Podcast appearances and mentions of ben eisen

Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute, joins Greg to talk about his new study on Ontario's underperforming economy and Canada's recent economic stagnation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.   0:51 - Fixing immigration and fixing the economy are two sides of the same coin, by Chris Alexander   9:57 -  Somebody tell Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford that the Santa Claus model of tax policy doesn't work, by Ben Eisen and Jake Fuss   This program is narrated by automated voices. If you enjoy The Hub's podcasts consider subscribing to our weekly email newsletter featuring our best insights and analysis. Free. Cancel anytime. Sign up now at https://thehub.ca/join/.

Bank customers are now struggling to find a spot to put their valuables since fewer banks are offering safe-deposit boxes. Wall Street Journal deputy personal finance bureau chief Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the disappearing service and where you can store your belongings.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has trended higher since the Federal Reserve's first rate cut in September – and it might keep climbing. Wall Street Journal deputy personal finance bureau chief Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what this means for prospective home buyers.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Alex Pierson Podcast, our host Alex Pierson first starts off looking at Doug Ford...and his spending habits. A new study from the Frasier Institute shows that he's actually not as fiscally conservative as he would like you to believe. In fact, he's even more liberal with spending than his predecessor Kathleen Wynne! Ben Eisen, a Sr. Fellow in Feiscal and Provincial Prosperity Studies with The Frasier Institue joins Alex to explain how he got these results, and what this could mean for a future provincial election. Then, to address the rising and ongoing housing crisis Alex speaks with the owner and founder of Tiny Tiny Homes, Ryan Donais. Ryan tells Alex about his recent invention, a custom-built Tiny home built onto a custom bike...offering a custom and necessary lifestyle improvement for those struggling with homelessness. Ryan and Alex talk about how this idea came about, how much time it takes to build even one of these and when we can expect them on the streets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Eisen, senior fellow, Fraser Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for March 27. As a probe into the Baltimore bridge accident begins, we are exclusively reporting that it will include whether dirty fuel played a role. WSJ reporter David Uberti also helps size up the economic impact of the collapse. Plus, NBC News drops Ronna McDaniel under pressure from its on-air talent. And, the WSJ's Ben Eisen breaks down how surging housing prices are drawing in investors eager to snap up homes nearing foreclosure. Luke Vargas hosts.  Listening on Google Podcasts? Here's our guide for switching to a different podcast player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Eisen, senior fellow, Fraser Institute with guest host Rob Breakenridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tend to think more of the guitar as a rock and roll instrument, but Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino were a big part of the early sound of rock and roll. While there are plenty of great rock piano players, that lead guy or gal mostly tends to be playing a six-string. In the 70s and 80s, the big piano frontmen were Billy Joel and Elton John – hugely popular with what they did, but much (though not all) of it was balladry. Where were the trouble-makers and the pisstakers behind the 88s? One of them was hiding out in North Carolina. Welcome to episode 171 of Love That Album. By 2000, Ben Folds Five had broken up, leaving behind three incredible albums of “punk music for sissies” (Ben's alleged description of the band). They'd created songs both raucous and tender, angry and loving, serious and funny. In 2001, Ben Folds released his first solo album “Rockin' The Suburbs” (recorded in Adelaide), and he plays and sings nearly everything. Once again, he aimed for your funny bone, but he also told stories that could break your heart. These stories showed once again that Folds was a master of melody, harmony and was very literate. For this episode, I am joined by the host and “numbers girl” of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Ben Eisen and Shannon Hurley. We sit around the virtual table discussing Folds' techniques in composition and arrangement, his potty mouth, the seeming contrast between the man who could write both The Luckiest and Song For The Dumped, and real life stories from the suburbs about everyday people brought to life in this collection of short stories – love spurned, love embraced, parenthood, mental health, and cussing on the mic. My huge thanks to both Ben and Shannon for being such great partners for this discussion about a performer who we all love. We never even mention the one song seemingly everyone knows….because Folds is so much more than that one song. I won't let it be 3 years before Ben and Shannon rock the mics with me on LTA again. You can catch new episodes of All Time Top Ten every week on favourite podcast app, or go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-time-top-ten/id573735994 At the time of this LTA, there are 590 episodes recorded!!!!! Most are archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/ If you want to check out Shannon's variety of projects (music, art, videos), then head to https://shannonhurley.com/ Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice. The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at http://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows. You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/ Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We tend to think more of the guitar as a rock and roll instrument, but Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino were a big part of the early sound of rock and roll. While there are plenty of great rock piano players, that lead guy or gal mostly tends to be playing a six-string. In the 70s and 80s, the big piano frontmen were Billy Joel and Elton John – hugely popular with what they did, but much (though not all) of it was balladry. Where were the trouble-makers and the pisstakers behind the 88s? One of them was hiding out in North Carolina. Welcome to episode 171 of Love That Album. By 2000, Ben Folds Five had broken up, leaving behind three incredible albums of “punk music for sissies” (Ben's alleged description of the band). They'd created songs both raucous and tender, angry and loving, serious and funny. In 2001, Ben Folds released his first solo album “Rockin' The Suburbs” (recorded in Adelaide), and he plays and sings nearly everything. Once again, he aimed for your funny bone, but he also told stories that could break your heart. These stories showed once again that Folds was a master of melody, harmony and was very literate. For this episode, I am joined by the host and “numbers girl” of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Ben Eisen and Shannon Hurley. We sit around the virtual table discussing Folds' techniques in composition and arrangement, his potty mouth, the seeming contrast between the man who could write both The Luckiest and Song For The Dumped, and real life stories from the suburbs about everyday people brought to life in this collection of short stories – love spurned, love embraced, parenthood, mental health, and cussing on the mic. My huge thanks to both Ben and Shannon for being such great partners for this discussion about a performer who we all love. We never even mention the one song seemingly everyone knows….because Folds is so much more than that one song. I won't let it be 3 years before Ben and Shannon rock the mics with me on LTA again. You can catch new episodes of All Time Top Ten every week on favourite podcast app, or go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-time-top-ten/id573735994 At the time of this LTA, there are 590 episodes recorded!!!!! Most are archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/ If you want to check out Shannon's variety of projects (music, art, videos), then head to https://shannonhurley.com/ Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice. The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at http://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows. You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum I'm also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lovethatalbumpodcast/ Proudly Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Assumable loans allow home sellers to transfer the more attractive rate they secured in the past to buyers. Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how they work, as well as the pros and cons.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former Wells Fargo executive was recently sentenced for her role in the bank's 2016 fake account scandal. WSJ's Ben Eisen explains why that sentencing isn't the end of this story for Wells Fargo as the bank has struggled to overhaul the way it manages risks, even seven years later. Further Reading: -Former Wells Fargo Executive Avoids Prison Time in Fake-Accounts Scandal  -Wells Fargo Is Still in Fix-It Mode  Further Listening: -Wells Fargo and the Fake-Account Fallout  -The War Inside Goldman Sachs  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Americans are making money off their cars by renting them out. WSJ reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the p rocess works, and the risks some renters face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Alex Pierson speaks with Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute and the study's author. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long-dormant mortgages are coming back to bite. Homeowners around the country are facing large bills and even foreclosure threats from investors who own their second mortgages, often made more than a decade ago. We talk to WSJ's Ben Eisen and a homeowner about why these seemingly dead mortgages are now coming back to life. Further Reading: - Zombie Mortgages Could Force Some Homeowners Into Foreclosure  Further Listening: - Investors are Buying Up Homes. Cincinnati is Pushing Back   - The Downfall of a Real Estate Empire  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 4. Shares of regional banks plunged on Thursday, with investors still worried about the spread of contagion from the March banking crisis. Banking and finance reporter Ben Eisen explains. Plus, the debate over the debt ceiling took on new urgency this week, with the U.S. set to run out of money as early as June 1. D.C. audio reporter Daniella Cheslow has more. Annmarie Fertoli hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: According to a report from channel 8 WISH-TV in Indiana, Councilmember Ryan Webb has announced that he will now be identifying as a “lesbian woman of color.” Webb appeared on Fox News with Jesse Kelly to explain his decision to be his “true self” publicly for the first time. In response to the collapse of First Republic Bank, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre stated the Biden Administration is very confident there will be no more banking failures. Rachel Louise Ensign and Ben Eisen of The Wall Street Journal write, “[r]egulators seized First Republic Bank and struck a deal to sell the bulk of its operations to JPMorgan Chase Co., heading off a chaotic collapse that threatened to reignite the recent banking crisis. JPMorgan said it will assume all of First Republic's $92 billion in deposits—insured and uninsured. It is also buying most of the bank's assets, including about $173 billion in loans and $30 billion in securities.” You can read Ensign and Eisen's full report here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-republic-bank-is-seized-sold-to-jpmorgan-in-second-largest-u-s-bank-failure-5cec723 On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland testified at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where she seemingly claimed there were too many jobs in America for “blue collar workers.” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioned Sec. Haaland about the Biden Administration's “clean energy” agenda and its habit of promoting reliance upon foreign nations for the mining of precious metals and minerals necessary for the development of batteries used in electric cars.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- According to The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board, the Biden Administration is seeking to implement a new rule which “will raise mortgage fees for borrowers with good credit to subsidize higher-risk borrowers. Under the rule, which goes into effect May 1, home buyers with a good credit score over 680 will pay about $40 more each month on a $400,000 loan, and upward depending on the size of the loan. Those who make down payments of 20% on their homes will pay the highest fees. Those payments will then be used to subsidize higher-risk borrowers through lower fees.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/upside-down-mortgage-policy-212fd736 3:15pm- In response to the expiration of Title 42, President Joe Biden announced that he will dispatch 1,500 active-duty military personnel to the U.S. Southern Border to help prevent illegal border crossings from surging. 3:30pm- Flashback: During an interview with Ezra Klein in 2015, Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said he vehemently opposed “open-borders” and claimed it was a right-wing proposal being supported by the Koch brothers—alleging that Republicans wanted relaxed border security in order to drive down the cost of labor and, subsequently, enhance the profits of large corporations. How has the Democrat party changed its stance on border security so drastically in just 8 years? 3:50pm- Flashback: In 2018, in response to the Trump Administration's decision to send troops to the U.S. Southern Border, then-Senator Kamala Harris claimed the act was “inappropriate” and “political”—so, then why is the Biden Administration doing the very same thing now? Was Harris simply attempting to politicize the issue in 2018? 4:05pm- During the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing on Supreme Court Ethics Reform, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) stated that the hearing's primary intention was to destroy the reputation of ideologically conservative Justices—specifically Justice Clarence Thomas. Sen. Cruz also condemned Senate Democrats for attempting to reduce funding for Justice security even after the attempted assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh following the release of a leaked draft of the court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which ultimately upended Roe v. Wade. 4:15pm- The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board writes, “Senate Democrats are holding another hearing on ‘Supreme Court Ethics Reform'…and it's important to understand that this isn't about ethics at all. This is another front in the political campaign to delegitimize the Supreme Court, with a goal of tarnishing its rulings and subjecting it to more political control.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-ethics-reform-hearing-senate-democrats-john-roberts-clarence-thomas-ketanji-brown-jackson-sonia-sotomayor-d0304d65?mod=opinion_lead_pos1 4:30pm- Nicholas Tomaino—Assistant Editorial Features Editor at The Wall Street Journal—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest editorial, “Politico Aims at Gorsuch and Misses.” Politico's Heidi Przybyla alleges that the sale of a property linked to Neil Gorsuch amounts to an ethics problem for the Supreme Court Justice. But as Tomaino points out, Justice Gorsuch disclosed the transaction and “didn't own the property directly. Rather, he held a 20% share in Walden Group LLC, a company he and two partners formed when they bought the house in 2005, before Mr. Gorsuch was a judge. The company listed the property for sale in 2015, asking $2.495 million, and sold it to Mr. Duffy two years later for $1.825 million.” So where is the ethics problem? You can read Tomaino's full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/politico-aims-at-gorsuch-and-misses-disclosure-colorado-ethics-reform-durbin-87a4fc50?mod=opinion_lead_pos7 4:55pm- During a recent episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan suggested that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson should appear on the online video platform Rumble. 5:05pm- The Drive at 5: President of Thomas Jefferson University Dr. Mark Tykocinski was reprimanded via email by the institution's Chief Executive Officer Joseph Cacchione for “liked” Tweets that questioned the efficacy of gender affirming surgeries for children. Should Dr. Tykocinski have been forced to apologize? Zeoli notes that it appears academia now only accepts dangerous versions of “group think.” 5:20pm- The Mystery Movie Clip: Rich forgets to ask caller twelve for the name of the film… 5:40pm- According to a new poll from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, young Democrats are abnormally depressed.   6:05pm- According to a report from channel 8 WISH-TV in Indiana, Councilmember Ryan Webb has announced that he will now be identifying as a “lesbian woman of color.” Webb appeared on Fox News with Jesse Kelly to explain his decision to be his “true self” publicly for the first time. 6:30pm- In response to the collapse of First Republic Bank, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre stated the Biden Administration is very confident there will be no more banking failures. Rachel Louise Ensign and Ben Eisen of The Wall Street Journal write, “[r]egulators seized First Republic Bank and struck a deal to sell the bulk of its operations to JPMorgan Chase Co., heading off a chaotic collapse that threatened to reignite the recent banking crisis. JPMorgan said it will assume all of First Republic's $92 billion in deposits—insured and uninsured. It is also buying most of the bank's assets, including about $173 billion in loans and $30 billion in securities.” You can read Ensign and Eisen's full report here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-republic-bank-is-seized-sold-to-jpmorgan-in-second-largest-u-s-bank-failure-5cec723 6:45pm- On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland testified at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where she seemingly claimed there were too many jobs in America for “blue collar workers.” Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioned Sec. Haaland about the Biden Administration's “clean energy” agenda and its habit of promoting reliance upon foreign nations for the mining of precious metals and minerals necessary for the development of batteries used in electric cars.

Silicon Valley Bank's collapse triggered the second-largest bank run in U.S. history. Who banked at SVB, how did it collapse, why did the federal government step in, and are more bank failures coming? Andy invites economists Justin Wolfers and Mark Zandi, along with WSJ reporter Ben Eisen, into the bubble to debate what this story brings to light about America's banking system, our nation's financial stability, and how safe your money is. Keep up with Andy on Twitter and Post @ASlavitt. Follow Justin Wolfers, Mark Zandi and Ben Eisen on Twitter @JustinWolfers, @Markzandi, and @BenEisen. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/    Check out these resources from today's episode:  Find vaccines, masks, testing, treatments, and other resources in your community: https://www.covid.gov/ Order Andy's book, “Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response”: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165  Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mortgage rates have fallen a full percentage point since last fall, and that has stirred up activity in the housing market which fell into a slump last year. WSJ's Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen with an outlook for the housing market in 2023.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rising prices and interest rates are making it harder to afford buying a car. But many prospective buyers are financing through credit unions, which offer rates significantly lower than banks. WSJ banking reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen with the details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage rates topped 7% for the first time in 20 years this week, and home prices remain near the high levels they hit last year. But some people see the current market as providing the perfect opportunity to buy a house. WSJ reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the new math for prospective home buyers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world is running out of helium, but the concern is not that we won't be able to blow up balloons, the shortage could impact the usage of MRI machines.  Helium is a non-renewable element that comes form the Earth's crust and in its liquid form, it's used to cool the magnets that make the MRI work.  Caroline Hopkins, freelance reporter for NBC News, joins us for why it is so scarce and how manufacturers are developing newer machines that use less liquid helium. Next, U.S. mortgage rates have shot up over 7%, the highest it has been in 20 years.  A year ago, the rate was just over 3% but this week, the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 7.08%.  The housing market continues to cool as some sellers refuse to lower prices and buyers are ever-more constrained by their budgets.  Ben Eisen, banking and finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know. Finally, just in time for Halloween, why do so many people take delight in disgusting things?  Disgust itself is an emotion of avoidance originally concerned with possibly harmful foods but has evolved to include other things such as violations of morals or cultural rules.  But why do disgusting things hold our attention so much?  It could be because of something call “benign masochism.”  Bradley Irish, associate professor of English at ASU, joins us for the allure of disgust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CEOs of the nation's largest banks, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, are sending different messages about the economy. One is more optimistic, the other more pessimistic. WSJ's Ben Eisen explains what's driving their differences. Further Reading: - Bank of America CEO's Optimism Defies Economic Gloom  - Jamie Dimon Says U.S. Consumers Still Have Six to Nine Months of Spending Power  - JP Morgan Chase Earnings Show Economy is Resilient, but Jamie Dimon's “Hurricane” Looms  Further Listening: - The Fed's Plan to Curb Inflation  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage rates are roughly double where they were a year ago, and that is leading some people who are ready to buy a house to consider renting instead. WSJ economics reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the tradeoffs of buying versus renting in the current housing market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hamilton Today Podcast with guest host Scott Radley Scott Radley joins us for another day of facts, discussion, and opinion. After so many pandemic setbacks, the Concession Streetfest returns on June 11th, Scott gets all the details with Cristina Geissler, executive director of the Concession Street BIA. In spite of the popular assumption, youth crime is down in Hamilton. The Liberty for Youth organization help Scott break down the reasons why, and highlight what they are doing to reduce youth crime in Hamilton. Gun control is back in the news following the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Is the solution simply for the US to stop the sale of guns? Dr. Richard Thurman Barnes of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Centre gives Scott his expertise on the subject. Also on the docket: fourplexes in Hamilton with Rob Golfi, Shrinking ratio of Canadian workers to seniors will strain government finances in coming years; only 3 working age individuals for every senior by 2027. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast. Guests: Cristina Geissler, Executive Director of the Concession Street BIA. Frederick Dryden, Executive Director & Founder, Liberty for Youth. Dr. Richard Thurman Barnes, JD, MDiv, Assistant Director - New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center; Associate Professor - Urban-Global Public Health; Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow in Fiscal and Provincial Prosperity Studies and former Director of Provincial Prosperity Studies at the Fraser Institute. SFU. Rob Golfi, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Escarpment Realty, The Golfi Team. John Hodge. CFL insider & reporter for 3 Down Nation. Bill Brioux, television critic and author. Carmi Levy Technology Analyst & Journalist. Host - Scott Radley Content Producer – William Erskine Technical/Podcast Producer - William Webber Technical/Podcast Co-Producer - Ben Straughan News Anchors – Diana Weeks, Dave Woodard Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://omny.fm/shows/scott-thompson-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We begin with a look at the ‘state' of COVID-19 in the UK, where new cases have risen to record levels. We get an update from Kenni James, UK Broadcaster and Business Owner. Next, we look at new polling numbers released this week that show Premier Jason Kenney with an approval rating of less than 30%. We speak with Duane Bratt, Professor of Political Science from Mount Royal University, on what the future holds for Kenney and the UCP party, as a whole. Then, we examine the current “tax policy” in Canada and whether increasing taxation on high income earners is the answer, when it comes to expanding social programs. We discuss the topic with Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow from the Fraser Institute. Finally, would having your pet in the office makes it easier to go into work everyday? According to a new survey, 60% of pet owners are seeking “pet-friendly” workplaces…..could they become the ‘norm' to help companies retain employees?  We discuss with one of the researchers behind a new study. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missed the show? No worries, we've got you covered with the ON Point podcast! On this episode, Alex is first joined by Chris Chapin, strategist and Managing Principal Upstream Strategy to break down the emergency leadership review that has been called against Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, who may be facing his last hours as party leader.  Alex next speaks with Phillip Cross, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute & Fraser Institute. 36 years at Stats Canada specializing in macroeconomics to look into the many businesses within the GTA that are still barely getting by thanks to the many pandemic measures that are still in place. And finally, Alex and Ben Eisen.  Sr. Fellow at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Measuring Ontario's Regional Prosperity Gap—2022 Update. They talk about the new study that shows certain regions of Ontario are getting paid much less on average than others. Let's get talking See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missed the show? No worries, we've got you covered with the ON Point podcast.  On this episode, Alex starts off speaking with Ben Eisen, a Sr. Fellow in Fiscal and Provincial Prosperity Studies and former Director of Provincial Prosperity Studies at the Fraser Institute. They talk about a new study released by the Fraser Institute that shows there are two distinct and separate Ontario's when it comes to job growth. Next, Alex speaks with retired Lt.-Col, David Redman, the former head of Alberta's Emergency Management Agency. They talk about the use of language by politicians and doctors that compare this pandemic to wartime efforts, and why that is not only incorrect, but completely misses the point of emergency management. Finally, Alex speaks with Bruce McIntosh, the President of the Ontario Autism Coalition. They talk about the lack of necessary supports for children with special needs while online learning, why after all these years autism support has still only reduced, and why all children, especially those with special needs require in-person learning. Let's get talking See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missed the show? No worries! We've got you covered with the ON Point Podcast. On this episode, Alex start off talking with Ben Eisen, a Sr. Fellow in Fiscal and Provincial Properity Studies and Former Director of Provincial Prosperity studies at the fraser institute. They talk about the coming minimum wage hike, and why it won't be very helpful to those living in the lower income brackets. Next, Alex talks with Robert Brehl, the founder and principal of abc2 Communications and author of 'Relentless: The True Story of The Man Behind Rogers Communication. They discuss the ongoing in-fighting for power within Rogers, and what Ted Rogers had planned to avoid this. And finally, Alex speaks with Former Calgary Flame, motivational speaker, and author of "Playing with Fire", Theo Fleury. Alex and Theo discuss the ongoing scandal with the Chicago Blackhawks video coach sexually assaulting Kyle Beach when he was just a young prospect. They talk about the dangerous and toxic culture within the NHL, what the league will need to do to make sure nothing like this happens again, and how the culture will be addressed and hopefully broken in the near future. Let's get talking See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We begin with a discussion surrounding our “minimum wage” here in the Province, specifically, whether or not it can be defined as a “liveable” wage. We speak with Meaghon Reid – from “Vibrant Communities Calgary” for her thoughts. Next, we continue the conversation with the Fraser Institute. We're joined by Senior Fellow, Ben Eisen, who shares with us details of a new study done by the Institute which indicates that a higher minimum wage wouldn't provide the support for those who truly need it. Then we look at the concept of a “Hybrid” work model, where employees split their time between working at the office and at home, an idea which has caught the attention of many Alberta workers during the Pandemic. We dig-in to the results of a new study on the topic produced by “Cisco Canada” and “Angus Reid”. Finally, October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. We hear the very personal story of Calgarian Joelle Mar, breast cancer survivor and advocate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catch up on what you missed on an episode of The Richard Syrett Show. Richard Syrett kicks off the show with a good friend of the show, Lou Schizas. American Chef, TV personality, Founder/CEO of Slapfish, a seafood restaurant franchise, Andrew Gruel talks about segregated seating for the vaccinated in NYC's nightlife scene. Singer-Songwriter, Brad Skistimas aka Five Times August on his new song “Outta Your Damn Mind!” Senior Fellow in Fiscal and Provincial Prosperity Studies at the Fraser Institute, Ben Eisen explains why the Ford government is following the same failed finances of the previous Liberals. A sports performance coach, caWsbar representative on Women's Sports, President of Athletics Alberta with a Ph.D. in Kinesiology, and Co-Author of “Unsporting: How Trans Activism and Science Denial are Destroying Sport,” Linda Blade talks about an upcoming Calgary rally for sex-based rights. Lou Schizas returns once again for News Not In The News. CEO of B'Nai Brith Canada, Michael Mostyn speaks about a speaker at the vigil for the London hate attack victims claiming that the tragedy is linked to "whatever is happening in Jerusalem and Gaza." Plus, Founder & Editor-In-Chief of True North News, Candice Malcolm on the politicization of terrorism.

