Democracy on the Move: Recent Episodes
Dan Schaefer
Democracy on the Move is a podcast tribute to all those people and organizations who dare to re-imagine our nation and drive it back to its true principles of democracy
Kevin Howard drops by again for a lively discussion about how wealth has co-opted our media and government. He references the Powell Memorandum, written in 1971, which was a blueprint for persuading the masses to support corporate takeover. This effort greatly influenced the infamous “Citizens United” Supreme Court ruling of 2010, which elevated corporate influence over individuals by allowing them to dominate large media companies and shape popular opinion, thereby vastly increasing their sway over U.S. policy.
Numerous examples are cited illustrating how the Powell Memorandum has made the United States vulnerable to many ills, including the 9/11 terrorist attack, and contributed to the conflict in Ukraine. Kevin explains how people following the tenets of the memorandum have led to significant geopolitical consequences, challenging the mainstream narratives often presented to the public.
Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking hour that we hope will encourage you to question everything you’re being told about America.
Amanda Taylor drops by to discuss her campaign to represent District 103 in the Missouri House of Representatives. The House currently has a Republican "super-majority," so Amanda, running as a Democrat, has her work cut out for her. We discuss her main campaign issues, what she hopes to accomplish as a state legislator, and the current state of politics in Missouri and the rest of the nation. The day's issues may seem epic and impossible, but we break them down over this hour-long podcast, providing interesting discussion sprinkled with a bit of humor.
You can find more information about Amanda at voteamandataylor.com
To keep from killing each other, people just don’t talk about the topics of politics and religion at the family dinner table or during outings with friends. This is unfortunate because these are the topics that undermine unity in our nation. Corey Nathan, however, bravely steps into this space and produces a podcast that’s unafraid to take on these topics. What results is a series of engaging, provocative, and fun conversations. The podcast is called, “Talkin’ Politics and Religion without Killin’ Each Other,” and it has logged nearly 200 interesting episodes. Join us as we discuss the political and religious divisions in our nation, how to act rationally in a politically charged atmosphere, and how your political representative can act in such an anti-Christian manner while claiming to be a good Christian.
In this episode, we talk about Universal Healthcare with two guests - Dr. Ed Weisbart, an advocate for a single-payer national health program, and Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth II, a U.S. Congressional candidate for Missouri’s 8th district. We unpack some of the major challenges of implementing Universal Healthcare in the United States.
Dr. Weisbart, with his extensive background in medicine and health advocacy, represents the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). He brings his expertise from a career spanning multiple roles in the healthcare sector to advocate for a comprehensive national health insurance system where every person in America is covered. He passionately cares about providing accessible and equitable healthcare for all Americans.
Denny Roth addresses the political hurdles and societal resistance to Universal Healthcare. Even though Universal Healthcare presents a simpler and far less expensive alternative to today’s current healthcare system, there are political barriers to overcome nevertheless.
In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Howard, author of Onward At Last, a compelling collection of essays exploring the root causes of American unhappiness and the pathway to personal and collective progress. Raised in the Bronx and having served in the US Army, Kevin navigated a successful career in business banking before realizing a critical void in his seemingly accomplished life. His book delves into how deeply ingrained values of independence, competition, and self-interest, while driving capitalism, can obstruct societal contentment and ecological balance. As our nation grapples with fear, unhappiness, and division, Kevin's insights offer a transformative perspective on our interconnectedness and the importance of embracing our collective humanity. Join us as we discuss the moral imperative of moving beyond self-centered views, acknowledging our universal oneness, and learning to rely on each other in a world teetering on the edge of self-destruction.
In this episode, we're joined by Patrick Lovell, the creative mind behind the eye-opening documentary series The Con. Our conversation digs into the critical issue of how major financial institutions, with the tacit approval of a complicit government, have manipulated the United States' financial system. We explore the troubling "revolving door" phenomenon, where government officials, responsible for regulating banking laws, seamlessly transition to roles within the banks they once oversaw. This practice has facilitated numerous inside jobs, often at the expense of the average American worker.
The 2008 financial crisis, far from being an isolated event, was merely an attribute of a continuous and systemic exploitation of America's financial systems by those positioned as guardians of our economic well-being. Through years of meticulous research, Patrick Lovell has uncovered the deteriorating integrity within the finance sector's legal and regulatory framework. His documentary series The Con is an essential watch for understanding this complex and significant issue.
Join us as we discuss the intricate and alarming details of what might be the largest racketeering conspiracy in global history, one that continues to impact us all.
In this episode of our podcast, we engage with Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress from Missouri's 8th District. Facing a formidable challenge against the incumbent Republican, Jason Smith, Roth is undeterred despite the district's strong Republican lean and Smith's significant political standing. Our conversation, set in the tranquil surroundings of Roth's home near Hillsboro, Missouri, delves into his multifaceted background as a farmer and truck driver, and his perspectives on critical issues like the economy, healthcare, reproductive rights, social security, education, equal rights, immigration, and firearm regulation. Roth's campaign focuses on addressing the economic distress of the district, highlighted by the closure of a Tyson Foods' plant in Dexter, Missouri, which significantly impacted local jobs and economy. This episode offers a candid and in-depth look at the political landscape of Missouri's 8th District through Roth's eyes, reflecting the podcast's commitment to exploring diverse viewpoints and understanding the complex dynamics shaping our political system.
This week we talk with Jojo Stewart about the disturbing rising tide of fascism in America. Jojo is an activist, avid blogger and social media manager for a candidate who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives. We discuss the historical origins of fascism, its core tenets, and the warning signs that indicate its presence. We also talk about the current political climate in the United States and whether or not the conditions exist for the rise of fascism in this country. Finally, we offer suggestions for how to recognize and combat fascism.
Jeff Basinger, an attorney from Columbia, Missouri, fights for the initiative process in Missouri. This process allows citizens to directly petition the government for ballot measures, giving them the ability to exercise direct democracy. In essence, it is democracy in action. However, certain people within the government have taken it upon themselves to interfere with the initiative process, denying citizens their right to direct democracy. Ohio tried the same thing in early August, and now it is Missouri's turn for its citizens to fight for their rights.
Freedom and democracy are not free. It takes people like Jeff to stand up to our government and assert our rights. Listen in as we discuss what is at stake in this fight, and learn how you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments and maybe even get involved!
I’m going on hiatus for a few weeks. But before I go, I’d like to introduce you to a new project I’m working on, called “Dirt Road Radio.” If you’re interested in joining an effort to help heal our national divide, we would love to hear from you! Go to www.dirtroadradio.com, check it out, and fill out the contact form. We would love to hear from you!
This week we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll unravel the differences and similarities between human intelligence and AI, explore misconceptions, fears, and concerns surrounding the technology, and illuminate its true nature as a tool created and controlled by humans. We'll discuss how AI is misunderstood and feared, delve into the misuse of AI by nefarious human actors, and review how this discourse influences legislation and public perception. With references to real-world examples and a candid analysis of perspectives of policymakers like U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, we’ll showcase why education, understanding, and responsible use are key to harnessing AI's full potential. Tune in for an enlightening journey towards a future where AI and humanity work in harmony for our collective benefit.
The recent Supreme Court decision that removes race from consideration in Affirmative Action has had a seismic shift in college admissions. The ruling appears to be based on the concept of “Meritocracy,” where students admitted into college are considered on the basis of merit - especially academic achievement. In this podcast, we discuss how the concept of merit is seriously flawed, because it fails to recognize the persistent realities of racial inequality.
Sam Fieldman, the national counsel for Wolf-PAC, joins us to discuss their bold, citizen-driven initiative to enact an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The proposed amendment, intended to loosen the grip of corruption and vested interests in Congress, aims to overhaul our faltering campaign finance system. As Constitutional Amendments hold primacy over both Congress and the Supreme Court, a move of this magnitude could significantly alter landmark decisions such as Citizens United, effectively facilitating their reversal.
In this week's episode, we delve into a thought-provoking discussion with three pivotal personalities from the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, or MoEEP. We address the pressing need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within Missouri's educational system. You may wonder, isn't educational equity a reality already? Our guests paint a contrasting picture. They share how students are alienated due to their minority, LGBTQ status, religious affiliation, and more. The ongoing trend of school privatization, compounded by the rise of government-funded vouchers, seems to be siphoning resources away from public schools, thereby deepening the issue.
Interestingly, DEI, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and anti-trans fears are utilized by lawmakers in Missouri and across the nation to stir up a climate that undermines public schools. With billions of dollars earmarked for education in every state, private education companies are incentivized to fuel this animosity towards public education, with the ultimate goal of boosting their profits.
Join us as we chat with Heather Fleming, MoEEP's founder and director, Amber Benge, the Co-Director, and Ken Susman, the special project team leader. Together, we'll dissect the current state of our public schools and the pivotal role that MoEEP plays in repairing the system. We'll delve into the pressing urgency to prevent a potential collapse of public education that could cause the U.S. to lag increasingly behind on the global stage.
Today we talk with our semi-regular guest, Nathan Falcone, about Social Democracy. Well, we start off talking about Social Democracy, but we wander boldly into other topics. We meet in person at a coffee house called “Toasted,” in High Ridge, Missouri. This is also the first recording for Nathan’s new podcast called “Reason Will Prevail.”
