Mike & Jay open the show with a look at the latest development in the various investigations and requests for information surrounding President Trump. They agree that while the president’s legal strategy isn’t the strongest, his political strategy - delaying until after the 2020 election and goading the Democrats into impeachment - is a smart one. They also discuss New York’s recently passed law that would allow Congress to receive President Trump’s state tax information.
Next is a discussion of the recent tensions with Iran. Mike points out that this all stems from the Trump administration pulling out of the multilateral Iran nuclear agreement under the assumption that they could get a better deal by squeezing Iran’s economy. Jay largely agrees with the strategy and while Mike understands it, he wonders how successful sanctions are likely to be given our decided lack of success in over half a century of sanctions against Cuba and North Korea.
After that, the Guys talk about the health care conscience rule, which allows providers, insurers, and employers to refuse to provide or pay for health services that violate their religious or moral beliefs. 20 states are suing the administration over this rule, and Mike believes they have a good point, in that it’s likely to result in discrimination against certain groups, especially in underserved rural areas. Jay is more sympathetic to the new rule and feels that if there’s a legitimate need for certain services, the market will find a way to provide it.
Finally, Mike & Jay discuss the ‘Tobacco Free Youth Act’ introduced by tobacco-state Senators Mitch McConnell and Tim Kaine. Mike sees it as a positive step, but not that big of one, arguing that the real fear for the tobacco industry is a ban on flavors, which might hurt the growth of their youth market. Jay’s uncomfortable with the raised restriction, feeling that people can make an informed choice about whether or not to use tobacco. It’s not an argument Mike really buys, given the addictive nature of tobacco - he’d like to see the U.S. move to a total ban of tobacco products over time.
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The Culture War and School Vouchers
FTC Noncompete Blocked, GOP v Dem Platforms, Listener Questions
Democratic Convention, RFK Jr and Trump, Biden Impeachment Report
Lost in the Middle: America’s Political Orphans
Trump and Harris Economic Plans, Presidential Prediction Models
Musk ‘Interviews’ Trump, Musk Lawsuit, Lowering Drug Prices
How To Raise a Citizen
Google Antitrust, The Squad vs AIPAC, Supreme Court Reform
Harris Picks Walz, Presidential Race
New Deal Law and Order and the Modern Liberal State
The Constitution: The 12th Amendment
Trump's Comments at NABJ Convention, U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange, the Killing of Ismail Haniyeh
Understanding Modern Political Campaigns
Netanyahu Visit, Supreme Court, Media Consumption
Biden Bows Out, The Harris Agenda, Secret Service Director Resigns
Taking on Trumpism with High-Dominance Politics
Trump Documents Case Dismissed, Senator Menendez Convicted
Pushing Out Biden, Trump Doc Case Dismissed, Menendez Guilty
Trump Assassination Attempt, VP Vance, GOP Convention
Crossing The Line: US Immigration Policy
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