In which I try to answer your questions about modern politics.... In today’s Politics Chat: Socialism is a system in which the government owns the means of production. After the Civil War, opponents of Black voting used the term socialism to attack Black political participation. Two days before congressionally mandated sanctions on Russia were set to take effect, Trump said he would waive them. Russia has proposed a trilateral meeting with Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping to decide the fate of Ukraine. Ukrainian forces lost control of their drones when Starlink slowed during one of the worst bombardments of the war. The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk ordered the slowdown. Europe and Canada are working to build their own satellite systems. Republicans in Congress say they are frustrated with Trump’s actions, but they have not moved to stop him. Trump announced $8 billion for farmers, but payment rates will not be announced until after the election. From Politics Chat, October 20, 2026 The live streamed version is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfxDhIVonqI Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe 250 to 250 | Follow Along https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2dS6uX1RkUzLppeUrqtvApwnR6whO7I_ You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson?sub_confirmation=1 © 2026 Heather Cox Richardson. All Rights Reserved. All content in this video is protected by copyright. Reproduction, distribution, or re-uploading, in whole or in part, without prior written consent is prohibited.