Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729

Do you believe in individual freedom? These days governments, institutions and big companies act as though they make the rules. Most of all when it comes to rights. Learn why I say this in Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729.

A Post About The Republican Convention Is A No No?

I covered the state republican convention in Duluth, Minnesota. My post included a title referring to the Minnesota Republican Party and a photo I took of conventioneers. No political advertising in the podcast or post. In addition, I don’t do political advertising. Podcast 728 is an account of the convention and my observations about what I saw.

It is pure citizen journalism.

Blocked From Advertising

Podcast 728 got great response on social media, so I decided to advertise it. I was shocked when FaceBook blocked me from boosting that post.

Change Your Settings and Conform

Moreover Podcast 728 could not be advertised unless I changed The Bob Davis Podcasts FaceBook page settings to allow for ‘political advertising’. If I did this, all my boosted posts would contain a warning. Find out about it in Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729.

Maybe Artificial Intelligence Isn’t That Intelligent

I was not silenced by FaceBook but their silly rules did prevent me from promoting. What’s more I have the impression this review was conducted by robots rather than humans. If they actually reviewed my content any reasonable human would conclude the post was not political advertising. What FaceBook is doing is violating the 1st amendment rights of news organizations and citizen journalists.

Take a look and see what you think.

Fear Of Offense Drives Silly Rules

Especially relevant is the question of what happens when you can’t advertise or talk about any subject because of the fear of offending someone.

God Forbid anyone might see something they disagree with!

Yeah the Internet is an open road. For conformists only.

Rugged Individualism? Don’t Make Me Laugh!

While politicians talk about rugged individualism there seems to be less of it.

These days it’s rigged collectivism.

FaceBook Is The New K-Mart

In conclusion rules and regulations and blocks do not make for a free exchange of ideas. It is most noteworthy that content creators find ways around these rules anyway.

Microsoft used to be the software King Kong. Better companies and better ideas eventually eclipsed the Seattle Giant. The lesson? Bad service and silly rules are a recipe for failure. Big Social Media is vulnerable to competitors that innovate and promote free speech.

What Do You Do When You Are On An Open Road?

Sometimes following the rules is the worst thing you can do.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Conformists Open Road-New Social Media Puritans-Podcast 729

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Minnesota Road Trip-Progressives-History-Politics-Duluth 2018-Podcast 727

These days one of the things you learn on a road trip is how big the United States is. Then, how big individual states are. Finally the traveler discovers how each state is different. In Minnesota Road Trip-Progressives-History-Politics-Duluth 2018-Podcast 727.

Get Off The Interstate

Most noteworthy is what happens when you get off the Interstate and onto the back roads. That’s when you really see how it is.

Covering Politics In 2018

2018 is an election year. I said I would cover the Minnesota political scene this year. The first stop is the Minnesota State Republican Convention. Duluth. On the shores of Lake Superior.

Minnesota History

Furthermore some of the state’s old hands don’t know Minnesota’s unique social and political history. We’ll discover it together in Minnesota Road Trip-Progressives-History-Politics-Duluth 2018-Podcast 727.

Town Hall Is In Our Blood

Sure, we know our pioneer history. Especially relevant is the unique history of political grass roots and town hall style representation.

Minnesota’s first settlers were New Englanders and New Yorkers. They brought town halls with them. Later immigrants from Scandinavia, Germany and Ireland formed the bedrock of so called ‘progressive‘ politics in the state. Therefore, those ideas are still with us.

Yes Republicans Were Progressives and Populists Too

In addition while some people assume progressive politics these days is only the political left, republicans too have a long history of progressivism. Find out in Minnesota Road Trip-Progressives-History-Politics-Duluth 2018-Podcast 727.

Tim Pawlenty Tries To Derail Caucus Process

Will the grassroots system survive in Minnesota? Former republican Governor Tim Pawlenty isn’t attending because he’ll be clinking crystal with rich guys at the Minneapolis Club. Pawlenty’s operatives will push the convention to refuse to endorse a candidate for governor. This is the main issue in Duluth this weekend.

Do We Really Want To Dump The Town Hall?

Moreover populists and progressives go back to the roots of Minnesota Republicans and democrats. Probably a big part of that process has been town hall style politics in the caucus system. Most of all do we really want to get rid of it?

Surprises In This Podcast

In conclusion as I researched this podcast I learned a few surprising facts. I think you will too.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Two things. First, it’s not 35W heading to Duluth, it’s just 35 North. Being a Twin Citiean, I have to get on 35W before 35 North. Second, for some reason I thought the State DFL convention – the democrats – was being held in Rochester, Minnesota the week after the Republican Convention in Duluth. Once again those sneaky democrats have managed to slip out of my grasp. It’s in the 40’s in Duluth and the 80’s in Rochester. Given the quality of the speeches in Duluth this weekend, I wish I had gone to Rochester!)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Minnesota Road Trip-Progressives-History-Politics-Duluth 2018-Podcast 727

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Populism In America-Heading Down A New Path-Election 2018 Coverage-Podcast 713

These days the so called news comes so fast and furious. Last week’s news seems like a distant memory. Even a dream. So it’s easy to miss the fact that Populism is a growing factor in US politics. Get some background in Populism In America-Heading Down A New Path-Election 2018 Coverage-Podcast 713.

Key Building Block Podcast For 2018 Coverage

I don’t like to post two political podcasts back to back. On the other hand it’s a good time for some building blocks as we begin a series of podcasts, posted from to time, for the 2018 midterm elections.

Arguments and Predicting The Future

Moreover all media seizes on the news of the day to predict the future. Especially relevant here is the tendency to advocate and take partisan positions. Sometimes this is the only way to be ‘break through’ and be heard.

To deal with this politicians have become focused on miners, teachers, workers, and ‘the middle class’. The ordinary has suddenly become the subject of extraordinary focus by politicians. Sounds like a good thing, right?

Find Your Own Facts

As a result the average person ends up having to be a detective to get any facts. Now, the experts say our politics have become ‘tribal’. Is this really the problem? Or, is the problem a particular brand of politics called Populism?

Populism Means Bad Decisions

Find out how right and left lay claim to the ‘ordinary person’. Learn how leaders can make bad decisions when this is their focus. In Populism In America-Heading Down A New Path-Election 2018 Coverage-Podcast 713.

In conclusion few analysts are talking about the influence of populist ideas being becoming the law of the land and a symbol of how the US conducts business with the rest of the world.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Sal Di Leo Inspirational Speaker

Populism In America-Heading Down A New Path-Election 2018 Coverage-Podcast 713

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