1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,120 Welcome back everybody to another deep dive. 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,040 Today we're gonna do something a little different. 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:06,880 Yeah. 4 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:10,960 So we asked you all to send in some sources 5 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:13,080 that you thought would be interesting to look at. 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:13,920 Okay. 7 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:15,120 And boy did you deliver. 8 00:00:16,080 --> 00:00:18,960 So we've got a really interesting mix here. 9 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,440 And I think we're gonna touch on a lot of stuff today. 10 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:23,480 I mean, we've got like the pulse 11 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:25,320 of American politics right now. 12 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:27,680 There's this resurgence of trade wars. 13 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:30,920 Elon Musk is everywhere these days. 14 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:33,040 Like his influence just seems to be expanding. 15 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:33,880 Right. 16 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,880 And there's this potential shutdown of USAID. 17 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:37,720 Oh wow. 18 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:38,560 Yeah. 19 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:40,040 So I mean, lots to get to today. 20 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,880 But one thing that really stood out to me right away 21 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:44,920 was something with the last election. 22 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:47,920 More people chose not to vote for Trump than did. 23 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,680 And even more didn't vote at all. 24 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:50,520 Wow. 25 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,640 I mean, that's a pretty crazy statistic, right? 26 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:53,480 Yeah, it is. 27 00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:55,680 You know, it really makes you think about this pattern 28 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,600 we've seen throughout American history. 29 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:58,440 What do you mean? 30 00:00:58,440 --> 00:00:59,280 Well, think about it. 31 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:03,000 2020, 2008, even going back to 1976, 32 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:08,160 American voters, they tend to throw the brums out 33 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,000 after a few terms, you know. 34 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,480 Ah, so like a pendulum swinging back and forth. 35 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:13,320 Exactly. 36 00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:14,160 So are we just in the middle 37 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:15,600 of another one of those swings then? 38 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,080 Or is this something, I don't know, is it more than that? 39 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:20,320 Oh, that's the question, isn't it? 40 00:01:20,320 --> 00:01:23,120 Some folks are saying this low voter turnout, 41 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:26,080 it's a sign of apathy that people are just disillusioned 42 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:26,920 with the whole system. 43 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:27,560 Yeah. 44 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:28,960 And some folks are saying maybe it's that 45 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:31,480 voters are becoming more discerning, you know. 46 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:33,440 They're holding their leaders to a higher standard. 47 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,200 But let's stick into that historical context a little more. 48 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,640 Is this a sign that our democracy is in trouble 49 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:40,400 or is it just a course correction, a healthy one? 50 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:41,240 I see what you mean. 51 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:42,840 It's not just about the numbers themselves. 52 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:45,640 It's about what's behind those numbers, you know. 53 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:46,480 Right. 54 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,440 But speaking of things that could shake things up, 55 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:50,480 there's also this whole thing about trade wars 56 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:51,640 making a comeback. 57 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:52,480 Oh, yeah. 58 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,240 And this time it feels a lot closer to home. 59 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:56,520 What are you talking about? 60 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,280 I'm talking about the tariffs that the Trump administration 61 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,480 has slapped on Canada, Mexico, and China. 62 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:03,160 Right. 63 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,280 They say it's all about illegal immigration 64 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,200 and drugs and all that, but I don't know. 65 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:08,520 It feels a little familiar. 66 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:09,200 Oh, yeah. 67 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,640 Yeah, it's like the same song and dance we heard back in 2018. 68 00:02:12,640 --> 00:02:14,880 And if those tariffs are anything to go by, 69 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,120 I mean, I think we could be in for some rough times, 70 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:18,600 economically speaking. 71 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:19,480 I think you're right. 72 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,480 Remember those 2018 tariffs? 73 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,520 They basically acted as a hidden tax hike. 74 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:24,200 Really? 75 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:25,000 Yeah. 76 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,760 And the worst part is they hit lower and middle income 77 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:29,040 Americans the hardest. 