Sales of second homes hit record levels in February, but they could face pressure due to changes in how such sales are treated by government mortgage agencies. Economics reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this 25th episode, I share a joyful chat with the brilliant and amazing SHANNON HURLEY— singer-songwriter, artist, actress and better half of the band Lovers & Poets! You've heard her music on such TV shows as "American Idol," "The Young and the Restless," "The Lying Game," "90210," "Giuliana & Bill" and "So You Think You Can Dance." We talk about her formative years in South Bend, IN, how the trombone changed the trajectory of her life, being a happy introvert, spending a year in London's West End, meeting her husband Ben Eisen in a Duran Duran tribute band, doing a stint as a lounge singer in Vietnam at the Ho Chi Minh City Park Hyatt and the incredible way life seems to steer us in the right direction. Shannon's Links: Website: http://www.shannonhurley.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shannonhurleymusic Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/shannonhurley ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/shannonhurley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE0DN1zlTsVRxG8W_82cKAg Lovers & Poets: https://loversandpoets.com/ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/shannon-hurley/6348208 Bandcamp: https://shannonhurley.bandcamp.com/

Alberta is on the verge of losing its spot as Canada’s wealthiest province.That could affect federal transfers for the entire country. Premier Jason Kenney wants a referendum on one of those transfer programs - equalization. It’s an idea Ken Boessenkool calls “dumb." Kathleen Petty looks at the fickle fiscal formula with tax and fiscal policy reporter Patrick Brethour of the Globe and Mail. Then she's joined by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe, Fraser Institute senior fellow Ben Eisen, and Ken Boessenkool, with the C.D. Howe Institute.

Guests: Jay Hill, Interim Leader, Maverick Party, former Conservative MP, Bemal Mehta, Senior Vice President, Energy Intelligence, JWN Energy, Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute, Craig Snodgrass, Mayor, High River, Kyle Shewfelt, Olympic Gymnast and Owner of Kyle Shewfelt Gym, Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown, and Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Vincent Orr decided to buy a house, he didn't get a mortgage. He paid cash, and he's not alone. WSJ's Ben Eisen explains why Black Detroiters still have a tough time getting mortgages decades after racist redlining policies officially ended.

Today's guests: Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow - Fraser Institute Sylvain Charlebois, Professor / Director - Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our feature conversation with Ben Eisen, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has an interesting story focused on Detroit. "A Broken Mortgage Market Strands Detroit’s Black Residents," dives into the logjam that is buying a house with a loan in Detroit, its causes, and what people are doing to try and improve it.  Plus, the state crossed 200,000 COVID-19 cases and we have a slew of updates from a mask mandate idea being shot down by the incoming Speaker of the State House; U of M is going remote this winter; a new stage 3 vaccine trial happening locally and more. And, General Motors beat expectations. But don't expect as rosy of a fourth quarter. Thanks for listening! If you appreciate what we do and want to support it, join us at http://www.dailydetroit.com/support. 

The pandemic has caused an economic downturn that has deepened the division between income classes, which include people barely getting by as well as people who can afford luxury items. Economics reporter Ben Eisen explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages have been trying to take advantage of rock-bottom rates. But reporter Ben Eisen says they're discovering that lenders have reserved those low rates for homebuyers instead. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We saw an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “When Workers Can Live Anywhere, Many Ask: Why Do I Live Here?” and it got us thinking. Millions of white-collar workers have been displaced from their offices and are being told they are on indefinite work-from-home status. And many of those workers are opting to leave the big cities where the virus has been most aggressive. In addition to the temporary exodus to more rural settings, some people are leaving big cities to find permanent solace in the countryside. This got us thinking about how humans are predictably irrational about decisions about their futures. The biases about future happiness go hand in hand with changing where you live. The article that got us thinking about this was written by Rachel Feintzeig and Ben Eisen. Together, they do a great job of assembling data on the movement during the heart of the crisis and notes that even with a major recession hitting the global economy, many people feel the need to move. © 2020 Behavioral Grooves   Links “When Workers Can Live Anywhere, Many Ask: Why Do I Live Here?” from the Wall Street Journal, June 17, 2020: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-workers-can-live-anywhere-many-ask-why-do-i-live-here-11592386201 “Is It Time to Let Employees Work from Anywhere?” by Prithwiraj (Raj) Choudhury, Barbara Z. Larson and Cirrus Foroughi, August 14, 2019, in HBR: https://hbr.org/2019/08/is-it-time-to-let-employees-work-from-anywhere Remote Work Statistics: Shifting Norms and Expectations from February 2020: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-statistics/#:~:text=Remote%20Work%20Is%20Increasing&text=Over%20the%20last%20five%20years,or%203.4%25%20of%20the%20population. “U.S. Workers Discovering Affinity for Remote Work,” Gallup Polls, April 3, 2020: https://news.gallup.com/poll/306695/workers-discovering-affinity-remote-work.aspx Schkade, D. A., & Kahneman, D. (1998). Does Living in California Make People Happy? A Focusing Illusion in Judgments of Life Satisfaction. Psychological Science, 9(5), 340–346. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00066 “The evolution of decision and experienced utilities” by Robson and Samuelson, Theoretical Economics, September 2011: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.3982/TE800 Dan Buettner: On Quality of Life, “Thrive”: https://www.wbur.org/npr/131571885/how-to-thrive-dan-buettner-s-secrets-of-happiness Dan Gilbert: On Predicting Future Happiness. https://positivepsychology.com/daniel-gilbert-research/#:~:text=Daniel%20Gilbert%20completed%20his%20Ph,emotional%20state%20in%20the%20future. George Loewenstein, Ted O’Donoghue & Matthew Rabin on Projection Bias: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/docs/loewenstein/projectionbias.pdf

We saw an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “When Workers Can Live Anywhere, Many Ask: Why Do I Live Here?” and it got us thinking. Millions of white-collar workers have been displaced from their offices and are being told they are on indefinite work-from-home status. And many of those workers are opting to leave the big cities where the virus has been most aggressive.In addition to the temporary exodus to more rural settings, some people are leaving big cities to find permanent solace in the countryside.This got us thinking about how humans are predictably irrational about decisions about their futures. The biases about future happiness go hand in hand with changing where you live.The article that got us thinking about this was written by Rachel Feintzeig and Ben Eisen. Together, they do a great job of assembling data on the movement during the heart of the crisis and notes that even with a major recession hitting the global economy, many people feel the need to move.© 2020 Weekly Grooves Links“When Workers Can Live Anywhere, Many Ask: Why Do I Live Here?” from the Wall Street Journal, June 17, 2020: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-workers-can-live-anywhere-many-ask-why-do-i-live-here-11592386201“Is It Time to Let Employees Work from Anywhere?” by Prithwiraj (Raj) Choudhury , Barbara Z. Larson and Cirrus Foroughi, August 14, 2019 in HBR: https://hbr.org/2019/08/is-it-time-to-let-employees-work-from-anywhereRemote Work Statistics: Shifting Norms and Expectations from February 2020: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-statistics/#:~:text=Remote%20Work%20Is%20Increasing&text=Over%20the%20last%20five%20years,or%203.4%25%20of%20the%20population.“U.S. Workers Discovering Affinity for Remote Work,” Gallup Polls, April 3, 2020: https://news.gallup.com/poll/306695/workers-discovering-affinity-remote-work.aspxSchkade, D. A., & Kahneman, D. (1998). Does Living in California Make People Happy? A Focusing Illusion in Judgments of Life Satisfaction. Psychological Science, 9(5), 340–346. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00066“The evolution of decision and experienced utilities” by Robson and Samuelson, Theoretical Economics, September 2011: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.3982/TE800Dan Buettner: On Quality of Life, “Thrive”: https://www.wbur.org/npr/131571885/how-to-thrive-dan-buettner-s-secrets-of-happinessDan Gilbert: On Predicting Future Happiness. https://positivepsychology.com/daniel-gilbert-research/#:~:text=Daniel%20Gilbert%20completed%20his%20Ph,emotional%20state%20in%20the%20future.George Loewenstein, Ted O’Donoghue & Matthew Rabin on Projection Bias: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/sds/docs/loewenstein/projectionbias.pdf  

Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute

Tired of having your social media filled with the latest COVID-19 stats or fire and brimstone messages from friends who aren't virologists offering their two cents worth? Never fear. This month on LTA, we will digress your mind with stories of murder, depression, and drug addiction. There you go...feel better?For episode 132 of Love That Album, I am joined by electronic music duo, Lovers and Poets ….oh yeah and the hosts of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Shannon Hurley and Ben Eisen to talk about Wilco's third album Summerteeth.Wilco are probably thought of mostly for their collaboration with Billy Bragg, “Mermaid Avenue” or for the stranger than fiction story surrounding the recording of their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. Summerteeth was YHF's predecessor and is often written off as a transitional album. As great as YHF is, Summerteeth is not transitional to anything – it's its own magnificent beast. The lyrical subject matter gets very dark, which can be easily overlooked because many of the melodies are bright and poppy. As wonderful as Wilco's catalogue is, they never made another album that sounded quite like this again. Of course, aside from Jeff Tweedy and John Stirrat, Wilco in 2020 is not the same band as Wilco of 1998.Ben, Shannon and I discuss band dynamics, musical contributions and the stories told on Summerteeth. I make a really large stretch in suggesting that the record is a concept album. Do I justify it? What are Ben and Shannon's thoughts? Tune in and find out.I am so hugely grateful for Ben and Shannon for having this great conversation with me. Check them out weekly on ATTT Podcast (wherever you get your podcasts, or from the website at https://alltimetopten.podomatic.com/). You can check out their musical collaborations from https://loversandpoets.com/ - listen to their music and smile.Also, in a cross podcast venture this month, I will be joining Ben on ATTT talking about the greatest cathartic albums. I will provide a separate link for this.Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/ to check out all the great shows in the Pantheon family.Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.If you'd consider writing an iTunes review we'd be immensely grateful. However, it'd be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Zoom), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Tired of having your social media filled with the latest COVID-19 stats or fire and brimstone messages from friends who aren't virologists offering their two cents worth? Never fear. This month on LTA, we will digress your mind with stories of murder, depression, and drug addiction. There you go...feel better? For episode 132 of Love That Album, I am joined by electronic music duo, Lovers and Poets ….oh yeah and the hosts of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Shannon Hurley and Ben Eisen to talk about Wilco's third album Summerteeth. Wilco are probably thought of mostly for their collaboration with Billy Bragg, “Mermaid Avenue” or for the stranger than fiction story surrounding the recording of their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. Summerteeth was YHF's predecessor and is often written off as a transitional album. As great as YHF is, Summerteeth is not transitional to anything – it's its own magnificent beast. The lyrical subject matter gets very dark, which can be easily overlooked because many of the melodies are bright and poppy. As wonderful as Wilco's catalogue is, they never made another album that sounded quite like this again. Of course, aside from Jeff Tweedy and John Stirrat, Wilco in 2020 is not the same band as Wilco of 1998. Ben, Shannon and I discuss band dynamics, musical contributions and the stories told on Summerteeth. I make a really large stretch in suggesting that the record is a concept album. Do I justify it? What are Ben and Shannon's thoughts? Tune in and find out. I am so hugely grateful for Ben and Shannon for having this great conversation with me. Check them out weekly on ATTT Podcast (wherever you get your podcasts, or from the website at https://alltimetopten.podomatic.com/). You can check out their musical collaborations from https://loversandpoets.com/ - listen to their music and smile. Also, in a cross podcast venture this month, I will be joining Ben on ATTT talking about the greatest cathartic albums. I will provide a separate link for this. Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/ to check out all the great shows in the Pantheon family. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review we’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Zoom), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Tired of having your social media filled with the latest COVID-19 stats or fire and brimstone messages from friends who aren't virologists offering their two cents worth? Never fear. This month on LTA, we will digress your mind with stories of murder, depression, and drug addiction. There you go...feel better?For episode 132 of Love That Album, I am joined by electronic music duo, Lovers and Poets ….oh yeah and the hosts of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Shannon Hurley and Ben Eisen to talk about Wilco's third album Summerteeth.Wilco are probably thought of mostly for their collaboration with Billy Bragg, “Mermaid Avenue” or for the stranger than fiction story surrounding the recording of their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. Summerteeth was YHF's predecessor and is often written off as a transitional album. As great as YHF is, Summerteeth is not transitional to anything – it's its own magnificent beast. The lyrical subject matter gets very dark, which can be easily overlooked because many of the melodies are bright and poppy. As wonderful as Wilco's catalogue is, they never made another album that sounded quite like this again. Of course, aside from Jeff Tweedy and John Stirrat, Wilco in 2020 is not the same band as Wilco of 1998.Ben, Shannon and I discuss band dynamics, musical contributions and the stories told on Summerteeth. I make a really large stretch in suggesting that the record is a concept album. Do I justify it? What are Ben and Shannon's thoughts? Tune in and find out.I am so hugely grateful for Ben and Shannon for having this great conversation with me. Check them out weekly on ATTT Podcast (wherever you get your podcasts, or from the website at https://alltimetopten.podomatic.com/). You can check out their musical collaborations from https://loversandpoets.com/ - listen to their music and smile.Also, in a cross podcast venture this month, I will be joining Ben on ATTT talking about the greatest cathartic albums. I will provide a separate link for this.Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/ to check out all the great shows in the Pantheon family.Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.If you'd consider writing an iTunes review we'd be immensely grateful. However, it'd be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Zoom), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Tired of having your social media filled with the latest COVID-19 stats or fire and brimstone messages from friends who aren't virologists offering their two cents worth? Never fear. This month on LTA, we will digress your mind with stories of murder, depression, and drug addiction. There you go...feel better? For episode 132 of Love That Album, I am joined by electronic music duo, Lovers and Poets ….oh yeah and the hosts of the wonderful All Time Top Ten podcast, Shannon Hurley and Ben Eisen to talk about Wilco's third album Summerteeth. Wilco are probably thought of mostly for their collaboration with Billy Bragg, “Mermaid Avenue” or for the stranger than fiction story surrounding the recording of their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. Summerteeth was YHF's predecessor and is often written off as a transitional album. As great as YHF is, Summerteeth is not transitional to anything – it's its own magnificent beast. The lyrical subject matter gets very dark, which can be easily overlooked because many of the melodies are bright and poppy. As wonderful as Wilco's catalogue is, they never made another album that sounded quite like this again. Of course, aside from Jeff Tweedy and John Stirrat, Wilco in 2020 is not the same band as Wilco of 1998. Ben, Shannon and I discuss band dynamics, musical contributions and the stories told on Summerteeth. I make a really large stretch in suggesting that the record is a concept album. Do I justify it? What are Ben and Shannon's thoughts? Tune in and find out. I am so hugely grateful for Ben and Shannon for having this great conversation with me. Check them out weekly on ATTT Podcast (wherever you get your podcasts, or from the website at https://alltimetopten.podomatic.com/). You can check out their musical collaborations from https://loversandpoets.com/ - listen to their music and smile. Also, in a cross podcast venture this month, I will be joining Ben on ATTT talking about the greatest cathartic albums. I will provide a separate link for this. Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/ to check out all the great shows in the Pantheon family. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review we’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a (socially distanced) barbecue, over coffee (on Zoom), on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

President Trump is facing criticism from both sides for a decision to withdraw troops in Syria for an expected Turkish attack on Kurds who have been U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS.  He also threatened to destroy Turkey's economy if they went too far.  Morgan Chalfant, White House reporter for The Hill, joins us for more on Trump's rationale, getting our troops out of endless wars. Next, there is a cheating scandal rocking the poker world and it is playing out over YouTube and online forums as internet detectives try to figure out what's going on.  Poker player, Mike Postle, is under investigation for cheating during live-streamed poker games and is being accused of making too perfect a call on hands.  It's not the hands he is winning, rather it is those he is losing.  David Hill, contributor to The Ringer, joins us for more. Finally, more people are going to dealer lots to buy a new car and walking away with seven-year auto loans.   These loans with longer terms have created an illusion of affordability and dealers now make more money on the loans than on the cars they sell.  Ben Eisen, banking reporter for the WSJ, joins us how these longer term loans are putting consumers deeper in debt. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Congress is back in session and as usual… tons to do and not much time.  Top on lawmakers' to-do list is some type of action on gun control after mass shootings that happened in Texas and Ohio.  Democrats are ramping up impeachment talks once again, and another shutdown could be on the horizon.  Melanie Zanona, congressional reporter at Politico, joins us for the top things to watch for as Congress gets back to work. Next, as vaping related illnesses and deaths are getting headlines, the FDA is cracking down on Juul, one of the top e-cigarette companies.  The FDA has said that “Juul has ignored the law” because is marketed its products as less harmful than cigarettes without FDA approval.  Marisa Fernandez, reporter at Axios, joins us for the vape crackdown. Finally, there is a growing trend of workers who are leaving big cities and taking their jobs with them to smaller cities.  The increase of employees working remotely is causing places like Boise, Idaho to grow fast.  And while some people find a higher quality of life by moving, these cities are also going through growing pains.  Ben Eisen, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In this episode, Candi and Noodle continue the Chacharone Love Fest with Ben Eisen and Shannon Hurley of Lovers & Poets! We talk collaboration in relationships, bathing in gold, and maybe we low-key plan episode 100. Join us!  Important: Shirley Jones is David Cassidy's step-mother. And the whole thing is still super weird. ----- Features: Whatchya Readin', Noodle?: Dracula by Bram Stoker and Fierce Fairytales by Nikita Gill Political Minute: Dem Showcase - Round 3 ----- Mentioned in this episode: All Time Top Ten | Episode 359: Top Ten Rock N Roll Power Couples... Bunches of our favorite happy online things! Check out Lovers & Poets - New EP Sugar High drops September 20th! Lovers & Poets on Spotify ----- Thank you times a million for the groovy hang, Ben and Shannon!  -----

Alex is joined by Ben Eisen, a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute and author of this particular report, which suggests that we might be in trouble...deep!

