The Politics Guys

Mike, Tim, and Michael open with the “Deciding to Win” memo and the broader question of how Democrats can reconnect with working-class voters while staying true to core values. Mike argues that Democrats already face structural disadvantages and will lose even more elections if they treat politics as a mass pedagogy project instead of meeting voters where they are with authentic, non-condescending economic populism. Tim contends that Democrats are ripping themselves apart over issues like trans rights, women’s sports, and abortion limits, and that these fissures are driving away Hispanics and moderates in a way no amount of polling or data can paper over. Michael embraces the memo’s focus on bread-and-butter economics but insists Democrats cannot simply bury generational fights over climate and trans rights, warning that throwing vulnerable groups under the bus for short-term wins risks both moral failure and long-term political costs. Next, the guys tackle the explosion of legal sports betting after Murphy v. NCAA, weighing the tax revenue and entertainment value against addiction, integrity scandals, and the corrosive rise of in-game micro-bets. Mike stresses that problem gamblers provide a huge share of industry revenue and that once you factor in social services, law enforcement, and economic substitution, every state gambling dollar likely costs several more dollars in external damage, all while leagues gorge on betting-related income. Tim frames gambling as a perennial human impulse that should be managed rather than banned, suggesting a middle ground that allows traditional game-outcome betting but sharply restricts corruption-prone prop bets instead of pretending the state can save people from every self-destructive choice. Michael admits to enjoying small, controlled wagers but argues today’s always-on apps and prop-bet interfaces amount to “addiction by algorithm,” fueling both personal ruin and match-fixing risks in lower-tier sports, even as states and leagues grow dependent on the cash. Take advantage of our Small Business Saturday Weeklong Sale by getting an additional 10% off of annual support at the Insider and Sustainer levels by using code EF0C7 at checkout. New monthly supporters can get 90% off their first month with code 21FDF. To redeem either of these offers, go to patreon.com/politicsguys. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Tim, and Michael open with Trump’s 28-point Ukraine peace plan, built on Russian terms that demand territorial concessions, a NATO ban, limits on Ukraine’s army, and sweeping amnesty. Tim focuses on trading some Ukrainian territory for ironclad security guarantees, including foreign troops on the ground as real deterrence. Mike argues the U.S. should massively ramp up weapons and capabilities for Kyiv, rejecting escalation fears and warning that half-measures only reward aggression and embolden China over Taiwan. Michael sees the plan as politically and militarily a nonstarter, doubts any near-term peace is possible, and warns that Zelensky is trapped between unrealistic war aims and rising domestic disillusionment. Next, the guys dig into the dismissal of criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James after a judge ruled prosecutor Lindsay Halligan’s appointment violated federal law and the Appointments Clause. Michael says DOJ’s handling looks amateurish, highlights Halligan’s lack of prosecutorial experience, and argues the underlying Comey case is legally flimsy at best. Tim thinks it still helps Trump politically, since it looks like unpopular figures “beat the rap” on a technicality and feeds a narrative of lawfare gone soft on the powerful. Mike frames the prosecutions as part of Trump’s broader strategy to intimidate critics like a political mob boss, stressing the danger of normalizing legally thin cases even against people he personally dislikes. After that, the guys turn to the Democratic veterans’ video reminding troops to refuse illegal orders and the revelations about “no survivors” strike instructions in the Venezuela boat attacks. Michael sees a collision between basic military law and hyper-polarized politics, worries about pressure to treat oaths as loyalty to Trump rather than the Constitution, and questions labeling Venezuela a full narco-terrorist state as a pretext for undeclared war. Tim dismisses the video as a political stunt, defends aggressive action against Venezuela’s regime as morally justified and broadly popular, and argues U.S. power can legitimately push the constitutional envelope without breaking it. Mike likes the stunt precisely because it exposes Trump’s appetite for a loyal praetorian-style military, opposes any invasion of Venezuela given America’s dismal nation-building record, and rejects the idea that good ends can justify shredding constitutional constraints. Tim’s dataset on US troop deployments (and Tim’s Substack) Take advantage of our Small Business Saturday Weeklong Sale by getting an additional 10% off of annual support at the Insider and Sustainer levels by using code EF0C7 at checkout. New monthly supporters can get 90% off their first month with code 21FDF. To redeem either of these offers, go to patreon.com/politicsguys The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Joey open with the spiraling Comey prosecution, where a Trump-aligned U.S. attorney faces judicial scorn for alleged grand-jury missteps that could collapse the case. Mike argues the real play is intimidation and precedent-setting revenge politics rather than a credible legal charge. Joey counters that Comey was central to what he considers the most serious political scandal in decades and sees the prosecution as