The Home Front

In this episode, MS Now 11th Hour host Stephanie Ruhle and I discuss the complexities of global leadership, particularly in the context of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Oh, the irony of a mountaintop retreat! We talk about the impact of Trump's policies on global politics, and the economic landscape shaped by globalization and market reactions. We then turn to the cultural shifts among youth, the need for a reimagined American economy, and the challenges faced by the Democratic Party in a polarized political environment. Ultimately, we reflect on the future of American society amidst rising inequality and the importance of addressing fundamental issues like education and economic opportunity. I need you to do three things for me if you're reading this: 1) Rate The Home Front 5 Stars 2) Go to JoinTheUnion.us and get involved with reshaping America 3) Go to CivicForum.org and sign up for my newest project. We have big news coming soon! Thanks for listening and watching! We wouldn't be here without you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Go to BigTentUSA and sign up for my live event with Chris Armitage tonight as we discuss his trip to Minneapolis, the work he does analyzing America's position, and the work to be done. 7 pm Eastern TONIGHT! Sign up HERE. Today, I reflect on the ongoing challenges facing America, particularly in light of recent events in Minneapolis and discuss the alarming increase in federal presence and militarization in response to civil unrest, emphasizing the importance of community support and mutual aid. I draws parallels between historical events and the current political climate and believe that the situation is unlikely to improve soon. I also offer a critique of the current state of the Democratic Party, highlighting the need for a shift away from neoliberal policies towards a more populist approach that prioritizes working-class Americans. I also talk about the implications of America's waning global influence, particularly in relation to trade agreements and military posturing and expresses concern over the economic stability of the nation, suggesting that the current administration's actions could lead to dire consequences for everyday Americans. Then, something light: The IU-Miami National Championship game provided a brief respite from the heaviness going on around us. Go to CivicForum.org to sign up to learn more about our efforts to break out of coastal bubbles and bring important voices to YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Reed speaks with Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America, about the challenges and reforms in the American electoral system. They discuss the impact of political outsiders, the need for open primaries, and the role of political parties in shaping elections. Troiano emphasizes the importance of reforming the primary system to better represent the electorate and address political polarization. The discussion also highlights successful examples of electoral reform in states like California and Alaska, and the ongoing efforts to expand these reforms across the country. Find out more about Unite America. JoinTheUnion.us is rebuilding the fabric of America. Get involved today! Civic Forum is launching soon! Sign up today to get the scoop ahead of time! Want an ad-free version of this podcast? Become a paid subscriber to The Home Front on Substack! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I come to you solo to discuss the murder of a mother in Minneapolis, what it means for our time, how you must get involved, and a little movie inspiration to help get you going. Please sign up for The Union today and join 175,000 of your fellow Americans in recreating the fabric of our country. Please go to CivicForum.org and learn about my new project to bring the best voices to Americans all over the country. If you want to listen to The Home Front ad free, consider becoming a subscriber today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host Reed Galen interviews Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, discussing the ongoing issue of gun violence in America. They explore the origins of the organization, the cultural attitudes towards guns, the legislative challenges faced in enacting gun safety laws, and the role of young men in gun violence. Shannon reflects on her journey as an activist and the importance of women in organizing for change, as well as her new initiatives and book aimed at empowering women to take action in their communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exciting News! We're launching a new initiative this month! Go to CivicForum.org to learn more about how we're going to take America's leading voices out to talk to citizens where they live. Sign up today to get all the details of our launch, events, and how you can get involved! On this New Year's episode of The Home Front, Reed reviews the attack on Venezuela and provides analysis of how pro-democracy forces can reflect Donald Trump's actions back on him and remind voters that they're still on the losing end of too many things. You can get involved in the work that is happening NOW! Go to JoinTheUnion.us and become one of nearly 200,000 volunteers across the country getting involved in their communities. Follow Reed on