American Discourse

The grief and anguish people are feeling throughout our country (and throughout the world) is enough to sour the taste of grandma's apple pie, burn the best BBQ and bring to a screeching halt any festivities because this country is broken. Beyond repair? We shall see.As a nation, we remain in stunned shock and horror at the tragedy that occurred in Uvalde just this week. And yet, even as we tried to comprehend the senseless loss of life of the most innocent of lives due to yet another gun-related mass murder, the GOP gathered under one roof with the NRA to cozy up for favors and of course campaign donations.It's nothing new and anyone surprised by it needs to get their head out of their ass.  The GOP is coming for you. Are you a woman? They want control of your womb. Want to love a person they don't approve of? They're watching your room.  Speak with an accent, "not in my neighborhood" and on it goes.This is the moment, the GOP is declaring war on both democracy and decency.  The only way to fight it is to turn out in numbers never seen before to reject them all at the ballot box in November.

The horrific and nightmarish scenes playing out in full view of the entire world has brought us to a historic moment. Today we are seeing people and nations around the globe come together to embrace Ukraine and its people while simultaneously condemning Vladimir Putin and Russia. Putin's unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation, the killing of civilians, and the destruction of one of Eastern Europe's most beautiful and vibrant countries has unified literally billions of people.While Moscow's Madman directs the destruction and devastation of Ukraine, in clear violation of international law and the Geneva Convention, here at home the American people are at a loss about what to do and how to help. The Biden Administration has taken bold steps to enforce choking sanctions to punish Putin, yet the blowback people are feeling at the gas pump has become a rallying cry for assholes who can't see beyond the hood of their gas-guzzling monster trucks.  How are they supposed to drive all the way to Washington with their Trump Won and Q-Anon flags unfurled when gas costs $5 a gallon.  It's so hard to be a jackass these days.Robin and David sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on these issues and of course, have some fun at the expense of Marjorie, Lauren, Rand, Matt, Louis, Lindsay, and the rest of the Capital Hill cRazies.

This week, when we remember one of the greatest leaders in our nation's history, serves as a reminder that we once strived for greatness, overcame the most formidable obstacles, and injustice was never a thing we shrank from eradicating.That was then. Another time. When we had heroes occupying the highest offices. Men and women who answered the call to serve for the greater good. As we survey the current political landscape, the vitriol, the intolerance, the rigid adherence to ideology, and the inability to seek or find common ground, it is hard to hang onto hope.That's why this week we invited Rep. Park Cannon of Georgia to join us.  A symbol of the next generation of leaders who believe we can once again be a country where the ideas of visionaries like Roosevelt, JFK, and Barack Obama made us believe in the possibility of progress and change for good.To learn more about this dynamic new powerhouse in Georgia politics click here: https://www.gasupreme.us/events/oa-january-20-2022/

There is a sentiment circulating among Democrats that the end is upon us, that given the historical nature of mid-terms the shift in power in Congress will surely occur and the Great American Experiment will come crashing down.  Is there cause for concern? Sure. Is it a foregone conclusion? Not by a long shot.By any stretch of the imagination, these are not normal times.   Norms and cycles have been busted wide open. Political pundits are scrambling to make sense of it all during a time when sense is at a premium.  Watching the January 6th Committee ramp up their efforts to expose the smarmy traitors who facilitated the insurrection, including the disgraced, twice-impeached ex-president hiding in his gold plated toilet in Florida, should tell us that the full story is yet to be told, and when it is, it is going to be a doozy.Bottom Line? Let's not be so hasty to jump to conclusions. To help us understand why is Davis Han, the political strategist for Grassroots Democratic HQ and a rising star in the ranks of the Democratic Party.  He lays it all on the line regarding the races that are in play, where the Dems can not just hold the Senate but actually expand their majority, thus making Mr. Manchin an after-thought.

Democrats were shaken to the core this past Election Day as Republicans turned out in record numbers, driven by a variety of ginned-up tropes about everything from socialism, to the Big Lie, to crime  and even to what is being taught in schools. It all got stoked to the boiling point by fearmongering candidates, Republican PAC's and of course Fox News and their ilk.The slap in the face did serve as a wake-up call for Democrats though, as just 48 hours after the stinging rebuke, they passed Part 1 of Joe Biden's Infrastructure Bill.  All it took was a good hard dose of ice water and a look in the mirror to recognize that the self-inflicted wounds, caused by political infighting within their own caucus, had put them on the brink of disaster.  While Joe Biden's approval numbers sank lower and lower, despite huge economic gains in employment and employee wages, the stock market keeps climbing and, apart from the price of gas, things are pretty darn good considering the fact that we're still dealing with a catastrophic pandemic. So why is America's opinion of Joe so low? Consider the media who fixate on anything that looks like conflict and unrest. Let's see where the numbers go when the trillion dollars start flowing around the nation.Robin and David are joined by a true expert in the field of Democratic communication and messaging, something the Democrats sorely need, Anat Shenker-Osorio. Anat helps us understand how messaging needs to be clear, straightforward, and memorable. You won't want to miss her insights.

