RadioShank: Voices From The People's Republic Of Maryland?

So Caleb Stine and Aaron Henkin took a road trip around Maryland to ask the folks outside of the city what they think of America, what songs are important to them, etc. for this past week's episode of WYPR's The Signal.

Aaron and Caleb's approach is very open, friendly and completely non-judgmental. The perspectives they reveal are fascinating, if not at times disappointing and frightening.

Most seem to agree America is on the wrong track. Most seem concerned about the economy. They get that their surroundings are being over-developed. They get that everything is more expensive, they're working harder, and making less money.

But the main problem they see? Immigration and "others".

The most important thing? God.

Their taste in music? Sadly, about what you'd expect. Ha.

A very interesting glimpse into the "heartland" of Maryland, especially for people like me (and yes, I originally came from the Maryland "Heartland") who had hoped that the failures of the Bush Administration would have illustrated to people the failures of Republicanism and Conservative "thought". They haven't. Folks get that Bush is a failure, but that's about as far as they take it. In a way, it makes me feel a little disappointed in my fellow Maryland residents. I want to holler, "C'mon, people. Spend a minute and think about this shit. When are you gonna figure out that you're being had?"

Sigh...

Anyway, kudos Caleb & Aaron. Great show!

[mp3] An American Radio Story, Part 1

[mp3] An American Radio Story, Part 2

Comments

[Guadalupe]

Maybe Caleb and aaron should bus these "heartlanders" into Baltimore city and let them roam around for a week or so. I'm sure they would all convert to the democratic party. They could explain to the heartlanders, "35 years of steady progress was slowed down by Ehrlich but we're back on track now!"
Regarding President Bush: when human beings fail you, you do not respond by compromising your values and principles. Conversely, if you have no values and principles, you just chant the quote of the day that echoes within the shit infested fishbowl.

[Amboy Dukes]

When the ideology proves to be corrupt, vapid and an utter failure, it is fair to expect a rational person to reflect on that ideology and perhaps adjust.

And Baltimore City has hardly been guided by progressive ideals, before crybaby Ehrlich was our Gov. or after. It is guided by corporate and developmental interests.

And again, we see the failures of that ideology and yet people cling to it dearly for fear of the unknown.

Kinda like they way the so called heartlanders are all scared of Mexicans.

[Rusty Chompers]

"Guadalupe" perfectly illustrates how Conservo/Repubs are, psychologically, able to divorce themselves from all the damage that's been done to this country since the Republicans have controlled all 4 branches (I'm counting the media there) of government. Let's not just pin this on Bush and his administration, let all levels of our Republican controlled government share in the blame.

As for these "heartlanders" somehow seeing Baltimore as evidence/proof of some kind of flawed, conservative worldview - I see folks from the suburbs coming into just about every neighborhood in the city all weekend long and loving it.

And yes, "Guadalupe," yer boy Bobby did side track us for a few years financially (just as Bush's cuts in fed funding to states & cities), but we do seem to be getting back on track. It's awesome that you noticed that Baltimore is improving without the economic punishment of a Republican gov.

Maybe Republicans should sit out a couple of election cycles and let us fix/clean up their mess so they'll have a nearly-new country to screw up again.

Hubris, ineptness, greed, cronyism, false piety, hypocrisy, a party before country, and a lack of intellect. Conservo/repubs really have a lot going for them.

Dumb and arrogant is no way to go through life. And it can really wreck a country.

[Cody]

You commies are just as bad as the terrorists. You want to destroy America!

[stevo]

I don't think the "commies" could destroy America any faster than the neocons and Bush.

[stevo]

They've fucked up the banks, the military, FEMA and the rest of our infrastructure. The fucked up our Constitution, the environment, the middle income families.
It's hard to think of something they didn't screw up.

[Guadalupe]

Fear of the unknown??? Then let's explore what we know. We live in an age of a global economy which is only going to get more interconnected. Virtually every country currently embracing free markets, democracy and capitalism our experiencing economic wealth and higher standards of living for it's citizens. Newly freed country's in the Balkans have adapted the flat tax as well as Scotland which is one of many reasons why Europe's economy has stagnated for the past decade. All LEFT of center forms of government (fascist, communist, socialist, populist, theocracy's and dictatorships which have the common idealogy of centralized planning) continue to oppress the poor and women and suppress hope and prevent millions from an opportunity to experience a better life. But every Progressive you meet thinks they can do it better because they care more.
Baltimore City, where I have lived and worked my entire life has been destroyed by progressive principles. 72% of welfare funding is sucked up by beauracracy. 28% gets to the recipiants. I say fire everyone who works in S.S. except for one guy to write the checks and give IT ALL TO THEM, (WHITE OR BLACK) $13,000.00 per student is spent by B.C. schools system. I say fire everone who works for the school system who doesn't go to a school somewhere to work. Determine the amount of students in a school and multiply it by 13,0000.00 and give the money to the principles to spend with PTA oversight. Legalize drugs to help the crime situation. In 10 years the suburbanites will move back to the city they love rather than visiting Canton, Federal Hill or the Harbor once or twice a month. Try to pry social security and public education away from a progressive and his head will spin as he vomits pea soup.
I do agree that dumb and arrogant is no way to go through life:)

[Rusty Chompers]

First of all, there is no such thing as a "free market." It is a bogus delusion. And those who argue for "free markets" are disingenuous as their recent cries for financial bailouts over our recent economic implosion can attest. They don't really mean "free markets," they mean "unregulated markets."

Democracy and capitalism are not intertwined. While capitalism does better under a democracy, democracy does not need capitalism.

Democracy is the political system on which America was founded. Capitalism is an economic system which has nothing to do with our Constitution, Declaration of Independence or the founding of America. You'll notice the words "business" or "corporations" do not appear anywhere in the above mentioned documents. They're kind of like god in that regard.

In fact, should a majority of the people feel that free market capitalism is no longer in their best interests, and let's be honest here Guad, more and more people are waking up to that fact everyday, they can easily vote into place other sorts of economic programs that will replace this destructive free market capitalism.

You also seem to wallow in some weird false sense of cultural superiority. You gloat that somehow leftist regimes are oppressing the masses and that capitalism is sweeping the world with democratic change and reform?

Wasn't it democracy that brought Hamas into leadership in Palestine? Isn't democracy having a hard time in Iraq?

You realize we no longer have habeas corpus in the US, yes? You realize our government illegally detains and tortures people? You realize that our government illegally spies on US citizens? I'm sure you do, but you find this somehow acceptable. These are principles on which you are willing to compromise. Free market capitalism though, maybe not so much.

And you realize that China, which now dominates the world economy is communist, right? Sure it's not pure communist, but it is a communist nation.

Okay. Sure you do.

And despite what you try to misrepresent, juntas and military dictatorships are not progressive or liberal. In fact, they have far more in common with the Bush Administration than they do the progressive nations of Europe. Or are you trying to conflate the leftist countries of South and Central America with the military juntas of Africa and Asia? You wouldn't be trying to do that, would you, Guad?

Welfare funding? Hahahah. Oooh... you people are still worked up about those lazy welfare moms living high on the hog even though Clinton Administration effectively dismantled welfare? And where are you getting your stats from, by the way?

And yes, I agree, our school system is fucked. I kind of think that one transcends party politics, but maybe you disagree.

Suburbanites moving back into the city? As a city resident, why the hell would I want suburbanites moving back into Baltimore. Weird how you see them as the city savior.

Oh, you're down on both public education and social security? Am I talking to a libertarian? You know, there was a time when America had neither. I don't think regressing is the way to go there.

