MOMocrats

Check in with Parents Across America's Panela Grundy hosted by K12NN's Cynthia Liu to find out what some parents believe would be the best plan to get rid of the bad parts of ESEA -- test & punish. This backgrounder will bring you up to date on what key problem areas were and in other conversations we'll figure out what's in the latest version that'll be discussed in the US Senate Education Committee starting April 14, 2015.

Claire Conner returns to MOMochat to talk about the alarming inroads the radical right has made into the Republican party, Congress and statehouses around the country. Claire is the author of Wrapped in the Flag, a memoir of growing up in a family of John Birch Society leaders. 

"The John Birch Society does influence many right wingers," says Claire. 

Claire says that a helpful Birch Society research assistant provided her with background materials for her book. "She told me that the Society has had the largest growth in its history since Barack Obama's campaign."

MOMocrats Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills host the political discussion from the progressive point of view. Produced by Engender Media Group. Original airdate: 8/6/14.

The MOMocrats' weekly podcast looking at the day's political news from the progressive point of view. Check back here an hour from airtime for a list of the topics. Chances are, there will be some discussion of what's happening in Congress and a reaction to the latest  from lawmakers and candidates. An Engender Media Group production.

The MOMocrats talk about Bibi Netanyahu's big win and the resurrection of the US neocons, Aaron Shock's departure from Congress (who's going to get that Downton Abbey styled office?), more lies about Hillary... and the possibly hilarious news that Donald Trump may be running again for President in this week's podcast looking at the day's political news from the progressive point of view. An Engender Media Group production.

Since the day he took office, President Obama has endured unprecedented disrespect from the right wing Republican party, which can no longer be characterized as "the loyal opposition" - they crossed that line a long time ago. But until this week, Republican intransigence mainly only affected our country's domestic agenda. 

This week, the GOP did something that undermined our nation's status in the world -- and may be considered traitorous behavior. 

Am open letter to the leaders of Iran, penned by freshman Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and signed by 47 Republican Senators, threatens to undermine very delicate nuclear peace treaty the Administration is trying to negotiate. As longtime international affairs reporter Leslie Gelb wrote in the Daily Beast, this letter demonstrates that the GOP Hates Obama More Than a Nuclear Iran.

MOMocrats Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills talk about this and the rest of the day's political news from the progressive point of view. And Engender Media Group production.

Hillary Clinton used a private email account for her correspondence while she was Secretary of State -- a practice that violates the Federal Records Act of 2014. But didn't she leave office in 2012? And why isn't Colin Powell being criticized for the same practice? At any rate, Hillary gave a rousing speech last night at an EMILY's List event -- and barely gave it a mention (disappointing not-100%-left leaning MSNBC, which broke away from it when it was clear she wasn't going to address the issue). MOMocrats Karoli, Cynematic and Donna Schwartz Mills also talk about Bibi's speech to Congress and King vs. Burwell, the latest Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare.

President Obama vetoed Keystone XL - but there are still plenty of dangers from other, smaller pipelines and oil trains that pass through our communities. What we lack is a comprehensive energy policy that would take us off oil, says MOMocrat Karoli -- although we've started to make some progress over the last six years of the Obama Administration.

Also: Net neutrality, Scott Walker's Wisconsin "Freedom to Work" law, and another GOP lawmaker making laws that restrict women's rights to reproductive healthcare -- who doesn't seem to have a clue about female anatomy.

The media is excited about the 2016 election: A day doesn't go by without a breathless report about the possible candidacies of Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and other Republicans. But what about the Democrats? Hillary Clinton is all but coronated as the nominee, with many progressives trying to draft Elizabeth Warren (who says she's not running) and only Bernie Sanders talking seriously about opposing her. MOMocrats Cynthia Liu and Donna Schwartz Mills both feel an uncontested primary is bad for the party and the country -- but for very different reasons. Also: a report on ESEA, the reauthorization of the law formerly known as No Child Left Behind Political discussion from the progressive point of view by the MOMocrats. Produced by Engender Media Group.

Special K12 News Network discussion with United Opt Out's co-leaders, Peggy Robertson and Morna McDermott. Why is the impulse to opt chidlren out of standardized tests sweeping the nation at the moment? Because it's spring testing season. Some states have been burdened with giving the old standardized test and the new PARCC or SBAC Common Core computer-based end of year test in the same year. It's the straw that broke the camel's back, and parents from all over the political spectrum are saying, "Enough!" FInd out how to opt your child out of the tests safely using federal and state laws that protect your right to do so, and see what alternatives there are to standardized tests that ensure the quality work your child does is also assessed with high quality measures. Original podcast date 4/16/14.

"Is there a shot that will inoculate you against the stupid things politicians say?" wonder the MOMocrats, as Republicans like Chris Christie and Rand Paul raise hackles in their support of families who choose not to vaccinate -- eyebrow raising in the wake of a measles outbreak that has now infected some 100 individuals. Also: The House repeals Obamacare - yet again and more. MOMocrats Karoli and Donna Schwartz Mills discuss the vaxxer debates and other political news of the week, from a progressive point of view. Produced by Engender Media Group.