Rational Radio Daily with Steele and Ungar

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"This is not about anything other than a person that needs to survive." Sep 21, 2017

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Congressman Lou Correa (D-Calif.) joined Steele & Ungar Wednesday night to express his frustration and anger over the story of Helen Huynh, a Vietnamese-American citizen who might die because of the failure of and bureaucracy in the U.S. immigration system. One of Huynh's sisters, still living Vietnam, has been denied a visa three times because the U.S. Embassy could not find sufficient evidence that she will return to Vietnam when the visa expires. "Immigration is often presented as black and white, but this is what immigration is all about," said Congressman Correa. Guest co-host Rick Tyler made his feelings known, adding, 'The ambassador needs to know he's basically passing a death sentence on an American citizen." Congressman Correa talked about the story, the abject failure in immigration policy and what people can do if they want to help. Dr. Seva Gunitsky, professor of politics at the University of Toronto, discusses some of the latest news from the Mueller investigation and once again suggests that investigators will find evidence of collusion if they "follow the money".

"Everything about this speech today was counter-intuitive to what we...would expect a president to do." Sep 20, 2017

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In President Trump's first speech to the United Nations General Assembly, he bragged about the United States job market and military and stressed the importance of the sovereignty and strength of independent nations. The president also bashed North Korea, its leader and its allies and associates. Michael Steele was shocked, saying, "I've never heard a president threaten 25 million people from that podium, from the floor of the United Nations." Hardin Lang, former U.N. special envoy to Haiti, discusses how this speech represents a radical departure for the U.S. at the U.N. and its leadership on the global stage. Katie Thomas, staff writer for the New York Times, talks about her collaborative reporting with ProPublica on the ways that insurance companies are contributing to the opioid epidemic.

The Graham-Cassidy bill would be like "Medicaid Brexit" Sep 19, 2017

Show notes

Last week, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a bill that seeks to repeal and overhaul major portions of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is working on a bipartisan legislative package that aims to stabilize the health insurance markets. Republicans in the chamber are still smarting from the repeal and replace fight over the summer. An exasperated Michael Steele asked Dr. Steve Klasko, president of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, "Are we just wasting our time on healthcare?" Dr. Klasko discusses the upcoming healthcare reform battles and suggests what reforms Congress should focus its time and energy on. John Washington, a contributor to The Nation, talks about how ICE is destroying detainee records, including those related to in-custody deaths, sexual assault and the use of solitary confinement.

"It's pretty insane that we can't get behind, 'No violence in politics.'" Sep 16, 2017

Show notes

When Ben Shapiro, editor-in-chief of the Daily Wire and host of the Ben Shapiro Show, joined Steele & Ungar to talk about his speech Thursday night at UC Berkeley, he made fun of the massive police presence that was called upon to prevent violence and riots from breaking out, saying, "I don't know how you're even having me on considering my voice can do such tremendous physical damage to both of you." Shapiro spoke out at Berkeley against antifa, its penchant for violence and other alt-left groups, condemning the rise of violence and escalating rhetoric from both antifa and the alt-right. He also talked about the media frenzy surrounding his speech and some of the main arguments he made last night. Career counterintelligence veteran Malcolm Nance warns that conventional military action against North Korea would have disastrous consequences.

"She's a tough woman." Sep 16, 2017

Show notes

Mark Preston, the executive editor of CNN Politics, former RNC Chair Michael Steele and many others around Capitol Hill marveled at former Speaker--and current House Democratic Leader--Nancy Pelosi's toughness and political skills. Preston, who also hosts 'Full Stop with Mark Preston' on SiriusXM POTUS, got the rare opportunity to sit down with Pelosi for an in-depth interview. The two talked about the 2018 midterms, Pelosi's long career in the House, her relationship with Trump and much more. Mark Preston joins Michael Steele and Rick Ungar to preview the interview. Full Stop airs Saturday 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST and Sunday 5:00-6:00 p.m. EST.

"What we're watching is the president trying to navigate his own presidency." Sep 15, 2017

Show notes

Late last night, reports trickled out that President Trump reached a deal with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to protect the 'dreamers' from being deported. Today, President Trump said that no deal was made, but Senator Schumer described the talk as creating a "framework" for a path to citizenship for the 'dreamers'. What did the Dems give the president? A commitment to increased border security, but no funding for Trump's border wall. Robert Costa, national political reporter for the Washington Post, talks to Michael Steele and Rick Ungar about Trump wheeling and dealing with Democrats and the firestorm this has sparked in Trump's base. Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank discusses his theory that the Democrats are turning into socialists.

"We're trying to focus on what people want and what people need: jobs, education and security." Sep 14, 2017

Show notes

The House Democratic Caucus recently unveiled its new "Jobs for America Task Forces" program as a compliment to its 'Better Deal' initiative. The five task forces each focus on a different aspect of the economy: programs and opportunities based around infrastructure, employment benefits, employment and education opportunities, job growth and adaptation and veteran employment. Congressman Donald Norcross, co-chair of the 'Rebuilding America Task Force,' talks to Michael Steele about his hopes for the program and what he wants his task force to accomplish. Ali Soufan, former FBI special agent and member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, talks about his recent reporting on the rise of Hamza bin Laden and the resurgence of al-Qaeda.

Could we prevent another 9/11? Sep 12, 2017

Show notes

Congressman Will Hurd (R-Texas 23) says the evolving mindset of the U.S. intelligence community has made us safer since 9/11. Instead of hoarding information because of "need to know", intelligence agencies share information laterally because of the "need to share". Congressman Hurd, who filled now-CIA Director Mike Pompeo's seat on the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, talks to Michael Steele and Rick Ungar about how the U.S. intelligence community has adapted and improved since 9/11, but also notes how there's still room for improvement. Alvin Chang, senior graphics reporter for Vox, talks about his piece exploring how colleges and universities subtly discriminate against students based on class.

"Government has a role [to play in society], and it's not just tax cuts." Sep 09, 2017

Show notes

In a recent op-ed for the Washington Post titled, "Stop being afraid of more government. It’s exactly what we need", CNN host Fareed Zakaria argues that more Americans should embrace the idea of big government. While Zakaria wrote it in the context of government giving relief to hurricane victims, he added, "We are living in an age of revolutions, natural and human, that are buffeting individuals and communities. We need government to be more than a passive observer of these trends and forces. It needs to actively shape and manage them."

Michael Steele debates the role and scope of government with guest host Jonathan Capehart, an op-ed contributor for the Washington Post, MSNBC contributor and host of the "Cape UP" podcast. They also talk to Daily Beast special correspondent Michael Tomasky about whether Democratic leaders in Congress might or should cut a deal with President Trump on immigration where DACA gets codified into law in exchange for border wall funding.

"We have embraced the history of our American immigrant tradition and helping the newcomer." Sep 08, 2017

Show notes

Steve Bannon has strong words for the Roman Catholic Church. President Trump's former chief strategist, a Catholic himself, criticized the Church's opposition to Trump's decision on DACA, saying the Catholic Church has a vested economic interest in "unlimited illegal immigration" because "the Church needs illegal aliens to fill seats". Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York responded, "That's insulting and so ridiculous." Ashley Feasley, director of policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Migration and Refugee Services, talks to Michael Steele and Rick Ungar about the Catholic Church's response to Trump winding down the Obama-era program and addresses Bannon's inflammatory criticism of the Church. Michael and Rick also discuss Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' intention to roll back an Obama-era Title IX guidance on how to handle sexual assault cases on college campuses.

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