Also, check out the “hairy” trivia questions at the end of the talk!

Ken talks with us about the announcement from the European Nations that 11 countries have signed on to a “financial transaction” tax, aka the Robin Hood Tax. The Robin Hood tax will raise billions of dollars by taxing financial transactions by incurring a less than half a percent tax on Wall Street transactions. Nurses in the U.S. have been on the leading edge of this concept and are making some headway here at home. Keep an open mind. If you listen to the simple details you might agree – this is a very fair and doable measure. Visit robinhoodtax.org.

Diane Carlson Evans who served as an army nurse in Vietnam talks about the announcement by the pentagon that women can now serve in combat roles in the military. Diane shares her story and tells us that women have been serving in combat since World War 2, mostly as nurses. However, because it was not “official” combat the women were not given weapons, though they were oftentimes still caught in the front lines of battle.

Michelle Estrera (left), Jenni Balon, Neriza Fojas, Anna Alcantara, and Felomina Geronga (not pictured) all perished when the limousine they were riding in caught fire on the San Mateo Bridge Saturday night. Photo: Courtesy The Balon Family. Photo originally appeared on SF Gate.

We are very sad to find out that this year’s Nurses Week was darkened by the death of two RNs and three other caregivers in a tragic limousine fire on the San Mateo Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. California Governor Jerry Brown issued a statement recognizing the incredible contribution of nurses who “work hard every day to make our state a healthier, happier place.” To read more about this tragic event, and to learn how you can support the grieving families, please visit the : www.nationalnursesunited.org/blog/entry/cna-nursing-angels-family-fund.

AND something special coming up from Nurse Talk and our academic partners. Be the change you want to see in the world and put this on your calendar: Nurse Talk is hosting an informational webinar regarding the online MSN program at the University of San Francisco. Your host is Shayne Mason RN, BSN, PHN, MSN, PMHNP(BC). Shayne is an instructor and alumni at USF and maintains several clinical practices. He is also the co-host of Nurse Talk Radio, where he discusses progressive health care policy to a national audience. He will be discussing the online MSN program, the many and increasing opportunities for nurses with graduate degrees, and how to maximize income potential while doing the greatest good for your community.

The University of San Francisco MSN program Webinar will be held on May 30, 2013 12:00 PM PDT. Please click the link below to register:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2138389937501726720

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Last week, the Nurse Talk team was busy at the 1st Annual Marin Healthy Palooza. We did an on-site broadcast and had a great time. So, this week we share with you a show from the Nurse Talk library, and “re-present” two very honorable guests, Ken Zinn, the D.C. based Political Director for National Nurses United and retired army nurse captain, Vietnam War veteran, and founder of the Women’s Vietnam Memorial, Diane Carlson Evans.

Ken talks with us about the announcement from the European Nations that 11 countries have signed on to a “financial transaction” tax, aka the Robin Hood Tax. The Robin Hood tax will raise billions of dollars by taxing financial transactions by incurring a less than half a percent tax on Wall Street transactions. Nurses in the U.S. have been on the leading edge of this concept and are making some headway here at home. Keep an open mind. If you listen to the simple details you might agree – this is a very fair and doable measure. Visit robinhoodtax.org.

Diane Carlson Evans who served as an army nurse in Vietnam talks about the announcement by the pentagon that women can now serve in combat roles in the military. Diane shares her story and tells us that women have been serving in combat since World War 2, mostly as nurses. However, because it was not “official” combat the women were not given weapons, though they were oftentimes still caught in the front lines of battle.

Vietnam Women’s Memorial photo by Michael Sirois

As always, you can listen to Nurse Talk on Progressive Voices with the TuneIn app, the iHeartRadio app, and iTunes as well as Nursetalksite.com, our flagship station, KNEW 960AM, San Francisco Castle Rock Radio, WHAN 1430AM/102.9 FM in Ashland, Hanover, & Richmond, Virginia and anywhere in between.

Remember, laughter is the best medicine!

Ken talks with us about the recent announcement from the European Nations that 11 countries have signed on to a “financial transaction”tax, aka the Robin Hood Tax. The tax will raise billions of dollars by taxing financial transactions .50 per $100. Nurses in the U.S. have been on the leading edge of this concept and are making some headway here at home. Keep an open mind. If you listen to the simple details you might agree this is a very fair and doable measure.

Well some of you may be old enough to remember Ernestine Tomlin, the blunt Ma Bell phone receptionist. Now, we find out she’s not just a pretty face–she is an advocate for Universal Health Care! “One ring-dingy, two ringy dingy’s…hello…” and she’s off to the races.

This week we have two very honorable guests to share with you. We promised them we would not tarnish their stellar reputations so they agreed. First, Ken Zinn the D.C. based Political Director for National Nurses United then retired army nurse captain, Vietnam war veteran and founder of the Women’s Vietnam Memorial, Diane Carlson Evans.

Ken talks with us about the recent announcement from the European Nations that 11 countries have signed on to a “financial transaction”tax, aka the Robin Hood Tax. The tax will raise billions of dollars by taxing financial transactions .50 per $100. Nurses in the U.S. have been on the leading edge of this concept and are making some headway here at home. Keep an open mind. If you listen to the simple details you might agree this is a very fair and doable measure.

AND…Diane Carlson Evans who served as an army nurse in Vietnam is with us to talk about the recent announcement by the Pentagon that women can now serve in combat roles in the military. Diane shares her story and tells us that women have been serving in combat since World War 2, mostly as nurses. BUT because it was not “official” combat the women were not given weapons though were oftentimes still caught in the front lines of battle. This is an amazing story about the mostly unrecognized heroines of U.S. Wars.

Women’s Vietnam Memorial photo by Michael Sirois

Shayne and Casey compare social lives. Hmm—how does that go? Tune in and see for yourself.

You can listen and laugh every week on Saturday at 11 am in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out our favorite apps featuring Nurse Talk for custom radio on your listening devices: Progressive Voices, TuneIn and iHeartRadio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Donna Smith

At the front of the fight on many of these issues was Donna Smith, NNU’s legislative and healthcare for all advocate. While Donna was literally marching on the streets for others she herself was once again diagnosed with cancer. After a bout with cancer in the mid 90′s that left Donna and her husband Larry broke — the cancer returned. Now it was her turn to fight once again for herself.

And we welcome back Hal Isen, the creator of Core Wisdom. What nourishes your spirit and empowers you to live each day with wisdom, vitality and joy? What enables you to fulfill the dreams you have for yourself, your family, and your workplace? How do you unleash your creativity and your power to take effective action? We’ll be talking with Hal about one aspect of that equation called “being present.” What does that mean? Hope you can take some time to listen because this is an engaging conversation that can help nurses express compassion without going into an emotional black hole. Hal will be part of the new Nurse Talk interactive online chat series starting in November.

I always loved Mama! I guess she got jealous when they discovered the homeless man with the “golden voice” a few years back…

Now on with the show…I’m sure our listeners have heard us talk about the Robin Hood Tax—a small change for banks—a big change for people. This idea is global not local. A small transaction fee on the banks would raise billions to provide education, healthcare parity, infrastructure, and yes, even care for our fragile planet. What was once a movement—is now legislation—thanks to Minnesota Representative –Keith Ellison. We’ll have our friend RN Jean Ross from the state of Minnesota tell us why this is so important. The UK-based (they named it) worldwide campaign for the Robin Hood tax was launched on 10 February 10, 2010 and is run by a coalition of over 50 charities and organizations, including Christian Aid, Comic Relief and UNICEF. Check out this clip–we chose him because he has an accent and sounds like he knows what he is talking about—sort of.

Billy Bragg – Why banks should pay their fair share

Hal Isen

And we welcome back Hal Isen, the creator of Core Wisdom. What nourishes your spirit and empowers you to live each day with wisdom, vitality and joy? What enables you to fulfill the dreams you have for yourself, your family, and your workplace? How do you unleash your creativity and your power to take effective action? We’ll be talking with Hal about one aspect of that equation called “being present.” What does that mean? Hope you can take some time to listen because this is an engaging conversation that can help nurses express compassion without going into an emotional black hole.  (The show is always available on our site in the archives.) Hal will be part of the new Nurse Talk interactive online chat series starting in November.

