The Latter Day Lens

Episode 145: Why Republicans Are in Trouble: Plus, The Debt Bomb and America's Biased Immigration Policy


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In this packed episode, Matt and Shawn dive into the latest political and moral challenges facing the nation:

  • The Republican Crisis: The conversation starts by analyzing the troubling election results for the Republican party and the unexpected demographic shifts moving away from Donald Trump. We discuss why Utah and Idaho remain the biggest exceptions to this trend, debating whether it's tied to regional economics or a deeper, post-assassination-attempt loyalty.
  • The Immorality of Debt: Is it wrong for a government to spend money it does not have? We examine the shocking growth of the U.S. federal debt (now approaching $40 trillion) and explore why the prevailing economic theory dismisses this as a problem. This leads to a debate on political cronyism, asking if massive government contracts—like those awarded to Elon Musk and Rick Perry—are wasteful corruption or justified merit.
  • Health, Prejudice, and Policy: The hosts tackle a major ethical question after the U.S. government directed visa officers to use common chronic illnesses (including obesity and diabetes) as a reason for denial. Is this an act of financial prudence or an unacceptable prejudice? We connect this policy directly to the foundational principles of American opportunity and the teachings of President Oaks on rising above bias.

Timestamp | Chapter Title

00:00 | Introduction and Personal Catch-Up (Weather, Mark, and Shawn's Grievance)
02:49 | The Hosts' Dialogue: Matt's Media Appearances and Mission Stories Talk
07:38 | Topic 1: The Republican Crisis, Voter Swings, and Trump's Last Holdouts
14:38 | Debating Trump Loyalty in Utah and Idaho
20:28 | Topic 2: National Debt, Morality, and Economic Theory
28:26 | The Crypto Debate: Financial Stability vs. Criminality
32:33 | Topic 3: Cronyism vs. Merit (Musk, Perry, and Wasteful Spending)
37:39 | The Milton Friedman Debate: Spending Other People's Money
42:55 | Topic 4: Health-Based Visa Denials and President Oaks on Prejudice (Includes Conclusion)


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The Latter Day LensBy Shawn & Matt

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