A Conversation with Seth Magaziner

Seth Magaziner and I met when he ran for, and served as, Rhode Island State Treasurer for eight years. I asked that we make this conversation non-partisan, to which he agreed, and as always was gracious with his time and accessibility. We talk about his view of the three biggest issues he sees facing America: climate change, income and opportunity inequality, and the rise of non-democratic movements inside and outside of the country. He talks about the House of Representatives as the purest elected part of government, since Senators can be appointed by governors when the office falls vacant, and the President is actually placed in office by the Electoral College. (Originally and Constitutionally, Senators were appointed by state legislatures and there was no popular vote until the 17th Amendment in 1913.) The discussion covered Ukraine, a war that originally was to see Russia in Kiev in two weeks, and is now in its 500th+ day with Russia on the defensive. I asked what we learned about our own military preparedness. Seth is optimistic that polarization will be lessened, and wants to ensure that the debt ceiling is never again used as a bargaining chip by either party. He points out that there are many bipartisan discussions, agreements, and bills passed that don’t always make the media even now. He told me that he was surprised by “how nice people are in the House”! I surprised him by recommending Washington’s Café Milano, the restaurant where the food is supposed to be mediocre but the neutrality is top priority and power brokers from both parties enjoy meals together. I did tell him reservations are tough and he may have to call on Ms. Pelosi to get a table!

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