America From Scratch
What if we made "America From Scratch" today rather than 250 years ago? Would 12-year-olds be allowed to vote? What if there were no states? Host Toussaint Morrison joins the PBS Digital Studios family to ask these big questions and celebrate the incredible opportunities represented by our ongoing American experiment. Produced by Rewire as part of the Twin Cities PBS "In It Together" initiative.
FULL EPISODES (16)
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Do We Elect Narcissistic Leaders?A study finds that politicians score higher than other professionals on the ...A study finds that politicians score higher than other professionals on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, with a spike in characteristics like superiority, arrogance, and entitlement. Do we ... -
Should Shelter Be a Right?In Maslow's hierarchy of needs he lists shelter at the base of the pyramid ...In Maslow's hierarchy of needs he lists shelter at the base of the pyramid making it one of the few things most essential for survival. Today over half a million people live without permanent shelter ... -
What if Protesting Was Illegal?1 in 5 Americans have participated in a protest since 2016. Protests have ...1 in 5 Americans have participated in a protest since 2016. Protests have dominated national news headlines for the last few years, but what if these protests were illegal? Toussaint talks to Alicia ... -
Should We Pay People to Move to Mars?How long until people are permanently living on Mars, and how will we convince ...How long until people are permanently living on Mars, and how will we convince them to go there? In this episode of "America From Scratch" we explore the ways the government could motivate people to ... -
Should the USA Build a Wall on BOTH of its Borders?In this episode of "America From Scratch" we explore the security gaps on our ...In this episode of "America From Scratch" we explore the security gaps on our northern border, as well as why our southern border gets so much media attention. Former federal prosecutor Matt Pinsker ... -
Should we police our police?The people of the United States are not united on how they view law enforcement ...The people of the United States are not united on how they view law enforcement officers. But the majority would like to see some type of police reform. If we started over today, would we increase ... -
Should we have more than 2 major political parties?We blame a lot of our political dysfunction and polarization on our two-party ...We blame a lot of our political dysfunction and polarization on our two-party system. So why do we keep it around? How did we get here? And what would happen if we had a lot more major parties? Host ... -
Should we make voting mandatory?Imagine being required to vote by penalty of law. Sound a little extreme? Maybe. ...Imagine being required to vote by penalty of law. Sound a little extreme? Maybe. But for other countries around the world, it’s a reality, and it helps get people to the polls. Meanwhile, in the ... -
Should we have mandatory military service?More than 60 other countries require their adult citizens to serve in the ...More than 60 other countries require their adult citizens to serve in the military. If the U.S. were to start over today, would we make it a requirement? -
Should we elect our Supreme Court Justices?The right to an abortion, the right to marry, the Dred Scott decision—some of ...The right to an abortion, the right to marry, the Dred Scott decision—some of the United States' most controversial, historic and influential legal decisions have been made for us by a group of ... -
Should it be illegal for Facebook to sell your data?Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom of…private data? The United ...Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom of…private data? The United States Bill of Rights protects a great many freedoms but when it was drafted, our Founders had little idea that our ... -
Should the U.S. require half of its government to be female?Women make up about half of the U.S. population. But Congress is only 20 percent ...Women make up about half of the U.S. population. But Congress is only 20 percent women, and the U.S. lags behind more than 100 other countries when it comes to gender parity in government. Research ... -
Should we rewrite our constitution?The average lifespan of a country's constitution is 12 years. But the U.S. ...The average lifespan of a country's constitution is 12 years. But the U.S. Constitution has been around for more than 200. Is it time for a rewrite? And if we did re-do our user manual, who would lead ... -
What if there were no states?States: they're a fact of American life we take largely for granted. But why do ...States: they're a fact of American life we take largely for granted. But why do we need them at all? Some experts believe that chopping up our country in a different way would make a lot more sense. ... -
Should we have a president?We spend a lot of time thinking, worrying, debating—and, yes, fighting—over ...We spend a lot of time thinking, worrying, debating—and, yes, fighting—over who should be our president. But is that the best use of our political energy? In this episode of “America From ... -
Should 12-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?Voting age takes on new relevance today as young people across the country are ...Voting age takes on new relevance today as young people across the country are making their voices heard in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting earlier this year. Washington, D.C., ...