78 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:30,320 Oh, wow. 79 00:02:30,320 --> 00:02:33,440 So if we follow that same logic with these new tariffs, 80 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,120 well, it's not a pretty picture. 81 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,800 You see, tariffs are essentially like an extra fee 82 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:39,440 tacked onto imported goods. 83 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:39,880 OK. 84 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:41,520 So let's say you buy something from China. 85 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:41,960 Right. 86 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,200 When it gets to the US, the government 87 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,760 tax on this extra fee, the tariff, 88 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:48,720 and guess who ends up paying for it a lot of the time? 89 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:49,640 The buyer. 90 00:02:49,640 --> 00:02:50,800 Exactly. 91 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,760 You, the consumer, end up paying higher prices. 92 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:57,240 So even though the idea is to protect American businesses, 93 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,080 it might actually end up hurting the average person. 94 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:00,840 Exactly. 95 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,920 And it's not just individual consumers. 96 00:03:02,920 --> 00:03:04,840 The whole economy feels it. 97 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:05,080 Yeah. 98 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,520 You've got businesses relying on these imported goods 99 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,520 facing higher costs. 100 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:13,320 That can lead to job losses or more price increases. 101 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:14,600 Think about companies like Walmart. 102 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:16,920 They depend a lot on imports from China. 103 00:03:16,920 --> 00:03:17,360 Right. 104 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,760 So they might have to raise prices on a bunch of stuff, 105 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,680 which hits your wallet directly. 106 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:24,240 And that brings up a key question. 107 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:25,280 What's that? 108 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:29,640 Do these tariffs actually do what they're supposed to do? 109 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:32,760 Or are they just hurting the very people they claim to help? 110 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,720 It's like this big economic and political puzzle. 111 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:36,160 Right. 112 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,080 And I don't think anyone really has all the pieces figured out. 113 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:39,520 Nope. 114 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,640 But hey, speaking of people who seem to be playing a different game, 115 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:44,040 we got to talk about Elon Musk. 116 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:44,320 Oh yeah. 117 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:45,440 What's he up to now? 118 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,680 Well, this whole thing about him having access 119 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:49,440 to the Treasury's payment system, 120 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:51,160 it's got everyone talking. 121 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:51,560 Yeah. 122 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,520 The Treasury Department, they keep saying his access is read only. 123 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:55,400 Right. 124 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:56,880 But even that, it's risky. 125 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:57,640 Right. 126 00:03:57,640 --> 00:03:58,360 Oh, so? 127 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,680 Well, imagine having access to all that info. 128 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,760 Real-time updates on government spending, 129 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,680 including sensitive stuff, like payments to intelligence assets 130 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:08,320 all over the world. 131 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:11,480 Someone could use that information to manipulate things, 132 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:13,640 maybe even for their own personal game. 133 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:15,320 This sounds like something out of a movie. 134 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:16,440 It does, doesn't it? 135 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:17,880 And he's not stopping there. 136 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:21,360 He's openly talking about canceling certain government grants. 137 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:22,200 Oh, wow. 138 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:24,080 Saying he wants to shrink the government. 139 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:25,640 But is that even legal? 140 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:26,120 That's the thing. 141 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:29,760 It's a legal gray area, which makes it even more worrying. 142 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:30,280 Yeah. 143 00:04:30,280 --> 00:04:34,040 The power to decide where the money goes, the power of the purse, 144 00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:37,120 it belongs to Congress, according to the Constitution. 145 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:41,000 If Musk can just bypass that, it sets a dangerous precedent. 146 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:41,400 Right. 147 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:45,000 It's like giving one very wealthy guy with no elected authority 148 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:49,040 the power to overrule decisions made by the people we actually voted for. 149 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:52,640 It makes you think, what would happen if this became the norm? 150 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,520 Rich people getting to pick and choose which programs get funded. 151 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:56,200 Exactly. 152 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:57,720 What happens to accountability then? 153 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,880 It's definitely something to think about. 154 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:03,600 But speaking of things with potentially big consequences, 155 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:07,640 let's switch gears and talk about the possible shutdown of USAID. 156 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:08,400 US ID. 157 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:11,240 Yeah, the United States Agency for International Development. 158 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:14,560 They do a lot of important work helping out countries in need 159 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,520 all around the world. 160 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:15,880 Oh, yeah. 161 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,600 They help with poverty, disease prevention, promoting stability 162 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:21,160 in some really vulnerable areas. 163 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:22,240 Exactly. 164 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:26,320 So what happens if that lifeline is cut off? 165 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:27,920 Well, it could be pretty bad. 166 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:33,240 We could see years of progress in poverty reduction just wiped out. 167 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:37,120 Diseases could make a comeback because people lose access to health care. 168 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:37,560 Right. 169 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,600 And political instability. 170 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,720 That could increase, maybe even lead to conflict. 171 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:43,880 It's a domino effect. 172 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:45,840 So it's not just a humanitarian issue. 173 00:05:45,840 --> 00:05:47,680 It's about global security, too. 174 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:48,480 Exactly. 175 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:52,520 But couldn't someone argue that this is a way to save American taxpayers' money? 176 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,760 You know, we don't have to be so generous anymore. 177 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,360 Well, that's a common misunderstanding about foreign aid. 178 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,000 It's not just charity. 179 00:05:59,000 --> 00:05:59,880 It's an investment. 180 00:05:59,880 --> 00:06:04,160 It's a strategic way to prevent future problems that could end up costing us 181 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:05,640 way more in the long run. 182 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:07,000 OK, I see what you mean. 183 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:12,760 For example, imagine a region that's been destabilized by famine or a disease outbreak. 184 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:17,040 That's a breeding ground for extremism, and it can force mass migration, 185 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:21,920 both of which directly impact the US, our security, and our economy. 186 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:25,160 So American generosity, it's not just about being nice. 187 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:26,920 It's about protecting ourselves, too. 188 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:27,800 Exactly. 189 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:32,680 By investing in the well-being of other nations, we're also investing in our own future. 190 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:33,880 There's a lot to think about there. 191 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:35,840 But before we get too caught up in the big picture, 192 00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:38,840 there are some other events from these sources that we should touch on, 193 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:41,720 kind of like quick hits, if you will. 194 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:42,880 OK, sounds good. 195 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:46,200 Did you know Trump's approval rating is lower than ever? 196 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:50,840 Yeah, his net approval at the start of this term is even worse than at the beginning 197 00:06:50,840 --> 00:06:53,840 of his first term, which was already historically low. 198 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:54,680 Wow. 199 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,720 He's facing some serious headwinds here, especially with some of his more 200 00:06:57,720 --> 00:06:59,600 controversial policies coming up. 201 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:04,200 That pendulum swing we were talking about earlier, it might be even stronger than we thought. 202 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:07,760 And speaking of political shakeups, the Democrats have a new leader. 203 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:08,760 Right, Ken Martin. 204 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:15,320 Yeah, from the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party, he's the new DNC chair. 205 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,760 What do you think this means for the Democrats? 206 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:22,000 It seems like they want a more strategic, behind-the-scenes kind of leader. 207 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:27,080 He's already talking about doing a post-election review to figure out why they lost in 2024. 208 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:27,840 Makes sense. 209 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,120 They're definitely trying to regroup, find a new direction. 210 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:35,560 I think one of their biggest challenges, though, is going to be understanding why they lost 211 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:37,360 the support of certain voters. 212 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:38,480 Like who? 213 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,000 Young black and Latino men, specifically. 214 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:44,760 They shifted their votes to Trump, and the Democrats need to figure out why. 215 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,680 Yeah, and let's not forget about Biden's decision to run for a second term. 216 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:53,040 Even though he said he'd be a transitional president, that didn't go over well with everyone. 217 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:54,760 That's definitely caused some tension in the party. 218 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,600 Yeah, it created this sense of, I don't know, chaos. 219 00:07:57,600 --> 00:07:59,240 Like there was no clear plan. 220 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:00,320 Exactly. 221 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:05,320 And speaking of potential future leaders, what about this idea of Pete Buttigieg running 222 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,160 for Senate in Michigan? 