How did Americans come to think so poorly of government? And how did Joe Biden come to be the first modern president who’s even tried to change our minds? 

Kai talks with three change-makers about the role of government in our lives. Activist Mari Copeny a.k.a. “Little Miss Flint” recounts how a letter that she sent as an elementary school student brought national attention to a public health crisis in her backyard - and inspired her to continue giving back to her community, speaking out and holding her government accountable.

Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World (2018), explores Reaganism, the possibilities of the Biden presidency, and challenges the idea that the country’s biggest problems are best solved by turning to the leadership of the super wealthy -- as philanthropists and innovators, presidents and mayors.

And Senator Liz Krueger (D-28), chair of the New York State Senate’s Finance Committee, joins to talk about the proposed $212 Billion dollar state budget deal and the monumental tax increase -- on New York’s wealthiest -- that echoes cries to “tax the rich”.

Companion listening for this episode:

“A Secret Meeting in South Bend” (2/27/20)

Descendants of the Great Migration in South Bend, Indiana, tell their family stories of housing in the “heartland,” and inequity in home ownership today.

“One Family’s Land of Opportunity” (11/30/20)

A family’s legend about "40 acres and a mule” takes Kai on a fact checking mission to the Mississippi Delta. He finds an unexpected solution to wealth inequality in the U.S. 

“The United States of Anxiety” airs live on Sunday evenings at 6pm ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts. To catch all the action, tune into the show on Sunday nights via the stream on WNYC.org/anxiety or tell your smart speakers to play WNYC. 

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Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.