political history

• 
• 9/22/19
  

  Emoluments: An American Political Tradition

  by Harlow Giles Unger

  Far from any popular outrage at such official profiteering, Americans often cheer and, in some cases, re-elect public officials convicted of such crimes.

• 
• 9/22/19
  

  The Two Internationalisms

  by Lawrence Wittner

  The right has long criticized internationalism, but why is the left doing so today? 

• 
• 9/22/19
  

  Thomas Paine’s Common Sense for Our Time

  by Jerome Braun

  We have forgotten the true nature of democracy; a state where government reflects the will of the people, before, during, and after elections. 

• 
• SOURCE: The Atlantic
  9/19/19
  

  When Adding New States Helped the Republicans

  by Heather Cox Richardson

  Putting new stars on the U.S. flag has always been political. But D.C. statehood is a modest partisan ploy compared with the mass admission of underpopulated western territories—which boosts the GOP even 130 years later.

• 
• 9/15/19
  

  The Apolitical Antidote to Unjust Politics

  by Steele Brand

  Throughout history apolitics guided the greatest minds living in the most unjust times. 

• 
• SOURCE: Washington Post
  8/30/19
  

  Globally, many evangelicals lean left: What that means for America’s future

  by David C. Kirkpatrick

  Conservatism isn’t the only option for religious voters.

• 
• SOURCE: In These Times
  8/22/19
  

  Article on History of Failed Bipartisanship Features Quotes from Manisha Sinha, Eric Foner, Corey Robin, Thomas Frank, Nancy Maclean, and Rick Perlstein

  by Branko Marcetic

  Biden wants to bring the parties together. But for 50 years, that's meant the Right winning every time.

• 
• 8/25/19
  

  Lessons from Our Republican Ancestors on Free Speech

  by Forrest A. Nabors

  If truly wicked ideas permeate our country, the best way to quell their pernicious influence is to refute them in debate and trust in the judgement of observing citizens.

• 
• 8/25/19
  

  A History of the Fight for Universal Healthcare and the Cry of Socialism

  by Donne Levy

  This drama in which Democrats move toward universal healthcare and Republicans cry socialism has happened before, and it is instructive to analyze this history with a view toward what can be expected in the future. 

• 
• SOURCE: LA Progressive
  8/17/19
  

  Why Values Matter: Obama’s Empathy Versus Trump’s Egoism

  by Walter G. Moss

  Because of the power and influence of U. S. presidents, their values (or lack thereof) matter more than for most of us.

• 
• 8/20/19
  

  Jeff Sessions's Troubling Legacy

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  Unfortunately, Sessions’ ideas and policies live on through Trump adviser Stephen Miller.

• 
• 8/18/19
  

  Democrats Must Offer Americans "Bread and Roses" to Counter National Conservatism

  by Ed Simon

  Any party, politician, or perspective which offers meaning, which gives us roses, will have an advantage as we face the inevitable economic and social collapse of the neo-liberal paradigm. 

• 
• 7/28/19
  

  The Long History of Unjust and Lawless Attorneys General

  by Ronald L. Feinman

  It isn't just William Barr. 

• 
• SOURCE: Washington Post
  7/23/19
  

  Why disabled Americans remain second-class citizens

  by David Pettinicchio

  The big hole in our civil rights laws.

• 
• SOURCE: NY Times
  7/23/19
  

  Lincoln Would Not Recognize His Own Party

  by David W. Blight

  He would see the Republicans as the antithesis of everything he fought for.

• 
• 7/28/19
  

  Is Trump the Worst President in History?

  by Richard Striner

  “Worst,” of course, is a value judgment and any number of our presidents were very bad indeed — or so it could be argued.

• 
• SOURCE: Washington Post
  7/14/19
  

  What the French Revolution teaches us about the dangers of gerrymandering

  by Rebecca L. Spang

  Our institutions must remain representative and responsive.

• 
• 7/14/19
  

  5 Times Presidents Lost Big in the Midterms But Won (or nearly won) Reelection

  by Donne Levy

  While presidents have previously overcome midterm election losses, Trump isn’t following any of the previously established paths to rebound and win reelection. 

• 
• 7/14/19
  

  Mary Jo Kopechne’s Legacy

  by William C. Kashatus

  This weeks marks the 50th anniversary of the night Senator Edward M. Kennedy drove his black Oldsmobile off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. His 28-year-old passenger was killed in the accident.

• 
• SOURCE: The Atlantic
  7/10/19
  

  Democrats’ Ominous Shift on School Segregation

  by Brett Gadsden

  It’s not just Joe Biden—the party has backed away from its commitment to fighting segregation in the public schools.