Why helping us win the State House is the most important thing you can do today.
Listen to some of the most experienced people in progressive state politics
Jordan Berg Powers, Jonathan Cohn, and Anna Callahan chat each week about Massachusetts politics. Our goal is to help people understand state politics: investigate why it’s so broken, imagine what we could have in our lives if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.
We recommend you start at the first episode and go from there.
Think your money is better spent on Congressional races? Think again.
Think Massachusetts is being run pretty well? Think again.
Think it’s more important to focus on red or purple states? Think again.
Think your state rep is acting on behalf of people in your district? Think again.
National policies start here.
Want a Green New Deal? Medicare for All? Free public college? Criminal justice reform? Immigrant rights? Housing for all? We could have all those right here in Massachusetts for seven million people.
Imagine going to the doctor without worrying about the cost. Imagine living near friends and family, because no one is priced out of your city. Imagine giving your kids water straight from the tap with no concern for lead poisoning. Imagine knowing that your kids will get a great education no matter what school they go to. Imagine everyone you know having a job — only one job, with plenty of time for friends and family.
Have your greatest impact.
Women’s suffrage won in the states first. The fight against slavery was a state-by-state battle. Passing legislation here is the first step to passing it nationally.
Your dollars go so much further in state politics than on the national stage. Congressional races cost many millions of dollars, just to get one person out of 435. A state rep candidate can win with less than $75,000 and is then one in 160.
And focusing on a state like Massachusetts means we can really lead the country, because our voters are already on board. Help us lead the country in the policies you care about.
Why Is Massachusetts Failing?
Do you think Massachusetts is doing pretty well, and doesn't need your activism? Then this is the podcast for you.
Today we talk about how far our policies are from the views of the electorate, which policies are voted down year after year that are in the Democratic party platform, and policies where Massachusetts falls behind many other states including deep red states.
We should be expecting more from our legislators. Not only are they letting down the seven million people who live here, they are letting us all down by not allowing Massachusetts to lead the country in national policy-making.
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
Did you know that three of the last four Speakers were convicted of felonies related to corruption and bribery? The Speaker of the House controls everything that goes on in the building -- including which laws get passed in Massachusetts and which don’t.
This dictatorial power is the reason why our veto-proof supermajority of Democrats cannot get popular legislation passed. This power dynamic inside the building kills not only progressive legislation, but any ability that state reps have to affect change.
We need a new group of state reps who can support each other and who have the support of an informed public. That’s what we’re building.
Myth Busting
Do you or your fellow progressives believe any of these 13 myths about politics? Here are just a few:
Myth #2: It's better to spend time and money organizing in red or purple states than in MA.
Myth #7: Taxachusetts.
Myth #9: Lobbying is an effective strategy.
Myth #11: Democracy is in crisis in other states, not here in Massachusetts.
We have lots more — come find out how to have your best impact.
Stay Informed
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Photo thanks to AbhiSuryawanshi, CC BY-SA 4.0