Schmolitics

Latest Episodes:

#055 Convention Party Weekend!!!! Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Sophomore Dan Gordon and newbie Chris Roth get a crash course from delegate veteran Carrie Scoville on what to expect, what’s at stake, and how the California Democratic Party Convention effects all Americans. Also, Dan’s convention roommate is back! Hi, mom. And special sage wisdom from progressive sage Dr. Robert M. Nelson.

Wanna see exclusive videos and photos and updates from Dan’s experience at the convention? Like Schmolitics on Facebook!

Links!!

California Democratic Party - https://www.cadem.org

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www.schmoliticsshow.com

@schmoliticsshow

#054 The Endorsement of Endorsements w/Pat Harris, Candidate for US Senate Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

Dan Gordon here. Hi!

Pat Harris is a proud progressive running for US Senate. He is one of the candidates I'm considering to endorse at this weekend's California Democratic Party State Convention in San Diego.

Among a crowded field and with a fraction of Feinstein's big money, how does Harris stay competitive? And, what is his message? Hint: It's something Rep. Keith Ellison and Senator Bernie Sanders talk about. A lot. How's it working for Pat? Plus, we talk criminal justice reform, income inequality, and a converted 1980s school bus that's like the biggest mascot.

Links!!

Pat Harris Website - https://patharrisforsenate.com

California Dem. Party Endorsements Page - https://www.cadem.org/vote/endorsements

SF Chronicle: Protesters target Sen. Feinstein for not holding town halls - https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Protesters-target-Sen-Feinstein-for-not-holding-10955584.php

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Looking for a quick and easy way to love and support us at Schmolitics? Do a quick rating/review/subscribe on Apple Podcasts! It's how we know you care. And it really supports us by making us look good, which lets us reach more people. That right there is called a win/win.

www.schmoliticsshow.com

@schmoliticsshow

#053 How Russian Hackers Can Use Your Ballot to Change Elections w/Ruben Major, Candidate for CA Sec. of State Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

We take a dive into election security with Ruben Major for California’s Secretary of State. This is how Russian hackers are trying to stop your vote from being counted and how they can use provisional ballots to change an election outcome. Also discussed: the homeless voting, what are California Voting Centers, and what Russian hackers did and plan to do again.

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www.schmoliticsshow.com

@schmoliticsshow

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PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS DISCUSSED:

Ruben Major Campaign Website http://www.rubenmajor.com

VR Systems https://www.vrsystems.com

SOURCES:

Center for American Progress: Election Security in All 50 States

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/reports/2018/02/12/446336/election-security-50-states

LA Times: ‘It was just chaos': Broken machines, incomplete voter rolls leave some wondering whether their ballots will count

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-voting-problems-20160607-snap-htmlstory.html

Chicago Tribune: Alleged Russian hack reveals a deeply flawed U.S. election system

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-russia-election-hacking-20170607-story.html

California Voting Guide and Registration Deadlines

http://www.vote411.org/state_guide?state_id=California#.WoqBU8bMyRs

The Intercept: TOP-SECRET NSA REPORT DETAILS RUSSIAN HACKING EFFORT DAYS BEFORE 2016 ELECTION

https://theintercept.com/2017/06/05/top-secret-nsa-report-details-russian-hacking-effort-days-before-2016-election

USA Today: Paper ballots are back in vogue thanks to Russian hacking fears

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/09/19/russia-hacking-election-fears-prompts-states-to-switch-to-paper-ballots/666020001

East County Magazine: Voter’s Watchdog: Citizen Oversight Files Opposition to AB840, Says Amendment Would gut Election Audits in CA

https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/voters-watchdog-citizens-oversight-files-opposition-ab-840-says-amendments-would-gut-election-audits

PRI: How secure are America’s voting machines? PRI’s Science Friday with Ira Flatow.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-08-26/how-secure-are-america-s-voting-machines

USA Today: Hackers at DefCon conference exploit vulnerabilities in voting machines

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/07/30/hackers-defcon-conference-exploit-vulnerabilities-voting-machines/523639001

MUSIC CREDITS

Firebrand by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100830

Artist: http://incompetech.com

Enter the Maze by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100782

Artist: http://incompetech.com

#052 Parkland, Congress, and Represent.Us w/Sean McMorris Feb 16, 2018

Show notes

Guest: Sean McMoriss, Represent San Gabriel Valley Chapter, Represent.Us

How do we take our democracy back?