predictable fallout, while defending Halligan against “rookie mistake” criticisms. Next, they roll into the looming ACA subsidy cliff and the GOP’s strategic paralysis: extend subsidies, rebrand them through Trump-style direct payments, or let the system go over the edge. Mike frames the issue as evidence of a party without a health-care philosophy and warns that voters will torch anyone who lets premiums double. Joey situates himself in the reform-and-replace camp, arguing for a freer-market architecture and suggesting Trump’s instincts align with bottom-up consumer control. After that, they follow the thread into Trump’s governing style, debating whether he represents bold, necessary disruption or impulsive hyper-personalized rule. Mike sees a president driven more by grievance than strategy, surrounded by sycophants who shield him from hard truths. Joey insists Trump’s instincts, energy, and willingness to ditch elite orthodoxies are precisely what makes big-ticket change possible, arguing that populist policy—not personality—is what matters. Then, they take a listener question on executive power and enforcement discretion, especially around immigration raids. Mike presses the boundary between legitimate law enforcement and coercive overreach. Joey stresses constitutional guardrails, arguing that immigration enforcement is squarely federal turf and that the real structural rot is legislative dysfunction, not executive authoritarianism. The guys close with rants and recommendations: Mike honors recently deceased singer-songwriter Todd Snider, playing a clip from one of his signature political tracks. Joey recommends that Steelers fans quit fantasizing about firing Mike Tomlin, praising Tomlin’s consistency and warning that “be careful what you wish for” applies as much to NFL coaching as politics. Mike responds with a full-throated, exasperated Steelers fan rant about Tomlin’s fear-driven conservatism and Pittsburgh’s quarterback purgatory. Conservative Christian, Right Wing, Republican, Straight, White, American Males - Todd Snider (YouTube) The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Joey open with the blowback to Joey’s claim that “the hubris of the left” is the biggest obstacle to national unity . Mike frames Trump’s behavior as the more obvious example of hubris, while Joey argues that Trump’s personality is massive but incidental and that the real divide is between people focused on ideas and people hung up on identity. Joey sees Trump as a magnanimous, big-ideas president undermined by small-minded opponents, while Mike counters that Trump’s “magnanimity” looks more like dominance dressed up as charm. Next, they dig into Congress’s overwhelming vote to release the Epstein files and Trump’s reversal from calling it a “Democrat hoax” to signing the legislation. Mike sees the release as driven by conspiratorial right-wing pressure and fundamentally a distraction, while Joey argues the real fallout will be inside the Democratic Party as younger progressives weaponize the material against older establishment figures. Joey claims transparency is good but predicts an unwieldy political circus; Mike frames the whole thing as shallow opposition research dressed up as reform. After that, they turn to Trump’s meeting with MBS, Saudi investment pledges, and the F-35/tank purchases. Joey casts Trump as structurally reversing American decline through aggressive foreign investment recruitment and realist deal-making. Mike says the strategy makes sense in AI geopolitics — cheap energy, fast authorit­arian permitting — but finds Trump’s moral indifference toward MBS (e.g., Khashoggi) disturbing. Joey describes Trump as historically consequential; Mike worries the price of these “structural wins” is accelerated presidential authoritarianism. The guys close with California’s new ban on masked law-enforcement officers, particularly ICE, and whether states can dictate federal operational rules . Mike argues the law violates the Supremacy Clause and that mask bans and ID rules materially impede federal safety, while also warning that ICE impersonators and unidentifiable agents are democratic-norm problems. Joey sees the law as unconstitutional commandeering and says masked ICE agents are now necessary because doxxing threats have escalated. Mike pushes for bodycams, higher pay, and stricter standards as a more rational reform path; Joey says data-driven paralysis lets crises fester and that Democrats won’t accept enforcement even when voters do. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis talks with Dr. Michael Cohen, author of Modern Political Campaigns, and Julie Sweet, author of the American Association of Political Consultants’ Deepfake Law Compliance Guide for Political Campaigns, about the role of artificial intelligence in political campaigns. Topics Travis, Julie, and Michael cover include: How campaigns are using AI and how they can be compliant with state laws and regulations What the use of AI will mean for the future of the campaign workforce The current state of and future prospects for academic research on AI in campaigns and elections Follow Michael Cohen on LinkedIn. Follow Julie Sweet on LinkedIn. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Ken begin a new supporter's series on The Federalist Papers. This week's episode includes an overview of The Federalist Papers themselves and introduces Federalist Paper No. 1. Topics covered include: The history behind writing the original essays The attack on the Constitution by Anti-Federalists How Hamilton and Madison became the principal authors The controversy over who wrote each essay Follow along with Trey & Ken by following Trey's New Substack. Each episode has a Substack article for more detailed information on each Federalist Paper! Subscribe now! The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Trey and Ken discuss the recent end of the US government shutdown, including the implications for both parties, with a focus on the ACA subsidies. Trey argues that he was ultimately correct, and the shutdown did not benefit Democrats nor lasted into December. While Ken concedes that the shutdown didn’t last as long as he anticipated, it was still the longest in history, and importantly, it taught Democrats how to fight. He sees it as a net positive for Democrats moving into the midterm. Next, they turn to the political fallout from the release of the Epstein documents from House Democrats and the now-concluded discharge petition. Trey suggests that the full release is important but will do little to settle the question of President Trump’s (or anybody’s) involvement. Ken believes that this is an issue that can break through the MAGA bubble and help people realize the unfit nature of President Trump. The guys close by examining the controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson’s interview of Nick Fuentes and the backlash to Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts’s support of Carlson’s weak approach to Fuentes in conservative circles. Check out Trey's New Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with David Obst, a former journalist, publisher, screenwriter, and film producer. He’s also the author of a new book on the automotive industry called Saving Ourselves from Big Car, which is the focus of their conversation. Topics Mike & David cover include: How “Big Car” became a self-perpetuating system The deadly legacy of leaded gasoline Corporate cover-ups and government complicity Racial injustice in the building of highways Planned obsolescence and car addiction The invention of jaywalking Big Car’s influence on media and politics Cities breaking free from car dependence Alternatives to a car-centric future Check out David's latest project, UniversitiesSpeak The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey & Justin continue their dive into contemporary political ideologies. This week, they dive into conservatism. Topics covered include: The underlying principles of conservatism, including tradition and gradual change The relationship between tradition and conservatism The relationship between religion and conservatism The differences between the Republican Party and conservatives Critiques of the status quo nature of conservatism Check out Trey's New Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Justin open the show by bypassing the shutdown, at least for a moment, and starting with the 2025 elections. Trey argues that the results are a victory for Democrats, but must be contextualized. His key point is that the economy is becoming an issue for Republicans. Both hosts outline what off-year elections such as this can and don’t mean more generally and how the Democratic Party still faces structural issues facing the midterms. Next, the guys turn to the issue of the government shutdown, which is now the longest in history. Trey asks Justin where he sits on the length and duration of the shutdown. Justin believes Democrats to be in a relatively strong position, but Trey counters that the Democrats lose even if they win. Trey especially argues that the data is not as clear for a Democratic mandate. The guys close the show by discussing the likelihood of ending the Senate’s filibuster (zero) and the legacy of Nancy Pelosi as she announces she will not run for reelection. Check out Trey's New Substack The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with New York Times bestselling author, historian, and journalist Colin Woodard. His latest book is Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America, which they discuss on this episode. Topics Mike & Colin discuss include: America as a federation of rival regional cultures How early settlers shaped lasting political divides Culture’s role in red and blue state patterns Communitarian vs. individualist visions of freedom Why internal migration reinforces cultural divides The roots of American ethno-nationalism Shared civic ideals in the Declaration of Independence Regional culture’s effect on health and longevity The South’s authoritarian legacy and modern politics Rebuilding a unifying national story for America The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Michael, and Tim open with a discussion of the missing economic data and what that means for understanding the current economy. Tim explains that while unemployment remains low and markets are strong, uncertainty looms because key government reports haven’t been released. Mike argues that the apparent strength is concentrated almost entirely in AI and tech stocks, raising fears of an unsustainable bubble. Michael agrees the boom feels narrow and risky, warning that layoffs and overinvestment could lead to a painful reckoning. Tim counters that disruptive innovation has always produced temporary upheaval before lasting growth, while Mike remains unconvinced, seeing both short- and long-term dangers in overreliance on speculative AI promises. Next, the guys turn to presidential pardons and the controversy over Biden’s use of an autopen. Michael denounces Trump’s mass pardons and commutations—including for January 6 participants, George Santos, and crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao—as blatant corruption and transactional politics. Tim replies that excessive pardons are less worrisome than politically motivated prosecutions, blasting the “lawfare” against Trump and the intelligence community’s role