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.
politics
Reviewing the Edge of Anarchy
Jack Kelly’s The Edge of Anarchy: the Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age, and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America tell the story of the Pullman strike of 1894. This is another of those books that shows exactly how little progress has been made in America over the last 127 years. Reading it in the context of the wealth gap increasing during a pandemic also struck a cord. Still,Kelly did a great job telling a critical story.
If you like history and/or you want to learn more about the real America, The Edge of Anarchy will not disappoint. It will upset you though.
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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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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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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Predicting the 2020 Election
The verdict for this episode is: Biden will win, but will he win?
In this episode, I make all kinds of predictions related to the 2020 election and explain my reasoning for those predictions.
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How I am Voting on the November 2020 Ballot Questions
Here is how I am voting on the ballot questions I have. I will also explain why I am voting the way I am voting.