‘We Have Created the Scarcity on Purpose’
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Senator Brian Schatz argues that the Democratic Party needs a new vision on affordability, particularly on issues like housing and healthcare. He criticizes the party's focus on subsidies without addressing supply constraints, calling it "cost disease socialism." He also criticizes the party's proceduralism, which he believes has hindered progress on issues like clean energy and housing. Schatz recommends three books: "Walk Ride Paddle" by Tim Cain, "The Amaneffect" by Rabbi Sharon Brouse, and "Wounded Knee" by Heather Cox Richardson.
Outlines
The Democratic Party's Need for a New Vision
Senator Brian Schatz discusses the Democratic Party's need for a new vision, particularly on affordability issues. He argues that the party has been too focused on subsidies and not enough on increasing supply. He also criticizes the party's proceduralism, which he believes has hindered progress on issues like clean energy and housing.
Senator Brian Schatz's Book Recommendations
Senator Brian Schatz recommends three books: "Walk Ride Paddle" by Tim Cain, "The Amaneffect" by Rabbi Sharon Brouse, and "Wounded Knee" by Heather Cox Richardson.
Keywords
Affordability Crisis
A situation where the cost of essential goods and services, such as housing, healthcare, and education, rises faster than wages, making it difficult for people to make ends meet.
Procedural Liberalism
A political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of following established procedures and processes, even if it means sacrificing efficiency or effectiveness.
Cost Disease Socialism
A term used by some to describe a tendency within the Democratic Party to subsidize goods and services without addressing the underlying supply constraints.
YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard)
A movement advocating for increased housing density and development, often in opposition to NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) sentiment.
Q&A
What are some of the key challenges facing the Democratic Party in the upcoming election?
The Democratic Party faces challenges in addressing affordability issues, particularly housing and healthcare. They need to find a way to communicate to voters that they understand the problem and are taking it seriously.
How does Senator Schatz propose to address the affordability crisis?
Senator Schatz argues that the Democratic Party needs to move beyond simply subsidizing goods and services and focus on increasing supply. He believes that this will require a shift in ideology and a willingness to challenge traditional allies.
Show Notes
The economy is one of the biggest vulnerabilities for Democrats this election and, in particular, the issue of affordability. Many Americans blame the Biden administration for the past few years of high inflation, and housing costs have become a crisis in cities across the country. These are top concerns for voters, and the Democratic Party hasn’t articulated the clearest answer.
But there are some Democrats working hard on this and trying to push the party in a new direction. Brian Schatz is the senior senator from Hawaii and an influential policy voice in the Democratic Party. And over the past few years, he’s had a political evolution — about why things are so expensive and the role the government should play to fix it.
In this conversation, I talk with Senator Schatz about the role the Democratic Party has played in making the affordability crisis worse, the policies he thinks could make a dent and why it’s so hard for the party to change course.
This episode contains strong language.
Mentioned:
“Americans still waiting on Biden broadband plan; rural high-speed internet stuck in Dems’ red tape” by Susan Ferrechio
Book Recommendations:
Walk, Ride, Paddle by Tim Kaine
The Amen Effect by Sharon Brous
Wounded Knee by Heather Cox Richardson
Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Kelsey Kudak. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Isaac Jones. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Michelle Harris, Rollin Hu, Kristin Lin and Aman Sahota. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. And special thanks to Sophia Boyd, Efim Shapiro and Sonia Herrero.
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