EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 38 MIN
Distorted Dream - Ep 26-195
Ellen DeGeneris wants back in, and MTG has moved to Costa Rica.There’s something uniquely hilarious about modern America where a poll can ask, “Is America a great country?” and nearly a quarter of the respondents answer like they’re being interrogated by the faculty lounge at Berkeley.CNN ran this panel with Kasie Hunt reading the numbers like she was unveiling cholesterol results at a doctor’s office.Twenty-three percent said America is the greatest country in the world.Forty-one percent said America is one of the greatest countries in the world.And twenty-three percent said America is not one of the greatest countries.Now pause right there. Because that last number deserves forensic analysis. Twenty-three percent. Nearly a quarter of the country looked around at America and said, “Nah, this place is overrated.”Overrated compared to what exactly? France, where striking is considered cardio? Britain, where people get arrested for tweets and their prime ministers rotate faster than gas station hot dogs? Canada, where the national survival strategy appears to be apologizing while collapsing politely? 🌎And let’s be honest about that middle 41 percent too. Those are the diplomatic contestants in the Miss Universe pageant portion of the survey.“Well, America is one of the greatest countries.”That’s the answer you give because you’re afraid Norway might hear you. That’s not patriotism. That’s geopolitical people-pleasing.Look, I understand nuance. America has flaws. We’ve had corruption, bad politicians, stupid policies, and four years of a Biden presidency that felt like the nation was being managed by an airport moving walkway. But despite all that, people still risk drowning, cartel violence, deserts, and human traffickers to get here.Nobody is building homemade rafts to flee Florida for Cuba.You never hear: “José, hurry! We must escape freedom and capitalism immediately! The Dallas suburbs are unbearable! Quick, paddle toward Venezuela!” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What this episode covers
Ellen DeGeneris wants back in, and MTG has moved to Costa Rica.There’s something uniquely hilarious about modern America where a poll can ask, “Is America a great country?” and nearly a quarter of the respondents answer like they’re being interrogated by the faculty lounge at Berkeley.CNN ran this panel with Kasie Hunt reading the numbers like she was unveiling cholesterol results at a doctor’s office.Twenty-three percent said America is the greatest country in the world.Forty-one percent said America is one of the greatest countries in the world.And twenty-three percent said America is not one of the greatest countries.Now pause right there. Because that last number deserves forensic analysis. Twenty-three percent. Nearly a quarter of the country looked around at America and said, “Nah, this place is overrated.”Overrated compared to what exactly? France, where striking is considered cardio? Britain, where people get arrested for tweets and their prime ministers rotate faster than gas station hot dogs? Canada, where the national survival strategy appears to be apologizing while collapsing politely? 🌎And let’s be honest about that middle 41 percent too. Those are the diplomatic contestants in the Miss Universe pageant portion of the survey.“Well, America is one of the greatest countries.”That’s the answer you give because you’re afraid Norway might hear you. That’s not patriotism. That’s geopolitical people-pleasing.Look, I understand nuance. America has flaws. We’ve had corruption, bad politicians, stupid policies, and four years of a Biden presidency that felt like the nation was being managed by an airport moving walkway. But despite all that, people still risk drowning, cartel violence, deserts, and human traffickers to get here.Nobody is building homemade rafts to flee Florida for Cuba.You never hear: “José, hurry! We must escape freedom and capitalism immediately! The Dallas suburbs are unbearable! Quick, paddle toward Venezuela!” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Distorted Dream - Ep 26-195
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