Today we talk with ChatGPT about Artificial Intelligence. Yes, we have a conversation with an AI bot about AI technology. We'll discuss what is meant by AI, how it can help us as individuals, how it threatens us, how it will change society, how our government should regulate AI and what might happen to people that don't keep up with developments in AI. It’s an interesting discussion with a non-human about recommended ways in which humans and AI can coexist, and how we, as individuals, can prepare to live safely and prosper in a world with AI.
Tim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), drops by to talk about the crisis in our heartland. We discuss the problems with foreign ownership of American farmland, the loss of family farms to corporate interests, the consolidation of hogs and cattle into four major meatpacking companies (two of which are foreign-owned), the labeling of foreign beef as American and the lax approach that our congress has toward antitrust laws. All these factors are driving family farms out of business, depressing rural economies and jeopardizing our natural water supply for future viability of food production. Listen as Tim Gibbons describes what the Missouri Rural Crisis Center is doing about it; not only for Missouri, but for the nation overall.
The forces of White Christian Nationalism have been building since the 1960s, and today we can no longer ignore the threat it presents to our democracy. We are now at a crossroads, where Americans must make a choice; do we get involved and fight for our democracy, or do we sit passively while our freedoms are taken away? In this podcast, we briefly examine how the anti-democratic forces are now turning toward totalitarianism, and what we ordinary Americans can do about it.
Bernadette Holzer and Chris Burgess join the podcast to talk about Dirt Road Radio (DRR) - a new streaming radio station that seeks to tell a better story about rural life in America. DRR will connect rural communities across the country through music, arts & culture, news & opinion, and good, honest conversation. Why is Dirt Road Radio a necessary part of American life? What does it do? And how can you get involved? We discuss everything - and more - in this episode.
In this podcast, we explore the accelerationist movement, which seeks to hasten the collapse of the current social, economic, or political order to establish a new world order. Accelerationism can be seen in the writings of Senator Josh Hawley, who has advocated for "immanentizing the Eschaton," or bringing about the end times to create a new order. However, this ideology has dangerous implications and has been likened to terrorism. Despite presenting itself as a religious ambition, accelerationism ultimately boils down to power and control.
This week we chat again with Nathan Falcone. Our topic today? Politics and Corruption. Nathan is a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri, a small unincorporated town of about 1700 people. He describes himself as having "an absurd love" of politics, and he believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and through discussion, we can heal the differences.
Shavanna Spratt, Executive Director of St. Louis-based organization Da Hood Connect, drops by to talk about the organization. She emphasizes Da Hood Connect’s commitment to addressing and reducing barriers faced by Black and/or under-resourced communities through education, advocacy, and connections. Leveraging media and entertainment, including a community podcast, Da Hood Connect aims to create a world free from racism and bias, where these communities have full access to the resources needed to flourish. As the leader of this 501(c)(3) organization, Shavanna not only oversees its operations but also actively engages with her community, ensuring awareness of support, resources, and opportunities available to improve their lives.
In this podcast we discuss the technique used by authoritarian and fascist leaders to erode democratic values and manipulate societies into submission by blurring the line between legal and illegal behavior. We look at how individual citizens often disengage and become cynical in the face of threats to democracy, thereby reenforcing the movement away from democracy. There is hope, however. We individuals need to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder to fight the enemies of democracy by organizing and using the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s as a blueprint for successful nonviolent resistance.
In this episode we talk about how the modern controversy over abortion might lead us down a dark path where, as history has shown, our nation may end up forcing sterilization on certain people. We also talk about the modern day controversy over pronouns and the cesspool that the Arkansas legislature has inadvertently entered when trying to legislate over cultural issues.
This week we chat with Nathan Falcone, a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri. Nathan describes himself as having a keen interest in politics, which he describes as "an absurd love." He believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and an open discussion of major issues may help alleviate this problem of division. In this episode, we talk about ordinary stuff, but focusing mostly on how Covid has affected politics in a rural area.
In this episode, we discuss the danger of hyper-conservative media and its impact on American democracy. This danger is particularly noticeable by the way that extremist messaging on terrestrial radio in rural areas has poisoned political discourse in the United States. Fear and intolerance has been magnified and weaponized. So how do we fight this disturbing trend? There is a new idea emerging that will directly challenge extremism on the radio; it’s called Dirt Road Radio. By making use of new technology, Dirt Road Radio will easily broadcast its radio content nation-wide. The content won’t consist of screaming at folks from far away, but it will come from the heartland itself. Dirt Road Radio will focus on building a strong community by bringing to light many wonderful stories from the heartland - stories told by rural folks themselves.
This effort has been launched, but we still need a lot of help. Have a listen to this podcast and see if you might be interested in participating in an effort to turn the tide in American democracy!
In today's podcast, we explore the concept of the "common good" and its importance in shaping a just and equitable society. Throughout history, philosophers have emphasized the significance of shared values, collective responsibility, and public institutions in promoting the well-being of all individuals within a community. However, the forces of individual and collective greed, especially within a capitalist society, can pose a significant threat to the common good. We discuss the influence of corporatism, the privatization of public services, and the consequences of greed on social inequalities, democratic institutions, and the accessibility of essential services. By examining these challenges, we hope to inspire a thoughtful conversation on how we can balance individual freedom and collective responsibility to protect and promote the common good, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable society for all.
In this podcast episode, we explore the complex and multifaceted controversy surrounding free speech. We examine historical events where people have freely expressed their views and opinions resulting in controversy and emotional upset. We delve into the recent phenomenon of "cancel culture" and the moral and ethical issues involved, and we discuss the "Paradox of Tolerance" and what it means for free speech. Join us as we navigate these difficult questions and strive to balance the need for free expression with the need for equality and respect for all individuals.
Why are farmers in the Netherlands protesting? Recent changes in Dutch environmental laws have put the squeeze on farmers in the Netherlands, so they've have taken their protests to their government. While it's true that our methods of farming - and living in general - must change in order to sustain a livable environment, it may be a mistake to force one group of people to bear the burden without adequate guidance and compensation. In this episode, we bring attention to the difficulties experienced by farmers in the Netherlands and suggest there are parallels with farmers in the United States.
Folks on the extreme right say that we here in the U.S. do not live in a democracy. They say that we live in a "Constitutional Republic." This is a dangerous belief, because to say that we do not live in a democracy is to say that we are not governed by the will of the people. This mindset opens the door to tyranny, because after all, why fight for a democracy when we don't live in a democracy anyway?
In this podcast, we explore the definition of both a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy and show that indeed, we live in a representative democracy whose government is constrained by a constitution in order to prevent a "tyranny of a majority" and secure individual liberties. Essentially, we live within both a Democracy and a Constitutional Republic.
Do we have the right to be misinformed? What is misinformation? And should social media companies - and our government - censor us for misinformation? In this short podcast, we lay out the problem. We don’t offer any solutions, but we provide a bit more context on a highly complex and controversial topic.
Tim Ely, co-leader of the St. Louis Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, drops by to talk about the organization. Citizens’ Climate Lobby - or CCL for short - is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change. They not only directly lobby politicians, but they also engage at the local level with friends, neighbors and local officials and educate them on the details of climate change and what they can do about it. You can find CCL online at citizensclimatelobby.org.
In today's free-form discussion, we talk about progressivism, wokeism and that Chinese balloon that created a stir as it floated over our nation.
When people lose confidence in local police, things can get very bad. The threat of demoralized cops walking off the job has politicians in many states panicking. Their solution? Seize control and centralize authority over local police departments. This is not a good development for democracy.
Disruption for its own sake will deliver a system of government that’s far worse than anything we have today.
In today’s short podcast, we’ll discuss how the lack of cooperation between our two main political parties has resulted in ridiculous manufactured issues as part of a culture war and an overall lack of progress on the issues that really matter to Americans.
Randi McCallian, U.S. Congressional Candidate for the 8th district in Missouri, drops by to talk about the big issues that Congress will face in the upcoming session. We talk about the debt ceiling, the farm bill, climate change and more. We also discuss why the Democrats haven’t been doing so well in rural areas and what they need to do about it.
In this short podcast, we discuss how 2023 is pivotal, as it sets the stage for a highly consequential election in 2024. Many state legislatures this year are trying to reduce our self-determination and may even decide to override our votes for president in 2024. We must not allow this to happen!
In this very short podcast, we talk about the origins of Christmas and how our modern day practice of it is part of a tradition that spans back thousands of years. We also talk about how the holiday evolved to become associated with the birth of Jesus. Finally, we talk about how the necessity of love that Jesus talked about 2,000 years ago is just as true today as ever.
Brian Mistrot, founder and President of an organization known as One Nation Movement (ONM) stops by to talk about their mission of strengthening the civic infrastructure of our democracy, specifically by focusing on restoring confidence in our elections, environmental solutions and fiscal responsibility. ONM is a conservative organization - conservative in the sense of traditional conservatism, as opposed to the modern day Republican definition of it. As such, they seek to educate people on common-sense conservative approaches to some of the most urgent issues facing our democracy today.
What is the “Deep State?” What do politicians mean when they refer to our democratic institutions as “Deep State?” The answer is that they are attempting to delegitimize the institutions that are designed to root out political corruption. They’re essentially trying to put the fox in charge of the chickens. Don’t fall for it!
