Conversations In American Democracy
Conversations In American Democracy, is a weekly meeting in Palm Coast, Florida with its culture of friendly challenge and argument, exchange of ideas and information that helps us all as we strive to be tough on ideas, and kind to people; whereas much of other discourse these days seems to be the opposite: tough on people but weak on ideas. The full video version of this podcast is available on YouTube.
Episodes
We start off with the Constitution minute and discussion of Article 9. Followed by three more questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test. This time, we get them mostly right! Our featured guest is Eric Yonce, Democratic Primary candidate for the 2026 Congressional District 6 elections. He shares a little of his history, and some of the issues he feels passionate about. School voucher system and Charter schools are discussed. We lose ...
Mark fills in once again, with Merrill returning next week. More questions from the citizen’s Test, discussion of Article 8 of the Constitution, and the definition of violence and insurrection. Discussion of the upcoming No Kings II rally on Saturday, October 18th, and how to act and behave on that day, with “Engage, Don’t Enrage’ as the rule of the day. Be safe out there! https://youtu.be/jt4_5-L9Vog
Merrill Shapiro is still out for the Jewish Holidays, so Mark Webb leads the group today. More questions from the Citizenship test, the government shutdown, everyone’s news gathering sources, and Trump’s abuses of power are discussed. Will be meet in the same conference room next week. Full video of this episode is at: https://youtu.be/Ryb0Alifnyw
Announcements, Constitution Review Amendment 5, What does it take to overturn an amendment? Citizens test questions, apparently we would all fail! The role of the Supreme Court in our democracy. Tom Townsend talks about revitalizing the Democratic party and the expiration of the tax credits in December and what that means to hospitals and health in our community, it looks very dire, hundreds of thousand of dollars will not be forth...
Merrill Shapiro was not with us this week. Mark Webb filled in admirably! We continued with the Citizen's Test questions, a discussion of the ramifications of Charlie Kirk's murder, and an update of what is happening locally with the City Council and Flagler County Commission. Full video of this episode is available at: https://youtu.be/gqCPai4OWNg
Continuing our series Can You Pass the Citizenship test? Most of us at the table cannot. Flagler 50501 announcement of upcoming Rally and Protests dates and locations. Local announcements, Constitution Minutes - Amendment 6. Jan and Deb keep us up to date on the all the projects underway at the Flagler Democratic Executive Committee. It's an exciting time to jump in and get involved with lots of opportunities to volunteer and to do...
Last week’s recap: End every comment with the word: Epstein! Creating petitions, getting them signed, and their effectiveness. The goal of Petitions is to educate. Advancing more on the Citizenship Test questions. Where is President trump’s 2025 Proclamation acknowledging the 1920 women’s Right to Vote. 50501 updates. Discussion of the latest Executive Order criminalizing Flag burning. Discussion of how Brown People need to be prep...
Wednesday August 13, 2025 special guest Jane Ruddy. Conversations include voucher program, family empowerment, the attack against student loans, divirting education funds to activate vouchers from public schools where accreditation and school board oversight is required. Turning education into a business and the right to choose. Thinking about the long term future for education with the elimination of the department of education. F...
An explanation of various Religious and Not-for-Profit tax structures over the years, and what the current EO means. Article 4 of the Constitution covered and explained. Updates on current Flagler 50501 activities. New to the City Council scene is the discussion of the addition of a new cement plant down Hargrove Grade. Some upcoming guests coming on Ponderings from Palm Coast. Some personal viewpoints of Mayor Mike Norris’s Town H...
We begin with a few more questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test. 50501 updates. Local recap of events of the Palm Coast City Council and local government activities by Mark Webb. A discussion of local canvassing activities like the vote-by-mail push, and the new Precinct Leader initiative. Book banning, schools, and Library discussions. Full video of this is found on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/NeHLD0jipJM
Discussion of The Johnson Amendment a provision in the U.S. tax code, since 1954, that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates and the order to the IRS to stop enforcing it. Separation of Church and State. Influence that can be bought. Can religious leaders change on a dime to supplient themselves to this new decree? Does it only take a small group of dedicated people as Marg...
July 9, 2025 Spirited conversations in the Constitution - Bill of Rights Amendment 2, the path to American citizenship, could you pass the test?, EO's (Executive Orders) comparisons between a previous administration and the current one, updates on Flagler 50501 activities including Good Trouble honoring John Lewis on July 17 and all week here in Flagler and finally upda...
Continuing our exploration of the Constitution of the United States beginning with the Bill of Rights and the protections the Constitution affords us. The attempt to negate the Federal Census of 2020 to disallow Immigrants. Local issues including the older Fire Station 22 including the Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Club attempt to utilize the space. Project 2025 and the Federal and local overlap in what's happening. T...
Discussing local vs national politics, corruption and the overlap between the two, DOGE, Federal prisons, Quid Pro Quo and scrambling to meet their quota by snatching people off the street, security now that this country has bombed Iran, will sleeper cells be activated? Media coverage is insufficient, no fact checking anymore, joke of a transportation secretary, Autocracy, Oligarchy. Is everything black or white? Where are the gray...
Kathy Ritondo moderates the meeting this week. We begin with Curt McCauley leading a spirited discussion on the formation of the Constitution and the intention of the founding fathers. Our intention is to follow through each week with the Articles and how they are being abused daily! Mark Webb walks us through this week in Palm Coast politics and the frustration with the Council bringing up and voting on new business particularly t...
Comparison of what's happening today to what happened in Natzi Germany. Report on the Bunnell protests Belvedere Fuel Farm and Land Use for hazardous waste materials, next meeting June 23 so SHOW UP. Upcoming elections, selecting people to run for office and hearing from people in the room who have run about their experiences. What will it take to get democrats to VOTE? And, would you risk it today, some questions to ponder in toda...
Recap of last meeting, continued reading of the constitution. City council review including approved 2 cell towers, impact fees doubled, new budget for the sheriffs department goes from 8.9 million to 11 million. 3 Seats on city council coming up for election and what should we do about it. Full video of this episode is available on YouTube at:
Special guests, Jim, Greg and Kelly today to discuss the reasons for forming a PAC, what the requirements are, how they function and they set the stage for what happens if/when we establish a PAC of our own. Such great information shared! Discussion to be continued at the next meeting. Full video of this episode can be found on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/tv8cnPXNOBw
Will the Memorial Day festivities here in Palm Coast be about memorializing our fallen heroes without the invocation of religion? Can we expect a clear separation of church and state? We aim to find out. County involvement in the Belvidere Fuel Farm, Report on the progress of our PAC. Discussion on the lack of tornado notifications in Kentucky. Political postings are now performance art. Can they act the part as they are certainly ...
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