The constant assault on reason, logic, facts, science, and reality is taking a toll. The non-stop barrage of nonsense, obfuscation, misdirection, lies, and treachery are undermining the very foundation of the nation we grew up believing in.Are we at a tipping point? Is there a way to put the brakes on this train that is speeding towards the end of the tracks, where democracy goes up in smoke and all that awaits us is autocracy, nihilism, and a country that bears no resemblance to what the Founding Father's envisioned, or what brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for?We'll talk to one of the good guys, a former Republican lawmaker from New Hampshire who said, enough is enough and switched sides! If you are starting to feel that is nothing left to believe in, listen to William Marsh, a brave doctor turned state representative who stood up and said Enough!Let his story and his courage embolden us all to take the fight to those who have abandoned the dream of America and bowed down to the false narrative of Trump and his minions.

Pandemic still raging? CheckAnti-vaxxers still raving? CheckInfrastructure Bill still languishing? CheckAmerica on the edge of default? CheckManchin and Sinema.....? WhateverIt's been another period of rough and tumble politics with absolutely nothing to show for it. Lots of name-calling, finger-pointing, blame-hurling, and anything else you can think of. The bottom line is that it's been anything but productive. Welcome to Washington or as Mitch McConnell sees it, Nirvana.This week to find some good we turned our eyes and our microphones westward to the Land of Lincoln to talk with a most impressive Illinois General Assemblyman, Will Guzzardi. Will is also co-chair of the Illinois Progressive Caucus.  Will serves on the Prescription Drug Affordability Committee, the Economic Opportunity & Equity Committee, the Judiciary Committee, AND on the Mental Health Committee!  You won't want to miss this.

There's no denying the absurdity of the world we live in these days. It feels like each one is filled with intolerance, ignorance, and insanity.  It can lead people directly to their local bar, oh wait, it's closed. What's left? Laughter. Over many centuries, humor has diffused tense and fraught situations, which is why we were so delighted to invite the wonderful Wendy Liebman, who has been making people laugh for decades, with her unique style of delightfully disarming and pointedly non-political humor.Wendy shares with us her views about the tightrope many comedians walk when it comes to the hyper-polarized world of politics.  If you're concerned that we might have abandoned what you have come to count on, our normal helpings of GOP outrage, Trump-bashing, and of course Marjorie Taylor Greene, never fear, we've got you covered. 

The despicable laws conceived of, passed and signed into law in Texas, are rocking the very foundation of our society. Riding a wave of MINORITY opinion, Greg Abbott signed the most draconian roll-back of women's rights in half a century. Hell, Texas makes the Handmaid's Tale sound like a lighthearted romp. It's all one further example of the fact that our democracy is in crisis. Despite the fact that Democrats control the House, Senate, and the White House, nothing is getting done! With the narrowest of margins in both houses of Congress, President Biden can't even get the bills that a vast majority of Americans want to his desk to sign. Why? Two words: Manchin and Synema.Haven McVarish, a lawyer, author, and activist who once ran for office but became disenchanted with the prospect of spending all of his campaign time, and what would have been his time in office, fundraising. He then went on to represent the California Teachers Association before becoming its head and has spent a decade in the political arena. In his book, "Last Chance To Save American Democracy", he spells out his agenda for preventing the GOP from forever securing power in the US. The number one item on his list?… Wait for it… Reforming the filibuster.Robin, David and Haven dig deep into the murky waters of the far-right's master plan and search for hope during these increasingly dark times.

It took 20 years, cost the lives of thousands of Americans and Afghans along with countless trillions of dollars, but as of today, it is in the rearview mirror.  The Endless War has in fact, come to an end. That end came with a torrent of turmoil, angst, fingerpointing, and even more American lives lost as the final hours were being counted down. Debates over how it was handled and who shoulders the blame for all of the miscalculations and deadly decisions will rage for a long time. While there will be lots of noise in the coming days, ultimately it will be for historians to unravel, decipher, and put into context.  There is no denying that the historic Air Bridge that shuttled over 160,000 people out of Afghanistan is a logistical feat never before seen.Robin Biro, an Army Ranger who served two tours in Afghanistan, is joined by Christopher Purdy, a fellow veteran who now serves as Director of Veterans for American Ideals. Together they discuss the frantic final days and the remarkable impact VFAI had in getting well over 500 people into their underground system, through the maze of red tape and security, and onto the tarmac to be flown to safety.  Their lives and, potentially, the lives of tens of thousands of others identified by Christopher and the team at VFAI who transmitted the information to officials on the ground, are now free of the terror that grips the land.

