US of Ed

"We've come to recognise bad jobs don't lead to good jobs."

Businesses across the States are short on staff and being forced to stay shut, and Republicans blame unemployment benefits which some states are now cutting. We take a deeper look at the lack of wage growth and decent employment opportunities, and how they've led to this outcome. Plus Israel and Palestine bordering on outright war as the right wing Israeli government distracts from its own issues - can American continue to support their longtime ally? Also looking at gas shortages, the NRA, the Arizona recount and Liz Cheney fallout.

"We've got to get out in front of this using our technology, our people."

A new goal on American vaccinations and setting their sights on waiving patents for COVID vaccines, the latest on the rollout from the Biden administration. Meanwhile, the Republican party acting like a spurned lover when it comes to big business and stuck in their ways, looking to oust Liz Cheney for not bending the knee to Donald Trump. Also talking an increase to the refugee cap, Florida, Israel, and China's big moves on electric car production.

"Everything was there that he's promised, not just with another promise but with a course of action."

American jobs, climate change, global leadership and gun control all on the agenda for Joe Biden's speech covering his first one hundred days in office and his administration's upcoming agenda. Ed and Sean unpack what was said, and how it relates back to real policies announced over the course of the week. Plus the Armenian Genocide acknowledgement, Russia, COVID cases in India, and Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan raided in the Ukraine investigation.

"[George Floyd] will be remembered for a very long time, not for the life he led but for the life he gave."

Celebrations and a massive outpouring of relief this week as former police officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of both murder and manslaughter for the killing of George Floyd. Hopes that this will lead to real change for law enforcement and justice in the United States, but how? Meanwhile, Joe Biden is looking to pledge the United States to cut emissions by 50% by 2030, we look at plans to transition affected workers to new industries. Also talking 200 million COVID jabs, Russia, Israel and Syria exchanging missiles, and fallout from the royal funeral.

"Biden wins more approval by doing it even if Afghanistan goes to hell in a hand basket."

After almost two decades and over 2,300 dead US troops, President Joe Biden has given the order to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan. What are the new threats the US will be dealing with and how will leaving the job half-finished affect US influence abroad? And while CEOs complain about the Biden corporate tax hikes, the love affair between big business and the GOP is also going stale. Also talking gun control, "election integrity", Russia massing troops on the Ukrainian border, and the death of Prince Philip.

Check out the new podcast as well for in-depth discussions, Pacific Conversations. First episode with former Labor leader and ambassador Kim Beazley out now.

"Where is the growing population? It's not older, white males."

Corporations have come out swinging over new Republican voting restrictions, and Republicans are fighting back but don't want to hurt the money. And with bipartisanship now a distant memory, Biden is pushing ahead on infrastructure plans and likely another couple of big bills through conciliation. We discuss what those might look like, as well as news on Iran, Israel, a possible Guantanamo Bay closure, and Matt Gaetz.

"You couldn't give Stacey Abrams a better platform for her next election."

Voting rights are looking to become a key battle for the Biden administration, with Republicans in Georgia drawing widespread criticisms for their new restrictions and Democrats fighting back with the 'For the People' Act. Meanwhile, we have a better idea than ever about the price tag of Biden's upcoming infrastructure bill and where the money will be spent. Also talking about a surge in COVID cases, George Floyd, Suez Canal, and Baltimore to stop policing minor offenses.

"These kinds of killings went way, way down, and then the National Rifle Association got rid of [the Brady Bill] and they've gone back up."

Just as it seemed America was reopening and getting back on track, news of two mass shootings, one in Atlanta and one in Colorado, hit our screens, the Colorado shooting coming only days after the blocking of a state assault weapons ban in court by the NRA. But for some, the prospect of tax hikes and arrivals at the southern border were far more frightening. We also talk what we know about the $3 trillion infrastructure bill, Russia, and Israel.

"What [Joe Biden is] doing is the same thing anyone does when they know they have the lead, and that is extending it."

COVID vaccinations and relief, confirmations, and another big infrastructure bill on the way while the White House remains quiet and scandal free, it seems like everything is going Joe Biden's way. Trouble is brewing in the Asia region, however, with aggressive talk from North Korea and a humanitarian crisis in need of a response in China. Also discussing Merrick Garland, Michael Regan and Deb Haaland, and Republicans taking aim at voting rights and promising 'scorched earth' on filibusters.

"You get people up on their feet, in their homes, little money in their pocket, they need a job and that's where he's going after next."

We're learning more all the time about the $1.9 Trillion COVID relief bill set to be passed by the Biden administration, with family payments, and provisions for native governments and black farmers outlining a new and liberal agenda. Not a single Republican voted for the bill, however, and it seems the GOP might be up to its Obama-era tricks of obstruction while doubling down on voter suppression. Also discussing anti-trans legislation, the latest front in the culture wars, and Donald Trump's attempts to ban the Republican Party from using his image.