The Political Orphanage

Latest Episodes:

Do Political Parties Threaten the Constitution? Aug 26, 2020

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Political parties aren't written into the Constitution, but they definitely effect it. How do parties alter the balance of power in American politics? Do they precipitate or stall revolution?Economist Antony Davies and political scientist James R. Harrigan of FEE's Words & Numbers podcast join to discuss.

The Guns for Trumpets Buyback Program (Friday Release Valve) Aug 21, 2020

Show notes

Comedians Brian Sack and Jack Helmuth of the podcast Questionable Material join Heaton to sort out the week's underserved headlines, including a goose who runs for mayor, and municipal wizard subsidies.

The Postal Service Isn't Rigging The Election And We Should Privatize It Anyway Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

Sparks fly as pundits debate whether or not the US Postmaster General is rigging the election on behalf of Trump! Meanwhile, the USPS asks Congress for a bailout.

In this episode we:

* Tackle the USPS election conspiracy theory

* Discuss how to save the Postal Service from insolvency

Paul McCartney for Chief of Walpole! (Friday Release Valve) Aug 14, 2020

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Travis Irvine joins Heaton to sort out the week's best, underserved headlines, including musical bratwurst, robot dolphins, and the greatest film you will never ever see!

Brace Yourself for Kamala Harris Aug 12, 2020

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Kamala Harris just won the veepstakes to become Joe Biden's running mate. How's she going to shake up the election? Where does she stand ideologically and on policy? Justin Robert Young of "Politics Politics Politics" joins to suss out the California senator.

The English Are Arming Baboons (Friday Release Valve) Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

(NSFK) Matt Donnelly and Paul Mattingly of "Matt and Mattingly's Ice Cream Social" join Heaton to unpack the best headlines of the week, including a goat that refuses to wear a mask and whether or not Planet of the Apes is actually set to begin in Surrey, England.

Cass Sunstein on Smarter Regulations and Less Conformity Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Cass Sunstein gained international notoriety for his book "Nudge," about habits and choice architecture. He then worked as the regulatory czar for the Obama administration--the regulator who regulates regulations. His latest book is "Conformity: The Power of Social Influences." He joins Heaton to discuss how behavioral economics can shape smart policy without limiting individual freedom, and how conformity makes groups collectively dumber.

Joaquin Phoenix Hostage Scenario (Friday Release Valve) Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

(NSKF) Comedians Turner Sparks and Andrea Jones-Rooy return to make sense of the week's best, funniest, underserved headlines, from solving neighbor disputes with a chains, to the biggest threat to Venetian gondolas, to how water balloons can be productively used in deliberative bodies.

America Had a Coup in 2010 Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Gerrymandering is a fun, time-honored way to rig elections on behalf of incumbents and political parties over irritants like competitive democracy. In 2010 it became industrialized. Or, rather, digitized--which had far-reaching impacts on American politics. Heaton speaks with Barak Goodman and Chris Durrance, co-directors of "Slay The Dragon," a film about a major coup in American political history.

I AM RUNNING IN 2020! Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

After much personal thought and rank media speculation, I have at last decided to run in 2020. This episode includes:

-My campaign kickoff

-One of the finest spontaneous vice presidential stump speeches in all of human history -My official campaign announcement and subsequent interview with Justin Robert Young on "Politics Politics Politics"

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