Fireside Chats, Episode 52: Neither the Left nor the Right Will Do
Added 2018-08-29 16:01:01 +0000 UTCIn today's exceptionally hostile us-versus-them political environment, nuance often slips through the cracks. From immigration and economics to foreign policy and the social contract itself, everything is presented in a binary, and there simply isn't room for discussion or compromise. It's all black or white. One or zero. A or B. Reality, of course, is far more complicated. In today's conversation with Tiana Lowe -- political commentator and podcaster who first appeared on Fireside Chats this past March -- we delve into the fractured American psyche from an admittedly conservative point of view, but a point of view that asks an open question: Can the moderate right and the moderate left put aside their differences, unite with one another, and destroy the extremes that are engulfing them both?
Comments
There must be a new way forward...
Colin Moriarty
2018-09-01 19:15:18 +0000 UTCThank you! I think if the GOP could just eject its extreme elements and attract a third of the Democratic party who is horrified of progressivism, it would be an easy win.
Colin Moriarty
2018-09-01 19:15:07 +0000 UTCEnjoyed this episode. As a british centre-lefty I am pretty appalled by the politicians on what is supposedly "my side". They seem insane and out of touch. I have this horrible feeling they're heading for a fall and don't realise it. I definately find it easier to talk to people at the centre. It's more useful. What's simple, what does the situation need? Not this wish for an idealised system that's insane. There is no cure-all answer for anything, just what can be effective at the moment. Well, obviously I could rant. Good episode.
Peter Campbell
2018-08-31 11:47:26 +0000 UTCGreat episode, Colin! I, too, have had your thoughts on if we could just combine the social liberalism aspects with the economic sanity of conservatives it would be an unbeatable party/ticket. It's actually something I have thought for many years and was beginning to think I was the only one. I hope to have her back soon, she provides some wonderful insight. Keep up the great work!
Joseph La Russa
2018-08-31 01:34:48 +0000 UTCAgreed but I still felt people like Paul Ryan, which your guest mentioned, were still viewed as intellectually consistent despite the spiral you mention. But who is ever going to take fiscal conservatism seriously again after Ryan’s omnibus bills and Trump’s deficit spending that has already surpassed much of Obama’s? I realize Ryan has always been in an untenable position sandwiched between warring factions, and while I empathize with his struggle as expressed to Ben Shapiro in a recent conversation he had with the speaker, I feel Trump will be the nearest reflex of anyone’s critique for a long long time to come. But you’re right that it was inevitable and hopefully it leads to the progress you’re hoping for in regards to propping up a disenfranchised middle populace.
Ryan B.
2018-08-30 20:22:10 +0000 UTCThanks Colin! I live probably 20 minutes away from you so doing a Fireside Chat would certainly be an option. PM me for dates?
German Efficiency
2018-08-30 19:24:38 +0000 UTCMany people are not merely one or the other!
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-30 19:23:11 +0000 UTCThe GOP was on a death spiral either way, whether he won in 2016 or not. I think his win stayed the execution, but is gonna make it far more bloody when it happens.
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-30 19:22:52 +0000 UTCShe most certainly is!
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-30 19:22:28 +0000 UTCThank you! Glad you enjoyed.
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-30 19:22:19 +0000 UTCIf you're ever in LA, come do Fireside Chats!
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-30 19:22:12 +0000 UTCShe’s smart and pretty lol
Edwin Garcia
2018-08-30 15:20:30 +0000 UTCThanks for doing this again, thoroughly enjoyed it as always. I, too, am worried about the long term effects of Trumpism on the Republican Party. I feel he is an extreme that will be impossible to pivot away from for a whole generation. Many supporters seem remarkably obtuse to the degree that he rallies the opposition. I worry that we live in a time of escalating extremes.
Ryan B.
2018-08-30 14:57:11 +0000 UTCTiana is super intelligent, holy shit. Lol.