You can listen and laugh every week on Saturday at 11 am in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out our favorite apps featuring Nurse Talk for custom radio on your  listening devices: Progressive Voices, TuneIn and iHeartRadio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

You can listen to the whole show in the audio archive.

Donna Smith

Enjoy one of our favorites, originally broadcast June 2, 2012. Donna Smith, our National Nurses United D.C. correspondent brings us up to speed on all things Washington. Donna also shares a bit of personal news about her own health. Donna Smith is best known as one of the documentary subjects of Michael Moore’s 2007 movie, “SiCKO.” Her journalism career includes 15 regional awards from the AP Managing Editors. Donna now works as a national single-payer healthcare advocate and community organizer for National Nurses United, and co-chairs the Progressive Democrats of America’s national “Healthcare Not Warfare” campaign. She also blogs at MichaelMoore.com.

Marsha Podd, RN

And, it’s always a treat to have our friend RN Marsha Podd with us in the studio. A.K.A. the “baby whisperer”. When Marsha comes to the studio we all go to sleep. We mean that in a good way, as Marsha has one of the most soothing voices you’ll ever hear. Marsha, is the author of Secrets of a Baby Nurse. The book is getting rave reviews and if you know of anyone that is expecting a child, has babies or toddlers already, has looked at a child or even thought of a child–you need this book! To read more about Marsha and her advice for babies and parents visit her website at gotosleepbaby.com.

Robin Hood Tax kickoff, Zucotti Park, New York. Photo credit: National Nurse United

Learn More about the Robin Hood Tax!

New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act,  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.

The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies.  It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets.

“The American public provided hundreds of billions to bailout Wall Street during the global fiscal crisis yet bore the brunt of the crisis with lost jobs and reduced household wealth,” said Rep. Ellison in a press statement.  “This is a phenomenally wealthy nation, yet our tax and regulatory system allowed the financial titans to amass great riches while impoverishing the systems that enable inclusive prosperity. A financial transaction tax protects our financial markets from speculation and provides the revenue needed to invest in the education, health and communities of the American people.”

The legislation’s goal is to raise meaningful tax revenue dedicated to low- and moderate-income families by strengthening the social safety net and by expanding investments to protect health, rebuilding infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs.  The tax is also to target international needs, including AIDS treatment, research and prevention and for other critical assistance.

“Congressman Ellison is showing great leadership for our country,” said Jean Ross, RN, co-president of National Nurses United. “HR-6411 is a critical step to generate the revenue for the healing and recovery our Main Street communities across the nation so desperately need.  From coast to coast, nurses, health care, AIDS, environmental, labor, faith community and other community activists have come together calling for a Robin Hood tax on financial speculation so that Wall Street will help pay to reverse the damage its reckless behavior caused to our economy. This is a small, common sense tax, already in place and working wonderfully well in dozens of countries across the world. America is ready for the Robin Hood tax.”

“Last summer, scientists proved that we can actually end the AIDS pandemic if we just scale up our investment in treatment and prevention programs,” said Jennifer Flynn, managing director of Health GAP (Global Access Project). “But when we go to Congress, all we hear about are budget cuts.  We need to increase revenue and the Robin Hood Tax is the best of all proposals to do just that.”

“This tiny tax on Wall Street will make our economy more stable and more fair.  The U.S. once had a Robin Hood Tax and we were better off for it, it’s time to bring it back,” said Liz Ryan Murray, policy director for National People’s Action.

“In its essentials, the idea of a financial market transaction tax is simple,” said economist Robert Pollin, co-director, Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  “It would mean that financial market traders would pay a small fee to the government every time they purchased any financial market instrument, including all stock, bond, options, futures, and swap trades.  This would be the equivalent of sales taxes that Americans have long paid every time they buy an automobile, shirt, baseball glove, airline ticket, or pack of chewing gum, eat at a restaurant, or have their hair cut.”

The Robin Hood Tax also helps to control the volume of speculation engulfing the financial markets, where risky bets are causing instability and sidelining billions in funds that might otherwise be directed to a productive economy.  And the sales tax assists in curtailing speculation in food and fuel markets, where bets on these essentials are causing spikes in prices and serious shortages.

The introduction of H.R. 6411 came on the eve of the One Year Anniversary of Occupy Wall Street. Occupy’s call to stop the policies of inequality of the 1% continues to resonate across this country and beyond. Robin Hood Tax campaigners today joined Occupy activists at a labor solidarity event at Zuccotti Park in New York City, and then carried the message  to offices of financial institutions to demand imposition of the Robin Hood Tax.

Check out this Bill Moyers (PBS) interview with National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann Demoro as she talks about the “Robin Hood” tax. Peeps—no matter what your political persuasion—it makes sense!

RN Alison Whitaker on Vital Signs, RN Jean Ross on Robin Hood and Dr. Jamie Koufman on Dropping Acid

Alison Whitaker in Vital Signs

Casey and Shayne check in with RN and playwright RN Alison Whitaker. Some of you may remember Alison was on the show last year introducing her one-woman play called, Vital Signs. It’s a great show at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco. If you missed Alison Whitaker’s Vital Signs in June…it’s been extended! Don’t miss it again get your tickets at the Marsh Theater.

And we talk with one of our favorite guests RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean will tell us about the Nurses Assembly in Chicago where over 1200 nurses talked about everything from healthcare to Medicare and promote a Wall Street Transaction Tax.

And then..for you 60’s hippies…let’s talk about Dropping Acid! That’s right…but of course, not the kind you think. Dr. Jamie Koufman will be with us to talk about acid reflux and what you can do to control or cure it by simply changing your diet. Dr. Koufman has written a book called Dropping Acid, The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure. According to the book, acid reflux affects 30-50% of the population. You won’t want to miss this.

Volunteer Nurses and Donna by the Medicare For All Bus

Our good friend and D.C. Healthcare correspondent Donna Smith joins us from the road—on the National Nurses United Medicare For All bus tour. The bus pulled out of San Diego, CA last week with 22 stops along the way. The nurses are providing mobile blood pressure screenings, information about accessing health screenings and check-ups in their own towns and cities and about the Robin Hood Tax, (robinhoodtax.org). Good stuff peeps!!! Oh, and for anyone who thinks the Robin Hood Tax is a pipe dream…check out this article..13 European nations—led by Germany—are moving closer to signing onto this initiative.

We lost Shayne to Oklahoma this week..but he called in from the streets of Colon (population 800),  to give us the lay of the land on healthcare in his home state. He tells us access to care is difficult to non-existent in many areas, diabetes and heart disease are disproportionally high, and night life? Well…Shayne will tell us all about that when he returns to the show next week.

Our guest co-host shows us once again that “talk is cheap!” We paid her nothing and she talked all through the show…no dead air time on this one!

Volunteer Nurses and Donna by the Medicare For All Bus

Our good friend and D.C. Healthcare correspondent Donna Smith joins us from the road—on the National Nurses United Medicare For All bus tour. The bus pulled out of San Diego, CA last week with 22 stops along the way. The nurses are providing mobile blood pressure screenings, information about accessing health screenings and check-ups in their own towns and cities and about the Robin Hood Tax, (robinhoodtax.org). Good stuff peeps!!! Oh, and for anyone who thinks the Robin Hood Tax is a pipe dream…check out this article…13 European nations—led by Germany—are moving closer to signing onto this initiative.

WANTED…preferably alive! Nominees for the Nurse Talk Golden Bed Pan Award. Yes…we know it’s not particularly P.C. but we do like to celebrate those silent heroes out there. Send us those worthy people or organizations—even if it’s you! Email Pattie@nursetalksite.com.

Want some fun at your next event or conference? Bring in Nurse Talk Live. Its entertaining, informative and just damn funny!

Comedian Lynn Ruth Miller, Nurse Talk Co-Host Shayne Mason, Nurse Talk Co-Host Casey Hobbs, Fitness Expert Joanie Greggains. Photo credit: Taylor Lockard

Contact pattie@nursetalksite.com to find out how easy it is.

You can listen and laugh every week on Saturdays at 11 am in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Thursdays at 7pm Eastern on RadioOrNot.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

And, remember, laughter is the best medicine.

At least nine countries led by Germany are expected to ask the European Commission to draw up plans for a so-called “enhanced co-operation” on the financial transactions tax (FTT) following a meeting of EU finance minister in Luxembourg on Friday (22 June).

