of the more interesting headlines. -------- Luke Vargas, foreign correspondent, has an analysis of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis- what is the state of play there? -------- Laura in Iowa wants to know what books to use to help teach her kids civics. Thom gives his take on the news of the day including the withdrawal of Paul Manafort's plea agreement, Mia Love's comments to Trump and the possible economic recession that may be predicted by GM's plant closures.  

Jefferson Smith, sitting in for Thom, makes the case it's time for a second Progressive era in America to fight the excessive extreme and very large difference between the wealth of the rich and the poor, and especially the corrupt government the rich are using their wealth to create. What are we ourselves called to do in these days? ------ Trump's lies are growing in degrees and also number. Daniel Dale from the Toronto Star has verified 3,749 false claims made by Trump since he became president. And hilarity ensues. But what do about it? ------ Natalie Jones, a reporter from the Guardian, has extensively researched the twenty top political donors counted by the size of their donations. Some are what you would expect, but some names will surprise you. ------ Callers chime in and Jefferson eggs them on. Hugh from Odessa is worried about RBG's health. He asks if the Harry Reid rule might apply if she dies in 2020? Kim in New York is not excited about Amazon moving in next door. Johhny in Texas definitely think Nancy Pelosi should step back for someone fresh and new. Cliff is still worried about peak oil and global warming. ------ Luke Vargas, chief foreign correspondent for Talk Media News has been watching North Korea's saucy rail-gunning behavior closely. ------ Jefferson Smith says 'Thank You', and you should too. 

Congressman Mark Pocan- the House Progressive Caucus leader- talks with the people about our expectations and aspirations as the Democratic blue wave washes over the House of Representatives. -----  Greg Palast is fresh back from getting arrested for facing Bryan Kemp in Florida as reporter, and sneaking into a Trump rally. ----- Foreign Correspondent Luke Vargas tells Thom what Theresa May cooked up for Brexit.... and how Venezuela plans to computer-track its citizens with Chinese technology. ----- Thom reads from 'Playing with Fire' by Lawrence O'Donnell. ----- MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell of television's "Last Word" program speaks about his new book, "Playing with Fire" and shares Thom's recognition of the striking similarities between Beto O'Rourke and the charismatic appeal of the late Robert F. Kennedy. ----- Howard in Indiana and Thom both quote Alexis de Tocqueville's predictions for democracy- he totally called it. And finally, Gary in West Virginia has some advice regarding pigs. 

Sortition - Thom muses on the idea of picking random lawyers to serve on the Supreme Court, or a random sample of citizens to be in Congress. ---------- Brett Kavanaugh's 5-4 split ruling legalizes one method of voter supression and Hurricane Michael and prisons,  ---------- Would a carbon tax help heal the damage done by carbon companies like Exxon-Mobil? Similarities drawn to the tobacco and asbestos industries ---------- Mark Pocan joins us once again, answering listener calls. Thom asks about the straight-up lies Republicans are putting out there in their massive midterm election spending. Congressman Mark Pocan and Thom answer listener questions about understanding universal health care and how to navigate the disinformation about it being spread by conservatives to manipulate the mid-term vote. ---------- Luke Vargas with Talk Media News brings us headlines- Malaysia and the death penalty compared to red and blue U.S. states, dueling Eastern Orthodox Churches, and Chinese intelligence assets.