Ed Burmila

@edburmila

Ed Burmila is a Chicago-based writer and host of Mass for Shut-ins, a podcast of leftist politics and historical arcana. He is the author of Chaotic Neutral: How the Democrats Lost Their Soul in the Center (Bold Type Books).

A MAGA sign in front of the Washington Monument at a Jan 6 Trump rally.

“MAGA Republican” Is a Distinction Without a Difference “MAGA Republican” Is a Distinction Without a Difference

Ten MAGA Republicans and 10 “normal” Republicans happy to play along are, in practice, 20 MAGA Republicans.

Sep 16, 2022 / Ed Burmila

Biden speaking

How Biden Can Save Democracy From the GOP How Biden Can Save Democracy From the GOP

The president needs bold plans to hold back an increasingly authoritarian Republican Party.

Apr 11, 2022 / Ed Burmila

President Biden Delivers Remarks On Administration's Covid-19 Response

Can Making Politics Boring Save American Democracy? Can Making Politics Boring Save American Democracy?

The Democrats are betting that making politics seem normal will appeal to enough voters to overcome GOP voter suppression efforts.

Aug 20, 2021 / Ed Burmila

Nancy Pelosi

Democrats Should Just Create More Federal Holidays Democrats Should Just Create More Federal Holidays

Arguing that Americans work too much is a winning political message.

Jun 4, 2021 / Ed Burmila

The Election Nobody Won

The Election Nobody Won The Election Nobody Won

A narrow Biden victory offers four years of gridlock—and that’s the best-case scenario.

Nov 5, 2020 / Ed Burmila

Donald Trump

Cancel the Presidential Debates—Permanently Cancel the Presidential Debates—Permanently

We’d gain precious minutes of our lives that we might otherwise be tempted to waste.

Sep 21, 2020 / Ed Burmila

With Executive Powers, Trump Can Legally Unleash Global Chaos

With Executive Powers, Trump Can Legally Unleash Global Chaos With Executive Powers, Trump Can Legally Unleash Global Chaos

Congress must never again assume presidents will be fundamentally decent folks.

Sep 8, 2020 / Ed Burmila

What Populism Is and Is Not

What Populism Is and Is Not What Populism Is and Is Not

Thomas Frank’s history of anti-populism helps clarify one of the most contested terms in politics. 

Aug 19, 2020 / Ed Burmila

You’re Only As Free as You Are Wealthy

You’re Only As Free as You Are Wealthy You’re Only As Free as You Are Wealthy

Without real economic freedom, Americans cling to petty acts of refusal.

Jul 20, 2020 / Ed Burmila

When Centrists Sounded Like Bernie

When Centrists Sounded Like Bernie When Centrists Sounded Like Bernie

If the Democratic Party won’t listen to the left, it should at least listen to itself from 30 years ago.

Apr 7, 2020 / Ed Burmila

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