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For Sept 13, 2019
Part 1
We interview Scott Braddock about the situation in Texas, where the GOP is self-destructing. Part of the problem is the division as demonstrated by the troubles of Speaker of the Texas House due to his meetings with Empowered Texans, a dark money group, and the intention to sabotage the campaigns of fellow Republicans. Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor, has broken with the NRA, a potent force and money source in Texas. If Texas were to hold an election today, access to guns would be a top issue. The governor is not likely to hold a special session on this topic very soon. Former issues in Texas have been property taxes and funding for public education. At present, guns are likely to be the main topic, especially among suburban women, who are increasingly more prone to vote Democratic. Senator Cornyn is facing primary challengers, even though he is Establishment Republican. If a Democrat wins any high office in Texas, it will be because the Republicans have divided themselves.
Part 2
We interview Sharon Cummings, Associate Dean and Professor of Social Work at the University of Tennessee on the topic of co-housing. In the past, when several generations of a family were more likely to live together, this was a form of co-housing that was based on familiar relationships. Today, families are more nuclear, and people live near other, non-related people. Many people do not even know their neighbors, because they are more mobile than in the past. What is proposed is intentional co-housing, based on common interests. In particular, senior co-housing was discussed. The advantages of having seniors only are that many older people are isolated, and need help in order to continue living within communities, rather than being placed in nursing home ghettoes. This would help with keeping social ties, within a co-housing situation and extending these ties to the community at large. There are several models of co-housing, some of which include younger residents. Co-housing can include complete communal living, where everything is owned in common, and a model in which each individual member of the community owns his/her/their housing unit, with common spaces shared. The notable feature of co-housing is that the management of the co-housing group is by the residents, rather than a corporation or management company. The movement was started in Denmark in the early 1980s, with the support of government. In the US, it will be necessary to change zoning regulations in order to accommodate these models.
