Democracy on the Move

Kevin Howard drops by again for a lively discussion about how wealth has co-opted our media and government. He references the Powell Memorandum, written in 1971, which was a blueprint for persuading the masses to support corporate takeover. This effort greatly influenced the infamous “Citizens United” Supreme Court ruling of 2010, which elevated corporate influence over individuals by allowing them to dominate large media companies and shape popular opinion, thereby vastly increasing their sway over U.S. policy. Numerous examples are cited illustrating how the Powell Memorandum has made the United States vulnerable to many ills, including the 9/11 terrorist attack, and contributed to the conflict in Ukraine. Kevin explains how people following the tenets of the memorandum have led to significant geopolitical consequences, challenging the mainstream narratives often presented to the public. Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking hour that we hope will encourage you to question everything you're being told about America.

Amanda Taylor drops by to discuss her campaign to represent District 103 in the Missouri House of Representatives. The House currently has a Republican "super-majority," so Amanda, running as a Democrat, has her work cut out for her. We discuss her main campaign issues, what she hopes to accomplish as a state legislator, and the current state of politics in Missouri and the rest of the nation. The day's issues may seem epic and impossible, but we break them down over this hour-long podcast, providing interesting discussion sprinkled with a bit of humor. You can find more information about Amanda at voteamandataylor.com

To keep from killing each other, people just don't talk about the topics of politics and religion at the family dinner table or during outings with friends. This is unfortunate because these are the topics that undermine unity in our nation. Corey Nathan, however, bravely steps into this space and produces a podcast that's unafraid to take on these topics. What results is a series of engaging, provocative, and fun conversations. The podcast is called, “Talkin' Politics and Religion without Killin' Each Other,” and it has logged nearly 200 interesting episodes. Join us as we discuss the political and religious divisions in our nation, how to act rationally in a politically charged atmosphere, and how your political representative can act in such an anti-Christian manner while claiming to be a good Christian.

In this episode, we talk about Universal Healthcare with two guests - Dr. Ed Weisbart, an advocate for a single-payer national health program, and Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth II, a U.S. Congressional candidate for Missouri's 8th district. We unpack some of the major challenges of implementing Universal Healthcare in the United States. Dr. Weisbart, with his extensive background in medicine and health advocacy, represents the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). He brings his expertise from a career spanning multiple roles in the healthcare sector to advocate for a comprehensive national health insurance system where every person in America is covered. He passionately cares about providing accessible and equitable healthcare for all Americans. Denny Roth addresses the political hurdles and societal resistance to Universal Healthcare. Even though Universal Healthcare presents a simpler and far less expensive alternative to today's current healthcare system, there are political barriers to overcome nevertheless.

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Howard, author of Onward At Last, a compelling collection of essays exploring the root causes of American unhappiness and the pathway to personal and collective progress. Raised in the Bronx and having served in the US Army, Kevin navigated a successful career in business banking before realizing a critical void in his seemingly accomplished life. His book delves into how deeply ingrained values of independence, competition, and self-interest, while driving capitalism, can obstruct societal contentment and ecological balance. As our nation grapples with fear, unhappiness, and division, Kevin's insights offer a transformative perspective on our interconnectedness and the importance of embracing our collective humanity. Join us as we discuss the moral imperative of moving beyond self-centered views, acknowledging our universal oneness, and learning to rely on each other in a world teetering on the edge of self-destruction.

In this episode, we're joined by Patrick Lovell, the creative mind behind the eye-opening documentary series The Con. Our conversation digs into the critical issue of how major financial institutions, with the tacit approval of a complicit government, have manipulated the United States' financial system. We explore the troubling "revolving door" phenomenon, where government officials, responsible for regulating banking laws, seamlessly transition to roles within the banks they once oversaw. This practice has facilitated numerous inside jobs, often at the expense of the average American worker. The 2008 financial crisis, far from being an isolated event, was merely an attribute of a continuous and systemic exploitation of America's financial systems by those positioned as guardians of our economic well-being. Through years of meticulous research, Patrick Lovell has uncovered the deteriorating integrity within the finance sector's legal and regulatory framework. His documentary series The Con is an essential watch for understanding this complex and significant issue. Join us as we discuss the intricate and alarming details of what might be the largest racketeering conspiracy in global history, one that continues to impact us all.

In this episode of our podcast, we engage with Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress from Missouri's 8th District. Facing a formidable challenge against the incumbent Republican, Jason Smith, Roth is undeterred despite the district's strong Republican lean and Smith's significant political standing. Our conversation, set in the tranquil surroundings of Roth's home near Hillsboro, Missouri, delves into his multifaceted background as a farmer and truck driver, and his perspectives on critical issues like the economy, healthcare, reproductive rights, social security, education, equal rights, immigration, and firearm regulation. Roth's campaign focuses on addressing the economic distress of the district, highlighted by the closure of a Tyson Foods' plant in Dexter, Missouri, which significantly impacted local jobs and economy. This episode offers a candid and in-depth look at the political landscape of Missouri's 8th District through Roth's eyes, reflecting the podcast's commitment to exploring diverse viewpoints and understanding the complex dynamics shaping our political system.

This week we talk with Jojo Stewart about the disturbing rising tide of fascism in America. Jojo is an activist, avid blogger and social media manager for a candidate who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives. We discuss the historical origins of fascism, its core tenets, and the warning signs that indicate its presence. We also talk about the current political climate in the United States and whether or not the conditions exist for the rise of fascism in this country. Finally, we offer suggestions for how to recognize and combat fascism.

Jeff Basinger, an attorney from Columbia, Missouri, fights for the initiative process in Missouri. This process allows citizens to directly petition the government for ballot measures, giving them the ability to exercise direct democracy. In essence, it is democracy in action. However, certain people within the government have taken it upon themselves to interfere with the initiative process, denying citizens their right to direct democracy. Ohio tried the same thing in early August, and now it is Missouri's turn for its citizens to fight for their rights. Freedom and democracy are not free. It takes people like Jeff to stand up to our government and assert our rights. Listen in as we discuss what is at stake in this fight, and learn how you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments and maybe even get involved!

I'm going on hiatus for a few weeks. But before I go, I'd like to introduce you to a new project I'm working on, called “Dirt Road Radio.” If you're interested in joining an effort to help heal our national divide, we would love to hear from you! Go to www.dirtroadradio.com, check it out, and fill out the contact form. We would love to hear from you!

This week we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll unravel the differences and similarities between human intelligence and AI, explore misconceptions, fears, and concerns surrounding the technology, and illuminate its true nature as a tool created and controlled by humans. We'll discuss how AI is misunderstood and feared, delve into the misuse of AI by nefarious human actors, and review how this discourse influences legislation and public perception. With references to real-world examples and a candid analysis of perspectives of policymakers like U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, we'll showcase why education, understanding, and responsible use are key to harnessing AI's full potential. Tune in for an enlightening journey towards a future where AI and humanity work in harmony for our collective benefit.

The recent Supreme Court decision that removes race from consideration in Affirmative Action has had a seismic shift in college admissions. The ruling appears to be based on the concept of “Meritocracy,” where students admitted into college are considered on the basis of merit - especially academic achievement. In this podcast, we discuss how the concept of merit is seriously flawed, because it fails to recognize the persistent realities of racial inequality.

Sam Fieldman, the national counsel for Wolf-PAC, joins us to discuss their bold, citizen-driven initiative to enact an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The proposed amendment, intended to loosen the grip of corruption and vested interests in Congress, aims to overhaul our faltering campaign finance system. As Constitutional Amendments hold primacy over both Congress and the Supreme Court, a move of this magnitude could significantly alter landmark decisions such as Citizens United, effectively facilitating their reversal.

In this week's episode, we delve into a thought-provoking discussion with three pivotal personalities from the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, or MoEEP. We address the pressing need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within Missouri's educational system. You may wonder, isn't educational equity a reality already? Our guests paint a contrasting picture. They share how students are alienated due to their minority, LGBTQ status, religious affiliation, and more. The ongoing trend of school privatization, compounded by the rise of government-funded vouchers, seems to be siphoning resources away from public schools, thereby deepening the issue. Interestingly, DEI, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and anti-trans fears are utilized by lawmakers in Missouri and across the nation to stir up a climate that undermines public schools. With billions of dollars earmarked for education in every state, private education companies are incentivized to fuel this animosity towards public education, with the ultimate goal of boosting their profits. Join us as we chat with Heather Fleming, MoEEP's founder and director, Amber Benge, the Co-Director, and Ken Susman, the special project team leader. Together, we'll dissect the current state of our public schools and the pivotal role that MoEEP plays in repairing the system. We'll delve into the pressing urgency to prevent a potential collapse of public education that could cause the U.S. to lag increasingly behind on the global stage.

