The Alliance Party After Dark

David Houle, futurist, author and keynote speaker, drops by again to discuss the most disruptive decade in our lifetimes; the 2020s. This decade will see a transformational shift in technology, the environment, politics, and just about everything that impacts our lives.  David is currently writing a series of books that speaks directly to the events in this decade, including: The phenomena of cognitive dissonance The need to unlearn, learn and relearn The acceleration, collapse and rebound of society Finding opportunities and success in a world where the only thing that doesn't change is change itself.  Spend a fascinating hour with someone who's successfully predicted and succeeded in a world whose only motto seems to be "evolve or die." Visit David Houle's website, or his site dedicated to the 2020s.

We're on a bit of a break here at the Alliance Party After Dark, so we thought it would be interesting to revisit a podcast originally released on March 22 of 2020, where we talked with Lee Drutman, political scientist and author of the book "Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America." Though the podcast is well over a year old, the topic of the Duopoly and how it's tearing apart America, is as relevant as ever. Note that Lee Drutman recently published an article in the New York Times, which includes a real-time questionnaire that analyzes your answers and places you onto a political map. It can help you identify which of the six political parties most closely aligns with your views. The article can be found at https://nyti.ms/2VBOFgx

In our first on-the-spot interview, Theodore Theopolis, the Alliance Party's Ohio State Chair, drops by to talk about politics in Ohio. Theodore describes the current redistricting efforts in Ohio, which consists of a fairly convoluted set of rules that are designed to make the drawing of political district lines "less unfair." We then move on to the biggest scandal currently unfolding in Ohio, which has, so far, resulted in arrests, indictments and ongoing FBI investigations of several politicians in a political "pay-for-play" scheme, where $60 million in campaign funds were used to influence the creation of a bill that would benefit an energy company to the tune of $1.3 billion. We wrap up by talking about the Alliance Party's efforts to insert themselves into the political process going into the 2022 elections.

Chelsea Tobin, Staff Director for the Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) drops by to discuss climate change and other environmental issues, with an emphasis on the Great State of Texas. What does climate change really mean? How is it going to affect our lives? And most importantly, what can we - each of us - do about it? Chelsea worked in environmental offices across the nation, including New Jersey, Pittsburgh, New York and Denver.  In September 2020, she took over the role of Staff Director in the Austin, Texas TCE office. TCE's mission is to engage people and communities through face-to-face public education, grassroots organizing and action-oriented research for a cleaner and healthier Texas. They work on polluter accountability and enforcing regulation for bad actors in the industry, among many other fights!

On our 100th episode, we talk with Jim Rex, the Alliance Party's National Chair Emeritus. Jim was our first guest on episode 1 back in early October 2019, and so much has happened since that time that it's difficult to catch up. So we focus on just a couple topics during this podcast: education and the end of the War in Afghanistan.

Patricia Olivares drops by to talk about the unique issues and challenges that women in the military face every day. A veteran of the USMC, Patricia is a progressive political operative working on behalf of veterans - particularly women veterans - as well as the residents of Harris County, Texas. During this podcast, we discuss the incredible pressure on women in the military to perform above and beyond expectations in order to overcome sexist attitudes; pressure that nearly killed Patricia. There is also the issue of MST - Military Sexual Trauma - which women deal with every day while on active duty; it not only interferes with their job, but it can be harmful, or even fatal, if not promptly addressed.

Join Greg and Dan as they get together again this week to discuss current events. This time around, we focus on the privatization of education, the recent Republican shift toward pro-vaccination and global warming. We keep it light, informative and fun! Join us for these topics and more, regarding the state of politics on August 8, 2021.

Join Greg and Dan as they discuss current events. We initially focus on the January 6 Commission, but then we move on to other topics, like Covid and the Olympics. Why is there so much misinformation about Covid, and how can we embrace the vaccine as both a cure and something to be avoided at the same time? Regarding the Olympics, should our athletes be required to act as patriots even though they may not feel it in their hearts? Join us for these topics and more, regarding the state of politics on August 1, 2021.

Meet RoShawn Evans, co-founder of an organization known as Pure Justice. Mr. Evans helped spark the idea of creating Pure Justice based on his own experience, after being falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison. RoShawn wrote two books about his experience: Stolen Identity and The Domino Effect. The book Stolen Identity explores how African American males who become victims of the school-to-prison pipeline even when they have not committed a crime, are faced with a continued stigma that leads to recidivism for rightfully and wrongfully convicted felons. The book also explores how such a stigma leads to an overall deterioration of human dignity due to laws that foster a continuation of societal punishment well beyond prison. Roshawn currently serves as the Organizing Director, Inmate Liaison, and Community Outreach Coordinator for Pure Justice. When he's not engaged in community activism in the fight against criminal and social injustices, he conducts research for his pending books as he studies to complete his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science. He intends to go on to law school.

Greg and Dan discuss recent events in politics and how it relates to the Alliance Party. Covid, senate filibusters, packing the Supreme Court - everything is on the table. We even devote a few minutes to discussing the Walking Dead, Stephen King and a couple corny jokes thrown in for good measure. Join us for an interesting and thought-provoking discussion about the state of politics as of July 18, 2021.

This is a re-broadcast of an episode from last November where we discussed  energy and environmental policy. Keep in mind that this episode was recorded before the new Biden Administration took office, so we expressed concerns over whether the new administration would be influenced more by the Green New Deal or by the forces of "Business As Usual." Now that it's July 2021, how's it working out so far? Let's go back in the time machine and review where we were!

Ethan Michelle Ganz, the Alliance Party's LGBTQ Caucus Chair, discusses her vision for the role that the LGBTQ community will play within the Alliance Party. She also discusses the history of the community and its struggles for political and cultural recognition. Our Declaration of Independence promises equality for all, yet the struggle to realize this promise continues today. As a caucus chair for the Alliance Party, Ethan Michelle promises to carry on the spirit of this struggle with full support from the Alliance Party.

"January 6 will be recognized as one of the most important dates in our history, because it lifted the veil of virtue from what was otherwise being presented as a pure form of patriotism into what it truly is, which is the American model of fascism." With that opening sentence, our National Chair, Jonathan Etheridge, goes on to talk about what fascism means, what it's doing to our political system, what we Americans can do about it, and how the Alliance Party positions itself to fight the disturbing trend toward fascism. The bottom line is that it's not too late to change our common destiny, but it will take a lot of hard work from all Americans to step up, understand what's happening to our nation and dedicate ourselves to a truly glorious and exciting future.

Ayana Crawford returns to the Alliance Party After Dark to talk about her new position as the Black Caucus Chair for the Alliance Party. She discusses her plans for the Black Caucus and why it's important for people to join this effort to help shape the future of the Alliance Party and ensure it addresses the needs of the Black community. We also talk about the new Juneteenth  federal holiday and its significance on American culture.

The podcast staff is on break this week. Summer is finally here, and with Covid restrictions easing, everyone vacated their post. So we're rebroadcasting an episode that we aired back on July 5 of last year, when we talked with the chair of an organization known as the Patriotic Millionaires, Morris Pearl. Morris believes in a nation where every person has as much political power as millionaires; where every American who works full time can afford their basic needs; where millionaires and large corporations - who have benefited most from our country's assets - pay a larger share of the taxes used to run our country. What motivates a millionaire to want to join an organization that advocates that millionaires should pay more taxes? Morris provides some fascinating insight to the issues America faces these days and how the wealthy can - and should - actively participate to help create a more perfect union.

This week we talk with Tim Cotton, the Alliance Party's Political Director. We discuss a wide range of current-day topics and issues, including the continuing consequences and fallout from the January 6 insurrection, voter suppression, the “For the People Act,” fascism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the national debt.

Some thoughts to keep in mind as we celebrate Memorial Day, 2021

This week Jim Rex, the Alliance Party's National Chair Emeritus, drops by to talk about the significant political issues of the day. Topics include the recent trends in the extreme conservative movement in this country, the importance of integrity in our political leaders, the role of education and science, disturbing trends in journalism, climate change and our collective response to the Covid virus. We cover it all - and more - in this hour-long podcast!

Tim Cotton, the Alliance Party's Political Director, stops by to talk about Critical Race Theory. What is it? Why is it important? And why is there so much controversy over it? There are many factors that contribute to the criticisms of Critical Race Theory. Critical Race Theory started out as an academic study of how issues with racism affect our laws, but it has been distorted into the idea that it somehow teaches Americans to hate America. Tim Cotton offers his decades of wisdom and insight to helping us understand Critical Race Theory and how it can - and should - be a positive step in our multi-cultural society we call America. This is an interesting and informative podcast that you don't want to miss!

Voter suppression bills are being proposed and passed at state legislatures across the nation. Many of these bills may be racially motivated, as their language uses phrases that resonate with the Jim Crow era. One such term, "Purity at the ballot box," was codified into a state house bill in Texas. Listen in as two state representatives debate this matter on the Texas State House Floor.

Ethan Michelle Ganz joins us for a discussion about political issues affecting our LGBTQ community. Ethan Michelle was the Alliance Party candidate for the Houston, Texas City Council back in 2019. She advocates for diversity in our society, especially in light of pressure from both political and business interests. Ethan Michelle is a nationally certified journeyman pipe-fitter, an intermediate rigger, a certified personal trainer, a sports nutrition specialist, and a water safety instructor.  She has an AA from Houston Community College in the Humanities, with a concentration in Global Studies, and she is all set to graduate from the University of St. Thomas this year with a BA in Political Science, minor in International Studies, and a concentration in Law and Policy. Her senior thesis focuses on the effect of political rhetoric on people's thoughts and emotions.

Gun violence has been in the news far too much this year, and the debate over what to do about it has tragically descended into partisan shouting matches. The Alliance Party does take a position on gun violence, but without all the shouting. Our approach is based on careful analysis of the data combined with a whole-of-society approach to solving this deadly issue. Listen in as Jonathan Etheridge, the Alliance Party's National Chair, walks through our proposed solutions and explains the details in a way that is both easy to understand and practical in its implementation.

Commentary: This week we feature a commentary on the price we all pay for short-term political thinking. 

The Alliance Party is rolling out new branding and messaging. We have a new tag line, a new pitch, and a vision that focuses on the future. And new colors! The Alliance Party's National Chair, Jonathan Etheridge, and the Political Director, Tim Cotton, come together on this podcast to discuss background and motivation behind the new efforts for branding and messaging.

In this Easter episode, we review a podcast from earlier this year, where Jim Rex, our prior National Chair, reviews 2020, but more importantly, talks about what's ahead in 2021.

This is a rebroadcast of a highly rated episode from June 7, 2020, where we talked with Jim Rex and Jonathan Etheridge about the Alliance Party's Manifesto. Though the positions of Jonathan and Jim have since changed, the Manifesto remains as strong and relevant as ever. Listen in as these two party leaders discuss the Manifesto and their vision of "America 2.0."

Mark Cardenas, the Alliance Party's Florida State Chair, joins Greg and Dan to discuss politics in Florida. Why does Florida get such a bad rap for being at the epicenter of political dysfunction in this nation? The answer is that there is a complex combination of factors, including a highly diverse set of voting blocks, each with their own priorities. Reaching these diverse voting blocks has been a challenge for both parties, though for the time being, the Republicans have done a much better job of it. They have tuned into the chief concerns of the voting blocks and crafted messages that strongly resonate with voters' largely religious values. The Democrats, on the other hand, can't seem to get away from playing defense. In the meantime, the debate over voting rights threatens to put Republicans on the wrong side of history, as they continue chipping away at voting rights using racially coded messaging, which may, in the long term, alienate the diverse voting blocks they need to win in Florida. All these factors present a good opportunity for the Alliance Party to make a strong showing in the state of Florida.

It wasn't that long ago in terms of linear time, but so much has happened since the election in 2020. Listen in on this rebroadcast of a fairly popular episode of the Alliance Party After Dark as Michael Burger and Tim Cotton discuss the results of the 2020 election in terms of its effect on the nation as well as how the Alliance Party performed overall.

Gareth Fenley, who works as a Coordinator for the Economic Justice Coalition and the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda, drops by to talk about voter engagement in the state of Georgia. Recall that Georgia became the center of attention during the past election cycle. The state turned from red to blue, as they elected a Democrat for the White House and shifted the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Much of this shift in political direction is the result of record turnout among minority groups in the state. These groups persevered through an environment that was designed to suppress their vote. The stunning success of minorities in this past election was based on the work of individual people, working through volunteer organizations to overcome difficulties and get out the vote. Does this mean that the fight for voting rights is over? Unfortunately, no. Far from it. The process of voter suppression continues, and in the wake of the 2020 election, many state legislatures are actively trying to change the rules to reassert mechanisms of voter suppression. So the work of organizations such as the Economic Justice Coalition and the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda remains critically important in preserving our democracy. Gareth shares some of the lessons she's learned during the 40+ years of advocating for voting rights, especially throughout the American South. She is an expert on organizing people at the ground level toward making a positive change in our democracy.

This week we talk with the Wisconsin State Chair and retired medical doctor Michael White to get an update on COVID vaccination progress. Science and politics provide an interesting and often frustrating mix as we move toward eradicating the virus across the country and the world. Dr. White dives deep into some of the science behind the effort to defeat COVID while also paying attention to the human, economic and political cost this effort requires.

In celebration of Black History month and Dr. Martin Luther King, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Rhonda Neal, Executive Director of the Saint Joseph Parenting Center, talks about the challenges that minorities and women face when trying to make it in a white male-dominated corporate America. Through hard work, determination and a great sense of self confidence bestowed upon her by her parents, she has broken through the proverbial glass ceiling. In this podcast, she provides inspiration and advice for young women of color who are entering the workforce. She also shares her formula for success. That formula includes building a network of trusted people, where you can talk through your emotionally difficult experiences, get advice and bounce ideas around. It also involves a lot of hard work. But the rewards are there; you just need to have faith in yourself and strength from above to get through adversity.

Jonathan Etheridge, the Alliance Party's National Vice Chair, drops by to discuss the Party's plans for 2021 and the theme of "Intentionality." We begin by looking back at the gains made in 2020 despite the challenges, and quickly move on to the plan for the new year.  What can the Alliance Party offer people who are on a political soul-searching journey? And what is the Alliance Party doing today to put the word out and get people to have a look? What opportunities do we see, and how can we take advantage of them in 2021? Listen in as we discuss these topics and more.

Ayana Crawford, the Alliance Party's National Recording Secretary, drops by to talk about minority participation in politics as well as within the Alliance Party. There have been many barriers to minority participation in our political system, but that needs to change. But how do we change the system? Listen in as Ayana talks about the issue, describes the problems, speaks to the motivations of minorities and provides actionable ideas. Ayana is the founder and CEO of Reviving Solutions, LLC, focusing on political consulting, strategic planning, event coordination and organizational development. She has been in several leadership positions within community outreach and organizing and event coordination. She also has experience as a public speaker, and a background in non-profit work. Ayana will also host the virtual kickoff of the Alliance Party's Women's Coalition this Sunday, February 21, 2021, at 7PM Eastern. Click here for more information.

Dr. Oscar Lovelace, a rural physician from Prosperity, South Carolina, talks about the challenges of providing good healthcare in a rural environment, the state of healthcare in America, and the idea of medicare of all. Though we originally released this recording on February 9, 2020, the healthcare issues discussed in this interview are perhaps even more relevant today. Dr. Lovelace was named the “National 2015 Family Physician of the Year” in recognition of his outstanding work over many years of dedication to the practice of medicine. In 2003, he was appointed by then Governor Mark Sanford to serve as state-wide co-chairman of the Health Care Task Force. In 2004, he served on the Lieutenant Governor's Commission on Aging. In 2006, Dr. Lovelace challenged the current state governor during the GOP Primary and though the incumbent prevailed, he managed to get over 35% of the vote. Dr. Lovelace's experience with both medicine and politics uniquely qualifies him to speak about our nation's healthcare system.

Dr. Michael White, the Alliance Party's State Chair for Wisconsin, drops by to talk about a range of issues from Covid to healthcare to the recent insurrection to the Alliance Party's role in helping to rescue our nation from the ill effects of a highly polarized political environment. Dr. White, a retired doctor of dermatology, served in both the Navy and the Air Force, and has lived all over the United States as well as two foreign nations. As a member of the Green Party, he ran for governor in the state of Wisconsin in 2016. He was also on the National Committee of the Green Party and a member of its Eco-Action Committee.

Virginia State Chair Kent Garshwiler joins the group to talk about the fallout of the invasion or our Capitol building on January 6. We touch on topics such as the fracturing of the Republican Party, what drove our nation to this point and what it means to be a patriot. We also touch on foreign policy.

Join Greg and Dan as they discuss the events over the past week, which includes "Insurrection Day," January 6, 2021. Will this day really live on in infamy? What got us to this point? Where are we going as a nation? And could this be just the beginning? These topics and more will be covered.

Jim Rex drops by to talk about 2020 and the Alliance Party's accomplishments during a year in which our nation was challenged on multiple fronts. As National Chair until January 1 of this year, Jim has unique insight into the Party, and he shares his thoughts during this podcast. He also looks ahead to 2021, where Darcy Richardson will lead the Party as we build up state level affiliates, recruit new candidates with a fresh approach to politics, and prepare for the next election year. By no means is it time to relax; we must keep the momentum going in 2021, as there is much to be done to put our nation back on track.

