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Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

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Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 37min

#1675 Fighting Nihilism to Organize For Freedom Against Fascism

In this thought-provoking discussion, guests include Dasia Sade, a philosopher exploring tragic optimism, and Leeja Miller, a political commentator offering strategies to combat fascism. Timothy Snyder delves into the nuances of freedom, contrasting 'freedom from' and 'freedom to.' Organizers Luke Mayville and Cecilia Guerrero share insights on grassroots strategies for rural America and the South. Together, they tackle nihilism, the slow progress of democracy, and the power of collective action to inspire hope and resilience against oppressive systems.
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Dec 8, 2024 • 1h 3min

#1595 Pushing for Medicare For All in the Laboratories of Democracy (Throwback)

Original Air Date: 11/29/2023 The movement for universal health care is still underway, though it rarely gets recognized in mainstream discourse. The murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson is an occasion worth using to look at the progress being made to improve our system of promoting the health of all people in the United States as well as efforts to rein in the power of big Pharma that's used to gouge the American people with exorbitant prices. So, that's what we're doing. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Healthcare Activist Ady Barkan Dies of ALS; Watch His 2021 Interview on Demanding Medicare for All - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-27-23 Healthcare activist Ady Barkan has died at the age of 39 of the neurodegenerative disease ALS. His story is told in the documentary Not Going Quietly. In 2021, Democracy Now! spoke with Ady Barkan just ahead of the film’s premiere. Ch. 2: Why your health insurance is tied to work - The Weeds - Air Date 10-18-23 The wartime policy that changed health insurance forever Ch. 3: Rethinking the path to winning single payer - Code WACK! - Air Date 4-10-23 Winning Medicare for All in the U.S. may be at a standstill at the federal level, but it's a different story In the states. In 2021 alone, 18 single-payer bills were introduced in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Oregon. Ch. 4: How Can This Predatory Exploitation Be Considered Health Care - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-15-23 If Medicare Advantage, the profit-driven entity that is decidedly NOT part of REAL Medicare, could be summed up in three words, they might be: deny, deny, deny. Ch. 5: Biden vs. Big Pharma Medicare to Begin Negotiations to Lower Price of 10 Costly Drugs & Insulin - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-30-23 Peter Maybarduk joins us to discuss how the new negotiation process aims to break up drug monopolies and disband the pharmaceutical industry’s profit incentive. Ch. 6: Inequality Undermines Health & Healthcare in the U.S. - Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff - Air Date 11-14-23 Ch. 7: Big Pharma Explained Why Are Meds So Expensive [& The Solution] - The Laura Flanders Show - Air Date 6-12-23 Ch. 8: The Challenge of Caring for Our Elders - The Brian Lehrer Show - Air Date 11-15-23
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Dec 6, 2024 • 23min

Bonus Edition #328 The Truth Shall Set Us Free

Sign Up or Manage Your Membership Air Date: 12-6-24 Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss: - The political origins of SimCity and how capitalism warps our choices - A new video game offering a very different vision of societal management - Naomi Klein's insights on the Left's missteps responding to the Mirror World - Applying cynicism and skepticism in moderation FOLLOW US ON:  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bestoftheleft.bsky.social Mastadon: https://mastodon.social/@bestoftheleft@mstdn.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestoftheleft/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BestOfTheLeft/ Nostr public key: npub1tjxxp0x5mcgl2svwhm39qf002st2zdrkz6yxmaxr6r2fh0pv49qq2pem0e REFERENCES: SimCity Isn’t a Model of Reality. It’s a Libertarian Toy Land Build-a-Brrr Naomi Klein on her doppelganger (and yours) Be Like Claud Cockburn: Tell Truths to the Masses   Join our Discord Server Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening! ugf9dzuv Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft  Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
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Dec 3, 2024 • 2h 8min

#1674 #MenToo: The Make America Male Again Election and the Media Driving the Message

Air Date 12/3/2024 At a time when there are very legitimate concerns about men's place in society, the Manosphere has stepped in to fill the gap in the cultural discussion to give an answer, not a good answer but an answer, to young men about modern masculinity which included a strong push to vote Trump. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: The Role of the Press in This Moment with Matt Pearce - Why Is This Happening - Air Date 11-19-24 KP 2: The #MenToo Election Catholics, Latinos, and the Manosphere - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 11-11-24 KP 3: Inside Elon's Twitter Takeover with Ryan Mac and Kate Conger - Factually! with Adam Conover - Air Date 11-13-24 KP 4: The #MenToo Election Catholics, Latinos, and the Manosphere Part 2 - Straight White American Jesus - Air Date 11-11-24 KP 5: Make America Male Again Fifteen years of aggrieved men - It's Been a Minute - Air Date 11-19-24 KP 6: Misinformation, Disinformation, Malinformation ( Feat Esosa Osa)- Gettin' Grown - Air Date 11-12-24 KP 7: How the Fediverse can make social fun again - WordPress - Air Date 8-12-24 (56:23) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the slow process of fixing our broken internet DEEPER DIVES (1:02:00) SECTION A - MEDIA LANDSCAPE (1:22:06) SECTION B - MEN ARE NOT OKAY (1:52:03) SECTION C - WHAT WE CAN DO SHOW IMAGE Description: Photo of the back of a young man standing on a subway platform putting headphones on as a silver train whizzes past. Credit: “People guy man sound music” by StockSnap, Pixabay | License: Pixabay   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastadon | Threads | X
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Nov 29, 2024 • 2h 41min

#1673 Beyond Thanksgiving: Telling Native Stories (Remix)

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, an Indigenous historian and activist, and Nick Estes, a noted Indigenous historian and writer, discuss the real history behind Thanksgiving and Indigenous struggles. They critique the romanticized narratives surrounding the holiday, calling for a reevaluation of American nationalism. The conversation delves into issues like colonial atrocities, the fight for Indigenous rights, and the ongoing impacts of intergenerational trauma. They also explore the importance of authentic representation of Native cultures in history and media.
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Nov 26, 2024 • 2h 55min

#1672 Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out

Dive into the chaos of misinformation and its consequences in today's digital landscape. Discover how public trust in experts has eroded amidst partisan politics and the rise of alternative media. Explore the delicate balance between open-mindedness and skepticism, and learn about the emotional impact of conspiracy theories in society. Unpack the role of disinformation in political discourse and the challenges centrism poses to progressive movements. Finally, reflect on the evolving education system and the importance of critical thinking.
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Nov 24, 2024 • 17min

Bonus Sample #327 You Say You Want a Revolution

Join the lively discussion as hosts dissect why recent voting trends have swung the way they did. They explore the hypnotic appeal of hard-right politics and the urgent need for a proactive leftist response. Delve into the complexity of political perceptions and how anti-establishment sentiments shape today’s discourse. The hosts shine a light on the intersection of traditional and modern ideologies, revealing the challenges of strategizing unity in a time of division. Plus, discover humane solutions for pressing social issues through progressive lenses.
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Nov 20, 2024 • 2h 23min

#1671 The Non-Exclusive Impact of White Supremacy and Misogyny on the Election

Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator and progressive activist, joins Vice President Kamala Harris and analyses the implications of Donald Trump's rhetoric on the upcoming election. They discuss the persistent effects of white supremacy and misogyny in politics, the urgency for genuine activism, and how historical injustices still shape modern electoral dynamics. The conversation digs into Black men's disconnection from the Democratic Party and the need for action beyond performative gestures. The episode tackles uncomfortable truths about race and politics today.
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Nov 15, 2024 • 1h 19min

#1670 A Refresher on the Sham of Conservative Economic Populism and the Left Alternatives (Remix)

Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, joins experts like Lindsay Owens and Ben Burgis to dissect the illusion of conservative economic populism. They explore the need for progressives to unite around a message of economic justice and the importance of automatic stabilizers during downturns. Jeff Madrick emphasizes the dire consequences of child poverty, while Virginie Perrotin discusses the potential of worker cooperatives in combating inequality. The conversation critiques current economic models, advocating for a shift towards community-centric, sustainable practices.
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Nov 12, 2024 • 2h 32min

#1669 Private Equity: The worst of capitalism, amplified

Air Date 11/12/2024 It's easy enough to look into one industry at a time to see what's going wrong, but today we're looking at what is so often lurking in the background of higher prices, lower quality goods and services, and, ultimately, many failing businesses: Private Equity. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes | Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Why Does Everyone Hate Private Equity? - The Plain Bagel - Air Date 9-20-24 KP 2: How Private Equity Consumed America - Wendover Productions - Air Date 5-7-24 KP 3: How private equity conquered America - The Chris Hedges Report - Air Date 3-1-24 KP 4: Warren Calls for Ownership Transparency for Private Equity in Health Care - Senator Elizabeth Warren - Air Date 7-12-24 KP 5: BlackRock: The Conspiracies You Don’t Know - More Perfect Union - Air Date 9-15-24 (48:16) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On getting through this together DEEPER DIVES (53:11) SECTION A - HOW IT WORKS (1:30:42) SECTION B - POWER (2:03:28) SECTION C - SOLUTIONS SHOW IMAGE Description: The words “Private Equity” are typed out  on paper on a clipboard, surrounded by $20 and $100 bills and a pair of glasses. Credit: “Private Equity” by Nick Youngson, Pix4free.org | License: CC BY-SA 3.0  | Changes: Slightly cropped   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

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