It has been yet another rough week for the man sitting in the Oval Office. As you know, there are no corners to hide in, and that's fine with Joe. He boldly proclaims that the buck stops with him.  Of course, Biden didn't create the Afghan mess, nor did he extend it, like his predecessors. He was given a lousy hand and he played it...boldly. There's a lot of dust and plenty of blame to go around, but by next week, this ignominious chapter will mercifully come to a close.  What comes next for the nation we tried to build, does not look good, but there is no point in looking backward or wringing our hands.In other developments, the FDA gave its formal approval to the Pfizer vaccine. With that announcement, the millions of anti-vaxxers who said they wanted to wait, better start rolling up their sleeves, because this is an Us against the virus thing now and there are no good reasons left to hide behind anymore.For weeks Robin and David have discussed how all politics are local, to that end, they host Alexis Weaver, an anti-hunger, non-discrimination activist who is running for city council and working to make a difference in her suburban Atlanta city.  

As a nation, we watched with a mixture of astonishment and horror, as the Taliban raced across the entirety of Afghanistan in a heartbeat. The suddenness with which they rolled over and laid waste to 20 years of "nation-building" was and is hard to comprehend. The end of the conflict, that Trump negotiated with the Taliban and then left for Biden to oversee, has stirred emotions across the spectrum.  From those who served to those who live to point fingers and affix blame.One way or the other, within the next 72 hours this two-decade-old war, which was started to satisfy the bloodlust of a nation hell-bent on revenge for 9/11, will come to a close.  The conclusion will be anything but satisfying for anyone not a member of the Taliban.  The aftershocks will be felt for a long time, or until the next political powderkeg ignites and consumes the talking heads on both the right and left-wing of our media circus.For host Robin Biro, the memories of serving two tours with his Army Ranger brothers, in a country that never fully embraced them or their mission, the emotions remain raw and complicated. He explains all of this in a wide-ranging conversation about what has happened over the past two years, and where we go from here.Oh and did we mention that the pandemic is still raging across the country no matter how hard Gov. Ron #DeathSantis tries to insist that all is rosy in the hottest of COVID hot zones, Florida.

Remember the days before there was a vaccine? Remember the terrifying death tolls reaching into the hundreds of thousands and showing no signs of ending? Then Sherriff Joe came to town and started getting shots in arms and we thought...this is good...we're saved...it's over.  If only. If only there wasn't an entire subset of conspiracy-loving nut jobs who put their faith, their lives, and the lives of their families in to the hands of charlatans. People who choose to believe "facts" they find on the internet to justify not getting the shot.  Cue the Delta variant and dust off the Death Count graphic because we're back to the bad old days.Ron DeSantis wants to be president, he thinks the best way to the White House is by embracing the Former Guy, coddling up to the conspiracy kooks, and actually threatening schools who want to have their students wear masks. Florida's hospitals are overwhelmed, cases are doubling every week, ICUs have no room, those are the facts. The DeSantis Delusion is quite different. "Everything is sunny in the sunshine state."  The other state where things are actually worse? Texas, where Gov. Abbott doesn't see tents being set up outside hospitals to house new patients, no, his big concern? Too many voting drop boxes!Robin and David try to keep their heads from exploding by hosting a truly inspirational young woman, Mana Shooshtari who, at the ripe old age of 21, serves as the Field and Communications Coordinator for Grassroots Democrats HQ grassrootsdems.org. Mana shares her remarkable journey as well as what can and is being done to reach out to and engage young voters.  