There is a lot of criticism of the Ford government from the left, and from people who would be hurt by some of the proposed and actual cutbacks. But there is also criticism from the right - from those who believe they are not chopping enough. This morning the Fraser Inst. released a report comparing Ford

Love That Album is baaaaaaack. For the second time in the show’s history, The Kinks are the focus of the program (look for Episode 31 back in October 2012 where I was joined by the wonderful Ben Eisen to talk about Something Else). For episode 123, film and music writer extraordinaire, Heather Drain returns to the episode 123 to talk about the Kinks’ album from November 1970, “Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One”. Of course, being the gabblers that we are, many other Kinky related topics get discussed. Bans from touring in America, Ray Davies as documenter of British life, sarcasm vs heart-on-the-sleeve, musicianship, the music business, environmentalism, a sweet love song with a Kinks’ twist and the most singalong coda since hey Jude…it’s all there. We even find tenuous links to our beloved Tubes. You can download the show from Spotify, Stitcher or iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”) or from the website at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com. Once again, I'd like to thank the wonderful Ms Drain for bringing her great insight to the show. She's a terrific co-host. You can (and should) follow her writings about music and film at http:mondoheather.com and https://diaboliquemagazine.com/ She has a book coming out later this year “The Bizarro Encyclopedia of Film, Volume 1”....and if that isn't enough, she appears frequently on the greatest film podcast around, The Projection Booth Podcast hosted by Mike White. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend at a barbecue / birthday bash / barmitzvah, we’d be immensely grateful.  If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

This week we're joined by special guest white male correspondent Ben Eisen, host of the All Time Top 10 podcast, and as usual your co-hosts Nyaze Vincent and Melissa Kay Anderson. The kids declined to join this week, so don't get your hopes up. Happy 5779!

It’s time for episode 110 of Love That Album podcast. In terms of status, the Monty Python crew are like rock stars. How big? When they have musicians like Led Zeppelin and George Harrison ready to bankroll their projects, you know they were bigger than Brian…..Their routines are quoted like song lyrics. In the comedy world, their material is ubiquitous. It could be argued they went from fighting the establishment to becoming the establishment…..which is very rock star. For this episode of the show, the great Ben Eisen of the All Time Top Ten podcast joins Maurice to wax lyrical about the collection of Monty Python songs called Monty Python Sings. Do the songs work outside of the context of the sketches they were often a part of? Was performing these songs in the early seventies in a music-hall / stage musical fashion more counter culture than the rock music of the day? Does an African or European swallow have the greater air speed velocity? Ben and Maurice give answering these questions a shot. Eric Reanimator chimes in with his own comedy album selection. For his Album I Love segment, he talks about The Very Best of Dr Demento. Does he concur that dead puppies aren’t much fun? Tune in and find out. A huge thanks to Ben for returning to the show. How grateful am I? Let me count (down) the ways....You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. You can (and definitely SHOULD) listen to the most recent 15 episodes of All Time Top Ten podcast at http://alltimetopten.podomatic.com (or iTunes) or you can search through all the older episodes at http://mixcloud.com/beneisen  If you enjoy what you hear on the podcast, please tell a friend or ten to tune into the Love That Album.  

If we’re discussing an album with songs about stalking, emotional control of another human being, Carl Jung, the Loch Ness Monster appearing as a result of a suburbanite’s frustration with life and Oedipus, you’d probably surmise Love That Album podcast is focusing on the Synchronicity by The Police….and you’d be right.   For LTA episode 109, I am joined by songwriter and singer Shannon Hurley (aka Numbers Girl on All Time Top Ten Podcast) to talk about the final studio album released in 1983 by Gordon Sumner, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. Synchronicity was hugely popular in its day, but for some reason, the band’s detractors have seen them as a singles band at best and pretend-punk at worst.   Yes, their singles were hugely popular on the radio (a cardinal sin for the cool kids), and yes, their albums did contain filler. However, many of the deeper cuts on all 5 albums revealed some gems played by 3 fantastic musicians who knew the dynamics of how to play as a band, not just 3 excellent musicians trying to outdo each other. All 3 wrote songs, some blackly comical, some too earnest, but none of it seemingly the sort of material that would be of interest to the teenagers who were buying the records.   Shannon and I delve into Synchronicity track by track (a rare return to an earlier LTA format) to discuss the album’s themes, musicianship, and whether it’s dated.   Eric Reanimator chimes in with his thoughts about The Crack by another punky reggae band, Ruts as well as cultural appropriation for his Album I Love segment.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.   My huge thanks to Shannon for coming onto the show and bringing some great conversation. You can check out her website at http://shannonhurley.com  which will have links to her albums and social media. She’s a fantastic musician and I particularly recommend her albums with Ben Eisen under the Lovers and Poets moniker. You can also hear her dulcet tones on the All Time Top Ten podcast….more on that in episode 110 of LTA.   If you enjoy what you hear on the podcast, please tell a friend or ten to tune into the Love That Album.  

Welcome to episode 104 of Love That Album podcast. I am joined once again by hard working musician and pop lover, Rhys Lett. He’d spent most of the night playing a gig and STILL found energy on a Sunday morning to talk about the music of Emitt Rhodes – that’s dedication. Since I’m a fan of great songwriters, people have expressed surprise that it took me until about a year ago or so to discover Rhodes’ music. LA based musician and producer Chris Price was discussing his involvement producing Rhodes’ 2016 comeback album “Rainbow Ends” on Ben Eisen’s All Time Top Ten podcast. Intrigued, I sought out his first solo album for ABC Dunhill, then bought Rainbow Ends when it was released. Rhys is a long-time fan of Emitt Rhodes music, so we were able to have an interesting discussion focusing on his early bands, his one-man-band albums from the early 70s, the frustrating history behind his reason to walk away from being a recording artist, and his connection to Gabe (Welcome Back Kotter) Kaplan. Most importantly, we discuss THE MUSIC (in theory, what this show is about). More specifically, we talk a little about Emitt Rhodes first (sort of) solo album and then contrast it to his comeback album of 2016, “Rainbow Ends”. Has Emitt changed his songwriting approach? How different does an album with great session musicians compare to albums recorded methodically by one man playing and singing all parts? These and other vitally life-important questions will be answered. Eric Reanimator’s Album I Love segment also focuses on a musician who started his career a long time ago. Eric Burdon’s 2013 album “ ’Til Your River Runs Dry” gets the Reanimator love. I’d like to give huge thanks to Rhys for joining me on the show with so little sleep (though you’d never know it). He’s a passionate music lover, and it was a joy to get his perspective. You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com. Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum. If you live in Melbourne and are after music lessons on any instrument, check out the school Rhys runs, The Eastern Suburbs School of Music at http://www.essm.net.au. You can also check out the school's Youtube page where Rhys enthusiastically and expertly provides guitar tuition videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dn8-kFMo5RUcXp2h1ZRbg. If you enjoy what you hear on the podcast, please tell a friend or ten to tune into the podcast.  

Ben Eisen chooses some of his favorite hard rock and heavy tunes including some Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, and more. I join the fray and choose current favorites. All the music belongs to the artists and producers. Ben's audio is a little low but salvageable. It was my bad since I recorded it