Tim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), stops by to talk about a crisis in the heartland - a very real crisis that puts our food supply at risk. The family farm is disappearing and being replaced by big ag. Why is that a problem? Well, for starters, much of big ag is run by - and controlled by - foreign companies that don’t share the farmers’ concerns about land stewardship, contaminants leaking into our soil, changes in our climate, overall food quality and animal welfare. Without MRCC, farmers would be on their own to fight a powerful lobby funded by big ag. Listen in and learn about the challenges that today’s farmers face and how you can help keep our farmland rich and vibrant for the next generation.
This week we talk with Bobby Bostic, who was recently set free after being imprisoned for 27 years for a crime committed when he was 16. Mr. Bostic last appeared on this podcast in April 2021, and we now catch up with him as he works toward fulfilling his vision of helping people in his community avoid the “school to prison pipeline.” We talk about his life so far since being freed and where his plans will take him next. Listen in and find out how you can help him help his community!
Karma Metzler Fitzgerald drops by to talk about politics from a rural Idaho perspective. Karma ran for the state house in this past election and was barely edged out by her opponent, losing by just 85 votes. We talk about the issues facing Idaho farmers and ranchers, the difficulty campaigning as a Democrat in a fairly red area, how national issues play out in Idaho and what Democrats need to do in order to reconnect with rural America. Karma also has a podcast of her own, called "The Purple Podcast," which can be found wherever you download your podcasts.
Michael Baumli stops by to talk about his state senate campaign. Michael ran as a Democrat in Missouri State Senate district 12, which is in an area in Northwest Missouri that is highly Republican. We talk about the issues that matter to rural voters, the types of messaging they receive from both parties, the importance of community and what politicians from both parties need to do to really understand and serve the Heartland.
Meet Jojo Stewart, a mom in a rural area in the Ozarks in southern Missouri who’s recently become a political activist. She organizes political events in her community, and she maintains a blog that provides a great perspective of life in the rural heartland. We talk about the big events of the day and how it affects people living in the Ozarks.
Overall, corporate and government censorship is viewed upon negatively, but in a rush to have open and free online dialog in a sort of online “town square,” are we exposing ourselves to more harm than good? As we wage online wars over manufactured issues, what happens when they spill over into the real world? And are these online wars distracting us from an even bigger truth in the real world; that freedom and liberty are being taken from us?
In today’s short opinion piece, we discuss what we believe is a New American Revolution and what that means to our precious republic. Has everyone in this revolution thought it through? What happens after the revolution? Will our democracy survive, or will we go down the path of fascist rule by oligarchy?
Curtis Vaughn stops by to talk about his primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, running as a Republican. Listen as Curtis explains how he ran his campaign on a shoestring budget, and even attempted to bike 250 miles in the hot summer sun just to participate in a Republican debate. He was largely shunned by the party, but he kept coming back, because, in his words, “Democracy is like a flame. We have to candle it within ourselves. And if we want it, we have to step up, we have to sacrifice. And it’s going to hurt. And it’s going to take time. But if we want it, we have to keep it going and make that choice ourselves and help each other find it in one another.”
Dr. Robynn Kuhlmann, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, joins the podcast to talk about a possible state constitutional convention. Currently, 44 states in the union have provisions for holding constitutional conventions, though it rarely happens. In Missouri, the voters this November will decide whether or not to hold a convention. What could it mean for the people of Missouri? Is it an opportunity to implement policies that will help the state? Or could it turn extremely negative and hurt the state? Dr. Kuhlmann helps break down the issue and provides deep insight into the possible political and social consequences.
Tara Anura, candidate for Missouri State Senate District 16, discusses the issues that are important to the people living on the Ozark plateau. We last talked with Tara on June 5 of this year, and in this discussion, we catch up on how her campaign is going. We also talk about women’s rights, extremism, education, the Agape Boarding school tragedy and the possibility of rewriting the Missouri State Constitution.
We see oppression happening in other countries - particularly oppression against women - and we may believe that it can only happen “over there.” But that may be a disastrously bad assumption. We’re already seeing the erosion of women’s rights right here in America, and it may only be the beginning of a far more extensive campaign to destroy our democracy and, along with it, all our human rights.
Senator Josh Hawley has now declared war on history. This podcast is a rebuttal of Hawley’s allegation that our current understanding of history does not give proper credit to the Holy Bible and its effect on the founding of our nation.
Tom Bastian, Deputy Director for Communications at the ACLU of Missouri, drops by to talk about changes in our voting laws and what the ACLU is doing about it. This is a follow-up to the interview we aired a few weeks ago when we talked with the Missouri Secretary of State John “Jay” Ashcroft and the local director of the League of Women Voters, Joan Hubbard regarding changes in our voting laws and how they affect all of us.
Adam Sommer drops by to talk about the Heartland Pod, where he co-hosts “A podcast for the rest of us;” that is, a podcast specially made for the American Heartland. The Heartland Pod looks at American politics from a Heartland perspective, focusing on facts and fundamental fairness, yet not afraid to embrace the humorous as well. Overall, the Heartland Pod is dedicated to the quiet heroes of America's Heartland who are making a difference every day.
We talk about Adam’s role in the podcast, including his motivation, how the Heartland Pod came about, where he believes politics in America is headed and the realities of being a progressive in the American Heartland. Tune in for a fun, friendly and informative chat with one of the voices of reason in the American Heartland.
Henry Martin, Democratic candidate for Missouri's 6th Congressional District, joins us again on Democracy on the Move to discuss how his campaign is progressing. He won the primary, so now it's on to the general election in November. We discuss the problems facing Missouri as well as the rest of the nation, including the economy, Roe v Wade, January 6, the war in Ukraine and several other hot topics of the day.
In this special Wednesday edition of Democracy on the Move, we talk with the Missouri State Coordinators for the Forward Party, Lisa Douglas and Blake Ashby. Who is the Forward Party? What is their goal? Where do they stand on the issues? What is their political philosophy? If you’re curious about this rapidly growing political party, listen to this podcast for some of the answers. The Forward Party has a great start, and we’ll be seeing more of them as we head into the 2024 election season.
Missouri Secretary of State John “Jay” Ashcroft joins us to discuss a new voting law in Missouri and how it impacts upcoming elections. In many ways, voting access has been expanded, though voter identity rules have been tightened. (People can still cast provisional ballots without an ID, BTW.) We then talk with Joan Hubbard, a director of the local League of Women Voters and chair of the League’s Voter Access Committee. She expresses concern over the tightened voter identity laws and is working to help ensure people can acquire proper identification.
Not everyone that voted for Trump is in his cult. Very few, actually. But there's enough for Trump to use them as a cudgel to intimidate Republican politicians into his camp. This is a very dangerous turn for America, but there is hope.
Deb Lavender drops by again this week to talk about her campaign for the state house. We discuss all the major topics of the day, including abortion, the Second Amendment, factory farms, initiatives & referendums, healthcare, education, and quite possibly starting our own religion! Deb is a wealth of information on all these topics. Join us for an informative hour on politics with a Midwestern perspective.
Today we do an on-the-spot interview with Bethany Mann, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the third district in Missouri. In our wide-ranging interview, we talk about the abortion, healthcare, education, voting rights and environmentalism and how all these topics affect people throughout the heartland.
Meet Ray Reed, candidate for the U.S. Congress in the Second Congressional District of Missouri. Ray is ambitious; he studied political science at the University of Central Missouri, worked within the state governor’s office and has already made his rounds in Washington DC. Don’t mistake his young age for inexperience, he comes to this post with more political experience than a majority of first-time candidates. During our podcast we talk about a range of issues including social inequity, health care, education, gun regulation, immigration and more. This is an interesting hour to spend with an up-and-coming leader.
As we sail the choppy waters in an ocean of information, we look for a safe harbor - someplace where we can surround ourselves with others of like mind. We pledge our loyalty to the harbor in exchange for comfort and security. But when the harbormasters abuse our loyalty, it may be time to head for the open ocean again.
Author and U.S. Congressional candidate John Woodman stops by to talk about his campaign and his book, “How We Fix America.” The book describes how our economic system of capitalism has drifted from what he calls “American Dream Capitalism” to “Vampire Capitalism.” By John’s calculations, Vampire Capitalism steals $24,000 per year or more from the average citizen! He bases this calculation on various anti-democratic trends taking place beginning around 1980 and is now in full swing. These trends include corruption and propaganda, resulting in a nation that’s tearing itself apart as it falls further and further behind the world in economic might, healthcare, education and overall happiness.
Independent Alliance Party candidate Hugh McTavish talks about his run for the governor of Minnesota. Hugh has an idea for a highly participatory form of democracy he calls a “Jury Democracy,” where ordinary citizens - not legislators - vote on bills. We also talk about the destructive effects that the pandemic lock-downs had on widespread depression and suicide, personal liberties, abortion, guns and the Minnesota state bird.
