In this episode of American Angst 101, political historian and resident expert Michael Bailey takes center stage to explore a deceptively simple question: why do we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th? With Dale McConkey, Bailey delivers a captivating, wide-ranging treatise that combines historical insight, political theory, and cultural reflection. Intermixed with his typical wit, he considers several alternate dates that could logically serve as America’s national holiday—from the actual vote for independence on July 2nd, to the ratification of the Constitution, to the formal end of British rule—and explains why none capture the soul of the American experiment quite like July 4th does.

Bailey argues that what makes July 4th so profound is not the act of separation from Britain, but the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. These ideals—equality, natural rights, government by consent—form what he calls America’s “parchment regime,” an aspirational identity that the country has long failed to fully live out. He reflects on the enduring tension between these high ideals and the country’s lived history, including racism, exclusion, and inequality, and discusses how thinkers like Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. held America accountable to its own words. In the end, Bailey proposes that celebrating July 4th should not only be a patriotic ritual, but also a moment for civic self-reflection on how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

In this episode of American Angst 101, political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey unpacks one of the most pervasive myths in American politics: the presidential mandate. With insight, clarity, and a touch of dry wit, Bailey walks through why claims of sweeping public endorsement—often made by presidents right after elections—are both analytically weak and politically hazardous. From Bill Clinton’s healthcare push to George W. Bush’s Social Security rhetoric to Donald Trump’s wildly exaggerated “129-year mandate,” Bailey explains why the math doesn’t hold up and how this kind of talk often leads to executive overreach and missed opportunities for bipartisan cooperation.

Host Dale McConkey plays the role of the thoughtful instigator, asking pointed questions and inviting Bailey to explore how this rhetorical sleight of hand damages democratic norms and inflates public expectations. Together, they consider how the Founders designed a system built for slow, consensus-driven progress—and how mandate talk undermines that vision. Along the way, they wrestle with big questions about the role of political norms, the fragility of constitutional checks, and the moral costs of zero-sum politics. If you’ve ever wondered whether presidents really “speak for the people,” this episode is a must-listen.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Political scientist Michael Bailey brings his deep knowledge, sharp wit, and characteristic humility to this episode of American Angst 101, hosted by sociologist Dale McConkey. Launching from the massive “No Kings” protest—which coincided with a military parade and President Trump’s birthday—Bailey unpacks the historical, constitutional, and cultural significance of what many see as an unsettling alignment of military symbolism and political power. Through conversation both candid and insightful, he explores what makes this moment in American politics feel different: the erosion of institutional norms, the rhetoric of emergency, and the rise of executive overreach that blurs lines once held sacred.

As McConkey lobs thoughtful questions and occasional jokes from the sidelines, Bailey traces the shifting public trust in institutions, the symbolic appropriation of the flag, and the complicated history of American attitudes toward the military. Together they reflect on immigration enforcement, the role of fear and privilege, and the disturbing normalization of political violence. This isn’t a partisan rant—it’s a deeply informed reflection on how a republic checks power, and what happens when it doesn’t.

The views expressed on American Angst 101 are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.