Living in the USA

Living in the USA
  • 4.0 (78)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Talking about politics, thinking about the Left. Hosted by Jon Wiener, co-author of "Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties," contributing editor at The Nation, and broadcast live at KPFK 90.7FM in LA Thursdays at 4.

  1. Protest after No Kings, plus Abortion after Dobbs

    3H AGO

    Protest after No Kings, plus Abortion after Dobbs

    Trump's failed Iran war speech, and his firing of Pam Bondi: a big week in Washington. Harold Meyerson comments. Plus: We’re still thinking about No Kings 3 day on Saturday: 8 million people. 3,300 events. ‘No Kings’ protests in almost every city and town in the country. 100 towns in Texas alone had No Kings protests! It was the largest single-day nonviolent protest in American history. John Nichols analyzes the possibilities for what comes next. Also: No one expected that revoking the constitutional right to abortion would wind up expanding access to it. But ever since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in 2022 allowed more than a dozen states to ban abortion outright, the number of abortions in this country has actually risen every year. How did that happen? Amy Littlefield explains; her new book is Killers of Roe: My investigation into the mysterious death of abortion rights.

    58 min
  2. No Kings Protests v. Trump: Leah Greenberg, Harold Meyerson; 'Antisemitism' on campus: David Myers

    MAR 27

    No Kings Protests v. Trump: Leah Greenberg, Harold Meyerson; 'Antisemitism' on campus: David Myers

    Trump's approval rating has hit an all-time low for a modern president. Jimmy Carter had the same rating on the economy – 29% – back in 1979. And what was happening in 1979? An oil embargo and revolution in Iran. Next: Trump is trying to limit voting by mail and SCOTUS will make a ruling soon. Harold Meyerson comments. Also: The No Kings 3 protests this Saturday are going to be big – maybe the biggest day of protest in American history. Leah Greenberg, co-founder and co-director of Indivisible, will explain—starting with the plans for St. Paul, site of the day's flagship event. Plus: Trump has renewed his year-long campaign against universities that have been resisting his authoritarian rule - he’s focused his attacks on the most prestigious private university, Harvard, and the most prestigious public university, UCLA, suing each of them in the past week for – “antisemitism.” David Myers, who teaches Jewish history at UCLA, comments.

    58 min
  3. War in Iran, Elections in Illinois: Harold Meyerson; Mamdani & the Midterms: Maurice Mitchell; Politics update: John Nichols

    MAR 20

    War in Iran, Elections in Illinois: Harold Meyerson; Mamdani & the Midterms: Maurice Mitchell; Politics update: John Nichols

    Why is the US at war with Iran? "It's entirely a war based on Trump's whim and his apparent desire to do what Bibi Netanyahu has asked him to do". Next up: Elections in Illinois, where AIPAC, AI and Crypto money did not win. Harold Meyerson comments. Also: The Working Families Party is organizing voters not just to win a Democratic majority in Congress but for a movement election, a historic expansion of the electorate that includes a demand for significant change. Maurice Mitchell, the party’s National Director, explains. Plus: Trump’s war in Iran is bringing economic chaos and suffering to much of the world, but for American voters, the biggest effect is the soaring price of gasoline – and the political implications for Republicans in the midterms are clear to everyone. Meanwhile Minneapolis has shown how Americans can resist unjust and illegitimate power. John Nichols comments.

    58 min
  4. Iran War: Tom Stevenson; News Avoidant Voters: Tara McGowan; Crossword Poliitics: Natan Last

    MAR 13

    Iran War: Tom Stevenson; News Avoidant Voters: Tara McGowan; Crossword Poliitics: Natan Last

    Tom Stevenson analyzes the latest news and long-term prospects of Trump's Iran war, for both Iran and the US. Tom is a contributing editor for the London Review of Books, where he writes about, among other things, politics in the Mideast. Also: what news are people getting these days, and where are they getting it? Especially the people we call “news avoidant” & “low information” voters – the ones we want to vote for Democrats in November: what are the big stories for them? Tara McGowan explains – she’s founder and CEO of Courier Newsroom, a digital media company that operates a network of local news outlets. Plus: the hidden politics of the New York Times crossword puzzle: Natan Last explains; his new book is Across the Universe: the Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle. (Originally published 12-17-2025)

