Deconstructed

John Cox, Republican candidate for Governor of California, joins T.J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss the importance of the upcoming gubernatorial recall vote in California. Mr. Cox was the Republican nominee and runner-up for governor in 2018. He now is involved in a two-step process in pursuit of that same office: (1) Will the current governor, Gavin Newsom, be recalled; and (2) If so, will Mr. Cox be able to defeat the other 45 candidates running for Governor?

Mr. Cox provides the reasons he believes the current governor should be recalled, including numerous socioeconomic conditions that he believes have seriously deteriorated under Governor Newsom’s leadership. He also articulates why he believes he is the best candidate to replace the current governor and why he is best equipped to manage the fifth largest economy in the world.

Mr. Cox describes his background as the child of a single mother who worked his way through college and built a highly successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur. He explains how his humble beginnings, work ethic, and business experience equip him to solve the myriad of problems that define today’s California. He believes that most of the state’s challenges are managerially based as opposed to politically based.

T.J. queries him on California’s business environment, level of taxation, homelessness issue, and educational challenges, and Mr. Cox responds in detail with respect to what is wrong and how he would fix it. T.J. also asks about serious public safety issues such as crime, COVID-19, and natural disasters such as wildfires and droughts. Again, Mr. Cox speaks to each issue and candidly shares what he believes needs to be done to successfully address each of them.

The two also discuss Mr. Cox’s positions on California’s “Sanctuary State” status, immigration in general, whether to fund or defund the police, and the challenges presented by climate change. Again, Mr. Cox responds directly to each question.

The interview provides interesting insights into the recall process as well as the complexities of managing a state the size of California. As an aside, all of the leading candidates, including Governor Newsom, were invited to appear on Deconstructed to address the concerns of independents. Only Mr. Cox accepted the challenge. Listen to become a more informed voter.  Then, decide for yourself.

Aaron Hamlin, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Center for Election Science, joins T.J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss Approval Voting as an alternative to traditional Plurality Voting and the emerging Ranked Choice Voting system. Mr. Hamlin is a strong proponent of Approval Voting and offers research conducted by the Center along with examples of how it has fared in real world applications.

Mr. Hamlin is an attorney with two additional graduate degrees in the social sciences. He became interested in electoral systems in college when he recognized that his peers were voting on a basis of a candidate’s probability of winning rather than for the candidate whom they truly preferred. He has become an expert in the field and has appeared on national shows and written for major publications while seeking to improve our electoral process.

Mr. Hamlin compares and contrasts Plurality Voting and Ranked Choice Voting with Approval Voting, which expands choices over Plurality Voting while not requiring the diligence of assigning a specific ranking to each candidate as is essential to the Ranked Choice approach. He discusses critical issues such as the simplicity of Approval Voting, ballot spoilage, the risk of ties, and the potential for tactical exploitation; all of which he believes favors Approval Voting. Mr. Hamlin also assesses the impact on Third Parties and alternative candidates, including the visibility that Approval Voting provides and the clarity it reflects in its results.

T.J. asks about voter satisfaction, and Mr. Hamlin weighs in with the feedback that was received from Approval Voting races conducted in Fargo, North Dakota, and St. Louis, Missouri, in recent years. He also shares the results of one of the studies The Center for Election Science conducted with respect to the 2016 presidential election, and the results are extremely interesting.

Listen to the show to become more informed about this lesser-known alternative to Plurality and Ranked Choice Voting. Then, decide for yourself which one you favor.

Michael Allman and Ty Humes join T.J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss their experiences serving on the San Dieguito Union High School District’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Allman is an elected Trustee while Mr. Humes was unanimously approved to serve as a provisional appointee to complete the term of a Trustee who had resigned. Within months of the start of their service, both were challenged by the San Dieguito Faculty Association (a.k.a. the Teachers’ Union) – Mr. Allman by recall and Mr. Humes by removal and a call for a special election. It appears that both men had the audacity to cast independent votes that did not align with the Teachers’ Union’s wishes.

While disappointing, their stories are not unique within California school districts. In fact, Mr. Humes was appointed to replace another Trustee who resigned “for personal reasons” after being threatened with a recall by the Teachers’ Union just as Mr. Allman has been. In addition, the Superintendent of Schools resigned during Mr. Humes' first meeting and another elected Trustee is being investigated by the Union to determine whether she meets the district’s residency requirements (after being in office since 2014).

The removal of Mr. Humes was positioned as “procedurally based.” The Teachers’ Union supposedly opposed him because he had not been duly elected by the people even though provisional appointments have been the entire county’s standard operating procedure for years. Mr. Humes describes the vetting process that was taken by the board and the unanimity with which it selected him from among seven candidates. During his brief tenure, he was the first Black member to ever serve on the board of the wealthy and predominantly White school district. He observes the irony of the district’s posting of BLM posters while having no problem with dismissing its first Black Trustee on procedural grounds.

Conversely, Mr. Allman was duly elected by the people. His recall is based on violating the district’s Code of Conduct for purportedly disparaging others during board meetings and on social media. Given a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court about a school district’s right to control speech, one must wonder just how offensive the Teachers’ Union finds Mr. Allman’s selection of words (see MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT v. B. L., a minor, by and through her father, LEVY, ET AL.). Mr. Allman describes what he has said and why he has said it. He also provides evidence of why his voting record may be the real reason for the attempted recall.

The two gentlemen also discuss the “math” issue that hovers in the background. The San Dieguito Union High School District is approximately $14 million in debt. Both men have senior executive experience and think that the district would be best served by pursuing a path of fiscal responsibility. The special election and recall process the Teachers’ Union is pursuing will cost $600,000-$1,000,000+ in funds the district could have applied to teachers’ salaries, student supplies, etc.

In the final segment, Mr. Allman and Mr. Humes share their positions on some of the more critical challenges confronting the district such as the pandemic-related issues (i.e., online vs. in class education; whether masks should be required, etc.). Listen to the discussion and decide whether the best interests of the students and parents are being protected or whether other political interests are carrying the day.

(Note: This program was prerecorded on July 26, 2021.  It references CDC mask guidelines that were in place at the time.  Those guidelines changed on July 27, 2021, and may change again in the future.)

Laurence Kotlikoff, a Professor of Economics at Boston University, joins T. J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to examine the past and present economic policies of our Nation. Dr. Kotlikoff is the author of 18 books on economics and is an active columnist for a myriad of publications including Bloomberg, The Economist, the Financial Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. He is extremely knowledgeable in the area of political economics having run for president in 2012 and 2016 as well as having testified before Congress on nearly 20 occasions.

Dr. Kotlikoff shares his opinion of what the Trump Administration did right, and what it did wrong with regard to its economic policy. He also provides the insight into what positive changes the Biden Administration has made, and what changes might result in more adverse consequences.

T. J. asks about the impact of the pandemic, and Dr. Kotlikoff responds in great detail. He praises the Trump Administration for its role in accelerating the development of COVID-19 vaccines as well as the Biden Administration for its role in successfully orchestrating the distribution of those vaccines. Then, he does a deep dive into the influence the pandemic and its associated political decisions have had on the economy. He shares his well-informed opinion about the fundament ways in which businesses and educational institutes will have to change, the different recovery paths that are facing displaced workers (at-home versus on-site), and the challenge of providing for the unemployed while not disincentivizing them to re-engage in the job market.

Dr. Kotlikoff discusses the initial efficacy of providing a stimulus checks as well as the future threat that may be posed by continuing down that path. T. J. asks him to address the burgeoning national debt, and Dr. Kotlikoff shares his perspective of how the recovery should be funded as opposed to the way that is being suggested. He also warns of the burden that is being shifted to future generations and why that may not be sustainable.

The two also explore how to improve the healthcare system, what to do about student debt, and whether raising the federal minimum wage makes sense at this time. Even the 15 percent minimum corporate tax proposed at the most recent G7 Summit is dissected.

As the pièce de résistance of the interview, T. J. queries his old friend about Modern Monetary Theory. Dr. Kotlikoff’s answer is a “must hear” moment. Listen and learn.

Michael O'Neil, U.S. Communications Manager for the Green Party, joins T.J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss the Party’s past, present, and future. Mr. O’Neil has over 15 years of political communications experience and has served the Green Party in a variety of capacities for the past 12 years, including roles as Assistant to the Campaign Manager for Dr. Jill Stein’s 2016 presidential campaign and co-manager of that campaign's Brooklyn, NY Office. He also performed significant roles for the Party in its 2014 and 2018 gubernatorial campaigns in New York as Downstate Coordinator and Campaign Manager, respectively.

Mr. O’Neil discusses the Green Parties “10 Key Values” with T. J. and provides insight into why each is so vital. He emphasizes why it is critical to for the Party to take a grassroots approach and why our social, political, and economic institutions need to be decentralized if we are to make progress.

Then, Mr. O’Neil dissects HR1, the Democrat’s self-named “For the People Act.” He mentions some of the important elements contained within that bill, but he also reveals the “poison pill” the Democrats included in it to emasculate Third Parties in an attempt to prevent them from being able to compete. It seems as though the major Parties like to compete, but only with each other.

