Hightower Lowdown blogs

VIDEO: Hightower at the Sydney Writers Festival

Jim Hightower — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 05:16:31 -0700

Hightower made his first journey to Australia last month, and we got ahold of video with him in conversation with the publisher of the Hightower Lowdown, Phillip Frazer. Take a look! [Watch larger version]

Hightower made his first journey to Australia last month, and we got ahold of video with him in conversation with the publisher of the Hightower Lowdown, Phillip Frazer. Take a look!

A SUPREME COUP

Jim Hightower — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:36:24 -0800

This is not judicial activism, it's judicial radicalism – a black-robed political coup over America's historic democratic ideals. Five men have just overthrown the power of the people's vote, enthroning corporate money as supreme in all of our country's elections. Jefferson, Madison, and the other founders of our democratic republic are not merely spinning in their graves – they're trying to claw their way out and throttle these shameful usurpers. Remember their names – Alito, Kennedy, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas. Corporate whores. --Jim Hightower

Two big wins for populism: Hightower wins Nation/Puffin Prize; Dobbs quits CNN

Hightower staff — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0800

We are nearly speechless (rare in our office), and thrilled to announce that Hightower is the recipient of the 2009 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship. Below are the full details in a press release sent out this morning. Combined with the fact that the xenophobic, racist Lou Dobbs left CNN suddenly last night, after years of spreading vitriol and a giving populism a bad name. Spread the word, it's a huge day for progressive populism! For more on what progressive populism really looks like, check out the Hightower Lowdown's May 2009 issue: "Populism is not a style, it's a people's rebellion against corporate power."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Laura Ehrlich, (512) 477-5588 laura@jimhightower.com Jayati Vora, (212) 822-0269 jayati@nationinstitute.org

Recipient of the 2009 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship Announced

November 11, 2009 (New York, NY): The Nation Institute announced today that national radio commentator and bestselling author Jim Hightower is the 2009 recipient of the $100,000 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship. Hightower will receive the award on December 7 at The Nation Institute Annual Dinner Gala in New York City. An advocate for everyday people whose voices are seldom heard in Washington and on Wall Street, Hightower believes that “politics isn’t about left versus right; it’s about top versus bottom.” He broadcasts daily radio commentaries on subjects ranging from public healthcare to Hamid Karzai. They air on more than 150 commercial and public stations across the country. Each month, Hightower publishes a populist political newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown, exposing hypocrisy in Congress and targeting the abuses of big corporations. With more than 135,000 subscribers, the hard-hitting Lowdown has received both the Alternative Press Award and the Independent Press Association Award for best national newsletter. An inspiring orator, Hightower delivers up to 100 fiery speeches a year, which has justly established him as “America’s most popular populist.” Twice elected as Texas Agriculture Commissioner, his term was praised for nurturing organic production, promoting alternative crops, regulating pesticides and monitoring groundwater, among other programs. A New York Times best-selling author, Hightower has written seven books, including Thieves in High Places; If The Gods Had Meant Us To Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates; and There’s Nothing In The Middle Of The Road But Yellow Stripes And Dead Armadillos. His most recent book, co-authored with longtime partner Susan DeMarco, is Swim Against The Current. Jesse Jackson, Jr. has said of him, “Jim Hightower is a tireless champion for every American, and he has the right prescription for what ails our nation.” Perry Rosenstein, President of the Puffin Foundation, Ltd., the co-sponsor of the Creative Citizenship award, said, “Jim Hightower is a front line defender of our civil liberties. Swimming against the current is a challenge he welcomes at all times.” Hamilton Fish, President of The Nation Institute, the co-sponsor of the prize, said, “Hightower is the standard bearer of progressive populism. With passion, keen intelligence and unsparing wit, he has been an indispensable leader in the struggle against concentrated power.” You can find more information about Hightower on his website, jimhightower.com. Each year, The Puffin Foundation Ltd. and The Nation Institute recognize an individual who has challenged the status quo through distinctive, courageous, imaginative and socially responsible work of significance. Candidates are found in a broad range of occupations and pursuits, and the award is intended to encourage the recipients to continue their work and to inspire others to challenge the prevailing orthodoxies they face in their careers. Jim Hightower is the ninth winner of the prestigious award. Previous recipients are environmental activist Van Jones, human rights lawyer Michael Ratner, Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman, educator and author Jonathan Kozol, journalist and author Barbara Ehrenreich, professor and anti-death penalty advocate David Protess, labor activist Dolores Huerta and civil rights pioneer Robert Parris Moses. For more information on the Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship, go to www.nationinstitute.org/puffinnation/ # # #

VIDEO: Hightower debates McCain on Afghanistan

Jim Hightower — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:02:37 -0700

Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site:

LIVE: Hightower in Denver, Live From Main Street!

Jim Hightower — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:14:57 -0700

On Sunday, 8/24, Hightower appeared on stage in Denver at Live From Main Street's "So You Say You Want Change: Exploring the Conflicts and Opportunities Ahead" Hosted by Laura Flanders -- with guests Van Jones, Donna Edwards, and many more! Here's a clip: [Click here to view larger]

VIDEO: Free market hypocrites

Jim Hightower — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:43:50 -0700

Here's today's provocative question: Why do so many giant corporations hate the marketplace? Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Cowboy George, horse thief

Jim Hightower — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:51:27 -0800

We've learned the hard way over the past seven years that George W lives in his own fantasy world--a place in which reality is whatever he wants it to be, facts notwithstanding. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Reagan on Rushmore

Jim Hightower — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:38:02 -0800

I must admit that the seven-year reign of Bush & Company makes me yearn for the years of Ronald Reagan, when the term "conservative" merely meant right wing, rather than full-tilt, bull-goose loopy. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Gifts for a happier new year

Jim Hightower — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:34:24 -0800

Wait till you hear about the gifts I gave to some of America's power elites for Christmas. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Lobbyists go shopping

Jim Hightower — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:35:09 -0800

The most determined shoppers of all this season are corporate lobbyists, scurrying from agency to agency in Washington in search of special favors for themselves. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Sweatshop crucifixes

Jim Hightower — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:02:50 -0800

This holiday season, "Made in China" sinks to a whole new level with sweatshop workers making crucifixes for Christian gift shops. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Voting with your dollars

Jim Hightower — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:06:18 -0800

Here's how you can say "no" to sweatshop labor and help support the American economy this holiday season. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Save the GOP from socialism

Jim Hightower — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:01:38 -0800

Republicans don't think millions of children deserve health insurance? Well, then, neither does the GOP! Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Attacking our freedom to protest

Jim Hightower — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:31:34 -0800

The Bushites are trying to intimidate us and keep us from speaking our minds -- but the women of CodePink are fighting back. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: A very personal protest

Jim Hightower — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 10:24:15 -0800

Over the years, I've come across some very clever protest actions, but here's one that just beats the pants off all the others. Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: Revisiting the arrest of the protesters

Jim Hightower — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:58:01 -0700

Think our government wouldn't suppress our right to peacefully protest? Think again! Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

VIDEO: The wonderland of Rudy, Mitt & Fred

Jim Hightower — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:15:03 -0700

What world do these Republican candidates live in? Certainly not the one you and I do! Do you want to put this video on your site or blog? You can embed the YouTube video by copying and pasting this code into your site: It's also available on Blip.tv, MySpace and Facebook!

Photo op: Hightower and Frazer

Deanna Zandt — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:58:26 -0700

Hightower and co-editor/publisher Phillip Frazer at Spring Lake, NJ, June 6 2007. They first met at this same spot 12 years ago, when they began planning the Lowdown, with Hightower's co-conspirator Susan DeMarco who hails from this neck of New Jersey.

Donate to the Lowdown!

Deanna Zandt — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:01:32 -0700

A number of you have asked for a way to donate to the Hightower Lowdown online, and we heard you: you can now donate right here on the site using your credit card or existing Paypal account. Questions? Problems? Drop us a line!

Hightower Download: Why we're in Iraq

Jim Hightower — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:03:03 -0700

Be sure to check out this week's episode of the Hightower Download: Why we're in Iraq. Plus there's The government's sick war on marijuana, Sports Brandalism, Bush's Backfire, What Color Is Your Meat? and Nobel Prize for Greed in the archives-- and don't forget to sign up for Sneak Previews while you're over there.