Stephen Erickson joins host T.J. O'Hara on this week's podcast to discuss his latest book, "What Would Madison Do? The Political Journey Progressives and Conservatives Must Make Together."

The two delve into key issues raised in the book, the parallels between the challenges Madison faced and those in the present political climate, as well as Erickson's experience in the political realm and the insight he provides into a partisan system.

It was perhaps only a matter of time before revelations emerged that disgraced former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, groped women while serving as a Congressman.

On MSNBC this week, Congresswoman Diana DeGette said while they were colleagues, Filner tried to pin her to the elevator and kiss her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4J8Z09zHXA

Video Credit: Protect Our Defenders

Military sexual assault (MST) is a problem that went under-acknowledged for decades. However, thanks to the documentary The Invisible War and other attempts to bring the issue to light, fewer sexual assaults are occurring and a greater percentage are being reported.

It looks like San Diego's hemp farms and manufacturing sites will be concentrated to three areas of the city: Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, and near the Mexican border.

Kearny Mesa and Mira Mesa both fall under District 6, currently Councilman Chris Cate's district.

Last week, 78 proposals were submitted to open marijuana related businesses in San Diego. Of the 78, 67 are targeted for one of those communities.

Most of that is because of the strict zoning regulations that limit pot properties across the city.

President Trump has radically increased the number of U.S. airstrikes overseas.

That should trouble America's voices on the antiwar left and non-interventionist right. Especially since this increase follows up on Obama's own drastic increase in U.S. drone strikes over the Bush administration.

And the Bush administration itself was the subject of intense criticism for drastically increasing the amount of U.S. bombings overseas compared to the Clinton era.

The time for independent leaders to change our political system for the better is here.

Actionable Ways to Establish More Successful Third-Party Campaigns

It's no secret — American voters are fed up. In the 2016 presidential elections, nearly half of all eligible voters did not bother to go to the polls. A good deal of the frustration stems from the fact that Americans are fed up with our current two-party system.

San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez was elected to serve City Council District 8 in 2010.

Since then he's served on a number of committees and ran for mayor in 2013.

Alvarez announced recently that he intends to run for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors representing District 1 in 2020 when Greg Cox is termed out.

Of the United States’ many political problems, one glaring issue is the fact that we have a two-party system representing a wide array of opinions.

It’s a bigger problem than most people think. While independents make up over one-third of US registered voters -- and generally they remain almost entirely unrepresented in Congress -- people within each party disagree wildly.

There are some Alabama voters who are considering writing in a candidate in the upcoming special Senate election. These voters are concerned about multiple allegations that GOP candidate Roy Moore sexually harassed and abused minors when he was a local district attorney.