Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

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

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Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760

Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760

These days lurid talk about the show trial and the cesspool in Washington DC are apparently unavoidable. Most noteworthy is the latest example of new McCarthyism. What’s it all about? The Midterms. Find out why in Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760.

Spinning Out Of Control

It feels to me like our government is spinning out of control. Especially relevant is the latest installment. A down in the dirt, mudslinging fight over a supreme court nominee.

Maybe The Conspiracy Guys Are Right

Moreover it sure feels like a massive manipulation. Makes me wonder whether all the conspiracy You Tubers right after all. Leaves me feeling disgusted and dirty. Learn more in Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760.

Tail Gunner Joe

In the 1950’s it was McCarthyism and the Red Scare. All about communists. Fueled by fear of nuclear war and a takeover of the US by soviet agents. The Senate Committee on Un American Affairs poured gasoline on a fire of fear.

Destroying Lives and Livelihoods

Soviet spies did penetrate the US Atomic Bomb Program at Los Alamos. However McCarthy made it sound like enemies lurked in the shadows everywhere. It got out of hand. Livelihoods and lives were destroyed in his quest for center stage.

Men Live In Fear

Fast forward sixty years. We’re back at it. This time the #metoo movement is the delivery system. A movement that had a chance to help women in the workplace is now a weapon in the hands of politicians. Dim memories now lurk in the shadows. Men now live in fear. Prosecution without due process. Sentence without regard to anything but party loyalty. It’s getting out of hand.

They Were Told Hillary Would Win And They Believed It

This time it’s a simple case of the democratic party being unable to accept Trump’s presidential victory. They actually believed the media when it said polls showed Hillary would win. Except that’s not what the polls said.

In all fairness though, republicans have certainly had their fun with the sexual activities of high officials. Republicans have had their own issues being unable to accept election results.

In conclusion we’re going to have to go through this nonsense now that charges have been made so we can get to the bottom of it. That means new ‘facts’, new people ‘coming forward’ and more ugliness. Maybe they’re true and maybe they’re not. I can’t know and neither can anyone else, until the facts are determined.

Meanwhile the country is drowning in a sea of debt and spending. All the ‘fourth estate’ can do is talk about penises and parties, and fiddle while Rome burns.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul, Johantgen Jewelers and Reliafund Payment Processors

Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760

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Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755

Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755

A series of podcasts dedicated to the so called toss up races for the Senate, Governors and House in 2018’s Midterm Election. Most notable in Part 3 are Minnesota’s toss ups. Find out why in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

Dive Deep

These days podcasters can dive deep by doing a series of podcasts on one subject. One of my missions at the Bob Davis Podcasts is to provide the antidote to the prattling and predictions.

So I am diving deep!

What IS a Toss Up?

It’s especially relevant that I am reviewing the data and details about states and districts for this series. One of my takeaways is what political scientists and commentators view as a toss up is entirely up to their judgement.

One man’s toss up is another man’s lean republican, or lean democrat.

Story Lines Are Click Bait and Influence Voters

My issue is these predictions create their own story lines. These ‘predictions’ can influence voters negatively.

This Year’s Story Line

This year the story line is republicans will lose the House and Senate and some Governorships because of the antics of President Donald Trump. Is this true?

Learn more in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

Minnesota Center Stage

In 2018 Minnesotans elect a Governor, two Senators and eight Congressman. There are also contested statewide races like Attorney General and State Auditor. Moreover Senator Tina Smith is running in her first election after Governor Dayton appointed her to the Senate. We have a lot going on in our state.

Finally so called experts say there are four toss up races in Minnesota this year. Two democrat and two traditionally republican House districts.

Find out if I think it is true in Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755.

No Predictions No Partisanship

In conclusion I don’t make predictions or try to make the data ‘lean’ on way or another. I don’t make judgements based on rumors in these districts. I give you the existing data on the district and let you make your own prediction.

Listen To This Series. Know What To Watch For On Election Night

Bottom line, if you listen to this series of podcasts on election night, you’ll know where to look and what races to watch to make an informed prediction about the election’s outcome and what it may or may not mean.

(Editor’s Note: Heads up if you’re using Ballotpedia to check presidential voting stats for individual house districts. One set of data in particular has caused problems for me. A drop down chart purporting to show house election results by HOUSE district is in fact by STATE HOUSE district, In the case of the second district this showed a huge advantage for Trump. It is only in state HOUSE districts, apparently and not overall. A similar chart from the Daily Koz, ON the Daily Koz shows actual house districts and a much closer result. Still a win for Trump in the 2nd in 2016. Despite this update, I still feel the toss up race in 2018 will be in Minnesota’s 3rd district. I did not use this data set for every house race. I don’t think it changes whether a district leans one way or another or is a toss up since I based my analysis on other factors.)

Sponsored by The Water Butler Water Purification Systems and John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer

Toss Up House Elections 2018-Part 3-Minnesota-Podcast 755

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