I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Holiday Yule Log with Local Music and Nonprofits Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Holiday Weekend Special with local music featured on the podcast and local nonprofit stories: Artists and bands in order of appearance: Ruben Dasgupta, The Sunshiners, The Airport 77s, Eddie Boxxer, The Treading Lemmings, A Shrewdness of Apes, Pete Chauvette, Emily Hall, Dara Blecher, and Kara Levchenko. Nonprofit orgs: Woman to Woman Mentoring, The Civic Circle, Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter, Action Committee for Transit, Urban Adventure Squad, The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Miriam's Kitchen, UpCounty Prevention Network, Washington Independent Review of Books, VisArts Art Lab, Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, Poolesville Green, MoCoPAAN, Sustainable Earth Eating, Repair the World Baltimore, and Montgomery County Special Olympics. All links at ihppod.org.

What Does the State Windfall Mean for Counties? Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

New Year. New General Assembly session. New Governor. But most important of all, Maryland is looking at unprecedented budget surpluses for the next 5 years. In the counties, however, there isn't a feeling of flush. Sunil Dasgupta asks Delegate Marc Korman, the Maryland House Chair for the state's Spending Affordability Committee, how the state windfall is likely to reshape public finance in the state and in counties? Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:

Poolesville Green

MoCoPAAN

Sustainable Earth Eating

Repair the World

Previous weeks' community organizations

Washington Independent Review of Books

VisArts Art Lab

Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Miriam's Kitchen

UpCounty Prevention Network

Woman to Woman Mentoring

The Civic Circle

Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter

Action Committee for Transit

Urban Adventure Squad

Where the Sidewalk Meets the Tree Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Sidewalks v trees is a common 21st century battleline in American suburbs pitting neighbor against neighbor in a struggle between two public goods, road safety and tree conservation. Politicians naturally promise both, but government agencies often fuel the conflict to justify inaction. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks to one local government official, City of Takoma Park public works director Daryl Braithwaite, who found a way to build a much-needed sidewalk and save trees and much more. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:

Washington Independent Review of Books

VisArts Art Lab

Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Previous weeks' community organizations

Miriam's Kitchen

UpCounty Prevention Network

Woman to Woman Mentoring

The Civic Circle

Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter

Action Committee for Transit

Urban Adventure Squad

Are School Ratings Meaningful? Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

With Washington DC's education leadership working to revise the city government's School Report Card, Sunil Dasgupta talks with DC Board of Education member Ruth Wattenberg who has been fighting a long battle against test score-driven school evaluations. As the conversation dug deeper, Wattenberg opened up about charter schools, private foundation money, and mayoral control of DC's public schools. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:

Miriam's Kitchen

UpCounty Prevention Network

Last week's community organizations

Woman to Woman Mentoring

The Civic Circle

Linus Project Montgomery County Chapter

Action Committee for Transit

Urban Adventure Squad

The Senior Connection of Montgomery County

Inside College Financial Aid Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is also the college admission season. As families struggle with college decisions, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC's Director of Financial Aid Andrea Cipolla to break down the primary instrument colleges use to determine financial aid, the FAFSA, and about the consequences of the college financing system we have created. And local area nonprofits tell you what they do and pitch for your support. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s.

What's Wrong with Montgomery County's School Bus Cameras Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Traffic cameras take out discretionary officer involvement and create strong incentives for drivers to follow the rules, but Maryland State Delegate David Moon tells Sunil Dagupta that Montgomery County's school bus camera program, which generates millions in fines, does not make streets safer and talks about what can be done. He was finally able to get data and analyze the top-grossing locations for bus camera tickets. Local news about pedestrian safety and comparison of the Silver and Purple Lines. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s.

Inside Campaign Work Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

As Maryland ends a historic election, choosing Wes Moore as the first black governor of the state and Aruna Miller as the first Indian-American to hold statewide office, Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran campaign worker Abi Green about the joys and the challenges of campaign work. News analysis of coming one-party rule in Annapolis, the rise of MAGA politics in local politics, and legalizing recreational marijuana use. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.

We Know Less about Politics than We Think Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Days before the 2022 midterm elections, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Ian Anson about his research into our beliefs about political knowledge and its consequences for polarization and democracy. Local news about a new county antisemitism resolution, surprising increases in project costs in capital budget for public schools, and how college financial aid really works. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.

Karla Silvestre and Valerie Coll for Montgomery County Board of Education Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local school board candidates in the upcoming elections, incumbent Karla Silvestre (3:10) about MCPS' teacher and staff recruitment efforts and with former elementary school teacher Valerie Coll (24:26) about the role of the board in active governance of the school system. Look back at Episode #65 for interviews with two other candidates Scott Joftus and Julie Yang. Original music from 9th-grade singer-songwriter from Bethesda Dara Blecher.

Will School Project Delays Persist Despite Revenue Growth? Oct 21, 2022

Show notes

Despite higher revenue projections, Montgomery County government has curtailed borrowing limits to manage its debt-service burden. With a new capital budget coming soon, Sunil Dasgupta talks with county PTA leader Laura Stewart about spending affordability guidelines, swapping out county support for state funding, and delays in school projects including HVAC upgrades. Music from DC area progresive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected