New York Assemblywoman Maryjane Shimsky, History Professor and best-selling Author H.W. Brands, former Chairman North Carolina Democratic Party Randolph Voller, and Macroeconomist Alphecca Muttardy joined together for a timely National Zoom Forum, “It Takes a Crisis: Great Turning Points in American History,” on August 20, 2025. 

As destabilizing economic and political programs cascade out of Washington D.C., the United States is marching to the brink of a defining crisis. The economic aspects have not yet triggered a meltdown, but the outline of the crisis is on the horizon. Stagnant hiring, falling GDP, tariff-induced business uncertainty, $2 trillion annual budget deficits, an uptick in inflation, and looming healthcare and related budget cuts all point to a new inflection point. Stagflation and recession are fast approaching. 

The Coalition for a National Infrastructure Bank has been at the forefront of efforts to promote a bold economic recovery in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. We have garnered a slew of endorsements, most recently from the powerful National Association of Counties (NACo).

Professor H.W. Brands is a renowned author who has written extensively on the history of the nation. He has chronicled the accomplishments of all the major leaders from Benjamin Franklin to Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and many more. He has expertise in domestic and foreign affairs. His books are must-reads. His bestseller “A Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt” is a master class in the profound intervention of FDR at moments of national, existential crisis. 

Author of over thirty books on American history, Professor Brands’ biography of Benjamin Franklin and his chronicle of Abraham Lincoln’s defeat of slavery also highlight some of the key fights in American history. 

We are now rapidly approaching just that kind of crisis. The interventions of Franklin, Lincoln, and FDR built the nation. We must learn those lessons and apply them once more. 

Professor Brands is one of the foremost historians of our time. He will be joined by Assemblywoman Maryjane Shimsky, a recognized expert in infrastructure policy, Randolph Voller, the former Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and economist Alphecca Muttardy.  

Please watch this timely video and invite your friends, …. and enemies (!) to watch. 

As it is said, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” 

Speakers: 

Professor H.W. Brands, PhD, holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin. He has authored more than thirty books on U.S. history. His works have twice been selected as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, “The First American” (Benjamin Franklin); and “Traitor to His Class, The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.” 

Assemblywoman Maryjane Shimsky, Ph.D., 92nd NY Assembly District 92. In her first term, Maryjane helped secure $100 million in additional road and bridge funding in the State Budget. As a twelve-year Westchester County Legislator, she was responsible for advancing hundreds of construction projects for roads, sewers, parks, and other public facilities. 

Alphecca Muttardy, Professional Macroeconomist; former Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund. Chief Economic Advisor Coalition for a National Infrastructure Bank. Has testified in numerous state legislatures and many City and County Councils. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.A. in Economics; Fairfax, VA

Moderator: Hon. Randolph Voller, former Mayor Pittsboro, North Carolina. Former Chair North Carolina Democratic Party. Randy is also a Marshall Memorial Fellow, and holds a B.A. in History, a minor in East Asian Studies.