Author: Gary Bentley

The way representative democracy is supposed to work is pretty simple: you protect the fundamental rights of the minority (so it doesn’t become two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner), and then the majority of citizens, acting in their own rational self-interest, elect representatives who will pursue the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens.  That’s the theory, but “rational” is a key word in that formulation. What happens when lots of citizens don’t have a solid grasp of what’s going on in the real world?  Mike Papantonio asks that question of author...

The number of young, college-aged Americans who are getting involved in activism in recent years has been overwhelming.  Not only have they helped transform American politics by helping fuel the Occupy Movement, but they are getting involved with the sharing of information and ideas.  Mike Papantonio of Ring of Fire talks about this with Mackenzie Thomas, a student at the University of North Carolina and President of the UNC Campus YMCA, who has worked to bring social engagement at her school to new...

The following interview is from the May 5th episode of Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV. The Food and Drug administration is supposed to protect consumers from dangerous drugs, and make sure that drug companies are doing the proper tests of their products.  But thanks to the revolving door between industry and the government, safety checks have become almost non-existent. Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio speaks to attorney and consumer advocate Daniel Nigh about how defunct the FDA has become due to their cozy relationship with the pharmaceutical...

The following interview is from the April 28th, 2013 episode of Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV. Republicans have a strangle hold on state governments throughout the south. Because of this, they have been able to implement all sorts of policies that would make Ayn Rand weep with joy. Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio talks about the new Ayn Rand paradise in the south with investigative journalist Rick...

The following interview is from the April 28th, 2013 episode of Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV. In the past, when a lawmaker became too extreme for their own good, the voters would boot that person out of office. But thanks to Republican gerrymandering, extreme views are allowed to stay in Washington. Ring of Fire host Mike Papantonio talks to author and trial lawyer Niall McCarthy about how dangerous this is for our...