We rarely lie to the American people! Milo, the great

Episodes

March 23, 2023

Sam Holloway—This City…

According to the Sun-Times, progressives are split in the mayor’s race. Ben riffs. And Sam Holloway, political analyst and firefighter, returns to give a leftist take on Chicago politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do…

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March 22, 2023

"Where's JB?" & Monroe Anderson

In the part of his life when he wasn’t a “lifelong Democrat”, Paul Vallas went on the Dan Proft Show to rip Governor Pritzker’s COVID policies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson ponders the question: Is Vallas a MAGA Man or a MAGA-lite Man? And what’s the difference? Also, what’s up with Bobby Rush? And a…

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March 22, 2023

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza—Kicked To The Curb

At the height of the pandemic, police officers risked their health to do their jobs—just like firefighters, nurses, bus drivers and other front line employees. But when it came time to pay pensions to cops who got sick with COVID, the mayor’s pension board had hearts of stone. Susana Mendoza tells …

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March 21, 2023

Anderson & Walden--CRT In The Mayor's Campaign

Paul Vallas weighs in on Critical Race Theory—God help us all. Ben riffs. And Tiffany Walden, editor of the Triibe, joins Ben and Monroe to talk race and politics in the mayor’s campaign. Also, a word or two about Trump and the Georgia grand jury. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an…

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March 20, 2023

Oh, What A [Past] Week—"Countdown to Ecstasy"

It’s that time of the week. Ben & Dr. D riff on everything from Lightfoot to Biden to Trump to Bailey to more. As in Michael Moore and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

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March 17, 2023

Oh, What A Week—Madigan & Vallas

After another week of lunacy in the news. Ben & comedian Pat Whalen review the wreckage. Including…the return of Michael J. Madigan, or at least his voice captured on FBI wiretaps. Prompting Ben to ask—what’s the difference b...

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March 17, 2023

David Faris--Political Performance Art

Roosevelt University Political Science Professor David Faris weighs in on the bizarre behavior of Republicans at President Biden's state of the union speech--booing him for pointing out that they're looking to cut social security. He also analyzes the latest column by New York Times writer Pamela P…

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March 16, 2023

"Walk it Back" & Marc Sims

Brandon Johnson & Paul Vallas walk back their positions on policing. Ben riffs. The Rachels make a surprise appearance to promote their upcoming comedy show. And podcaster Marc Sims talks mayors race. Including…Ja’Mal Green’s...

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March 16, 2023

Delmarie Cobb—The Machine Returns

Mayor Lightfoot’s pension board appointees deny benefits for cops disabled by COVID, including Susana Mendoza’s brother. Ben riffs. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb returns to talk mayoral election. In particular…Paul Vallas as The Great White Hope. And Lightfoot’s appeal to Black voters. An…

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March 15, 2023

"Back In Time" & Monroe Anderson

"Mainstream Chicago" confidently gearing up for Paul Vallas victory. Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson weighs in, explaining what "mainstream Chicago" really means. Also, is Chicago's City Council ready for independence? Short answer--no. Long answer--the same. And, what does MAGA mean when they say …

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March 15, 2023

Gregory Pratt--Just Three Weeks Ago…

Tribune political writer Gregory Pratt returns to give you the skinny on the race for mayor. Explaining things like...why Mayor Lightfoot and Ja'Mal Green are bashing Brandon Johnson. Whether Chuy lives in K-town (and why it apparently matters). Why Paul Vallas is up in the polls. How secret PACs t…

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March 14, 2023

State Rep. Lakesia Collins--Meanwhile, In Illinois…

State Rep. Lakesia Collins, chair of the House Black Caucus, returns to deliver her own state of the state. Including...the state of Governor Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch. Also, the state of the Republicans. and a few words about the mayor's race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…

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March 13, 2023

Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Ben’s Big Poll"

Another week, another mayoral poll. This from Mayor Lightfoot that shows she's ahead. As opposed to the Chuy poll that shows he's ahead. And the Vallas poll that shows he's ahead. And the Benny J poll that shows he's ahead. A...

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March 10, 2023

Oh, What A Week—The NYT Discovers Chicago

It’s the night after the debate and a week after endorsements so a lot to catch up on. Rachel Joravsky joins Ben to review the news, including…the NYT’s pathetic coverage of Chicago’s mayoral election. The Vallas fundraising edge. And a deep dive on Fox and Tucker and the insurrection. See Privac…

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March 10, 2023

Sean Estelle—Kicked Out Of City Hall!

Ben offers advice to mayoral candidate Jesus Garcia, not that he asked for it or would ever take it. Then Democratic Socialist activist Sean Estelle talks about getting kicked out of the City Council for…well, it’s not really certain why they got kicked out. Probably had something to do with opposi…

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March 9, 2023

Cassie Creswell--Beware Of Vouchers

Cassie Creswell, a member of Illinois Families For Public Schools, tells you everything you need to know about vouchers. That is, using public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition. Who wants them. Who profits from them. And how they will impact public schools. They're coming to Illinois. A…

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March 9, 2023

"Debate Prep” and Monroe Anderson & Kina Collins

The smartest brains in Chicago give advice to Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas in advance of tonight’s mayoral debate. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Kina Collins, former congressional candidate, talk mayoral politics. Includi...

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March 8, 2023

Dave Glowacz—City Council Sounds

Mayor Lightfoot goes after Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz returns for another segment of Sounds of the Council. Ben & Dave analyze the council’s recent debate on TIFs and Com Ed. Hear your alders in action. See ...

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March 7, 2023

Kina Collins—The Generation Divide

Paul Vallas is "surging" in the polls. Ben riffs. And former congressional candidate and gun-control advocate Kina Collins returns to take the deep dive on the mayor's race. Including answering the Marc Sims question about whether there are too many Black candidates. Also, she has a few words about…

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March 6, 2023

Michael Burton—Urban Spaceman

Activist, singer/songwriter Michael Burton sings a song about the long struggle to make Chicago an equitable and affordable place to live. Joining him on lead guitar is Josh Goldman. Enjoy the songs… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co…

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March 5, 2023

Rummana Hussain--Objectively Speaking

Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist--considers the question: Are millennial journalists more courageous than Boomer ones? Ben says yes. Rummana says, it's complicated. Also, a few words about her recent trip to India. And the word on Nikki Haley's campaign for president. See Pri…

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March 3, 2023

Oh, What A Week with Rachel Hinton

There’s a week of news to discuss and you can guess what the main topic is…the mayoral election. Joining Ben to beak it down is Rachel Hinton, reporter for the Illinois Answers Project. Topics…how did Lightfoot lose, the endorsement chess game, policing strategies going forward, and key aldermanic …

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March 3, 2023

Alderman Matt Martin—Ethics In Chicago

Alderman Matt Martin (47th) discusses ethics in Chicago. More specifically, his attempts to chair the city council’s ethics committee. Also, why it’s prudent, practical and ethical for the council to hold off on approving the Com Ed deal. And which mayoral candidates are doing well in his north si…

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March 2, 2023

David Faris--Liar, Liars…

Political scientist David Faris has a lot of questions on his mind. Will Republicans oust Trump from their party? Well, we know they won't. But can they devise a nice way to encourage him to move aside so he won't destroy the party? Not sure about that either. Can they find a place for George Santo…

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