Today we talk with our semi-regular guest, Nathan Falcone, about Social Democracy. Well, we start off talking about Social Democracy, but we wander boldly into other topics. We meet in person at a coffee house called “Toasted,” in High Ridge, Missouri. This is also the first recording for Nathan's new podcast called “Reason Will Prevail.”

Today we talk with ChatGPT about Artificial Intelligence. Yes, we have a conversation with an AI bot about AI technology. We'll discuss what is meant by AI, how it can help us as individuals, how it threatens us, how it will change society, how our government should regulate AI and what might happen to people that don't keep up with developments in AI. It's an interesting discussion with a non-human about recommended ways in which humans and AI can coexist, and how we, as individuals, can prepare to live safely and prosper in a world with AI.

Tim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), drops by to talk about the crisis in our heartland. We discuss the problems with foreign ownership of American farmland, the loss of family farms to corporate interests, the consolidation of hogs and cattle into four major meatpacking companies (two of which are foreign-owned), the labeling of foreign beef as American and the lax approach that our congress has toward antitrust laws. All these factors are driving family farms out of business, depressing rural economies and jeopardizing our natural water supply for future viability of food production. Listen as Tim Gibbons describes what the Missouri Rural Crisis Center is doing about it; not only for Missouri, but for the nation overall.

The forces of White Christian Nationalism have been building since the 1960s, and today we can no longer ignore the threat it presents to our democracy. We are now at a crossroads, where Americans must make a choice; do we get involved and fight for our democracy, or do we sit passively while our freedoms are taken away? In this podcast, we briefly examine how the anti-democratic forces are now turning toward totalitarianism, and what we ordinary Americans can do about it.

Bernadette Holzer and Chris Burgess join the podcast to talk about Dirt Road Radio (DRR) - a new streaming radio station that seeks to tell a better story about rural life in America. DRR will connect rural communities across the country through music, arts & culture, news & opinion, and good, honest conversation. Why is Dirt Road Radio a necessary part of American life? What does it do? And how can you get involved? We discuss everything - and more - in this episode.

In this podcast, we explore the accelerationist movement, which seeks to hasten the collapse of the current social, economic, or political order to establish a new world order. Accelerationism can be seen in the writings of Senator Josh Hawley, who has advocated for "immanentizing the Eschaton," or bringing about the end times to create a new order. However, this ideology has dangerous implications and has been likened to terrorism. Despite presenting itself as a religious ambition, accelerationism ultimately boils down to power and control.

This week we chat again with Nathan Falcone. Our topic today? Politics and Corruption. Nathan is a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri, a small unincorporated town of about 1700 people. He describes himself as having "an absurd love" of politics, and he believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and through discussion, we can heal the differences.

Shavanna Spratt, Executive Director of St. Louis-based organization Da Hood Connect, drops by to talk about the organization. She emphasizes Da Hood Connect's commitment to addressing and reducing barriers faced by Black and/or under-resourced communities through education, advocacy, and connections. Leveraging media and entertainment, including a community podcast, Da Hood Connect aims to create a world free from racism and bias, where these communities have full access to the resources needed to flourish. As the leader of this 501(c)(3) organization, Shavanna not only oversees its operations but also actively engages with her community, ensuring awareness of support, resources, and opportunities available to improve their lives.

In this podcast we discuss the technique used by authoritarian and fascist leaders to erode democratic values and manipulate societies into submission by blurring the line between legal and illegal behavior. We look at how individual citizens often disengage and become cynical in the face of threats to democracy, thereby reenforcing the movement away from democracy. There is hope, however. We individuals need to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder to fight the enemies of democracy by organizing and using the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s as a blueprint for successful nonviolent resistance.

In this episode we talk about how the modern controversy over abortion might lead us down a dark path where, as history has shown, our nation may end up forcing sterilization on certain people. We also talk about the modern day controversy over pronouns and the cesspool that the Arkansas legislature has inadvertently entered when trying to legislate over cultural issues.

This week we chat with Nathan Falcone, a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri. Nathan describes himself as having a keen interest in politics, which he describes as "an absurd love." He believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and an open discussion of major issues may help alleviate this problem of division. In this episode, we talk about ordinary stuff, but focusing mostly on how Covid has affected politics in a rural area.

