The Jess Fields Show

We interview Rachel Cooper, Senior Policy Analyst in Health and Wellness at Every Texan, a progressive think tank based in Austin, Texas (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities). Every Texan is a nationally recognized progressive think tank that focuses on both state and federal issues.
Cooper spoke extensively and frankly about race relations and racial disparities in America, a timely topic given the continued protests and discussions borne out of the deaths of numerous unarmed African Americans in recent months, such as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
She also gave a detailed view of her view of what it is to be black in America, and where she believes racial bias exists within the nation.
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We interview Marc Levin, the Chief of Policy and Innovation for the Right on Crime Initiative at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank.
Levin is a nationally-recognized criminal justice reform advocate and researcher who has met with both President Obama and President Trump about his ideas.
Levin walks us through an enormous amount of information on criminal justice reform, including a substantial amount of studies and research related to racial disparities in the criminal justice system. This topic could not be any more relevant given the recent calls for reform in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
Marc asks the question of what would have happened to George Floyd, or to any other black man without resources, if he had not died? The criminal justice system, as he points out via research, is rife with disparities.
For a detailed discussion of the disparities related to race and income after an arrest occurs, go to about 1:01:00 in the interview.
He also explains how he has managed to get Republicans and conservatives on board with criminal justice reform, often considered a left-wing issue, and identifies clear opportunities for future reform of the criminal justice system.
This interview cites many studies and research papers, allowing for further research on the issue if you are interested.
This interview is coming out on Juneteenth, an appropriate time if ever to discuss the state of criminal justice reform and how that affects the black community.
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*** As a disclaimer I put on all of my interviews: I do not necessarily agree with everything, or even anything, that any of my guests say. My goal with this program is to provide good journalism: to bring out the facts about what is going on in our society.
This interview undoubtedly has some controversial material. Also, there is some bad language used by the guests during the interview. Please be advised beforehand, and use your best judgment in evaluating whatever any of my guests say or claim. Thank you. ***
We interview two Antifa / Anti-Capitalist activists from the Rocky Mountain Youth Liberation Front (YLF) in the area of Denver, Colorado.
They are "S", a man in his early 20s and "H", a woman in her early 20s. They self-identify as communists and advocate for a revolution to change the structure of government in the United States.
The YLF and other such organizations have been a presence in recent protests stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. "Antifa" has become a widely-searched term, but few have looked into what these groups are or advocate for.
It is important to note that Antifa / anti-fascist / anti-capitalist groups are decentralized and widely distributed, such as YLF groups. "S" and "H" bring to light some of the tactics and views of anti-capitalist, anti-fascist organizations and thus provide a great deal of information about this little-known corner of the political universe.
President Trump has recently called for Antifa to be designated a terrorist organization, although no specifics on how that would be done have yet been released.
Media inquiries: Please use the email given out in the last minute of the podcast.
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We interview 4 Texas Republican state representatives and a Republican state senator who have concerns about Texas' $295 Million contract with MTX Group.
Governor Abbott has defended the contract, but some legislative Republicans are beginning to have questions. Because Republicans control both the Texas House and Senate, these interviews may reveal a trend in the Republican caucus about where other legislators may come down on the issue.
In order:
- Rep. Briscoe Cain
- Rep. Valoree Swanson
- Rep. Cole Hefner
- Rep. James White
- Sen. Bob Hall

We interview Dr. Ryan Burge again, who raised the prospect of a SCOTUS battle months ago on this very podcast, in the wake of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death and the confirmation battle to replace her.
He explains how Democrats could use technicalities to block Trump’s nominee, how the election could be fraught with controversy, and what he sees as the future of American politics.
Dr. Burge is a professor or political science at Eastern Illinois University and an American Baptist pastor who frequently writes about the interaction between politics and religion in America.
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