The march towards the truth, shedding light and bringing justice to those responsible for the violent attack on our nation's capital has officially begun. Despite some of the most riveting testimony ever given in a committee chamber, Republicans continue trying to obfuscate, lie, distract and point fingers at everyone but themselves and their Dear Leader.Oh and let's not forget that they are also working their miserable asses to the bone to make sure that voting becomes a thing of the past since they know that winning a fair fight is becoming darn near impossible.  Joining Robin and David this week is California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel who brings us up to date on the insane Republican Recall of Governor Newsom as well as efforts in the Golden State to not just secure but, expand voting rights, fight climate change, stop right-wing fringe extremists who actually want to embed chips in immigrants and more.  Crazy right?Speaking of crazy, COVID is ravaging our country again but this time it's being very selective, picking off only those who devour conspiracy theories about vaccines and thus make themselves and their loved ones sitting ducks to become sick and possibly die from this nightmarish pandemic. It doesn't matter how much you stick your head in the sand, or watch Tucker Carlson, chances are that the delta variant is going to get you if you don't get the shot or wear a mask.  And you know what? If you don't and you get sick, that's on you! 

Together with former state representative Jon Hoadley of Kalamazoo, MI, Robin and David dive into the insane lengths the Party of Trump, and the sycophants who do their master's bidding will go to cling to power. Want us to deny what we saw with our own eyes on January 6th? Do you mean those "loving" tourists? Break rules and pass unconstitutional laws? Sure! Subvert both the will of our constituents and the very foundations of our democracy. Done and done!All this while the Delta-fueled version of COVID sweeps across the country targeting and killing people who willfully disregard science and refuse to get vaccinated. The people and news outlets that are spreading the disinformation should be held accountable but are they? You know the answer to that.The only good news to come out of Washington all week is that the January 6th Committee will convene this week and the truth about the insurrection, and attack on the symbol of our democracy, will be told. Nancy Pelosi would not be outmaneuvered on this. In fact, she ran circles around the badly outmatched Kevin McCarthy who somehow manages to look more and more inept and corrupt with each passing day.

Robert Patillo, Civil Rights and Criminal Defense Attorney and Executive Director of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition joins Robin and David to discuss how the right-wing message machine seems hell-bent on driving UP the Covid death count! It's clear that they are fine crushing the aspirations and goals of Americans who are desperate to return to normal. And why? Because their worst-case scenario is that Joe Biden gets hailed as the steward who guided us there.So the Dr. Seuss cancel culture line didn't stick, the caravans of criminals flooding the border fell flat, eyes gloss over when anyone mentions Critical Race Theory, heck even the Liberal, Socialist, Marxist label isn't taking hold, mainly because no one spouting it even knows what Marxism is, or for that matter, what Mr. Marx's first name is. Kevin? Chad? Stuart?The perpetuation of the Big Lie, the ridiculous indignation about deficits (that old canard they pulled out of storage), and the unhinged players who are the faces of the Republican Party (aka. Party of Trump) in 2021, are working overtime to ensure that their shrinking base, the clear minority in the country, never releases their grip on power. They will do whatever it takes, and in their playbook, if it means a few un-vaccinated lunatics have to die, so be it.

Tucker Carlson is desperate to ingratiate himself with the most abhorrent wing of the Republican base but this week he totally went off the rails.  The sniveling twit actually called four-star General Mark Milley a pig. Not sure what is worse, that Fox didn't kick him off the air immediately or that his ratings probably rose and Rupert Murdoch most likely gave him a raise.Between right-wing media outrages, the scary rise in the Delta Variant, the botched Infrastructure negotiations, and the continued pushback from anti-vaxxers who now make up over 99% of the hospitalized COVID patients in America, it really does feel like a world gone mad.Robin and David tackle it all and manage to still find a way to leave you with a truly heartwarming feel-good story so that you don't drive off the road, fall off your treadmill or run screaming into the night.

Special guest Melissa Grant, president of Grassroots Democrats HQ, an organization that has grown into one of the most formidable democratic ground game operations in the country, joins Robin and David to discuss how she did it and how you can be a part of what will bring our nation back from the brink.OK, so Juneteeth is an official holiday. That's a good thing. Is it the only thing? Far from it!How about making Election Day a holiday? How about securing voting rights? Oh let's not forget fixing our crumbling roads and bridges. There is so much work to be done and at every turn, there seems to be a single individual standing in the way. These days it feels like it is Joe Manchin, Kevin McCarthy, or the reliably dastardly Mitch McConnell. The latter two serving as standard-bearers of the Party of No.There is no agenda on the right, no platform, no beliefs, no concern for the future of the nation, only their political power and the existence of their party which exists in name only. It is the party of Trump, the party of Q-Anon, the party of the insurrection, and the party of autocracy. It is incumbent on every one of us to commit to working our keisters off this election cycle. Losing control of Congress is not an option, because if we fail in the mission to not just hold onto but actually expand the Democratic majority, you can kiss this democracy goodbye.Joining Robin and David is Melissa Grant, the president of Grassroots Democrats HQ, an organization that has grown into one of the most formidable democratic ground game operations in the country. We'll learn how she did it and how you can be a part of what will bring our nation back from the brink.

