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Would you like to know more about the backgrounds and histories behind today's news? Subscribe to keepingdemocracyalive.com to find out the whys of where we are. Also interviews with authors of new non-fiction books. From a left perspective. Entertaining and educational twice weekly one hour shows since 2004.
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Keeping democracy alive Democracy is not a spectator sport, it requires informed participating citizens. On Keeping Democracy Alive, we delve into dynamics that both inhibit democracy and reinvigorate it. looking into issues from: domestic economic issues to foreign, labor, trade, and education policy, NSA spying, the drug war, prison, police, and judicial issues, electoral and protest politics, middle east realities, right and left wing populism, environmental and energy issues, the wealth ...
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Many Americans say they are people of faith. But how many of us integrate our faith into our daily lives? Philip Berrigan was one of America’s most faith-driven people. Our guest is Brad Wolf, author of the new book on The post Ministry of Risk is it’s Own Reward appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Many Americans say they are people of faith. But how many of us integrate our faith into our daily lives? Philip Berrigan was one of America’s most faith-driven people. Our guest is Brad Wolf, author of the new book on The post Ministry of Risk is it’s Own Reward appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals?
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This book actually changed my view of US History. The author says the Confederates and the January 6th assault are the inheritors of the original intent! He argues that the standard story is not the truth. The surprising reality of The post Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals?
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This book actually changed my view of US History. The author says the Confederates and the January 6th assault are the inheritors of the original intent! He argues that the standard story is not the truth. The surprising reality of The post Do We Really Want to Get Back to America’s Founding Ideals? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live.
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What do we mean by the word “hero?” Is it not a person of extraordinary courage, putting the good of the country above his or her own safety? That’s Daniel Ellsberg, most famous for the Pentagon Papers which he released The post Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live.
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What do we mean by the word “hero?” Is it not a person of extraordinary courage, putting the good of the country above his or her own safety? That’s Daniel Ellsberg, most famous for the Pentagon Papers which he released The post Dan Ellsberg Died One Year Ago. Long May He Live. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide
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Though it is finally a federal holiday, a lot of people still don’t really know about Juneteenth. It was the day in 1865 when formerly enslaved people learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. But what kind of freedom was it then The post Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide
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Though it is finally a federal holiday, a lot of people still don’t really know about Juneteenth. It was the day in 1865 when formerly enslaved people learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. But what kind of freedom was it then The post Juneteenth and the Persistent Economic Racial Divide appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works
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Across the United States there is tremendous support for a taxing the wealthiest among us. So why doesn’t it happen? Well, in Massachusetts, it has. As Inequality.org’s Sam Pizzigati explains in this segment, there was powerful resistance to the new The post Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works appeared first on Keeping Democracy …
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Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works
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Across the United States there is tremendous support for a taxing the wealthiest among us. So why doesn’t it happen? Well, in Massachusetts, it has. As Inequality.org’s Sam Pizzigati explains in this segment, there was powerful resistance to the new The post Inspiration from Massachusetts: A New Wealth Tax Works appeared first on Keeping Democracy …
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It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America
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In his new book The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America, prolific author Larry Tye shares what he learned about the lives of the three men, now recognized as great Americans. The racism they faced The post It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America appeared first on Keeping Democracy Al…
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It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America
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In his new book The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America, prolific author Larry Tye shares what he learned about the lives of the three men, now recognized as great Americans. The racism they faced The post It Wasn’t Just Politics; The Art of Jazz Integrated America appeared first on Keeping Democracy Al…
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Used to be Labour was left, Tories were conservative. Now it seems each party is trying to be just like the other. This right before PM Rishi Sunak shocked everyone by scheduling a new election for July fourth. And stirring The post Snap UK Elections: A Fight for Mediocrity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Used to be Labour was left, Tories were conservative. Now it seems each party is trying to be just like the other. This right before PM Rishi Sunak shocked everyone by scheduling a new election for July fourth. And stirring The post Snap UK Elections: A Fight for Mediocrity appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The final chapter in our guest’s new book, Liberalism as a Way of Life asks the question: Requiem for a Liberal Way of Life? Well, is it really over? Reached in Sydney Australia where he’s professor of politics and philosophy The post Under Attack the World Over, What Is Liberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The final chapter in our guest’s new book, Liberalism as a Way of Life asks the question: Requiem for a Liberal Way of Life? Well, is it really over? Reached in Sydney Australia where he’s professor of politics and philosophy The post Under Attack the World Over, What Is Liberalism? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Many Americans were appalled at the violent January 6th assault on the capitol. The thought was: That’s not who we are. But in truth throughout our history, a great number of Americans have supported hierarchies and authoritarianism; freedoim for us The post The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism appeared first on Keeping Democrac…
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Many Americans were appalled at the violent January 6th assault on the capitol. The thought was: That’s not who we are. But in truth throughout our history, a great number of Americans have supported hierarchies and authoritarianism; freedoim for us The post The Deep Roots of American Illiberalism,Yes Illiberalism appeared first on Keeping Democrac…
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They wanted to stop abortions, instead there were more after the Dobbs decision than before. One the first segment, Mother Jones magazine writer Julianne McShane tells how women are maintaining their reproductive rights despite the attacks. And on the second The post AntiChoice: In A Hole, Keeps Digging appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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They wanted to stop abortions, instead there were more after the Dobbs decision than before. One the first segment, Mother Jones magazine writer Julianne McShane tells how women are maintaining their reproductive rights despite the attacks. And on the second The post AntiChoice: In A Hole, Keeps Digging appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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When the Supreme Court Was About Fairness to All
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By Burt Cohen
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When the Supreme Court Was About Fairness to All
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By Burt Cohen
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Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats
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Wisconsin is a key swing state in the upcoming election, with traditions of both real right and real left. On today’s show on-the-ground journalist Christina Lieffring tells us about realities in that 90% rural state. She says to win voters, The post Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats appeared first on Keeping Democracy…
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Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats
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Wisconsin is a key swing state in the upcoming election, with traditions of both real right and real left. On today’s show on-the-ground journalist Christina Lieffring tells us about realities in that 90% rural state. She says to win voters, The post Wisconsin Rural Voters: Challenge and Opportunity for Democrats appeared first on Keeping Democracy…
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Rugged Individualism And The Role of Luck
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America is an outlier: here it’s commonly accepted that if you succeed or fail you deserve it. We believe we make our own luck. And we blame ourselves for what’s really random bad luck. But that’s counterproductive, according to the The post Rugged Individualism And The Role of Luck appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Rugged Individualism And The Role of Luck
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America is an outlier: here it’s commonly accepted that if you succeed or fail you deserve it. We believe we make our own luck. And we blame ourselves for what’s really random bad luck. But that’s counterproductive, according to the The post Rugged Individualism And The Role of Luck appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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CEOs cry that shorter work weeks will bankrupt their companies. The reality is a 4 day work week around the world has already brought results that are “off the charts.” A shorter work week means more jobs. And people lose The post A 32 Hour Work Week: The Time is Now appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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CEOs cry that shorter work weeks will bankrupt their companies. The reality is a 4 day work week around the world has already brought results that are “off the charts.” A shorter work week means more jobs. And people lose The post A 32 Hour Work Week: The Time is Now appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The environmental movement is often derided as elitist. But as our guest Liza Featherstone of the New Republic and Jacobin magazines tells it, by planting wild miniforests there’s no such polarization. The ultra-rich may have their gated sanctuaries whereas miniforests The post Miniforests as a Joyous Part of Class War appeared first on Keeping Dem…
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The environmental movement is often derided as elitist. But as our guest Liza Featherstone of the New Republic and Jacobin magazines tells it, by planting wild miniforests there’s no such polarization. The ultra-rich may have their gated sanctuaries whereas miniforests The post Miniforests as a Joyous Part of Class War appeared first on Keeping Dem…
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Laws intended to fight mafia crime are being used to crush legitimate protest. We’ve all seen excessive police force on campuses, and many legislators are also doing their part to chill our treasured freedom of speech and assembly. In These The post The War on Protest Escalates appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Laws intended to fight mafia crime are being used to crush legitimate protest. We’ve all seen excessive police force on campuses, and many legislators are also doing their part to chill our treasured freedom of speech and assembly. In These The post The War on Protest Escalates appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Court Versus the Voters: Who’da Thunk it?!
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For many decades the Supreme Court was reliably on the side of voting rights. Incrementally, quite steadily, the justices have chipped away at our constitutional rights. On this show Professor Josh Douglas and I discuss his new book: The Court The post The Court Versus the Voters: Who’da Thunk it?! appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Court Versus the Voters: Who’da Thunk it?!
