How State Governments Can Solve America's Biggest Problems Ft. Michael Bedenbaugh

Join us for an engaging conversation with Michael Bedenbaugh, a respected voice in historic preservation, community development, and constitutional governance. As the former president and executive director of Preservation South Carolina and current host of "Reviving Our Republic," Michael brings a unique perspective that bridges America's founding principles with modern political challenges.

About Our Guest

Michael's impressive background spans military service (five years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS South Carolina), corporate leadership (former CEO of Post No Bills, Inc.), and grassroots governance (city council member and county Board of Zoning Appeals chair). His dedication to community revitalization earned him South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, awarded by Governor Henry McMaster.

Episode Highlights

In this thought-provoking discussion, we explore Michael's bold proposals for constitutional and electoral reform, including:

• Campaign Finance Reform: Restricting political donations to qualified individual voters only
• Legislative Transparency: Ending omnibus bills and requiring single-subject legislation
• Electoral System Overhaul: Implementing ranked choice voting and reforming the Electoral College
• Constitutional Amendments: Distinguishing between natural persons and corporations in law
• Federal Debt Management: Creating definable plans for debt reduction
• State vs. Federal Power: Repealing the 17th Amendment and strengthening state governance
• Military Service Reform: Establishing state-based home guard training programs

Key Discussion Points

We dive deep into the tension between federal influence and state sovereignty, examining why Americans often overlook state government importance despite its closer connection to daily life. Michael challenges conventional wisdom about voting reform, government accountability, and the role of states in preserving constitutional principles.

Why This Matters

Michael's perspective offers a fresh take on bridging political divides through constitutional originalism and community-focused governance. His approach combines historical reverence with practical solutions, making complex political theory accessible and actionable.

Connect with Michael:

• https://revivingourrepublic.com/

Purple Political Breakdown seeks to explore diverse viewpoints and foster meaningful dialogue across the political spectrum. This episode represents Michael Bedenbaugh's perspectives and does not necessarily reflect the views of the host or network.

Standard Resource Links & Recommendations

The following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation:

PODCAST NETWORK

ALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/

CONVERSATION PLATFORMS

HeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/

Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/

BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATION

OtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/

VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACY

Equal Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/star

Future is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse FutureisFutureis. Link: https://futureis.org/

POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT

Independent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/

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The Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."

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