Show Notes

Here we tackle the stagnation of the American political parties and what might enable third parties to get more traction.

0.40 The stagnation of the two-party system

5.30 the role of the Republicans 

6.30 The history of the two-party system in the US

9.45 Mechanisms that help entrench the two parties

10.45 Voting systems - Winner-Take-All versus Proportional Representation

17.00 The Media & Political Polarization

19.00 Potential catalysts for the emergence of third parties in the US

25.45 The Wisdom of the People, Or Not

Show Notes

Given Joe Biden's age and position in the polls, this might be the most important vice presidential selection in recent memory. Here, Chris and Doug talk about who Biden should choose and why - and who our cohosts think he will pick. 

0.40 Doug's decision criteria

2.00 The Washington Post VP quiz

13.30 The four women who pass the first-level screen

19.30 Who Doug and Chris each prefer as VP

22.50 Strong women gender bias

25.45 Will Trump dump Pence?

Link

Who do you think Joe Biden should choose for VP?

Show Notes

Donald Trump is sending law and order forces into American cities to "combat violence", evidently as a political strategy to improve his chances of re-election. Where is this leading, what are the consequences for America, and will his political strategy work?

0.30 Chris' assessment of the situation

5.10 Trump's political strategy of emphasizing urban violence

9.55 Trump as a law and order President

12.10 "Solving" imaginary problems

15.00 Sidebar on AOC

16.15 Election Polls

Show Notes

With more than 14 million people in the United States currently unemployed, Chris and Doug  discuss what the government could actually do to create more good jobs.

0.40 How to think about the Government's Role in the Economy

1.30 Income inequality

6.25 Mission based investments

12.30 The link between health insurance and employment

15.30 Government deficits and The Deficit Myth

18.00 The Problem with Trickle-Down Economics

Links

The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton

Show Notes

Here we contemplate whether or not the United States has a path through its COVID 19 response mess. and, if so, how.

0.40 Why are we in such a bad place?

10.50 The testing quagmire

13.45 Japan Inc

16.20 If Biden wins, what happens in our fight against COVID?

24.20 A Mary Trump diversion

28.50 The school opening debacle

Chris and Doug discuss an earth-shattering topic -- at least for American sports fans. Our cohosts debate the pros and cons of Major League Baseball and the National Football League playing their seasons. Also, Chris throws in a few Netflix recommendations.

0.40 Some Big Ifs

3.15 A flawed notion of a baseball season

10.45 Deep dive on the NFL

15.30 Should the NFL delay the start of the season?

18.05 A radical idea from Chris 

With America in crisis on multiple fronts, Doug and Chris discuss what makes each of us proud to be an American, and where the American experiment still has lots of work to do.

1.00 The idea of America

2.45 Do we have a lot to be proud about?

4.15 Is America exceptional?

5.00 Some good stuff about America

9.15 America-centricity

14.30 Is politics entertainment?

16.45 Chris says Put Your Mask On!

Chris and Doug explore how Trump plan to win reelection by bringing us all together and emphasizing social justice. Oh, wait... 

0.30 Yes, this is a rhetorical question

2.50 Will running his campaign based on fear and resentment work?

4.00 The public opinion polls

7.45 What about Trump's law and order message?

12.00 Are the liberals going to take away everyone's guns?

13.55 The changing U.S. racial demographics 

16.15 Trump and the Supreme Court

Show Notes

2020 is shaping up to be the most tumultuous year in many of our lives -- and we haven't even gotten to the November election yet. Between COVID-19, controversy surrounding Black Lives Matter protests, and global economic turmoil, can we expect anything positive from this year? What could possibly give us hope?

0.50 The protests and hope

2.50 What's driving the civil unrest?

5.00 Political leadership (in the U.S.) and the will of the people

10.30 The instability of the current situation

14.30 The Baby Boomers and generational transformation

17.10 "Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Show Notes

Biden is starting to talk like he's open to being more progressive, given the conditions facing the country. How far left should he go? If he wins, should the Democrats push for a New New Deal and, if so, what should these programs include?

0.45 It's past time for a New New Deal

3.50 How much will Biden push for it?

7.50 The Core of a New New Deal

12.05 The 5-Prong New, New Deal

21.00 The elephant in the room