223 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:11,520 A Senate seat would give him some serious experience, and a national platform too. 224 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,400 Especially if he wants to run for president again. 225 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:13,960 That's exactly. 226 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:19,560 And what makes it even more interesting is that he might be up against a Jewish lesbian candidate. 227 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:21,960 Yeah, that would be a historic race, wouldn't it? 228 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:26,960 It would, and it would force the Democrats to really look at their own internal dynamics, you know? 229 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:28,000 Absolutely. 230 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:32,520 All those questions about identity politics and representation, it would all come to the forefront. 231 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:34,200 It would be a real test for them. 232 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:39,720 A test of their commitment to inclusion, how they connect with the diverse electorate. 233 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,360 It's going to be fascinating to see how that plays out. 234 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:42,800 It is. 235 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:48,160 But while the Democrats are sorting themselves out, the Republicans aren't exactly a united front either. 236 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:48,400 Nope. 237 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:52,400 They're still fighting over the budget, and it doesn't look like they're any closer to agreeing. 238 00:08:52,400 --> 00:09:01,800 It's a classic Republican struggle, balancing that traditional fiscal conservatism with the demands of the Trump loyalists 239 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:05,000 who want more spending on things like defense. 240 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,160 And then you've got the deficit. 241 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:11,160 Some Republicans are really worried about it, while others seem less concerned. 242 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:12,640 Yeah, it's a big rift in the party. 243 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:18,440 You know, it really highlights the tension between these different ideologies within the Republican party. 244 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:23,680 You've got the traditional fiscal conservatives who want a balanced budget and limited government. 245 00:09:23,680 --> 00:09:28,680 And then you've got the more populist wing that's less worried about traditional economics 246 00:09:28,680 --> 00:09:32,360 and more focused on delivering on promises made to their base. 247 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:36,120 Yeah, it's like two different visions for the party, and they're clashing. 248 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:40,280 And with the 2026 midterms coming up, this inviting could really hurt them. 249 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:40,840 Definitely. 250 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:49,760 But you know, speaking of choices that can have big consequences, we can't forget about that NTSB report on that terrible plane crash in D.C. 251 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:50,360 Oh, right. 252 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:58,240 It's looking more and more like all that overcrowding at D.C.A., which Congress had a hand in, played a major role in the tragedy. 253 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:06,600 It's a stark reminder that even small decisions, like adding more flights to an already packed airport, can have these huge, unforeseen consequences. 254 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:10,840 It makes you think about government oversight and whether there might be some conflicts of interest there. 255 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:18,160 Yeah, in this case, it seems like Congress, the ones who are supposed to be regulating air travel, they might have put politics ahead of safety. 256 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:19,200 That's scary. 257 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:20,120 It really is. 258 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:24,800 And it makes you wonder what other potential dangers are out there just waiting to happen. 259 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:26,480 But wait, there's more. 260 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:27,120 Oh boy. 261 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,320 Marco Rubio, he's got this new assignment. 262 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:29,920 What's that? 263 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:33,360 He has to convince Panama to give up control of the Panama Canal. 264 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:34,200 Seriously? 265 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:35,520 Yeah, it sounds crazy, right? 266 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:36,400 It does. 267 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:44,880 I mean, why would Panama just give up their most valuable asset, especially considering his history and how important it is to their economy? 268 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:51,360 It feels like another example of the Trump administration making these impulsive, unrealistic foreign policy decisions. 269 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:56,560 Yeah, it's a risky move, probably won't work, and could really damage our relationship with Panama. 270 00:10:56,560 --> 00:11:03,360 And last but not least, we've got this legal battle brewing that could have major consequences for reproductive rights. 271 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,480 Oh, right, the case with the doctor in New York. 272 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:13,080 Yeah, he was indicted for prescribing abortion pills to a teenager in Louisiana where abortion is basically illegal. 273 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:17,440 This case brings up some really big questions about state power. 274 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:18,080 Right. 275 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:25,200 Can one state go after a doctor in another state for providing care that's legal in that state? 276 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:26,920 And it's not just about abortion. 277 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:27,520 No. 278 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:33,200 The outcome of this case could affect all sorts of things like gun control or even online commerce. 279 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:36,320 Anytime you have state laws clashing, it gets complicated. 280 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:44,480 So we're talking economic anxieties, political power struggles, technology changing everything, ethical dilemmas. 