Welcome back to the 67th episode of the ModState Podcast.

It is almost the end of the new year. Almost the time to lay to rest the failing and successes of the old year and usher in new perspectives and goals.

With that...John and Nate dive into a bit of psychology on this episode. Two words come up throughout the podcast and they are "Cognitive/Confirmation Bias," and "Cognitive Dissonance." How do these two terms affect our culture and society today? What could we do by understanding our own "Cognitive Bias."

How could society move forward if we treat those who we fundamentally disagree with, with respect? Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome back to the 66th episode of the ModState Podcast. This Mid Week Rap episode we look back at some of the events we covered, here on the ModState Podcast, over the last 5 months. What will the major issues be in 2018? Where will the collusion investigation go? Will foreign policy remain the same? Tune in and find out! Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to the 65th episode of the ModState Podcast.

Is it time to change our attitudes towards the tax bill? This bill is most likely to advance forward and become law. Although it will take a while for the effects of the bill to be felt by all it will be the law of the land. There are many nuances of the bill that are problematic but will this bill, in theory, work to create a better standard of living for the average American? Or will this bill be a win for the rich and corporations allowing them to stock-pile buckets of cash for a rainy day? There is a lot of "good-faith" that happens every day. If corporations follow through and invest in the average American will this change the narrative and distaste for this bill overall? Tune in for John and Nate's thoughts.

Show Notes:

1) Approval Rating for Tax Bill

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-unpopular-tax-bill_us_5a38218ae4b0860bf4aa5558

Welcome back to the 64 Episode of the ModState Podcast. On this weekend beat exploring pop culture and everything not politics John and Nate dive into a review and breakdown of the 80s movie Mad Max 2 better also known as Road Warrior.

Of course how would a good review be complete without diving into other topics analogies and discussions.

We hope that your weekend and the beginning of the holidays is going well! Thanks for tuning in.

Welcome back to the 63rd Episode of the ModState Podcast.

Yesterday the fate of the Internet is on it's way from having protections under Title II making its way back to protection under Title I. Now why does this matter and why talk about it again?

There are many arguments to be made that under Title I internet services providers will be able to provide money to investments for broadband infrastructure keeping up with the consumers need for data and speed.

The second argument is that although investment is necessary at what cost are we willing to forgo the freedom that we have on the internet for it to go back into the hands of only several incredibly powerful ISPs? The questions should start racing through your mind.

Lastly, John and Nate explore Marco Rubio's proposal to stall the tax plan while the CHIP program is at stake.

Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome back to the 62nd Episode of the ModState Podcast.

Doug Jones has officially won the special election and will be the first Democrat sworn in from Alabama in 25 years. What does this mean for the overall story for mid-term elections? What does it mean for the tax plan?

After that conversation the topic of shifts to President Trump's desire to increase the Defense Spending by roughly 150 billion dollars. Is this the right allocation of monies?

Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome back to the 61st Episode of the ModState Podcast.

Today John and Nate discuss the topic of climate change. The documentary Chasing Coral did a good job of focusing more on the What-is-Happening and less of they why. Objective observation of the devastation of climate change was presented and with it a hopeful shift the narrative of this man-made disaster to what can be done. Does that narrative need to be more of what is happening and less of why it is happening? Can we change the minds of those who are apathetic or don't believe it is man made by talking about it differently?

Lastly, John and Nate talk more about the Roy Moore campaign and what we should realistically except from leaders who endorse Roy Moore even though his name has been tarnished by sexual assault accusations.

As always thank you for tuning in!

Welcome back to the 60th episode of the ModState Podcast.

The Army Navy game commenced over the weekend with the Army camouflaging well against the snow with their white uniforms.

Pearl Harbor ushered in it's 76th anniversary and it is always important to remember the events that took place there.

Thanks for tuning in and your listenership and support is much appreciated!

Welcome back to the 59th Episode of the ModState Podcast.

This week news was leaked that several lawmakers on Capitol Hill used tax payer money, from a slush fund, to pay those who they sexual harassed.

Your tax money to a tune of 100k (and probably more) was used to finalize suits against John Conyers and Blake Fartenhold. This 1995 law allows for complete confidentiality of both the victim and the accused, but in turn any compensation was paid for by the American tax payer.

It is time to hold all those who knew about this accountable and start working towards some real change in Washington DC.

Thanks for tuning in and listening.

Show Notes

1) Article referencing tax money used.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/362864-lawmakers-seek-end-to-taxpayer-backed-sexual-harassment-settlements

Welcome back to the 58th Episode of the ModState Podcast. On this episode of the Mid Week Rap John and Nate explore several pressing topics that have dominated the news this week.

1)John and Nate venture into the determination of the Trump administration to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem standing in line with Israel's right to the sacred city.

2) After Israel the ModState team explores the Supreme Court case regarding an individual's right to express his religious liberty and freedom by "discriminating" against a homosexual couple by not providing a service.

3) The Federal Monuments in Utah are systematically deconstructed by the Trump administration and given back to the local and state government of Utah. At what cost?

Thanks for tuning in and for your support.

Show Notes

1)Israeli Palestine conflict https://www.vox.com/cards/israel-palestine

2) Supreme Court Case on Religious Freedom

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-asked-if-bakers-case-protects-religious-rights-or-illegal-discrimination/2017/12/04/1a56624e-d6d8-11e7-95bf-df7c19270879_story.html?utm_term=.33ad31edd981

3) Ryan Zinke's Report on National Monumentshttps://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4052225-Interior-Secretary-Ryan-Zinke-s-Report-to-the.html