Ben Eisen, Director, Provincial Prosperity Studies; Fraser Institute

What is Puerto Rico? Many Americans - if not most - are unaware that Puerto Rico is a part of the United States. In this episode, learn the history of our scandalous treatment of the US citizens living in Puerto Rico and explore how Puerto Rico’s past foreshadowed the United States' present… and possibly our future. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD128: Crisis in Puerto Rico Additional Reading Book: War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis, March 2016. Article: Puerto Rico Warning Congress Its Health Crisis Will Impact U.S. States by Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, March 22, 2017. Document: Testimony of Jose B. Carrion III, Chairman, Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico, March 22, 2017. Article: Why the GOP's proposals to cap Medicaid funding won't work by Ana Mulero, Healthcare Dive, March 21, 2017. Article: Fed Raises Interest Rates for Third Time Since Financial Crisis by Binyamin Appelbaum, The New York Times, March 15, 2017. Letter: Fiscal Plan Certification, Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico, March 13, 2017. Press Release: Jenniffer Gonzalez Calls for Fiscal Oversight Board Action to Prevent Medicaid Crisis by Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, March 13, 2017. Article: Tensions heighten following control board rejection of fiscal plan by Luis J. Valentin, Caribbean Business, March 9, 2017. Article: A bad deal for Puerto Rico, Globe control board opinion, The Boston Globe, March 5, 2017. Article: Quest for statehood: Puerto Rico's new referendum aims to repair economic disaster by Danica Coto, Salon, February 3, 2017. Letter: Letter to Governor Rossello Nevares, Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico, January 18, 2017. Article: Puerto Rico's New Governor Takes Over as Debt Crisis Reaches Climax by Tatiana Darie, Bloomberg, January 3, 2017. Article: Puerto Rico Control Board Names Carrion Chair Amid Protests by Katherine Greifeld, Bloomberg, September 30, 2016. Article: Puerto Rico's Invisible Health Crisis by Valeria Pelet, The Atlantic, September 3, 2016. Op-Ed: Understanding Puerto Rico's Healthcare Collapse by Johnny Rullan, Morning Consult, June 20, 2016. Article: Puerto Rico not sovereign, Supreme Court says by Richard Wolf, USA Today, June 9, 2016. Article: US supreme court says Puerto Rico must abide by federal double jeopardy rule by Alan Yuhas, The Guardian, June 9, 2016. Op-Ed: No More Colonialism Disguised as Financial Assistance: The US Must Relinquish Puerto Rico by Nelson A. Denis, Truthout, May 19, 2016. Article: Sea Turtles Delay Debt-Ridden Puerto Rico's Gas-Switching Plan by Jonathan Crawford, Bloomberg, March 23, 2016. Article: There's a big sale on Puerto Rican homes by Heather Long, CNN Money, February 21, 2016. Article: The US shipping industry is putting a multimillion dollar squeeze on Puerto Rico by Rory Carroll, Business Insider, July 9, 2015. Article: Harvard's billionaire benefactor also a GOP sugar daddy by Vanessa Rodriguez, OpenSecrets.org, June 4, 2015. Interview: How the United States Economically and Politically Strangled Puerto Rico by Mark Karlin, Truthout, May 24, 2015. Article: Why Have So Many People Never Heard Of The MOVE Bombing? by Gene Demby, NPR, May 18, 2015. Article: Puerto Rico Expands Tax Haven Deal For Americans To Its Own Emigrants by Janet Novack, Forbes, January 27, 2015. Article: Citizenship Renunciation Fee Hiked 422%, And You Can't Come Back by Robert W. wood, Forbes, January 13, 2015. Article: Puerto Rican Population Declines on Island, Grows on U.S. Mainland by D'Vera Cohn, Eileen Pattien and Mark Hugo Lopez, Pew Research Center, August 11, 2014. Article: Puerto Rico woos rich with hefty tax breaks by Sital S. Patel and Ben Eisen, Market Watch, April 22, 2014. Article: Bankers Crashed the Economy - Now They Want to Be Your Landlord by Rebecca Burns, Michael Donley, and Carmilla Manzanet, Moyers & Company, April 2, 2014. Article: 'Backdoor bailout' boosts Puerto Rico's revenues, Bond News, Reuters, February 10, 2014. Article: Economy and Crime Spur New Puerto Rican Exodus by Lizette Alvarez, The New York Times, February 8, 2014. Article: Everything You Need to Know About the Territories of the United States, Everything Everywhere, June 27, 2013. Document: Puerto Rico's Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite: Background and Key Questions by R. Sam Garrett, Congressional Research Service, June 25, 2013. GAO Report: Economic Impact of Jones Act on Puerto Rico's Economy by Jeffry Valentin-Mari, Ph.D. and Jose I. Alameda-Lozada, Ph.D. April 26, 2012. Article: Massive Puerto Rico pipeline triggers debate by Danica Coto, The San Diego Union-Tribune, May 14, 2011. Article: Island residents sue U.S., saying military made them sick by Abbie Boudreau and Scott Bronstein, CNN, February 1, 2010. Article: At Riggs Bank, A Tangled Path Led to Scandal by Timothy L. O'Brien, The New York Times, July 19, 2004. Case Study: Money Laundering and Foreign Corruption: Enforcement and Effectiveness of the Patriot Act by the Minority Staff of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, United States Senate, July 15, 2004. Article: MIT to Pay Victims $1.85 Million in Fernald Radiation Settlement by Zareena Hussain, The Tech, January 7, 1998. Article: Police Drop Bomb on Radicals' Home in Philadelphia by William K. Stevens, The New York Times, May 14, 1985. References U.S. Energy Information Administration Puerto Rico Territory Energy Profile Puerto Rico Territory Profile and Energy Estimates Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector Video: 1985 Philadelphia MOVE bombing This Day in History: March 2, 1917: Puerto Ricans become U.S. citizens, are recruited for war effort FBI Files Pedro Albizu Campos - includes letter about his radiation torture Pedro Albizu Campos - full files Luis Munoz-Marin 1986 Congressional Report: US Army & US Atomic Energy Commission radiation experiments on US citizen prisoners 1995 Dept of Energy Report: Human Radiation Experiments OpenSecrets Excelerate Energy: Profile for 2016 Election Cycle Crowley Maritime Excelerate Energy Company website Lobbying Report American Maritime Partnership Company website Lobbying Report Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico Control Board Website Control Board Document List Website: Puerto Rico Tax Incentives Law 20: Export Services Act Law 22: Individual Investors Act Department of Economic Development & Commerce: Act 73: Economic Incentives for the Development of Puerto Rico 26 US Code 936: Puerto Rico and possession tax credit IRS: Expatriation Tax Forbes Company Profiles Johnson & Johnson Pfizer GlaxoSmithKline Travelponce.com: Ponce Massacre Museum Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Oversight Hearing on The Status of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) Restructuring Support Agreement, Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, March 22, 2017. Witnesses Panel I The Honorable Ricardo Rossello, Governor of Puerto Rico Mr. Gerardo Portela-Franco, Executive Director - Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority Panel 2 Mr. Jose B. Carrion III, Chairman - Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico Mr. Luis Benitez Hernandez, Chairman - PREPA Governing Board Mr. Stephen Spencer, Managing Director - Houlihan Lokey Mr. Adam Bergonzi, Managing Director & Chief Risk Officer - National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation Mr. Rob Bryngelson, President & CEO - Excelerate Energy Ms. Ana J. Matosantos, Member of Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico Interview: Interview with Luis M. Balzac, March 7, 2017. Luis: Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico, contrary to common opinion, we do pay some federal taxes. What we don’t pay is federal income tax. Jen: Okay. Luis: So we don’t pay federal income tax. However, Puerto Ricans pay Medicare at the same rate that you pay in San Francisco/California. Jen: Do Puerto Ricans get the same benefits that I get in San Francisco? Luis: No, we do not get the same benefits that you get in San Francisco. Jen: Oh. Luis: So, for example, there are states like California, New York, and other states that I believe get about an 83 percent federal subsidy for Medicare expenses. There are other states—and I realize I’m being recorded, but don’t quote me on it. This you can check, also, very easily— Jen: Sure. Luis: Other states—I think it’s Tennessee— Jen: And you don’t have to give me exact numbers. Just go ahead and, like, big picture, tell me the situation. Luis: Got it. Jen: Yeah. Luis: Even better. So, there are states like California and New York that get about 80-some percent of reimbursement on their major expenses from the federal government. There are other states that get less. I think Tennessee gets less; I think Tennessee gets, like, 50-some percent. Puerto Rico, I think it gets about 23 percent. Jen: Oh, god. Luis: It’s important to understand that, where does the other—if we use 23 percent as an example for Medicare—where does the other 77 percent come from? State funding. Jen: Okay. Luis: So, please understand that if you move to Puerto Rico as a U.S. citizen, and you, for any reason, need Medicare, and you go to the hospital, those hospitals that you go to have to comply with MCS, which is part of HHS—Health and Human Services. And you have to comply with all the regulations and requirements of a hospital to be reimbursed and enjoy federal dollars. However, that institution/Puerto Rico is only getting cents on the dollar compared to other states, but someone needs to make up for that short fall. Jen: Yeah. Luis: The state does. Jen: Well— Luis: That lack of equality translates to Puerto Rico’s budget. Luis: I’m a proud American, and I will defend our country wherever I go. Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: But I’m also a realist. I cannot expect Congress to give the people in Puerto Rico a fair share of the pie when we don’t have a delegation sitting at the table when the pie is divided. Luis: When I ran the office of the governor of Puerto Rico in New York, and we were lobbying to be included into the Affordable Care Act, my biggest argument, when I met with members of the Senate or the House, in states that had a large Puerto Rican population—Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, by way of example—my point to these members of Congress was, I need your help; I need you to be a voice to Puerto Rico to be included in the Affordable Care Act. And the staff would be like, are you kidding me, Luis? That is none of our business. And I will be like, well, let me—give me an opportunity to maybe convince you that it is your business. The problem is— Jen: Yeah, because you’ll pay for them when they come here. Luis: —you will pay for it. And by the way, we don’t even have a way to qualify because guess what, a lot of them are coming in, getting services, and going back to Puerto Rico once they’re done. Some are staying— Jen: Yeah, that's what I would do. Luis: Some are staying, but others are just coming here, and you have no way of qualifying and quantifying it because they’re United States citizens. You can’t stop it. Jen: Yeah— Luis: And how could you blame them? How could you blame them if Puerto Rico does not have the facilities to treat a cancer or SSI or any other initiative and my mother is risking her life? I’m going to take her to Orlando— Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: —without a doubt. Jen: Yeah. Luis: I will say that Puerto Rico, even though we have all the issues that you and I have been talking about, we are still part of the United States, and it’s somewhat similar to the changes that we see here, stateside, in the contiguous 48 states, where I would say that from coast to coast, from Florida to California, I think the middle class in the United States has been shrinking. Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: Likewise in Puerto Rico. Jen: Okay. Luis: But I would say that it is more like the United States, and we are not like Latin America and other third-world jurisdictions. We have a decent-size middle class because we don’t have the IRS because we are not paying federal income tax. There is in Puerto Rico a large underground economy where people work on the side, get paid in cash, and don’t report their earnings to the—there's no IRS—or to the local version of the IRS which is the Treasury Department. So, what you have in Puerto Rico is that you see somewhat of a thriving economy. So those people that are in commercial real estate and they’re doing business with big national chains like Macy’s and JCPenney and all that stuff, you will see in Puerto Rico sales records being broken and people spending a lot of money in the island. So, it’s not like the Dominican Republic. Even people in the projects that are subsidized by state and federal dollars, you can see that they have a/c in the walls, the projects are made out of cement, and you will be able to see all that when you go there in person. So, when you drive around Puerto Rico, all over the island, it is nothing like the Dominican Republic. We are way better, and— Jen: Well, I’ve never been there, either, so a comparison doesn’t really… Luis: Yeah. We are way better—and I realize that I’m about to contradict myself, okay?—we are way better, and it is thanks to the United States. So even though inequality has got all these problems and it’s affected the debt and all that stuff and we are looking now at serious issues, Puerto Rico is still better than—I will never move to Cuba because I think Cuba is better than Puerto Rico, so I get it— Puerto Rico is United States, and we’re doing better than most. Jen: So that brings me to the control board, because now we have Puerto Ricans saying on paper, no doubt, we want to become a state, and yet Congress just did this thing where your government, your state government, or closest thing—what do you call it? Territorial government? Luis: Yeah. Jen: Is that the proper phrase? Luis: Territory. Jen: Okay. Luis: Yeah. Jen: So your territorial government was, basically just taken over by this weird board that has some dictatorial powers. Is there any one in Puerto Rico that’s happy about this? Is there something I’m not seeing? Luis: Yeah. Okay, so, I’m going to compare that. First of all, let’s be fair, and we’re not the first jurisdiction that, let’s say, enjoys the benefit of a control board, because D.C., New York City, have both had it in different jurisdiction relationships, but they did, and it helped. Okay? Jen: O-kay. Luis: The difference between New York City is the following: you have a city that imposed a board by the state. So people in the city of New York, even though they had a control board years back, they had a control board what was decided by politicians who they elected. Jen: Yeah. Luis: Okay? Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: So, that makes it—but it’s still the same in that you have a higher jurisdiction imposing a control board for fiscal reasons over a lower jurisdiction. Correct? Jen: Yes. Luis: And then you have D.C. They also had a control board, and the list goes on and use the federal government, if I’m not mistaken. So there you have a jurisdiction of a federal imposing in D.C., which is not independent. Now, let me tell you where emotions can go a little crazy here. And remember I’m a stakeholder; I’m pro American. Jen: Yeah. Luis: However, we did not invite the United States of America, back a hundred-and-some years ago; we were invaded. Jen: Yeah. Luis: So, we are invaded, we are treated unequally, that inequality causes financial chaos. We are told by the Supreme Court that our constitution is not really a constitution—you should research that; that was recent—an opinion by the Supreme Court. So, really, our constitution, that we thought we had a constitution, is not worth anything on paper because Congress has complete control of that jurisdiction. Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: So, what we have is, back to your question about a board, is a federal government imposing a board on people who did not vote for those that imposed that board. Jen: Yeah. And I know that in Congress Puerto Rico has a representative at the time that this was created—I think it was Pedro Pierluisi—but he didn’t have a vote, so— Luis: No. Jen: And even on the board, the governor gets to sit at the table, but the governor of Puerto Rico doesn’t get a vote of the board. Luis: No. And there’s a slight correction to what you said about Pierluisi in your podcast: the resident commissioner does have a vote in Congress—not on committees, on subcommittees. Okay? Jen: Okay, so he has a vote on a subcommittee but not— Luis: No. Jen: —in the committee or the main House. Luis: Correct. Now, are you ready for the kicker? Jen: Yes. Luis: If the vote on a subcommittee comes to a point where the resident commissioner becomes the deciding vote, it doesn’t go. You’ve got to vote again. Jen: No! Luis: Yeah. Jen: So, that’s— Luis: Can I give you an— Jen: —kind of not really having a vote. I mean— Luis: No. Jen: —he does— Luis: No, I know. Luis: Let’s talk for a second about the pharmaceutical industry, okay? Jen: Yeah, because— Luis: Not to be confused— Jen: —just so that I’m on the same page as you, you worked for Pfizer for a while, too, right? Luis: I directed governor affairs for Pfizer, and that included jurisdictions of New York City and Puerto Rico. Jen: Okay— Luis: And San Francisco. Jen: —and when did you do that? Luis: I did that in 20—I took a year off of the government and I went to Pfizer, did not like it, then went back to Puerto Rico government. So that was 2011. Jen: So was that before the Clinton administration took away the tax credits or after? Luis: Oh, no, after. Oh, yes. Jen: Okay, okay. Luis: 2011, before I became a deputy secretary of the United States. Jen: Okay, got you. Luis: Okay. Jen: So this is after all the tax benefits were gone, and was Pfizer still—when did the pharmaceutical industry, like, leave Puerto Rico? When did they leave? Luis: No way. Why are you saying that? Jen: Because that's what I read. Luis: That's wrong. Jen: Is that not what happened? Luis: No! That’s wrong. I’m about to clarify that. Jen: Okay. Luis: All right. So, if you look at the pharmaceutical industry, if you search, let’s say, BIO, I believe BIO is still the pharmaceutical, big pharma association, the industry association, trade association, okay? If you look at that, you will see that in Puerto Rico BIO had a membership of a huge number of pharmaceuticals. And then you may look at BIO now, and the Puerto Rico chapter, which has another name, has way less pharmaceuticals. So the normal person that doesn’t understand how things work will say, well, everyone left. Well, let’s slow down and look at what are the names that are missing. Well, some of those names don’t exist anymore because the industry has completely merged and consolidated their resources. By way of example, I will tell you that in Puerto Rico alone, Pfizer bought Wyeth. Jen: Pfizer what? Luis: Pfizer bought Wyeth. Jen: Oh, okay. So, okay. Luis: Okay? Jen: Gotcha. So Pfizer got bigger by eating a smaller company. Luis: Correct. And there’s nothing wrong with that. So what happened was that I believe at that time when that happened, Pfizer had three operations in Puerto Rico, Wyeth had three operations in Puerto Rico, okay? So now when they merge, they have six plants in Puerto Rico. So what do they do? They are able to— economies of scale and to do streamline, and they are able to close two and stay with four. And now Wyeth is not in Puerto Rico— Jen: But the effect— Luis: —and people think Wyeth— Jen: Is the effect of that, of the people of Puerto Rico, that the people that worked in those two plants are now out of a job? Luis: But it has nothing to do with 936. Jen: Remind me. I did that episode, like, eight months ago. 936 was the tax credits disappearing? Was that…? Luis: That’s exactly—they disappeared with a coin toss, you said. Jen: Okay, okay. Thank you. Luis: So, so, that consolidation, that example that I’m sharing with you, I believe all happened after 936 stopped, but the reason why Pfizer and Wyeth consolidated was for reasons that had nothing to do with 936. Jen: Yeah. Luis: It had a lot to do with being more productive and being able to share assembly lines and being able to share resources and the same CEO and all that stuff. And so, to the untrained eye, to the Puerto Rican, what they think or see is, oh, Wyeth left. No, they didn’t leave; it was absorbed by a larger pharmaceutical. Jen: So, is the pharmaceutical industry still a major employer in Puerto Rico? Luis: Yes, it is. And I will tell something else: Pfizer and many pharmaceuticals, for many years, are enjoying tax benefits on—there’s something called CFC—controlled foreign corporations—and they are able to enjoy benefits that are comparable to 936. It’s just a different name; a different loophole, you want to call it—I don’t want to call it a loophole—it’s a different tax advantage. Luis: Remember, the pharmaceutical industry, way back when—and we’re talking about right after Puerto Rico changed from an agricultural economy to a manufacturing economy, okay? Jen: Mm-hmm. Luis: I really need you to follow me on this. Puerto Rico used to be sugarcane industry. Jen: Yeah. Luis: And we changed. Take my great uncle. He was the governor of Puerto Rico for the other party, the commonwealth party, and him and Governor Luis Munoz Marin came up with this tax incentive with the federal government and 936 were invented, and Puerto Rico changed—completely—and became a manufacturing economy. Jen: Okay. Luis: No more sugar cane; now we’re manufacturing. And when that happened, pharma came to Puerto Rico. What we have to remember is manufacturing industry also included, probably, the largest textile industry. Textile was huge in Puerto Rico. Now— Jen: Is it still there? Luis: No! Why—now, you’re smart. Why do you think textile is gone in Puerto Rico? Where is textile nowadays? Jen: Probably China, India. Luis: Yes, yes! So, in this case, it left to other jurisdictions for minimum wage and for a bunch of other reasons. 936? Yes! It was not great when it left, but the industry changed. Textile goes wherever you have the cheapest labor. And Puerto Rico— Jen: So— Luis: —cannot compete with India, China, Dominican Republic, where people get paid a dollar an hour. Forget it. You can’t compete with that. Jen: And it sounds like the same problem we’re having in California, in Texas, and Massachusetts, and everywhere. Luis: Yeah, yes. Jen: What would you like to see happen on the island? What do you think could help? Luis: Becoming a state. Jen: So that's the goal. Luis: Yes, without a shadow of a doubt, because if we become a state, we are able now to have the congressional mitigation to help us, and we’re able to fight for equal funding so that the state does not need to subsidize such huge percentages. And now we have an equal playing field. Now if I get in debt— Jen: Okay. Luis: Now if I get in debt, go ahead and criticize me all you want. Jen: Well, then you have bankruptcy protection if you go into debt. Luis: Also. Luis: So, you understand the reason why people are going to Puerto Rico is because of Law 20 and 22, right? Jen: Um, I don't know. No. Luis: So, I’m going to share with you the Law 20 and Law 22. Both laws were passed by Governor Luis Fortuno, which is a governor that I worked for. Jen: Okay. Luis: And those two laws were used, pushed, and promoted big time by the previous governor, Alejandro Garcia Padilla. You can do a quick Google, and you will see how most people went nuts over those two laws, and those two laws is the sole reason why people in stateside, mainland U.S., are fleeing to Puerto Rico to enjoy those tax benefits. Jen: Well, what are those benefits? Luis: I'm going to tell you. Jen: Okay. Luis: So, first, you have Law 20. Law 20 is better known as Export Services law, meaning you and I can open a corporation in Puerto Rico that exports services outside of Puerto Rico. Services, not manufacturing. So you and I can open a consulting firm that consults on any issue, and if our clients are not in Puerto Rico, if our clients are in Europe or New York or California, when that company in Puerto Rico bills those accounts, that corporation will only pay local four percent tax and no sales tax. Wow! Jen: Okay. That's crazy. Luis: Okay? So that means that you and I can have an existing company and have a law firm in New York, and you and I are the partners, and we’ll make—and let’s say that half of our clients are not in Puerto Rico, so why don’t we just open an office in Puerto Rico and do all the billing out of Puerto Rico and serve those clients from Puerto Rico—by the way, you and I can hire attorneys in Puerto Rico that are bilingual; graduated from Harvard, Yale, all those popular universities; pay even a fraction of what you and I would pay a lawyer in New York, and we bill them to the clients that are outside Puerto Rico, and we only pay four percent tax. That’s Law 20. It’s beautiful. Jen: Wow. Okay. Luis: All right. So, now, Law 20 was supplemented, complemented, by Law 22. Law 22 is called the Investor Act. So, now, you and I are the partners of that law firm, and we’ve moved operations and the corporation is only paying four percent tax, local tax, okay? Jen: Okay. Luis: Got it. You and I have not lived in Puerto Rico for the last 15 years. Jen: Okay. Luis: So we, you and I, have our attorneys will review Law 20, and what Law 20 says is you and I can move to Puerto Rico personally, and when we’re in Puerto Rico, our Puerto Rico-sourced income will be tax free. Jen: So the income—so, it’s the Investment Act. So are you talking about, like— Luis: Yes. Jen: —instead of paying capital gains tax, they pay nothing. Luis: Nothing. Now, it needs to be Puerto Rico-sourced income. That means that if you and I own Apple shares, or Microsoft, and we move to Puerto Rico, that’s passive income. We’ll pay taxes because that income is generated outside of Puerto Rico. Jen: Okay. Luis: But if you and I go to Puerto Rico like Paltry and Paulson moved to Puerto Rico, and we invest in property, and we invest in the business of Puerto Rico, that Puerto Rico-sourced income will be tax free. Jen: Federally or are there any state taxes? Luis: Both. Jen: Wow. So the state— Luis: I don’t have the law— Jen: —doesn’t even get anything from that. Luis: Well, yeah, they do because think about all the jobs. You know it’s crazy how much money is generated by having those people in Puerto Rico. Of course it generates— Jen: Yeah. I guess that makes sense. Luis: It’s called economic development. Yes, it generates—I have a lot of people that have new accounts with those individuals all the way from real estate, legal fees, engineering. They’re all millions and millions and millions of dollars that were not moving around the economy until they moved there. Jen: And so, are these two laws something that you personally support? Are they a good idea? Luis: I think it’s a good idea. We somehow need to generate some federal activity. Jen: We do, but at the same time, your government is broke. So isn’t raising revenues, isn’t that a solution? Luis: Well, no. Well, you know what? It’s a little contradicting, so when I say I endorse it, but I just told you a little while ago that I want to be a state. And if I was a state, that would probably not be possible. Jen: Yeah. Luis: Those two laws would not be possible if we’re a state, but guess what—we’re not a state. Jen: Yeah. Luis: And what the heck are we supposed to do? Jen: Yeah. I guess that’s true. You’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt. Okay. Luis: I would rather not have those two laws and be a state. Jen: Okay. That's fair. Luis: Education. I think that your podcast touched on education about 100 schools being closed. Jen: Yeah. Luis: Yeah, but how many people have moved to Orlando? We do not have— Jen: So there's not as many kids? Luis: No! No! Now, I’m going to defend, I’m going to defend this. With me, you may go crazy because I jump from side to side, so for one, one part of me says— Jen: I do that, too. I totally get it. Luis: One part of me says, the student body—I think the island student population went down from half a million to 400,000 students. That’s 25 percent. Jen: Okay. Luis: Okay. That means that I should be able to cut 25 percent of schools and 25 percent of my budget. Right? Well, let’s look at the other side. You and I, again, are married, right? Jen: Uh-huh. Luis: And you and I have a boat, and we have two kids, and the schools that we have our kids are three blocks away. Beautiful. Well, you and I bought a house because it was right next to the school. So now they’re going to close that school, and the next school is five miles away. Jen: Yeah. Luis: Are you and I pissed? Jen: Of course. Luis: I don’t give a crap that there’s less students. I’m going to picket, and I’m going to make a lot of noise, and I’m going to make it impossible for the government to close that school, which is what happens. You know what? Somebody else should sacrifice, not my wife and I. We have it good. I like to be able to walk three blocks and grab my children by the hand, have a beautiful conversation with them while we eat cookies, and we go to the school right next door. Well, guess what? The population is so much smaller now that somehow we cannot justify having the same number of schools open. I believe that happened in Chicago under new jurisdictions. We have to adjust. So guess who needs to deliver those bad news? The fiscal control board, because you cannot possibly justify having all those schools open. So who’s going to be the bad guy? Thank God there’s a fiscal control board, because if you leave, you allow the local elected official to make those decisions, it would be political suicide. And that transfers to any state. Ask any governor to close down 25 percent of schools, and they’re going to lose the election. Jen: Well, I mean, I think that’s just a part of the job. The problem— Luis: I know! Jen: —that I’m seeing as— Luis: No, but wait a second the problem is that the governor can’t do it because when you commit political suicide, and you need to support the legislature to do that, the elected officials in the legislative body would be the first ones that won’t back you up. They’ll say, you crazy? I’m not going to back you up; I want to get elected next time. That’s a huge problem. He says, I can’t do it without you. People are like let’s not do it; let’s let the other guy do it. And he’s like, no, we don’t have enough money. The students are leaving Orlando and New York. They moved away. We don’t need so many schools; we need to close. And the senators will be like, I’m not going to pass that law; are you kidding me? We’re all going to be out of a job. Jen: Well, I mean, and that’s the thing, like, maybe you’re not supposed to serve forever. Like, I just feel like those tough decisions are a part of a job of being elected, and one of my concerns of this control board is that those families, they can’t petition to this board. There is no voice for the Puerto Ricans where the governor doesn’t have a vote. I guess I’d feel more comfortable with it if I thought that those families could petition to their governor, and it would be one vote at the table that would have those political calculations in mind. But with these seven people that were selected by Congress, I mean, is there any concern that they’re going to prioritize the bankers over the Puerto Rican people? Luis: I think a lot of people are concerned about that. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Episode 96 of Love That Album is available....and like a bridge over troubled water, it will ease your mind.   Maurice is joined by Ben Eisen ofthe All Time Top Ten podcast to discuss the final two studio albums from Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, 1968's "Bookends" and 1970's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters". Their Everly Brothers inspired vocal harmony blend, combined with Simon's songwriting and Garfunkel's fragile vocal style make them a truly unique pairing. Their albums to this point had already yielded classic songs still recalled to this day,but both Bookends and Bridge not only further demonstrate their way with great songs, but also stylistically advance into directions Simon would continue to explore in his solo career.   Ben and Maurice talk about their introduction to S & G and what keeps them listening to these albums throughout their lifetimes. The only thing missing is the two of them harmonising......but they chose not to do so, because they wantedtokeep their listeners satisfied........   Eric Reanimator's "Album I Love" segment covers the the Crash Test Dummies. The band is more than just that (admittedly great) hit Mmm,Mmm, Mmm,Mmm.   You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.   Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum   If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.   You can catch episodes All Time Top Ten by searching on iTunes or going to http://alltimetopten.podomatic.com   If you want to check out, Ben's own duo Lovers and Poets featuring his wife and very fine songwriter Shannon Hurley (also a previous LTA host),you can do so by going to http://loversandpoets.bandcamp.com/  

