Jesse Lee Interview — Podcast June 25, 2018

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

A Culture Of Corruption. Democratic Perspective co-host, Steve Williamson, welcomes Jesse Lee, VP of communications for the Center for American Progress. After spending 8 years in the Obama White House, Lee contrasts the extreme level of corruption in the Trump administration with that of Obama’s. “It’s not exactly a coincidence when Republicans control all parts of government that they try to get their hands on everything possible,” he says. “A lot of the Republicans I used to argue with over Obama policies are now in shock. Obama worked for his constituents almost every hour of every day. Now it’s almost the opposite. You’d be hard pressed to find an example of this administration that isn’t corrupt.”

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Anita Glazer and Jim Ledbetter Interviews – Podcast June 18, 2018

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

A Dishonest GOP Attempt To Defund A Public School. The Democratic Perspective co-hosts welcome Anita Glazer, president of the Mingus Union School Board, and Jim Ledbetter, former president, to talk about a political trick aimed at cutting funding for a high-achieving high school through consolidation. The upcoming consolidation vote is the result of a legislative bill written to target the school. Instead of saving money as promised, a vote for consolidation will reduce the school’s operating budget by at least $300,000 per year.

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Posted in Arizona Politics, Disinformation, Education, Education Funding, Elections, Interviews, Local Politics, Political Lies, Public Education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Anita Glazer and Jim Ledbetter Interviews – Podcast June 18, 2018

Home Rule – Podcast June 11, 2018

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

Returning Power To City Government. In 1980, the Arizona State Legislature passed a constitutional amendment that, in effect, wrenched local control away from Arizona cities and towns. The amendment imposed a formula-based spending limit that makes it difficult for cities to meet their needs. To regain control of its own budget, the City of Sedona has placed a Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation on the ballot to allow citizens to vote for home rule. To discuss the initiative in depth, the co-hosts of Democratic Perspective, Mike Cosentino and Steve Williamson, welcome Justin Clifton, City Manager of Sedona, and Steve Segner, owner of El Portal and Chair of the Sedona Lodging Council.

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Deedra Abboud Interview – Podcast June 4, 2018

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

Focusing on issues, leadership, transparency, and accountability. Democratic Perspective co-hosts Steve Williamson and Mike Cosentino welcome Deedra Abboud, Democratic candidate for US Senate. The daughter of a US Marshall and federal investigator, she says she grew up with a romantic view of the Constitution. Abboud disdains corporate and PAC money saying, “If you’re not human, I will not take your money.” Believing that people want candidates who stand for something, she refuses to tailor her message to demographic groups. Instead, she fearlessly presents and defends her issues to everyone who will listen because “that’s what a leader does.”

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Posted in Anti-Gay Discrimination, Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Campaign Finance, Civil Rights, Community Activism, Dark Money, Elections, Ethics, Government, Gun Control, Health Care, Health Care Policy, Interviews, Medicaid, Medicare, Philosophy, Political Candidacy, Political Polarization, Public Accountability, Public Health Policy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Deedra Abboud Interview – Podcast June 4, 2018

Memorial Day Edition – Podcast May 28, 2018

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

The True Meaning Of Memorial Day And How To Protect Our Democracy.  Democratic Perspective host Mike Cosentino begins the show by acknowledging the sponsors and supporters who have contributed to help keep the show on the air for seven years. He then explains the origin of Memorial Day, noting that it is a solemn occasion to remember our nation’s fallen heroes. He then addresses many of the threats to our democracy. Finally, he lists important resources, candidates and ways we can change the future for the better.

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Posted in Arizona Politics, Dark Money, Democratic Governance, Education, Education Funding, Elections, Government, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Polarization, Propaganda, U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans' Issues | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Memorial Day Edition – Podcast May 28, 2018

Brill, Gordon, McClelland Interviews – Podcast May 21, 2018

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

Working to return government to the people. Democratic Perspective co-hosts Steve Williamson and Mike Cosentino welcome Karen McClelland, president of Democrats of the Red Rocks, Dr. David Brill, candidate for US Congress, and Mark Robert Gordon, candidate for AZ Secretary of State. McClelland details the role of local political clubs. Brill contrasts his approach to politics with the divisiveness of incumbent Paul Gosar. And Gordon explains the problems with Arizona’s corrupted voting system and his plans to use the office to better serve the public. Combined, the three guests highlight the problems with GOP-led governance while offering a vision of hope and a return to civility.

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Posted in Arizona Politics, Campaign Finance, Dark Money, Education Funding, Elections, Ethics, Government, Interviews, National Politics, Paul Gosar, Political Candidacy, Political Clubs, Political Contributions, Political Polarization, Public Accountability, Voter Suppression | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Brill, Gordon, McClelland Interviews – Podcast May 21, 2018

Pierce, Cardenas and Fryer Interviews – Podcast May 14, 2018

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

Making Arizona safer, more equitable and more enjoyable for everyone. Democratic Perspective co-hosts Mike Cosentino and Steve Williamson welcome Democratic candidates Bill Pierce, Mark Cardenas and Kelly Fryer to talk about their plans for a better Arizona. Pierce who is running for State Mine Inspector explains the need to hire more inspectors to ensure worker and environmental safety for the thousands of active and abandoned mines in Arizona. As a candidate for State Treasurer, Cardenas explains the need to raise revenue since Arizona is operating on half the budget of comparable states. And, as a candidate for Governor, Fryer offers a positive vision for Arizona in which people come first, saying, “I really believe that at the heart of the community, the state, the country should be love. A fierce, ferocious love that stays in difficult situations because our futures are tied together.”

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Posted in Arizona Budget, Arizona Economy, Arizona Politics, Civil Society, Community Activism, Democratic Governance, Economic Policy, Education Funding, Elections, Environment, Environmental Issues, Government, Interviews, Mine Safety, Public Accountability, Tax Revenues, Taxation | Tagged , | Comments Off on Pierce, Cardenas and Fryer Interviews – Podcast May 14, 2018

Toni Denis Interview — Podcast May 7, 2018

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

A conversation about national, state and local politics. Co-hosts Mike Cosentino and Steve Williamson review national and Arizona state politics. Then they welcome Toni Denis, chair of the Yavapai County Democratic Party to discuss the upcoming Democratic primaries, the candidates and newly energized Democratic voters.

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Stephen Nash Interview – Podcast April 30, 2018

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

The conflict between the preservation of public lands and those who wish to exploit them. Democratic Perspective co-hosts, Steve Williamson and Mike Cosentino, welcome Stephen Nash, a writer and scientist who teaches journalism and environmental studies at the University of Richmond. Nash has reported on science and the environment for national publications. His latest book is Grand Canyon For Sale — Public Lands versus Private Interests in the Era of Climate Change. In a wide-ranging discussion covering subjects ranging from helicopter traffic and mining to cattle grazing and water, he addresses the problems facing our National Parks and public lands.

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Posted in Arizona Politics, Bureau of Land Management, Climate Change, Department of the Interior, Environment, Environmental Issues, Federal Lands, Government, Interviews, National Politics, Privatization, Public Lands, U.S. Forest Service, Water Policy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Stephen Nash Interview – Podcast April 30, 2018

Samantha Parsons and Matt Garcia Interview – Podcast April 23, 2018

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Gary LaMaster

Fighting For Academic Freedom Against The Koch Brothers’ Billions. Democratic Perspective host Steve Williamson welcomes Samantha Parsons, co-founder of Un-Koch My Campus, and Dartmouth Professor Matt Garcia, author of A World of its Own: Race, Water and Citrus In The Making of Greater Los Angeles 1900-1970. They discuss the Koch brothers’ attempts to bring their libertarian message to universities by controlling research, as well as who is teaching and what is being taught.

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Posted in Dark Money, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Front Organizations, Interviews, LIberals and Conservatives, Movement Conservatism, Political Contributions, Political Polarization, Political Theory, Privatization, Public Education | Tagged , | Comments Off on Samantha Parsons and Matt Garcia Interview – Podcast April 23, 2018