BACKGROUND: A financial transactions tax (FTT) is one of many proposals made to tax the financial sector and hinder market speculation. Many countries have already implemented a levy on banks’ assets and liabilities.

The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have also examined the possibility of a financial activities tax which would place levies on profits and bonuses.

In a bid to lower national contributions to the EU budget, the European Commission proposed to tap into an FTT. The UK is the staunchest opponent of the tax, arguing that the move will encourage financial operators to route their business through tax havens.

In May the European Parliament supported the Commission proposal.

Finance ministers took the decision after their Austrian colleague Maria Fekter told them that Vienna’s support for the EU’s permanent bailout fund – the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) – depended on progress on the FTT.

“If I do not get this [enhanced] co-operation, then the ESM will not be ratified and this would really be a pity,” Fekter told the ministers.

At least nine member states must indicate that they want to proceed with an enhanced co-operation and a qualified majority of all 27 member states have to agree to the procedure, which has been used only twice before – on cross-border divorce rules and on a common patent scheme.

If the procedure goes through, these countries will go their separate ways and implement the tax without the other EU countries on board.

Read more…

Well, that’s really the sound of the nurses in Massachusetts working harder and faster—but not if the state legislature has anything to do with it.

Casey and Shayne visit with Massachusetts Nurses Association President RN Donna Kelly Williams about the Massachusetts State Legislature House & Senate versions of a health reform bill that would ban mandatory overtime. Donna and her street gang of nurses have literally been on the state house steps to support their efforts. Some may be asking…”Why should I care about this?” You don’t want a tired nurse—now do you?

Author Eileen Kaplan on the show this week

Also on the show this week is author/humorist and cancer survivor, Eileen Kaplan who wrote a book called Laughter is the Breast Medicine. Eileen is now a speaker and cancer awareness advocate. She shares her journey about surviving breast cancer, and dealing with its aftermath. Eileen is just one of those NATURALLY funny people…who really knows how to make laughter out of lemons! Check our her website.

And an email question—about a beloved sister—initiates a conversation about “family depression.”

And from the Producers “Humor Desk”—hmmm, comes a little Joke from our friends at the Journal of Nursing Jocularity’s. Stand by…PADDLES!

Meet "Nurse"

That’s No Name For A Hunting Dog!
Phil had no time to train a hunting dog, so he called Joe’s Rent-A-Dog. “I want one that will obey every order, anticipate every need, work until the job is finished, be gentle, not stop to rest or eat…an expert that enjoys work in the field.”
Joe answered right away. “Her name is Nurse – just like you want. But she costs $100 a day.”
Phil took Nurse out to the woods, and he was satisfied. She was just right.
A year later, he requested her again. Now she was twice as much – $200. But he took her again and was just as happy with her performance. In fact, he hired her every year, even though the price kept rising $100 a year. She was a good dog.
On the sixth year, Phil called again. “Is she gonna be $600 this year?”
“No,” said Joe, “Just $10.”
“Nurse?! How can that be? What happened, Joe?”
“Oh, this guy had her out one day and the jerk forgot her name, called her Doctor. Now all she does is sit on her tail and bark orders!”

Don’t blame us! Blame our friends from the Journal of Nursing Jocularity!!!

You can listen and laugh every week on Saturdays at 11 am in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Thursdays at 7pm Eastern on RadioOrNot.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Up next week…Robin Hood activists Look to Make Fairy Tale a Reality…ABC News reports “Robin Hood, the fictional outlaw famous for stealing from the rich to give to the poor, has emerged as the face of a new tax movement, one that calls for a 50 cent sales tax on every $100 traded on Wall Street…” Proponents say, “We are taking back from the wealthy what they have taken from our communities,” said Matt Kavanagh, the director of U.S. advocacy at Health Gap, an AIDS-prevention group that is part of the coalition of progressive groups pushing for the Robin Hood tax.” Robinhoodtax.org

Nurses rallied in Chicago's Daly Plaza last week for their Heal America campaign

And…whatever your political persuasion, we invite you to just check out an idea that might not be so crazy. Visit robinhoodtax.org.

And one of the highlights in Chicago…Anna Deavere Smith’s Tell Us Where It Hurts performance.

“Tell Us is one of the most relevant current theatrical pieces and will hopefully be taken on the road across the country…Revealed in the dialog of the show is the courage of nurses in face of a system which places barriers on their ability to heal.”
–Kevin O’Donnell
Member of the American Theater Critics Association; New York Times Company Foundation-sponsored critic fellow

Read the whole review. This show is a must-see for all nurses.

Anna Deavere Smith

While we were away in the beautiful city of Chicago… We asked those left behind to pick a great “rerun” and so…we are playing it again, Sam. We present…RN Greg Montes on mental health services cuts and Hal Isen on making your life a work of art.

Greg Montes has been an RN at the Contra Costa County (Northern California) jail for the past five years. He cites an alarming trend. With more and more cuts in mental health services throughout the country—millions of Americans are going untreated. It is commonplace for the severely ill who suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to enter the criminal justice system rather than mental health treatment facilities. In fact the number of Americans who receive mental health care in prisons and county jails has surpassed the number of those who receive services in hospitals or clinics. Despite these numbers, government leaders and the mental health systems are doing little to reverse this shameful trend.

Hal Isen, MFA, CHT

And later we have a big treat in store for our listeners. Experience life as an ongoing, creative, unfolding “work of art. For over 40 years, Hal Isen has been providing programs, courses and life coaching for individuals, groups and organizations in the areas of personal transformation. Hal’s Core Wisdom® programs provide fundamental spiritual principles and practices that allow for the release of past limiting conditioning, fears, behaviors, and beliefs, and the discovery and recovery of one’s ability to respond naturally and creatively to each moment from one’s true nature.  Listen and we promise you will get some great insight. Ever thought of what “expectations” might be taking away from being present to the moment? Check it out. Hal Isen and Core Wisdom at www.corewisdom.com.

Next week., the Baby Whisperer, RN Marsha Podd is in the house.

You can listen and laugh every week on Saturdays at 11 am in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

And we talk with one of our favorite guests RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean will tell us about the upcoming Nurses Assembly in Chicago next week where over 1200 nurses will gather to talk about everything from healthcare to Medicare and beyond. The nurses will also hit the streets of Chicago in a peaceful demonstration to promote a Wall Street Transaction Tax. Check out this Bill Moyers (PBS) interview with National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann Demoro as she talks about the “Robin Hood” tax. Peeps—no matter what your political persuasion—it makes sense!

And then..for you 60’s hippies…lets talk about Dropping Acid! That’s right…but of course, not the kind you think. Dr. Jamie Koufman will be with us to talk about Acid Reflux and what you can do to control or cure it by simply changing your diet. Dr. Koufman has written a book called Dropping Acid, The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure. According to the book, acid reflux affects 30-50% of the population. You won’t want to miss this.

And of course, the Golden Bed Pan Award, In My Day with Lynn Ruth Miller, Phobia of the Week and more…not sure how much more…but more!

Alison Whitaker in Vital Signs

Casey and Shayne check in with RN and playwright RN Alison Whitaker. Some of you may remember Alison was on the show last year introducing her one-woman play called, Vital Signs. It’s a great show and she opens in June at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco. And if you are paying attention you can win two VIP tickets to Vital Signs simply by emailing us at pattie@nursetalksite.com or calling 800-977-1863.

And we talk with one of our favorite guests RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean will tell us about the upcoming Nurses Assembly in Chicago next week where over 1200 nurses will gather to talk about everything from healthcare to Medicare and beyond. The nurses will also hit the streets of Chicago in a peaceful demonstration to promote a Wall Street Transaction Tax. Check out this Bill Moyers (PBS) interview with National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann Demoro as she talks about the “Robin Hood” tax. Peeps—no matter what your political persuasion—it makes sense!

And then..for you 60’s hippies…let’s talk about Dropping Acid! That’s right…but of course, not the kind you think. Dr. Jamie Koufman will be with us to talk about acid reflux and what you can do to control or cure it by simply changing your diet. Dr. Koufman has written a book called Dropping Acid, The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure. According to the book, acid reflux affects 30-50% of the population. You won’t want to miss this.

And of course, the Golden Bed Pan Award, In My Day with Lynn Ruth Miller, Phobia of the Week and more…not sure how much more…but more!

Check out our new strategic partner, iTriage

We recently found the coolest app we’ve ever seen or heard about! We all know what triage means, Nurse Talk brings you iTriage. iTriage was founded in 2008 by two emergency medicine physicians to empower people to make better healthcare decisions, and improve healthcare delivery. You can now use the online tool all over the world on the web at nursetalksite.com/itriage or on your smart phone to enter symptoms or diseases and get recommendations for treatment and locate the nearest treatment center. You can even find out what the wait times are in emergency situations. It is so user-friendly—even I can use it!

“iTriage is simply the best, most comprehensive medical mobile app around. It is so user-friendly and thorough we are recommending it to all of our Nurse Talk listeners and callers. iTriage truly opens a window to wellness for millions and the best part…it goes where you go! Paris, London, New York, Pocatello and beyond.”

–Casey Hobbs and Shayne Mason
RN Co-Hosts for Nurse Talk Radio

CHECK OUT THE NURSE TALK BLOG! We have some amazing bloggers and topics and it changes everyday.

Now go out there and make someone laugh!

Remember, you can listen and laugh every week on Saturdays at 11 am in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Nurses, Robin Hood and the band of merry women and men, and scores of friends are strapping on their boots and preparing to head to Chicago Friday, May 18.

The absence of AWOL G-8 leaders, who decided to run off and hide in the woods of rural Maryland rather than face a disgruntled public, has not dampened the spirits of Robin Hood and the nurses who will proceed with a colorful march through Chicago streets.

The march culminates in a Daley Plaza rally where Robin and the nurses will scour the brush and trees for the absent world leaders to determine what they are doing to help average families, not just the banks and Wall Street high rollers, in the midst of continuing economic gloom.

Renown musician Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman, will join the festivities, performing at Daley Plaza.

“Bailouts and bonuses for the banks, austerity for the rest of us, that’s been the prescription of the 1 percent and far too many among the G-8. No wonder they have run off to seclusion at Camp David,” said Karen Higgins, RN, co-president of National Nurses United, which is sponsoring the May 18 action.

“But they won’t be able to avoid the 99 percent for long if they don’t take meaningful action to heal the U.S. and global economies. A Robin Hood tax on Wall Street speculation and the gambling with people’s pensions, savings, and homes would be a good start. The tax can produce $350 billion or more every year for a national and global rebirth,” Higgins said.

More than 65 U.S. and international environmental, health, labor, faith, anti-poverty, and other organizations have endorsed the May 18 action in Chicago and its call for a small tax on Wall Street trades on stocks, bonds, derivatives and other financial instruments.

In addition, nurses and the Robin Hood marchers will call attention to the unwarranted pain of U.S. and global austerity measures while those who caused the 2008 economic collapse continue to party and profit.

Among endorsers of the event are the AFL-CIO, Health Gap (Global Action Project), Oxfam America, National People’s Action, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, United Students Against Sweatshops, Friends of the Earth, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities, ACT V: The End of AIDS, European Federation of Public Services Unions, NFL Players Association, Public Services International, Korean Health and Medical Workers Union.

Chicago area supporters include Occupy Chicago, Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Jobs with Justice, Citizen Action/Illinois, ARISE Chicago, and Chicago Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Amidst the scourge of inequality sweeping the world, marked by continued profits, pay-outs and record levels of cash hoarding — the spoils of the 1% — one group has come forward with a remedy, refusing to stand down. Nurses from four continents gathered at the G-20 Summit last week to tell world leaders that time is running out: revenue is needed now and the starting point is a global finance tax.

That call for remedy is resonating. It is loud and it is getting louder, and half measure legislation is not a substitute for a movement.

Just last week, in addition to the actions at the G-20, 2,000 people, including RN members of National Nurses United joined by the AFL-CIO and other unions, environmental and community groups, and participants from the Occupy Wall Street movement, marched on the White House and Treasury Department.

Like the nurses at the G-20, they were calling on the Obama administration to support a tax on Wall Street, the U.S. version of a financial transaction tax to raise desperately needed revenue to heal our economy. Similar marches occurred in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Nurses have been rallying for months, and putting pressure on the White House and members of Congress to support a meaningful tax on Wall Street to provide the funding necessary for such basic needs as health care for all, jobs with dignity, and quality public education.

An FTT, a sales tax on trading in stocks, bonds, derivatives and targeting speculative activity, is now on the world agenda. For the first time, the 20 most powerful countries convened to discuss raising revenue from such a tax.

Pressure is also mounting within the U.S. One bill by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), has been introduced. However, the estimates cited in print of $350 billion are over nine years — far short of what is needed to reframe our devastated economy. We do not have nine years to wait. A better approach would be an FTT that raises $350 billion every year.

Moreover, the revenue in the current bill is earmarked for deficit reduction, i.e. further job reduction and infrastructure destruction which would only make matters worse. There are trillions of dollars sitting idle or wasted in the market casino, as such, and we are building a social demand for the FTT to be used as an economic stimulator and to reorganize the social priorities of our country. The 99% want a solution now that actually changes our lives now.

FTT proposals share critical underpinnings: speculation and manipulation in financial markets triggered collapse from which the world has not emerged; poverty and near-poverty are rampant and spreading, engulfing millions of families in the U.S. alone; financial profits should be tapped for meaningful revenues to save the many communities in crisis; and financial taxes are a starting point— a down payment. In this country today we are witnessing the greatest transference of wealth upwards in our entire history. That dynamic, here and elsewhere, must stop now.

The financial tax the nurses support would provide up to $350 billion every year in the U.S. alone and billions more in other societies. We know what is needed to put Americans back to work, provide quality health care and schools for all, to start restoring our environment and address hunger and homelessness. “The number of people living in neighborhoods of extreme poverty,” wrote the New York Times on November 4, “grew by a third over the past decade….” Nearly 50 million Americans live in households deemed “food insecure.”

Wall Street firms, in the meantime, including banks and their trading arms — are making massive fortunes, “more profit in the first 2 1/2 years of the Obama administration than they did during the entire Bush administration,” according to the Washington Post, November 6.

We also know that in the face of overwhelming community need, trillions of dollars sit on the sidelines. Trillions.

Cash holdings of non-financial S&P 500 are over $1 trillion–”more cash than in decades,” according to the Templeton Income Fund, with cash held abroad by U.S. companies adding $1.5 trillion. Cash holdings at European non-financials is now 800 million euros, putting Greek protests in some perspective. Trillions more sit in the accounts of wealthy individuals on both continents.

“How can the financial sector triumphantly continue to march,” said President Sarkozy of France at the G-20, “indifferent to the world around it, carelessly and without a care for the disorder it has more than its share in causing?” German Chancellor Merkel agreed. And President Obama, disregarding the unwavering counsel of Treasury Secretary Geithner to leave Wall Street to its own devices, indicated that while not favoring the tax he would not seek to block others from enacting it.

Sarkozy, Merkel and Obama were listening when thousands protested, including the nurses, last week in France — an outcry of global proportions certain to repeat. An array of support comprised this protest — Oxfam, unions, consumer groups, ecologists, Occupy Wall Street and other armies of occupiers — all committed to a reordering of world priorities and in support of a finance tax. “[A] billion people [are] on the edge of starvation or worse, but not beyond reach by any means,” said Noam Chomsky on November 2. We won’t stand down in the face of this challenge.

This extraordinary commitment to cash by the 1% is incendiary.

Meanwhile, Congress considers cutting essential programs, including in Social Security and Medicare. All these programs are on the cutting block even as the Census Bureau announces increases in poverty. Millions more would be in poverty, the new study contends, but for the programs government intends to curtail.

Nurses will continue to focus on building a movement. The nurses bear daily witness to the awful effects of the colossal demise engulfing communities everywhere and we will not stand down. The nurses commitment to care does not end at the bedside.

For more about the movement in the U.S. as well as globally, and to find materials, literature, bumper stickers, and more, visit our website at www.mainstreetcontract.org.

And we’ll talk with the author of Critically ILL: A 5-Point Plan to Cure Healthcare Delivery. Dr. Frederick Southwick, author, teacher, respected researcher and decades-long medical practitioner, is an advocate for change to our country’s current healthcare practices, which cause thousands of hospital deaths and complications each year.