))
A weekly show that takes big ideas about civic life and democracy and turns them into action items for you.
…
continue reading
The Edifice of Trust is a podcast that provides discussion and analysis of today’s current events from the perspective of America’s Founding Principles. Based on Enlightenment philosophy as espoused by John Locke and economic freedom as described by Adam Smith, the host, Victor Bolles, provides listeners a path toward understanding current events from these timeless principles. Many Americans believe that the country is moving in the wrong direction, the podcast tries to point out a new cour ...
…
continue reading
We discuss how the Supreme Court’s lawlessness is fueled by the conservative grievance mindset where Republicans believe they are victims of laws they don’t agree with. The Supreme Court has played an important role in enabling the current administration’s actions. Leah’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get educated on the Supreme Court! …
…
continue reading
Amidst all the chaos swirling around us, all is calm in the eye of the storm. President Trump is at the center of this storm of activity announcing new policies and issuing executive orders while he remains calm and confident. In this commentary we discuss why maybe you shouldn’t be so calm and confident.…
…
continue reading
1
Democracy for the Unhoused: Maria Foscarinis
41:06
41:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:06
We discuss why housing insecurity undermines our democracy. We cover the evolution from Reagan, when homelessness was blamed on the individual, to the increasing recognition that housing is a human right. Maria’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be an advocate against criminalization and call your representatives Join the https://housingno…
…
continue reading
What kind of Post-Trump world do we want to live in? The MAGA-Republicans and progressive left Democrats are in a bitter fight for the vote of American citizens, one side offering tax cuts galore for wealthy citizens and favored industries (funded by massive and unsustainable increases in the public debt), the other side offering an avalanche of be…
…
continue reading
We discuss "calling in" as a practice rooted in a human rights framework that can transform how we engage across our divide and potentially be the bridge that helps our democracy survive. Loretta’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Do an integrity audit: pause and self assess before responding Always focus on the good part of people Loretta…
…
continue reading
There are many barriers to our goal of rejuvenating America in a post-Trump world. The first step in this rejuvenation effort is getting a government that works so that we have a solid foundation which can support our efforts. The US congress can’t pass a budget, can’t manage our finances and can’t get important policies approved with a bipartisan …
…
continue reading
We discuss what it takes to build worker power from scratch and how these efforts can reshape not only our workplaces, but democracy itself. Jaz’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Organize a union in your workplace Train at Inside Organizer School Jaz Brisack is a union organizer and cofounder of the Inside Organizer School, as well as the…
…
continue reading
Last week President Trump travelled to the M idle East with 60 CEOs in tow to be feted with parades and receptions galore and gifted a 747 airplane to replace his aging Air Force one. But amongst all the hoopla President Trump made a major foreign policy speech denouncing “interventionalists” who tried to impose Western values on Middle Eastern pot…
…
continue reading
We discuss reclaiming the narrative of democracy. Democracy is a tool to deliver on our values in the realm of justice, dignity, fairness, and freedom. Stacey’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Refuse to pre-capitulate Take action on one issue you care about once a week, every week Stacey Abrams is an author, political leader, and host of …
…
continue reading
If we believe that the second Trump administration is the culmination of a vicious downward spiral that has afflicted the United States throughout the 21st century and we want to do something to break out of this malaise then we cannot replicate the same old politics of the past. We must do something different to change the slope of this spiral. In…
…
continue reading
We discuss the growing phenomenon of pregnancy criminalization, examine the path forward in a post-Dobbs world, and consider what a just jurisprudence of pregnancy might look like. Karen’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Educate yourself at the Pregnancy Justice website: https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/our-issues/ 2) Make your voice…
…
continue reading
We discuss the history of citizenship schools, their profound importance in the Civil Rights Movement, and the critical lessons they offer for our present moment. Elaine’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Share the power of voting with your neighbors. Start your own community citizenship schools! Elaine Weiss is a journalist, speaker, and …
…
continue reading
You may think it is premature to start thinking about what we need to do after Donald Trump leaves the White House. But it is not! In 2028, it is likely that the MAGA Republicans will nominate a Donald Trump clone and the progressive Democrats will nominate someone even further left than Kamala Harris recreating the divisive 2024 election all over …
…
continue reading
We assess the first 100 days of the Trump administration and what we can expect going forward. Skye’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a dinner for democracy or a coffee for change Resist isolation and say yes to building a future for ourselves. Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, which uses the law to build c…
…
continue reading
We discuss what’s happening in the AI space to augment human life in this moment, and what the potential intersections are with democracy. Natalie’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Use AI and lean into it Explore the ways AI can empower you Natalie Monbiot is a strategist and pioneer in AI and virtual human technologies. She is the Founde…
…
continue reading
President Trump’s tariff policies are roiling markets worldwide. But there is one Trump advisor who writings provide insight into the president’s thinking. Dr. Stephen Miran is the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors in the new Trump Administration and he explains why there must be changes in the global trading system. But in this commenta…
…
continue reading
1
The Democracy We Never Had: Aziz Rana
1:05:35
1:05:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:35
We discuss rethinking the Constitution as a way to reimagine democracy. In addition, we examine the role of constitutionalism in exporting the principles of democracy as the underpinning of American imperialism. Aziz’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a union or a party formation or a tenants’ association in your community Get involve…
…
continue reading
President Trump claimed that he paused the implementation of his tariff program because of yippy investors. But when market fundamentals have become meaningless and trade relations developed over many decades, are thrown out the window, the movements of markets boils down to one thing, whatever President Trump last said. And even worse, no one has …
…
continue reading
1
Youth Power vs. The Climate Crisis: Aru Shiney-Ajay
45:53
45:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:53
We discuss the Green New Deal and how youth movements like the Sunrise Movement are the secret sauce in getting the federal government to drive the effort to stop the climate crisis. Aru’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Hold on to a disciplined form of hope Join Sunrise Movement! Sunrisemovement.org/become-a-member Aru Shiney-Ajay is the…
…
continue reading
Today we are going to continue to talk about the impact of Donald Trump’s new tariff regime on the US and world economy. Or in this case, the lack of impact. Because there is a reason that President Trump’s tariff policies will not recreate the blue-collar manufacturing paradise that existed in the 1950s.And included in this commentary is a chapter…
…
continue reading
1
Land, Power, and Democracy: Michael Albertus
45:50
45:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:50
We discuss the great reshuffle of land in the last few centuries and the intersection of land, power, and democracy. Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Support conservation easements Learn about the indigenous communities that have been displaced from the land where you live and finds ways to support reallocation Michael Albertus i…
…
continue reading
1
Unintended (but not Unexpected) Consequences
8:02
8:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:02
Commentators are pointing out all the obvious unintended consequences of President Trump’s tariff plan which he plans to announce on April 2nd, Liberation Day. But there may be other consequences in places you haven’t looked. In this commentary we look at the political consequences of a protectionist import substitution regime.…
…
continue reading
1
The Architects of Division: Katherine Stewart
51:40
51:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:40
We discuss the anti-democratic and reactionary nihilistic nature of the Christian nationalist movement. Christian nationalism is an ideology that functions as a tool for a leadership driven organization machine that turns mythology into political power. Katherine’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Mobilize the pro-democracy majority Stop p…
…
continue reading
Academics in the ivory tower have an affinity for socialism because they presume, based on their academic qualifications, that they will be at the pinnacle of power in such a society. They are wrong! In this commentary we will look at where the real power lies.By Victor C. Bolles
…
continue reading
