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Is Tom Steyer the solution to our dysfunctional politics?

Is Tom Steyer the solution to our dysfunctional politics?

FromThe Gray Area with Sean Illing


Is Tom Steyer the solution to our dysfunctional politics?

FromThe Gray Area with Sean Illing

ratings:
Length:
66 minutes
Released:
Feb 3, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Tom Steyer has worked for Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. He made his billions running a hedge fund for decades before moving into progressive activism on causes like democratization, climate change, and impeaching Donald Trump. Now, he is running for president of the United States. 
Steyer’s primary message on the campaign trial is that we need to get money, lobbyists and corporate influence out of politics. At the same time, he is the living embodiment of much of what he thinks is broken about our system. He used his wealth as a shortcut onto the presidential debate stage and, in doing so, essentially wrote the playbook for any future billionaire who decides they want a shot at winning the highest office in the land. 
So, is Steyer the solution to our dysfunctional politics -- or is he part of the problem? That question is a lot bigger than Steyer himself. It is about the kinds of people we think will best represent the interests of non-billionaires. It is about the sort of influence we think wealth should have in our society. It is about whether, in our current political moment, we want to trust the arsonists to put out the fires they helped create.
I’ll let you decide the answer.
Book recommendations:
The Holy Bible
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Good Assassin by Paul Vidich

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Credits:
Engineer - Cynthia Gil
Producer - Jeff Geld
Researcher - Roge Karma
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Released:
Feb 3, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Winner of the 2020 Webby and People's Voice awards for best interview podcast. Ezra Klein brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. Want to know how Stacey Abrams feels about identity politics? How Hasan Minhaj is reinventing political comedy? The plans behind Elizabeth Warren’s plans? How Michael Lewis reads minds? This is the podcast for you. Produced by Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.