Glad you agree that dumb and arrogant is no way to go through life ;)

[stevo]

Wow, you have a whole lot of stupid going on there, Guadalupe.
Europe's economy is floundering? Seems to me that Euro's doing pretty good these days, not sure if you caught that.
"Fascism", "theocracy" and "dictatorships" as leftist? I know RC already kind of addressed this, but what the hell are you talking about? Those are Right wing forms of gov't, not Left, yeah, sometimes i get my left and right mixed up, but usually just with directions. I know the righties always talk about "liberal fascists" but out in the real world that's known as an "oxymoron". Kind of like "luddite techies"
"Every progressive thinks they can do better because they care more"?, uhm, okay, this is what's known as a "generalization". It's not regarded as actual sound reasoning, just an indicator of someone venting.
Social Security is overwhelmingly popular with the majority of American people. It remains because this is a democracy, and a majority of people have continually supported it and still do. It isn't just liberals that are staunchly for it, a lot of people would be very upset about this, that was one of Bush's first big losses if you recall.
Public education? Yes, it's having a rough time, due to lack of funding. I had a public education, it helped me to determine really bad arguments, and avoid generalizations and faulty political comments re: liberal/conservative, totalitarianism v. anarchy. It does work, and will continue to work, doing away with it IS a terrible idea, and horrifically ineffective.
Countries that have universal health care always have problems with it, people that complain, and at times, difficulties funding it. I could say the same about the highways as well, are you against funding them?

[Amboy Dukes]

"Countries that have universal health care always have problems with it, people that complain, and at times, difficulties funding it. I could say the same about the highways as well, are you against funding them?"

I'm betting he is.

[Guadalupe]

Interesting responses... Actually more like adolescent responses...In fact, they are irrational arrogant responses that illustrate why this great country has so much gridlock. I can't respond to 95% of your posts because they are gross misrepresentations of my views. Your perception of a conservative/libertarian is a caricature: meaning you assign the greatest value to the worst things that exist. I refrained from that and will continue to do so. Your responses pushed us so far from middle ground that dialogue is worthless at his point. Are you guys congressmen? If your not, your polarizing, hate mongering, divisive oratory skills can get you elected. Stevo, I'll respond to you in a few years when Europe's economy implodes, regardless of the Euro. And yes, Rusty, I realize that China's communist, but they gave the masses a peak at capitalism and that's all it took to bring down the Soviet Union. You guys need to lighten up, I'm actually a great guy.

[Rusty Chompers]

From the Right Wing Playbook:

When losing a debate because you have neither facts or intellect on your side, quit trying to address any of countering argument's points and throw any or all of the following words at your opponent:

"adolescent"
"irrational"
"arrogant"
"a caricature"
"gross misrepresentations"
"polarizing"
"hate mongering"
"divisive"

Actually Guad, the exact same words could accurately describe your comments/position.

But then, that too is from the Right Wing Playbook:
When losing an argument (90% of the Right Wing Playbook is what to do when losing an argument, the other 10% is what to do when caught having sex with the same gender or underaged kids or taking bribe money from corporate lobbyists - wonder why that is?), accuse your opposition of the very things you are guilty of.

I'm sure we're all great guys or gals here.

[stevo]

"in a few years when europe's economny implodes"
Yes, I'm sure that the european economy will eventually falter at some point, so, I guess you're not technically wrong, it's just you're timing's off.

[DUDACKATTACK!!!]

Its called the Heartland because THEY FORGOT THE BRAIN.

[Amboy Dukes]

I think DUDACKATTACK!!! wins.

[Guadalupe]

Rusty. Congratulations on winning the debate. You kicked the right wing boogey man's ass because that's who you debated. I was actually trying to be kind when I posted those adjectives regarding your response to the right wing boogey man. You twisted my words to fit the caricature of your perception of what all conservatives are. I SIMPLY said I prefer free market models to centralised planned markets. I SIMPLY said to much welfare money feeds the beauracracy and should go the poor. I never mentioned welfare mothers. I SIMPLY said that $13000.00 per student in the Baltimore city schools system screams waste. I never characterized suburbanites as "city saviors". I never mentioned defunding social programs I advocated spending more on them by eliminating waste. I didn't gloat about oppressive regimes oppressing their citizens, it breaks my heart. You rambled and railed against everything that you hate about conservative idealogy and then tried to insinuate that I am referencing a right wing playbook. AGAIN: I'll Repeat: I said give welfare recipiants more by reducing beauracracy. Your response: "you people are still worked up about those lazy welfare moms living high on the hog." If that's mentality isn't right out of the left wing playbook, I don't know what is. Pathetic.