This week we focus on book recommendations for listeners interested in learning more about our current democracy, warts and all! The books are: The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy, by Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right, by Anne Nelson Let them Eat Tweets: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality, by Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson

The Alliance Party's National Political Director Tim Cotton drops by to talk about the Alliance Party's plans and objectives for 2021. There's a lot to accomplish in the new year. In general, there will be an emphasis on building the party from the bottom up. This begins at the local level, where getting the word out and getting people to talk about kitchen table issues will be emphasized. Of course, there will be a push for ballot access in as many states as possible. 2021 is also a convention year for the Alliance Party; we would like to host an in-person convention, but much depends on Covid restrictions. This is an informative interview that should help familiarize you with the direction for 2021, as 2020 disappears into the history books.

Emily Conrad, author of the book The Faithless? - The Untold Story of the Electoral College, talks about the electoral college and its “Faithless Electors.” What is a faithless elector? Let's start by examining your vote for POTUS. You may think you voted for a president in this past election, but no, your vote ultimately amounted to nothing more than strong advice. The real voting takes place after the general election, when 538 mostly unknown persons meet at state capitols in every state across the nation. These 538 people - known as electors - are the ones who actually cast the official votes for the president. But, will they actually cast their votes consistent with the will of the voters in their states? Well, by most state's laws, they're supposed to, but the law in this area has almost no teeth, and that being the case, some electors may decide to vote for someone else. When an elector casts his or her vote for someone other than the popular vote of the state, he/she is called a “faithless elector.” The term implies that the elector did not act in good faith. Does this ever happen? Yes. Emily Conrad, in her recently published book, documents the faithless electors that participated in the 2016 election. She tells their stories in this book. And she tells the story of the Electoral College itself, including its history and why it's getting a lot of criticism these days. It's a fascinating read that humanizes the story of the 2016 faithless electors and helps you understand their reasons and motivations for acting in a “faithless” manner. It doesn't come from a sense of idealism; rather, it's out of a profound sense of what is right for the people of their state and for the people of our country. Click here for a link to Emily's book. Emily Conrad graduated summa cum laude with a triple major in economics, German and Spanish, and the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa. She completed a Master of Law in China studies with a focus in international relations at Peking University in Beijing, China, where she was a Yenching Academy fellow. The Faithless? is her first book.

This is a rebroadcast of an interview with Ralph Nader from January 26, 2020. In this podcast, Ralph drops by and talks about the many contributions that political third parties have made throughout our nation's history. He also discusses at length the difficulties third parties encounter when trying to break through the barriers that the duopoly has erected to protect their turf. Mr. Nader - an attorney, activist, politician and author of several books and countless articles - ran for US President several times, and now he freely shares his experiences and wisdom with the Alliance Party. He hosts a weekly podcast, “The Ralph Nader Radio Hour,” which you can find at ralphnaderradiohour.com. Also, in December 2019, he and co-author Mark Green published a book entitled “Fake President - Decoding Trump's Gaslighting, Corruption and General BS.” Be sure to tune in for an interesting and highly informative episode! You can tune into Ralph Nader's own podcast called "The Ralph Nader Radio Hour," wherever you get your podcasts.

The team at the Alliance Party After Dark discusses energy and environmental policy. With a new presidential administration about to come online in January, there's concern over whether they will be influenced more by the Green New Deal or by the forces of "Business As Usual." The Green New Deal may appear fairly idealistic and festooned with a lot of unrelated progressive ideas, yet it does serve as a canvas upon which to begin constructing a new path forward into an energy efficient and fair economy. But will it actually make a positive difference in our lives? It's hard to say, but it's certainly a great and timely topic to discuss during this transitional time.

This week we briefly review how well the Alliance Party performed in the recent election. The Alliance Party had a presidential candidate this year as well as a number of “down-ballot” elections in South Carolina, Minnesota and the state of Washington. We go over the numbers in this podcast. We also talk briefly about Senator Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette, a legendary Wisconsin senator from 1906 to 1925. Specifically, we review one of his speeches about the excesses of business and its interference in government, which - sad to say - is still relevant 100 years later.

Frank MacKay, Chairman of the Independence Party of New York talks about the Independence Party and its history and influence in New York State politics, as well as politics for the entire nation. Frank has a very active career in public relations, entertainment and politics spanning four decades and encompassing a diversity of disciplines. Back in 1985, at the age of 18, he published his first music production called “Network”, which quickly became a hit among music business insiders, musicians and their fans. Over the next decade, Frank built a significant following in the music industry as a band and club promoter, and by the time he was 25, he had launched three nightclubs known as Dr. Shay's and managed entertainers such as Criss Angel and CJ Ramone. On the political front, back in 1992, Frank became active in Ross Perot's third party presidential run. He was always a student of politics, and early in his career in entertainment he helped club-goers register to vote by the thousands. In 1995, he became a key organizer in the Independence Party of New York and active in third party politics. By the year 2000, at the age of 32, Frank became the youngest State Chairman of a political party in New York State history, and has since been elected as State Chair of the Independence Party of New York. The Independence Party has grown significantly under his leadership, and has now joined forces with the Alliance Party. Currently, Frank hosts “Breaking it Down,” a leading celebrity radio and podcast talk show, which is nationally syndicated and has a faithful following of thousands of listeners.

This evening we talk with Michael Burger, National Vice Chair of the Alliance Party, and Tim Cotton, the National Political Director. We discuss several topics related to the 2020 election. For example, how did the Alliance Party perform in this election, at all levels of the ballot? And where did we end up as a nation? Are both the Democrats and Republicans out of touch with the real America? And is America ready for a third party insurgence? These topics and more are brought into a very interesting conversation with some of the top experts within the Alliance Party organization.

Join Alliance Party state chairs for Minnesota, Florida and Missouri as they discuss topics related to the upcoming national election. Topics include campaign messages, state ballot issues, proposed changes in voting methods, the Supreme Court and thoughts on where our country is headed.

This evening, we hear from the Alliance Party National Chair, Jim Rex, and the Alliance Party Vice Chair, Michelle Griffith. As we close in on the all-important election of 2020, it's important that we get an update from the top of the party and a look ahead, beyond the election, toward what we hope is a bright future for all of America.

This week we re-broadcast a “Voting Rights Town Hall,” which was presented by the ACLU on October 14, 2020. This town hall features the Executive Director of the ACLU, Anthony D. Romero, and his discussion with former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. The topic of the discussion is “Voting in a pandemic, what's at stake for civil liberties, and concrete actions you can take to stay involved through Election Day.” During the one-hour town hall, former Attorney General Holder and Director Romero discuss the history of disenfranchisement, particularly for Black voters, the ACLU's efforts to expand access to voting by mail in this election, and how we can fight future efforts to suppress the vote by influencing the redistricting process in state jurisdictions.

This week we talk with two people - Betsy Wright Hawkings - who has been chief of staff for numerous members of Congress, and Erica Hoffman - a Missouri state legislative candidate running on the Democratic ticket against a Republican incumbent. Betsy has been chief of staff for four members of Congress, giving her deep insight to the inner workings of our federal government. The years she spent on "The Hill" has given her deep insight into the inner workings of congress. She knows how things work, and how they don't work. She spends time with us this evening to not only describe the problems that extreme polarization and hyperpartisanship, but to talk about how we may fix our system and make it work for the people again. Erica is currently running for the Missouri 96th district House of Representatives. As a Democrat, she is challenging a Republican incumbent. She is a former school teacher who advocates heavily for educational issues. She's also very involved in several environmental issues, including the fight against the detrimental influence that CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) have on state politics. These CAFOs - also known as "Factory Farms" - are allowed to pollute our land and water, almost with impunity, even though they produce several more times the bio-waste than humans. Erica speaks very plainly and openly about the problems we face, not only locally in Missouri, but in the nation as a whole, and what she intends to do about them. An inspiring intermission message is provided thanks to Dennis Merritt Jones.

Rita Bosworth stops by to talk about the Sister District Project. Sister District is dedicated to changing the composition of state legislatures and making them more representative of their constituents. More specifically, Sister District seeks to turn states blue by helping Democrats win state legislative elections. Their approach is to pair up - or “sister” - volunteers from deep blue districts with carefully targeted races in swing districts. Ultimately, they seek to advance progressive policy and eliminate partisan gerrymandering. Their volunteers canvass, phonebank, write postcards, text-bank, and fundraise for candidates. Since launching in the wake of the 2016 elections, the Sister District Project has grown to over 45,000 volunteers across the country. They have raised over $3 million in small-dollar donations directly to candidates. Rita Bosworth is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sister District Project. She started Sister District a week after the 2016 presidential election. Prior to Sister District, she was a Federal Public Defender for 12 years. She received her undergraduate degree from U.C. Davis, and she received her law degree from Stanford. After law school Rita clerked for the Honorable Henry Kennedy in Washington, D.C.