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Episode 129 - NOlympics with Anne Orchier Mar 25, 2020

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This time we've got a bit of an off-beat interview, talking with Anne Orchier about the effort to stop Los Angeles from hosting the Olympic Games in 2028. It's not directly relevant to the coronavirus pandemic, but it does have a lot of the same themes, in that the Olympics have become a locus of disaster capitalism where rich elites wreak terrible social carnage to make a quick buck. Enjoy!

Episode 128 UNLOCKED - Epidemic Solidarity with Manu Saadia Mar 19, 2020

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Once again we're talking coronavirus, with returning guest Manu Saadia. We talk about what is to be learned from the various approaches different countries have taken, how Democrats are bungling the crisis, and how we might seize the moment to change prevailing ideological orthodoxy, and push through vital reforms. Enjoy!

You can find Manu's book Trekonomics here.

Episode 127 - A.C. Grayling on Democracy Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Today we've got A.C. Grayling on to talk about his book The Good State, which provides his model of how an ideal democratic system should be set up. It's a bit off the news but we thought it would be a nice break for people worried about the coronavirus pandemic. Enjoy!

Episode 125 - The Case Against Joe Biden Mar 08, 2020

Show notes

Today we do a deep dive into Joe Biden's terrible record in the Senate, and marginally-less terrible record as vice president. Then we turn to electability, and why a Biden nomination would screw up almost all of the strongest arguments against Trump -- on protecting Social Security and Medicare, on trade, on #MeToo, on abuse of immigrants, on corruption, and on mental fitness.

Links to stuff mentioned in the discussion: Corey Robin on Clarence Thomas, Emma Caterine on bankruptcy, Ryan's episode on the bailout disaster, Branko Marcetic on Biden's record, and Jon Walker on Obamacare's technical defects.

Episode 124 PREVIEW - Super Tuesday and Warren Drops Out Mar 05, 2020

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In this excerpt we discuss how to help Democratic voters realize that a Biden nomination is the risk it is. Subscribe here to hear the whole thing!

Episode 123 - Interview with PA-175 Candidate Jeff Dempsey Feb 29, 2020

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Today we've got Jeff Dempsey, who is running a progressive campaign in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 175th House district -- our first in-person interview and our first with a live audience! We discuss the characteristics of the 175th (which is part of Philadelphia), why he's running, and the troubles he has had with the local Democratic machine. Enjoy!

You can find Jeff's campaign website here, a donation page here, and a page detailing apparently fishy signature collection-efforts from his opponent here.

Episode 122 PREVIEW - Nevada Results, the Sanders Coalition, and Pete Buttigieg Feb 24, 2020

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Subscribe now to hear the full episode!

Episode 121 - The American Midwest with Phil Christman Feb 22, 2020

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Today we take a break from exhausting primary news to have writer and University of Michigan lecturer Phil Christman on to discuss his upcoming book Midwest Futures (you can pre-order here). We discuss the history and nature of the Midwest, what he learned growing up there, how the Trump era has changed his political thinking, and more. Enjoy!

Also, you can subscribe to Phil's newsletter here.

Episode 120 Preview - The Bloomberg Menace Feb 17, 2020

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Here we discuss why we won't vote for Michael Bloomberg if he is nominated. Subscribe here to hear the full episode!

Episode 119 - Why It Matters if Bernie Sanders Becomes President Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Just Ryan today with a quick pre-New Hampshire episode going through Reed Hundt's excellent book A Crisis Wasted about the presidential transition in 2007-8 and Obama's consequential early decisions as president. We go through how Obama allowed Bush Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to set the priorities for the bank bailout (thus ensuring Wall Street would not be cut down to size), how Obama allowed his Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to turn homeowner assistance policy into a quiet backdoor bailout of the banks, and how the Obama administration definitely could have gotten a bigger stimulus but chose not to. Having the right person in the presidential chair matters a great deal.

Links to the episodes and articles mentioned: Eric Rauchway on the Hoover-FDR transition, Carolyn Sissoko on the bailout disaster, and David Dayen on what the next president could do without passing any new laws.

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