It seems inconceivable that we have to lure, entice and cajole people to get vaccinated. No matter what color your hat, we're pretty sure no one wants to relive the past 16 months. This week Robin, David, and special guest Dr. Lettisha Bilbrew dive into what's behind the various states of concern, confusion, and outright rejection of science.Front and center on the world stage, Joe Biden will stride into talks with America's arch-enemy, master evil-doer, and all-around schmuck Vladimir Putin.  It's going to be vastly different from the fawning meeting of the past where compromised Russian asset and "President" Trump, would get his new orders and then embarrass himself in front of the world. We expect Joe isn't going to take any crap. Will it change the balance of power? We can only hope.Speaking of the thankfully former White House resident, we're now learning just how omnipotent he thought he was, and how his minions enabled that thinking.  The deluded autocrat wanna-be ordered "his" DOJ to spy on those who dared to say mean things about him, like Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell.  It's time to put him and his cronies on the witness stand for all to see just how bad and corrupt everything and everyone was from 2017-2021.So buckle up, it's time for another Deep Dive into the deep end of the pool.

Joe Manchin (D- W. Virginia) is basking in the limelight that he created by being a lynchpin in the US Senate. His antics are a continuing source of frustration for the President and the rest of the Democrats in the Senate. His deluded stubbornness, refusing to be a team player, or perhaps playing for the wrong team is nothing short of maddening.  Singlehandedly he is holding up any forward movement of the Biden agenda. Democrats are stymied at every turn.  While Manchin acts more like a Republican than a Democrat, voting rights advocates scream foul as hundreds of voter suppression bills become laws and threaten to blow up our democracy and bring about the end of “The Great Experiment” that is the United States of America.  Never forget, it's Manchin who is holding up passage of HR1 – the Voting Rights Bill, the only thing that has the potential to quash the outrageous and outright illiberal laws that bring the country closer and closer to autocratic rule.Robin's guest is Christale Spain, founder of 46 Hope Road, a voter engagement organization in South Carolina.  We take a deep dive into what voting rights groups are working on so that 2022 and beyond are not lost to the Machiavellian antics of the far right.

It has been a most trying time, filled with fear, apprehension, confusion, mixed messages, and a whole lot of finger-pointing.  That was then, so what exactly is now? That's what we're all trying to figure out as summer nears and vaccinations are reaching critical mass.  Are we safe? Can we do this? Can we not do that? There might be more questions than there are answers. One thing is for sure, there does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel.One place where the light is shrouded in smoke, ash, and destruction in the Middle East.  The always smoldering tinderbox of hostilities has erupted once again and as rockets and blame rain down on both sides, we are left to ponder just what the Trump-Kushner legacy in the region is? Was there ever a plan? Did Trump's hands-off approach lead to this? Whatever the reason, it is yet another inherited mess that the Biden Administration must navigate.Can Biden and the Democrats turn any of this into messaging to support the party as there are now less than 18 months until the next major test of where we stand politically in this country?  The midterms.  We discuss it all with Justin Mathis, the Director of Olympic Sports at Stanford University and a real up-and-coming political force in this country. 

Watching the carnival sideshow that the Republican Party has devolved into is either fascinating or terrifying. On one hand, there are internal forces threatening to blow the whole thing up, on the other hand, there are so many lawmakers ready to fall on their swords for the twice-impeached, two-time popular vote LOSER, Donald Trump.  The media is transfixed by it all because as we all know, "If it bleeds it leads" and there are some gaping wounds on display right now. The problem with this is that there are some very significant things happening in this country that SHOULD be the focus of our attention. We're still trying to recover from a Trump-fueled pandemic where nearly 400,000 Americans died - The economy is in tatters - Our infrastructure is crumbling - The Middle East is in flames again - Russians continue to hack our nation at will....did we miss anything?So what does it all mean as we look forward to the shape of politics in our nation. We are joined by renowned and famously correct polling prognosticator Rachel Bitecofer, Ph.D. who helps us do a Deep Dive into how and why we vote as we do and what we can expect in 2022 and 2024 if some significant changes aren't made.