T. J. asks Mr. O’Neil his opinion of the Biden Administration’s position on climate issues within the context of its proposed infrastructure plan, and Mr. O’Neil breaks it down. He offers an amusing description of how Republics and Democrats differ when it comes to climate and rains on both of their parades.

Mr. O’Neil also talks about the recent primary in New York City, which utilized Rank Choice Voting (RCV). He explains why RCV and proportional representation can change the political landscape, empower voters, and attract a new range of talent to run for office.

Then, T. J. queries him on the future of the Green Party. Mr. O’Neil identifies where the Party is heading, names some of its brightest stars, and talks about the focus of the Green Party’s upcoming Annual National Meeting.

If you have any preconceived impressions of the Green Party, this interview sets the record straight. You will learn what the Green Party genuinely believes and why, and you’ll learn about how the major Parties do their best to suppress it along with any other emerging threats to their power.  Enjoy the interview and the education.

Jeff Rasley, a committed philanthropist and social activist, joins T. J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss his new book, America’s Existential Crisis: Our Inherited Obligation to Native Nations.  Mr. Rasley, the author of 11 books, describes how he was drawn to examine the plight of Native Americans through two unique family ties as well as a visit to the Black Hills.

Mr. Rasley’s ancestry includes a relative who was in command of K Troop for the 7th Cavalry the day it participated in the Battle of Wounded Knee – one of the largest massacres in our Nation’s military history.  Meanwhile, his great, great-grandfather was establishing a warm relationship with the Potawatomi tribe, who presented him with a beautiful, beaded vest in gratitude for his helping them survive a particularly harsh winter.  This paradox led Mr. Rasley to explore the challenges Native Americans have experienced since that time.  He even visited the Black Hills and Wounded Knee to gain a personal perspective, and what he saw was alarming.

What makes his book (and this interview) special is that Mr. Rasley doesn’t just summarize what Native Americans have suffered, he offers solutions.  He believes empathy isn’t enough and that a better approach might be “gratitude tinged with regret” to acknowledge and address how we all have benefitted at the expense of Native Americans.

Mr. Rasley discusses the concept of unjust enrichment as a basis for asserting a claim and how U.S. Courts have supported the enforceability of treaties that have been broken in the past.  He also describes an approach to resolve past wrongs through principles of cultural sensitivity that he developed to help the residents of Basa (a remote village in Nepal) solve critical infrastructure issues that government efforts had failed to improve.  He knows that the past cannot be changed, but he offers hope to improve the future.

While Mr. Rasley recommends the formation of a Victims’ Compensation Fund of some kind, he falls short of fully endorsing reparations.  T. J. concludes the interview by reviewing elements of the Native American story that might stand in the way of a reparations argument while joining Mr. Rasley in his hope that we find a way to treat Native Americans with respect and ensure that they are provided with the equal opportunities they have been denied in the past.

Many minorities have suffered inequities in the past.  Native Americans may very well be at the top of that list.  Listen to the interview to learn more.

United States Postal Service Governor Amber McReynolds joins T. J. O’Hara to discuss the challenges of the Postal Service, its role in facilitating in-home voting, and the 2020 election in general. As a former Director of Elections for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, and the CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute, Ms. McReynolds is one of our Nation’s leading experts on election policy and administration. She now turns her sights on restoring the USPS to its former level of excellence.

Ms. McReynolds was nominated by President Biden to become an independent member of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service. She describes the vetting process that led to her confirmation by the United States Senate on May 13th of this year.

Ms. McReynolds talks openly about the unique challenges the Postal Service currently faces and what she intends to do to address them. She also explains the critical role the USPS played in the 2020 elections as voting was driven toward mail-in ballots due to the pandemic, a trend that will continue to grow as in-home voting becomes increasingly popular.

T. J. questions Ms. McReynolds on her observations about the 2020 elections, both the good and the bad. She talks about the incredible dedication of poll workers under the most difficult of circumstances and encourages everyone to consider working for the polls at some point in their lives.

Ms. McReynolds also offers her views on the assaults on the election system that began to form in advance of November 3rd and continue thereafter. She shares her views of the danger of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and misinformation that readily appears on social media and the impact it has on democracy. T. J. provides an example that suggests that the abuse is not restricted to a single Party but rather represents a tactic that is disturbingly employed by both. Ms. McReynolds agrees and discusses what must happen to correct the problem.

If you have always wondered what a nomination and confirmation process is like for one of the most prestige positions in any President’s Administration, Ms. McReynolds provides a glimpse into that world. If you care about election access and integrity, Ms. McReynolds addresses that as well. Enjoy the interview and gain real insight into what makes our system work.