[Guadalupe]

Stevo. Take notes. Every European country has negative population growth and has for quite some time. It takes an average of 2.1 births per female to sustain a population and the average in most E.U. countries is way below that rate. Italy is the first country in history to have more natural born citizens over 60 then under 18. All E.U. countries adapted socialist/ democratic forms of government after WW2. Chill out, I know it's a general statement but my point is they have instituted very generous entitlement programs regarding education and retirement with the latter being the huge issue. Just like G.M. can't pay health benefits to it's retirees because the cost is draining them, most E.U. countries can't support the retiree debt. It makes our S.S.system look rich. Double digit unemployment. Double digit inflation. The Euro's kicking the dollars ass but that keeps vacationers from traveling to Europe and tourism is the driver for most country's economys. For God's sake, Greece couldn't fill seats for the 04 Olympics. Immigration is embraced politically and socially because the immigrants work service jobs the well educated 20 and 30 somethings won't work while they are still living with their parents. Throughout Europe the average age of a person getting a home and a mortgage is in the 30's and climbing. The immigration is bastardising the cultures and languages that are such a source of pride and dignity for many. The Balkan countries have adapted a flat corporate tax and industy is flocking there for the favorable tax rate and the abundance of people willing to work in a free society. In some cases you only have to move a few miles for the benefits. The French E.U. president is quoted as saying that if these countries don't RAISE their tax rate they will ruin Europes economy. These are all reasons why Germany and France have recently elected slightly more conservatine leaders. I don't know when or if Europe's economy will implode but it is certainly safe to say the outlook is not optimistic.

[Rusty Chompers]

I also asked, "And where are you getting your stats from, by the way?"

A question you chose to ignore.

I'll toss another up a couple more that you'll ignore as well, why did you even bring welfare up in the first place? What does that have to do with anything? And when you say welfare, what specific program are you referring to?

And one of the problems with righties is they think the left is like them, except on the left. It doesn't work that way. There is no left wing play book. The left is far too free minded for that. It's also why we don't have real talking point memos unlike the right.

Which is why we laugh at the generalizations you constantly toss around about us. In 15 years, it kind of makes the right look sad and old, like someone's grandpa still worried that the commies are gonna git 'em.

What is this: "But every Progressive you meet thinks they can do it better because they care more."

It sure sounds like misconstruing "words to fit the caricature of your perception."

And please not here, Guad, I'm not twisting your words, I'm merely using them to illustrate your own hypocrisy.

(And really, being progressive isn't about caring more, it's about doing the smart thing for all of us.)

And that caricature of a Progressive is straight out of the Right Wing Playbook that has been used over and over and over every since Rush Limbaugh was given a microphone.

When you claim your words are being twisted, that reflects more on you and your ability to communicate whatever it is your trying to communicate ("Maryland heartland good cuz of conservative beliefs, Baltimore city bad cuz of liberals" is the gist I'm getting) than it does anyone else.

Guad, you don't really seem to have a point. And you seem to be spittin' mad at the same time. You seem to have opinions based more on feeling than fact. And you don't seem to fully comprehend the counterpoints you are presented with.

Maybe you could take a breath and in one post try to coherently state your point?

Otherwise, this has devolved into non-productive name calling. And if I wanted that, I'd be posting comments over on the New Republic or Weekly Standard blogs.

[Rusty Chompers]

Oh, and thanks. I accept your congratulations for winning our debate.

[stevo]

"take notes" Guad? Sure glad you're not being condescending. Industrialized nations have lower population, (and sometimes negative), growth rates? Thanks, I knew that already, learned it in a public high school, along with the concept of there not being liberal fascists. (remember that lil' chestnut of yours Guad?, priceless).
Anyhow, you take alledged stats. re Italy's population and say, "see, it's gonna cripple their economy re, entitlements"
Nope, bullshit.
"Doom and Gloom, Doom and Gloom", yeah well, eventually every civilization crumbles, so again, I guess it's you and the timing issue again. I do think you need to look at benefits, not just costs, of government programs. Public education for all improves lives and increases the quality of the work force, it also entices more people to come to that area, highways and bridges that work, (i'm looking at you, GOP run Minnesota), increase and enhance commerce, retirement programs insure higher quality of living for seniors, encourages more people to move there, no poor houses!, etc.
"GM can't afford health benefits", yeah, sure Guad, 'cos corporations NEVER lie, the leaders of corps. never lie to the public nor their work force by saying things like "buy our stock! buy our stock!" while they are secretly selling all of theirs.
You may want to entertain the notion that GM corp. leaders just bitch about environmental constraints and benefits to get more of what they want at the present and/or the future.
You may also want to entertain the notion that GM as well as other corps. have gotten so fucking big that they trot out a line of shit cars and still get bailouts from the government when they fuck up horrendously.
I proposed the term "corporate socialism", (which i'm against, by the way), a company can fuck up continously, repeatedly, and still exist, simply because it's fucking huge.
The airlines kept taking short cuts and as a result 9-11 occurred. There were bills that congress attempted to pass that would require stronger doors to cockpits but it got shot down by big business, "damn libs. always regulatin'" yeah, how'd that work out? Then no one wants to fly, and then the folks that are against gov't regulation suddenly want a bailout.
These corps are so fucking greedy they fuck themselves over long term just for the immediate short term.
Beef/Cattle industry? same thing. they keep taking short cuts, bitching about regulation, after awhile no one buys, because they know their product sucks and will make them sick.
Banks didn't fail because they had too much government regulation, they failed because the government didn't regulate them enough. %120 percent loans? are you fucking kidding me? "Educated" CEOs okayed this, that behavior is on par with any desperate crackhead you will ever meet.

"immigration is bastardizing cultures"
That's a really screwed up notion. "culture" however, is a funny word, what makes "culture"? Typically, the people like yourself use it when it's convenient to do so. Is Walmart "culture"? "football"? It's such a loose, and relative term.
I assume you're not riding on a horse with your butter churn, saying "ye olde" this, and "hail Goodman Rusty Choppers" etc. so cultures do tend to change, along with language etc.

[Guadalupe]

Interesting responses again. I hit my points as clearly as can be done on a blog. Once again you both ramble about everything other than what I said. I'm not mad. I'm used to this babble. Neither of you maintain any form of civility in your hostile responses. If either of you question a fact that I present CHALLENGE IT...........................................................Are those crickets I hear?????

[Amboy Dukes]

Hahahahaha.

Anyone else smell crazy?

[stevo]

If the facts don't have relevance, I'm not bothering to look them up.
Ya know, you kind of lost me when started up with the "liberal fascism" "liberal military juntas". You don't know what you are talking about. Yes in Italy, like other industrialized nations, they have low population growth. They handle it, they have and they will. Citing a fact that is vaguely associated with your assertion is not proving anything. If you want to cite a fact, cite how long Italy has had massive social programs or "old europe" for that matter.
You also asserted that europe was on the ropes, and then when I called you on your bull, your only response to this was, "oooh just you wait..."
not a very compelling answer

[Guadalupe]

Stevo. You don't think the facts I stated have relevance to the future of Europe's economy? Do you realize that France's retiree problem is now Italy's financial burden now that there is an E.U? I am respectfully open to you challenging any of my facts regarding Europe. How did Italy handle low birth rates in the past? Were immigrants (primarily from North Africa and the Middle East) an issue then? I said "I don't know when or if Europe's economy will implode but it is certainly safe to say the outlook is not optimistic." You read "oooh just you wait..." As if I'm cheering for it's demise. Musslini was a fascist who was propelled to power by the force and popularity of the Socialist party that gained power and strength after the devastation and destruction of Europe after WW1. So my answer to your question is that Italy's government has been rooted in socialist doctrine (of varying degrees)for about 85 years now.

[Guadalupe]

One more question. Could you please cite examples of idustrialized nations experiencing low birth rates to it's naturally born citizens?