Is there ANY hope for a sane and reasonable Republican Party?The true conservatives in Congress are fewer in number and being forced into hiding. In their place, the loud, insistent rantings of the far-right are screaming from the rooftops (and on Fox "News") to drown out anyone who speaks the truth. It's not easy being Liz Cheney or Mitt Romney these days.  As the stalwarts continue to be booed and vilified for not supporting the New Republican agenda, which seems to be nothing more than “Trump won, Biden stole the election”, and everything Biden does sucks. We are sure Abe would turning in his grave seeing what has become of the "Party of Lincoln".All indications are that Cheney will be losing her leadership role as soon as this week, but she is standing her ground, for which we have to give her credit.Meantime, the sycophants continue to make the pilgrimage to Mar a Lago and the former guy still has a chokehold on the GOP.Add to that Mitch McConnell's refusal to even entertain Biden's Jobs Plan, despite the majority of Americans being in favor of it.  And, despite the fact that it would be a one-two punch to both our crumbling infrastructure and the employment numbers.  Why?  Well, 1) because it comes from a Democratic president and 2) because it would reverse the 2017 Trump tax “bill” in order to pay for it and Lord knows our billionaires are hurting. Asking Jeff Bezos to pay a penny in taxes? Madness!Finally, we'll discuss all the hoopla about transgender athletes, which seems like just another distraction by the right-wing media and their GOP lackeys who just don't want to do their jobs.And that's not all, we conclude our two-part interview with Rep. Harley Rouda who gives us some behind-the-curtain insights into what life is like as a Democrat in the House of Representatives.

After promising to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days, President Biden upped the stakes, applied the pressure, and obliterated that initial projection. Over 230 million vaccine shots have been administered to Americans of all ages.  By any measure, it has been a soaring success, one that took firm resolve, reliance on experts, and the following of science. This major milestone also comes exactly one year after President Trump suggested that the virus could be beaten if people would just ingest bleach or insert powerful lights into their bodies.  We have certainly come a long way.Much remains to be done and the pressure to keep up the march forward on huge issues including the effort to fix America's crumbling infrastructure remains a high priority. Democrats are hitting the road with a succinct and urgent call to muster support for what would be a signature piece of legislation and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.To help us understand what goes on inside the halls of Congress where the partisan divide grows greater every day, Former (and hopefully returning) Congressman Harley Rouda joins Robin and David for the first of a two-part series examining the huge successes and some stumbles that the Biden/Harris Administration has experienced as they attempt to heal our fractured nation.Oh and if that wasn't enough, California Governor Gavin Newsom will have to face a recall vote that promises to be a three-ring circus, because well....California.  Caitlin Jenner and a host of TMZ regulars will surely be vying for their moments of fame. How it will play out is anyone's guess.

The trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd held the nation's attention as we waited on pins and needles to hear the verdict, would justice be done or would the entire country go up in flames? It felt like so much hung in the balance and...let's not pull any punches, it did.Does the GOP bear any resemblance to “The Party of Lincoln”?  The factions within the party right now would seem to prove otherwise.  Between the failed white supremacy caucus, the ever confrontational Jim Jordan and the recalcitrant minority leader, it's hard to tell what the Grand Old Party stands for these days, other than blocking anything President Biden wants to accomplish.In this episode Robin and David talk to former Nevada RNC Chairwoman, Amy Tarkanian to try and get a handle on where the Republican Party is now, and what it stands for.  And, she oughta know.And finally, (yes there is more!), we dive into the obscene rash of new laws either passed or under consideration in statehouses across the country, that threaten American's rights of peaceful protest, which by the way, are protected under the 1st Amendment.

On September 11, 2021, our nation's longest war will come to an end. Not with a glorious conclusion complete with victory parades but with a long-overdue ending. That doesn't make the sacrifices of our troops any less worthy of our remembrance or appreciation for their service.  President Biden announced the pull-out and within minutes the GOP pulled out all their righteous indignation, even though they didn't say a word when Trump announced the same thing only earlier. The only things that are for certain are death, taxes, and GOP hypocrisy. Perhaps that's why in a recent poll only  25% of American's identify as Republican.  Trump has brought ruin and shame to the "Grand Old Party" and it may end with him in an orange jumpsuit. And what's a poor thug like Vladimir to do, now that he's lost his favorite pet? For four years his puppet danced like a demented marionette while he delightedly pulled the strings and we watched in horror as Donnie played the part of Fawning Fanboy.Joining Robin and David on this episode of American Discourse is Retired Command Sergent Major Jamie Lethiecq who served for 20 years including time in Afghanistan. He gives us insights into the mindset of many in the military about the decision as well as some important facts about what a drawdown of 2500 troops means in both the short and long term.

In a week that spanned the spectrum, from uplifting (4 million shots a day) to disconcerting (Texas & Florida ignoring science), surprising (Schumer brings a pot bill to the floor) to slimy (Matt Gaetz, do we need to say more?) there was plenty to chew on before taking the Discourse Deep Dive.After a year unlike any other in modern times, we saw enormous voter turnout for both the general and run-off elections.  Clearly many people who have never or normally don't vote were moved to cast their ballots.  One of the largest demographics was young people, who, in the past several elections, have mostly stayed home.Robin Biro and David Katzner welcome Mitchell Rosenberg, founder of Simplified, a platform that explains the issues in short, palatable bites, to the youth electorate.  Mitchell is one of a growing number of youth organizers and activists who are taking the political world by storm.  These young up-and-comers will be the new flank of the Democratic party and on this episode, he clues us in to what it takes to get young people involved and keep them activated.

Whether it's gun-control, infrastructure, or the outrageous voter suppression law passed in Georgia and is threatening to roll all over the country - at some point the logjam in the Senate has to give way so that bills like the John Lewis Voting Rights Act can get voted on. The only way for that to happen is for the filibuster to either disappear or revert back to the talking filibuster of yesteryear.Robin Biro and David Katzner set the table for all these issues and then invite Professor Wendy Schiller, Ph.D. of Brown University to explain what this arcane procedural maneuver is all about. The centerpiece of Mitch McConnell's obstructionist ways must be tackled head-on, one way or the other. As it is, you can be sure that the era of a do-nothing, deadlocked Senate will continue during these days when that is the last thing we can afford.The country is on the road to recovery, it seems as if everyone is excited and on-board, well everyone except the Republicans in Congress.  It certainly doesn't appear as if they are doing the bidding of their constituents, only bowing to the demands of the big-money donors who allow them to walk the halls of power. It's shameful, it's loathsome and it must stop.Robin Biro and David Katzner set the table for all these issues and then invite Professor Wendy Schiller, Ph.D. of Brown University to explain what this arcane procedural maneuver is all about. The centerpiece of Mitch McConnell's obstructionist ways must be tackled head-on, one way or the other. As it is, you can be sure that the era of a do-nothing, deadlocked Senate will continue during these days when that is the last thing we can afford.The country is on the road to recovery, it seems as if everyone is excited and on-board, well everyone except the Republicans in Congress.  It certainly doesn't appear as if they are doing the bidding of their constituents, only bowing to the demands of the big-money donors who allow them to walk the halls of power. It's shameful, it's loathsome and it must stop.

QUIZ TIME: Which state has the bigger population? Wyoming or Washington DC? If you said DC you are right AND wrong! More people live in the District of Columbia but it's not a state! That's right, 800,000 Americans have no representation in Congress. It's a hot-button topic but not one that Robin Biro and David Katzner are afraid of wading into.Speaking of hot-buttons, let's talk about taxes. No, don't click away there's actually some good news this year, you don't have to file until May 17th! It's really good news if you are a billionaire cause you probably aren't paying anything!In yet another chock full episode there's lots on our plate, but the icing on the cake is our special guest Boyd Matheson, former Chief of Staff to Utah Senator Mike Lee, Opinion Editor at Deseret News in Salt Lake City, and host of his own show “Inside Sources”  Boyd and Robin have appeared on television numerous times but in this show, they have the opportunity to do a Deep Dive into all things wrong and right about politics and the state of our nation.  Boyd also gave us the name for the title of this episode while discussing how civility is still within our grasp, if We The People take the lead.Of course, we have some fun with Sidney Powell and Tucker Carlson who seem to find ways to infuriate people in comically tragic ways week after week. But it all ends on a good note, as Robin gives us a heartwarming palate cleanser that will make you feel good all over.Thanks to you all for being part of our podcast family, we appreciate all who have subscribed and left glowing reviews.

The ascension of Deb Haaland to Secretary of the Interior is both significant and historic. The first native American EVER to sit in a presidential cabinet. Just another win for the Biden-Harris team that is racking up victories and making their GOP counterparts look silly.  3,000,000 vaccines a day?!! Even in our wildest dreams, we couldn't envision that happening and yet here we are. This unprecedented mobilization of resources and expertise defies description. And then there is the Vatican, whose tone-deaf rejection of same-sex marriages demonstrates how out of touch the Catholic Church is with their flock.But hey, take heart! For the last four years, every day was filled with nothing but horror, embarrassment, and humiliation for anyone who didn't wear a red hat, at least we're mixing in some wins with the losses now. In this episode, Robin Biro and David Katzner bounce around the news cycle and then welcome Jennifer Cohn, a voting security expert who breaks down the realities behind the inexplicably bizarre and probably corrupt system of choosing which voting systems tabulate our votes. You've probably heard of Dominion (thanks to Rudy, Sydney, and The Pillow Guy!) but there's another company lurking behind some very strange goings-on.  Jennifer helps us make sense of it all. As always Robin ends the show with a palette cleanser that will surely make you smile.

