My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

We speak to Dennis Kucinich about his fight to save Cleveland's municipal power system as mayor of the city in 1970's. He risked not only his career but his life during that battle, and he gives us some of the details from his new book -"The Division of Light and Power" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know Jefferson and Franklin, but what about the other signers - John Hart, John Penn, William Williams, Richard Stockton, William Whipple, John Morgan, William Floyd, George Read and others Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edward Stettinius, Jr. served a short but important time as Secretary of State serving F.D.R. and Truman.  Without him, there may not have been a UN.  And because he got very little credit, he was able to be successful.   With journalist Bill Scher, host of the "When America Worked" Podcast we discuss Stettinius and pragmatists in general, and Bill talks about the new podcast.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we speak with Cheryl Woodruff Brooks, author of  Washington was a cosmetic entrepreneur whose company turned her into one of of America's first black millionaires. She was founder and president of Apex Enterprises consisting of Apex Beauty Colleges, Apex Publishing Company, Apex News & Hair Company, Apex Laboratories and Apex Drug Company. Offices were located in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Newark, Richmond, Brooklyn, Washington, DC, Baltimore and Atlantic City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Constitution contains two possible forms of presidential removal outside of election, one is the much-discussed impeachment process. The other is the 25th Amendment's fourth section. We discuss 25 Section 4 with Professor Brian C. Kalt, Professor of Law & Harold Norris Faculty Scholar at Michigan State University, including how the amendment works, its uses and its common misunderstanding by the public and Hollywood writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1892, a dreaded disease caused a President to navigate local health situation and created a new law. We look at the precedent-setting quarantine order of the 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison. While we are at it, we look at Harrison's presidency, policies, his influence on future events, his failed attempt to obtain fair elections for both African Americans and city dwellers, and how he annoyed Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a strange series of event that lead to the King of Rock and Roll and President Nixon to meet at the White House. A look at a frenetic day at the Nixon White House and the reasons behind the meeting.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was Chester Arthur's secret pen pal?  How did Herbert Hoover spend his last day in office?  What was McKinley's obscure accomplishment?  What was Rutherford B. Hayes passionate hobby? What event hurt Taft's Presidency from the get-go? How did Martin Van Buren contribute to today's politics?  For Presidents Day, a conversation with Jeremy Anderberg of The Art of Manliness website and podcast and ReadMoreBooks.co newsletter. Music -"Swallow" by Pistol Jazz  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Eugene Debs to Richard Nixon, from a previously run episode, the President's power to pardon is examined.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak often of Democracy, but do we really know what it is? We point to Athens as an example. But what was Greek Democracy really like? A conversation with Dr. Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, author of "Democracy: A Life."   A lot of topics here and while we chose not to break it up in 2 parts, you might want to listen to it in 2 parts.  Music from Lee Rosevere on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices