Author: Michael Baranowski

Bostock, DACA, Bolton

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

On today’s show, Trey and Ken discuss Bostock v. Clayton County and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The discussion leads them to discuss the implications of various methods the court uses, or ought to use, in interpreting law.

Trey and Ken also talk DACA and the downfall of the Trump administration’s use of illegality to try to end DACA. The two speculate as to why this was the method used and what it means for Dreamers in the future.

Finally Trey and Ken discuss Bolton’s upcoming book The Room Where it Happened. The pair touch on both the civil litigation from the Justice Department to attempt to stop publication and the content details leaked thus far, including whether Bolton should have been willing to testify during the impeachment investigation or trial.

This Week’s Recommendations
Trey suggests you check out Political instability by Peter Turchin. See the full article here.

Ken recommends you watch Inspector Lewis.

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Powered by RedCircle

Building Better Police & Problematic Primaries

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

On today’s show, Mike and Kristin begin by discussing several developments in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, including some of the legislation put forth or discussed by Republicans and Democrats recently, aimed at eliminating police violence. They also bring up the issue of police culture, as well as the argument for reforming and changing police culture – as opposed to defunding the police.

Mike and Kristin also touch on some of the big problems that occurred on Tuesday, June 9th, as primary voters in five states went to the polls. Issues with voting machines, understaffing, and lack of training in Georgia, as well as COVID-19 issues, could play significant roles in the upcoming November elections.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendation
– a lacrosse ball
– The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, Clair & Amber Davies

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
– Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Powered by RedCircle

 

Jeffrey Sachs on The Ages of Globalization

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike talks with economist Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. Dr. Sachs is  also director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and has been advisor to three UN secretaries-general. In addition to being one of the world’s leading experts on poverty and economic development, he is the author of many influential, best-selling books, including The Age of Sustainable Development, The Price of Civilization, Building the New American Economy, and, most recently, The Ages of  Globalization, which they discuss on the show.

Topics discussed include:
– globalization over the course of human history
– the long historical dominance of China
– why China declined as a world power
– keys to sustainable development in the 21st century
– whether a non-democratic China is a threat
– prospects for development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jeffrey Sachs on Twitter

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Powered by RedCircle

 

George Floyd Protests, Jobs Report, Rosenstein Testimony

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike & Jay start off the show with an extended discussion of the nationwide protest that continue in the wake of the death of George Floyd. They start with policy, finding a surprising amount of agreement on things that can be done on the national, state, and local levels to improve policing. Then it’s a look at President Trump’s response to the violence that accompanied many protests, and presidential detractors like former Trump Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Next they discuss the shockingly good jobs report. While it’s not the unalloyed wonderful news President Trump portrayed it as on Twitter, it’s undeniably a good thing. Mike and Jay discuss if the good jobs news is likely to continue and what it means for future coronavirus stimulus measures.

The show closes with a look at former Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Mike and Jay agree that Rosenstein’s comments demonstrate that the intelligence and federal law enforcement system is in need of major change. Jay wonders whether Rosenstein was being willfully ignorant of what his subordinates were up to, a theory Mike feels makes a lot of sense, given the ramifications of such an unprecedented investigation.

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Powered by RedCircle

 

Lane Kenworthy on Social Democratic Capitalism

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike talks with Lane Kenworthy, a Professor of Sociology at UC San Diego.  They discuss his latest book, Social Democratic Capitalism.

Topics discussed include:
– what social democratic capitalism is
– if social democratic capitalism is only possible in rich countries
– economic growth and dynamism
– the Nordic example, and whether it can be applied elsewhere
– how the United States stacks up to other wealthy countries
– whether the United States can – or should – move toward social democratic capitalism

Lane Kenworthy Online

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Powered by RedCircle

 

Floyd, Twitter, Trump

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair begin the show discussing the evolving situation over the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. This includes discussion of the protests, the recent charges of third degree murder, and the long-term ramifications for the African American community.

Next the Trey & Ken discuss President Trump’s executive order on Preventing Online Censorship. Ken thinks there is no real substantive meaning to it, rather it is simply bluster. Trey wonders if the order is designed to allow a civil suit against Twitter by President Trump.

This Week’s Recommendations
Trey suggests you check out Desert Solitaire” A Season in the Wilderness

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Capitalism, Alone

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike talks with economist Branko Milanovic. Dr. Milanovic is  Visiting Presidential Professor at the Stone Center of Socio-Economic Inequality at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He was formerly Lead Economist in the World Bank’s research department. He’s also the author of a number of books, including Capitalism, Alone: The Future of the System That Rules the World, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics covered include:
– the benefits of capitalism
– the different forms of capitalism
– the liberal meritocratic capitalism of the United States
– rising economy inequality since the 1980s
– sustainable growth under current models of capitalism
– capitalism and corruption in China
– the future of capitalism

Branko Milanovic on Twitter

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Inspector General Firings, Trump Threatens MI & NV Over Elections, The WHO and China

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

On this week’s show, Mike and Kristin take on President Trump’s firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, a move prompted by a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. They also discuss Trump’s threats to withhold funding from Michigan and Nevada after each state announced plans to mail all voters statewide requests for vote-by-mail forms and the actual ballots, respectively. Finally,  Mike and Kristin weigh in on the relationship between the WHO and China, whether President Trump’s threat to withhold funding was warranted, and the WHO’s  subsequent move to independently investigate the response to COVID-19 within its own organization.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendations
The books of P.G. Wodehouse
Insight Timer (meditation app)  Android | iPhone

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
Calm (meditation app)

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Title IX Clarification, Michael Flynn & the Russia Investigation, Trillions More for COVID Aid?

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

Mike & Jay start off the show with Mike trying to explain that while he’s for the recent Title IX sexual harassment / abuse procedural rules (as is Jay) he has more of an issue with their being a mandate (in theory, at least).

Then, it’s a discussion of the latest developments in the case against Michael Flynn. Mike sees a lot of bad behavior all around, and Jay doesn’t disagree. They both seem to think that the biggest potential problem is an intelligence & law enforcement community that seems to be doing more than just cutting a few corners here and there.

Finally, it’s a look at the House proposal for $3 Trillion in additional coronavirus aid, with nearly $1 Trillion of that set aside for state and local governments. While conservatives – including Jay – balk that that, especially in light of the enormous sum that’s already been spend, there seems to be some ground for compromise.

Mike’s Weekly Recommendations
The Reluctant Detective (Mike’s book in progress)
NYPD Blue
UPS Dogs (Facebook)

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation
The Good Place

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Michael Flynn, FBI Abuses, An Independent Attorney General?, New Title IX Rules

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | Overcast | Stitcher | RSS

It’s big week for due process.  Mike and Jay talk about the Justice Department’s decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn, FBI abuses, and Mike makes a pitch for an Independent Justice Department. Then they discuss the new Department of Education rules guaranteeing rights to the accused in school sexual harassment and assault cases.  Then it gets sort of weird.

The full text of the DOJ filing to dismiss charges against Michael Flynn

Mike’s YouTube page

Be part of the discussion on the Politics Guys ‘BipartisanPolitics’ community on Reddit.

Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.