281 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:45,240 It's a lot. 282 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:46,080 It is. 283 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:50,760 But by looking closely at these issues, I think we can start to understand what's shaping our world. 284 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,000 And maybe even figure out our own role in shaping the future. 285 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,440 We've got a lot more to unpack. 286 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:56,320 So stay tuned. 287 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,160 We'll be back after a quick break. 288 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:04,280 You know, as we dig into all this stuff, it's pretty clear that these events, they're all connected. 289 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:05,080 Oh, yeah. 290 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:09,920 Yeah, we've been talking about how these new tariffs could hurt American consumers. 291 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:10,520 Right. 292 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:12,400 But what about the rest of the world? 293 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:13,360 How are they going to react? 294 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:14,000 That's a good point. 295 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,320 They're not just going to sit there and take it. 296 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:15,600 Right. 297 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:19,080 They've got their own interest to predict and their own ways to hit back economically. 298 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:20,320 What do you think they'll do? 299 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:24,720 Well, we can look at how the European Union responded to the tariffs back in 2018. 300 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:25,400 OK. 301 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:27,960 They didn't just throw up tariffs of their own, though. 302 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:29,320 They got strategic about it. 303 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:30,280 Oh, yeah. 304 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:34,840 They wanted to cause as much political pain as possible for the Trump administration. 305 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:35,480 Interesting. 306 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:36,600 How'd they do that? 307 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:43,880 They targeted products that were important to key Republicans, you know, lawmakers in certain states. 308 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,680 So they hit industries that matter to those politicians. 309 00:12:46,680 --> 00:12:47,560 Yeah. 310 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:50,040 Hoping to put pressure on them to oppose the tariffs. 311 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:50,880 To clever. 312 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,240 For example, they put tariffs on bourbon. 313 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:54,000 Bourbon. 314 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:54,480 Yeah. 315 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,040 Which hit Kentucky hard. 316 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:57,840 Mitch McConnell's home state. 317 00:12:57,840 --> 00:12:58,960 Exactly. 318 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,480 So what's stopping them from doing the same thing this time? 319 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:02,960 Nothing really. 320 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,240 And they've already hinted they're ready to retaliate. 321 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:07,760 What do you think they'll target this time? 322 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:09,200 They might go after agriculture. 323 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:10,280 Agriculture. 324 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:10,720 Yeah. 325 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:14,640 Products from states like South Dakota, John Thune's home state. 326 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:15,840 He's the Senate Majority Leader, right? 327 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:16,400 Yeah. 328 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:22,120 Yep, imagine the impact on their soybean, corn, beef exports. 329 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:23,560 It's like a game of chess. 330 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:23,960 It is. 331 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:25,960 Each side trying to outmaneuver the other. 332 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:26,880 High stakes too. 333 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:28,600 Absolutely. 334 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:32,440 But speaking of tricky political situations, let's get back to Ken Martin. 335 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:33,760 The new DNC chair. 336 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:37,600 Yeah, he's got a lot on his plate trying to get the Democratic Party back on track. 337 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:38,760 He does. 338 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:44,240 And one of his biggest challenges is going to be dealing with the fallout from Biden's 339 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,800 decision to run for a second term. 340 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,680 Yeah, that didn't go over well with everyone. 341 00:13:48,680 --> 00:13:49,040 It didn't. 342 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:52,280 It created this sense of chaos, like no one was sure what was going on. 343 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:53,120 Exactly. 344 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:56,040 And it really exposed that tension within the party. 345 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:56,840 Right. 346 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:00,360 About Biden running again, even though he'd said he'd be a transitional president. 347 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:02,760 Martin's got to find a way to bring everyone together. 348 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:04,640 Yeah, and come up with a plan for the future. 349 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,120 And they can't ignore those voters who switched to Trump. 350 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:08,600 The young black and Latino men. 351 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:09,040 Right. 352 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:12,160 They need to figure out what appealed to them about Trump's message. 353 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:13,240 Absolutely. 354 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,680 But, hey, what about this idea of Pete Buttigieg running for Senate? 355 00:14:16,680 --> 00:14:17,600 That would be interesting. 356 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:19,560 Yeah, he'd get more national exposure that way. 357 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:22,400 And valuable experience, especially if he still wants to be president. 358 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:27,040 And imagine if he ends up running against a Jewish lesbian candidate. 359 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:28,600 That would be a historic matchup. 360 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:29,160 It would. 361 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:35,400 It would force the Democrats to really grapple with those questions about identity and representation. 362 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:41,400 It would test their commitment to inclusivity, how they connect with a diverse electorate. 363 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:43,960 It'll be fascinating to see how that unfolds. 364 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:48,920 But in the meantime, the Republicans aren't exactly a model of unity themselves. 365 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:49,440 Nope. 366 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:50,960 Still fighting over the budget. 367 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:52,560 And it's not just about spending. 368 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,480 It's about the deficit, too. 369 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:58,800 Yeah, you've got some Republicans really worried about it, while others seem less concerned. 370 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:03,000 It's another example of that tension between different factions and the party. 371 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:08,600 You've got the traditional fiscal conservatives who want to balance the budget and keep the government small. 372 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:09,040 Right. 373 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:15,440 And then the more populist wing that's less concerned with those traditional ideas and more about delivering on promises. 374 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:17,520 Two very different visions for the party. 375 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:19,840 And it's not clear which one will win out. 376 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:25,000 And with the 2026 midterms coming up, this inviting could really hurt them. 377 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,400 Absolutely. 378 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:30,920 But, you know, speaking of decisions with potentially serious consequences, 379 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:35,360 that NTSB report on the DC plane crash is pretty damning. 380 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:35,960 It is. 381 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:40,760 Seems like all that overcrowding at DCA played a big part. And, you know, Congress was involved in that. 382 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:46,080 It shows how even small decisions, like adding more flights to a busy airport, 383 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:49,000 can have these terrible unintended consequences. 384 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,080 It makes you question the whole idea of government oversight. 385 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:52,480 Right. 386 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:57,640 Like, are they really looking out for our best interests or other conflicts of interest at play? 387 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,200 In this case, it seems like Congress put politics ahead of safety. 388 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:02,320 And that's scary. 389 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,360 Makes you wonder what other risks are out there that we don't even know about. 390 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:09,040 And what about this whole thing with Marco Rubio and the Panama Canal? 391 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:10,560 I still can't believe that's a real thing. 392 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:11,760 I know, right? 393 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:16,520 Convincing Panama to just give up control of the canal, it seems like a long shot at best. 394 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:17,280 It does. 395 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,040 Why would Panama just hand over their most valuable asset? 396 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,480 Something that's so important to their economy and their national pride. 397 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:28,440 It feels like another one of those impulsive foreign policy moves from the Trump administration. 398 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:33,200 Yeah. High risk, low reward, and could really damage our relationship with Panama. 399 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,080 And then we have this legal battle over abortion pills. 400 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:40,960 Right. A case that could really reshape the landscape of reproductive rights in America. 401 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,880 It's a stark reminder of how divided we are on this issue. 402 00:16:43,880 --> 00:16:48,560 It is. And it's going to be fascinating and a little scary to see how it all plays out. 403 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,920 The outcome could have repercussions far beyond abortion, you know? 404 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:57,320 It could affect things like gun control, online commerce, anything where state laws are clashing. 405 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,160 I mean, it's a legal and political mind-feel. 406 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:03,040 It is. And it shows just how much uncertainty we're facing right now 407 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,520 on so many different fronts. It's overwhelming. 408 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:08,520 It is. But it's also a time of incredible opportunity. 409 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:09,840 We're at a crossroads. 410 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,680 And the decisions we make now will have a profound impact on the future. 411 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,680 So what can we do? How do we navigate all this? 412 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:20,560 Stay informed, be critical of the information you're bombarded with, and talk to each other. 413 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:22,120 Even the people you disagree with. 414 00:17:22,120 --> 00:17:25,520 It sounds like you're advocating for a return to civil discourse. 415 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,840 Exactly. Finding common ground. 416 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:32,880 Especially now, with all this polarization and division, we need to listen to each other, 417 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:36,960 try to understand different perspectives, and find solutions that work for everyone. 