Nick Brana, Founder and National Coordinator of the Movement for a People’s Party, joins T. J. O’Hara, host of Deconstructed, to discuss the organization’s evolving platform and the progress it is making. The movement seeks to create a major new progressive populist political party in the United States.

Mr. Brana talks about the genesis of the movement and its ties to frustrations that began to arise during Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign; a campaign for which he served as its National Political Outreach Coordinator. He describes the imbalance that continues to exist between Party-favored candidates versus more revolutionary candidates like Senator Sanders.

Mr. Brana also discusses the potential new Party’s commitment to driving “big money” out of politics and representing the will of the people.  He talks about populist polling that reflects a strong preference in favor of providing a living wage, universal healthcare, free education (pre-school through college), and access to housing for all as well as an emphasis on addressing the issue of Climate Change.  He acknowledges the incredible waste of taxpayer funds that currently exists (at the hands of both major Parties) and how a recovery of those funds, along with increased corporate and private taxes and the elimination of loopholes, can fund the movement’s progressive agenda.

T. J. asks probing questions about how the potential new Party will differentiate itself from other Third Parties and Mr. Brana responds.  T. J. also asks about whether the People’s Party has the ability to scale to a point of becoming a competitive alternative in the near-term as well as whether the Party may threaten to fracture the base of the Democratic Party.  Mr. Brana offers his opinion on both counts.

Will the People’s Party become a viable alternative to the current duopoly?  Can it attract a large enough percentage of independent voters to supplement its base, which has roots in a subset of the Democratic Party?  Listen to hear what Mr. Brana has to say, and then, decide for yourself.

Shawn Griffiths joins host T. J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss Georgia’s controversial new election law. Mr. Griffiths is a nationally recognized expert in political reform and voting rights and the host of Toppling the Duopoly, a show that follows the historic movement to give power to all voters, including at the ballot box and in the court room. He is also the editor of the IVN Network where, over the past nine years, he’s covered and published breaking news stories related to reform movements across the country that are focused on creating a better electoral and political landscape for voters

Mr. Griffiths brings well-reasoned insight to the debate about Georgia’s SB 202 (formally titled, the Election Integrity Act of 2021). Contrary to most journalistic coverage, he bases his opinions on having actually read the 98-page bill. He also reviews the starting point for the legislative action, which provides an important context, and he distinguishes between the national narrative and the actual language of the bill as it applies to the state.

Additionally, Mr. Griffiths addresses a wide range of changes within SB 202, including a variety of issues associated with absentee voting, early voting, and the State Election Board. He provides his perspective with respect to whether these changes impact voting rights and election integrity, and if so, how.  He also provides an assessment of whether there is any disparate impact on any segment of Georgia’s voter base.

Then, Mr. Griffiths examines the pros and cons of the corporate response that has drawn so much attention (Major League Baseball, Delta Airlines, Coca Cola, etc.). He and T. J. also discuss the impact of the national narrative, including President Biden’s reference to SB 202 as “Jim Crow 2.0 on steroids.” Listen to learn whether bill is best characterized as “reasonable,” “racist” or something in between based purely on the facts.

County Commissioner Mark Jerrell joins host T. J. O’Hara on Deconstructed to discuss the challenges elected officials face as they try to expand voter participation, address social issues, and deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two also explore what true political leadership requires and how critical conversations need be entertained to address complex issues like race.

Mr. Jerrell currently represents District 4 on the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners in North Carolina. He is a former Executive Committee member of the Black Political Caucus for which he chaired the Get out the Vote and Legislative committees and co-chaired the Economic Development committee.  He also is the former host of Hipolitix, a unique pop culture and political show on which T. J. was a guest numerous times during his 2012 presidential campaign.

Mr. Jerrell talks about the barriers that confront underrepresented voters and his efforts to help them become more actively engaged.  Just as that community began to expand its participation in the political process, he notes how it was particularly hard hit by the pandemic.  Small businesses were crippled, the issues of affordable housing and homelessness grew, mental health concerns increased, and even the ability to deliver online classes presented problems as many families lacked the necessary Internet connectivity. The Commissioner discusses the delicate balance that is required to address these obstacles and how important it is to think through the solutions to avoid creating new problems.

Mr. Jerrell reveals his approach that leads with data rather than emotion or partisan preferences. However, he points out how critical it is to incorporate empathy in crafting solutions because, ultimately, every solution touches the lives of real people.

T. J. explores a myriad of other issues with Mr. Jerrell that challenge citizens across the country, and the Commissioner shares his thoughts on how to solve them. Listen to the show to learn how the Commissioner has addressed these challenges and how they might help your city and state as well.