If you’re anywhere close to Minneapolis, consider coming to Law & Society and taking in a presentation on the Roberts Court’s efforts to privatize democracy. http://ww5.aievolution.com/lsa1401/index.cfm?do=ev.pubSearchEvents

Today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution’s headline article, It’s Deal vs. Carter, admirably gets to the point: “Gov. Nathan Deal heads into his re-election summer and fall bolstered by…campaign checks flowing in from big statehouse interests…[b]ut battling ethics questions.” And what should we know about Carter? He’s “a fresh-faced Democratic opponent with a famous name who can raise money from Georgia millionaires, D.C. lobbyists and Hollywood big shots.” While money isn’t the only thing that matters, the story is an important reminder: without major donors and vested interests on their side no politician stands a chance. Moneyed interests are the gatekeepers. The vote is just a referendum on candidates who are successful in the market for favorable donations and expenditures. If big spenders of one sort or another don’t approve of a candidate, you’ll never get to vote on that candidate. That’s the general rule and a reminder that our system of government is not at all what it claims to be.

Nothing like a coup to make you feel fortunate to have the luxury of facing off against a court not a general. http://nyti.ms/1mdmh8n

Please consider coming to a book presentation in Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Madrid, Barcelona, Minneapolis, or Providence! Updated schedule available here.