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CTP Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
CTP (S3E109) The Hidden Agenda of Ranked Choice Voting
We examine the deceptively marketed Ranked Choice Voting initiative brewing in Michigan and why it's designed to manipulate electoral outcomes rather than empower voters.
• RCV sounds reasonable in theory but implementation is deliberately misleading
• Alaska's experience shows how RCV protected establishment candidates like Lisa Murkowski
• The 100-word ballot proposal summary dedicates only 5 words to actually mentioning RCV
• Left-leaning organizations push RCV because their analysis shows it advantages their candidates
• Third-party voters on the left reliably rank mainstream Democrats as second choice, creating asymmetrical advantage
• Ballot initiatives frequently hide their true intent behind populist-sounding electoral reforms
• When in doubt about complex ballot proposals, the safest approach is usually to vote "no"
This Michigan initiative could soon spread to other states - understand how it works before it arrives in your state.
Check buzzsprout version Transcript for related links

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CTP (S3EJulSpecial3) Buddhism as Philosophy, Not Religion
Exploring more of the world of fascinating Guests, Health, Human Nature, Music / Movies, Mysterious, Politics, Social Issues, and much more
G. Scott Graham joins us to explore how Buddhist philosophy and its ethical precepts can complement rather than contradict Christian values, breaking down misconceptions about Buddhism as strictly religious. We discuss how the Eight Precepts offer a framework for mindful living that can benefit people of all faiths, focusing on mental volition rather than rigid rules.
• Buddhism functions more as a philosophy than a religion in many contexts
• You can be a "Christian Buddhist" by adopting philosophical principles without religious worship
• Scott shares his journey working in corrections and discovering Buddhist meditation
• The Eight Precepts include abstaining from killing, stealing, lying, and intoxicants
• Mental volition and intent matter more than the action itself
• Buddhist ethics focus on reducing agitation and finding personal balance
• Practicing these principles can help address underlying insecurities
• Gray areas exist in all ethical frameworks, requiring personal discernment
• Buddhist practice encourages trying principles to see if they benefit you
• Understanding Buddhist philosophy doesn't make someone "less Christian"
Find G. Scott Graham's book "Living the Eight Precepts: How Ancient Buddhist Ethics Can Help People" anywhere books are sold or visit gscottgraham.com

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Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, and beyond
CTP (S3E108) Plant, Don't Preach: The Christian's Guide to Meaningful Impact (aka: Memes part 2 episode)
We explore the critical balance between prayer and action in Christian life, focusing on the principle that our job is to plant seeds while God's role is to change hearts. This episode challenges the notion that prayer alone is sufficient, urging Christians to take meaningful action in alignment with biblical teachings.
• Christians must understand the balance between human responsibility and divine intervention
• Prayer must be accompanied by action—"Change from wicked ways" implies personal responsibility
• Like gardening, we must plant seeds of goodness before expecting God to help them grow
• Inaction makes us complicit in the evil that results—"Only thing required for evil to prevail is good people do nothing"
• Getting off our knees and taking action is essential to seeing God's work manifested

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