in the Russia investigations. Michael pushes back, saying Russian interference was real and arguing that unchecked pardons—by any president—undermine accountability. Mike joins in, condemning Trump’s self-enrichment through crypto ventures and suggesting the pardon power should be subject to congressional override. The three clash sharply over Trump’s motives, Biden’s anticipatory pardons, and how to restore consistent standards of justice. After that, the hosts debate Biden’s cognitive decline, Kamala Harris’s rise, and the “No Kings” protests. Tim says Harris’s nomination lacked democratic legitimacy and that Democrats missed an opportunity for a real contest. Michael sees the protests as expressions of democratic frustration and solidarity, while Mike jokes that the entire argument over who “loves America” most is meaningless posturing. The exchange veers into civics, cynicism, and gallows humor about patriotism and protest culture. The guys close with rants and recommendations. Mike praises the Netflix series Boots for its realistic portrayal of Marine Corps boot camp and reflects on how the Corps reshaped his life. Tim jokes about Christmas decorations crowding out Thanksgiving, then earnestly recommends military service as a transformative experience. Michael laments the commercialization of college sports, calling for football and basketball programs to become separate for-profit entities and preserve academic integrity. The discussion ends with friendly sports talk, optimism, and weary affection for the teams that keep letting them down. Check out Tim’s Substack  The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike, Tim, and Michael open with the fifth week of the government shutdown, now poised to become the longest ever. Tim argues that while the disruption is real, the economic impact will be minor and short-lived, suggesting resolution will come after the elections. Michael delivers a fiery critique, calling the shutdown political theater that hurts ordinary people and decrying Republican fiscal hypocrisy. Mike underscores the tangible harm to citizens, emphasizing that the ACA subsidy fight shows how deeply broken the system is. Next, the guys turn to President Trump’s Asia tour — a mix of spectacle and deal-making. Michael frames it as an ego-driven “performance arc” aimed at power consolidation rather than strategy. Tim sees the trip as a qualified success, strengthening ties with Japan and South Korea and signaling the need for supply-chain diversification away from China. Mike argues that Trump’s trade policy reflects crony capitalism more than economic strategy, with questionable legality. After that, they debate Trump’s foreign policy more broadly — from China to the Middle East and North Korea. Tim contends Trump deserves serious credit for hostage negotiations and for pursuing peace on the Korean Peninsula, even suggesting Nobel Peace Prize consideration. Michael and Mike counter that Trump’s erratic style and self-interest undermine any sustainable progress, calling him a great self-promoter but poor negotiator. The guys close with the administration’s effective shutdown of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Mike details how nearly all CFPB functions have been halted despite the agency’s legal mandate, and Michael condemns what he sees as rule-of-law erosion and dismantling of the federal government by decree. Tim responds that the CFPB is redundant and a waste of taxpayer dollars, arguing the country needs spending cuts and less bureaucracy, not more agencies. Mike and Michael push back, stressing that strong consumer protection remains vital in a system tilted toward corporate power. Check out Tim’s Substack  The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with former Democratic activist Lisa Ekman, whose recently released book is titled Deprogramming Democrats & unEducating the Elites: How I Escaped the Progressive Cult. Topics Mike &  Lisa discuss include: Ekman’s background in Democratic politics government and expert failure during COVID the tension between public health policy and liberty the problem with replacing equality with equity communist thinking in classrooms returning power to the states and the people Lisa Ekman on X The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode marks the finale in Trey and Ken’s three-year journey through the U.S. Constitution! In this final episode of the Constitution series, Trey and Ken discuss the 26th and 27th Amendments, exploring their historical significance and political implications. They also look at the journey of the Equal Rights Amendment and its “almost” status as a 28th Amendment. The hosts close by discussing the possibility of amending the U.S. Constitution in the future. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trey and Ken start by letting Ken weigh in on the government shutdown. Ken argues that the Democrats are winning and are doing the right thing. Trey disagrees and sees Democrats as eventually the party that will back down and let people get paid. Ken doubles down by saying the shutdown will last until December when Republicans will then back down. Next, the guys overview the demolition of the White House’s East Wing. Trey is concerned about the larger issue of buying favor with the government for those who help fund it. Ken, meanwhile, thinks strong language is needed and suggests that what Osama bin Laden failed to do, President Trump did: level part of the White House. After that, it is a look into the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling on the National Guard in Portland. Ken convinces Trey that Trump won the battle, but that it is merely a technicality. The court will eventually change because it currently is not ruling on the full facts. Then they discuss the suit against Speaker Mike Johnson to seat the newly elected member from Arizona. Neither host thinks Speaker Johnson is wrong, but they both point out that when she is seated, it will mean the discharge petition on Epstein will move forward. The guys close with a discussion of what The Atlantic called the Group Chat Presidency. What is the future of politics in an era of the group chat? The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support atpatreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with John L. Campbell, the Class of 1925 Professor and Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He’s the author of the recently released book, Pay Up! Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich, which they discuss on this episode. Topics Mike & John cover include: the main conservative tax cut myths the Laffer Curve and “self-funding” tax cuts neoliberalism - intellectual movement or marketing strategy? when are tax rates too high? US taxes in international perspective government vs market inefficiency social programs and dependency The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Joey open with the Supreme Court’s unusual re-argument in Louisiana v. Calais, a case that could reshape Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Joey outlines the tangled history of Louisiana’s redistricting and argues that race-based districts may themselves violate equal-protection principles. Mike predicts Justice Kavanaugh will be the key vote to end broad race-based redistricting, though he worries about dismantling long-standing anti-discrimination tools. Next, the guys turn to what Mike calls the “weaponization” of Trump’s Department of Justice. Mike sees politically motivated prosecutions of Trump critics like John Bolton and Letitia James as evidence that Trump’s promised deweaponization of DOJ has been just the opposite. Joey counters that the prosecutions reflect needed accountability for past abuses, not revenge, though he agrees that unchecked prosecutorial discretion is dangerous. After that, they debate whether the Attorney General should be independently elected and if the traditional wall between the White House and DOJ still makes sense. Mike argues separation preserves public trust; Joey insists a vigorous, unified executive better ensures accountability and national security. After answering several listener questions, the guys close with their revived “Rants & Recommendations” segment. Mike vents about mowing his Ohio lawn in October, while Joey rails against the avalanche of Amazon boxes modern “convenience” creates. Mike turns the gripe into a win by praising the joys of “processing cardboard” with his ever-growing pocket-knife collection. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Joey open with the continuing government shutdown and whether blame is shifting. Mike criticizes Republicans for spreading false claims about Democrats’ immigration spending demands. Joey maintains that Democrats are increasingly seen as the problem, adding that media silence signals their growing liability. Next, the guys debate Trump’s firing of federal workers during the shutdown. Mike condemns the administration’s disregard for legal procedures, framing it as part of a broader “rule of law” problem. Joey defends the firings as legitimate executive discretion, comparing them to Clinton-era downsizing and insisting the Trump team operates within the law’s intent, if not always its letter. After that, Mike and Joey turn to Trump’s landmark Middle East peace deal. Mike doubts it will last but concedes that if it does, Trump would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize. Joey praises Trump’s unconventional diplomacy and credits his team for reshaping the region’s alliances, calling the deal potentially one of America’s greatest foreign policy achievements. The conversation then shifts to Portland, where Mike offers the left’s view of federal crackdowns on protesters as disproportionate and authoritarian. Joey responds that Trump is lawfully enforcing immigration policy and that claims of authoritarianism ignore left-wing obstruction and violence. Mike argues that Trump’s tactics lack prudence and escalate conflict; Joey counters that he’s confronting lawlessness that previous leaders tolerated. The guys close with a reflection on polarization and unity. Mike blames Trump’s divisiveness and thirst for vengeance; Joey blames what he calls “the hubris of the left” for refusing to compromise. Despite their disagreements, both end on a rare note of optimism that America’s democratic debate—and perhaps Trump’s Middle East peace—can still point toward a better future. The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike talks with Paul Starr, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University and the author of multiple books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Social Transformation of American Medicine. His latest book is American Contradiction: Revolution and Revenge from the 1950s to Now, which they discuss in this episode Topics Mike & Paul cover include: Trumpism as ‘total revenge’ why American politics is a ‘tie game Democrats have been losing’ America as a new people in an old nation the illusion of past consensus the rise of conservative counter-institutions the Democrats ‘demographics is destiny’ myth immigration, identity, and the limits of tolerance The Politics Guys on Facebook | X Check out the excellent Sustainable Planet podcast. Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo, we’re @PoliticsGuys. The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices