Let Them Eat Cake?

This week, despite the hosts’ denial that summer is over, they dive into a discussion of safe parking programs in California to provide overnight housing options to unhoused students, which is especially important in winter. And, it couldn’t be avoided, they also unpack the effects of the (now longest in U.S. history) government shutdown. The Haves don’t seem to care all that much for the Have Nots.Word of the Week [1:24]: Hopium is a combination of hope and opium signifying how addictive hope can be, especially in bad situations where you really want to believe things will get better. For some, a hopium attitude signals Pollyanna thinking, and for others, it is a necessity when times are rough.Phase 1 – Addressing Vehicular Homelessness [4:44]: For several years, west coast locations including California colleges and universities as well as cities across the U.S. have created “Safe Parking Programs.” These programs utilize unused parking lots to offer safe places to sleep for unhoused people with access to a vehicle. Sometimes, these programs include toilets, washing, and laundry facilities. Are they an innovative way to address a growing problem or not?Phase 2 – Government Shutdown [20:14]: The Drs couldn’t leave the shutdown unaddressed on the pod. They discuss (at the time of recording) the pending cuts to SNAP and WIC, the loss of the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and how these losses are juxtaposed against the demolition of the East Wing to make way for a $300 million dollar gilded and gaudy gold ballroom. Mentioned in the showA Short-Term Fix, a Search for Long-Term Solutions – Inside Higher EdAn Analysis of Safe Parking Programs: Identifying Program Features and Outcomes of an Emerging Homelessness Intervention – Housing Policy DebateGovernment shutdown set to become longest ever after latest Senate vote fails - CNBCHere’s why the shutdown has put food stamp benefits at risk - CNNAs millions of Americans prepare to lose SNAP benefits, some states are moving to bridge the gap – NBC NewsSenate Democrats demand list of donors to $300m Trump ballroom – The GuardianMeet all 37 White House ballroom donors funding the $300 million build, including Silicon Valley tech giants, crypto bros and the Lutnicks - FortuneHunger and Cold Loom as Shutdown Imperils Funding for Antipoverty Programs – New York TimesJudges order Trump administration to use emergency reserves for SNAP payments during the shutdown – AP NewsAfter Trump post on SNAP funds sparks confusion, White House says administration is complying with court order – CBS News