Will Hahn
2018-08-30 02:36:54 +0000 UTCIf you made that political podcast you talk about every now and then and got Tiana as your co-host.. that would be pretty awesome in my opinion. Excellent episode as always Colin =)
Craig Carter
2018-08-29 22:15:50 +0000 UTCI grew up in Germany (20+years) and have been living in the states now for 8 years. I disagree with several points made by the guest on this show about how life is "unlivable" in Europe. I appreciate how respectfully and seemingly truthful based on her experience the viewpoints were being conveyed here though. I know that especially in this climate and with (somewhat misguided) "Democratic Socialism" on the rise, we like to lump-sum all of Europe together with all its pros and cons. However there are much bigger cultural and economic differences in large regions of even just the EU country members. Comparing tourist centric Paris (France) to a more technology and manufacturing driven Munich (Germany) is simply not a good idea in judging wether life in EU is livable. With that in mind I ask, that people especially in the States keep an open-mind and keep informing themselves about what life in those countries is actually like. If for nothing else than to simply be better informed. Personally if anything, living in Germany was "boring" to me because it was too easy to just get stuck in a daily rhythm of work / life / vacation / repeat. The work-life balance was undeniably great tho and you hardly come across anyone needing to work 2 or more jobs to pay for rent or to bring food to the table for the family. It certainly wasn't perfect and I had to remind myself several times that thinking "the grass is always greener on the other-side of the fence" doesn't make life necessarily better in Europe or any other country outside of the US. With the rise of technology in the past 10 years I do regret my choice sometimes moving here (leaving family and friends behind) as countries like Germany and Sweden have become much more economically diverse and now offer similar opportunities that you would historically have been looking for here in the US. It certainly isn't for everyone but Germany and parts of EU can't seem to shake this weird rep that "socialism" means some bizarre idea of people either are unwilling to work and only receive social benefits or that all of the money of the top-earners is being wealth-distributed. Neither is true. Workers of the top economic countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Sweden work incredibly hard and still reap the benefits of more vacation days, health-care and a relative safety-net from financial ruin. Strangely Canada with similar principles to some of the EU countries does not seem to get the same type of rep. Thought I'd share my insight. I am always fascinated by other peoples perspective tho, so thank you for the good podcast. -Sean
German Efficiency
2018-08-29 21:02:33 +0000 UTCAgreed, I just think China will surpass us first, and will for some time. Which will shift the geo-political climate in some severe ways. I used to think China was going to fail at any time and clearly it didn't (Go see the vice story from HBO where they show the empty city that was built just to prop up the economy, everyone was predicting it was all going to crumbed and didn't). I also think their brutal win-at-all-costs, like with their resource deals with Africa, do actually make them more competitive. Hopefully our assumptions about a capitalistic republic like ours, and the belief that it does support better long term stability, is actually correct. Right now, with the chaos you have cited, it is harder to see things this way that any other point in my life at least.
CTE
2018-08-29 19:06:46 +0000 UTCI only follow her on Twitter. You can find here there: @TianaTheFirst
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:21:16 +0000 UTCIt's the worst.
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:21:03 +0000 UTCThe Chinese model is propped up on artificially cheap goods and labor, a heavily manipulated monetary situation, and an authoritarian government. While they can find success -- and are finding success -- I still struggle to see them as a long-term threat, specifically because their people will eventually demand elections and a truly market economy.
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:20:55 +0000 UTCPlease enjoy. =)
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:19:04 +0000 UTCMe too!
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:18:56 +0000 UTCHope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2018-08-29 18:18:52 +0000 UTCWhat are her @‘s?
Tyson Williams
2018-08-29 17:14:57 +0000 UTCI am starting to hate social media soo much!
Joey Finelli
2018-08-29 16:59:08 +0000 UTCI've thought a lot on this same stuff lately. After always paying attention to the news religiously I have just stopped (I used to subscribe to NYT, WSJ, Time, etc). I still tend to catch the most important stories, but it's too much chaos, as you have said. China will undoubtedly pass the US, barring some major corruption that holds them back, and I firmly believe that will be bad for the world. Instead of leading with the idea of freedom of speech, indelible human rights, etc, we could very likely see many countries following the China model. Which means winning at any cost. For all the self criticism from the left on how terrible the US is (e.g., minority rights, woman's rights, immigration, environmentalism, and even capitalism), wait till China becomes the thought leader and see how much further ahead the US was in promoting those values. The saddest part for me personally, is that China actually deserves to get a head. IP theft aside, and that is a huge one, they seem to be harder working and know who they are.
CTE
2018-08-29 16:47:57 +0000 UTCOhhhhhh this sounds very interesting and something we are having to deal with in Northern Ireland at the moment. Very excited to listen :)
Ryan Hughes
2018-08-29 16:08:05 +0000 UTCGlad she came back on.
Jamaal Bushara
2018-08-29 16:03:07 +0000 UTCCan’t wait to listen to this!
Kevin Theal
2018-08-29 16:03:05 +0000 UTC
