Author Archives: Gary LaMaster

Independents, Education And Healthcare.

This week, Democratic Perspective continued our conversation with James Ledbetter, Cottonwood attorney and behind-the-scenes Democratic Party leader. We began by asking Mr. Ledbetter about the independent voters in Arizona. “Independents are a huge factor, a growing factor,” he said. “Democrats … Continue reading

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“Compromise And Bipartisanship Are Not Dirty Words.”

This week, Democratic Perspective spoke with James Ledbetter, founder of the Cottonwood law firm bearing his name. He is President of the Mingus Union School Board and currently serves on the Boards of Northern Arizona Healthcare, the Verde Valley Medical … Continue reading

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America’s Big Government Future, Cont’d.

To further examine the role of government in America’s future, Democratic Perspective once again spoke with Lane Kenworthy, author and Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of Arizona. In his latest appearance on the program, we again … Continue reading

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America’s Big Government Future.

That’s the title of a stimulating presentation by Lane Kenworthy, author and Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of Arizona. In his third appearance on Democratic Perspective, Mr. Kenworthy compared the size of US government with that … Continue reading

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A New Direction For Sedona Politics.

On December 19, 2011, Democratic Perspective hosted Angela LeFevre, president of Democrats of the Red Rocks, to discuss the political landscape in Arizona. When asked about the current political situation in Arizona, she replied, “The state is split equally between … Continue reading

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Shadow Government.

Democratic Perspective continued its series about the use of political front groups as a way of hiding corporate contributions in order to subvert the political process. This week, we looked at ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC’s website calls … Continue reading

Posted in Affordable Care Act, Arizona Politics, Campaign Finance, De-regulation, Environment, Front Organizations, Government, Immigration, National Politics, Political Contributions, Privatization, Special Interest Legislation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Shadow Government.

Dark Money, Part 2. Corporate Money Disguised As Free Speech.

This week, the Democratic Perspective co-hosts, Steve Williamson and Mike Cosentino, continued their discussion of dark money and the effects of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. As a reminder, dark money is the anonymous and largely-unregulated money spent on electoral politics through … Continue reading

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Political Front Groups – Turning Black Into White.

This week, the hosts of Democratic Perspective, Steve Williamson and Mike Cosentino, examined the effects of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Mike began by asking the rhetorical question, “How do you have a democracy when you have a few … Continue reading

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“One Of The Most Dangerous Things For American Democracy In Our History.”

Democratic Perspective continued our conversation with Congressman Raúl Grijalva this week by asking about the Citizens United decision by the US Supreme Court. “We saw during the last election that it’s going to be big,” he said. “It’s one of … Continue reading

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A Shared Responsibility For The Environment And Each Other.

Democratic Perspective recently had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Tucson. Grijalva is representative for the 7th District in southern Arizona and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, … Continue reading

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