Last week's indictment of James Comey for might be the most egregious use of law fare we've seen...so far. Say what you will about democrats' law fare against Trump, but at least the people at the top pretended to not be blatantly prosecuting their political opponents. But Trump is just out here posting on social media demanding his attorney general go after his enemies, mentioning Comey by name. Similarly, he's unilaterally declaring Venezuelan drug smugglers "enemy combatants" and using the military to blow up their (alleged) boats in the ocean.

Should we reconsider the power we've given one person at the top of the executive branch? Is it appropriate for a president to name people he wants the DOJ to prosecute? Should presidents be able to use the military to strike anyone they deem a threat of any kind? Obviously, I think we should.

NOTES:

• The Truth About Amelia Earhart - The Atlantic
• Trump Notifies Congress That the U.S. Is at War with Drug Cartels - Andy McCarthy, National Review
• Trump's New York fraud ruling sets precedent that lying about square footage is wrong?
• What's Wrong with the Jim Comey Prosecution? - Dan McLaughlin, National Review

A 31 year old husband and father was murdered because of his political beliefs. While we don't know who shot Charlie Kirk and ended his life yesterday, we do know that in the US, political violence has been accelerating at an alarming rate. There have been assassination attempts or attacks on Nancy Pelosi and her husband, the Republican Congressional baseball team, Governor Josh Shapiro and his family, Minnesota state lawmakers, Gabby Gifford, Donald Trump (twice), Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the United Health Care CEO, Congress on January 6th...and more I'm probably forgetting because of the unfortunate length of the list. Will any of us stop to reconsider the way we talk about our political rivals? Or will we continue to cheer on this kind of violence - as long as it's against 'the other side'?

Trump is using emergency powers to send the National Guard into DC to try and solve the crime problems, while Democrats are claiming there IS no crime problem. You won't be surprised to learn both are wrong and not serious about solving anything.

Chapters:

00:00 Trump's Takeover of D.C. and Crime Control

10:59 The Complexity of Crime Statistics

19:57 The Role of Prosecution in D.C.

25:49 Addressing Gun Violence and Straw Purchases

27:54 The Homelessness Dilemma in Major Cities

30:19 Trump's Approach to Crime and Authoritarianism

33:32 The Plea Deal Problem in Criminal Justice

37:02 Distracting from Economic Issues

39:54 Government Control in Private Industry

47:09 The Dangers of Expanding Executive Power

Notes:

• Assessing DC's Violent Crime Trends - Jeff-alytics substack
• Crime Scene - Nick Catoggio: The Dispatch
• Dems About To Lose Again On The Issue - Pitches and Snitches substack

Everyone is shocked - SHOCKED - that the Texas GOP is trying to gerrymander congressional maps to advantage Republicans. As if Democrats hadn't already done their own gerrymandering in their states. Blake gets into the historical context of gerrymandering, the partisan nature of redistricting, and the challenges of achieving fair representation. The conversation then shifts to Trump's controversial firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, exploring the significance of economic data and the political ramifications of manipulating such information.

Yeah, these are boring things to talk about - but they're important! Promise.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gerrymandering and Political Landscape

02:44 Texas Redistricting: A Power Grab?

05:56 The Impact of Gerrymandering on Representation

08:38 Democratic Responses and the Role of Independent Commissions

11:44 Proposed Solutions to Gerrymandering

17:19 The Case for Increasing House Representation

24:54 The Challenges of Governance in a Slim Majority

26:49 Gerrymandering and Its Implications

27:15 The Importance of Economic Data

28:09 Trump's Controversial Decisions on Labor Statistics

30:45 Understanding Job Reports and Revisions

34:24 The Impact of Tariffs on the Economy

37:31 Presidential Power and Economic Control

42:07 Economic Uncertainty and Its Effects

47:11 Trust in Economic Data and Its Consequences

Blake and Patrick Trepanier discuss the themes of political engagement, federalism, and economic structures in America. Trepanier's book, 'American Restraint,' argues that hyper capitalism and wealth imbalances are significant issues facing the nation. They explore the role of Article 5 in proposing amendments to restore balance, the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis, and the challenges of housing affordability. The discussion emphasizes the need for civic engagement and the importance of understanding the complexities of capitalism and regulation in today's society. In this conversation, Blake Fischer and Patrick Trepanier delve into the complexities of manufacturing, immigration, and the middle class in America. They discuss the voluntary nature of job transitions, the impact of tariffs on consumer prices, and the evolving landscape of labor in the face of automation and immigration policies. The dialogue also touches on the historical context of economic shifts, the role of government regulation versus libertarian ideals, and the challenges facing the middle class today. Ultimately, they explore the need for a balanced approach to governance that fosters innovation while addressing the concerns of everyday Americans.

NOTES:

- American Restraint on Amazon

- Patrick's Youtube Channel

Takeaways

America is broken and divided, needing structural reforms.

Federalism is a solution to restore balance in governance.

The political environment has become increasingly hostile and divisive.

Many citizens feel disengaged from the political process.