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has left at least 17 people dead. Students and adults are among the victims.

Congress’ gridlock goes beyond gun control. Other reforms with broad support by American voters don't go anywhere, like big money in politics. And it's because of big money influence on politicians that most Americans have little effect on what their elected officials do, even on crucial issues like gun control.

How much influence do Americans have on how their representatives vote in Congress? And how do we unrig this broken system?

Links!

https://represent.us

Represent San Gabriel Valley

Closing Song performed for Represent.us by Ed Helms and Jack Black.

www.schmoliticsshow.com

@schmoliticsshow

#051 A Blue Wave in Blue California? w/Ankur Patel, Candidate for State Assembly Feb 14, 2018

Show notes

We need Democrats to run for office. But if a Democrat is running in a blue state, does it matter? Sure, all elections matter, but does this one actually matter?

Does it?? A Democrat held this seat before. (He resigned suddenly #MeToo.) And so a Democrat is very likely going to win this seat again. PLUS it’s for the California State Assembly (lower house in the state legislature), where Democrats already have a supermajority. This is Blue California!! Why does this election in District 45 matter?

Ankur Patel will tell you why. He lives in that district. He’s a progressive. And he’s a candidate for that seat.

Ankur Patel has worked for LAUSD school board member Scott Schmerelson. He’s also been an organizer with the National Union of Healthcare Workers, an activist and Volunteer with Food & Water Watch, and is a new member of the Valley Chapter of the Los Angeles Tenants Union.

Today’s talking points: Single-payer healthcare in California, fixing the education system and magnet schools, and fighting for families and communities affected by the Aliso Canyon gas leak, the largest natural gas disaster in US history.

LINKS!

http://ankurforassembly.com

www.schmoliticsshow.com

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We say "Subscribe/Rate/Review" a lot because, really, it’s a thing. Your review is like money to us. But better. And so much more thoughtful. Your "Subscribe/Rate/Review" goes a long way. We thank you in advance. <3

Got questions? We want to hear from you. Ask us on social media @schmoliticsshow

#050 The Most Contested Seat w/Andy Thorburn, Candidate for US Congress Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

Andy Thorburn is a Democrat running for US Congress in Dem's top seat to flip in California. The historically Republican district in Orange County has blue tendencies. Democrats plan to take back the House and this district is crucial. Dan Gordon talks with Andy Thorburn about why he's optimistic, supporting DACA, and fixing our broken healthcare system.

Links!!!

Support us supporting you. Subscribe/Rate/Review Schmolitics on Apple Podcasts. It'll make you feel all warm and toasty.

#049: Tax Reform, Lobbyists, and Lawmaker.io Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

Episode 49

Why did this tax reform bill happen? What do lobbyists do? And how does Lawmker.io want to fix the problem?

The tax reform bill making its way through the house and senate is filled with policies that benefit the rich — like formalizing the ability to write off personal jet expenses while students may have to pay income tax on their scholarships. A lot of the legislation in it is because of lobbyists.

What do lobbyists do, exactly?

Lobbyists petition the government on behalf of special interests. They educate elected officials on key issues. And they’re protected by the constitution. That sounds like a good thing. Why are lobbyists so gross and associated with corruption? They have outsized influence. Only the rich can afford them and get true representation.

How does it affect you? What can you do about it?

Short answer? Check out Lawmaker.io. Shorter answer? Listen.

