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Why it's time to expand the House of Representatives | Chuck Todd | TEDxFoggyBottom
TEDx Talks· 2025-08-28 17:01
Core Argument - The core issue is the disconnect between citizens and their government, stemming from the fixed size of the House of Representatives [1][2][3] - The proposal is to uncap the House of Representatives and return to a system where its size expands with the population, aiming for a ratio of one representative per 400,000 people [16][17] Historical Context & Problem Definition - The House of Representatives was originally designed to be the "people's house," providing access to power for the average citizen [5][6] - For 120 years, the House expanded with the population, but a hard cap of 435 members was established in 1930 [7][9] - In 1930, one member of Congress represented just under 300,000 people; now, it's one member for every 800,000 citizens [9] - This increase in constituency size leads to representatives focusing on factions and special interests rather than the broader community [12][13][14] - Large congressional districts contribute to voter disengagement and a shift of power to the executive branch [14][15] Proposed Solution & Expected Outcomes - Uncapping the House would lead to approximately 881 members of Congress, based on a ratio of 400,000 people per representative [19] - A smaller playing field would foster more diverse membership in Congress, including third-party representation and diversity of political thought [20][21] - Expanding the House would mitigate the electoral college dilemma, reducing the disparity in voting power between states like Wyoming and California from 6:1 to 25:1 [22][23][24][25][26] - With 881 pieces, gerrymandering would become more difficult to execute, promoting fairer representation [27][28][29]
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-08-28 11:25
How Brazil’s ex-president and his cronies tried to take down democracy https://t.co/PS8BCrQIRL ...
Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace | “Pursuit” | MSNBC
MSNBC· 2025-08-27 00:00
Core Values - The show emphasizes the pursuit of truth [1] - The show adheres to strong values while remaining open to changing perspectives [1] Societal Impact - The show aims to serve a strong and lasting democracy [1] Commitment - The show is committed to these principles in every episode [1]
Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace | “Believe” | MSNBC
MSNBC· 2025-08-27 00:00
Constitutional Principles & Democratic Values - The industry emphasizes faith in a positive outcome, regardless of election results [1] - The industry believes in upholding and protecting the Constitution [1] - The industry highlights the importance of the First Amendment for journalists [1] - The industry stresses the protection of rights for everyone under the Constitution [1] Societal Goals & Media's Role - The industry assumes most people desire democracy, constitutional rights, and freedom of speech [1] - The industry aims to contribute to achieving these desired societal outcomes [1]
Chicago mayor: “We are standing up to tyranny“
MSNBC· 2025-08-26 22:08
the federal government could work stronger to coordinate with my police department to get guns off the streets of Chicago. We've seen these coordination efforts work. Just a couple of weeks ago, the ATF working with my police department, we um removed over 150 guns off the streets of Chicago that were trafficked in uh through Mississippi and Indiana. No one is saying that police officers don't play an incredible role in driving safety. They play an absolute pivotal role in that. But we have asked law enforc ...
Trump's latest redistricting target? Indiana
MSNBC· 2025-08-26 15:36
Democratic State Representative Matt Pierce of Indiana is joining us now. He serves as the assistant Democratic floor leader. Representative Pierce, good to have you here.Texas Republicans went along with President Trump's push, but there has now been some vocal opposition from Indiana Republicans to redistricting. They are set to visit the White House today, as we mentioned. What are you hearing from your Republican colleagues on this matter.>> Well, it's interesting. You know, former Governor Mitch Daniel ...
The Rachel Maddow Show - Aug. 25 | Audio Only
MSNBC· 2025-08-26 04:25
Political and Legal Challenges - The report highlights President Trump's attempt to fire a member of the Federal Reserve Board, raising questions about his legal authority [1][6] - The report discusses the Democratic governor of Illinois, JB Pritsker, and the Democratic mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, pushing back against Trump's threats to send US troops to Chicago [1] - A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to stop trying to send Kilmer Abrego Garcia out of the country [3][24] Immigration Policy and Protests - Protests occurred in Washington DC, Washington state, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Indiana against Trump's immigration policies and immigrant prisons [2] - An Indiana National Guardsman protested against using a National Guard facility for one of Trump's immigrant prisons [2] - Japanese Americans held a protest in Little Tokyo against the administration's mass arrests without due process [2] Trump Administration Actions and Personnel - The president has fired the director of presidential personnel at the White House, Sergio Gore, and named him ambassador to India [3][4] - The Trump administration is reportedly blocking Ukraine from sending long-range missiles into Russia [5] - The report mentions mass firings of senior lawyers in the US military and the evisceration of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice [5][6] Federal Reserve and Economic Concerns - President Trump is purporting to have fired a member of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve, Lisa Cook [6] - Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman suggests Trump's actions are about intimidation and undermining the independence of the Fed [7][8][9] - Krugman warns that if Trump controls the Fed, the US could become like Venezuela or Turkey, where economic policy is at the whims of a strongman [12] Crime and Military Deployment - Illinois's Democratic Governor JB Pritsker responded to Donald Trump's threat to send US troops into the streets of Chicago [37] - The report points out that many cities and states with Republican governors have higher homicide rates than Chicago, questioning the rationale for sending troops to Chicago [36][37][38][39][40][41]
'I don't even care what the charges are': Democracy expert reacts to Trump's weaponization of DOJ
MSNBC· 2025-08-25 21:58
Political Commentary & Analysis - The report suggests concerns about potential abuse of power by the U S President, including using the military to intimidate political rivals [1] - The analysis highlights fears that the U S President might be undermining democracy and militarizing cities [1] - The report raises questions about the independence of the justice system, citing the FBI's search of John Bolton's home and office as a potential example of politically motivated action [1][2] - The discussion includes accusations that the U S President views the Justice Department as his personal legal representation [3][4] - The report emphasizes the importance of defending individuals targeted by the U S President, regardless of personal feelings towards them, to protect the rule of law [24][25] Potential Risks & Concerns - The analysis expresses concern that the U S President may deploy military forces to undermine free and fair elections [25] - The report suggests a fear that the U S President is an authoritarian figure who wants to be a dictator and is subverting the rule of law [24][25] - The report indicates concerns about potential retribution campaigns against critics of the U S President [18][19]
'Just give us a damn answer!' David Hogg's message to Dem leaders
MSNBC· 2025-08-25 13:45
You have a fascist in the White House and that requires us. We cannot be the only one playing by the rules with the hand tied behind our backs. That old playbook, the norms that you know used to have guard rails on our democracy and protect all of us in this country, that doesn't exist anymore.We've got to throw that playbook out the window because the Republicans have. We cannot be the only party that's playing by the rules anymore. Uh, that was DNC Chair Ken Martin giving an impassion call for Democrats t ...
Get your tickets to MSNBCLIVE '25 NOW!
MSNBC· 2025-08-24 21:45
One of the great things about this job is when I get to get out of the studio and just into the real world to see you, the actual you, the the flesh and blood version, the audience. I got an opportunity to tour the country earlier this year to promote my book, The Sirens Call, which is available wherever you get your books if you haven't read it yet. And I love doing it for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which is a chance to meet and speak with so many of you.I also got to meet a lot of you last year ...