Democracy on the Move

The Deep State

What is the “Deep State?” What do politicians mean when they refer to our democratic institutions as “Deep State?” The answer is that they are attempting to delegitimize the institutions that are designed to root out political corruption. They’re essentially trying to put the fox in charge of the chickens. Don’t fall for it!

The Missouri Rural Crisis Center

Tim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), stops by to talk about a crisis in the heartland - a very real crisis that puts our food supply at risk. The family farm is disappearing and being replaced by big ag. Why is that a problem? Well, for starters, much of big ag is run by - and controlled by - foreign companies that don’t share the farmers’ concerns about land stewardship, contaminants leaking into our soil, changes in our climate, overall food quality and animal welfare. Without MRCC, farmers would be on their own to fight a powerful lobby funded by big ag. Listen in and learn about the challenges that today’s farmers face and how you can help keep our farmland rich and vibrant for the next generation.

Bobby Bostic

This week we talk with Bobby Bostic, who was recently set free after being imprisoned for 27 years for a crime committed when he was 16. Mr. Bostic last appeared on this podcast in April 2021, and we now catch up with him as he works toward fulfilling his vision of helping people in his community avoid the “school to prison pipeline.” We talk about his life so far since being freed and where his plans will take him next. Listen in and find out how you can help him help his community!

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald drops by to talk about politics from a rural Idaho perspective. Karma ran for the state house in this past election and was barely edged out by her opponent, losing by just 85 votes. We talk about the issues facing Idaho farmers and ranchers, the difficulty campaigning as a Democrat in a fairly red area, how national issues play out in Idaho and what Democrats need to do in order to reconnect with rural America. Karma also has a podcast of her own, called "The Purple Perspective," which can be found wherever you download your podcasts.

Michael Baumli

Michael Baumli stops by to talk about his state senate campaign. Michael ran as a Democrat in Missouri State Senate district 12, which is in an area in Northwest Missouri that is highly Republican. We talk about the issues that matter to rural voters, the types of messaging they receive from both parties, the importance of community and what politicians from both parties need to do to really understand and serve the Heartland.

Jojo Stewart

Meet Jojo Stewart, a mom in a rural area in the Ozarks in southern Missouri who’s recently become a political activist. She organizes political events in her community, and she maintains a blog that provides a great perspective of life in the rural heartland. We talk about the big events of the day and how it affects people living in the Ozarks.

Censorship

Overall, corporate and government censorship is viewed upon negatively, but in a rush to have open and free online dialog in a sort of online “town square,” are we exposing ourselves to more harm than good? As we wage online wars over manufactured issues, what happens when they spill over into the real world? And are these online wars distracting us from an even bigger truth in the real world; that freedom and liberty are being taken from us?

Revolution and then what?

In today’s short opinion piece, we discuss what we believe is a New American Revolution and what that means to our precious republic. Has everyone in this revolution thought it through? What happens after the revolution? Will our democracy survive, or will we go down the path of fascist rule by oligarchy?

Curtis Vaughn

Curtis Vaughn stops by to talk about his primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, running as a Republican. Listen as Curtis explains how he ran his campaign on a shoestring budget, and even attempted to bike 250 miles in the hot summer sun just to participate in a Republican debate. He was largely shunned by the party, but he kept coming back, because, in his words, “Democracy is like a flame. We have to candle it within ourselves. And if we want it, we have to step up, we have to sacrifice. And it’s going to hurt. And it’s going to take time. But if we want it, we have to keep it going and make that choice ourselves and help each other find it in one another.”

Constitutional Convention

Dr. Robynn Kuhlmann, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, joins the podcast to talk about a possible state constitutional convention. Currently, 44 states in the union have provisions for holding constitutional conventions, though it rarely happens. In Missouri, the voters this November will decide whether or not to hold a convention. What could it mean for the people of Missouri? Is it an opportunity to implement policies that will help the state? Or could it turn extremely negative and hurt the state? Dr. Kuhlmann helps break down the issue and provides deep insight into the possible political and social consequences.