In this episode, we discuss the danger of hyper-conservative media and its impact on American democracy. This danger is particularly noticeable by the way that extremist messaging on terrestrial radio in rural areas has poisoned political discourse in the United States. Fear and intolerance has been magnified and weaponized. So how do we fight this disturbing trend? There is a new idea emerging that will directly challenge extremism on the radio; it's called Dirt Road Radio. By making use of new technology, Dirt Road Radio will easily broadcast its radio content nation-wide. The content won't consist of screaming at folks from far away, but it will come from the heartland itself. Dirt Road Radio will focus on building a strong community by bringing to light many wonderful stories from the heartland - stories told by rural folks themselves. This effort has been launched, but we still need a lot of help. Have a listen to this podcast and see if you might be interested in participating in an effort to turn the tide in American democracy!

In today's podcast, we explore the concept of the "common good" and its importance in shaping a just and equitable society. Throughout history, philosophers have emphasized the significance of shared values, collective responsibility, and public institutions in promoting the well-being of all individuals within a community. However, the forces of individual and collective greed, especially within a capitalist society, can pose a significant threat to the common good. We discuss the influence of corporatism, the privatization of public services, and the consequences of greed on social inequalities, democratic institutions, and the accessibility of essential services. By examining these challenges, we hope to inspire a thoughtful conversation on how we can balance individual freedom and collective responsibility to protect and promote the common good, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable society for all.

In this podcast episode, we explore the complex and multifaceted controversy surrounding free speech. We examine historical events where people have freely expressed their views and opinions resulting in controversy and emotional upset. We delve into the recent phenomenon of "cancel culture" and the moral and ethical issues involved, and we discuss the "Paradox of Tolerance" and what it means for free speech. Join us as we navigate these difficult questions and strive to balance the need for free expression with the need for equality and respect for all individuals.

Why are farmers in the Netherlands protesting? Recent changes in Dutch environmental laws have put the squeeze on farmers in the Netherlands, so they've have taken their protests to their government. While it's true that our methods of farming - and living in general - must change in order to sustain a livable environment, it may be a mistake to force one group of people to bear the burden without adequate guidance and compensation. In this episode, we bring attention to the difficulties experienced by farmers in the Netherlands and suggest there are parallels with farmers in the United States.

Folks on the extreme right say that we here in the U.S. do not live in a democracy. They say that we live in a "Constitutional Republic." This is a dangerous belief, because to say that we do not live in a democracy is to say that we are not governed by the will of the people. This mindset opens the door to tyranny, because after all, why fight for a democracy when we don't live in a democracy anyway? In this podcast, we explore the definition of both a Constitutional Republic and a Democracy and show that indeed, we live in a representative democracy whose government is constrained by a constitution in order to prevent a "tyranny of a majority" and secure individual liberties. Essentially, we live within both a Democracy and a Constitutional Republic.

Do we have the right to be misinformed? What is misinformation? And should social media companies - and our government - censor us for misinformation? In this short podcast, we lay out the problem. We don't offer any solutions, but we provide a bit more context on a highly complex and controversial topic.

Tim Ely, co-leader of the St. Louis Chapter of the Citizens' Climate Lobby, drops by to talk about the organization. Citizens' Climate Lobby - or CCL for short - is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change. They not only directly lobby politicians, but they also engage at the local level with friends, neighbors and local officials and educate them on the details of climate change and what they can do about it. You can find CCL online at citizensclimatelobby.org.

In today's free-form discussion, we talk about progressivism, wokeism and that Chinese balloon that created a stir as it floated over our nation. 

When people lose confidence in local police, things can get very bad. The threat of demoralized cops walking off the job has politicians in many states panicking. Their solution? Seize control and centralize authority over local police departments. This is not a good development for democracy.

Disruption for its own sake will deliver a system of government that's far worse than anything we have today.

In today's short podcast, we'll discuss how the lack of cooperation between our two main political parties has resulted in ridiculous manufactured issues as part of a culture war and an overall lack of progress on the issues that really matter to Americans.

Randi McCallian, U.S. Congressional Candidate for the 8th district in Missouri, drops by to talk about the big issues that Congress will face in the upcoming session. We talk about the debt ceiling, the farm bill, climate change and more. We also discuss why the Democrats haven't been doing so well in rural areas and what they need to do about it.

In this short podcast, we discuss how 2023 is pivotal, as it sets the stage for a highly consequential election in 2024. Many state legislatures this year are trying to reduce our self-determination and may even decide to override our votes for president in 2024. We must not allow this to happen!

In this very short podcast, we talk about the origins of Christmas and how our modern day practice of it is part of a tradition that spans back thousands of years. We also talk about how the holiday evolved to become associated with the birth of Jesus. Finally, we talk about how the necessity of love that Jesus talked about 2,000 years ago is just as true today as ever.

