#1755 Affordability: Actual Economic Populism is the Kryptonite to Fake Populism

Air Date: 12-2-2025

If you need more evidence for just how far from rationality our politics have slid in recent decades, Zorhan Mamdani is seen by many as a radical for mostly just saying that people should be able to afford to buy the things they need to live.

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KEY POINTS

KP 1: Affordability & Trump: Here's How Democrats Won Big Across The Country In 2025 Elections - Forbes Breaking News - Air Date 11-6-25

KP 2: How Trump's 2024 Coalition Is Already Falling Apart - TLDR News Global - Air Date 11-12-25

KP 3: Democrats Snatch Defeat From the Jaws of Victory (again) - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 11-11-25

KP 4: Trump’s Affordability Tailspin: 50-Year Mortgages, Tariff Checks & Maybe Socialism - The Daily Show and Josh Johnson - Air Date 11-11-25

KP 5: Kurt Andersen & Josh Turek - Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast - Air Date 9-9-25

KP 6: Can Zohran's NYC Win Spark a New Era for Democratic Socialism? - UNFTR Media - Air Date 11-6-25


(00:49:49) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On the path forward for the Left: Targeted Universalism


DEEPER DIVES

(01:07:50) SECTION A: AFFORDABILITY

A1: Mamdani's Win with Alex Press and Luke Savage Part 1 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 11-12-25

A2: The Democrats Divided Over Populism Part 1 - On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti - Air Date 7-10-25

A3: Mamdani’s Win with Alex Press and Luke Savage Part 2 - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 11-12-25


(01:29:57) SECTION B: POPULISM

B1: Democratic and GOP Strategists on What the Parties Learned From Voters - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 11-5-25

B2: The Democrats Divided Over Populism Part 2 - On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti - Air Date 7-10-25


(01:43:42) SECTION C: DEMS CAVE

C1: “Caved Too Soon”: Ro Khanna on Senate Shutdown Deal, Why Schumer Should Step Down & Epstein Files - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-12-25

C2: Bernie Sanders: Democrats Are Sending a Terrible Message - What A Day - Air Day 11-11-25

C3: Calls For Schumer to Step Down Grow as Democrats Cave on Healthcare to Pass Funding Bill - Democracy Now! - Air Date 11-11-25

C4: The End Of Chuck Schumer? - The Majority Report W/ Sam Seder - Air Date 11-11-25

C5: Any Senator Could Challenge Schumer. Will They? - The Bitchuation Room (with Francesca Fiorentini) - Air Date 11-12-25


(02:24:44) SECTION D: SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

D1: News Brief: The Billionaire-Backed Groups Working to Push Dems Right in 2026 and 2028 - Citations Needed - Air Date 10-13-25

D2: From Reagan to Trump: Neoliberalism, Class War, and American Decadence - Rev Left Radio - Air Date 11-5-25

D3: Confronting Capitalism: Why Neoliberalism Won - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 11-5-25


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A vibrantly colorful artistic rendering of Zohran Mamdani at a podium speaking into a microphone with his hand up. The edges appear to vibrate outwards.

Credit: “Zohran Mamdani” by Taymaz Valley, Flickr | CC BY 4.0 | Changes: Expanded background with layers and smudging

 

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Showing 1 reaction

  • Ben Grant
    published this page in Episodes 2025-12-02 16:46:08 -0500
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