Air Date: 8/07/2018 Today we take a look at a few of the reasons the Democrats went from controlling both houses of Congress and the presidency 10 years ago to being completely out of power today and then lay out a series of steps the left can take to return to power Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991   Episode Sponsors:  Better Help  |  Amazon USA  | Amazon CA  |  Amazon UK  Support Best of the Left on Patreon!   SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Thomas Frank explains how the Democrats lost so much in such a short time - Start Making Sense from @TheNation - Air Date 7-5-18 Just eight years ago Democrats held not only the presidency but both houses of Congress. How did they lose so much in such a short time? Thomas Frank explains the disaster, and how, for millions of people, the recession of 2008 has never ended.  Ch. 2: The Democratic Autopsy Report (w:Jeff Cohen) - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date 06-25-18 Progressive organizations got to together to analyze how the Trump was able to beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 to make sure it never happens again! Ch. 3: THE MIDTERMS MINUTE (Primaries) - Support Progressives in Alaska and Wyoming on 8.21 - Best of the Left Activism Ed Ayers speaks to Smithsonian political curator Jon Grinspan about how young people went from fierce partisans to independent voters by the end of the 19th century. Ch. 4: Youth declaring their independence - Backstory - Air Date: 04-13-18 Sean McElwee, co-founder of Abolish ICE and one of many players involved in the recent flurry of progressive activity explains the strategy to move the Overton Window to the left. Ch. 5: How Fringe Ideas Become Policy - On the Media - Air Date 6-21-18 Even though the New Deal Style policies of Bernie Sanders are derailed by the corporate media, Republicans and the Morbidly Rich, these so-called "radical far left policies" are actually favored by the majority of Americans. Ch. 6: The Radical Left Wing Policies Most Americans Want Right Now - @Thom_Hartmann - Air Date: 03-08-18 Writer Eliane Glaser calls for the left to return to politics and reclaim the power of ideology, authority and the state - as a way to unify a working class splintered into identity groups in the absence of mainstream organizing. Ch. 7: Eliane Glaser on why the left must return to politics and power - This is Hell - Air Date 5-8-18   VOICEMAILS Ch. 8: Progressivism = Scientific Method + Common Decency - Tom from Toronto Ch. 9: Understanding neuro-political elasticity - Dee Dee from Philly Ch. 10: Progressivism takes the need for working together into account - Nick from California Ch. 11: Fighting capitalism while falling prey to it - Angela from Sacramento, CA   Ch. 12: Final comments on progressivism, borders, collectivism and capitalism   THE MIDTERMS MINUTE: Check on candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats | Brand New Congress | DSA | Latino Victory | Our Revolution Phone bank with Justice Democrats “Justice Dialer”  & Brand New Congress GOTV Dialer Check your state registration deadlines and voter ID laws with rockthevote.org For an easy way to donate to candidates, check out DownTicket.comon your mobile browser. “15 Ways to Help a Campaign Win Their Election” (Political Charge) August 21st Primaries: ALASKA(Reg. Deadlines: Primary: July 22nd / General: Oct. 7th) Early voting happening now! Find locations  Governor - Mark Begich and Dana Call U.S. House At Large - Dimitri Shein(Dem) vs. Alyse Galvin(Ind) WYOMING(Reg. Deadlines: Primary: Aug. 6th or day-of in-person / General: Oct. 22nd) Governor: Mary Throne  vs. Ken Casper vs. Rex Wilde U.S. House At Large - Greg Hunter vs. Travis Helm Heads up for Nov. 6th! U.S. Senate - Gary Trauner (uncontested in primary) Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman    MUSIC: Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr  Rapids - Grey River (Blue Dot Sessions) Derailed - The Depot (Blue Dot Sessions) Tar and Spackle - Plaster (Blue Dot Sessions) Glass Runner - Marble Run (Blue D