“So the question for Republicans is whether we’re ready to take on political reform and look at these issues through the principled lens of conservatism instead of a partisan, political one… Because fixing our broken political system is the smart thing to do — and it’s the right thing to do.” The issue of fixing our political system isn’t a
Read More“[T]his episode is a little different because it’s about part of the swamp changing for the better, a truly positive development amid plenty of dysfunction. It’s a story of bipartisan cooperation that is increasingly rare these days.” On this week’s episode of Issue One’s “Swamp Stories” podcast, host Weston Wamp walks us through the origin story of one of the
Read More“There’s no question members of Congress have access to information that the public does not have, therefore if you want transparency, if you want open hands and a clean heart, members of Congress, while they’re serving, should not be able to actively trade stock.” This week’s episode of Issue One’s “Swamp Stories” podcast dives into the issue of insider
Read More“Now, 21st century soldiers of a different sort sit in dark rooms in far corners of the world, seeking to disrupt our elections, trying to sow division through digital warfare and disinformation campaigns. All with one goal: to weaken democracy and true self-government here and around the world.” This week’s episode of Issue One’s “Swamp Stories” podcast covers how,
Read More“These candidates flipped the script that money matters most in campaigns. And in the end, a message was sent to big donors: that the one half of 1 percent who are used to picking winners and losers in our politics, well, that game is changing.” The latest episode of Issue One’s podcast, “Swamp Stories,” covers how recent candidates for office
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Today, Issue One’s podcast “Swamp Stories” is proud to announce that it has joined a new network of podcasts called “The Democracy Group.” “Swamp Stories” is one of eight initial podcasts joining the network that each cover civil discourse, civic engagement, and issues of democracy. The others shows include: The Science of Politics by Michigan State University & the Niskanen
Read More“Politicians shouldn’t pick their voters. Voters should pick their politicians.” No reform issue has gained more momentum across the country in recent years than banning partisan gerrymandering. It’s united Republicans, Democrats, and independents at the state and local level who want better representation and more say in how district lines are drawn. But it’s also brought the fight over political
Read More“We have a system in which the candidates can’t even control their own campaign. And when others can control the campaigns, and it’s being driven not by principle, but profit, you know, you’re going to end up with a system that is badly @#$%&* up.” That’s what Mark McKinnon, former political advisor to George W. Bush and John McCain, said
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“That sounds like a loophole.” Five words from former California Congressman Henry Waxman (D) summarizes episode three of Issue One’s podcast “Swamp Stories” about secret slush funds in Congress (also known as leadership PACs). And Waxman should know: He originally helped create leadership PACs back in 1978, not to allow for lavish living as they are used today, but to
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When new members are elected to Congress, there’s a two-month gap between election day and their swearing-in. Not long after in 2019, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) exposed one of Washington’s most bizarre and corrupt secrets in an interview. What she didn’t know at the time was only a handful of other members of Congress had spoken so brazenly about how
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