Welcome to a special edition of The Big Picture - How can we use activism to reclaim America?

Tonight - we're partnering up with the Campaign for America's Future to bring you a special "teach in" on the U.S. economy. CAF is also joining forces with "Rebuild the Dream Organizing Network" - "MoveOn.org" - and "Free Speech TV" - and other groups around the nation that have spread the word about tonight's program. Together, these groups have organized local "teach-ins" where people are tuning into THIS program - in universities, union halls, and community centers around the country. We're calling this whole thing the National TV Teach-In to Take Back the American Dream. So thanks for tuning in - and a special hello to all the local teach-ins watching around the nation.

So why are we here?

Well...we're here because our nation is in a difficult time - and in desperate need of real solutions to get Americans back to work - to create a sustainable economy that benefits not just the top 1% - but all Americans - and to make the United States competitive once again in the global marketplace. We're also here to discuss what ideas won't work - and why. Tonight - we'll set the record straight - and offer specific - and popular - policies that Congress and President Obama can get to work on immediately to get us back on track.

With Thom Hartmann in the studio:

Robert Borosage - the co-director of the Campaign for America's Future

Heather McGhee - is the Director of Demos' Washington office.

Leo Hindery - is the Chairman of the Economic Growth/Smart Globalization Initiative at the New America Foundation.

Natalie Foster - is the Co- Founder of Rebuild the Dream.

Robert Reich - former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton.