Benjamin Carter Hett’s The Death of Democracy: Hitler’s Rise and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic isn’t the first book I have read trying to explain how Hitler came to power, but it’s the best. Reading it as too many Americans pretend that Biden’s victory saved American democracy was particularly sobering.
my thoughts
Politicians Don’t Care About Their Grandchildren
The verdict for this episode is: the deficit of the United States doesn’t matter.
I discuss how each president for the last 92 years with the exception of Clinton has added to the deficit. I also show how the drivers of deficits are military spending and tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
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Reviewing the First Seven Books in the Armand Gamache Series
Since I have fallen way behind on these, I’m going to give a general overview of Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series through the first seven books. I’m currently reading the eighth book, because there is a lot about the characters and the series I really enjoy. As you will see, something bothers me and may result in my not finishing the series.
AOC Represents her District
This post is a follow-up post to the one I wrote about Pelosi representing her district. As you will see, the demographics of AOC’s district make it an excellent one for her.
My hope is that by sharing posts like these, I can demonstrate that there is data to support what Congress does–even if it’s terrible–and that we could use that data to understand how to replace a number of those not adequately serving us.
Pelosi Represents her District
As you will see, Pelosi represents a very wealthy district. With that wealth, comes very few people living without insurance and a poverty level far below the national average.
The reality that Pelosi represents a district with a demographic profile much more befitting of a Republican is why she governs from the right.
The speaker of the House in a Democratic Congress must represent a district that looks like the Democratic Party. By installing a speaker representing a conservative district, the Democratic Party is prevented from doing anything progressive.
As the data shows, Pelosi should be removed as speaker.
House Progressives Could Choose the Speaker
The verdict for this episode is: since they are Democrats, House progressives will not use the power they have.
In this episode, I discuss how House progressives could remove Pelosi choose the next speaker, and get real benefits for using their power to choose the next speaker.
I also discuss why this option is much better than forcing a vote on Medicare for All.
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Reviewing A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is the best book I have read about American history. While it’s not perfect, I love the way Zinn acknowledges his own biases and attempts to explain a much accurate version of American history than is almost ever shared.
The Left Needs a McConnell
The verdict for this episode is: no one in Congress is really fighting for the people.
In this episode, I discuss how no one on the left fights with the skill and determination as McConnell. Yes, he is unethical and immoral. But he delivers for the wealthy and corporations way better than anyone thinks of delivering for the people.
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Unity is a Tool of Oppression
The verdict for this episode is: unity will not result in change.
In this episode, I discuss how Biden’s focus on unity is promoting the status quo, refusing to change, and upholding systemic oppression.
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Reviewing the First Three Books in the Penn Cage Series
More than a decade ago, a good friend recommended The Quiet Game by Greg Iles. She informed me I would enjoy the history and characters in the story.
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking for a new fiction series to begin as a break from politics. I saw The Quiet Game on a list and was reminded of my friend’s long-forgotten recommendation. Realizing The Quiet Game had become the Penn Cage series, I gave it a shot.
Less than two weeks later, I’m in the middle of the fourth book in the series.