418 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:37,920 That's a great message. 419 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:39,200 We're all in this together. 420 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:43,040 We are. So let's take a moment to reflect on everything we've learned so far. 421 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,520 Well, we've covered a lot of ground, haven't we? 422 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:50,960 From trade wars and Elon Musk to the Democrats and Republicans. 423 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,920 And even that plane crash, it's been quite the journey. 424 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,640 It has. And you know, it seems like everywhere you look, there's uncertainty. 425 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:02,320 Yeah. And so much of what we talked about today, it all comes back to this idea of 426 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:04,400 unintended consequences, you know? 427 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:04,640 Right. 428 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,040 Like with the tariffs, they're supposed to help American workers, 429 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:09,840 but they might end up hurting the most vulnerable among us. 430 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,440 And then there's Elon Musk and his access to the Treasury's payment system. 431 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,800 Even if it's read only, who knows what could happen? 432 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:20,320 Yeah, it's like we're constantly dealing with the fallout of decisions that 433 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:22,000 seem like good ideas at the time. 434 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,200 Exactly. And it's not just about domestic policy either. 435 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:29,360 Think about the potential ramifications of shutting down USA. 436 00:18:29,360 --> 00:18:30,720 Right. It's a global issue. 437 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:31,440 Exactly. 438 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,160 What we're seeing is this interconnectedness. 439 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,880 You know, we can't just pretend that these events are happening in isolation. 440 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:41,120 Every decision, every policy, it creates this ripple effect. 441 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:44,880 And it's hard to predict how far those ripples will spread. 442 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:46,480 It's kind of scary, honestly. 443 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,720 Like, are we even in control anymore? 444 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,480 It's understandable to feel that way. 445 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:50,720 Yeah. 446 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:55,040 But I think this uncertainty, it also presents us with an opportunity. 447 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:55,520 Really? 448 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:59,120 Yeah. It forces us to be more thoughtful, more intentional with our actions. 449 00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:02,080 We have to think critically, question assumptions, 450 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,800 and really consider the long-term impacts of our choices. 451 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:09,280 So instead of just reacting, we need to step back and think about the bigger picture. 452 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:09,760 Exactly. 453 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:14,640 And that means staying informed, engaging in constructive conversations, 454 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:16,240 and holding our leaders accountable. 455 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:20,560 It's not enough to just be aware of the issues we have to actually do something. 456 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:24,080 Right. We need to participate in shaping the future we want to see. 457 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,000 I like that shaping the future we want to see. 458 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:29,200 It reminds us that we're not just helpless bystanders. 459 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:32,560 We have a voice, and we have a responsibility to use it. 460 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:33,680 Absolutely. 461 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:36,720 And it all starts with understanding the complexities of these challenges. 462 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:40,240 We've talked about a lot today, and I hope you've come away with a better understanding 463 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,080 of what's going on and what we can do about it. 464 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:43,200 I think I have. 465 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,600 And it's helpful to put things in historical context. 466 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:48,800 It's not just about these isolated events. 467 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:52,800 It's about understanding the bigger picture, the patterns, 468 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:55,200 and the trends that have led us to this point. 469 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:58,640 Exactly. History can teach us a lot about what to avoid and what to strive for. 470 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:03,040 By understanding the past, we can navigate the present and create a better future. 471 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,480 So where do we go from here? What's the takeaway? 472 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:09,040 Well, I think the most important thing is to stay engaged, 473 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:11,760 stay informed, and stay hopeful. 474 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:14,080 Because the future isn't written yet, right? 475 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:16,800 We all have a role to play in shaping it. 476 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:20,720 Exactly. And that's a powerful idea, something to keep in mind as we move forward. 477 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:21,280 Well said. 478 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:23,920 Thank you for joining us on this deep dive, everyone. 479 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:26,720 We hope you found it insightful and thought-provoking. 480 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:28,320 And remember, your voice matters. 481 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:54,320 Stay curious, stay engaged, and stay hopeful.