Straight Talk Arkansas: Recent Episodes
Scott Wyant
Scott Wyant talks with liberal and progressive thinkers and politicians working to make life better for the average man instead of the corporation.
We’re beginning to see more references to public private partnership possibilities especially when it comes to the infrastructure needs of the nation. While Democrats prefer that the investments be funded, and owned, entirely by the federal government, Republicans, claiming that the size of the nation’s investment needs are beyond the ability of the government to finance, advocate a public private partnership, where some of the funding comes from the private sector
Dean and I sat down with Josh to discuss his campaign for the Democratic nomination for US Senate
You can get involved with Josh’s campaign by going to his website and signing up and you can contribute to his campaign via this page or from his campaign page on Act Blue.
You can follow his exploits on his Facebook page, his Twitter Account, and he’s even on Instagram.
There are four pieces of legislation that Congress could pass that would have both immediate and significant impacts on the income of well over half of families. Today’s discussions on how to help the middle class has focused solely on raising the minimum wage and instituting some form of universal health care. And while economists are in agreement that raising the minimum wage will benefit more than 35 million workers and a Medicare-for-All plan will save the nation $2 trillion over the next ten years, there’s other structural changes that can have an equally significant impact.
Some form of universal health insurance is inevitable. This is not just my opinion. It’s also the opinion of the late conservative Pulitzer Prize winning author Charles Krauthammer, and freelance finance columnist Malcolm Berko. The need for universal insurance coverage of some form is made obvious from the current systems failures. Some years ago, at a Health Care conference at ASU we learned that 62 percent of all bankruptcies were linked to medical expenses, of those who filed for bankruptcy, 80 percent had health insurance. Medical costs account for 1.5 million home foreclosures yearly. These problems related to health care financing occur in no other nation.
For politicians wanting to address global warming, mandating pollution reduction levels (their favorite approach) requires that the government know what is technically possible. The problem is that the firms will not voluntarily divulge what they are or are not capable of doing. This process typically ends up in court with industry claiming that the required reductions are impossible to meet.
The name “Green New Deal” harkens back to Franklin Roosevelt’s depression ear “New Deal.” Among the GND’s provisions are, zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100% renewable energy by 2030 along with an “Economic Bill of Rights” which includes the right to single-payer healthcare, a guaranteed job at a living wage, affordable housing and free college education.
Professor Gary Latanich once again joins me and Dean Flanagan for our continuing discussion on income inequality and we are pleased to add Mike Nelson’s voice to the show.
We’re all socialists to some degree even if we won’t admit it. By definition, socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. And while almost everyone agrees that state ownership is not desirable, the need to regulate markets has been an accepted part of our economic policies since at least the time of President Theodore Roosevelt.
What do we mean when we talk about income inequality? How bad is it? What can we do about it?
Dr Gary Latanich, Professor Emeritus of Economics from ASU Jonesboro, joins Scott and Dr Dean for a discussion on the topic of income inequality.
You can reach out to each of us by email and we all welcome your comments
Scott can be emailed at scott@straighttalkarkansas.com
Dr Dean can be emailed at dean.flanagan@aim.com
Dr Latanich can be emailed at garylatanich@yahoo.com
A nation’s wealth is determined by its cumulative productivity. The productivity increases in 2018 determined how much wealthier we were by year’s end. How much of this extra wealth any family can claim is determined by their wage rate. If you’re forced to work for nothing, like federal workers this past month, the increase in your family’s wealth is zero. Thus it’s obvious that wealth which is crucial to retirement and the ability to sustain the family in periods of recession hinges almost exclusively wages and wage growth over time.
Gary will be contributing a regular post to this here website and will be a frequent panelist on Straight Talk going forward.
Greg Leding is from North West Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas. He entered the world of graphic design and marketing but answered the call to serve his community as Fayetteville's State representative for district 86 in 2011. There, though a progressive voice he has found common ground in several successful acts to improve the lives of Arkansans. Now Greg at age 40 is running for the Arkansas Senate, district 4.
You can find out a lot more about Greg by going to his Campaign Website and his Facebook page. You can follow him on Twitter and he’s even on Istagram. He also has an account on Medium. His newsletter #ARLeg is worthwhile to follow regarding ongoing legislative activities.
As a nurse I have spent over 20 years in my professional career caring for my community and the people I serve. It is now time to care for the state of Arkansas and district 95 serving as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Becoming a nurse and then a nurse practitioner was an answer to a calling to reduce suffering through compassionate care and service to work to improve the lives of individuals in my community and practice. Running for state office is again an answer to a call to now work to improve the lives of many.
You can find out more about Celeste Williams from her campaign website, campaign Facebook page, and you can donate to her campaign and follow her on Twitter
Stele Wayne James was raised in rural Arkansas on a farm, educated by the public school systems of Scott and Yell County. Stele served in the Arkansas Army National Gaurd for over a decade and fought in two conflicts in the United States Army. When discharged he returned home to a fight - but as an advocate for veterans like himself. He served the Texas Veterans commission as a Veterans Employment Representative and later as the Director of Veteran Services for Benton County Arkansas.
After the passing of the family Patriarch, Stele answered his family's call to return to the farm in Gravelly Arkansas. Stele farmed his Grandmothers cattle and began a herd of his own and began growing vegetables for the local farmers markets. He is marred to the wonderful and talented Lacey James, a registered nurse serving patients with in home care for Kindred and continues to help patients in rehab at Mena Arkansas. Stele and Lacey are the proud parents of two farm boys, Kian who is age 10 and Lil' Stihl who is 2.
Stele's life has been shaped by Arkansas and reflects its warm loving open nature with a smile and a love for its natural beauty and resilient and defiant people. "Stele Wayne", as he is known, loves his family, faith and the outdoors. They love to fish, hunt, and explore our public lands, WMA's, State Parks and National Forests, and spend many days following their squirrel dogs hunting or just out scouting.
Stele James is a Christian and considers Christ's love to be the foundation of his moral compass. His faith provides a stable platform from which his own brand of Democratic political ideology, in Stele Waynes' own words: "I am a different Democrat."
You can find more information about Stele on his website or on his Facebook page and you can Donate to his campaign. He even welcomes phone calls 479-393-9354 and email
The Democratic candidate for Arkansas Attorney General, Mike Lee sat with Dean Flanagan to talk about the unique roll that the AG has in Arkansas government. As a native of Hot Springs and a Navy veteran Mr Lee worked as an industrial engineer making the metal working factory safer for the employees while studying to become a lawyer. He took his law degree from UALR Bowen School of Law (1984) and after a period of work with Gary Eubanks and Associates, and private practice, went to work for the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission where he worked on child safety regulations.
At a time when most people would retire and enjoy the good life, Mr Lee has found a higher calling, he wants to be the next Attorney General for the state of Arkansas, and he has pledged to bring all his knowledge and experience to the office to make Arkansas a better, safer place to live.
You can help get Mike Lee elected by donating to his campaign or volunteering with the campaign. You can get to know all about Mike Lee by following his Facebook page and his Twitter account.
And today you can listen to Mr Lee talk about the important role the AG plays in our state's governance by listening to this installment of Straight Talk.
Kae Chatman is the current President of the Arkansas chapter of NOW the National Organization for Women and she was kind of enough to sit down with me and tell us about the work that she is doing for NOW and her life and experiences.
Kae is a remarkable woman whose life has been as varied as working in military intelligence and becoming a company commander to her roll as an educator at the Arkansas State University Beebe and as the current President of the Arkansas chapter of NOW,
Once again I got the chance to speak with Maureen Skinner, the Democratic candidate for the Arkansas Senate District 35. A big part of our conversation this time concerned the separation of children from those coming across our southern borders. Maureen says that she agrees with the American Psychiatric Association's statement on child separation.
There's lots to hear in this episode, including THE MOST POLITICAL QUESTION I HAVE EVER ASKED.
Josh Mahony is running for the US House of Representatives, representing the Arkansas 3rd Congressional district. Josh is the past president of both the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund and the Ozark Literary Council Board of Directors. He was born in Eldorado, AR, grew up on a horse farm, and is part-owner of his family's natural resources company. His mother, Alice Mahony, has been a leader in promoting public education and his uncle, Jodie Mahony, served a long time as an Arkansas state representative. Josh and his wife, Rhianon DeLeeuw, live in Fayetteville along with their four loveable dogs.
You can find out more about Josh on his campaign website, his campaign page on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram
Sarah Scanlon is the principal and founder of Southern Strategies, a progressive consultancy working to elect progressives and liberals across the country. Former State Director for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, as well as the National LGBTQ Director of Outreach for the campaign. Previously Sarah worked as a Deputy Director for Wellstone Action and prior to that she was a Regional Field Director for HRC (Human Rights Campaign)
Sarah got her start in politics fighting an odious anti-LGBT ballot proposition in Seattle, Washington in the late 1980's and went on to run the campaign for Mary Lou Dickerson (D) House of Representatives from 1995 to 2012 and for the first 3 years of Ms Dickerson's tenure she was her legislative assistant.
A native of the Nettleton community in Jonesboro, Arkansas Sarah now lives in Little Rock with her wife Barbara and their daughter Calliope
Want to get involved with politics, without running yourself? You can, and be a force for good in the world just like Sarah and a good place to start is with organisations like The National Democratic Training Committee, Wellstone Action, Organising for Action, and Democracy for America
You can catch Sarah on her own talk show The Politics of Conviction
Leticia Sanders, a former letter carrier and currently a hair stylist in Maumelle was a surprise last minute entrant into the race for Governor on the Democratic field. But Sanders has been planning and unofficially running since Feb 2017. On the last day of filing to run and in the last hours available, Leticia Sanders paid her $12,000 filing fee in cash.
“I see everything that’s going on and it shouldn’t be going on. I’m here to make a difference, I’m here to make a change,” Sanders said, noting three issues she hoped to discuss on the campaign trail. “The justice system for one, the education system for another, our health issues is another.”
Education, Healthcare, Legalisation of Marijuana, and Homeless are all issues top of mind for Leticia and she has plans for each of these problems.
Unlike some previous persons who have run for the office of Secretary of State, Susan Inman is intimately involved with what the job entails and she's ready to put her vast experience (from her time as Director of Elections under Sharon Priest to who work as an appointee to the US State Dept to monitor elections in foreign countries) Susan has had more than 25 years of experience working in government.
Though having lost the election in 2014 for this office when she ran against the incumbent Mark Martin, this election there is no one with the power of incumbency, due to Mark Martin being term limited.
Have a listen to my interview with Susan and be sure to swing by her campaign website and give her campaign's Facebook page a big ol' like and check out and follow her on Twitter and should the spirit move you, you can donate to her campaign as well.
Gwen is a teacher in the Little Rock School District, currently at Stephens, and as you know she has been a political force of late. She was instrumental in organizing the huge Women's March for Arkansas in January. Links to the march on Facebook and a report from KAUR about the march. Her Facebook page says she was born in Ohio and holds a master's degree in gifted education from UALR. She was an Air Force navigation systems technician in Okinawa from 1996 to 1999.
Combs for Arkansas
Gwen on Twitter
Gwen's campaign on Facebook
Gwen on Instagram
Donate to Gwen's campaign
I sat down with Dr Anthony Bland to discuss his campaign for Lt. Governor of Arkansas. From a desire to attain a quality education for every student in our state to fighting for affordable healthcare—Arkansas' potential has always been at the forefront of my desire to run for office.
Independent licensed psychological examiner and behavioral health care professional, Maureen Skinner is running for Arkansas Senate district 35. It seems she has a good understanding why the incompetent, Jason Rapert (R) needs to be replaced. She has strong rational views for improving Arkansas for all citizens. Enjoy listening to our conversation and support this promising candidates.
It would appear that I was not the only one in Arkansas who saw the need to introduce the voters in the state to our many fine liberal politicians. Dean has been talking to Democratic politicians for some time as a member of the Arkansas Democratic Party and the Sebastion County Democrats. He has recently been interviewing candidates and it was suggested that we join forces so I have extended the invitation and Dean has accepted.
Austin Jones is a young man who is dedicated to making public education in Arkansas as good as it possibly can, and he is running for the State House from North East Arkansas' district 54.
Find him and follow on Facebook and Twitter donate to his campaign on ActBlue
Ryan Carter is a young man from Corning, Arkansas who currently works at Walmart and is involved with the Young Democrats of Arkansas. He's also busy traveling through the 56th district meeting with the electorate and spreading his message that they deserve someone in the state legislature who will work for THEM and not the special interest who receive the lion's share of attention in the state house.
Ryan has a campaign page on Facebook that he invites you to come and like and he welcomes feedback via email and you can even send him your well wishes, and possibly even a donation to his Postal box 971 Corning, Arkansas 72422
Ryan has an account setup at ActBlue where he can accept donations to his campaign.
I recently had an opportunity to speak with Ryan during his lunch break at work, so have a listen and be sure to visit with this young man on Facebook where he is one of the founders and a frequent contributor to the NEA Indivisible group.
The 39 year old Springdale native and former executive director of Arkansas' Teach for America has set his sights on the Governor's Mansion. He has been campaigning across the state since mid December and has been to more than half the counties so far, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down. I did manage to get him to slow down long enough to speak with me on day students across the nation were walking out of classrooms to protest inaction in congress to stem the tide of gun rampages that continue in America.
To find out more about Jared and to get involved go on over to his campaign website
and follow his campaign on Facebook
The future of the Democratic Party of Arkansas is joining me tonight. Blake Ross is the 24 year old President of the Young Democrats of Arkansas and he shares his experiences growing the party with the younger folks of Arkansas. And Tara Ward is the 28 year old mother who is a political science student at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway who saw that a large demographic population of the city was not being represented in the city council and decided that she was going to work to fill that void by running for a seat on the city council of Conway Arkansas.
Chintan Desai is a California native who came to Helena, Arkansas in 2010 to be a teacher with Teach for America Now he is running for congress to unseat Rich Crawford (R).
You can find Chintan on Facebook and Twitter and you can visit his campaign website.
Remember the primary election is May 22, 2018 so check your registration and VOTE
Hayden Shamel from Hot Springs is running for Congress in Arkansas 4th district.
You can find her on Facebook
Go to her campaign website
You can donate to her campaign
Maureen Skinner is running for the State Senate seat currently held by Jason Rapert (R) the most reviled republican in the state, and that's quite an accomplishment.
Maureen is a licensed psychological examiner in Conway and she's on Facebook, Twitter, and even Snapchat ( I don't have a link to her snap, though ask her on twitter and I'm sure she will provide it to you )
Here is Maureen's contribution page at ActBlue and I encourage you to go and give her some money, she's going against a republican who has quite a lot of financial support so Maureen could really use anything you can donate.
Last week I got a chance to interview Maureen and I hope you will have a listen and encourage everyone you know to have a listen too. I believe Maureen would be an excellent member of the Arkansas Senate and I hope you will as well.
Remember, the primary is May 22 so check your voter registration, make sure everything is correct and bring a friend.
Robb Ryerse the Republican who is trying to unseat Steve Womack from his seat in the House of Representatives.
He's not your regular Republican, have a listen and be surprised. Endorsed by Brand New Congress
It took four days for the Republican Caucus in the Arkansas Legislature to recover enough from the shock of the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges which gave same-sex couples the right to marry in all 50 states to rally their members into a last ditch effort to keep the status quo of second (or fourth) class citizenship for the gay members of our community.
An interview with Nina Hauptman from Last Chance for Animals about their defeat of an Ag Gag bill on Steroids
100 years ago the most famous and popular man in the silent films was George "Jack" Warren Kerrigan ( born July 25. 1879 died June 9, 1947 ) so said the magazines Motion Picture and Photoplay, as Motion Picture magazine had said the previous year when it first took a survey to find out who was the most popular actor of the silver screen. This was a title that he would hold until the United States in 1917 entered the war raging in Europe. Kerrigan was the very first true movie star, he set the stage for everyone who came afterwards.
The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office has adopted a written policy for how it's deputies are to respond to people recording/videoing the actions of deputies .
What is happening in this rural county in central Arkansas highlights a problem that will be occuring throughout the nation in years to come.
A signature drive is currently being conducted to put a stop to the City of Fayetteville from enacting the most sweeping civil rights ordnance in the state.
It was a long night in the council chamber of the City of Fayetteville where public comments were heard before the council voted on a sweeping civil rights ordnance.
In this inaugural podcast Scott and Corey talk about the educational system and the effects of No Child Left Behind