There is no way to look at the results of the past week as anything other than a huge win for the Biden-Harris administration, the Democratic Party, and all Americans longing for even the smallest dose of truth, sanity, compassion, and vaccinations!  With the passage and signing of the American Rescue Plan Act, along with the announcement that vaccinations are rolling out even faster than expected, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be shining brighter than ever.Robin and David discuss how everything broke in the Dems favor and how it has left Republicans in Congress hopelessly flailing, trying to salvage something, anything, of their tattered and humbled party after voting unanimously against this hugely popular legislation. So what do they latch onto? Dr. Suess?? Pitiful.As the administration hits the road to tout the bill and flex some hard-earned PR muscle, the Democratic Party is looking to 2022 and hoping to build on their slim majorities.  Kaye Koonce joins the podcast to explain just how new Democratic candidates are recruited and encouraged to run for office.It has been a week to remember and there's no better place to wrap it all up in a bow than on American Discourse.

It was another tumultuous legislative week in Congress with House and Senate Democrats managing to somehow stick together to overcome the Republican Party's obstructionism, every single member of Congress with an R (or Q) after their name ignored the polls and the pleas of their constituents by voting No again and again.Make no mistake, this was a huge win for Joe Biden and his administration but it also showed that his dreams of uniting the country have all but evaporated.  Perhaps when the effects of the recovery are felt by voters, both in terms of ending the pandemic, putting money in people's pockets, and getting Americans back to work, he will get the thankful recognition he deserves.As one fight ends another one is brewing, which is a phrase we should get used to hearing. From HR1 to the minimum wage, infrastructure, the environment, immigration, and on it goes. Each round will leave both sides bruised and bloodied, and for what exactly?!!Robin and David discuss the chances of passage for the upcoming legislation and invite guest Joyce Rose-Harris to share her experiences and advice for how you, as citizens and voters, can get involved and move the needle.

Join Robin Biro and guest host David Katzner as they do the deep dive into just what the heck happened in Orlando at CPAC.  The shameless display of fealty to Trump was front and center for three days of mind-blowing insanity, conspiracies, and alternative reality.Was it a peek into the future of the Republican Party (such as it is) or was it the last gasp for the failed, twice-impeached, disgraced ex-president who is still raging, ranting, and perpetuating The Big Lie?We discuss that and host Robin shares some of his political journey while David explains the history behind what was Patriots for Change but is now Discourse USA, Then we welcome Alvin McEwen, host and author of the popular blog "Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters".  Fresh off another CPAC, he shares firsthand his experience of being in The Convention Center Where It Happened.

While politicians are squabbling over who is outmaneuvering who and coming up with new ways to gridlock our nation's ability to recover from the raging pandemic and economic catastrophe (oh and did we mention the armed militias stockpiling weapons?), there are real-world issues that Robin thinks deserve more airtime.In this episode, we examine how the expiring moratoriums in mortgages and rents have everyone on edge. Should we just extend the moratorium or should we be working on an equitable solution that doesn't crush Americans AND doesn't leave banks and landlords in the lurch. Remember 2008 before you go for the knee-jerk response of sticking it to The Man.  When banks buckle so does our entire system.Robin seeks out the advice of market expert Melissa Armo, CEO of The Stock Swoosh and host of "Make a Million with Melissa" and formerly a banker for many years in the mortgage industry. Now she's teaching the little guy how to use the stock market to their advantage with weekly online classes.And speaking of the little guy, we'll also dive into what the heck happened with Robinhood and Gamestop.  Let's start The Discourse!

  Welcome to the inaugural edition of American Discourse. Host Robin Biro has a lot on his mind this week, from Ted Cruz's Cancun Calamity to the student loan and mortgage crises, oh and let's not forget the pandemic, how about those vaccinations!  Way to go Joe!  Robin's guest this week is a real spitfire who is rising up the social media ranks in the world of outspoken, real-world people trying to make ends meet. Between juggling a family and a job as a waitress she also hosts a daily Facebook show where her popularity is soaring. When you hear her thoughtful and forthright commentary we think you'll become a fan.   In future episodes, Robin will be opening up the discourse to include the left, center AND right.  It's sure to ignite some fascinating, thought-provoking back and forth.    Please subscribe so that you don't miss a minute.