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For many decades the Supreme Court was reliably on the side of voting rights. Incrementally, quite steadily, the justices have chipped away at our constitutional rights. On this show Professor Josh Douglas and I discuss his new book: The Court The post The Court Versus the Voters: Who’da Thunk it?! appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Another Earth Day has come and gone, and how are we doing? The 19th and 20th century systems of control of the earth have failed; there’s a connection between famines, global warming and empire. Especially in the face of climate The post The Earth for Humanity: A How-To appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Another Earth Day has come and gone, and how are we doing? The 19th and 20th century systems of control of the earth have failed; there’s a connection between famines, global warming and empire. Especially in the face of climate The post The Earth for Humanity: A How-To appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Yes, Biden Can WIn the Working Class
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Listening to working people’s concerns is key. Democrats have almost always won this constituency. That is until recently. Biden’s shift to the economic left is connecting and can yield electoral success. The New Republic’s Timothy Noah says tangible gains like The post Yes, Biden Can WIn the Working Class appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Yes, Biden Can WIn the Working Class
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Listening to working people’s concerns is key. Democrats have almost always won this constituency. That is until recently. Biden’s shift to the economic left is connecting and can yield electoral success. The New Republic’s Timothy Noah says tangible gains like The post Yes, Biden Can WIn the Working Class appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Power of What Appears to be Improvisation
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Democracy is itself largely improvisation. Pushing back against the powers that be; the mainstream. Our guest Randy Fertel, author of the new book Winging It; Improv’s Power and Peril in the Age of Trump, says rationality alone is not enough; The post The Power of What Appears to be Improvisation appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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The Power of What Appears to be Improvisation
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Democracy is itself largely improvisation. Pushing back against the powers that be; the mainstream. Our guest Randy Fertel, author of the new book Winging It; Improv’s Power and Peril in the Age of Trump, says rationality alone is not enough; The post The Power of What Appears to be Improvisation appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Should Biden Whistle Stop Campaign Across America?
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Truman was down and nearly out. Then he did a campaign whistle stop tour of America and beat the odds. TV eye candy is one thing but seeing a president in the flesh connects far better, and connection is needed The post Should Biden Whistle Stop Campaign Across America? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Should Biden Whistle Stop Campaign Across America?
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Truman was down and nearly out. Then he did a campaign whistle stop tour of America and beat the odds. TV eye candy is one thing but seeing a president in the flesh connects far better, and connection is needed The post Should Biden Whistle Stop Campaign Across America? appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Trumpism is a Movement; Movements Are How Democrats Have Won
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The Right gets it; where are Democrats? In his new book What it Took to Win, author and history professor Michael Kazin looks at the last hundred or so years and says it’s clear what has and still works. Whether The post Trumpism is a Movement; Movements Are How Democrats Have Won appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Trumpism is a Movement; Movements Are How Democrats Have Won
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The Right gets it; where are Democrats? In his new book What it Took to Win, author and history professor Michael Kazin looks at the last hundred or so years and says it’s clear what has and still works. Whether The post Trumpism is a Movement; Movements Are How Democrats Have Won appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Nuclear Rebranding as “Green?” Mere Window Dressing.
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After decades in a coma, the nuclear industry is back. But the truth is nuclear power is not an acceptable stopgap measure, it’s a diversion from real, actually economic, safer solutions. On this show policy analyst Paul Gunter tells the The post Nuclear Rebranding as “Green?” Mere Window Dressing. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Nuclear Rebranding as “Green?” Mere Window Dressing.
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After decades in a coma, the nuclear industry is back. But the truth is nuclear power is not an acceptable stopgap measure, it’s a diversion from real, actually economic, safer solutions. On this show policy analyst Paul Gunter tells the The post Nuclear Rebranding as “Green?” Mere Window Dressing. appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Wealth Supremacy is On Autopilot: That’s Not the Only Option
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In the current American version of capitalism, all of us are “thingified:” our only value being as digits on the way to corporate profits. This reflects a core bias in the system toward serving the very richest. But it doesn’t The post Wealth Supremacy is On Autopilot: That’s Not the Only Option appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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Wealth Supremacy is On Autopilot: That’s Not the Only Option
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In the current American version of capitalism, all of us are “thingified:” our only value being as digits on the way to corporate profits. This reflects a core bias in the system toward serving the very richest. But it doesn’t The post Wealth Supremacy is On Autopilot: That’s Not the Only Option appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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There’s No Conflict Between Commercialism and Idealism
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It’s basic to the very essence of America. On this show Constitutional Law Professor John O. McGinnis argues that commerce was the mother’s milk of the American Revolution and that the virtues of commerce and idealism need not conflict. Listen The post There’s No Conflict Between Commercialism and Idealism appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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There’s No Conflict Between Commercialism and Idealism
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It’s basic to the very essence of America. On this show Constitutional Law Professor John O. McGinnis argues that commerce was the mother’s milk of the American Revolution and that the virtues of commerce and idealism need not conflict. Listen The post There’s No Conflict Between Commercialism and Idealism appeared first on Keeping Democracy Alive.…
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