The Politics Guys

Latest Episodes:

Stay-At-Home Extended, Encouraging Numbers?, SBA Loan Program, Resource Fights, Masks Apr 04, 2020

Show notes

This week, Mike and Kristin talk about all things COVID-19. The bigger issues involve President Trump's extended stay-at-home guidelines, the cultural impact of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, and some encouraging statistics. They also discuss the reality of economic issues we face, jobless numbers, the SBA loan program rolled out this week, states haggling over resources, and changing information about wearing face masks to reduce the virus spread.

This Week's RecommendationsMike suggests you check out (and even comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the Hulu show Puppy Prep and the rationally optimistic blog post, "No, You Didn't Just Lose Half of your Retirement Savings."

Kristin recommends Erik Larson's Dead Wake, about the Lusitania disaster during WWI and the events and tension leading up to it - and after. She also recommends the documentary Antarctica: A Year on Ice, a cool take on what it's like to live and work in the isolated environment of Antarctica.

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Coronavirus Stimulus, Defense Production Act, Restarting the Economy Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

Mike, Jay, and Trey open the show with a discussion of the federal government's economic response to the coronavirus pandemic - both the $2 trillion legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump as well as the Federal Reserve's multi-trillion dollar promise to do whatever it takes to keep the economy functioning.

After that, they discuss President Trump's recent invocation of the Defense Production Act, focusing on how it may help areas most affected by coronavirus. Then they debate whether it's too soon to restart the economy, if President Trump is being irresponsible and ignoring his public health experts, and the often agonizing tradeoffs that have to be made in crises.

RecommendationsMike suggests you check out (and comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the shows Derry Girls and Brockmire.

Jay recommends Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods as well as this documentary on jazz great Miles Davis.

Trey's recommendation is the book Davinci in Love.

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Reasons to be Rationally Optimistic About The Coronavirus Pandemic Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

In this special episode, Mike and Trey suggest reasons to feel at least potentially optimistic about the coronavirus pandemic. Their reasons for optimism cover likely outcomes, government response, and longer term ramifications. They also share some things they've found useful in coping with the crisis. (Such as Mike's recommendation to fellow liberals to check out moderate-right news sources like The Bulwark and National Review.)

Today's SponsorThe sponsor for today's show is Coronavirus Daily Briefing.

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Coronavirus, Ohio's Primary That Wasn't, Social Media in an Emergency Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

On this special episode Trey and Ken are joined by Mike. They begin the show discussing the California lockdown, the first of its kind in the country, and the Senate Republican direct payment relief plan. Next the trio talk about the Democratic primary, focused primarily on the primary that wasn't in Ohio. They finish the show discussing social media in an emergency and their respective weekly recommendations.

Recommendations

Mike's Recommendation is his own, ongoing creation: The Reluctant Detective.

Mike also recommends two books, both by Pema Chordon: When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times and Living Beautifully With Uncertainty and Change.

Trey recommends CBS All Access's Star Trek Picard.

Ken recommends the music of Paul Kopasz (aka Paul K).

Today's Sponsor is Coronavirus Daily Briefing.

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Thomas Philippon on How America Gave Up on Free Markets Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

Mike talks with Thomas Philippon, a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University. Professor Philippon is a member of the Monetary Policy Advisory Panel of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the author of the recently released book, The Great Reversal: How America Gave Up On Free Markets, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics discussed include:

the many benefits of competition
how and why the US became much less competitive over the last two decades
how, in many ways, Europe is actually much more competitive than the US
how lobbying and campaign finance contribute to the problem
the 'revolving door' between government and the private sector
the decline of competition in finance, health care, and the tech sector
what can be done to increase competition

Thomas Philippon on Twitter

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Coronavirus Pandemic Response & How Moderate is Joe Biden, Anyway? Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

Mike and Kristin discuss the many political and policy implications of the Coronavirus pandemic. They begin with a synopsis of the past week and a review of Trump's address and press conference, the takeaways, the stock market rebound, and their thoughts. Then, they weigh some of the deeper policy issues that this crisis has dredged up - public health funding, emergency preparedness, paid sick leave, and government embracing big tech. They also discuss how moments like this often have lasting effects on culture, and vice versa.

Finally, Mike and Kristin turn to the Democratic Primary and have a conversation about Biden and whether he is a "moderate" or a "progressive".

Nick Shabazz (the YouTube knife guy Mike recommended)

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (Kristin's book recommendation)

Today's SponsorEmpower. For more info about Empower, visit: empower.me/politicsguys

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Super Tuesday, Biden Rising, Bloomberg & 'Buying an Election', Warren & Sexism, Coronavirus Response Mar 07, 2020

Show notes

Mike and Jay discuss the state of the Democratic primary in the aftermath of a Biden resurgence. Mike Bloomberg makes us wonder whether anyone can,in fact, buy an election and Mike and Jay give their takes on Elizabeth Warren's "sexism" comments. Then the discussion turns to the political and economic impact of the coronavirus and whether the crisis highlights Trump's incompetence or confirms validity of some of his platform points. Finally, Mike and Jay recommend some stuff to read that is older than the remaining presidential candidates.

Jay & Mike's Recommended Reading- Ohio 1912 State Constitution Debates - Discourses & Handbook of Epictetus

Today's SponsorsEmpower. For more info about Empower, visit: empower.me/politicsguysThe Democracy Group. For more info visit: democracygroup.org

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Presidential Electability, Constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Patterson v. Walgreens Feb 29, 2020

Show notes

This week Trey is joined by Ken. The two start the show by discussing what it means for a presidential candidate to be electable. Given the focus on Sanders post Nevada the pair focus specifically on how him in a general election against President Trump. Trey and Ken explore what historically drives candidates to be viable outside of the horse race narrative. Trey's interest in the Democratic primary makes him particularly concerned for a candidate that can beat Trump. He believes that voters will more generally punish Sanders for his socialist policies, but that the recent market correction will aid him. Ken agrees that Sanders has a liability in his socialist title, he thinks it is a smaller problem and can be fixed with proper messaging. Next the pair turn to the issue of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This agency, created via Dodd Frank, is at the center of an unusual controversy over the relationship between the President and Congress. The Supreme Court took the case this week. The key controversy surrounds presidential appointment: can president's be restricted by Congress in their removal power? Trey recounts the history of the removal power and the facts of the case, Ken explores the likely Supreme Court outcome. Finally Trey and Ken turn to the recent case of Patterson v. Walgreen. This case, which the Supreme Court declined to hear this week, more narrowly defines religious exemptions for employees. Specifically, as outlined by Trey, Patterson was fired for not coming to work on a Saturday due to his Seventh Day Adventist practices. The lower courts ruled that Walmart did have the power to fire him. Ken believes the lower courts were wrong, but he surprises Trey by suggesting that he disagrees with religious exemptions for generally applicable laws.

Today's Sponsors

The Democracy Group. For more info visit: democracygroup.org

Empower. For more info about Empower, visit:empower.me/politicsguys

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Trump's Pardons, Mike Bloomberg, What to Look for in a Presidential Candidate Feb 22, 2020

Show notes

This week, Mike and Kristin first take on the issue of pardoning. They discuss Trump's most recent 11 pardons and commutations. Mike's concern is rooted in who President Trump has pardoned - largely his political friends and allies. Kristin brings up historical pardoning to these ends, as well as the First Step Act in relation to Mike's point that Trump could be doing much more for overlooked nonviolent offenders. On a broad scale, they also discuss the Founding Fathers' original intentions when creating the power of pardoning and whether this deserves a second look, as we seem to have drifted from these intentions over time.

Next, Mike and Kristin give their impressions of the Democratic Debate that took place in Nevada (ahead of the Nevada Caucuses) this past week. Mike elaborated on his impressions as a Democratic voter, the factors he feels are most important for voters to consider, and the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. Kristin also gave her impressions about candidate strategy. In the end, Mike said that he wasn't sure who he'd cast his primary vote for, but that he'd let the audience know soon.

Today's SponsorEmpower. For more info about Empower, visit: empower.me/politicsguys

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

Justice Department Independence, NH Primary, Bernie and a Democratic Socialist President Feb 15, 2020

Show notes

After a big announcement about some significant changes to the podcast, Mike and Jay turn to a discussion of the independence and integrity of the Justice Department and its leader, Attorney General William Barr. Mike attempts to understand Barr based on his views of executive authority, which Mike believes are wrongheaded. Jay, on the other hand, thinks that Barr is absolutely right about sweeping executive authority. One thing Mike and Jay agree on is that President Trump's tweets about ongoing Justice Department cases make it very difficult for Barr to convince people that the department is acting with integrity.

After that, they turn to the New Hampshire primary and the state of the Democratic race. Mike argues that it's far too soon for anyone to panic, though Jay thinks that some panic might be appropriate for Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. With Bernie Sanders emerging as an early frontrunner, the Guys next discuss what a Sanders presidency might look like, and whether or not Democratic Socialism is something to be applauded or shunned.

Today's SponsorEmpower. For more info about Empower, visit: empower.me/politicsguys

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Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you're interested in supporting the show, go to patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support.

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