Why is politics so broken — and why do we keep blaming our presidents for everything?

Is dark money the real problem… or is it the incentive structure behind the system?

In this episode of Meyerside Chats, I sit down with Neil Thanedar — Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, author of Positive Politics, and a founder who went through Y Combinator — to explore campaign finance reform, political incentives, direct democracy, and how everyday citizens can move from outrage to action.

Neil draws a powerful parallel between startups and politics — asking: what if there were a “Y Combinator for politics”? A structured accelerator that helps ambitious optimists launch campaigns, pass ballot initiatives, and build real civic momentum the same way founders build companies.

As the son of U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar — and someone who helped guide and advise his father’s congressional campaigns — Neil brings firsthand insight into how incentives, messaging, fundraising pressure, and party structures shape political decisions long before legislation is ever passed.

We unpack:

• Why presidents get too much credit — and too much blame

• How money and party incentives drive political behavior

• Whether you must pick a political party to succeed

• Direct democracy and ballot initiatives as reform tools

• The “Y Combinator for Politics” concept

• Applying startup discipline to civic reform

• The human reality of serving in Congress

• Why action beats social media outrage

If you care about political reform, startup thinking, civic engagement, or breaking the red vs blue blame cycle — this conversation is for you.

Check it out, and please subscribe to support our mission: https://youtu.be/zkpyJUEYWJ8

⏱ CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:30 Changing Political Incentives

06:45 The Startup Mindset in Politics

09:30 What If There Were a Y Combinator for Politics?

14:00 Why Most Candidates Quit After One Loss

18:40 Complaining vs Civic Action

22:00 The Presidential Blame Cycle

27:30 Direct Democracy & Ballot Reform

32:00 Do You Have to Pick a Party?

38:00 Fighting Corruption Without Becoming Toxic

46:00 Inside Congress: The Human Reality

52:00 Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”

55:00 Final Takeaways

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About Evan Meyer

Tech entrepreneur and civic leader - he founded mygovtools.org, a platform to drive government efficiency, constituent representation, and civic engagement; BeautifyEarth.com, a platform accelerating urban beautification through art; and its sister nonprofit, transforming schools in underserved areas. He also co-founded RideAmigos.com, a platform that optimizes commuter travel globally. Previously, he served as District Director for the California State Senate and led many civic initiatives in Santa Monica. Through seminars and his podcast Meyerside Chats, Evan inspires civic engagement, innovation, and cultural growth.
He loves the outdoors, is a master of creative projects, is an avid muralist and musician, and finds the world fascinating in every regard.