Brian Mistrot, founder and President of an organization known as One Nation Movement (ONM) stops by to talk about their mission of strengthening the civic infrastructure of our democracy, specifically by focusing on restoring confidence in our elections, environmental solutions and fiscal responsibility. ONM is a conservative organization - conservative in the sense of traditional conservatism, as opposed to the modern day Republican definition of it. As such, they seek to educate people on common-sense conservative approaches to some of the most urgent issues facing our democracy today.

What is the “Deep State?” What do politicians mean when they refer to our democratic institutions as “Deep State?” The answer is that they are attempting to delegitimize the institutions that are designed to root out political corruption. They're essentially trying to put the fox in charge of the chickens. Don't fall for it!

Tim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), stops by to talk about a crisis in the heartland - a very real crisis that puts our food supply at risk. The family farm is disappearing and being replaced by big ag. Why is that a problem? Well, for starters, much of big ag is run by - and controlled by - foreign companies that don't share the farmers' concerns about land stewardship, contaminants leaking into our soil, changes in our climate, overall food quality and animal welfare. Without MRCC, farmers would be on their own to fight a powerful lobby funded by big ag. Listen in and learn about the challenges that today's farmers face and how you can help keep our farmland rich and vibrant for the next generation.

This week we talk with Bobby Bostic, who was recently set free after being imprisoned for 27 years for a crime committed when he was 16. Mr. Bostic last appeared on this podcast in April 2021, and we now catch up with him as he works toward fulfilling his vision of helping people in his community avoid the “school to prison pipeline.” We talk about his life so far since being freed and where his plans will take him next. Listen in and find out how you can help him help his community!

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald drops by to talk about politics from a rural Idaho perspective. Karma ran for the state house in this past election and was barely edged out by her opponent, losing by just 85 votes. We talk about the issues facing Idaho farmers and ranchers, the difficulty campaigning as a Democrat in a fairly red area, how national issues play out in Idaho and what Democrats need to do in order to reconnect with rural America. Karma also has a podcast of her own, called "The Purple Podcast," which can be found wherever you download your podcasts.

Michael Baumli stops by to talk about his state senate campaign. Michael ran as a Democrat in Missouri State Senate district 12, which is in an area in Northwest Missouri that is highly Republican. We talk about the issues that matter to rural voters, the types of messaging they receive from both parties, the importance of community and what politicians from both parties need to do to really understand and serve the Heartland.

Meet Jojo Stewart, a mom in a rural area in the Ozarks in southern Missouri who's recently become a political activist. She organizes political events in her community, and she maintains a blog that provides a great perspective of life in the rural heartland. We talk about the big events of the day and how it affects people living in the Ozarks.

Overall, corporate and government censorship is viewed upon negatively, but in a rush to have open and free online dialog in a sort of online “town square,” are we exposing ourselves to more harm than good? As we wage online wars over manufactured issues, what happens when they spill over into the real world? And are these online wars distracting us from an even bigger truth in the real world; that freedom and liberty are being taken from us?

In today's short opinion piece, we discuss what we believe is a New American Revolution and what that means to our precious republic. Has everyone in this revolution thought it through? What happens after the revolution? Will our democracy survive, or will we go down the path of fascist rule by oligarchy?

Curtis Vaughn stops by to talk about his primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, running as a Republican. Listen as Curtis explains how he ran his campaign on a shoestring budget, and even attempted to bike 250 miles in the hot summer sun just to participate in a Republican debate. He was largely shunned by the party, but he kept coming back, because, in his words, “Democracy is like a flame. We have to candle it within ourselves. And if we want it, we have to step up, we have to sacrifice. And it's going to hurt. And it's going to take time. But if we want it, we have to keep it going and make that choice ourselves and help each other find it in one another.”

Dr. Robynn Kuhlmann, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, joins the podcast to talk about a possible state constitutional convention. Currently, 44 states in the union have provisions for holding constitutional conventions, though it rarely happens. In Missouri, the voters this November will decide whether or not to hold a convention. What could it mean for the people of Missouri? Is it an opportunity to implement policies that will help the state? Or could it turn extremely negative and hurt the state? Dr. Kuhlmann helps break down the issue and provides deep insight into the possible political and social consequences.

Tara Anura, candidate for Missouri State Senate District 16, discusses the issues that are important to the people living on the Ozark plateau. We last talked with Tara on June 5 of this year, and in this discussion, we catch up on how her campaign is going. We also talk about women's rights, extremism, education, the Agape Boarding school tragedy and the possibility of rewriting the Missouri State Constitution.