Pantsuit Politics

In this special episode, Beth interviews libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate (New York) Alex Merced. Alex talks about his background, why he's a libertarian, the current presidential and his positions on a "lightening round" of issues.Here's what you should know about Alex: Name: Alex Merced - Libertarian Party US Senate Candidate (NY)Age: 31Married to wife for 2 years (together for 7 years)Profession: Corporate Trainer in Financial Industry, former retail store owner (Gamers Lounge in Bowling Green, oh), Podcaster/blogger, event promoter, social media consultantEducation: BA from Bowling Green State UniversityIf Elected Would Be...- Youngest Serving US Senator (dethroning Tom Cotton)- First Puerto Rican or Guatemalan Elected US Senate- First Libertarian Elected to US SenateMain issues:- Rolling Back Regime Change to reduce newInstability abroad- Ending the drug war and the overcriminalization and violence that comes with it- Increasing families disposable incomes and ability to save with tax reforms and reforming the policy drivers of inflation in healthcare, housing and education- increasing visibility of Transgender issues and using the pulpit to bring attention to suicide, homelessness, and structural unemployment within the transgender community (have very close transgender issues, so this is more a personal thing than a policy issue)Economic Policy Proposals:- Rainy Day Account: rolling IRAs, HSAs, Coverdells into one tax favored savings account for all of life's events such as Unemployment, education, retirement, healthcare, parental leave, etc.- The America Corp: a new corporate designation with 0% corporate tax rate but requires all assets and employees be in the US and that employees vote for one member of the board of directors to give labor more of a seat in corporate governance.- 20% flat tax: instead of a complex tax code and complex web of aid programs, have a 20% flat tax with a refundable tax credit that will provide aid to anyone for anything. The amount of the tax credit amount changes with age (25k 18-26,65+ - 10k 27-64)Interesting facts:- Son of a immigrant from Guatemala in which regime change created instability in the 1950s which led to decades of civil wars and dictators and has contributed to the frustrations over the border (stability abroad effects border security, so regime change is very much against the countries national interests)- parents are divorced so mainly raised by mother who after divorced lived in poverty working multiple part time jobs, going to school, raising two kids but worked her way to the middle class by the time I was 18 and has been my inspiration for my belief that anything is possible with hard work and determination- grew up in suburban CT, went to school in Rural Ohio, and has lived in urban NYC so has experience the different setting Americans live in Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Sarah wraps up her family vacation, Beth brings you a special interview with former Congressman and Executive Director of republicEN.org Bob Inglis. Bob is a "climate realist and energy optimist." Hear his story of learning about the realities of climate change and advocating for conservative solutions. Bob also gives his take on the current election and the future of the Republican party. Show Notes: republicEN.orgBob talks with Chris Hayes about the 2017 raceClip of Bob from Merchants of Doubt Clip of Bob from YEARS of Living Dangerously A Carbon Tax is a Conservative Solution to Climate Change  Bob Inglis Rallies GOP on Climate Change, One Lawmaker at a Time  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Congress passing, overriding President Obama's veto on, and then regretting the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, we're examining the roles of our representatives. In 2016, should our leaders act as trustees, exercising independent judgment, or delegates, conforming to the will of the populace? But first, we talk about Colombian voters' rejection of the FARC peace agreement, the continued violence and breakdown of diplomacy in Syria, and, of course, Donald Trump's taxes. We end on a much lighter note: Sarah's trip to Disney World. Can you help her family find a better trip hashtag? Show Notes:Colombian Voters Reject FARC Peace DealDiplomacy Breakdown in SyriaDonald Trump's TaxesInternational Lawyers: Don't Let Americans Sue Saudi ArabiaThe Consequences of JASTACongress Somehow Blames President Obama for JASTAThe Unbelievable Idiocy of CongressTrustees vs. DelegatesMajority Vote Rules: Advocating for the Delegate ModelThe Reality of Modern RepresentationWas Obama vs. Romney a Trustee vs. Delegate Contest?Trustee vs. Delegate: A False Binary? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk further about the debate - both about our thoughts and your feedback. We also discuss the gendered politics of interrupting and share a listener voice mail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah shares her insight from Vox Conversations. Beth shares her insight from a leadership retreat. Both Sarah and Beth share their (exhausted) insight from the first presidential debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey y'all, for this week's episode of The Briefcase we're putting Friday Feedback on hold to bring you a special interview on asking big questions and universal basic income from Sarah's weeklong trip to the Vox Conversations conference in Washington D.C.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In case you can't get enough Pantsuit Politics, we're giving you an extended version of The Great Redhead Debate, complete with commentary from Sarah, Beth, and Dante.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we imagine a world in which Sarah is the Democrat's nominee and Beth is the Republican's nominee. Spoiler alert: it's a far cry from what we anticipate seeing on the real debate stage.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Briefcase, we discuss what listeners are teaching us about gender and race in our conversations. Since Dante isn't on the episode for this discussion, we wanted to share his sentiments:  I'm so glad my presence on the show inspired people to reach out to us, both in positive and critical ways. It's helped reaffirm that this show is and will always be about our listeners. I know this because until very recently I was one, and I know how much this show means to me and all of us. I've always learned from our community and will continue to do so to make this the best show it can possibly be. Y'all, never stop bringing that passion because as soon as that stops we've got a much bigger problem than a man crashing the Pantsuit Politics party. Smooches. - Dante.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Drucker famously said that "culture eats strategy for breakfast." We take a look at the role of culture in this election season by discussing Hillary Clinton's "basket of deplorables" comments and sharing our interview with Nikki Johnson-Huston, attorney, advocate, and the author of "The Culture of the Smug White Liberal." We also briefly cover the cease-fire in Syria, how September 11 influences our generation, and the "life-changing" power of paring things down.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.