We Need A Plan

No More Normal

The final presidential debate of 2020 got passing marks because the candidates managed to take turns. But rarely did they roll out the kind of action plans the moderator was looking for. She kept asking: If elected, what will you do about this big problem we are facing? Still, candidates did not venture into specifics. We think that was by design. The strategy was, make debate No. 1 so bad that by the time debate No. 2 comes around, expectations are so low, everyone will just be grateful it’s not incoherent shouting and call it good. But in a time with multiple crises pressing down on us, specific plans can pull people together, provide direction and alleviate anxiety. So that’s what this episode is all about. What do you want to hear candidates talking about? What kinds of plans and policies do you wish they were outlining before the public?

In episode 15, we hear from an array of people about the specifics they want to hear discussed by people seeking political power in this tumultuous time.

THE REAL DEBATE 2020

Executive Producer Marisa Demarco used to play a game with her stepchild when they were little. It was a presidential debate with the kiddo as a candidate and questions posed about real things happening in the world. Demarco would ask: "When you are president, how will you address this issue?" They would play for hours, until any of the adults around couldn't take it anymore. She wanted to pass along an interest and investment in the news, in the world. This week we invited two 10-year-olds to be presidential candidates, and we posed similar questions to what was asked in the second debate of 2020.

COVID 19 / PUBLIC HEALTH / HEALTH CARE ACCESS

• Barbara Webber – Executive Director, Health Action New Mexico
• Shelley Mann-Lev – Co-President, New Mexico Public Health Association
• Dr. Anthony Fleg – University Of New Mexico School of Medicine, Native Health Initiative
• Hunter Marshall – Frontline nurse and medical student

CLIMATE CHANGE / ENERGY

• Laura Paskus – Environmental Journalist
• John Ammondson – Advocate, Environment New Mexico
• Mariel Nanasi – Executive Director, New Energy Economy

IMMIGRATION

• Allegra Love – Director, Santa Fe Dreamers Project
• Rebecca Kitson – Immigration Attorney
• Jacqueline Stevens – Professor at Northwestern and Founding Director of the Deportation Research Clinic

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No More Normal is brought to you by Your New Mexico Government, a collaboration between KUNM, New Mexico PBS and the Santa Fe Reporter. Funding for our coverage comes from the New Mexico Local News Fund, the Kellogg Foundation and KUNM listeners like you, with support for public media provided by the Thornburg Foundation.