In this week’s short solo podcast, I talk about the recent Supreme Court decisions on Abortion and Guns. Is Abortion really about the life of the unborn, or is it simply a politically expedient way to promote a patriarchal government? I argue the latter. Regarding guns, why does the Supreme Court ignore the first four words of the Second Amendment: “A well regulated Militia.” Based on the 2008 decision “District of Columbia v Heller,” it appears the court is reluctant to disarm folks for fear that it will result in the destruction of the militia. Meanwhile, mass shootings are committed by people who are not part of any militia. It may be a bit of irony, but I argue that to fix this problem, we turn to the complete text of the Second Amendment, not just the part that says “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Michael Sinclair drops by to talk about his candidacy for the Missouri State Senate, Second District. This district covers much of St. Charles County, west of St. Louis. It is a heavily Republican district, whereas Michael is running as a Democrat. It may seem like an uphill battle, but Michael believes he can prevail by using his “Positive Politics” approach to bridge the divide by finding commonality in our goals and building strong alliances from that point forward. We discuss the second amendment, abortion, equality, immigration, education and healthcare. Tune in to a fascinating discussion that touches on all the big issues we face, both locally and nationally!
Our guest today is Dennis Merritt Jones; Author, keynote speaker, spiritual leader and mentor. We talk about the spiritual and religious side of politics. Many Christians worry that we’re drifting away from God, but the deeper truth may be that our personal beliefs are being diverted toward ungodly concepts like hatred and separation, which is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Spiritual alignment may be the glue that brings us all back together by helping us recognize that God is indeed Love, and the binding force of that love must be allowed to heal our nation.
You may find more information on Dennis and his spiritual teachings at www.dennismerrittjones.com.
Tara Anura, candidate for Missouri State Senate District 16, discusses the issues that are important to the people living on the Ozark plateau. We talk about the problems rural people experience with getting proper access to healthcare, educating their children, struggling with the economy, exercising gun safety and the blight of overt racism. Despite adversities, the people of the Ozarks are proud, friendly, social and religious. They share a history of individualism and resiliency. Should she secure a win this November, Tara’s highest priorities include providing better healthcare for all of Missouri as well as fortifying public education, especially for special needs children.
Reinette Senum, independent candidate for California State Governor, drops by to discuss her campaign and California politics in general. We discuss how corruption has influenced political decisions, and what ordinary citizens can do about it. The challenges in California are numerous, from homelessness to forestry management, and it is becoming increasingly critical that we address these issues before it’s too late. Reinette runs as an independent because she feels that the two major political parties have become poisoned with unlimited donations from corporations, and the corporations do not have any interest whatsoever in the wellbeing of ordinary citizens. Tune in and listen to how Reinette plans to take on the system and make California a model government for the rest of the country.
Randi McCallian drops by to talk about her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 8th District of Missouri. This is a largely rural district that has proven difficult for Democrats in past elections. But why is this so? Randi talks about the issues that rural America faces and what she plans to do to turn this deeply red district blue. We discuss the importance of family, healthcare, the role of good government in our lives and more.
Recently the Supreme Court has indicated it will cut back on rights they clarified 50 years prior. The issue today is abortion, but in the long run, all our rights are at risk.
Henry Martin, candidate for U.S. Congress representing the 6th District in Missouri, stops by to update us on his campaign. He was a guest on Democracy on the Move last November, but a lot has changed since that time, giving us a lot to talk about. We discuss a wide range of topics including inflation, the recent SCOTUS leaked document on Roe v Wade, charter schools, the war in Ukraine, the role of NATO and more.
This week we return to the topic of gun violence prevention in our discussion with Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Andrews has first-hand experience dealing with child victims of gun violence, and she cares enough about preventing this violence that she is running to represent South Carolina’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. Congress. South Carolina is a deeply conservative state, where the second amendment resonates loudly among the people. Yet, there is a rising tide of folks who readily acknowledge the problem of gun violence and would like to see some common sense guidelines put in place. In this podcast, Dr. Andrews discusses her plan to address this urgent issue and help prevent an ever-growing tragedy among our nation’s children.
This past week we saw Governor DeSantis punish dissent. Though the legitimacy of the reasons he provided are up for debate, the action of punishing dissent is not in line with the true principles of democracy; rather, they echo motivations of autocracy.
This week we talk with candidate Mia Livas Porter about gun violence prevention. Mia is running for the 52nd district of the California State Assembly, which covers much of the area to the immediate north and east of downtown Los Angeles. As a gun violence survivor, Mia is dedicated to bringing common-sense regulations into the California State House. During this podcast, we discuss the impact of gun violence on society, the need for common-sense regulations, the problem of inconsistent gun laws in other states that bleed into California and 2nd Amendment issues.
“Civil Discourse” is a concept meant to diffuse the force of hatred in politics. At the center of our nation’s path to success, you’ll find countless people committed to discussing our differences using the rules of common civil discourse, such as respect, patience and a genuine sense of care for each other. Lately, however, civil discourse has become uncivil discourse, where politicians compete for attention in a society that’s becoming increasingly indifferent to the lack of civil discourse and its ensuing violence. Such periods in the past proved to be harbingers of widespread violence and war. In this podcast we talk about this recent disturbing trend and what we - ordinary citizens - can do about it.
What is the opposite of love? Is it hate? Or is it indifference? If you really want to hurt someone, act with indifference toward them. Our argument is that on a grand scale, actions of indifference will tear our nation apart. The only way to stop it is to become a nation again - a nation of people who acknowledge each other, whether or not they agree with each other.
What does it mean to Immanentize the Eschaton? It’s an expression by which the United States falls under the rule of a Christian-based belief in the end of days. Senator Josh Hawley, when starting out his political career penned an article that advocates for such a system of government. Such attempts throughout history have had disastrous and tragic endings, and we would be wise to understand Mr. Hawley’s true motivations as he attempts to ascend to the highest office in the land.
You may find the article discussed in this podcast here.
Greg Coleridge, the co-director at Move to Amend, talks about the importance of removing corporate influence, money and corruption from our government. Move to Amend calls for the “We the People” Amendment (HJR-48) to the US Constitution that unequivocally states that inalienable rights belong to human beings only, and that money is not a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment and can be regulated in political campaigns. In a nutshell, Move to Amend proposes an amendment that says corporations are not people.
Aaron Lerma drops by to talk about the struggle to dismantle systems of oppression in rural areas. Aaron grew up in a small town in a rural area near the border of the Midwest and the South. As a non-binary, trans femme, disabled, white and Latinx organizer, Aaron has experienced oppression first-hand. But rather than dwelling on personal experiences, Aaron organizes for a type of solidarity that promotes re-thinking the underlying structure of our society and challenging the capitalist mindset that promotes oppression through racial and class-based discrimination.
In this short podcast, we briefly discuss the concept of wokeism and how it conforms to the idea of “Righteous Indignation.” We also suggest ways to overcome our differences by making an effort to see each other as humans, rather than being objectified within an “Us” and “Them” narrative.
Candidate Marcus Flowers drops by to talk about his campaign to replace Marjory Taylor Greene in the U.S. House of Representatives. Marcus describes how the January 6 insurrection motivated him to resign his post the very next day and begin campaigning against Greene, whom he considers a threat to our democracy. He also discusses his experiences overseas, most notably how he observed - firsthand - how misinformation and disinformation radicalizes people with deadly consequences. Here at home, voting rights are under threat to the point where democracy itself is at stake. As Marcus states bluntly: “We’re at a point in this country where a hard thing is what we must do if democracy is to survive.”
The concept of wokeism goes deep into the soul of America, where a history that’s often cruel, unfair and unjust tries to reconcile with what we desire to be a modern, just society. The concept speaks of systemic racism and Critical Race Theory as it wrestles with a shifting demographic, where rule by old white men is no longer a given.
In this podcast we’re joined by Dr. Michael Karson, who offers a psychological perspective on wokeism. Dr. Karson teaches at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. He has practiced clinical and forensic psychology for 25 years before entering academia. He has authored or co-authored several books on psychology, and he has written dozens of short - yet highly informative - articles for Psychology Today, the world’s largest mental health and behavioral science destination online - exclusively dedicated to the study of human behavior.
The article referenced in this podcast can be found on the Psychology Today website at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-our-way/202108/the-psychology-wokeism
Phillip Caldwell stops by to discuss his campaign for the Board of Education at one of Missouri’s top public school districts. We talk about the difficulty that school boards across the nation face in the era of Covid, Critical Race Theory and budget challenges.
Unfortunately, school boards have recently found themselves ducking for cover in the political crossfire of an increasingly polarized society. It’s easy to forget that the top priority with every school board is to ensure our children receive a quality education in a safe environment.
Phillip brings new perspectives to this environment and shares some specific ideas he plans to implement should he win a seat on the school board.
If information is the currency of democracy, then transparency is the means by which information reveals itself. Transparency is enshrined in our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but such transparency doesn’t necessarily mean that our government is forthright and honest. Citizens must participate and demand answers.
In today’s podcast, we examine a specific instance of transparency in action and discuss the roadblocks and stone walls encountered in this ongoing journey.
Trish Gunby, candidate for U.S. Congress - 2nd district in Missouri, drops by to discuss the Democratic party and the important issues in her campaign. Trish currently serves in the state house of representatives; she turned her district from red to blue back in 2019. During this podcast, we discuss voting rights, healthcare, justice reform, building for the future and workers’ rights.
The U.S. Congressional 2nd district in Missouri turned from red to purple in the past few elections, so this seat is hotly contested and may well flip into Democratic hands in this year’s elections. This will be a closely watched contest on a national scale.
