Real Mormonism

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In this episode of the RM podcast, the hosts discuss the recent election results, focusing on the Republican sweep led by Trump. They analyze the factors contributing to this outcome, including the performance of Kamala Harris and the implications of gender in politics. The conversation also delves into the divisiveness within the church regarding political affiliations and the responsibilities of citizens in a politically charged environment. The hosts emphasize the importance of active engagement in shaping policies and the need for respectful discourse among differing viewpoints. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the significance of voting, the implications of Mormonism in modern society, and reflections on the recent 2024 election. They discuss the responsibilities of voters, the relevance of historical figures in the context of contemporary issues, and the evolving political landscape. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of civic engagement, humility in politics, and the need for accountability in leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Election Context
01:12 Analyzing Trump's Republican Sweep
05:29 The Role of Gender in Politics
12:55 Divisiveness Within the Church
15:38 Responsibilities of Citizens Post-Election
23:39 The Value of Voting
26:09 Mormonism in canonized scripture
31:19 Where we were right/wrong about the 2024 election

Keywords
2024 election, Trump, Republicans, Kamala Harris, gender politics, church, citizen responsibility, voting, political analysis, election results, voting, Mormonism, 2024 election, political responsibility, civic duty, church leadership, humility in politics, election reflections, democratic process, community engagement

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Recorded before the election and intentionally not about the elections. Take a break from the election coverage. There is still plenty to talk about besides the election. We all support the winner, time to move on from the election.

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The Thought Provoker:

We all make one last appeal for our preferred candidate in the election. This is our last episode before the election.  Here is my pitch for Kamala Harris:

1. She is not Donald Trump
    Trump is going senile
2.  Trump will not support Ukraine
3.  Trump will escalate violence in the Middle East
4.  Trump is a convicted felon who is only trying to avoid future felony convictions
5.  Trump will raise taxes
6.  Trump will make inflation worse
7.  Trump will appoint incompetent people to run the government
8.  Trump likes Hitler a little too much for my liking.
9. Kamala will fight for women’s rights.
10. Kamala will fight for young parents
11. Kamala will fight for better healthcare and she will protect social security.
12. Kamala will fight for workers.
13. Kamala will fight for small business owners.
14. Kamala is a good person who cares about doing the right thing. She is the closest we can come to someone who is honest, good, and wise (D&C 98:9-10)

The Big Question: The church encourages its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues, voting in elections, participating in governance processes and (as they desire) seeking for elected, appointed or voluntary office. Matt has made it clear that he is not voting in the presidential election. Would he be a better disciple if he were to choose to vote?

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In this episode, the hosts discuss their podcast's growing audience and make predictions about future listeners. They touch on recent events and tease upcoming topics.

SpaceX vs Boeing Discussion: The conversation centers around SpaceX's recent rocket launch success compared to Boeing's struggles. They debate government funding efficiency and the merits of private enterprise in space exploration.

Government Loan Program for Green Energy: The hosts discuss a government loan program for green energy projects, debating its effectiveness and the irony of oil companies receiving funding for clean energy initiatives.

Gen Z Parenting and Emotions: The podcast examines a study on Gen Z parenting challenges, focusing on the balance between emotional support and preparing children for adulthood. They discuss the role of feelings in child-rearing and education.
Chapters
00:00 Global Reach of the RM Podcast
01:36 Tariffs and International Trade
03:35 Political Landscape and Elections
05:38 Promoting Peace in Political Discourse
07:37 The Role of Personal Responsibility in Politics
09:27 Cult of Personality in Politics
11:06 The Impact of Social Media on Political Beliefs
12:57 The Importance of Education in Political Engagement
14:41 The Role of Private Enterprise in Space Exploration
26:00 The Value of SpaceX and Government Spending
30:00 Government Investment in Green Energy
37:53 Challenges of Raising Gen Z Children

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Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics including their predictions for the recent conference, updates on Trump's criminal trials, insights from a recent political debate, tensions in the Middle East, the political shift among young women, the morality of abortion, and the implications of the Freedom of Information Act. The conversation is lively and covers a range of perspectives on these pressing issues.
Takeaways

• Predictions about general conference miss the mark.
• Trump's trials could change significantly if he wins the presidency.
• Political debates can reveal a longing for civility in politics.
• The U.S. has a complex role in Middle Eastern conflicts.
• Young women are increasingly identifying as liberal, impacting future elections.
• The morality of abortion remains a contentious issue.
• FOIA requests can be used for accountability but also for harassment.
• Public service careers may be affected by the scrutiny of government employees.
• The balance between privacy and transparency is a critical discussion.
• Understanding the implications of technology on personal privacy is essential.

Chapters
00:00 Conference Predictions and Reflections
05:12 Trump's Criminal Trials Overview
07:28 Debate Insights and Political Climate
09:06 Middle East Tensions and U.S. Involvement
22:10 Young Women's Political Shift
37:44 Morality of Abortion and Choice
50:35 Freedom of Information Act and Public Accountability

Links: Israel v Iran

The Freedom of Information Act

41% U.S. women aged 18 to 29 currently identify as liberal 

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General Conference predictions:

New Temples

Speakers

Other big announcements

Election Predictions:

Who will win the VP debate?

Will there be another Presidential Debate?

Future unforeseen events? (Assassination attempts, Skeletons in the closet, Indictments/convictions?)

Who will win N.C., PA, GA? I chose those states because they have the highest probability of mattering the most. A state’s tipping-point chance is the probability it will give the Electoral College winner their 270th electoral vote.

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Summary
In this episode of the RM Podcast, hosts Matt, Shawn, and Sam engage in a lively discussion covering a range of topics from political dynamics within the Democratic Party to the importance of sports in American culture. They delve into the implications of recent events, including the case of Kirk Gibson and the moral obligations of sports teams like BYU. The conversation also touches on the fragility of democracy, the role of prophecy in the church, and the ongoing debate between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The episode concludes with predictions for the future and reflections on civic engagement.
Takeaways
Democratic Party can replace candidates without a primary election.
Voting for president is actually voting for electors, not individuals.
Kamala Harris's educational background is often misunderstood.
BYU's success raises questions about moral obligations in sports.
Kirk Gibson's story highlights resilience in the face of illness.
Sports serve as a powerful connection point in American culture.
The need for accountability in online communities is pressing.
Civic engagement is crucial to maintaining democracy.
Prophecy assures the church's stability, but agency is essential.
The balance between the letter and spirit of the law is complex.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Identity Crisis
01:57 Democratic Party Dynamics and Electoral College Explained
06:03 Kamala Harris and Ivy League Misconceptions
07:57 BYU's Winning Streak and Moral Obligations
10:01 Kirk Gibson's Charity Gala and Personal Reflections
12:59 The Power of Sports in American Culture
16:59 Discussion on a Disturbing Case of Abuse
20:02 Secret Combinations and Societal Responsibility
24:59 The Fragility of Democracy and Civic Engagement
30:03 The Role of Prophecy in Church and Government
34:00 Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law in Sports
40:02 Final Thoughts and Predictions for the Future

Keywords: politics, democracy, sports, Kirk Gibson, BYU, Kamala Harris, electoral college, charity, civic engagement, law

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Mailbag:  One listener writes, “hey so interesting discussion about raffles in the church. I suspect the church’s policy has nothing to do with the morality of raffles and more to do with their legal non Profit status." Here is what the church says in the handbook. Here is what the church says about games of chance. President Hinckley had strong language about games of chance.  Here is a fun story from The Friend

Matt is up first this week. For some reason, Laura Loomer spends more time with Donald Trump than his wife does. She is a white supremacist and an Islamophobe, and she has been traveling with Trump not only to rallies but to the presidential debate. Would it be morally wrong to support a candidate for president who surrounds himself with such despicable people?

Next up, Sam.  How much do presidential debates matter?

Finally, Shawn. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act, signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, required all states to set their alcoholic drinking age at 21 years old or risk losing some amount of federal funding for highway construction. The threat worked. All states moved quite quickly to comply with the law. Because transportation funding is often "must-pass" legislation in Congress, lawmakers may be able to tag on a provision intended to force states and cities to make building homes easier. "States with high-price, low-construction counties would have to figure out how to overrule local zoning codes themselves or lose federal transportation funding." Skyrocketing home prices and rents are largely a result of a severe shortage of housing. Should young lds couples be concerned about not being able to own a home until much later in life? Would local deregulation of building restrictions be a good solution? 

The Big Question:  It was clear in the debate this week is that after nine years of talking about health care, Donald Trump still does not have a health care plan. He has some concepts he is thinking about. I think we should take this opportunity to help Donald Trump develop a good health care plan. This link explains the US healthcare system. I think that there are two big flaws with the US healthcare system. One, health insurance is tied to employment, and two, the federal government pays for the most expensive costs in the health system. That is Medicare, Medicaid and the military are covered under U.S. government health insurance. Those are the people who are most likely to use health care, and they those are the people with healthcare costs that are probably the most expensive. One solution to both of the