Ep. 12 - Democrats, Deportations, and the Fight Over Who Gets the Microphone

This week on One More Thing, Shana, Jason, and Carrie cover everything from political messaging and civic discourse to party endorsements, public housing, immigration, and the future of Democratic organizing. What begins with stories from a recent trip to Washington, D.C., quickly evolves into a wide-ranging conversation about how institutions, activists, and everyday citizens respond when misinformation and harmful rhetoric become normalized.  Along the way, they discuss: • Why the America 250 celebrations feel very different from the Bicentennial many Americans remember •  A powerful story from a national housing conference and the challenge of confronting harmful political narratives in real time •  Whether patriotism, civic pride, and national identity have become politically polarized •  The Democrats’ path back to power in Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, and beyond •  Sherrod Brown, Amy Acton, and the surprising opportunities emerging in traditionally red states •  The ongoing debate over redistricting, political strategy, and whether Democrats should fight by the same rules Republicans use •  Party endorsements, local politics, and why some believe voters—not party insiders—should decide contested primaries •  The role of organizations like the City Club in an era where misinformation and free speech increasingly collide •  Concerns over voter suppression, immigration enforcement, and the treatment of families in detention centers •  The Ohio Organizing Collaborative controversy and fears about government intimidation of civic organizations •  Pop culture detours featuring Hunter, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, Gene Shalit, and memories of classic television critics and detectives The conversation is thoughtful, passionate, and occasionally hilarious, exploring what civic engagement looks like in a political environment where many people feel the rules—and the conversations themselves—have fundamentally changed. Whether discussing local ward politics or national elections, the hosts wrestle with one central question: how do you defend democratic values without becoming what you're fighting against?