The historical through-line here is genuinely useful — the Lincoln-to-Eisenhower frame cuts through a lot of noise about where the American mainstream actually sits. The polling figures she cites are worth considering as a representation problem: if 66% of Americans believe the government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage, the more pressing question is what structural gap separates that preference from the legislative output. Labeling the 66% correctly doesn't close that gap. It's also worth noting that support tends to be highest for the general proposition and measurably lower when respondents are shown specific mechanisms, which is a pattern that holds across several of the issues she discusses. The definitional argument matters, but the institutional one runs underneath it: how does a democratic system in which the majority holds a position consistently produce outcomes at variance with that position?
Nazi Germany required 'papers' on each person, with photo. I agree with your every word! But the Govt.of USA is now not expected to help anyone except the richest. How many Yachts, Homes, Airplanes, expensive animals, expensive artifacts, rare foods, can a family own & enjoy? Why?
Hi Heather! I love all of the content you put out - and that’s saying a lot because I never liked history in school 😂
Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the likelihood of revolt (with people out in the streets) against the attempts by the Trump regime to “steal the election”. They seem to have a multi pronged approach, between trying to ban mail in ballots, purge voter rolls, intimidate voters into not showing up to vote, tinker with the actual voting machines (many of which are now owned by MAGA-affiliated people) - this is an area that very few people are talking about, understandably because we’re drinking from a fire hose most days - sowing seeds of doubt in the population who consume right wing propaganda so that they don’t trust the voting process, etc. Each of these on their own can be - and are being - fought against in the courts, so I’m not really worried about that. But what’s more concerning is that because we are a country of laws, and those of us on the right side of history are beholden to following the law, the one tool that the regime has that we cannot fight against (or at least I don’t see how) is the Supreme Court. They have - and will continue to - undermined the will of the people, and because they are the embodiment of the rule of law in our country, how can we fight against that? This is what really keeps me up at night. I just don’t see any other way given that they’re the last word on legal matters. I appreciate your thoughts on this, and thanks again for all that you’re doing.❤️
Thank you so much for this topic! My understanding of these various forms of government was too weak to explain to others why we are not at risk of becoming a socialist or communists country, which is a “threat” thrown out against candidates and elected officials who focus on the needs of workers instead of the wealthy and big businesses.
So now I ask myself, what would I do if Trump declared an emergency and stopped the midterms? To the streets?
The historical through-line here is genuinely useful — the Lincoln-to-Eisenhower frame cuts through a lot of noise about where the American mainstream actually sits. The polling figures she cites are worth considering as a representation problem: if 66% of Americans believe the government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage, the more pressing question is what structural gap separates that preference from the legislative output. Labeling the 66% correctly doesn't close that gap. It's also worth noting that support tends to be highest for the general proposition and measurably lower when respondents are shown specific mechanisms, which is a pattern that holds across several of the issues she discusses. The definitional argument matters, but the institutional one runs underneath it: how does a democratic system in which the majority holds a position consistently produce outcomes at variance with that position?
Bravo!
Is there any way to get a transcript of this talk?
Always excellent info for those of us who lack history background. Thank you.
Just when I despair I discover Ray Lyman of Scranton, PA speaking at Town Council meetings. This is what democracy looks like:
https://substack.com/@maryannmehegan/note/c-283213373?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=4vgr6
Nazi Germany required 'papers' on each person, with photo. I agree with your every word! But the Govt.of USA is now not expected to help anyone except the richest. How many Yachts, Homes, Airplanes, expensive animals, expensive artifacts, rare foods, can a family own & enjoy? Why?
Hi Heather! I love all of the content you put out - and that’s saying a lot because I never liked history in school 😂
Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the likelihood of revolt (with people out in the streets) against the attempts by the Trump regime to “steal the election”. They seem to have a multi pronged approach, between trying to ban mail in ballots, purge voter rolls, intimidate voters into not showing up to vote, tinker with the actual voting machines (many of which are now owned by MAGA-affiliated people) - this is an area that very few people are talking about, understandably because we’re drinking from a fire hose most days - sowing seeds of doubt in the population who consume right wing propaganda so that they don’t trust the voting process, etc. Each of these on their own can be - and are being - fought against in the courts, so I’m not really worried about that. But what’s more concerning is that because we are a country of laws, and those of us on the right side of history are beholden to following the law, the one tool that the regime has that we cannot fight against (or at least I don’t see how) is the Supreme Court. They have - and will continue to - undermined the will of the people, and because they are the embodiment of the rule of law in our country, how can we fight against that? This is what really keeps me up at night. I just don’t see any other way given that they’re the last word on legal matters. I appreciate your thoughts on this, and thanks again for all that you’re doing.❤️
Thank you so much for this topic! My understanding of these various forms of government was too weak to explain to others why we are not at risk of becoming a socialist or communists country, which is a “threat” thrown out against candidates and elected officials who focus on the needs of workers instead of the wealthy and big businesses.
How do I get a transcript of Politics Chat?