Episode 24: US Budget Researcher Jeff Harper talks Budget and Political Reform

Have you ever given much thought to the US Budget or Political Reform? Well, US Budget Researcher, Jeff Harper has been giving it his full attention since the 90’s. Listen as Jeff shares his insights and thoughts on the US Budget, what’s working and what’s not working. 
Healthcare - Complicated
Social Security - Easy - you know who’s retiring and when
National Defense - Complicated - Military Industrial complex

A few questions to ponder as you give this chat a listen.
Lobbyist - does this need to be looked at on a deeper level?
Has our legal adversarial system made its way into politics?
Defense Spending - What exactly is driving defense spending?
Does big money interest control our 2 party system?
Is collapse to local government on the horizon?
How hard is it to actually balance the US Budget?
Political Reform - Is Political Reform on the horizon? Has dark money gotten out of control this year?
Do candidates have to beg for special interest money?

Rank choice voting - What do you know about it, and how does it work?
Ger·ry·man·der - Do you know what it is and how it works for politicians? 
/ˈjerēˌmandər/
Verb
gerund or present participle: gerrymandering
manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.achieve (a result) by manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency.
"a total freedom to gerrymander the results they want"

Connect with Jeff Harper on Facebook,  Uncle Sam's Checkbook website.
If you're curious checkout:
Rank Choice Voting
Citizens Redistricting Commissions
The Concord Coalition
Fair Vote
Independent Voters

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