Social Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary Today, host Reed Galen and guest Jonathan Larsen delve into the complexities of U.S. foreign policy regarding Venezuela, exploring the historical context, intelligence operations, and the implications of regime change. They discuss the role of drug cartels, political agendas, and the impact of U.S. sanctions, while also considering the potential consequences of military intervention. The discussion highlights the intricate web of interests at play, including oil and the influence of various political factions, ultimately questioning the rationale behind U.S. actions in Venezuela. Follow Jonathan's work on Substack. Follow Reed on Substack. Go to JoinTheUnion.us and get involved with our 12 Days of Democracy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Reed Galen and Corbin Trent discuss the current state of the Democratic Party, focusing on the influence of former President Obama, the generational shifts in political engagement, and the need for a clear vision moving forward. They explore the complexities of American politics post-Trump, the systemic issues in healthcare, and the importance of accountability and trust within the party. Corbin also shares his initiative, America's Undoing, aimed at promoting public ownership and addressing economic disparities. Learn more about Corbin's work. Go to JoinTheUnion TODAY! Help us build the America of tomorrow. Takeaways Obama's perspective emphasizes winning over a clear party agenda. Generational shifts are changing how young voters engage with politics. The Democratic Party struggles with trust and accountability. Healthcare issues reflect systemic failures in American governance. Voter perception of electability often overshadows genuine candidate appeal. The Overton Window limits the Democratic Party's vision for the future. Political revolutions are necessary for meaningful change. The market cannot solve the healthcare crisis alone. A clear plan is essential for Democrats to regain voter trust. Corbin Trent's America's Undoing aims to promote public equity and accountability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Reed Galen speaks with Professor Katherine Lutz about the Costs of War Project and the implications of America's militaristic tendencies. They discuss the historical context of U.S. military engagements, the bureaucratic nature of war, the role of public opinion, accountability within the military, and the human costs associated with warfare. Lutz emphasizes the need for a shift in American priorities and the importance of educating the public about the true costs of war. Takeaways: 75% of the discretionary budget goes to military spending. The U.S. has a long history of militarization. Public opinion often gets ignored in military decisions. Accountability in the military is often lacking. The human cost of war is often overlooked. War is portrayed as clean and honorable, which is misleading. The American public is largely unaware of the budget allocation for military. The consequences of war extend beyond the battlefield. Education is key to changing public perception of war. The U.S. needs to reassess its military priorities. Learn more about Professor Lutz. Follow Reed on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary Today, Reed is joined by Melissa Corrigan of Blue Amp Media. They discuss serious allegations of illegal activities aboard the USS Iwo Jima, including breaches of military protocol and the deletion of evidence related to detainees. They explore the implications of these actions on military justice, the rules of engagement, and the potential motivations behind U.S. military operations in Venezuela. The discussion highlights the confusion within military ranks, the impact on veterans, and the broader narrative surrounding U.S. foreign policy and military intervention. Learn more about Blue Amp: https://substack.com/@blueampmedia Follow Reed on Social Media: Link Tree Join The Union NOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host Reed Galen speaks with Scott Peoples, Board Chairman of Veterans for Responsible Leadership. They discuss how Scott went from a lifelong Republican to voting for Joe Biden, the current state of the military, and the Trump Administration's backlash to Democratic Members of Congress reminding the armed forces to follow only legal orders. Find out more about VFRL: https://www.vfrl.org/ Find out more about The Union: https://jointheunion.us Follow Reed on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/reedgalen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation delves into the recent Tennessee special election, exploring voter sentiment, the identity crisis within the Democratic Party, and the implications of economic populism. The discussion also touches on the role of the consultant class in shaping campaign strategies, the trust issues facing the Democratic Party, and the moral responsibilities tied to U.S. foreign policy. The participants emphasize the need for a more principled approach to governance and the importance of addressing the underlying issues affecting American society. Follow Reed on Substack: https://reedgalen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's conversation, Reed Galen and Katie Phang discuss the implications of U.S. military actions in Venezuela, exploring the legal, ethical, and political ramifications. They delve into the hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding drug trafficking and oil interests, and the challenges faced by the military in a complex geopolitical landscape. The discussion also highlights the domestic issues overshadowed by foreign engagements and the need for accountability from political leaders. Check out Reed's article on Venezuela: https://reedgalen.substack.com/p/the-sunday-reed-no-war-in-venezuela Follow Katie on Substack: https://katiephang.substack.com/ Takeaways from today's talk: Takeaways Accountability is crucial for the illegal actions of the Trump administration. The blatant hypocrisy in U.S. foreign policy is evident. Military actions in Venezuela raise serious ethical questions. Oil interests play a significant role in U.S.-Venezuela relations. The military faces complex challenges in policing a heavily armed society. Congress must take a bipartisan approach to address military actions. Legal and ethical dilemmas are increasingly present in military operations. Domestic issues are often neglected in favor of foreign military engagements. Visibility and communication with the public are essential for political leaders. The incompetence and corruption of political leaders impact military decisions. Email us! thehomefrontmedia@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Reed Galen is joined by Kevin Williams, an AI expert, about the prospects of artificial intelligence, what it's doing for businesses, the double-edged nature of the technology, and how we as citizens need to prepare for it. To find out more about Kevin's work, click here: https://ascendlabs.ai/about-us/ Follow Reed on Substack. Build the America of tomorrow. JoinTheUnion today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of three solo commentaries, host Reed Galen takes you on a tour of a dinner at the White House, why AI needs serious guardrails, how war in Venezuela is a terrible idea, why private equity ruins whatever it touches, and how you can should shop local this Christmas season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host Reed Galen is joined by Elizabeth Rasmussen, Executive Director of Better Boundaries, an organization dedicated to achieving fair legislative representation for Utah voters. Starting with the passage of Prop 4 in 2018, which Reed helped pass, Better Boundaries has been working through the courts to ensure that every Utah voter's voice is heard. Learn more about Better Boundaries: https://betterboundaries.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, host Reed Galen is joined by North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton. They discuss Anderson's efforts to bring elections closer to home by focusing on, and recruiting candidates for local elections, as well as statewide and federal offices. They also discuss the state of the Democratic Party and its future, and why rural areas cannot be overlooked by politicians or political parties. Learn more about the NC Democratic Party Follow Anderson Follow Reed https://reedgalen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode, Grace Blakeley and Reed Galen discuss the current economic landscape shaped by AI and wealth inequality. They explore how the top 10% of wealth holders are driving consumer spending, the implications of potential bailouts for the wealthy, and the moral hazards present in the financial system. The discussion also touches on the political ramifications of economic crises, the historical context of financial bailouts, and the need for organized resistance against systemic injustices. They emphasize the importance of collective action and the role of ideology in shaping economic systems, ultimately calling for a more equitable future. Follow Grace on Substack https://substack.com/@graceblakeley Buy Grace's Book, Vulture Capitalism Follow Reed on Social Media https://linktr.ee/reedgalen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, host Reed Galen and GetReal News founder Heidi Przbyla discuss the critical state of local journalism, the decline in trust in media, and the need for innovative approaches to rebuild newsrooms. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement in journalism and the role of technology in creating new information pathways. Heidi advocates for empowering citizen journalists and restoring trust in media to foster a healthier democratic society. Find out more about GetReal: https://www.getrealnews.org/ Learn more about Heidi: https://www.heidiprzybyla.com/ Follow Reed on social media: https://linktr.ee/reedgalen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary In this conversation, Reed Galen and Joseph Cox delve into the pressing issues surrounding surveillance, privacy, and the implications of facial recognition technology. They discuss the role of government agencies like ICE in utilizing these technologies, the political divide on privacy legislation, and the challenges in regulating data brokers. The conversation also touches on the media landscape's impact on public awareness and the potential consequences of surveillance technology on due process and individual rights. Learn more about 404 Media Read Joseph's Story on Facial Recognition HERE. Follow Reed on Substack: https://reedgalen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices