So What Do We Have?

That’s not the right question. The real question is, why is Congress so ineffective? As a follow up to an episode on the trend toward governing through executive orders, Steph and Lathania attempt to take a deeper dive into the real causes of gridlock in the Legislative Branch.

We love listener feedback! Email us at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram @sowhatdowehave and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider. And if you missed it, check out instagram for past live episodes we did while on break. 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

We’re back! In the first episode of season two, Lathania and Steph talk about Biden’s first week in office, actions the new President has taken that give us reason to hope, and actions that make us worry we are stuck in a world of polarization still.

We love listener feedback! Email us at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram @sowhatdowehave and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider. And if you missed it, check out instagram for past live episodes we did while on break. 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

Lathania and Steph take a look back at the last year and the last four years while answering lingering questions like "Will the President really step down?" and "What was accomplished during the Trump Administration?" and applaud both America and Americans for surviving 2020. Steph outs Lathania as a Bernie Bro (not really), and other surprises as we preview next season.

We are still soliciting your most pressing questions about government and politics! Tell us what you would love to hear about next seasons on "So What Do We Have?" Email us at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

Recommended listening while we take a break: More Perfect by Radiolab, and Presidential by the Washington Post 

What is truth? And how can we know it?

Fake news. “My truth.” Post-truth? A seemingly simple question evolves into a philosophical discussion about truth and shared reality, and a some surprising link between what the Left and Right have in common.

We love to hear from our listeners, and this week we are soliciting your most pressing questions about government and politics! Tell us what you would love to hear in an upcoming episode of So What Do We Have. Email us at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

Episode references: Real Time with Bill Maher  

Now that the ballots have been cast and a winner has been projected, what did our votes say about us as different groups? Lathania and Steph make observations about a few standout results of 2020 exit polls. And throw in some free advertising for Four Seasons Landscaping 🙃

We love to hear from our listeners! Email us questions at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniaband @stephkrider 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

References: Exit poll results from the New York Times, American Enterprise Institute

This episode features Steph's and Lathania's final chance to give their thoughts ahead of November 3rd (Election Day). How do we think about the way we use our vote? Can a pro-life person vote for a pro-choice candidate? And at the very end, a glimmer of hope and defense of why your vote matters.

We love to hear from our listeners! Email us questions at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniaband @stephkrider 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

References: The Holy Post podcast, episode 223 “How Did We Get Here? A History of the Religious Right” 

“I’m a pro-life evangelical. In supporting Trump, my movement sold its soul.” (Stephanie Krider for the Washington Post) 

The Economist: Checks and Balances - Boomers KO’d

The debate continues. Lathania and Steph talked about the origins of the Electoral College last week, but with one glaring omission: the role slavery played in its creation. How big a role did it play? And even with so much opposition, is it realistic to abolish the Electoral College? How would our elections work without it?

We love to hear from our listeners! Email us questions at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniaband @stephkrider 

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media
Episode resources: Akhil Reed Amar in Time and Vox 

After notable mishaps with three presidential elections in the 1800s, we went more than a full century before hearing much at all about the Electoral College. Two decades into the 21st century, it has caused controversy and accusations of stolen elections not once, but twice. We're wondering if the Electoral College will be back in the news again soon. What exactly is it, and what does it say about our democracy that our founding fathers created it in the first place? Can we not trust a simple majority of voters to make the right choice?

References: Five Presidents who lost the popular vote but won the election

 We love to hear from our listeners! Email us questions at [email protected], or follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider 

 Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media

We have all heard the term ‘silent majority’ by now. President Trump says it refers to overwhelming support for his candidacy by those who keep their opinions to themselves. Steph associates it with previous political moments, while Lathania wonders about their existence and their nature. If there is a silent majority, how can we get to know them? And how do they plan to vote?

Reference: NYT "What if Facebook is the real silent majority?"

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider 

Will this whole election be a fraud? Even as more Americans are making use of mail-in voting options due to the coronavirus, the President has made a habit of casting doubt on the security of mail-in ballots, even mentioning it in this week's debate. If we vote by mail, will it be counted? Is it all rigged like the President says? This episode contains unsolicited advice, an explainer on mail-in voting, and why we probably have to wait until days after November 3rd to know the real results.

References: the worst case scenario, the Heritage Foundation

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @lathaniab and @stephkrider

Edited by David Hartman/Black Bear Media