What Would the Founding Fathers Think of America Today? | Politics with Paul #94

Is America Really on the Decline? | Politics with Paul #95

It’s a common sentiment: the country is going down the drain. But is it true? Our perceptions of whether the country is “on the decline” or “entering a golden age” are shaped by a variety of factors and biases. We need to have an honest conversation about these problems, but how do we do that? Today’s episode explores the debate about whether America is truly in decline, the importance of honestly discussing the flaws and strengths of the country, and the importance of (reasonable) optimism. Other Works * FREE 5-day educational email course on how to fight polarization: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/ [https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/] * Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/ [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/] * Medium articles on elections and political science: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/ [https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/] Media * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/] * My website: https://paulrader.org/ [https://paulrader.org/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites [https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites] * Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com [paulraderwrites@gmail.com] (0:00) Is America Really on the Decline? (1:31) The Specter of Declinism (4:55) Political Biases that Impact Our Belief in Declinism (14:42) What Aspects of America are (Supposedly) in Decline? (21:55) Threats That Can Lead to Decline in America (28:56) How Should We Talk About Our Country's Flaws, Potential Decline? (35:28) American Capacity to Fix the Country's Problems (42:02) Closing and Show Notes

What Would the Founding Fathers Think of America Today? | Politics with Paul #94

On the cusp of America's 250th anniversary, would the nation's Founding Fathers be proud or disappointed in what America's become? I believe the answer isn't so simple. Today's episode of Politics with Paul explores this question, discussing the biases that influences our answers, misconceptions about the Founding Fathers and how those misunderstandings impact our political thinking today, how politics during the Founding Fathers' time wasn't so different to now...and what it all means for America's 250th birthday. Other Works: * FREE 5-day educational email course on how to fight polarization: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/ [https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/] * Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/ [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/] * Medium articles on elections and political science: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/ [https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/] Media: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/] * My website: https://paulrader.org/ [https://paulrader.org/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites [https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites] * Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com [paulraderwrites@gmail.com] (0:00) Introduction to the Founding Fathers' Perspectives (1:44) Common Misunderstandings About the Founding Fathers (7:12) How the Founding Fathers Would See Today's Divide in America (19:43) How the Founding Fathers Would See Today's Political Parties (26:21) How Bad Was Enmity Between the Earliest Political Parties? (32:02) How the Founding Fathers Would See Today's Career Public Servants (37:46) Founding Fathers and America's 250th Anniversary (44:40) Closing, Call to Action, Links

Lobbying: A Misunderstood, Necessary, and Flawed Institution | Politics with Paul #93

Lobbying has a lot of issues…but you probably don't hate it as much as you think you do. The term "lobbyist" often conjures up depictions of shadowy figures making corrupt deals with elected officials to manipulate public policy for the powerful few. It is true that more than a few are corrupt, unethical, or self-interested - and even lobbyists that don't fit this bill sometimes whitewash the profession. At the same time, however, the public often misunderstands what lobbying entails. Today's episode of Politics with Paul pulls back some of the curtain surrounding lobbying, explaining more about the actual role of the lobbyist and discussing how lobbyists, politicians, and the public all can do better in more accurately portraying the industry. Other Works * FREE 5-day educational email course on how to fight polarization: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/ [https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/] * Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/ [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/] * Medium articles on elections and political science: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/ [https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/] Media * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/] * My website: https://paulrader.org/ [https://paulrader.org/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites [https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites] * Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com [paulraderwrites@gmail.com] (0:00) Intro to Lobbying (1:49) Is There a Difference Between Lobbying and Advocacy? (8:11) Legal vs. Practical Definitions of Lobbying and Advocacy (13:16) The Role and Duties of the Lobbyist (19:05) Public Perceptions of Lobbying (22:49) Lobbyists Do Sometimes Sanitize Their Profession (27:54) Why You Don't Hate Lobbying as Much as You Think (36:34) Lobbyists are an Important (but Flawed) Part of Democracy (39:57) Closing and Links

How Much Does Authenticity Matter in Elections? | Politics with Paul #92

Do we want authentic candidates in elections as much as we say we do? "Authenticity" is a favored buzzword by a politician's supporters to showcase why their candidate is the best, and by commentators who over-simplify the reason an election resulted the way it did. But can we actualyl say what "authenticity" is? Here's something crucial about how we judge politicians - our perception of their authenticity is deeply subjective and often influenced by biases we don't even realize we hold. But can we more objectively define authenticity? Today's episode of Politics with Paul centers on the various explanations of what authenticity is, how our perceptions of it can be biased, and what it means (and should mean) for our politics. * FREE 5-day educational email course on how to fight polarization: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/ [https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/] * Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/ [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/] * My website: https://paulrader.org/ [https://paulrader.org/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites [https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites] * Medium: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/ [https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/] * Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com [paulraderwrites@gmail.com] (0:00) Introduction to Authenticity in Politics (1:54) "Authenticity" in the Dictionary, Issues with Applying it to Politics (3:52) Is Authenticity Always Consistent? (7:08) Is Authenticity Always Truthful? (9:23) Is Authenticity Always Relatable? (13:09) Is Authenticity Just Code for "I Agree with This Person"? (16:40) Scientifically Studying Authenticity (18:52) The Proposal of 4 Dimensions of Authenticity (24:03) How Our Perceptions of Authenticity Become Biased (32:06) How Much Do People Really Value Authenticity in Politicians? (37:31) Our Weaknesses in Assessing Politicians' Authenticity (42:13) How Much SHOULD We Value Authenticity in Politics? (47:35) Closing and Links

Midterm Elections and Why They Hurt the President's Party | Politics with Paul #91

Midterm elections are often discussed for how much the sitting president's party suffers losses, but commentary often doesn't showcase why that is. Today's episode dives into the world of midterms, why they often play out differently than presidential election years, what factors are used to predict their results, and what it all means for 2026 elections. Can Republicans buck the historical trend, or will they become another data point in it? * FREE 5-day educational email course on how to fight polarization: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/ [https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/] * Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/ [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/] * My website: https://paulrader.org/ [https://paulrader.org/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites [https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites] * Medium: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/ [https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/] * Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com [paulraderwrites@gmail.com] (0:00) Understanding Midterm Elections (1:34) Why Midterm Elections Often Hurt the President's Party (5:29) House vs. Senate Results in Midterms (8:56) Noteworthy Midterm Results in US History (14:54) Indicators Used to Predict Midterm Results, Strengths and Weaknesses (15:41) Indicator: Generic Congressional Poll (18:56) Indicator: Presidential Approval Rating (21:06) Indicator: Recent Special Elections (23:20) Indicator: Economic Factors (25:20) Indicator: Retiring Incumbents in Congress (28:29) Indicator: Stimson "Policy Mood" Measure (31:41) Potential Biggest Impacts on the 2026 Midterms (34:25) Can a Single Issue Drive the Midterm Results? (36:37) Potential Factor: Redistricting Wars Between the Parties (38:15) Potential Factor: Iran War (40:29) Potential Factor: Immigration Policy (42:40) Closing and Links