Why Are We Voting Against Our Best Interests? Angela Chavez on Manipulation and Political Power - New Episode
Are you tired of being fed horseshit?
Do you remember voting in your first election? For me it was 1996 (not 1998, like I said in this episode), and Bill Clinton came to visit us at Penn. It was an outdoor rally and all I really remember was that all the surrounding buildings had soldiers (Secret Service?) on the roofs.
I was young and naive, but hopeful. And excited!
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of that going around right now. So my guest Angela and I wanted to reframe that sentiment!
PS: this is probably the last new episode for 2024. Producing a virtual event and a podcast simultaneously has frankly been too rough, and I’m taking a much needed break for a while.
Unless something really bizarre happens on November 5th…if you’re not already registered to vote, you can find out how here.
Episode Description
As we gear up for another contentious election cycle, it's prudent to ask: why do we keep voting against our own best interests? Angela Chavez, Director of Communications for Courage California and a childfree Latina, explains it very plainly: because we're being manipulated by immensely well-funded propaganda, all day and every day.
The 2020 Proposition 22 campaign is a prime example of this!
So how do we find out the truth behind the constant disinformation crusades that play on our emotions about crime and homelessness, swaying us to vote against the greater good? Angela educates us about the tools that Courage California provides for CA citizens to make those informed choices (these tools exist in all states too!), like the Courage Score legislators receive on their voting records.
Angela also challenges conventional narratives about political success—emphasizing that elections are less about "winning" and more about "moving the needle" toward meaningful progress. And how much of that work is done down ballot, not at the federal level.
Finally, Angela shares actionable steps for young voters (and all of us) to take so we can overcome election apathy to create real change.
Voting for change is a group project, and the very least all of us can do on November 5th is show up to vote. Groups like Courage California have already done all the homework for us. So if we all want to get an A+, get out the vote and encourage everyone around you to send in their ballots, too.
The childless cat ladies are watching!🧙♀️🐈⬛
About Angela:
I’m the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Courage California, the Founding Director of Chicas Latinas de Sacramento from 2009 to 2024. I oversee the strategic communications for Courage California’s 501(c)(4), 501(c)(3), and PACs, on progressive statewide and regional legislation, electoral, and issue-based campaigns. I have my BA in Journalism and was a reporter in the central valley for a bit.
We’ll be weeks away from ballots dropping for the 2024 Election when this episode airs. Courage California will have endorsed candidates (including Gascon) and propositions will have (or will be) launching our statewide and customizable voter guide. It will be at the end of the legislative calendar and paying attention to who the bad actors were in the leg. this year to update our Annual Courage Score, early next year — but users can look at it now to see how our legislators voted last year when filling out their ballot.
Our organization works to educate via our C3 (Courage California Institute) provide tools to help voters vote their values at the ballot box, and help Californians hold their representatives accountable via our Courage Score.
In addition to all this fun stuff — I’ll be paying close attention to different issue spaces in both the legislative and election spaces, including public safety, abortion access, campaign finance, voter suppression, and mis/disinformation and AI.
Follow Angela on Instagram, and as well as Courage California
Extended Show Notes
Because there were many facts to back up in this episode, I’m dropping the extended show notes here for you (which you can also access on the website):
How to confirm your voter registration status in ALL states
Courage California tools
Texas’ strict abortion laws may be fueling tragic trend: 6 babies abandoned in Harris Co. since June
Amazon workers stage walkout at Palmdale warehouse as part of union fight with company
Investing in Public Safety: The Influence of Police Unions and Associations
The Business Model of Private Prisons/The Problem With Private Prisons
Who Prisons for Profits donate to (summarized):
GEO Group: $1,776,990 in contributions
Core Civic: $440,860 in contributions
LCS Corrections Services: $7,900 in contributions
Investigative: California Banned Private Prisons, but Not Really
Facebook misinformation post about Haitians: ‘It just exploded’: Springfield woman claims she never meant to spark false rumors about Haitians
Legislative Analyst’s Office’s Fiscal Impact Estimate Statement on California Proposition 36
The Rancho Palos Verdes landslide keeps accelerating. Can the city slow it down?
Episodes on media bias:
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