As unthinkable as it may seem, it’s where we are now: only one of America’s two major parties still supports democracy. That means it’s up to the Democratic Party to save democracy for everyone. But even with democracy in grave danger, Democrats are in a close race against the people who are trying to finish it off. How can that be, and what should they do about … [Read more...] about How to win elections so we still *have* elections
“America and hope in the time of fentanyl and meth”
In many ways, addiction has become a defining feature of life in America. More and more of us have become addicted to drugs like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and opioids, and to other things increasingly recognized as addictive, like sugar, junk food, and social media. The problem has been growing for decades, but in recent years it has exploded. A record for deaths by … [Read more...] about “America and hope in the time of fentanyl and meth”
Is the Game of Democracy Over?
One way of thinking about democracy is as a game — a game in which freedom, equality, and even lives are at stake. And one way of thinking about the state of our democracy is that one of the two main competitors is no longer playing the game, but trying to destroy it. As with any game, the rules of democracy only matter if we agree they do. Ultimately, we can’t prove that … [Read more...] about Is the Game of Democracy Over?
Walter Shapiro: Finding the Democrats’ Missing Message
In normal times, if one party is bad at politics, it’s a problem for that party. But in these times, we only have one major party that still believes in democracy. And yet Democrats are likely to lose the Congress this fall, and could lose the White House in 2024 — maybe even to Donald Trump, the first US president ever to lead a coup attempt and still the leader of a … [Read more...] about Walter Shapiro: Finding the Democrats’ Missing Message
Jade McGlynn on Putin’s Memory War
Spencer's guest this time has fascinating, important insights about Vladimir Putin's "memory war:" a campaign to rewrite history with Russia at the center of the world stage. That campaign is being enacted with horrific violence in Ukraine, but is pursued in different ways around the world, including in the United States. Dr. Jade McGlynn is a senior researcher with the … [Read more...] about Jade McGlynn on Putin’s Memory War