Article 5 offers a way for states to propose amendments.

Hyper capitalism has led to wealth imbalances in society.

The subprime mortgage crisis exemplifies government failure in regulation.

Economic mobility is not static; people move between classes.

Housing affordability is a significant issue for the middle class.

Regulation at local levels impacts housing supply and affordability. People are leaving manufacturing jobs voluntarily for better opportunities.

Tariffs can lead to increased consumer prices, affecting all Americans.

The middle class has faced significant challenges over the past 50 years.

Wages for workers have not kept pace with CEO compensation.

Immigration policies impact the labor market and job availability.

Consumerism drives demand for cheaper goods, complicating manufacturing jobs.

Manufacturing today requires more skills than in the past due to technological advancements.

The 1970s marked a significant shift in economic policies and individualism.

Libertarianism and government regulation present contrasting views on economic management.

The concentration of power in big business and government affects competition and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introductions

00:25 Exploring 'American Restraint' and Its Themes

04:34 Federalism: A Path to Solutions

06:00 The Nature of Political Discourse

06:23 The Us vs Them Mentality in Politics

10:59 Engagement and Disengagement in Political Discourse

13:58 Hyper Capitalism and Economic Imbalances

27:13 Housing and Education: The Role of Government

34:19 Competition vs Regulation in the Market

35:48 Defining Capitalism and Its Restraints

37:22 The Role of Corporations in Job Creation

40:40 The Impact of Globalization on American Jobs

43:08 Immigration and the Labor Market

49:26 The Evolution of the Middle Class

01:00:25 The Shift in Economic Dynamics Since the 70s

01:06:39 The Debate on Common Good Conservatism

01:09:41 Libertarianism and Economic Thought

01:11:34 The Executive Compensation Racket

01:14:59 Antitrust and Market Competition

01:17:15 The Role of Government in Business

01:20:29 The Impact of Government on Housing and Education

01:24:58 Concentration of Power and Local Governance

01:28:20 The Need for National Dialogue

Mackenzie is back to talk about the Trump administration's complete 180 on the Epstein conspiracies. After MAGA's full embrace and peddling of conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, alleged client lists, and nefarious deep state connections, figures like Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, JD Vance, Pam Bondi, and Trump himself are now asking "why is anyone still talking about this?".

Is the belief in these specific conspiracies something Trump can simply wave away, or will he lose support?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Epstein and Conspiracy Theories

02:50 The Legal Proceedings Against Epstein

05:31 The Impact of Epstein's Death

08:21 The Role of Trump and MAGA in the Epstein Narrative

11:23 Conspiracy Theories and Public Perception

13:55 The Media's Role in the Epstein Case

16:45 Trump's Response and Political Implications

19:47 Concluding Thoughts on Epstein and Conspiracy Culture

32:53 The Epstein Conspiracy: Murder or Suicide?

35:07 Public Perception and Political Scandals

36:36 Polling and Public Opinion on Military Actions

37:57 The Role of Media in Shaping Narratives

40:51 Accountability in Political Statements

43:01 Conspiracy Theories and Their Impact

49:00 The Future of Political Conspiracies

53:09 Justice and Accountability in High-Profile Cases

57:06 Conspiracy Theories: A Personal Perspective

In this episode I get into the intricacies of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, recently signed by Donald Trump. I unpack the bill's budgetary implications, tax reforms, and its impact on various sectors, including energy and healthcare.

It's a mess of a bill, as you'd expect from any Congress these days, and unsurprisingly adds $3-4 trillion to the national debt - because Republicans are no longer fiscally responsible or conservative and aren't even pretending otherwise.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

02:40 Understanding the Reconciliation Process

05:49 Key Provisions of the Bill

08:29 Tax Implications and Fiscal Responsibility

11:10 Energy Policy Changes

14:17 Healthcare Reforms and Medicaid Changes

26:23 Medicaid Expansion and Federal Spending

32:33 Border Security and Immigration Enforcement

36:36 Congressional Budgeting and Fiscal Responsibility

42:24 Virginia's Regulatory Rollback Success

52:19 Conclusion and Call to Action

Soon after last week's episode pondering if the U.S. would take action in Iran to take out their nuclear facilities, Trump gave the order to do exactly that. Both sides rushed to their respective corners (WWIII vs total obliteration and victory), but let's get into the nuance of it. Plus, the Supreme Court makes a ruling on district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions on presidential executive orders.

In this episode, Blake discusses various pressing political issues, including the recent political violence in Minnesota, the complexities of immigration policy under the Trump administration, and the ongoing military actions between Israel and Iran. He emphasizes the need for both sides of the political spectrum to denounce violence and the importance of coherent immigration policies. The conversation also delves into the implications of Israel's military actions against Iran and the broader context of U.S. foreign policy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context

10:21 Immigration Policy and ICE Raids

23:32 Transition to Israel and Iran

32:42 The Nuclear Threat: Iran's Capabilities and Intentions

39:11 The U.S. Role and Public Perception in Foreign Policy

45:10 Navigating Misinformation and Media Bias