WHAT WE SAY WHEN:

Why does this Tax Reform Bill exist? [1:09]
What do lobbyists do and why is it legal? [2:40]
Squire Patton Boggs [4:20]
Amit Thakkar [7:10]
Lawmaker.io [11:45]
How Lawmaker.io works [13:00]
What makes Lawmaker different? [15:30]
Councilman David Ryu's Lawmaker Challenge [19:00]
How do you get people to believe their vote matters [20:00]

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Looking for a quick and easy way to love and support us at Schmolitics? Do a quick rating/review/subscribe on Apple Podcasts! It's how we know you care. ANNNND it really supports us by making us look good, which lets us reach more people. This right here is called a win/win.

#048: LA City Councilman David E. Ryu Nov 15, 2017

Show notes

Episode 48

We’re back!!! Where have we been?? Like for real. Where?! We explain.

We interview Los Angeles City Councilman for District 4, David E. Ryu, who was elected to his first term in the summer of 2015.

The 4th District is at the center of Los Angeles. The unusually shaped district reaches from Koreatown and Mid-Wilshire through Miracle Mile, the Fairfax District, north through much of Hollywood, Los Feliz and Griffith Park, and Silver Lake, and north through the Hollywood Hills, over the Cahuenga Pass into North Hollywood, and Sherman Oaks. What.

The scope of Councilmember Ryu's job duties range from the most local like the refilling (and future of) the Silverlake Reservoir, national issues like DACA, and the 2028 Olympics.

Ryu is the first Korean-American and only the second Asian-American to serve on the LA City Council. And as of 2017, only Ryu and fellow Councilman José Huizar (District 14) were born outside the US. Councilmember Ryu was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1975 and moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was 6 years old.

He holds a BA in Economics from UCLA and a Masters of Public Policy & Administration from Rutgers University.

Some of Ryu's core issues are fiscal accountability, limiting the uncontrolled expansion of homes, and restoring trust in government.

WHAT WE SAY WHEN:

Overview on Ryu's work on the city council, his role in local matters and national politics, and its influence on life in Los Angeles [05:20]
DACA and LA as a city of immigrants [07:00]
The future of the Silver Lake Reservoir [10:00]
The 2028 Summer Olympics and the preparing Los Angeles to be the host city [15:40]
LA Traffic and Public Transportation [23:00]
Runyon Canyon vs. Griffith Park [24:50]

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Councilman David E. Ryu: http://davidryu.lacity.org
DSA LA’s Nolympics Initiative: https://www.nolympicsla.com
Dan’s article on the Refilling of the SIlverlake Reservoir: https://medium.com/schmolitics/irresponsible-progress-and-the-empty-silverlake-resevoir-74590ae81bb2
Refill Silverlake Now: http://silverlakenow.com
Silverake Forward: http://silverlakeforward.com

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#047: Naturally, Natural Gas is Unnatural May 25, 2017

Show notes

Interview with The Sierra Club's Evan Gillespie (@ecgill). Evan Gillespie is the Western Deputy Director for Beyond Coal (@BeyondCoal), a Sierra Club campaign that aims to move our economy toward a clean energy future by stopping new coal-fired plants and phasing out existing plants. Evan also runs The Sierra Club's My Generation Campaign (@MyGenerationSC), a campaign focusing on clean air, clean energy, and climate justice. @schmoliticsshow schmoliticsshow.com

#046: Remembering The LA Riots. 25 Years Later May 19, 2017

Show notes

What started off as the opportunity to follow a Congressional candidate on the trail turned into something completely different. Over the course of an entire day at multiple locations, we learned more about the "Civil Unrest" than we ever thought we could. With speeches from prominent Korean and African Americans, as well as interviews with elected officials, there was a glimmer of hope that we walked away with. And we want to share it with you. Our hope is to bring this knowledge to those that think of the events as just a punchline and show that though we've come a long way, there is much more work to be done before we all truly get along. Produced by Jesse Alson-Milkman.

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