Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773

These days everyone on the air everywhere seems hell bent for leather to predict the future. Moreover they’re also often partisan commentators. In this final podcast before the election, what to look for on election night. Get details in Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773.

No Predictions

I don’t do predictions. For the purposes of election coverage at The Bob Davis Podcasts, I don’t do partisanship.

Has Donald Trump Changed Politics?

For election 2018 I have two especially relevant questions. First, have the tactics of President Donald Trump changed American politics? Second, are the media’s predictions skewed? Get it all in Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773.

Nine Podcasts Detailing Toss Up Races

I’ve done nine podcasts detailing the so called toss up races for House, Senate and Governors across the country. Listen to them here. These podcasts explain the media storyline which is that President Trump will lose the house, at the very least.

Democrats Need 26 Wins

Democrats need to win at least 26 seats in order to take back the house. With over 60 toss up races, according to some analysts the storyline that there will be a change in House leadership is easily sold. Moreover taking back the Senate will be even more difficult. In Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773 I explain why it might not be that easy.

Decide For Yourself

Finally if you’re watching TV on election night you need to know what to look for so you can decide for yourself what the chances of a change in House or Senate leadership is a possible outcome.

No Polling Bad Polling

Truth is many ‘toss up’ classifications for House elections across the country don’t even have polling to back it up. What’s more what polling exists is either spotty, dated, to skewed. I explain why, where and how in Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773.

What To Watch For In Each Time Zone On Election Night

Working our way west from Virginia and Florida, to the central and mountain time zones, all the way to the Pacific, I take a look at the headline elections. House, Senate and Governors. What will pick ups or holds for either mainline political party mean for the final tally?

Minnesota May Tell The Story

In conclusion I don’t know which way this election will turn but I can tell you what to look for as it happens. Listeners and Subscribers in Minnesota will be especially interested in the part of the podcast that deals with the Land Of Ten Thousand Lakes, because Minnesota has at least four nail biter elections, on which control of the House at least could rest.

Finally there are over one hundred ballot measures which could effect voter turn out in some key states. For a complete state by state list, go here.

(Editor’s Note: Another number thrown about for Democrat control of the House is 23. My calculations say they need 25 seats. Some say 26 to cement control of the chamber. For political watchers, if Democrats gain up to 23 seats before the end of the night on November 6th 2018, a majority is pretty much guaranteed at that point).

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Final Approach-Lock Down-Election 2018-Bob Davis Podcast 773

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:00 — 107.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Tensions are high these days. People fear violence. The media sells a coming Civil War. Now we’re hearing calls for ‘Unity’. Is it a con? Learn more in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Now We’re Tribes

A popular word these days is ‘tribal‘. People who think a certain way are a ‘tribe’. I thought we were all Americans. One tribe. Apparently not.

We’re Supposed To Disagree

Aren’t we supposed to disagree? Moreover we have a system designed to use disagreement to find the best path forward.

Is Unity Tyranny?

In this freewheeling talker, I suggest unity implies we all have to agree. Especially relevant is the problem pushing for ‘unity’ creates. You have to agree with me. I have to agree with you. Those who disagree or say things ‘we’ don’t agree with should be ‘sent away’. Listen to Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Emotionally Charged Environment

In addition media goes for the emotional hook. Because we’re in an emotionally charged environment, there’s no context. Even more, trends of thought or story lines pass for ‘news’. Large swaths of the population get their information without history or context from social media.

False Choice

Most noteworthy in a world fueled by feelings, talking heads tell us we have to choose “between war and peace”. Civil war or Civil peace. Certainly this is a false choice and a very dangerous suggestion. More in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Celebrate Factionalism

Finally factionalism is a natural human tendency. That’s ok. Social systems designed to weed out factions are tyrannies. If we both agree, one of us is unnecessary.

Read History Gain Perspective

In conclusion beware of all this unity talk. If we can’t disagree and talk about problems, we can’t solve them. Celebrate differences. Read history. Consequently gain perspective.

Freedom Isn’t Easy

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:31 — 99.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Minneapolis Homeless Tent City Walk Through-Bob Davis Podcast 771

During the summer homeless people pitched a few tents along a highway in Minneapolis. Politicians visited. Publicity helped the camp population swell to hundreds. Take a walk through a homeless tent city in Minneapolis Homeless Tent City Walk Through-Bob Davis Podcast 771.

Homeless People In Lots of Tents Equals Instant Controversy

Now, as the weather gets colder interest and controversy about this encampment grows.

Native Americans In Tents-New Immigrants in Public Housing

Most of these folks are Native Americans. The camp is less than a hundred feet away from public housing. Especially relevant many of the public housing units in the neighborhood are occupied by recent immigrants to the US.

Tent Cities Everywhere-America’s New Homeless Problem

Across the country these tent cities are popping up. These days everyone knows about homeless in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. What about Minneapolis? Documentarian Brandon Fertig is making a video detailing America’s homeless problem. Brandon’s website and links to social media are here. Last summer he decided to focus on the tent city here in Minneapolis. He says things have changed a lot when it comes to the Homeless since the 1950’s.

More Homeless Than Houston-Despite The Cold

Why? Many people don’t know the City of Lakes has more homeless than Houston.

Walk And Talk Through The Encampment

What you hear is what we experienced when Brandon and I did a walk and talk through the encampment.

Some Are Helping Now

We met James Cross of Natives Against Heroin and Allan Law, better known as the Sandwich Man. We also spent some time talking with residents of this tent city at Franklin Avenue and Highway 55 in South East Minneapolis. Check it out in Minneapolis Homeless Tent City Walk Through-Bob Davis Podcast 771.

Solutions May Not Be In Time

Finally what about solutions? One of the Tribes is tearing down a building across the highway. The plan is to bring in trailers. They won’t be ready for another two months. Moreover not all the residents of the camp will be able to move in. Then what? No one knows. Learn more in Minneapolis Homeless Tent City Walk Through-Bob Davis Podcast 771.

Politicians Visit In Summer-Not Around When November Winds Turn Cold

In conclusion Minneapolis could have a very serious and controversial problem on its hands when the weather changes. The real question is whether the city’s policies of subsidized apartment buildings for the rich, as well as other ‘regentrification‘ projects fueled by public money have contributed to the problem. Meanwhile the problems of the old city are stubborn reminders all is not well in the shining city of Minneapolis.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Minneapolis Homeless Tent City Walk Through-Bob Davis Podcast 771

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:00 — 84.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS