Category: Old Howard Union

The Old Howard Union, social and political commentary from Raimondo Graziano.

Old Howard Union

52 – Hiatus Over! Back To It, Mass Shootings, Trump, China, Trade AND The Democrats in 2020.

Raimondo Graziano

The long hiatus is over and we are back tonight with another podcast. The new schedule is live and we will have one out every Sunday starting this week. Tonight – discussion on Mass Shootings, Trump and China and Trade, and then onto the 2020 election discussing the Democrats as they stand today. Good to be back!

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Show Notes

  1. NRA Criticizes Presidential Candidates After Mass Shootings https://nyti.ms/2YMG36k
  2. Spiraling Trade Tensions Threaten Economy as Trump Pressures China https://nyti.ms/2T1xQ8U
  3. How Far Left Is Too Far Left for 2020 Democrats? https://nyti.ms/2Z1Ntju
Old Howard Union

51 – Prescription Drug Prices & Healthcare

Raimondo Graziano

It’s an understatement to say that prescription drugs are far too costly in the United States compared to other nations. The Pharmaceutical industries hold over our government extends far beyond lawmakers… What about those who interpret the law? A Federal judge recently ruled against a rule change put into effect by the President that would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to disclose prices on televised advertisements. The judge ruled that the rule violates “1st amendment rights”. Sounds like a broad, garbage interpretation to me. What about the patient? What about the consumer? Prescription drugs are just the first dish in a platter of disaster in our American healthcare system.

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Show Notes

  1. Judge Blocks Trump Rule Requiring Drug Companies to List Prices in TV Ads
Old Howard Union

50 – The Arrogance of Conservative Politicians

Raimondo Graziano

From an article yet to be published – Too much has been coopted by the conservatives of this country, too many inherently American values have been forcibly taken by the conservative wing of our political body in order to be used to push their partisan agenda that first and foremost benefits the elites, and secondly preys on the good nature of American citizens in order to convince them that the they have the truest claim to the identity of that of a true American. They talk of American values, and our cherished constitution – yet they trample them through voter suppression, gerrymandering, and their obstructionist hardliner ways. They speak of family values, and morals yet the man they so callously back has been accused of numerous violations of any definition of moral goodness, a man who has professed heresies that are antithesis to their supposed Christian values.

The rights co-opting of our values, traditions and institutions MUST END.

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Show Notes

  1. None for this evening.
Old Howard Union

49 – Concentration Camps & Independence Day

Raimondo Graziano

On this fourth of July, our Independence Day, it is vitally important to reflect on the horrid conditions present at migrant detention camps along the southern border and around the country. While there is cause to rejoice at how far we have come as a nation, we must reflect and atone for the horrors that exist today. While we talk about our freedoms, what of the freedoms of those interned in defacto concentration camps?

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Show Notes

  1. Squalid Conditions at Border Detention Centers, Government Report Finds https://nyti.ms/2KTrfMy
  2. Federal Judge Blocks Barr’s Attempt to Deny Asylum Seekers Bail https://nyti.ms/2Nt0sJ0
  3. Ocasio-Cortez Describes ‘Horrifying’ Conditions at Texas Migrant Facility https://nyti.ms/2NpN9ZR
  4. Asylum Officers’ Union Says Trump Migration Policy ‘Abandons’ American Tradition https://nyti.ms/2RGkVZphttps://nyti.ms/2RGkVZp
  5. House Passes Senate Border Bill in Striking Defeat for Pelosi https://nyti.ms/2Nit7AE
Old Howard Union

Issue Brief, 14 – Breaking Up The Largest Tech Companies

Raimondo Graziano

The largest technology companies in the United States have come under intense scrutiny recently for their negligence in regards to consumer information, and in regards to business practices. Calls have been growing to break up these companies and even the field for competition and the protection of consumers.

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Show Notes

  1. Antitrust Troubles Snowball for Tech Giants as Lawmakers Join In https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/technology/facebook-ftc-antitrust.html