What the Founders Would Say Today: Civics, Compromise, and Culture (Ep. 216)

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on a hectic week at the Asylum Studios in Eagle Pass and kick off a thoughtful conversation with political economist and author Werner Neff. Despite last‑minute inspection chaos at my day job and some live-show tech gremlins, Werner and I dive deep into civic culture, democratic norms, and why polarization is eroding trust in America. Drawing on his Swiss background and his book, “What Would the Founding Fathers Tell Us Today?”, Werner explores how republics function best when citizens practice compromise, respect constitutional limits, and engage in real debate rather than party-line tribalism. We cover gerrymandering, the two-party stranglehold, the value of civic education, and practical steps for communities to strengthen democracy. The hour wraps with programming updates and a candid note on schedule changes for the rest of the week. Resources mentioned include Werner’s website and his recommended read on democratic backsliding. I also share ways to stay connected with the show and upcoming episodes, including our crypto segment and Sunday Bible study, while leaving out sponsor chatter so you can focus on the conversation that matters.

Guest: Werner Neff — political economist; author of “What Would the Founding Fathers Tell Us Today?” Topic highlights: civic trust, polarization, gerrymandering, two‑party dynamics, ethical leadership, and practical civics.

Guests:
Werner Neff

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