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In this episode of the RM podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Levi engage in a lively discussion about various topics, including the role of government in gambling, parenting, and the implications of monopolies in the market. The conversation begins with a light-hearted welcome back to Levi, followed by a serious examination of gambling regulations and the responsibilities of parents versus the government. The hosts debate the effectiveness of government intervention in protecting children and the implications of monopolies, particularly in the tech industry.  They delve into various topics including the unique role of the USPS, the implications of monopolies, the dynamics of innovation in tech, and the moral dilemmas surrounding gun rights for felons. They also discuss the case of NBA Youngboy and the intersection of law and morality, concluding with a light-hearted discussion about celebrity indulgences and paychecks from SNL. The hosts discuss the morality of pay in the entertainment industry, particularly focusing on Saturday Night Live and the compensation of cast members like Pete Davidson. They explore the implications of free market decisions and the ethical responsibilities of those in power. The discussion then shifts to the role of the U.S. in global politics, particularly in Syria, where the potential for a democratic regime is examined. The hosts debate the importance of self-governance versus imposed democracy, considering historical contexts and the complexities of international relations.

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The Assad regime was in power for 50 years and brutally maintained that grip by terrorizing their political opponents. For the last 10 years, the country has been in a stalemate in which Assad’s supporters ruled the country, but pockets of resistance were building across the country. Less than a month ago, a rebel group took back a large city. Now, Assad has fled to Russia and the provisional government is going to try to establish a new political regime within the next three months. At present, six groups (including the US) control territory in Syria. The United States has an opportunity to help our allies in the region to share in the future governance of Syria. This would weaken Russian and Iranian influence in the region. Trump has said that the US should not get involved in Syria, that we should “let it play out”. We have seen what happens when we do not get involved globally. Does the US have a moral obligation to get involved in reshaping Syria.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
01:44 Gambling and Government Involvement
05:01 Parenting and Monitoring Children
09:43 Government's Role in Protecting Children
11:02 Lena Kahn and Antitrust Issues
12:23 Monopolies: Good or Bad?
19:12 The Role of Government in Monopolies
21:31 The Value of the USPS and Its Unique Role
23:34 Monopolies: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
24:38 Innovation and Competition in Tech
27:44 The Role of Economic Power
29:43 Gun Rights and Felons: A Moral Dilemma
30:04 The Case of NBA Youngboy: Justice and Punishment
40:13 The Intersection of Law and Morality
44:35 Celebrity Indulgences: A Look at SNL Paychecks
45:04 The Morality of Pay in Entertainment
55:10 The Role of the U.S. in Global Politics
01:05:30 Self-Governance vs. Democracy