Jason Szeftel, a political and economic writer and podcaster stops by to talk about China. Jason has always been fascinated with China; he learned the language, studied in Beijing and traveled extensively throughout the country. He is familiar with China's culture, its people, its economics and its politics. His upcoming book, China Unraveled, chronicles the story of China’s many cycles of order and chaos, and it poses the question, “What does the next phase in China’s history mean for the United States and the world?”
China’s future clearly depends on trade because it cannot even begin to consume the volume of goods that it produces. It has become very successful as the world’s leading manufacturer, and yet, its success has brought numerous destabilizing changes within the country. It struggles to maintain a delicate balance between a highly globalized future and another plunge into a dark - often violent - period of chaos. China is not alone on the precipice; it has become such an integral part of the world’s economy that if it falls back into chaos, it could well bring the rest of the world with it.
This week we examine how Critical Race Theory affects state legislation on education. We include audio clips from various legislators in the Missouri State House as they describe their fears and concerns that Critical Race Theory teaches indoctrination and sets the stage for young minds to accept the idea that racial identity dictates destiny.
We at Democracy on the Move don’t buy into this mindset, yet we feel it’s important to get an understanding of how racial fears promote extremist positions in education, including book-banning and personal penalties for teachers that dare speak about race in the classroom.
Is the controversy all a ruse intended to destroy public schools and replace them with for-profit private schools? Does equity and diversity training lead to Marxism? Who determines whether a topic should be banned in the classroom? These questions and more were discussed in the State House and now appear in this podcast.
Kenny Xu, author of the book An Inconvenient Minority - The Attack on Asian American Excellence and the Fight for Meritocracy, stops by to talk about the Asian American struggle. Kenny’s book discusses the rise of Asian Americans to nation-wide prominence in attaining technical and intellectual expertise; yet at the same time, they become the victims of numerous policies, ostensibly written in the spirit of diversity, but in reality excludes them from the upper ranks of the elite.
Listen in as we discuss the idea of meritocracy and equal opportunity, and how these concepts have been sidelined in today’s society by a “progressive” movement that speaks in virtuous terms while exercising discrimination. To quote a passage in the book, “... the elite sphere of American life is not a meritocracy. It’s not something you can simply drill or study for, a place wherein you can get by on your pure grit. There are gatekeepers to this elite - and these gatekeepers carefully scan for race.”
This book can be found on Amazon
Happy New Year from Democracy on the Move! In this podcast, we review the top podcast from 2021; an interview with Olayemi Olurin, Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice in Queens, New York. We discuss the systemic issues in law enforcement. Though this podcast was originally recorded in February 2021, the issues are just as relevant today as they were last year.
In this very short podcast, we discuss just a few of the hopes we experienced going into 2021 and how they turned out over the year. And then we discuss renewed hopes for 2022.
The title asks an intriguing question: Is Trump a cult leader? Listen to some ideas on this topic, along with examples of how manipulation through the media can mobilize a nation.
Jim Hogan, candidate for the 126th House District in Missouri, stops by to talk about politics in Missouri. The 126th district encompasses Bates and Vernon counties on the west side of the state, south of Kansas City and up against the border with Kansas. It’s a rural district with strong Midwestern values and common sense.
In this podcast we discuss the effects of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (factory farms) on rural areas, our challenged education system, Critical Race Theory, government corruption, worker’s rights and the second amendment.
Tune in for an interesting discussion of contemporary topics as viewed through the lens of the American Heartland!
Heather Fleming, founder of the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, or “MoEEP,” drops by to talk about topics related to equity in education. She started MoEEP as a grassroots non-profit organization that promotes an equitable community by supporting anti-bias and anti-racist approaches to education. MoEEP believes that diversity and equity education belong in our schools as much as math, science and language arts. MoEEP seeks to engage all students in active listening, belonging, cooperation and critical thinking. They believe in empowering teachers to teach - and students to learn - accurate history as well as gain skills needed to engage with people from different experiences and backgrounds.
MoEEP pushes back on the narrative that conflates equity with Critical Race Theory. They point out that Critical Race Theory is not the same thing as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. They fight back against the opponents who attack any lessons and ideas they disagree with and instead push the notion of “school choice.” They fight back against any legislation that censors curriculum, threatens teacher and student free speech and removes local control. In short, they fight back against vilification of the teachers that attempt to include the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in their lessons.
Today’s guest, Damon Davis, talks about social justice and criminal justice reform. Damon is a Juris Doctor candidate who expects to graduate in May and take the bar exam shortly afterward. His life’s journey included several years in federal prison, which gave him deep insight into repressive societal issues. To act on his passion for criminal justice reform, Damon plans to work within a Public Defender’s office and has already received an offer. We start by talking about Damon’s personal challenges but quickly dive into a deep discussion about societal issues that sustain injustice. For example, the incarceration rate in the U.S. is the highest in the world - even higher than El Salvador, Cuba, Rwanda and Turkmenistan. Why? To a large degree, the answer is based on systemic inequities in our culture that perpetuates through the generations. While it makes sense to address social injustice by examining our past, there’s tremendous pushback on that idea, because, as Damon puts it, “If you teach the truth, now you have to deal with and confront the wrongs that have been done, and things like equity, injustice and restitution . . . come into play.”
Deb Lavender, a previous member of the Missouri State House of Representatives, stops by to talk about some of the more urgent political issues of the day. While in the house of representatives, Deb sponsored a number of bills on healthcare, firearms and finance. Her priorities include the expansion of medicaid, protecting women’s reproductive freedom and strengthening our public schools. In this podcast, we discuss the toll of extreme partisanship, gerrymandering, voter suppression, voter nullification, education and the infrastructure bill.
Tim Shepard drops by to discuss his candidacy for US Senator from Missouri. As a Democrat, he has an uphill battle for this position, as he would replace outgoing Republican Senator Roy Blunt. Missouri overall is deeply Republican and can be outright hostile to Democrats. Yet the issues that Democrats advocate are popular in the Show Me State. In this podcast, we discuss many of these issues including health care, education, the climate crisis, the economy, the corrupting influence of money in politics and the January 6 insurrection. Tune in for an hour of insight and perspective from someone who may become Missouri’s next senator.
Henry Martin, candidate for US Congress, joins us on the podcast to talk about politics in the northern third of Missouri. Henry is passionate about Missouri and is keenly aware of the issues in both rural and metropolitan areas. He is a native Missourian that joined the US Army and served in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations. After returning from combat duty, he enlisted in the National Guard and worked directly with Missourians impacted by the flood of ‘93. His experience taught him a lot about people and the issues they face, particularly in the heartland.
Listen in as we discuss the things that need to be fixed in our government, the importance of our governmental institutions, the need for healthcare, the nature of politics over the past few decades, and the ultimate sense of betrayal felt by veterans while watching the events of the January 6 insurrection unfold.
In this episode, we talk about the sin of human trafficking. It’s an international problem filled with stories of horror, terror and heartbreak. Yet governments the world over largely ignore this issue, and some governments even participate in it.
We talk with Cetvies (not her real name) about this issue. Cetvies blogs extensively on human rights, environmental issues, animal rights, LGBT, politics, philosophy and spirituality. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees, and she shares her knowledge and opinion on many subjects, but focuses most of her attention on human trafficking.
The concepts of color blindness and meritocracy seem like a good idea. In practice, however, it completely ignores the fact that not everyone is treated equally in our society. But these concepts are sold nevertheless in an insidious maneuver to undermine our democracy.
In this short podcast, we talk about the way in which our own mythology instills in us a sense of entitlement, and this entitlement makes us both perpetrators and victims.
In this short podcast, we focus on a key question regarding the January 6 insurrection: Should those elected members of congress that either participated in or contributed to the insurrection be allowed to remain in congress? Technically, the answer is no; however, as a practical matter, it’s difficult to remove an elected member from congress. Congresspeople are basically untouchable while in office. But that’s not to say that we citizens are powerless. When the next election rolls around, we ought to be able to disqualify a person from running again if he or she has broken their sacred oath to the Constitution. In this podcast we argue that Josh Hawley is one such individual, and we devote some time to considering a course of action.
Jenna Roberson joins us on the podcast to talk about politics in the eastern part of Missouri, where she is running for the state senate seat, district 2. Missouri is a super-majority state, heavily favoring Republicans, so Jenna, running as a Democrat, has her work cut out for her. But she’s not backing away from the big issues facing Missourians and the entire Midwest. Listen in as we talk about voting rights, abortion, the Missouri Legislature’s fight against ballot initiatives, critical race theory, factory farms and how Democrats need to connect with the Midwestern voter. This episode is packed with lots of issues important to the heartland!
Note that during this episode, we reference the following report: A Democracy Crisis in the Making.
Spencer Toder joins us on the podcast to discuss his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, representing Missouri. If he wins the primary and the general, Spencer would replace Roy Blunt as one of the two senators from Missouri. During this podcast, we dive into Spencer’s political philosophy and discuss several topics including:
- What qualifications does Spencer have; he is roughly half Roy Blunt’s age and has no prior political experience.
- What’s wrong with the Democrats’ messaging? Why do they appear so out of touch with many Americans?
- Does healthcare have to be so expensive, and what can we do about it?
- Why does the economy not work for everyone? What can we do to fix it?
- Voting rights seems to be under attack lately. What can we do to actually increase voting rights?
- Global warming (climate change) is real. What do we need to do today to get us back to a stable climate? Is the Green New Deal the answer?
Spend an hour listening to the views and political philosophy from someone who could well be the next senator from Missouri!
What does it take to win a local election? Probably a lot more than you think! Jeff Ward, author of the book So You Want to Win a Local Election, lays it all out in brutally honest words. His book is chock-full hard advice you must take into consideration before running for political office. For example:
- Keep your ego in check; people will find the skeletons in your closet, and if they can't find any, they'll make 'em up.
- National negative politics doesn't play well at the local level.
- Don't run if your spouse isn't onboard with the idea.
- You must ignore many voters and focus only on the undecideds.
- Always remember the words of BB King, "Nobody loves you but your mother, and she could be jivin' too."
If you're considering a run for any office from state congress on down to the local water district, you should consider what Jeff Ward has to say. If he doesn't talk you out of running (which has happened), at least you'll be prepared to weather the storm.
Jessica Henry, author of the book Smoke But No Fire - Convicting the Innocent of Crimes that Never Happened, drops by to discuss the book's topic; people convicted of crimes that never happened. You read that right; people are often convicted of crimes that never took place, and many have served years in prison and have had their lives ruined in a Kafkaesque nightmare. If you think this cannot happen in our criminal justice system, think again. It happens. It happens a lot.
In this podcast, Jessica talks about the ways that people often fall prey to a combination of overly ambitious prosecutors, corrupt police officers, lying witnesses, questionable accusers, invalid forensic evidence and indifferent defense lawyers. She also makes a number of powerful suggestions on how we might fix the system to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the first place, including how ordinary citizens can get involved.
Jessica Henry spent nearly ten years as a public defender in New York City before joining the Department of Justice Studies at Montclair State University, where she is a Professor and a frequent commentator on national television, radio, and in print media. Her website can be found at jessicahenryjustice.com.
Democracy on the Move took a break this Labor Day week, so we're rebroadcasting our very first episode, which originally aired on November 22, 2020. In that episode, we talked with Vermont State Senator Christopher Pearson about an organization known as National Popular Vote.
See you next week!
This evening we catch up on a few stories that occurred over the past week. We talk with a young filmmaker currently working in Southern California, Ryan Schaefer, and get his views on recent events.
Dennis Eckhard stops by to talk about an organization known as Braver Angels.
Braver Angels is a national citizens’ movement launched in 2016. Its purpose is to bring liberals, conservatives and others together at the grassroots level — not to find centrist compromise, but to find one another as citizens. Through workshops, debates, and campus engagement, Braver Angels helps Americans understand each other beyond stereotypes, form community alliances, and reduce the vitriol that poisons our civic culture.
Dennis joined Braver Angels because he was fed up with the constant political polarization in our nation, and he felt that if people could just talk to one another, they could help the nation come together rather than drifting further apart. Listen in as he provides information on the Braver Angels organization and the successes it finds in simply getting people to talk and listen to each other.
What drives fascism in America? It's one thing to talk about fascism and criticize people who take on fascist attitudes, but what's the root motivator behind this disturbing anti-democracy movement? For the most part, democracy seemed to work well in America for 200+ years, despite all its warts. But we appear to be approaching the end of this experiment in democracy, as a vocal and increasingly violent minority attempts to seize control in a desperate attempt to remain relevant in the shifting demographics of modern America.
Wanda Bertram, the Communications Strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, talks about the broader harm of mass criminalization in our country. Incarceration rates have gone up since the 1970s; whereas the rate used to be 280 per 100,000 people in the general population, it has now grown to over 900 per 100,000 today. Why has incarceration skyrocketed during these decades? And is incarceration the answer to society's problems, or is it becoming a problem itself? Learn more in this interesting podcast.
In this episode, we examine the art of manipulation and how it affects us as individuals as well as us as a nation. We start off taking a view of humans in a way that an alien extraterrestrial culture might examine us; vastly intelligent but subject to manipulation. And how do we fight manipulation? It may sound trivial, but we echo a high-school physics teacher that said, "Is it reasonable?"
After many months of discrediting the horrific effects of Covid as well as the efficacy of the vaccine, fascist elements of the Republican Party are now beginning to lie about their lies. They now say that it was their political opponents all along that were casting doubt on Covid and the vaccine. In doing so, they attempt to vilify their political rivals and present themselves as the true saviors of America. We must not allow this to happen!
Shareef Snuggs stops by to talk about the March for Medicare for All, which takes place this Saturday, July 24. Shareef organized this march, which will take place in 51 cities across the U.S. During this podcast, we discuss some of the challenges faced by the fight for Medicare for All (M4A) and what we citizens can do to motivate our representatives in government to take action.
Shareef is a filmmaker, writer, director, producer, film critic, actor and activist. He has received several awards for his work in film, and he uses his artistic abilities to not only make films, but to motivate every citizen to demand that our government recognize that healthcare is a human right.
More information at m4m4all.org.
Covid is roaring back again in Missouri as well as several other Midwestern states. The "delta" variant is hitting the unvaccinated with a vengeance. And meanwhile, the politicians fight virtually all mitigation strategies. Why? In this somewhat cynical explanation, we analyze the Covid response not in medical terms, but in political terms. The Covid pandemic presents an opportunity for political leaders to fortify their hyper-patriarchal mindset at the expense of public health.
On this Independence Day, we take a look at what it means to be truly free. We argue that freedom requires us to unshackle ourselves from our past, and that can only be accomplished by taking a long look at ourselves and our history. Only through introspection can we understand how our past limits our future, and only then can we create a truly glorious future with freedom.
I recently returned from a trip to the Netherlands and have gained some insight into Dutch politics. This short podcast summarizes my experience and what I learned.
Yes, we're still on our summer break here at Democracy on the Move. We promise to return next week with new material.
Meanwhile, we'd like to make available an earlier podcast, originally sent out on April 4 of this year, where we talked with Max Berger, from an organization called "More Perfect Union." More Perfect Union seeks to counter the billions of dollars spent on corporate messaging, where these messages work against the interests of average Americans. More perfect union helps working people to be seen and heard. More justice. More accountability. More power for the people. In other words, a More Perfect Union.
The podcast staff is on break this week. Summer is finally here, and with Covid restrictions easing, everyone vacated their post. So we're rebroadcasting an episode that we aired back on December 13, 2020, where we talked with Anne Nelson, author of the book, Shadow Network: Media, Money and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right.
Anne is an award-winning book author and playwright who has written extensively about human rights and the defiance of totalitarian regimes. As a journalist she covered the conflicts in El Salvador and Guatemala, and won the Livingston Award for best international reporting from the Philippines. She currently teaches at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, where her classes and research explore how digital media can support the under-served populations of the world through public health, education and culture.
Shadow Network is a compelling investigation into the network of fundamentalist organizations and oil barons, who have carried out a forty-year mission to get control of our government. The men and women in this movement call their coalition the Council for National Policy, or CNP. The CNP coordinates the political activism of many member organizations, including the National Rifle Association, the Federalist Society, and the Family Research Council.
The major players in this organization include Oliver North, Ed Meese, Kelyanne Conway, Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins, and the DeVos and Mercer families, to name but a few. These powerful individuals reach into the highest layers of our government.
I highly recommend this book for those interested in further understanding the ultra-conservative influences within our government and how it intends to take our nation into the future.
Find Shadow Network here.
It's been 77 years since the D-Day landing. America, and her allies, fought a principled war against fascism. But now we must look at ourselves and ask whether we are becoming a fascist nation. This podcast provides some interesting ideas, based on the book by Jason Stanley, called "How Fascism Works - The Politics of Us and Them"
Russell Daniels, the Digital Communication Manager at an organization known as Open Primaries, drops by to talk about how the election system in many states shuts out all but a select group of people when voting for political representatives. How can this be? Isn’t this profoundly anti-democratic? Indeed it is.
Because of gerrymandering, the selection of representatives doesn’t take place during the November election; rather, the real action takes place during the primaries. But many states require you to join a political party in order to vote in a primary, even though your tax dollars are being used to run the election. You heard that right; you’re paying for an election in which you are prevented from participating. This is not only inherently unfair, but it is, at its core, highly undemocratic.
Russell Daniels explains how the primary system works and what us ordinary citizens can do to make these primaries inclusive and fair. While a number of states have already implemented the policies being advocated by Open Primaries, there is still much more work to be done.
Listen in and learn how you can participate to open our primary system and make our nation a more perfect union.
We’ve been following the case of Bobby Bostic, and in this short podcast, we provide a recent update regarding a possible parole hearing.
Voter suppression bills are being proposed and passed at state legislatures across the nation. Many of these bills may be racially motivated, as their language uses phrases that resonate with the Jim Crow era. One such term, "Purity at the ballot box," was codified into a state house bill in Texas.
Listen in as two state representatives debate this matter on the Texas State House Floor.
The business of politics runs on manufactured issues. These issues keep us separated and fighting. If the issues were to actually get resolved, the duopoly would go bankrupt, so the fighting continues.
But there is hope. Organizations dedicated to changing this never-ending cycle of division need your help. Stop yelling at your TV and volunteer your time!
In this special podcast episode, Bobby Bostic reads some of his material from prison: "The Terrible Bullet" and "A Note to my Younger Self." Listen in as a man, sentenced at the age of 16 to die of old age in prison, reveals his thoughts on violence and the high price paid for a single horrific decision at a very young age.
Larry Bradley drops by to talk about an organization that promotes Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in Missouri. While RCV may be portrayed as a progressive idea, it still resonates in the Midwest. As in the rest of the country, people in the Midwest are increasingly fed up with the types of political representation we get election after election. RCV offers a way to break out of the status quo and put legislators and executives in office that actually represent our views.
As a Missouri native, our guest Larry Bradley knows this state - and the midwest in general. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Missouri State University and then spent several years as an Army Infantry Officer. During his Army career, he studied and earned an MBA in Management from the University of Tennessee. In his army career, he not only commanded a Mechanized Infantry unit in Europe, but he took the deep dive into the Army’s Research and Development side of procurement. That journey exposed him to the political and economic dynamics of national defense. After leaving the military, Larry became involved in sales, earning himself the informal title of “Doctor of Sales” at a Fortune 500 company.
Over the years, Larry developed a passion for this country and became concerned with its future. He learned a lot about how our country works and how it doesn’t work. His concerns over our nation’s future drove him to found an organization known as “The Center Strikes Back.” He also wrote a book, “Neither Liberal Nor Concervative Be.” And he released a DVD of one of his more popular speeches, “Why The Two Party System Isn’t Working Anymore: And What to Do About It.”
In addition, Larry has become the driving force behind efforts to ensure the will of the majority prevails by bringing Instant Runoff Voting and other voting reforms to elections in all fifty states.
You can learn more about Larry Bradley and order his book at The Center Strikes Back.
Commentary: Our politicians have become short-term thinkers. This is setting us up for a long term disaster, because critical problems are not being solved. These problems accumulate over time and are starting to do long-term damage to our nation. If we don't start thinking about long-term solutions, we will eventually implode and lose everything.
In our modern democracy here in the United States, can a 16-year-old boy be sentenced to serve 241 years for armed robbery? Is it in our common interest to lock up a child and tell him that he won’t be eligible for parole until he has reached the age of 112? If this doesn’t seem possible in our society, think again.
Meet Bobby Bostic. In 1995 he and a partner robbed people at gunpoint, actually shooting at one victim and grazing his leg with the bullet. After his capture, Mr. Bostic “entered the system,” where a judge essentially - but not technically - sentenced him to life in prison.
Now that Mr. Bostic is 42 and still sitting in prison, people are looking at this case and wondering whether the sentence was too harsh. The sentencing judge has since changed her mind and now lobbies for Mr. Bostic's release. The ACLU has taken on this case as well. State politicians on both sides of the aisle, lead by Representative Nick Schroer, have appealed to the governor. So far, all efforts to win Mr. Bostic's freedom have been unsuccessful, but the fight continues.
In the meantime, Mr. Bostic has earned a college degree, has read over 1,000 books and has written several books of his own. He studies, reads and writes to make good use of his time. He hopes - and plans - to get out of the system some day and use his experience to help troubled youth from following his path - a path that leads to never-ending days of the monotony and cruelty of prison life.
After listening to this podcast, you’ll come to appreciate how Mr. Bostic - despite his dire situation - still finds meaning and beauty in life. He has come to terms with his crime; he owns up to it and takes responsibility for it. And he has apologized to his victims. He keeps his days filled with projects and goals that he sets for himself. And he keeps his dreams alive by planning for the day when, through the compassion of a true democratic society, he finds his freedom.
To a large degree, the worth of a society can be measured by the degree to which it treats its citizens with compassion. After listening to this podcast, decide for yourself whether Bobby Bostic deserves compassion.
To help, you can start by looking at his website at www.freebobbybostic.com. Then you can write your representative. If you live in Missouri, you can contact Missouri Representative Nick Schroer and offer to help. Finally, you can write the Governor of Missouri, Mike Parson.
Max Berger drops by to talk about an organization known as “More Perfect Union.” More Perfect Union seeks to counter the billions of dollars spent on corporate messaging, where these messages work against the interests of average Americans. More perfect union helps working people to be seen and heard. More justice. More accountability. More power for the people. In other words, a More Perfect Union.
Most recently, More Perfect Union has been working on behalf of Amazon employees at the Bessemer, Alabama facility, where they attempt to organize a union and fight for workers rights and worker dignity. It hasn’t been easy, because Amazon, the nation’s second largest employer, has a history of crushing efforts to unionize. Another roadblock is politics: Republicans - who are largely anti-union - control Alabama’s state house, and Alabama itself is a right-to-work state. More Perfect Union nevertheless marches on and continues to stand up for the rights of the average worker by helping them get media attention.
Max Berger, the Editorial Director for More Perfect Union, is not new to political activism. He’s been involved in the Occupy Wall Street protests. He is a cofounder of an organization known as Momentum Trainings - which helps people build socially conscious movements. He also worked at Vice Media Group, which produces over 1700 pieces of news content every day and focuses on the ideas, issues and context that other media outlets mostly ignore. He also co-founded an organization known as “If Not Now,” which seeks to bring attention to the Israeli occupation as a moral crisis to the American Jewish community, end the weaponization of antisemitism in our political debate over Israel, and create political space for leaders to stand up for the freedom and dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians. Max also worked on Senator Elisabeth Warren’s presidential campaign as well as worked on behalf of Cori Bush's 2018 congressional campaign. He has authored numerous articles on such publications as the Daily Beast and the Nation.
You may find more information on More Perfect Union at perfectunion.us.
Are paper ballots really all that secure? Or are we being lured into fighting that controversy while our voting rights fade into the noise? This podcast episode discusses the paper ballot controversy in light of what we feel is a far more urgent issue -- voter suppression.
This week we continue the discussion about voting rights. Specifically, we talk about the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the “For the People Act,” otherwise known as H.R.1. It’s easy to confuse these two because they serve the same purpose, but they are very different bills. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act seeks to update the original Voting Rights Act of 1965 and addresses the 2013 Supreme Court decision (Shelby County v Holder) that struck down some of its key provisions. The “For the People” act goes much further and addresses the mechanics of voting and, to a large degree, removes local state control over voting rights.
There are good arguments to be had on both sides of the “For the People Act,” and we discuss a few of them here. Republicans accuse the Democrats of using this act to force the Republican Party out of winning any future elections, but reality is often much more nuanced. It will affect both parties, and though the final outcome will benefit all voters, the parties themselves will need to implement some fundamental changes if this act becomes law.
The recent 2020 election has sparked a massive movement across state legislatures to further restrict voter access. The purpose is obvious - to reduce the participation of minorities in our democracy. Our nation has a long history of voter suppression, and despite positive developments in the past, voter suppression - through restriction - continues to be an ongoing part of our nation's story.
In this podcast we go over some of the numbers and highlight a few of the bills that will further restrict voter access. And we propose a call to action where every person can - and must - participate to drive our nation back into its ongoing march toward a more perfect union.
Sean Diller, Board President of Heartland Strong, drops by to talk about progressive issues from the American heartland.
Is the heartland progressive? As a nation, we’ve been largely misled to think of rural Americans as being socially conservative; on the contrary, rural America has always been progressive when it comes to common-sense good ideas, but politicians have us convinced that the opposite is true. Though they talk a great deal about moral values and freedom, “conservative” politicians often act in ways that profoundly hurt their rural constituents. Specific examples are discussed in this podcast, including public education and healthcare.
Heartland Strong believes in the strength and wisdom of rural Americans, and that these Americans - like all Americans - have the ability to come together to solve the tough problems. It has always been a part of our national identity. Heartland Strong seeks to fortify this strength by actively advocating for common-sense progressive ideas that will prepare us for a challenging future.
Sean Diller is the Board president and a co-founder of Heartland Strong. His original philosophy driving the organization is simple: without effective civic institutions to bring people together around real solutions to a variety of devastatingly harmful national crises, our children and our grandchildren’s lives are absolutely at stake.
Sean is an experienced digital communications consultant, working with numerous progressive advocacy organizations, as well as local, state, and federal candidates around the U.S.
Olayemi Olurin, Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of New York City, talks about how our criminal system is ill-prepared to effectively address the problems of society. Society blindly depends on law enforcement to arrest and incarcerate people, which rarely addresses the real problems. The outcome is a never-ending cycle that traps poor and disadvantaged people in a system of repeated incarceration without hope of eventually recovering. Olayemi provides deep insight into this issue and offers a number of ideas designed to address the root of the problem rather than simply addressing the symptoms. She explains how “Defund the Police” is intended to address systemic issues in society that breaks the incarceration cycle and benefits everyone in the long run.
Olayemi Olurin is a Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice in Queens, New York. She is also a writer.
FixUS, the democracy reform branch of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), engages fellow citizens to better understand and address our nation’s growing divisions, dysfunction, and distrust in our political system. FixUS conducts research projects, public engagement efforts and partnerships, to bring attention and visibility to our nation’s issues, build support for necessary changes, and ultimately help to regain a sense of shared aspirations, values, and a belief that there is more that unites us than divides us.
Mike Murphy, the Director of FixUS, describes FixUS and its objectives. He also talks about how our collective loss of trust in our government has polarized our nation to the point of threatening the foundations of our democracy.
In this short podcast, we take a look at "cancel culture" and how people attempt to use it to manipulate others using a "Victimization" argument.
Mitch Randall, the chair of National Ranked Choice Voting (NRCV), discusses the problems and issues that the duopoly has foisted upon our nation and how Ranked Choice Voting can fix our broken system.
What is NRCV? It is an organization dedicated to taking back control from a runaway oligarchy. They have a plan for fixing our broken system by starting a nation-wide people’s movement using citizen action to realize a peaceful and constitutional political intervention. The end result will be to reign-in our duopolistic, corrupt, corporate oligarchy and allow truly democratically elected representatives to gain majority control of our government by 2024.
NRCV focuses on the promotion of ranked choice voting because it is a critical first step toward the implementation of a multi-party system. For more information, please see the website at nrcv.org.
Missouri State Representative LaDonna Appelbaum drops by to talk about Missouri’s performance on Covid vaccine distribution and healthcare in general. Similar to the rest of the country, Missouri struggles to ensure that its residents receive adequate medical attention, and Covid has unfortunately highlighted some shortcomings. But there is good reason to believe things will get better this year.
Representative Appelbaum received a degree in sports medicine from Tulsa University and started her own small business in St. Louis. She represents district 71; a largely suburban area in the western part of St. Louis county. Though she sits on several congressional committees, she has a deep passion for healthcare, and she believes nobody should go without proper medical attention.
Are we being governed by a minority? It would appear so. Our political system has become so fractured that a significant minority holds the White House. This is not something new. It’s been going on for quite some time. How has this been allowed to happen? Well, it could be that people have become accustomed to thinking that the extent of their involvement in government only takes place at the voting booth. As a result, we have a government that is not truly representative, with a congress that is largely indifferent to our real needs.
So how do we fix it? The concept is simple, though its implementation takes a lot of work. It starts by recognizing that democracy is a team sport. Voters must do more than simply cast votes and then complain when they don’t get what they need. They have to get involved!
Are you okay with Trump's Twitter account being canceled? Are you okay with corporations censoring our messages on social media?
Well . . . it depends.
The first amendment guarantees the right to free speech, but that doesn't mean you can spread false rumors, or damage someone's reputation or incite violence. Preventing someone from doing harm with words is called censorship.
The word "censorship" implies nefarious government control, but on a deeper level, it is merely a mechanism to ensure that words are not used to unfairly cause damage. Censorship may take the form of removing a person's social media account. Or it may take the form of lawsuits for damage to reputations. Or it may simply be a reporter that challenges a politician in real time.
So who gets the right to censor messages? Judges? Corporations? We should work toward answering these questions, because currently, corporations exercise that judgment by default when they cancel a person's social media account.
If you speak the truth, you should not be censored in any way. This is critical, because you can’t have democracy without truth. And you can’t have truth when facts are buried beneath layers of manipulative lies and baseless conspiracy theories. Censorship can help clarify the truth. But censorship is a blunt instrument, and it may well do more harm than good unless it’s used judiciously, transparently and without prejudice.
In this short podcast, we talk about some controversial subjects dealing with digital information. Is Assange a journalist? Hacker? Hero? Villian? Also, should social media companies be allowed to censor your online messages? This topic touches a lot of nerves in the Twittersphere, but we won't shy away from it here. Both these issues have profound significance in a healthy democracy.
Jessica Piper, a high-school American Literature teacher, public schools advocate and a Democratic candidate for House District 1 in Missouri, discusses issues facing the rural voter.
Jess was raised - and has always lived - in rural America, yet she rejects much of the Republican orthodoxy and embraces the Democratic Party. Since rural America is solidly in the Republican orbit, Jess’s candidacy as a Democrat is a difficult journey. But she cites a number of reasons for her desire to run, including her deep sense of passion for her constituents and the belief that everyone should have basic rights, such as a reasonable minimum wage, access to healthcare, the right to unionize, and several other progressive ideas. Rural voters actually embrace these ideas, though the Republican Party does not.
Why is Republican messaging so effective in rural America even though economically, their policies often work against the rural voter? Why do the Democrats struggle with their messaging in rural America? Jess has deep insight into these issues, and in this podcast, she explores some possible answers.
This week we focus on book recommendations for listeners interested in learning more about our current democracy, warts and all! The books are:
The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins
The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy, by Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter
Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right, by Anne Nelson
Let them Eat Tweets: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality, by Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson
Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, National Director of Move to Amend, talks about a proposed 28th amendment to our Constitution - an amendment that basically says “Corporations are not people.” Kaitlin explains that though the infamous “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision of 2010 asserted First Amendment rights to corporations, this was not the beginning of corporate privilege in America. Our nation has a long history of treating corporations with all the privileges of human beings, but without the responsibilities. As a result, corporations have, for a long time, acted with virtual impunity in violating human rights in this nation. When faced with deciding between human rights and corporate privilege, the courts typically decide in favor of corporations. Citizens United is just the latest example.
Move to Amend calls for a new amendment to the US Constitution that unequivocally states that inalienable rights belong to human beings only. It also states that money is not a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment, and therefore it must be regulated in political campaigns.
The organization embraces a set of values that includes accountability and responsibility on both a personal and organizational level, a commitment to transparency, and a recognition of the importance of community. Additionally, they are strongly committed to the elimination of oppression in all forms; individuals, communities, workplaces, policies, and political representation.
In addition to being the National Director of Move to Amend, Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap is the President of the Board of Directors of Democracy Unlimited, and a Local Democracy Fellow for the Liberty Tree Foundation.
Kaitlin believes in a diversity of tactics to bring about systemic social change. She has served on numerous national and local boards, helped elect many progressive candidates to office, served as a local elected official herself for 12 years, bird-dogged candidates and politicians, citizen lobbied Congressmembers and state officials, and she has hosted a community radio station program. In the summer of 2019 she was arrested for taking part in a civil disobedience action to shut down Congress over climate collapse inaction. She and 16 other activists superglued their hands to the doors leading from Congressional office buildings to the US Capitol.
Anne Nelson stops by to talk about her book, Shadow Network: Media, Money and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. Anne is an award-winning book author and playwright who has written extensively about human rights and the defiance of totalitarian regimes. As a journalist she covered the conflicts in El Salvador and Guatemala, and won the Livingston Award for best international reporting from the Philippines. She currently teaches at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, where her classes and research explore how digital media can support the under-served populations of the world through public health, education and culture.
Shadow Network is a compelling investigation into the network of fundamentalist organizations and oil barons, who have carried out a forty-year mission to get control of our government. The men and women in this movement call their coalition the Council for National Policy, or CNP. The CNP coordinates the political activism of many member organizations, including the National Rifle Association, the Federalist Society, and the Family Research Council.
The major players in this organization include Oliver North, Ed Meese, Kelyanne Conway, Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins, and the DeVos and Mercer families, to name but a few. These powerful individuals reach into the highest layers of our government.
I highly recommend this book for those interested in further understanding the ultra-conservative influences within our government and how it intends to take our nation into the future.
Find Shadow Network here.
In this short podcast, we talk about straw man arguments. Though straw man arguments are considered “false arguments,” they can nevertheless be very convincing, and they can be used to persuade large groups of people into false beliefs. We quickly examine two popular straw man arguments in our recent past - one used by then-candidate Trump, the other employed by Democrats when arguing for Obamacare. The good news is that you can train yourself to recognize the pattern of the straw man, and thereby make yourself less vulnerable to holding false beliefs.
This is a fairly short episode that briefly reviews some of the major issues that stand in the way of a more perfect union. We touch on just a few of the issues and give some references to places you can go to get more information and, more importantly, get involved in our precious democracy. This episode also provides a preview of upcoming episodes, where we will discuss the electoral college, the fallacy of our current primary system, Gerrymandering and campaign finance in light of Citizens United.
As always, please contact us at info@democracyonthemove.org if you have any questions or suggestions for upcoming episodes.
In our very first podcast at Democracy on the Move, Vermont State Senator Christopher Pearson drops by to talk about the National Popular Vote organization. National Popular Vote is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of something called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact -- an agreement among states to send all their presidential electors corresponding to the winner of the nationwide popular vote. Essentially, it holds states to an agreement to get around the arcane rules of the electoral college by guaranteeing that the winner of the national popular vote is sent to the White House.
The most recent presidential election illustrates the problem that the National Popular Vote organization is trying to solve. The presidential popular vote wasn't even close, yet we all collectively held our breath waiting for a few thousand votes from key swing states to determine the actual outcome. Luckily, these swing state votes aligned with the popular vote, but it could have easily gone the other way; a few thousand votes could have canceled out over 5 million other votes. It’s not fair, right? Indeed, but in this century alone, we've seen two instances where the presidency was granted to the second-place winner.
Yes, the electoral system was put in place by the constitution, but that doesn’t mean that we’re powerless to do anything about it. The Interstate Compact will guarantee that the winner of the popular vote is granted the presidency without running afoul of the constitution.
Listen in as Senator Pearson describes the details of how this Interstate compact works, how both Democrats and Republicans are working together to make it happen, and how it will change the way presidential campaigns are run.