A new target range is opening in Regent Park where people can throw knives, axes, shoot arrows, and air rifles. Councillor Pam McConnell isn't too happy about it opening at that location.  Sue Ann Levy joins the show to talk all things City Hall, Pride's apology to Black Lives Matter, and selling Toronto Hydro. Ben Eisen joins the show to talk Canada's health-care system. The Fraser Institute gives a blueprint on how to improve the system which includes shorter wait times.  With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie updates us on their food drive, Uber, and Airbnb.   

Heeeeeeyyyyyy Everybody….welcome to another……poperific episode of Love That Album. I am joined by the bass playing, list counting podcaster himself Mr Ben Eisen, host of the All Tim Top Ten podcast. For episode 76 of LTA, we are discussing the 1999 album by Fountains of Wayne, “Utopia Parkway”. These guys knew how to jangle a guitar, stick a melody deep into the recesses of your subconscious, and tell a tale about life in the suburbs. In the course of our discussion about this album we also talk about the difference between homage and pastiche, why some rock critics feel the need to trash people who live in suburbia (and why they’re stupid for doing it), teenage rites of passage, great summer music, and The Byrds. A really fun chat, and we hope you dig it. Eric Reanimator also brings some power pop to the virtual table for his Album I Love segment. He talks about a band from Massachusetts called The Charms…and the name is apt. You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.Check out the All Time Top Ten podcast from http://alltimetopten.podomatic.com or get older episodes from https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/ If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.  

Love That Album episode 68 is here. Any of you who know me know of my love for power pop…and in that regard, we have a gem of an album to discuss. I’m joined by Melbourne musician, teacher, and fellow power pop nut Rhys Lett to discuss the 1993 album “Spilt Milk” from San Francisco band, Jellyfish. This was a huge step forward from their brilliant debut, “Bellybutton”, but was also unfortunately their final album. Was it due to public or record company apathy, or band friction? In this regard, they share the fate of their stylistic cousins, The Zombies and Big Star (both covered previously on the podcast) who ceased active recording way too early. They’ve had a lot of comparisons with Queen (for the rawwwwk and drummer Andy Sturmer’s singing) and the Beach Boys’ harmonies. As valid as these comparisons are, there is a lot more going on here. This could be described as a concept album with the songs being parts of a nightmare – not the bogeyman type, but more a domestic nightmare of infidelity, unrequited crushes, depression, death, and evangelism. There’s also a song on Spilt Milk that led Rhys to suggest Ben Eisen needs to pursue its subject matter in an All Time Top Ten podcast. Tune in and find out what it was…. This time around, Eric Reanimator also discusses the Psyclone Ranger’s album from 1993 “Feel Nice”. He describes this as power pop bordering on punk. See what you think. You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “Love That Album”. You can also stream or download it at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com. Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated – either written or mp3 voicemail. You can send it to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au Don’t forget to send me your end of 2014 lists of best of’s or favourite first time listens. Join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum If you want to check out Rhys’ work as a musician, go to http://www.dressedtochill.com.au/ to see his Crosby Stills and Nash style Kiss tribute band, Dressed to Chill. If you need music lessons,  check out the website of the music school he runs Eastern Sububrs School of Music at http://www.essm.net.au/  

Josh and Dan talk top 10 bigest fantasy busts this year with Ben Eisen. We go over swing for the fences additions in the final week of the regular season as well as some big game predictions.

Episode 43 of LTA is mammoth, huge…not (just) in length, but in content. I am joined by Ben Eisen of the All Time Top Ten podcast to discuss The Who’s “Who’s Next” album. The Who had just come off the success of Tommy, and Pete Townshend was keen to tell another story called Lifehouse. Not for him to write an ordinary kitchen sink drama – no way. Mr Townshend had big ideas about a future run by a totalitarian regime (shades of 1984) where people where linked experience suits all connected together to share common activities (predictor of the internet?). One lone man wants to bring about the long forgotten practice of rock and roll (a precursor to Footloose???) to the world by organising a concert where everyone will sing and dance themselves into such a state where they will find the lost note of purity and disappear in a flash of light…….Are you following the story so far? No? Doesn’t matter. When the project collapsed under the weight of its own heaviosity, “all” that was left was the album “Who’s Next”. Disappoiting for Townshend, but a true gift for the rock loving fraternity. This album contains the cream of song writing and musicianship. Ben and I had a blast discussing these songs, both in the context of the original Lifehouse story and as separate entities in their own right. Whether you’re into spirtituality, Sci-Fi or Keith Moon murdering his drum kit, we’ve got it covered. Also, what do Abbot & Costello and Tom Lehrer have to do with this album? Listen to the show and find out. NOTE: If you’re a Led Zeppelin fan, DO NOT send death threats after listening to this. Ben and I both love Zep, but…… Eric Reanimator returns for an excellent segment to discuss the Nuggets 2 box set. I’ve been a long time fan of Nuggets 1, so I was really keen to hear his words of wisdom about the follow up. You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”. The podcast can also be listened to via Stitcher Radio. Download the app from stitcher.com, and listen to any episode streaming over your Android or Apple device after searching for “love that album”. Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and start a war – The Who vs Led Zep. Who wins? Or should that be Who wins!

For episode 31 of Love That Album I am joined by Ben Eisen of the All Time Top Ten podcast to discuss a highlight album from a champagne year for rock music. By 1967, The Kinks had already released an enviable number of brilliantly crafted singles. Like many other bands from the so-called British Invasion, they had their blues roots (Ray Davies was particularly keen on Big Bill Broonzy), but then went on to explore other musical avenues (though no Dead End Streets – geddit????) “Something Else By The Kinks” was indeed just that. Full of great little character studies and stories, this was the band exploring British life with both affection and a little cynicism. Part psychedelia, part British music hall, this album has its place cemented in history for “Waterloo Sunset” alone. Fortunately, there are many other joys on this record. Dave Davies gets in on the songwriting action too. This album was followed by “Village Green Preservation Society” an album that has garnered more attention. As great as that record is, Ben and I have a lot of affection for “Something Else”, and we discuss why on this latest episode. Eric Reanimator returns to discuss The Soundtrack of Our Lives, “Behind The Music”. Through him, I’ve become a fan, so tune in and become a convert to this great Swedish band. Download the show either from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com or search for “lovethatalbum” in the itunes store. Send any feedback to rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au – either written or mp3. If you want to get hold of Ben’s podcast, find it at http://alltimetopten.podomatic.com Join the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and discuss your favourite bands with family links or anything else musical you wish to bring up.