Howard Monroe And The Morning Show

Citizens United is killing democracy--how do we kill IT?

Later this week, I'll post some audio clips from my 2 day visit to FamiliesUSA annual Health Action Conference. There were some really good guests who stopped by and you can hear them on-line soon.

But one of my favorites was Bob Edgar, a former Member of Congress, former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, and now head of Common Cause. He had a lot to say on many issues, but what excited me most was an effort to create a constitutional amendment to eliminate the horrific effects of the Citizens United ruling in the Supreme Court. 

Citizens United is the biggest dart in the heart of democracy in the history of our country. To declare the constituion extends rights of citizenship to non-living entities like corporations and to allow them unlimited spending to influence elections under the guise of free speech is anathema to entire concept of American democracy.

Since the Supreme Court has enshrined this as the law of the land--and since under the power the court has given them, it is nearly impossible for independent citizens to fight back, the last resort is a constituional amendment. Common Cause has created a web site you should check out called Amend 2012.

I'll post Edgar's interview and many others soon.

AUDIO: McKenzie discusses Wheeling

Wheeling mayor Andy McKenzie wants another 4 years in that spot. He thinks the Friendly City has made a lot of progress--although he admits not as much as he had hoped for when he ran for office 4 years ago. McKenzie says demo work on the 1100 block downtown is moving forward and he thinks there will be a definite tenant for the property once the old buildings are down. Wheeling Jesuit University is apparently one option. He joined me this morning on "The Morning Show".

01-11-12 Andy McKenzie running for re-election

McKenzie and I also talked about the concerns that many have raised about too many historci properties being torn down in the city.

01-11-12 McKenzie part 2

 

Audio: Joe Manchin

US Senator Joe Manchin is on a statewide "Common Sense Tour",holding town hall meetings and coffee conversations about what he calls "common sense" ideas in DC. On "The Morning Show" today, Manchin told me he thinks the simple act of SITTING together can help smooth some of the harsh partisan divide. He is encouraging Dems and the GOP to sit together during the State of the Union--and to also start sitting side by side in committee meetings. We also talked about payroll tax extension, the Keystone pipeline, unemployment benefits. He holds a town meeting tonight (Wednesday) at the Milsop Center in Weirton.

01-10-12 Manchin Common Sense Tour

Audio: WV Legislature

WV Senate President Jeff Kessler thinks education reform and the OPEB money problems will be 2 topics in the upcoming legislative session. Issues over prison overcrowding and alternative sentencing for drug offeners are a couple of Kessler's pesonal concerns as well. And he does NOT expect much more Marcellus shale legislation at this regular session. He and I talked about the session on "The Morning Show".

01-09-12 KESSLER

 

What would YOU do about downtown Wheeling?

Wheeling council elections are gearing up.

As the campaigns begin, I keep hearing folks crying "they" should do something to save Wheeling....stop the demolitions...bring back business...and so on.

I would love to hear any specific ideas what you think "they" should do.

Audio: Jobs, crackers, and learning to stand tall

WV State Senator Orphy Klempa say everyone in the area of natural gas drilling is impacted by the industry (degraded roads, potential environmental issues, noise, disruption) and everyone should have a chance to benefit as well--not just with tax revenue but with JOBS. On The Morning Show today, Klempa says he thinks it's completely appropriate to demand more local jobs as part of the process. He also says he thinks the Mountain state has a very strong chance of seeing a multi-billion dollar cracker plant built in the state. And Klempa says we need to recognize that the natural gas under our feet is a valuable commodity and we should not be ashamed of demanding companies who want to profit from it should be willing to pay for it (not just in dollars but in construction and employment). 

Here's the entire interview. Worth a complete listen, I think.

01-05-12 Orphy Klempa on Marcellus

Tuesday on "The Morning Show"

With one eye on the winter squall this morning, we previewed tonight's Iowa caucus with Victoria Jones from the Talkradio News Service, chatted about the continuing growth of national gas drilling in the Valley with Tim Greene from Land and Mineral Management. Barb from Fish Creek, Tom from St. C, Mr. Energy, and a caller we haven't heard from for a while (Bill from Oglebay) checked in with some start of the year thoughts. It's only 2 days into our 2012 shows, but I am battling a miserable cold with cough, sniffles, congestion......we shall see what tomorrow brings.

You can slap me now.....

It is politically incorrect, rude, and socially unacceptable....but I have to say it: Dick Clark should NOT be making appearances on his New Year's Eve show. I understand he had a stroke, I recognize it's a mecical condition and that his mind is sharp. I bear him no ill will, but it's painful to wwatch him struggle with the words. Here's some of what I--and a caller--had to say about that.

01-02-12 Comments on Dick Clark

You may verbally beat me now.

Also on today's show, our health care consultant Dave Bougher gave insight into a developing problem with shortages of certain drugs in America.

01-02-12 Dave bougher on drug shortages

Dave went on to discuss the growing "gray market" in many of these drugs where the mark up over the normal price of the drug AVERAGES 650% but can go as high as 3 or 4 THOUSAND PERCENT!

 

Back to work

Holiday week is over. New Year underway. It's back to our morning conversation Monday. We'll start at 8 with health care consultant Dave Bougher and I discussing drug shortages--a health care issue you may not have heard about. Plus a preview of the Iowa caucus, and some New Years' thoughts, too.

AUDIO: Yes, Virginia, There IS a Santa Clause

My annual radio reading of the classic New York Sun editorial by Francis P. Church.

12-24-11 Yes, Virginia