I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Housing Crisis: MoCo Bets on Rent Control Jul 21, 2023

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Like many close-in suburbs, Montgomery County, Md, is faced with a housing affordability crisis. Change in the make-up of the county council and organizing by social justice groups leads to the adoption of a new rent law that seeks to stem rising living costs without killing new housing production. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local housing activist Mike English about what's in the law, how it came about, and what it means for the county's housing shortage. Local news re the removal of 300-year-old #LindenOak tree. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. MoCo ReCo bill: https://t.ly/Yfsdh Linden Oak:https://shorturl.at/bvJKY

Can Incremental Change Fix Road Safety? Jul 14, 2023

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Montgomery County is about to pass a Safe Streets Bill. Traffic deaths and collisions are up. Distracted driving is rampant. Everyone wants safer roads but the only way to get there, it seems, is through small steps taken in the face of institutional and cultural barriers. Sunil Dasgupta talks with pedestrian and bike safety activist Miriam Schoenbaum about the bill and its implications. Local news re DC's tough crime bill expanding pretrial detention for adults and juveniles. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. DC's crime bill: https://t.ly/SUJ8X. MoCo Safe Streets Bill: https://t.ly/nF4TL. Legislative report: https://t.ly/Gd1CX.

Voice of @ihppod Kara Levchenko Releases Debut Album Jul 07, 2023

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Kara Levchekno's voice has counterbalanced many a heated political conversation on this podcast. Now after three years of work, the voice of #IHP Candidate Interviews and high school choir teacher releases her debut album, Letters to Myself. A lot of her music and a portrait of the artist in this episode. Stream on Spotify. Buy here: https://t.ly/frla. Listening Advisory: explicit song lyrics. Local news re new rent law coming to Montgomery County showing that money does not always prevail in politics. MoCo's Home Act: https://t.ly/R-NYj

The Case Against Localism Jun 30, 2023

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This year's Fourth of July episode explores the ideology of localism, a foundational tenet of American political philosophy. Sunil Dasgupta talks with political theorist and author Trevor Latimer about his new book. Small Isn't Beautiful, where he takes on the widespread presumption that the government closest to us is necessarily the best. Local news re LGBTQ+ book protests, Maryland opens to marijuana, and the Anacostia River opens to swimming after a half-century. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. Latimer's book: https://t.ly/YRjS. MD marijuana FAQ: https://t.ly/-CI6. Anacostia swim event: https://t.ly/KBDf.

Ten Things to do Outdoors in DC Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Summertime. Christy Brock of DC-based outdoor education nonprofit, Urban Adventure Squad, offers a list of her favorite outdoor things to do. This is not your typical DC list. News from Delaware, where the state allows artificial persons (LLCs, trusts) to vote in local elections and is now considering new law for the city of Seaford to do so. Music from the band Finster. Their 2023 album, Crosswinds, now on vinyl: https://t.ly/-bAF. Brock's list: https://t.ly/UKkx. Seaford artificial persons voting bill: https://t.ly/cRCN.

The Absolute Disaster of Retail Energy Choice Jun 16, 2023

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The two promises of utility deregulation in Maryland and several other states–lower prices and green energy–have not come to fruition. How energy trading firms can exploit competitive advantage to lower prices is hard to see and they have used Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), not necessarily new generation, to claim they are selling green energy. Instead, energy trading firms have been accused of deceptive marketing and overcharging customers especially low-income and minority households. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Baltimore-based energy activist Laurel Peltier to find out how things went this wrong. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic. Peltier's Help Desk: https://t.ly/6QtrL MD Public Service Commission complaint link: https://t.ly/c_da

Muslims Protest LGBTQ+ Books in MoCo; DC Pilots Flex Teacher Schedules Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Thirteen books with gay and trans themes or characters introduced by MCPS into elementary and middle school curriculum have mobilized conservative Muslims groups in deep blue Montgomery County alongside the national right-wing parents group Moms 4 Liberty. Meanwhile in DC, the Council passes a budget that pilots flexible schedules for teachers. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local Muslim leader Wael Elkoshairi and DC education activist Scott Goldstein. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic. Goldstein's org: https://t.ly/_wAq Elkoshairi's org: https://t.ly/-yts SPLC report: https://t.ly/VwcYT

Militias Find Allies in Local Government Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Four South-central Virginia county governments consider resolutions recognizing their local militia following over 100 local jurisdictions in the state declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries. Sunil Dasgupta talks with American University's Carolyn Gallaher about the evolution of militias from anti-government rage to paramilitary alliance with Republican governments. Local and state news where Maryland and Montgomery County come in first. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic Sharing economy info: https://tinyurl.com/52bz37xp Virginia 2A Sanctuaries: https://tinyurl.com/mu7y3asj

Reinventing Community Supported Agriculture May 26, 2023

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A Richmond, Va-based, produce delivery company, Seasonal Roots, reinvents community supported agriculture (CSAs) by gigging out the last-mile delivery to an army of part-time workers and other insights from the fresh food business. Sunil Dasgupta talks with founder Duane Slyder as his company targets growth in suburban Maryland. Local news re three tax hikes in Montgomery County. Music from Arlington-based roots music singer-songwriter Valeria Stewart and her band Crooked Sparrow: youtube.com/@valeriastewartmusic Seasonal Roots: https://www.seasonalroots.com/ MoCo tax hikes: https://rb.gy/42t53

Comparing Rent Increases Along the Purple Line May 19, 2023

Show notes

Building the Purple Line light rail connecting Montgomery and Prince George's Counties raised concerns that the resulting increase in housing costs will force out current residents and businesses while a new wealthier population moved in. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nicholas Finio, one of the authors of a new study of rent increases near proposed Purple Line stations, about their findings and what they mean for public policy including rent control. Local news re Montgomery County Democratic Party and public schools struggling with absenteeism. Music from Alexandria, Va, alt-rock band, Jackie and The Treehorns: jackieandthetreehorns.com MCDCC Handbook: https://bit.ly/3pz5nMh Silver Chips story: https://bit.ly/3MkhxjK Peng, Knaap, & Finio paper: https://bit.ly/3MDaxj5

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