Category Archives: Community

Ruiz Interview – Podcast August 31, 2025

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

An Educational System With No Guardrails. No Accountability. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Dr. Teresa (Terry) Leyba Ruiz, Democratic candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. She has been an educator for 35 years in K-12 and a former … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Fiscal Policy, Funding, Interviews, Political Candidacy, Privatization, Public Education, Public Policy, Race and Class | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Vaughan, Jordahl Interview – Podcast August 24, 2025

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Defending Immigrants Against A Cruel Government. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Mik Jordahl and Grace Vaughan to discuss immigration issues in northern Arizona. Jordahl is an attorney and frequent guest on Democratic Perspective. And Vaughan is Legal Services Program … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Liberties, Community, Compassion, Conservative Paranoia, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Extremism, Government, Human Rights, Immigration, Interviews, Justice System, Law Enforcement, National Politics, Racism, Refugees | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Al-Asady Interview – Podcast August 3, 2025

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

The Perspective Of Youth. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Sami Al-Asady to the show. Al-Asady is a recent graduate with a political science degree from Arizona State University and a former intern in the Biden White House. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Capitalism, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Class Conflict, Community, Community Activism, Compassion, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Economic Policy, Education, Education Policy, Environmental Issues, Government, Immigration, Interviews, Israel, Jobs and Employment, LIberals and Conservatives, Mass Media, Media Campaigns, National Politics, Palestinian/Israeli Conflict, Pandemic, Public Education, Public Service, Refugees, Religion, Tolerance, Women's Rights | Tagged , | Comments Off on Al-Asady Interview – Podcast August 3, 2025

Jablow, Dunn, Williamson Interview – Podcast July 13, 2025

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Reimagining Sedona’s “Cultural Park.” Steve Williamson welcomes Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow, City Councilmember Melissa Dunn and former Councilmember Jessica Williamson to discuss the future of the failed Cultural Park and amphitheater, which has been unused for many years. The city … Continue reading →

Posted in Civic Renewal, Community, Conservative Paranoia, Conspiracy Theories, Democratic Governance, Development, Disinformation, Government, Housing, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Private Collaboration | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jablow, Dunn, Williamson Interview – Podcast July 13, 2025

Check Interview – Podcast June 22, 2025

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Finding Common Ground And Common Sense. Karen McClelland welcomes Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check to the show. They begin by discussing the hiring of an additional sheriff’s deputy to help control the growing problem of OHVs. Addressing the possibility of … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Policy, Arizona Economy, Arizona Politics, Community, Democratic Governance, Development, Domestic Policy, Education Funding, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Federal Lands, Government, Growth, Interviews, Local Politics, Policing, Public Accountability, Public Lands, Public Policy, Regulation, Tourism, Viticulture, Water Policy, Wilderness Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Check Interview – Podcast June 22, 2025

Ginzel Interview – Podcast April 13, 2025

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Saving Democracy One Conversation At A Time. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome activist Kat Ginzel to discuss her success in organizing Democrats in a rural, red district. After Ginzel became a Precinct Captain, she learned that, despite appearances, many … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Autocracy, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Constitutional Issues, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Education, Elections, Foreign Affairs, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, Mass Media, Misinformation, National Politics, Philosophy, Political Clubs, Political Parties, Political Polarization, Propaganda, Public Policy, Social Contract, Social Media, Tolerance, Voting, Women's Rights | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ginzel Interview – Podcast April 13, 2025

Williamson Interview – Podcast March 30, 2025

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Why Government Is Necessary For A Civilized Society. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Sedona City Councilor Jessica Williamson to discuss the positives of government. Steve begins by noting that most Americans thought highly of government coming out of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Capitalism, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Conservative Paranoia, Constitutional Issues, Corporations, Corruption, Democratic Governance, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, Domestic Extremism, Education, Elections, Ethics, Government, Human Rights, Interviews, National Politics, Political Parties, Public Accountability, Public Policy, Regulation, Regulatory Agencies, Social Contract, Taxation | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Williamson Interview – Podcast March 30, 2025

Horstman Interview – Podcast March 23, 2025

Posted on March 29, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

How Trump’s Chaos Impacts Counties. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Patrice Horstman, Coconino County Supervisor, attorney and Democratic activist to the show. Horstman begins by saying, “County government, especially right now with what’s going on in the federal government … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Economy, Arizona History, Autocracy, Bureau of Land Management, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Constitutional Issues, Democratic Governance, Department of the Interior, Domestic Extremism, Domestic Policy, Economic Policy, Education, Education Funding, Environmental Issues, Federal Lands, Funding, Government, Health Care, Human Rights, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Judicial System, Law Enforcement, Legal Issues, Local Politics, Medical Science and Technology, Mental Health Programs, Monetary Policy, National Politics, Native American Issues, Public Accountability, Public Health Policy, Public Lands, Public Policy, Resistance, Tax Revenues, Taxation, Tourism, U.S. Budget, U.S. Court System, U.S. Forest Service, Women's Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Horstman Interview – Podcast March 23, 2025

Jablow, Williamson Interview – Podcast February 23, 2025

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

The Battle To Control Short-Term Rentals Continues. Sterve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow and former City Councilor Jessica Williamson to discuss the primary issue facing the city. They begin by reporting on a recent meeting of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Corporations, De-regulation, Democratic Governance, Development, Government, Housing, Interviews, Jobs and Employment, Legal Issues, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Regulation, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Jablow, Williamson Interview – Podcast February 23, 2025

Oliphant and Williamson Interview – Podcast February 16, 2025

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Gary LaMaster

Yavapai College’s Astonishing Lack Of Transparency. Democratic Perspective welcomes Sedona City Council Member, Jessica Williamson, and retired law professor and author, Bob Oliphant, to discuss the latest developments at Yavapai College. Actually, according to our guests, it’s increasingly difficult to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Community Activism, Continuing Education, Democratic Governance, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Ethics, Interviews, Investigative Journalism, Local Politics, Public Accountability, Public Education, Tax Revenues | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Oliphant and Williamson Interview – Podcast February 16, 2025