In this episode Ed and I continue our discussion about income inequality. This time focusing on the 2008 financial crisis and why it is important in terms of today's politics.

In this episode Ed and Jeff recap 2015, the year of Charlie Baker. We also discuss the race for president and what may lie ahead in 2016.

Decide For Yourself:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism

In this episode Ed and I yet AGAIN talk about the recent developments with the MBTA including the exorbitant salaries made by a large percentage of the MBTA workforce.

Decide For Yourself:

Boston Globe Article w/ MBTA Salary Information:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2015/12/21/mbta-employees-who-will-make-more-than-this-year/u6BUkDr6EawQ7dlHx9bZQP/story.html

MBTA Sick Time Data:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/06/panel-blames-mbta-weak-management-for-excessive-worker-absences/vyrAPESTX3ZJ87UJsncx5L/story.html

In a special episode of The Lincoln Review Jeff was guest on the "Tayla Andre Show" on BigCityFM 101.3 and urban music station in Boston.

They got to talk about Republican politics for audience that is not often exposed to it.

In this episode Ed and I discuss gambling in Massachusetts and the local implications including the Boston based 'Draft Kings'.

In this episode we invited Maurice Cunningham professor of political science at UMass Boston and contributor to the MassPoliticsProfs blog on wgbhnews.org to discuss campaign finance and election polling.

Decide for Yourself:

- Lawrence Lessig: 'Republic Lost'

- Martin Gilins: 'Affluence and influence'

- Ray LaRaja, Brian Schaffner: 'Campaign Finance and Political Polarization: When Purists Prevail'

- Jill Lepore's polling article: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/16/politics-and-the-new-machine

In this episode Ed and I launch the first of many discussions about income inequality. How the issue is framed by progressives and what some of the actual causes are.

In this episode Ed and I discuss the film Best of Enemies. A documentary about several debates between William F Buckley and Gore Vidal that took place during the 1968 Republican and Democrat party conventions.

Best of Enemies is directed by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon and is currently available on iTunes and on Netflix 11/28/15.

In episode two of a two episode series, Jeff and Ed both agree that the current immigration system isn’t working, and some type of reforms must be enacted. But what would address America’s needs? How much will border security help? Which people illegally should be able to remain? What compromises should advocates be willing to accept? Listen to find out!

Decide for Yourself:

Jeff's Source Material:

The Negative Economic Impact of Illegal Immigration

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/348192/fiscal-impact-immigration-steven-camarota

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/05/the-fiscal-cost-of-unlawful-immigrants-and-amnesty-to-the-us-taxpayer

The "Deporter in Chief Myth:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-deportations-20140402-story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/04/21/lies-damned-lies-and-obamas-deportation-statistics/

Ed's Source Material:

Polling Support for Immigration Reform (from Pew Research, 6/15):

http://www.people-press.org/2015/06/04/broad-public-support-for-legal-status-for-undocumented-immigrants/

How foreign-born people drive America’s innovation economy:

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/06/this-map-reveals-exactly-where-silicon-valley-gets-its-talent/

Illegal Immigration population stable for past five years:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/22/unauthorized-immigrant-population-stable-for-half-a-decade/

Do Illegal Immigrants Help or Harm America?

A good debate is here:

http://immigration.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000788

What the CBO says

http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/87xx/doc8711/12-6-immigration.pdf

What 500 economists and Nobel prize winners say

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1727

From 2007 why curbing illegal immigration is a negative

http://www.cfr.org/immigration/economic-logic-illegal-immigration/p12969

In episode one of a two episode series, Illegal immigration is back in the headlines thanks to the presidential race. How big a problem is it? Have things changed? What effect does legal and illegal immigration have on America? Do the benefits outweigh the cost? Why isn’t the debate about what is actually going on? Listen to find out!

Decide For Yourself:

Jeff's Source Material:

The Negative Economic Impact of Illegal Immigration

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/348192/fiscal-impact-immigration-steven-camarota

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/05/the-fiscal-cost-of-unlawful-immigrants-and-amnesty-to-the-us-taxpayer

The "Deporter in Chief Myth:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-deportations-20140402-story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/04/21/lies-damned-lies-and-obamas-deportation-statistics/

Ed's Source Material:

Polling Support for Immigration Reform (from Pew Research, 6/15):

http://www.people-press.org/2015/06/04/broad-public-support-for-legal-status-for-undocumented-immigrants/

How foreign-born people drive America’s innovation economy:

http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/06/this-map-reveals-exactly-where-silicon-valley-gets-its-talent/

Illegal Immigration population stable for past five years:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/22/unauthorized-immigrant-population-stable-for-half-a-decade/

Do Illegal Immigrants Help or Harm America?

A good debate is here:

http://immigration.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000788

What the CBO says

http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/87xx/doc8711/12-6-immigration.pdf

What 500 economists and Nobel prize winners say

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1727

From 2007 why curbing illegal immigration is a negative

http://www.cfr.org/immigration/economic-logic-illegal-immigration/p12969