This episode of Hardpoints explores the intersection of power—political, economic, and literal. Mike and Neal dissect how America's priorities are shifting: ICE receives a staggering budget increase while climate-fueled disasters gut the insurance industry, startups navigate rising costs and wealth concentration, and tech giants buy into speculative energy futures like fusion. Against this backdrop, they debate the balance between liberty and control, question the integrity of markets, and share hope that innovation—especially in energy—might still deliver progress, if equity and urgency can catch up with capital.