Jesse Pohlman

Jesse Pohlman is the founder and main author of The Progressive Cafe.

The Graham Platner Situation Requires Urgent Action.

Jun 4, 2026

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6 min read

The Graham Platner Situation Requires Urgent Action.

With yet even more sick news about this scoundrel (Derogatory) breaking today, it's time to have an uncomfortable conversation. Ranked choice offers us hope, here.

Jesse Pohlman

AOC

AOC Hits On A National Issue I'll Call "AI Water."

May 25, 2026

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6 min read

AOC Hits On A National Issue I'll Call "AI Water."

A classic display of water pollution propels Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez's "Fight Oligarchy" movement from "general" to "very specific."

Jesse Pohlman

May 24, 2026

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6 min read

My Beefs With AI “Art” (REDUX)

Look, I’m a writer, and I see my craft being devastated in real time. Here are my reasons for being against it, why it’s a bad thing, and why you shouldn’t use it.

Jesse Pohlman

The Global Oligarchic Party Thesis (REDUX)

May 24, 2026

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8 min read

The Global Oligarchic Party Thesis (REDUX)

Originally published on our old platform, we explore a framework which has helped me understand events dating back over a decade, and may prove helpful in understanding future Republican moves.

Jesse Pohlman

Sources We Recommend - Spring 2026 Version!

May 15, 2026

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7 min read

Sources We Recommend - Spring 2026 Version!

That's right, we're doing a rehash of an old article. These are some content creators, news analysts, and more that I like.

Jesse Pohlman

Immigration Policy

+10

Democrats Won The DHS Shutdown Battle, But The War Isn't Over.

May 1, 2026

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5 min read

Democrats Won The DHS Shutdown Battle, But The War Isn't Over.

Happy May 1st, by the way. Let's talk about wins, losses, and the need for abolition.

Jesse Pohlman

Hakeem Jeffries

Apr 27, 2026

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5 min read

If Hakeem Jeffries Won't Do His Job, Democrats Must Replace HIm

Jeffries recently said Impeachment is "not a top priority" for Democrats. If holding Trump's regime accountable for their myriad crimes isn't important, why do we need him? He should take a lesson from Peter Magyar.

Jesse Pohlman

Eric Swalwell

On 'Circular Firing Squads' And Swalwell

Apr 11, 2026

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12 min read

On 'Circular Firing Squads' And Swalwell

Congressman Eric Swalwell stands accused of significant wrongdoing. Most seem to agree he needs to go, but some have doubts amounting to 'unilateral disarmament.' Let's talk about that.

Jesse Pohlman

Nuclear Power

Apr 8, 2026

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9 min read

(Re-) Introducing The LFTR (Redux)

Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors are one possible technology that might combat climate change. They are not perfect, but they have promise.

Jesse Pohlman

Iran

The Progressive Cafe: Desalination Is Vital To Our Future - And Our Present!

Apr 6, 2026

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8 min read

The Progressive Cafe: Desalination Is Vital To Our Future - And Our Present!

A major facet of the US war against Iran is the focus on Desalination plants. Today we talk a little about why they're so important, and the promise they hold for making a better world!

Jesse Pohlman

Democratic Party

Dem Primaries Show Citizens Are Galvanized. Good.

Mar 4, 2026

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4 min read

Dem Primaries Show Citizens Are Galvanized. Good.

Some Democratic primary results from last night inform us that the people are fed up with conservative-adjacent Democrats. Let's talk about it a bit.

Jesse Pohlman

War

An Unconstitutional, Unprovoked, Illegal War Against Iran

Feb 28, 2026

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10 min read

An Unconstitutional, Unprovoked, Illegal War Against Iran

Let's talk about the meaning of those words, and how they apply to today's war against Iran.

Jesse Pohlman

Filibuster

Feb 12, 2026

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11 min read

The Case For Medicare For All (Redux)

Touching on an old article: It seems like a simple principle, but what do we need to know about it to make it a functioning reality?

Jesse Pohlman

Feb 11, 2026

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5 min read

Future Of The Progressive Cafe

New platform, new plan, same incisive political tomfoolery that brought you here in the first place. Let's talk about TPC's Future!

Jesse Pohlman

Free Speech

Jan 30, 2025

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2 min read

New Project: Dystopian Report

A subcategory of my Dystopian Review series, I've been making videos about our nightmare world. I like it.

Jesse Pohlman

Republican Party

+18

The Global Oligarchic Party (GOP) Thesis

Jan 10, 2025

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15 min read

The Global Oligarchic Party (GOP) Thesis

Is it creative? Not really. But this framework has helped me understand events dating back over a decade, and may prove helpful in understanding future Republican moves.

Jesse Pohlman

Obergefell V Hodges

+10

Jan 7, 2025

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9 min read

Idaho Declares War On Obergefell

What, the headline didn't grab your attention.

Jesse Pohlman

Thomas Massie

+11

The New "Big Funny" Scenario - President Grassley!

Jan 2, 2025

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6 min read

The New "Big Funny" Scenario - President Grassley!

This is the sort of thing that should never, ever happen. And it probably (hopefully?) won't! But it *could,* and it's hilarious.

Jesse Pohlman

Physics Trincarnate

Voting For My Book In The Indie Ink Awards

Dec 31, 2024

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2 min read

Voting For My Book In The Indie Ink Awards

Off-topic post; just like the post says.

Jesse Pohlman

Kamala Harris

Dec 30, 2024

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6 min read

Should Kamala Harris Pull Off 'The Big Funny?'

Probably not. But, if Kamala Harris shows "extreme courage" of the kind Donald Trump said Mike Pence should have? She can certainly make things interesting!

Jesse Pohlman

Democratic Platform

Why I Left The Democratic Party For The Working Families Party.

Dec 19, 2024

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19 min read

Why I Left The Democratic Party For The Working Families Party.

I know - You probably don't care. But since I joined to "push them towards the left," they've moved ever-rightward. If you're curious, here's my reasoning.

Jesse Pohlman

Healthcare

A Quick Rant - A Health Insurance Story, And A Reminder

Dec 6, 2024

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5 min read

A Quick Rant - A Health Insurance Story, And A Reminder

I recently had a surgery I want to discuss, especially in the light of certain events. I also have a reminder to share.

Jesse Pohlman

2016 election

+15

Nov 29, 2024

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30 min read

Some Frameworks For Why We Lost In 2024

I'm just one guy synthesizing weeks of data. I could be wrong, missing things, all that jazz! But here are some things I've figured out.

Jesse Pohlman

Georgia

+25

Feeling Like A Lot Is Happening? It Is. Let’s Talk.

Oct 1, 2024

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18 min read

Feeling Like A Lot Is Happening? It Is. Let’s Talk.

While we’re a technically bit early for a genuine “October Surprise,” there are so many things going on in the U.S. and the world at large that it’s worth taking a minute to assess this all.

Jesse Pohlman

Debates 2024

+12

A Quick Connection Between The Debate And September 11th

Sep 11, 2024

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5 min read

A Quick Connection Between The Debate And September 11th

Last night's Harris-Trump debate was interesting, but Kamala Harris was one factual jump away from the ultimate moment.

Jesse Pohlman