In the latest episode of "Novice to Office," host Trey Bahm delves into the intricate relationship between education systems and government in the United States, providing a unique perspective on this foundational aspect of American life. The discussion on the evolution of American education

comes at a time when educational policies and government involvement in education are hot topics in political discourse.

Throughout the discussion on the evolution of American education, Trey Bahm explores the historical and current landscape of education in America. The episode unpacks the deep-seated belief in state-led education, its roots in the nation's history, and its implications for democracy and equality in contemporary society.

In The Big American City, the narrative of American urban development intertwines with the evolution of special districts, a topic explored in depth in the Novice to Office show's latest episode. Host Trey Bahm looks inside the historical emergence of these prominent American City auxiliary jurisdictions in this second installment, providing a lens into how these jurisdictions have shaped the operations and governance of urban centers across the US. Through a meticulous examination, the episode paints a vivid picture of how special districts have not only supported the growth of cities but also showcased a spectrum of governance models, each with its unique implications.

Key Points:

• Basics of American Government: The symbiotic relationship between politics and government is explored, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
• Understanding Counties: Trey Bahm breaks down the concept of counties, parishes, boroughs, and townships, explaining their origins and significance.
• County Governance: The episode delves into the various roles within county governance, such as the county treasurer, tax assessor, auditor, and clerk. The importance of these roles in maintaining records and ensuring transparency is highlighted.
• Historical Anecdotes: Trey shares intriguing stories from history, like the controversy surrounding Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel, to emphasize the importance of record-keeping.
• Practical Empowerment: The episode provides listeners with a hands-on guide to accessing and understanding county budgets, using Hunt County, Texas, as an example.

Episode Notes:

• Creation of States: The episode delves into the history of how the original 13 colonies expanded to become 50 states. This includes the bureaucratic processes and the various reasons behind state formations, from economic to religious motivations.

• Associations in America: The podcast touches on the idea of America being driven by associations and terms and conditions. It references Alexis de Tocqueville's observations on American associationism as a defense against tyranny.

• Statehood Process: The episode provides a detailed account of how states were added, the challenges faced, and the political implications of each addition, especially concerning the issue of slavery.

• Technological Advancements: The podcast highlights two critical technologies that facilitated America's rapid settlement and expansion: the Erie Canal and the cotton gin.

Key Highlights:

• The Role of Family Dramas in American Politics: The podcast delves into Americans' fascination with family dramas and touches upon George Washington's personal life, his role as a step-parent, and the challenges he faced.

• Birth of America's Political Parties: How did the political parties come to exist? The ideological battles between critical figures like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton led to the formation of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. This episode also discusses the influence of personalities over policies in forming political parties.

• George Washington's Parenting and Leadership Style: The episode provides insights into Washington's approach to leadership, drawing parallels between his parenting style, his presidency, and his relationships with key figures like Jefferson and Hamilton.

• The Federalists vs. The Anti-Federalists: Host Trey Bahm walks us through the differences and conflicts between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, highlighting key events like the creation of a national bank and the Jay Treaty.

• Evolution of Political Parties: Perhaps most importantly, this episode traces the development of political parties in America, from the early days of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans to the emergence of the Democrats and the Whigs. It also touches upon the role of personalities in shaping party ideologies and the lasting impact of these parties on American politics.

This podcast covers the critical role James Madison had in the development of the United States! Here are some exciting topics our host, Trey Bahm, covers in this episode!

• How James Madison, from Virginia's elite, prioritized politics over his personal life.
• How Madison addressed post-Revolutionary War economic instability by revising the Articles of Confederation.
• Madison's personal life highlighted his late marriage to the influential First Lady Dolly Payne.
• Stay tuned for the next episode, which will dive into George Washington and the birth of American political parties.