    59 min
  5. Trump's attacks on Iran and Voting: Harold Meyerson, David Cole, John Nichols

    MAR 6

    Trump's attacks on Iran and Voting: Harold Meyerson, David Cole, John Nichols

    59% of Americans disapprove of the war in Iran, according to a CNN poll. Democrats offered a War Powers resolution that would have set some limits on Trump's war in Iran; it lost in the Senate on Wednesday with one Republican – Rand Paul – voting in favor. Harold Meyerson comments. Also: After Senate Democrats block the SAVE act, Trump is likely to declare a national security emergency – claiming China could interfere in the midterms – as a basis for restricting voting. David Cole comments; he’s former legal director of the ACLU. Plus: Congress must challenge Trump’s war on Iran and assert its constitutional duty to take up War Powers resolutions and assert its primacy over matters of war and peace. John Nichols explains.

    58 min
  6. After the State of the Union: Harold Meyerson; Jackie Robinson vs. Paul Robeson: Howard Bryant

    FEB 27

    After the State of the Union: Harold Meyerson; Jackie Robinson vs. Paul Robeson: Howard Bryant

    Trump's State of the Union speech was the expected firehose of lies – and went on at an unprecedented length. Meanwhile, the foremost issue of concern on the minds of most Americans was the Epstein files. And, what did Trump say about the Epstein files during the speech? "Nada." The other issues of great concern are the actions of ICE. Again, Trump did not say anything about that either. So, what DID Trump talk about? Harold Meyerson comments. Also: In 1949 when Jackie Robinson appeared before HUAC, the House Un-American Activities Committee, to discredit Paul Robeson. Howard Bryant talks about why that happened, and what happened afterwards - to each of them. His new book is “Kings and Pawns.”

    39 min
  7. Election Protection: Harold Meyerson; Escaping Slavery: Marcus Rediker; Trump's Attacks on Black History

    FEB 20

    Election Protection: Harold Meyerson; Escaping Slavery: Marcus Rediker; Trump's Attacks on Black History

    Trump, facing the wave of popular opposition to pretty much everything he’s doing, is working to block Democrats from voting in the midterms, and “election protection” has become a key part of the preparations underway from blue state attorneys general and from voting rights groups like the Brennan Center and the ACLU. Harold Meyerson explains. Also: A large proportion of slaves who escaped from slavery in the South escaped not on foot, but by boat. Marcus Rediker tells their story – his new book is ​"Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea.​" Plus: The Battle for Black History: On February 1, 1976 President Gerald Ford – a Republican – asked the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history" – commemorating the first Black History Month. Fifty years later, February 1, 2026, Trump sent workers with crowbars who pried off all 30 interpretive signs about slavery from the walls of the Presidents' House in Philadelphia. The city sued and a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore the displays about slavery, stating that Trump did not "have the power to erase or alter historical truths."

    47 min
  8. Minneapolis Defeats Trump: Harold Meyerson, John Nichols; How Dems can Win in Texas: Steve Phillips

    FEB 13

    Minneapolis Defeats Trump: Harold Meyerson, John Nichols; How Dems can Win in Texas: Steve Phillips

    Your Minnesota Moment: Today, ICE is pulling out of Minneapolis after a massive and sustained resistance movement – demonstrating that when you fight Trump you CAN win. Harold Meyerson comments. Also: The size and scale of the resistance to ICE in Minneapolis is too vast to fully comprehend. John Nichols has our report – he’s The Nation’s executive editor, and he’s just spent several days talking to the city’s leaders and activists. Plus: Democrats could win a Senate seat in Texas this November. Texas is not so much a red state as it is a low-turnout state. Steve Phillips analyzes Jasmine Crockett’s campaign for the Democratic nomination, which relies on organizing non-voters and reluctant voters.

    45 min
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About

Talking about politics, thinking about the Left. Hosted by Jon Wiener, co-author of "Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties," contributing editor at The Nation, and broadcast live at KPFK 90.7FM in LA Thursdays at 4.

Information

  • Creator
    Living in the USA
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2026
  • Episodes
    480
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Living in the USA

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