Independent Times is the source for independent voters' no-spin news and analysis. Welcome to the first podcast built for America’s largest voting bloc: 43% of voters now identify as independent, outpacing both Democrats and Republicans.

With trust in government at a record low of 22%, it's time to ask a critical question: What is our civic duty in fixing this mess?

Welcome back to Independent Times. Host Lisa Singer, along with co-hosts Leyla Gullen and Bryan Gallo, explores the "core covenant" of American citizenship, from George Washington’s promise to the JFK ideal. We argue that the independent majority is now responsible for restoring the republic.

We Unpack:

• The Core Covenant: The history and definition of the bargain: government provides protection and liberty, and citizens provide accountability and engagement.
• Duty vs. Responsibility: We examine the crucial role of independent voters in revitalizing a self-governing republic by fulfilling their civic duty and responsibility through active engagement, drawing inspiration from historical movements that leveraged the First Amendment to demand accountability.
• The First Amendment Superpowers: We demonstrate how independent changemakers throughout history, such as the Women's Suffragists and Civil Rights Protestors, activated their rights to force systemic change and held officials accountable:
• The Ongoing Fight: We examine the modern threat to voting rights, including the 79 restrictive laws passed since 2020 and the persistence of closed primaries in 22 states.

Timestamps:

00:00 | Title Sequence

00:44 | Clip: “JFK’s Famous Inaugural Address Passage, 1961.”

02:14 | Intro: George Washington's Core Covenant of Citizenship

05:16 | The Paradox of Apathy; Why Citizens Check Out

06:33 | The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance

07:49 | Clip: “The West Wing, Margaret Mead Quote.”

10:12 | The Purpose of Government is Human Happiness

11:29 | Clip: “Dave Chapele Hosts SNL: Douglass/Lincoln Lesson.”

14:06 | Superpowers of the American Citizen: The First Amendment Toolkit

15:15 | Civic Duty vs. Civic Responsibility: Formal vs. Proactive

17:49 | Clip: “Inn 2024 Frontline PBS Revisits 2020 Voters.”

19:24 History Proves Engagement Works: Voting and Protesting

20:46 | Clip: “BBC Interview With MLK on Peaceable Assembly.”

25:24 | Power to the People, Voting Rights Restrictions

27:42 | Clip: “Voting Rights Rollbacks, Shelby vs. Holder.”

30:19 | Clip: “LBJ Voting Rights Act Speech to Congress, 1965.”

32:11 | Our Independent Hero of the Week: The League of Women Voters

35:51 | 4 Things Independent Voters Must Do RIGHT NOW

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️ Independent Times – Season 1

Independent Times is the source for independent voters' news and analysis.