There’s an important idea at the core of Bernie Sanders’s campaign, one that was on full display at the last Democratic debate. The Vermont senator argues that the true source of congressional dysfunction isn’t polarization at all. Instead, he says, it’s money: Big interests have enough power to sway both parties in either direction.
The Weeds: campaign finance and global inequality — with lead poisoning in between
On this week’s episode of The Weeds, Ezra, Matt, and I pick apart Sanders’s argument, thinking about recent legislation in Congress and the role of large interests.
We also take some time to discuss Flint, Michigan’s lead poisoning crisis and how it signals a much larger problem in the United States. And, last but not least, we feature one paper we actually didn’t think was that great — and explain why. Enjoy! As always, you can subscribe to us on iTunes right here.
Show notes:
- Obamacare has been a pretty good deal for the health care industry
- Andrew Prokop on Arizona’s campaign finance laws
- Matt Yglesias’s piece on how lots of urban areas have high lead levels in their soil
- A Flint resident explains what it was like living through the poisoning crisis
- Vox’s Sarah Frostenson shows that it’s hard to find good data on lead exposure in the United States
- The Economist article attacking the White House for claiming side benefits to passing climate change rules
- The Oxfam report finding the 62 richest people in the world have as much wealth as the poorest 50 percent of all people
- Map: the poorest members of Congress in each state
