separation of powers

3.3 – The Waitress Will Take Your (Executive) Order

May 11, 2017 by Phil Leave a Comment

What are ‘executive orders’? What can and can’t they do, and why are we hearing so much about them? Plus, what does President Trump’s most recent executive order mean to churches and non-profits?

Kevon and Phil talk about this and a whole lot more in this super-sized episode.

If you have any questions, comments, or topic ideas, leave them on the episode page, send us a message on Twitter, or send us an e-mail.

Also, if you could review the podcast in your favorite podcast store, that would really help us!

Episode Resources
The American Presidency Project – Executive Orders by President
Executive Order – Wiki
Trump’s Executive Order on Religious Liberty Is Worse Than Useless – National Review
Trump signs executive order to ‘vigorously promote religious liberty’ – CNN
Here’s the Full List of Donald Trump’s Executive Orders – NBC News
Critics Say Obama Overusing Executive Powers – US News
Obama’s Executive Orders; A Reality Check – Brookings
Republicans Alarmed Over Obama’s Executive Orders, Cheer Trump’s On – NBC News
White House Incorrectly Refers to Fence – CNN
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption
Trump asked for a ‘Muslim ban,’ Giuliani says — and ordered a commission to do it ‘legally – Washington Post

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2.1 – European Philosophy in US History

October 14, 2016 by Phil Leave a Comment

It’s here! Season 2 has arrived, and we’re going to go back to our roots and look at the basics of the US Constitution by actually using the curriculum that Phil and Kevon use in their classrooms. This week, we cover European philosophy of the Enlightenment era while also touching on the governing structures of ancient Rome and ancient Greece.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them on the episode page, send us a message on Twitter, or send us an e-mail.

Mentioned in the Episode
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Montesquieu
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes (Of “Calvin and” fame)

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1.13 Order in the Court!

June 3, 2016 by Phil Leave a Comment

Looking for a summer job? The Supreme Court has a vacancy, but it’s not really easy to get an interview.

Do you object to that joke? Trust us: our humor cannot be overruled. As you’ve guessed, it’s time to look at the Supreme Court once again.

Put on your flowing black robes and your replica Justice Ginsberg neckwear because we’re going to court!

If you have any questions or comments, leave them on the episode page, send us a message on Twitter, or send us an e-mail.

Mentioned in the Episode
The US Supreme Court – Wikipedia
The US Supreme Court
Brown v. Board of Education – Ballotpedia

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1.9 Colorad-No!

April 22, 2016 by Phil Leave a Comment

The “Leader of the Free World,” the Commander in Chief, the “Most Important Man (so far) on Earth”: is that all there is to being President?

And what happened in Colorado that’s got everyone, especially Donald Trump, so angry? It’s time to take a deeper look at the “democratic” process by which we choose candidates for the presidential election.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them on the episode page, send us a message on Twitter, or send us an e-mail.

Mentioned in the Episode
The Gist w/ Mike Pesca – Episode #473 – Good discussion of delegates vs. states / Language warning
Common Sense w/ Dan Carlin – Episode #304 “Speed Dating for Delegates” – Great explanation of Colorado’s shenanigans
Denver Post – “Colorado Republicans cancel presidential vote at 2016 caucus” (Posted: August 25, 2015/Updated April 11, 2016)
ISideWith.com – A decent survey of your political leanings, comparing your leanings with with those of presidential candidates and political parties
The Hill – “GOP official: The party chooses the nominee, not the voters” (Posted: March 16, 2016)
Real Clear Politics – “Former CO GOP Chair: Message We’re Sending Is ‘Your Vote Doesn’t Matter And Your Voice Doesn’t Count'” (Posted: April 11, 2016)

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1.8 Congress Shmongress

April 15, 2016 by Phil Leave a Comment

“What do they do on Capitol Hill?” asks Kevon, and then, Phil takes the next 25 minutes to break it all down. Will you be as speechless as Kevon when it’s all over? Hard to say, but definitely, yes.

Today, we’ll look at what Congress was designed to do, what it actually does, and some of the problems with Congress.

We’ve got a lot of resources linked for you on the episode page, in case your podcast app doesn’t include them. Also, at the bottom, we have some sweet visual examples of gerrymandering congressional districts.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them on the episode page, send us a message on Twitter, or send us an e-mail.

Mentioned in the Episode
The US Constitution – Specifically, Article 1
Congress – Wikipedia (Not the best source, but some decent background)
Gerrymandering – Wikipedia
Arizona Congressional Map – Example of Gerrymandering
Washington Post Explains Gerrymandering
Congress and the Public – Gallup Polls
“People hate Congress. But most incumbents get re-elected. What gives?” – The Washington Post
America’s most gerrymandered congressional districts – The Washington Post

Gerrymandering Examples & Explanations

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