The Homeless Conservative

Last week's indictment of James Comey for might be the most egregious use of law fare we've seen...so far. Say what you will about democrats' law fare against Trump, but at least the people at the top pretended to not be blatantly prosecuting their political opponents. But Trump is just out here posting on social media demanding his attorney general go after his enemies, mentioning Comey by name. Similarly, he's unilaterally declaring Venezuelan drug smugglers "enemy combatants" and using the military to blow up their (alleged) boats in the ocean. Should we reconsider the power we've given one person at the top of the executive branch? Is it appropriate for a president to name people he wants the DOJ to prosecute? Should presidents be able to use the military to strike anyone they deem a threat of any kind? Obviously, I think we should. NOTES:The Truth About Amelia Earhart - The AtlanticTrump Notifies Congress That the U.S. Is at War with Drug Cartels - Andy McCarthy, National ReviewTrump's New York fraud ruling sets precedent that lying about square footage is wrong? What's Wrong with the Jim Comey Prosecution? - Dan McLaughlin, National Review

A 31 year old husband and father was murdered because of his political beliefs. While we don't know who shot Charlie Kirk and ended his life yesterday, we do know that in the US, political violence has been accelerating at an alarming rate. There have been assassination attempts or attacks on Nancy Pelosi and her husband, the Republican Congressional baseball team, Governor Josh Shapiro and his family, Minnesota state lawmakers, Gabby Gifford, Donald Trump (twice), Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the United Health Care CEO, Congress on January 6th...and more I'm probably forgetting because of the unfortunate length of the list. Will any of us stop to reconsider the way we talk about our political rivals? Or will we continue to cheer on this kind of violence - as long as it's against 'the other side'?

Trump is using emergency powers to send the National Guard into DC to try and solve the crime problems, while Democrats are claiming there IS no crime problem. You won't be surprised to learn both are wrong and not serious about solving anything. Chapters:00:00 Trump's Takeover of D.C. and Crime Control10:59 The Complexity of Crime Statistics19:57 The Role of Prosecution in D.C.25:49 Addressing Gun Violence and Straw Purchases27:54 The Homelessness Dilemma in Major Cities30:19 Trump's Approach to Crime and Authoritarianism33:32 The Plea Deal Problem in Criminal Justice37:02 Distracting from Economic Issues39:54 Government Control in Private Industry47:09 The Dangers of Expanding Executive PowerNotes:Assessing DC's Violent Crime Trends - Jeff-alytics substackCrime Scene - Nick Catoggio: The DispatchDems About To Lose Again On The Issue - Pitches and Snitches substack

Everyone is shocked - SHOCKED - that the Texas GOP is trying to gerrymander congressional maps to advantage Republicans. As if Democrats hadn't already done their own gerrymandering in their states. Blake gets into the historical context of gerrymandering, the partisan nature of redistricting, and the challenges of achieving fair representation. The conversation then shifts to Trump's controversial firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, exploring the significance of economic data and the political ramifications of manipulating such information.Yeah, these are boring things to talk about - but they're important! Promise. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gerrymandering and Political Landscape02:44 Texas Redistricting: A Power Grab?05:56 The Impact of Gerrymandering on Representation08:38 Democratic Responses and the Role of Independent Commissions11:44 Proposed Solutions to Gerrymandering17:19 The Case for Increasing House Representation24:54 The Challenges of Governance in a Slim Majority26:49 Gerrymandering and Its Implications27:15 The Importance of Economic Data28:09 Trump's Controversial Decisions on Labor Statistics30:45 Understanding Job Reports and Revisions34:24 The Impact of Tariffs on the Economy37:31 Presidential Power and Economic Control42:07 Economic Uncertainty and Its Effects47:11 Trust in Economic Data and Its Consequences

Blake and Patrick Trepanier discuss the themes of political engagement, federalism, and economic structures in America. Trepanier's book, 'American Restraint,' argues that hyper capitalism and wealth imbalances are significant issues facing the nation. They explore the role of Article 5 in proposing amendments to restore balance, the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis, and the challenges of housing affordability. The discussion emphasizes the need for civic engagement and the importance of understanding the complexities of capitalism and regulation in today's society. In this conversation, Blake Fischer and Patrick Trepanier delve into the complexities of manufacturing, immigration, and the middle class in America. They discuss the voluntary nature of job transitions, the impact of tariffs on consumer prices, and the evolving landscape of labor in the face of automation and immigration policies. The dialogue also touches on the historical context of economic shifts, the role of government regulation versus libertarian ideals, and the challenges facing the middle class today. Ultimately, they explore the need for a balanced approach to governance that fosters innovation while addressing the concerns of everyday Americans.NOTES:- American Restraint on Amazon- Patrick's Youtube Channel TakeawaysAmerica is broken and divided, needing structural reforms.Federalism is a solution to restore balance in governance.The political environment has become increasingly hostile and divisive.Many citizens feel disengaged from the political process.Article 5 offers a way for states to propose amendments.Hyper capitalism has led to wealth imbalances in society.The subprime mortgage crisis exemplifies government failure in regulation.Economic mobility is not static; people move between classes.Housing affordability is a significant issue for the middle class.Regulation at local levels impacts housing supply and affordability. People are leaving manufacturing jobs voluntarily for better opportunities.Tariffs can lead to increased consumer prices, affecting all Americans.The middle class has faced significant challenges over the past 50 years.Wages for workers have not kept pace with CEO compensation.Immigration policies impact the labor market and job availability.Consumerism drives demand for cheaper goods, complicating manufacturing jobs.Manufacturing today requires more skills than in the past due to technological advancements.The 1970s marked a significant shift in economic policies and individualism.Libertarianism and government regulation present contrasting views on economic management.The concentration of power in big business and government affects competition and innovation.Chapters00:00 Introductions00:25 Exploring 'American Restraint' and Its Themes04:34 Federalism: A Path to Solutions06:00 The Nature of Political Discourse06:23 The Us vs Them Mentality in Politics10:59 Engagement and Disengagement in Political Discourse13:58 Hyper Capitalism and Economic Imbalances27:13 Housing and Education: The Role of Government34:19 Competition vs Regulation in the Market35:48 Defining Capitalism and Its Restraints37:22 The Role of Corporations in Job Creation40:40 The Impact of Globalization on American Jobs43:08 Immigration and the Labor Market49:26 The Evolution of the Middle Class01:00:25 The Shift in Economic Dynamics Since the 70s01:06:39 The Debate on Common Good Conservatism01:09:41 Libertarianism and Economic Thought01:11:34 The Executive Compensation Racket01:14:59 Antitrust and Market Competition01:17:15 The Role of Government in Business01:20:29 The Impact of Government on Housing and Education01:24:58 Concentration of Power and Local Governance01:28:20 The Need for National Dialogue

Mackenzie is back to talk about the Trump administration's complete 180 on the Epstein conspiracies. After MAGA's full embrace and peddling of conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, alleged client lists, and nefarious deep state connections, figures like Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, JD Vance, Pam Bondi, and Trump himself are now asking "why is anyone still talking about this?". Is the belief in these specific conspiracies something Trump can simply wave away, or will he lose support? Chapters00:00 Introduction to Epstein and Conspiracy Theories02:50 The Legal Proceedings Against Epstein05:31 The Impact of Epstein's Death08:21 The Role of Trump and MAGA in the Epstein Narrative11:23 Conspiracy Theories and Public Perception13:55 The Media's Role in the Epstein Case16:45 Trump's Response and Political Implications19:47 Concluding Thoughts on Epstein and Conspiracy Culture32:53 The Epstein Conspiracy: Murder or Suicide?35:07 Public Perception and Political Scandals36:36 Polling and Public Opinion on Military Actions37:57 The Role of Media in Shaping Narratives40:51 Accountability in Political Statements43:01 Conspiracy Theories and Their Impact49:00 The Future of Political Conspiracies53:09 Justice and Accountability in High-Profile Cases57:06 Conspiracy Theories: A Personal Perspective

In this episode I get into the intricacies of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, recently signed by Donald Trump. I unpack the bill's budgetary implications, tax reforms, and its impact on various sectors, including energy and healthcare. It's a mess of a bill, as you'd expect from any Congress these days, and unsurprisingly adds $3-4 trillion to the national debt - because Republicans are no longer fiscally responsible or conservative and aren't even pretending otherwise. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act02:40 Understanding the Reconciliation Process05:49 Key Provisions of the Bill08:29 Tax Implications and Fiscal Responsibility11:10 Energy Policy Changes14:17 Healthcare Reforms and Medicaid Changes26:23 Medicaid Expansion and Federal Spending32:33 Border Security and Immigration Enforcement36:36 Congressional Budgeting and Fiscal Responsibility42:24 Virginia's Regulatory Rollback Success52:19 Conclusion and Call to Action

Soon after last week's episode pondering if the U.S. would take action in Iran to take out their nuclear facilities, Trump gave the order to do exactly that. Both sides rushed to their respective corners (WWIII vs total obliteration and victory), but let's get into the nuance of it. Plus, the Supreme Court makes a ruling on district courts ability to issue nationwide injunctions on presidential executive orders.

In this episode, Blake discusses various pressing political issues, including the recent political violence in Minnesota, the complexities of immigration policy under the Trump administration, and the ongoing military actions between Israel and Iran. He emphasizes the need for both sides of the political spectrum to denounce violence and the importance of coherent immigration policies. The conversation also delves into the implications of Israel's military actions against Iran and the broader context of U.S. foreign policy.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context10:21 Immigration Policy and ICE Raids23:32 Transition to Israel and Iran32:42 The Nuclear Threat: Iran's Capabilities and Intentions39:11 The U.S. Role and Public Perception in Foreign Policy45:10 Navigating Misinformation and Media Bias

Notes:Andrew Follett on XAnother Harvard Scandal Proves That Science is BrokenAndrew's other NR articlesBlake and Andrew Follett discuss the current state of science, focusing on the erosion of trust in scientific research, exemplified by a recent Harvard scandal involving a professor accused of fraud. They explore the issues of peer review, political bias in academia, and the pressures of funding that compromise scientific integrity. The discussion highlights the need for accountability and transparency in research, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has polarized public perception of science. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the intersection of politics, science, and integrity, focusing on the role of nudging in political campaigns, the integrity issues within scientific research, and the growing distrust in science among the public. They propose solutions for improving scientific integrity, such as pre-registration of trials and increased transparency in research funding. The conversation also touches on the impact of bureaucracy on scientific progress, the need for scientific rivalries, and the Trump administration's approach to science funding and accountability. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of demanding results from government-funded research and fostering a venture capital mindset in scientific endeavors. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the flawed incentive structures within government and educational institutions, the declining prestige of universities, and the crisis of scientific integrity. They emphasize the need for skepticism and open debate in science, the role of external forces in driving scientific advancement, and the impact of ideological biases on research outcomes. The discussion concludes with a call for better government policies to support scientific progress.Chapters00:00 The Trust in Science Dilemma01:25 The Harvard Scandal: A Case Study07:18 Peer Review and Accountability in Science12:49 Political Bias in Scientific Research17:14 The Crisis of Scientific Integrity22:36 Funding and the Future of Science29:34 The Role of Nudging in Politics and Science30:37 Integrity Issues in Scientific Research32:35 Trust and Distrust in Science33:44 Proposed Solutions for Scientific Integrity34:40 The Importance of Transparency in Research37:18 The Need for Scientific Rivalries39:55 Bureaucracy and Its Impact on Research43:28 The Trump Administration's Approach to Science Funding51:51 Demanding Results from Government-Funded Research55:07 The Incentive Structure of Government and Education58:07 The Decline of University Prestige and Enrollment01:00:48 The Crisis in Scientific Integrity and Public Trust01:02:43 The Need for Skepticism and Open Debate in Science01:05:34 The Role of External Forces in Scientific Advancement01:11:50 The Ideological Spotlight Effect in Research01:15:45 Conclusion: The Future of Science and Government Policy

I speak with Matt Diemer from Daily Crypto News about what's going on with crytpo currencies right now. How did the once crypto-skeptical Trump end up fully embracing the technology? Is his $Trump coin out-in-the-open corruption, offering "investors" a direct line to the president while making him wealthier? We tackle these questions and more in our conversation.Check Matt out at dailycryptonews.net or anywhere you get podcastshttps://dailycryptonews.netChapters00:00 Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and Trump02:37 The Shift in Trump's Stance on Crypto05:08 Understanding Different Types of Cryptocurrencies07:15 The Role of Stable Coins in the Economy11:39 Government Regulation and Cryptocurrency17:33 The Future of Crypto Regulation25:57 Trump's Involvement in Cryptocurrency30:14 The Global Perspective on Cryptocurrency and Politics39:10 Corruption in Politics: A Systemic Issue46:48 The Role of Influence and Money in Governance

After yet another Trump's Tariff Pause®, is it worth asking what exactly we got in concessions from China? Is our national security better? Did we re-shore manufacturing jobs? Have we changed our bilateral trade deficit with China into a surplus? I can't find anyone to explain it to me in a way that makes sense. So I talk about why it proves there's no plan here - there's no genius "Art of the Deal" style negotiation strategy happening. And then I talk about why Trump accepting a new Air Force One from *checks notes* a country that actively supports terrorism in the Middle East is peak absurdity.

Is Trump just confused... or losing it? And why is the media only willing to admit one side’s slipping?This week, I’m digging into the media’s selective outrage over cognitive decline — calling out how they covered for Joe Biden for years, only to pivot after his disastrous debate… while staying weirdly silent on Trump’s own spiral into boomer Facebook uncle energy. We’ll walk through Trump’s latest unhinged ideas (reopening Alcatraz? tariffing movies?), why he genuinely seems to believe a photoshopped gang tattoo is real, and how the press helped build this mess — then blamed everyone but themselves.This isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about how both parties are running old men past their prime, while their media allies play PR flack instead of doing journalism. And if we can’t admit when a president is mentally unfit, what happens when real decisions need to be made?Let’s talk about it.🧠 Chapters00:00 – Why does the media suddenly care about mental fitness now?02:24 – Is Biden declining... or was the press just covering for him?12:17 – When the media sort of admitted it — too late15:36 – Trump’s recent ideas: Alcatraz, movie tariffs, and total nonsense23:03 – Did Trump really believe the MS-13 tattoo was real?26:08 – Is he lying… or just gullible and declining?31:16 – Why Trump can’t let go of 2020 (and what it might mean)35:55 – The press won’t ask hard questions — again39:43 – Trump’s policy worldview: nostalgia in a MAGA hat42:58 – What if both guys are losing it — and no one will admit it?

Donald Trump is back in the White House, and his first 100 days of Term Two were anything but normal. In this episode, I break down what his early moves tell us about the direction of his second administration — and what it means for the future of governance in America.We get into the surge of executive orders, the shift in voter expectations around presidential power, and the economic shockwaves from Trump’s revived tariff policies. I explore how immigration became almost entirely a White House issue, why businesses are bracing for impact, and what centralized power in the executive branch is doing to the constitutional order.This isn’t just about Trump — it’s about how we, the voters and the media, have changed what we expect from a president… and how that shift could backfire.⸻Key topics: • Executive power in Trump’s second term • The economics of Trump’s tariffs • Immigration as a presidential-only issue • Voter appetite for strongman leadership • Trade wars and economic uncertainty • Erosion of checks and balancesChapters00:00 Trump's First 100 Days: A Unique Perspective02:52 The Role of Executive Orders in Trump's Administration06:05 Voter Expectations and the Impact of Short Attention Spans08:48 The Immigration Debate: Trump's Approach and Its Consequences11:57 Economic Policies: Tariffs and Their Implications18:01 The Uncertainty of Trump's Leadership and Future Prospects26:46 The Political Landscape Post-Liberation Day29:08 Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty32:56 The Impact of Trade Wars on American Consumers36:39 China's Role in Global Trade Dynamics39:57 The Consequences of Centralized Power43:41 The Erosion of Constitutional Governance52:58 Looking Ahead: The Future of American Politics

Let's talk about the challenges of engaging with politics in today's evolving media landscape. Too many reasonable individuals are disengaging from political discourse and I think it's important to stay informed amidst a rapidly changing media environment. So let's talk about the need for honest communication and the value of diverse opinions in political discussions. If all the reasonable people check out of politics, only the unreasonable ones will be left dictating the future of the country. - cartoon credit Signe WilkensonCHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to The Homeless Conservative01:04 Engagement with Political Discourse03:30 Challenges of Staying Informed05:54 The Evolving Media Landscape12:03 Generational Trust in Media18:20 Navigating Information Sources24:34 The Importance of Honest Discourse27:22 Understanding Antisemitism in Political Violence30:15 Media's Role in Political Narratives33:31 The Importance of Accountability in Political Discourse37:42 Trustworthiness in Media and Information41:30 The Value of Diverse Perspectives in Conversations45:12 Navigating Bias in Media Consumption49:50 Engaging in Constructive Political Dialogue

I don't love the blanket attack that Trump is "dumb". It's lazy. But in some situations, I think it's fair to point out his intellectual deficiencies in specific policy areas. In this case, I think it's apparent he has absolutely no idea how domestic manufacturing actually works, and understands global supply chains and trade about as well as my 8 year old.

We're a little more than two months into Trump's second term, and even though I was nowhere near what anyone would call optimistic about how it would go, even I've been surprised just how off-the-rails it's been. From the unexplainable on-again, off-again tariff threats causing uncertainty in the U.S. economy, to his shocking attacks on judges and private law firms who dare rule against him or defend his enemies, or the straight up gaslighting his administration is attempting with Signalgate, it's been one bad thing after another. It's not that there aren't some good things happening, it's just that they are drops in the bucket compared to the long-term damage I believe he's doing to the country that will take us generations to undo. So, yeah, this one isn't exactly sunny and optimistic to listen to. NOTES:Tariff Myths, Debunked – Scott Lincicome – Cato Institutehttps://www.cato.org/commentary/tariff-myths-debunkedTrump’s Tariffs Mapped by Voter Impact –  – The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/15/business/economy/tariffs-trump-maps-voters.htmlAmericans Paid for the Trump Tariffs—and Would Do So Again – Clark Packard, Scott Lincicome, Alfredo Carrillo Obregon – Cato Institutehttps://www.cato.org/blog/americans-paid-trump-tariffs-would-do-so-againThe State of the American Middle Class – Rakesh Kochhar – Pew Research Centerhttps://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2024/05/31/the-state-of-the-american-middle-class/Inside Trump’s Campaign Against Law Firms – Charlotte Lawson, Grayson Logue, James P. Sutton – The Dispatchhttps://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/inside-trumps-campaign-against-law-firms/60% of Republicans Think the Trump Administration’s Military Leak Is a Very or Somewhat Serious Problem – Taylor Orth – YouGovhttps://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/51888-republicans-think-the-trump-administrations-military-leak-is-problemHere Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal – Jeffrey Goldberg, Shane Harris – The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/signal-group-chat-attack-plans-hegseth-goldberg/682176/

Last night, Trump gave a campaign speech - wait, sorry - an address to a joint session of Congress (basically the State of the Union for Inaugural years). Its 100 minute length did not match its substance. In fact, I mostly think what mattered is what Trump didn't say during the speech.

Yesterday Trump "paused" all military support to Ukraine after Friday's Oval Office spat between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky. And then he announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. How will these decisions affect Americans economically and geopolitically? NOTES:Trump Suspends Military Aid to Ukraine After Oval Office Blowup -0 NYThttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine-military-aid.htmlTrump Will Impose 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico - NYThttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/business/economy/trump-tariffs-china-mexico-canada.htmlBlame Trump for the Oval Office Fiasco with Zelensky - Andrew C. McCarthy - National Reviewhttps://www.nationalreview.com/2025/03/blame-trump-for-the-oval-office-fiasco-with-zelensky/My Expectations for the Economic Effects of Tariffs - Dominic Pino - National Reviewhttps://www.nationalreview.com/corner/my-expectations-for-the-economic-effects-of-tariffs/The End of ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ - Nick Catoggio - The Dispatchhttps://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-derangement-syndrome-zelensky-ukraine/Dishonor and Incompetence in the Oval Office - Jonah Goldberg - The Dispatchhttps://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/trump-vance-zelenksy-oval-office-2/Zelensky was the true instigator of the Oval Office fracas - not an ‘ambush’ from Trump - Miranda Devine - NY Posthttps://nypost.com/2025/03/02/opinion/zelensky-was-the-true-instigator-of-the-oval-office-fracas-not-an-ambush-from-trump/Ukraine Oversighthttps://www.ukraineoversight.gov/Funding/

Only 3 weeks in and I'm pretty sure Trump has crossed the rubicon into DGAF territory. I lay out why it's already very clear Trump does not care one bit about the law or the Constitution, the American working class, or our allies. He cares about one person and one person only: himself. I go over his Department of Justice's dismissal of the bribery case against NY mayor Eric Adams, his insane insistence that Ukraine must be punished for the war they started (spoiler alert: they didn't start the war, Russia did), and how nothing going on at DOGE is going to make the economy better for working class Americans. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Trump Administration's Second Term07:11 Concerns Over Rule of Law and Constitutionality22:30 Trump's Approach to the American People and Populism32:52 The Refugee Crisis and Immigration Policy37:20 The Ukraine Conflict and U.S. Foreign Policy46:20 Concerns Over Trump's Leadership and Governance53:29 The State of American Patriotism and Constitutional ValuesNOTES:Trump DOJ’s Eric Adams Dismissal Heading for Constitutional ControversyDOJ’s Eric Adams Dismissal Heading for Constitutional Controversy | National ReviewBrokenism vs Status-Quo-ismhttps://www.thefp.com/p/the-everything-is-broken-administrationAG Bondi’s ‘Weaponization’ Directive Peddles President Trump’s Political Narratives - Andy McCarthy - National ReviewCan We Please Stop Calling These People Populists?Trump Suggests No Laws Are Broken if He’s ‘Saving His Country’https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/us/politics/trump-saves-country-quote.htmlRooting for Laundry - Nick Catoggio - The Dispatchhttps://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/donald-trump-patriotism-america-2/

In this conversation, I sit down with Jack Kammer to discuss the cultural perceptions of masculinity, the political landscape regarding young men, and the challenges they face in today's society. We explore the GOP's approach to engaging young male voters, the impact of single-parent households, and the importance of positive messaging for boys. The discussion also touches on the educational system's shortcomings in addressing boys' needs and the pressure young men feel regarding their earning potential. We discuss the complexities of masculinity, the evolving job landscape for men, and the importance of fatherhood in family dynamics. And while Trump and Republicans certainly courted and relied on the votes of young men in the 2024 election, what will they do to actually affect their lives, if anything? The discussion also critiques the current political landscape regarding family values and feminism, advocating for a more balanced approach that recognizes the contributions and needs of both genders.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Conversation on Masculinity03:12 Cultural Perceptions of Men and Politics05:48 The GOP's Approach to Young Men09:04 Challenges Faced by Boys and Young Men12:07 The Role of Fathers in Child Development15:13 The Impact of Single-Parent Households18:03 Cultural Stereotypes and Their Consequences21:08 The Importance of Positive Messaging for Boys24:02 Rethinking Education for Boys26:56 The Pressure of Earning Potential on Young Men29:51 Conclusion and Future Considerations36:37 Understanding Perspectives on Masculinity39:41 The Value of Work and Family Dynamics42:14 Redefining Worth Beyond Financial Success44:41 The Changing Job Landscape for Men46:34 The Role of Education in Shaping Futures50:33 Republican Party's Approach to Men's Issues52:41 The Importance of Fatherhood in Family Values56:41 Social Work and Gender Bias in Family Dynamics01:11:21 The Importance of Acknowledging Imperfections in Parenting01:13:09 The Role of Fathers in Child Development01:15:17 Responsible Motherhood and Its Impact01:16:35 The Need for Co-Parenting01:18:11 Changing Societal Norms Around Parenting01:20:40 Political Perspectives on Family Values01:22:39 The Hypocrisy in Political Family Values01:24:22 Historical Context of Feminism and Its Evolution01:26:52 The Zero-Sum Mentality in Gender Discussions01:29:40 The Shift in Feminist Discourse01:32:00 The Need for Balance in Gender Politics01:34:41 The Future of Political Messaging on Gender IssuesNOTES:Jack at https://malefriendlymedia.com​• Charles DonovanPresident of Charlotte Lozier Institute(a pro-life organization)10/28/14 panel at Heritage Foundation​https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/jobs-and-the-economy/374145• Kyle PruettYale Child Study Center"The Evolution of Dad"by documentarian Dana Glazer 2010​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ0iJmyE-7I• Joseph ​​Welch's take-down of Joseph McCarthyPBS American Experience transcript​​Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator.You've done enough.(McCarthy stammering) Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?Have you left no sense of decency?​https://ga.video.cdn.pbs.org/captions/american-experience/a5071eeb-06ed-49b1-8c88-39b4f8b8b33b/captions/F3c8y3_caption_en.txt

I'm glad you're here! Here's a quick overview of what you can expect from this podcast.

Covering the Trump administration is exhausting, quite frankly. Should we take everything he improvisation-ally says at a microphone seriously? Literally? Will today's executive order get rescinded tomorrow? Let's start briefly discussing why Trump's impromptu Gaza "plan" will go nowhere, despite knowing it will absolutely DOMINATE the news cycle. Then we move on to Elon Musk's DOGE crew taking over USAID and if critics are correct about the illegality or danger, as well as whether USAID is all good, all bad, or somewhere nuanced in between (spoiler alert: it's nuanced). Finally, is Trump's government employee buyout plan illegal?Chapters00:00 Introduction to Current Political Climate03:04 Media Coverage and Trump's Communication Style05:50 Analyzing Trump's Tariffs and Economic Impact09:08 The Doge Initiative and Government Efficiency27:14 Budget Cuts and Government Efficiency28:43 Elon Musk's Involvement with USAID31:30 The Need for Young Talent in Government35:17 Critique of USAID and Its Functions39:07 The Complexity of Government Budgeting41:53 Trump's Proposed Buyouts for Federal Employees46:06 Concerns Over Agency Reforms48:04 The Importance of Legislative Action52:22 Navigating Government NuancesNOTESUSAID’s Long Track Record of Wasteful Left-Wing Spending Made It an Obvious First Target for Muskhttps://www.nationalreview.com/news/usaids-long-track-record-of-wasteful-left-wing-spending-made-it-an-obvious-first-target-for-musk/Trump Administration Threatens USAIDhttps://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/trump-administration-threatens-usaid/The Boys of DOGEhttps://www.thefp.com/p/the-boys-of-dogeTrump’s Dramatic Plan to Cut the Federal Workforcehttps://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-dramatic-plan-to-cut-the-federal-workforce/Clinton Signs Bill on Buyouts for Federal Workershttps://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/31/us/clinton-signs-bill-on-buyouts-for-federal-workers.htmlThe North American Trade War Gets Postponed, for Nowhttps://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/the-north-american-trade-war-gets-postponed-for-now/ForeignAssistance.govhttps://foreignassistance.gov

Lura Forcum from independentcenter.org and Gabriel Nadales from joinouramerica.org join me today for a discussion on H-1B visas. The discussion highlights the contrasting views on immigration, the skills gap in the workforce, and the political challenges in reforming immigration policy. highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants and the importance of fast-tracking citizenship for those who contribute to the economy. We touche on the shortcomings of the American education system in preparing students for the workforce, the significant presence of foreign students in STEM fields, and the cultural differences in attitudes towards education. Chapters 00:00 The H-1B Visa Debate: An Overview 02:46 Understanding H-1B Visas: Purpose and Process 06:00 Arguments For and Against H-1B Visas 08:51 The Skills Gap and Workforce Shortages 11:45 Political Shortcomings in Immigration Policy 15:04 The Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform 18:05 Trade-offs and Consequences of H-1B Visas 20:48 Future of H-1B Visas and Labor Market Solutions 27:08 Revisiting H1B Visas and Immigration Reform 28:31 The Role of Immigrants in Space Exploration 30:34 The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Immigrants 31:55 Fast-Tracking Citizenship for Skilled Immigrants 34:38 Education System and Workforce Readiness 36:28 Foreign Students in STEM Fields 38:33 Cultural Perspectives on Education 40:45 The Economic Impact of Immigration 42:36 Addressing Labor Market Gaps 45:52 Understanding the Immigration Process 48:29 Merit-Based Immigration and Economic Growth 50:49 The Ripple Effects of Skilled Immigration

In this (long) conversation, Blake and Mackenzie catch up and discuss the significant political events surrounding Biden's final days in office, particularly focusing on his controversial pardons. They explore the implications of these actions for future presidencies and the potential precedents set. The discussion then shifts to Trump's early days in office, including the events of January 6th, and the broader implications of political violence in America. The hosts analyze the motivations behind these actions and their potential impact on the political landscape. In this conversation, Blake Fischer discusses various political themes, including the implications of political pardons, the aftermath of the January 6th incident, and the national security concerns surrounding TikTok. He critiques executive orders and emphasizes the need for comprehensive immigration reform through Congress. The conversation also touches on the political circus of confirmation hearings and the uncertainties of foreign policy under a new administration. Finally, Fischer reflects on Trump's economic policies and their potential consequences. In this conversation, Blake Fischer discusses various political themes, including the future of DOGE and its potential impact on government efficiency, the importance of energy independence through nuclear power, and the dynamics of Trump's leadership amidst political challenges. The conversation also delves into California's political landscape and the potential for change, as well as the balance between optimism and realism in politics. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Biden's Final Days and Pardons 30:03 Trump's First Days in Office and January 6th 36:47 Political Pardons and Their Implications 39:01 The January 6th Incident and Its Aftermath 40:52 TikTok: National Security vs. Popularity 43:46 Executive Orders and Their Impact 46:51 Immigration Reform: A Legislative Priority 50:58 The Role of Congress in Immigration Policy 53:52 Confirmation Hearings: A Political Circus 57:34 Foreign Policy: The Unknowns Ahead 01:01:43 Trump's Economic Policies and Their Consequences 01:13:49 The Future of Dogecoin and Government Efficiency 01:20:50 Energy Independence and Nuclear Power 01:25:31 Trump's Leadership and Political Dynamics 01:35:23 California's Political Landscape and Future 01:49:16 Optimism and Realism in Politics

The first two weeks of 2025 have been VERY eventful. I simply assume no one wants to listen to me talk about ALL the things that have happened, so I stick to talking about Pete Hegseth's questioning by the Armed Forces Committee this week, the horrifying LA wildfires, and talk about the so-called TikTok ban that's set to go into effect within days. I probably should have talked about it being Biden's last week in politics, but I literally forgot he was still the president. NOTES: TikTok ByteDance Workers Fired for Data Access on Journalists https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/22/tiktok-bytedance-workers-fired-data-access-journalists TikTok is a National Security Threat https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/01/tiktok-is-a-national-security-threat/ TikTok Tapes: U.S. User Data and China ByteDance Access https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/emilybakerwhite/tiktok-tapes-us-user-data-china-bytedance-access They Know How to Prevent Megafires — Why Won’t Anybody Listen? https://www.propublica.org/article/they-know-how-to-prevent-megafires-why-wont-anybody-listen

This is part 2 of a discussion with Josh Lewis from the Saving Elephants podcast. You can listen to part 1 of our conversation where we talk about the lessons we think Republicans should learn from 2024 on Saving Elephants here. Saving Elephants on Spotify Saving Elephants on Apple Podcasts It's officially 2025, and the new Congress has been sworn in and Donald Trump will soon be inaugurated for his 2nd term. But before we get too far into what comes next, Josh and I thought we'd take a moment to talk about the lessons we think each party should learn from the 2024 elections. To do so, we split the conversation into two parts - one for each party. We discuss the lessons we think Republicans should learn from their victories that gave them control of the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate on Josh's podcast for part 1, and then on this episode we talk about what Democrats should learn from their losses. If you can't tell by the title, Saving Elephants is a show you'll very likely relate to if you listen to The Homeless Conservative, so go listen to part 1 and give Josh a follow wherever you listen to podcasts. NOTES: Part 1 of our conversation 2024 exit polls https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/exit-polls Independent voters grew in 2024 https://theconversation.com/in-2024-independent-voters-grew-their-share-of-the-vote-split-their-tickets-and-expanded-their-influence-245125

People keep saying 2024 was a "change" election, and I think Trump has a unique ability to bully Republicans in Congress into doing things they otherwise wouldn't. That's why I think he could change the federal government drastically for the better of the country - if he stopped being so narcissistic, vindictive, and foolish (yeah, I realize that's a BIG "if"). In this episode, I talk about three wonky ideas that might help make the federal government work better and have its trust restored in American voters: Enlarging the House of Representatives, moving agencies out of Washington D.C., and changing campaign finance laws to allow unlimited contributions to political parties. CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 6:30 - Expand the size of the House of Representatives 25:10 - Move (most of) the bureaucracy out of Washington D.C. 37:53 - Allow unlimited contributions to political parties NOTES Enlarging the House https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/initiative/enlarging-house-representatives Political Fundrasing Preying on Elderly https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2024/10/politics/political-fundraising-elderly-election-invs-dg/ 2024 Post-Election Survey: Gender and Age Analysis of 2024 Election Results https://navigatorresearch.org/2024-post-election-survey-gender-and-age-analysis-of-2024-election-results/

I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around the reactions to the assassination of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. Even before the alleged perpetrator of the crime, Luigi Mangioni, was caught, he seemed to have more people cheering him on than calling him what he is - a murderer. But people don't seem to be splitting on it as Left/Right as expected, which is different than the similarly thrust into populist hero-worship of Jacob Penny, who was found not guilty this week of homicide. Though the two cases are wildly different legally, I worry about our country's populist moment leading to not just more excusing of violence, but an open embrace of it.

To the surprise of absolutely no one with even half a brain, President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, over the holiday weekend - despite consistently telling Americans he would do no such thing as recently as a month ago. Not only for the crimes he was prosecuted for by Biden's Department of Justice, but for ANY and ALL crimes he may have committed for a 10 year period. The only other person in history to receive such a pardon was Richard Nixon. Joe Biden is no different than Trump in his destruction of norms and attacking our American institutions, he just claims otherwise. But, as has always been the case, Joe Biden is a liar and his presidency has done real damage to America and politics, and his pardon of his son is the perfect example of what's so wrong with our current political climate. NOTES: * Joe Biden is an Asshole - National Review
https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/07/joe-biden-is-an-asshole/ * The Bidens’ Influence Peddling Timeline - House Oversight Committee
https://oversight.house.gov/the-bidens-influence-peddling-timeline/ * Hunter’s timeline - Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/12/11/hunter-biden-life-indictments-charges/ * Hunter Biden’s team issues a fiery defense ahead of sentencing, possible pardon
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/30/hunter-biden-defense-sentencing-pardon/ * Biden Loves to Tell Tall Tales. We Cut Them Down To Size. 
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/us/politics/biden-history-fact-check.html

For Thanksgiving, I'm giving you a shorter episode (you're welcome) with a few things I think we've lost site of being grateful for in America. NOTES: - Ben Rector - Thanksgiving Song https://open.spotify.com/album/1QFKtlmi2XoaEp5tqlgpiO?si=90f60588e3c040b3 - Yes, your USB charger probably has more computing power than the NASA navigation systems that took us to the moon https://forrestheller.com/Apollo-11-Computer-vs-USB-C-chargers.html - The US's poorest state (Mississippi) is richer than most of the G7 countries https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-u-s-states-vs-g7-countries-by-gdp-per-capita/ - How Gratitude Changes You And Your Brain https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain - Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier

Now that the election is over, let's get back to talking about problems that need solving in our country. Or in this case, about solutions in search of a problem. Like how Illinois recently eliminated cash bail after getting rid of private bail decades ago. The criminal justice system needs some tweaking, no doubt, but it seems like Democrats continue to find ways to let criminals off the hook and increase crime. In some blue states, judges aren't allowed to detain people pre-trial based on their criminal history - only the current charge. Is this a good policy? Does it help crime rates go down? Spoiler alert - it doesn't. My guest is Ken W. Good. He's an attorney in Texas and hosts The Bail Post podcast. NOTES: The Bail Post podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5WekcwScuqU9C1hjQvdi5q?si=8d24cff373104e8f Proposition 36 overwhelmingly passes in California, reversing some Soros-backed soft-on-crime policies https://www.foxnews.com/politics/prop-36-overwhelmingly-passes-california-reversing-some-soros-backed-soft-on-crime-policies Bail Reform in Chicago: Un-Solving Problems in Public Safety and Court Financing https://manhattan.institute/article/bail-reform-in-chicago-un-solving-problems-in-public-safety-and-court-financing

How do polls keep underestimating Trump's support - three elections in a row? On this episode, my guest Brett Loyd and I discuss how polling works and why it's hard to perfectly predict an election outcome when we're so evenly divided 50/50. We also ponder if Republicans and Democrats will learn the correct lessons from the one poll that matters - how Americans voted on election day (spoiler alert, we're not sure they'll learn the right lessons). President and CEO of The Bullfinch Group, Brett Loyd is a leading researcher and campaign strategist, being one of the few political operatives to accurately forecast the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections. With his methods unswayed by external influences, Brett has built a reputation as a trusted and insightful partner to presidential, senatorial, congressional, and gubernatorial candidates; national political committees; and corporate and issue campaigns. His unbiased and data-first approach has delivered research, insights, analysis, and recommendations that have led to wins from the highest levels of U.S. campaign politics to local policy initiatives, and among his trade association, NGO, and Fortune 500 clients’ efforts. Notes: Nate Silver - ⁠There’s more herding in swing state polls than at a sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands⁠⁠ https://www.natesilver.net/p/theres-more-herding-in-swing-state NPR - A researcher explains why polls failed to predict a Trump victory⁠ https://www.npr.org/2024/11/09/nx-s1-5183094/a-researcher-explains-why-polls-failed-to-predict-a-trump-victory

(My excitement for election day was crushed by waking up with some sort of stomach bug that has lingered into today, so apologies up front if I sound and look miserable. It's not all to do with Trump winning.) The polls underestimate Trump support for a third election in a row, and he (most likely) sweeps all 7 swing states. Republicans have definitely taken the Senate and will more than likely keep control of the House. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris proved to be the terrible candidate I thought she'd be - doing worse than Biden nearly across the board. There will be plenty of finger pointing by Democrats on who's to blame for her loss.

In the final week before the election, let's talk about how I think we're in trouble for the next 4 years - regardless of who is elected. Both Harris and Trump are promising domestic policies that would be very bad for the economy and Americans, and neither give me confidence in their potential foreign policies. So, frankly, I believe we'll be worse off either way in 4 years. Some would call it pessimistic, but I think I'm reasonably realistic in my assessment. Either way, we'll at least (hopefully) know by this time in a week who will be the president so we can stop talking about the 2024 election. How about that for some optimism? NOTES: https://www.cato.org/commentary/will-donald-trump-attack-legitimacy-supreme-court https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/trump-military-generals-hitler/680327/ https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-supreme-court-will-be-the-final https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/kamala-harris-tax-plan-2024/

We're less than 2 weeks away from the election it seems like we've been talking about for 4 years, now. Who will win? When will we know who won? Will either side accept defeat without spreading wild and unfounded conspiracy theories? In short, it's a coin-flip, not on November 5th, and not likely. Also, is Elon Musk's multi-million dollar lottery illegal registering voters? And what the independent panel investigating the Secret Service's failures during the first Trump assassination attempt found and its recommendations to fix the agency. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 3:10 - What does November 6th look like? 10:56 - What do polls say? Who's winning right now, Trump or Harris? 23:13 - Why we won't know who won when we go to bed on election night 31:52 - Will either side concede defeat graciously without spewing stolen election nonsense? 43:44 - Is Elon Musk's multi-million dollar petition signing motivation illegal? 50:40 - The report on Secret Service's failures in Butler, PA leading up to the attempted assassination of Trump NOTES: WSJ - Democratic voter registration scheme https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-charity-voter-registration-scheme-tax-exemption-soros-democracy-philanthropy-501c3-georgia-11663883529 Elon Musk's Petition and Swing State $$ Giveaway https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-petition-million-swing-state-giveaway-money-legal-rcna176568 FiveThirtyEight Interactive Map https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2024-Electoral-Interactive-Map/?promoref=Subnav Real Clear Politics Top Battlegrounds Polling Average https://www.realclearpolling.com/elections/president/2024/battleground-states

On this episode, I speak with Adam Brandon from The Independent Center (https://www.independentcenter.org/) about how more Americans are ditching the Democratic and Republican parties and registering as Independents. How will these demographic and party platform shifts affect the U.S. political system, going forward? -------- 🛜 Go to https://thehomelessconservative.com to sign up for emails and see more content from Blake ----------- CHAPTERS: 01:35 - Podcasts are under-40's primary news source 02:21 - The generational shift in America 07:22 - The rise of independents 15:09 - An example of bad polling data 16:15 - Prediction for Independents winning 19:45 - This is where Adam thinks Independents can win 21:18 - Where do we get voter registration numbers? 23:48 - Which states will independents first do well in? 26:27 - What are the cons of registering as an independent? 27:53 - Primary reform 35:44 - How do younger voters who have ONLY known politics with Trump engage with politics? 40:16 - Voters want authenticity 41:14 - Joe Biden won on being normal - then went all in on progressive policies 44:12 - What will the future of the Democratic party look like? 48:12 - What will the Republican party look like in 2028? 58:53 - Can Democrats switch to being pro-smaller government? 1:02:50 - How should independents think about their vote in November? 1:09:56 - How can "homeless" conservatives change the Republican party? NOTES: The Independent Center https://www.independentcenter.org Freedom Works is Closing - And Blaming Trump https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/08/freedomworks-is-closing-and-blaming-trump-00156784 FreedomWorks, an organization that mobilized tea party conservatives, dissolves https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/freedomworks-closing-tea-party/ ‘All these core things we worked on were gone’: A Tea Party leader reflects on the MAGA makeover https://www.semafor.com/article/08/16/2024/all-these-core-things-we-worked-on-were-gone-a-tea-party-leader-reflects-on-the-maga-makeover

Spoiler alert: No, they're not being stolen. Despite what you may have heard from prominent Democrats in 2000, 2004, and 2016, and Republicans in 2020, there's no evidence ANY of those presidential elections were stolen. And Trump is already laying the groundwork to blame his (potential) 2024 loss on noncitizen voting.  Why can't anyone just admit they lost?  Notes: Four Things to Know About Noncitizen Voting   https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/four-things-to-know-about-noncitizen-voting/ Myths About Noncitizen Voting: Heritage Foundation Data   https://web.archive.org/web/20240915091824/https://immigrationimpact.com/2024/08/01/myths-about-noncitizen-voting-heritage-foundation-data/ Immigrant Noncitizen Voting: Republicans   https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/us/politics/immigrant-noncitizen-voting-republicans.html Noncitizen Voting: Missing Millions   https://web.archive.org/web/20240915091823/https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/noncitizen-voting-missing-millions Former Trump Voting Commission Official Forced to Apologize for Falsely Accusing People of Voter Fraud   https://web.archive.org/web/20240913215136/https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/fmr-trump-voting-commission-official-forced-to-apologize-for-falsely-accusing-people-of-voter-fraud/ Trump Voter Fraud Commission   https://web.archive.org/web/20240915175618/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/us/politics/trump-voter-fraud-commission.html U.S. Election Software National Security Threats   https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/01/us-election-software-national-security-threats-00176615 The Swing State Election Laws That Could Decide the Presidency   https://pepperdine-graphic.com/the-swing-state-election-laws-that-could-decide-the-presidency/ Mike Johnson, JD Vance, and Election Denial   https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/08/mike-johnson-jd-vance-election-denial/ The Riddle of the Sphinx   https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/the-riddle-of-the-sphinx/ Why Do Millions of Americans Believe the 2020 Presidential Election Was Stolen from Donald Trump?   https://theconversation.com/why-do-millions-of-americans-believe-the-2020-presidential-election-was-stolen-from-donald-trump-224016 12 Minutes of Democrats Denying Election Results   https://gop.com/video/12-minutes-of-democrats-denying-election-results/

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!! *checks notes* sorry, LET'S GET READY TO POLITELY DISCUSS POLICY DIFFERENCES!!! Vance and Tim Walz managed to do what their bosses couldn't; have a civil and substantive debate. Going into the debate, most predictions were completely off the mark about how bombastic, angry, and insulting it might be. It'd be nice if we had more of this kind of political discourse, but alas, it probably won't move the needle for either campaign, so I'm sure the lesson learned will be "never do that again!", unfortunately. Also, will the east coast longshoreman strike affect the election? Notes: * The High Cost of Labor Strife at U.S. Ports by Scott Lincicome * Hooray for Price-Gouging, Boo for Monopoly by Kevin Williamson

Maybe America's physical isolation from countries trying to invade or attack us makes us particularly less-informed about foreign policy than citizens on the other side of the world. I'm not sure, but figured it'd be a good idea to check in on the Israel/Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran situation as well as the Russia/Ukraine conflict.  Last week, Israel ramped up it's "escalation to deescalate" against Hezbollah in Lebanon by exploding their pagers and walkie talkies and striking known weapons storage facilities. This week, Ukrainian President Zelenski is in the U.S. visiting not just the U.N. General Assembly, but a munitions factory in of all places swing state Pennsylvania. Are Republicans right to be upset at the appearance of a foreign country meddling in our elections?  NOTES: The Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Intensifies https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/the-israel-hezbollah-conflict-intensifies/ Israel's Focus Shifts North After Electronics Attack https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/israels-focus-shifts-north-after-electronics-attack/ The Zelensky Endorsement https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/the-zelensky-endorsement/ Zelensky US Visit: Ammunition Plant, Pennsylvania, UN, Ukraine https://www.axios.com/2024/09/23/zelensky-us-visit-ammunition-plant-pennsylvania-un-ukraine Zelensky Pennsylvania Seen By Some Republicans As A Bid To Boost Democrats https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/3163793/zelensky-pennsylvania-seen-some-republicans-bid-boost-democrats/ UN-American: GOP Bristles at Zelensky’s Criticism https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2024/09/24/un-american_gop_bristles_zelenskys_criticism_trump_vance_151672.html Volodymyr Zelensky Has a Plan for Ukraine’s Victory https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/volodymyr-zelensky-has-a-plan-for-ukraines-victory Democrats’ “Perfect Phone Call” to Zelensky https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/democrats-perfect-phone-call-to-zelensky/ Iran’s Plot Against Trump Is an Attack on America https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/09/irans-plot-against-trump-is-an-attack-on-america/ Israel Pounds Iran-Backed Hezbollah’s Strongholds While Biden-Harris Administration Is Mum https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/israel-pounds-iran-backed-hezbollahs-strongholds-and-iran-friendly-biden-harris-administration-is-mum/ Hezbollah Has Fired 8,000 Rockets at Israel Since October 7 https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/hezbollah-has-fired-8000-rockets-at-israel-since-october-7/ Biden Gives Swan Song Speech at UN General Assembly https://www.semafor.com/article/09/24/2024/biden-gives-swansong-speech-at-un-general-assembly The Shifting Foundations of Gulf-US Ties https://www.semafor.com/article/09/25/2024/the-shifting-foundations-of-gulf-us-ties Houthi Missile Strikes Central Israel: Netanyahu https://www.semafor.com/article/09/15/2024/houthi-missile-strikes-central-israel-netanyahu Hezbollah’s Pagers and Walkie-Talkies https://www.thefp.com/p/hezbollahs-pagers-and-walkie-talkies Friedman: When We Started to Lie https://www.thefp.com/p/friedman-when-we-started-to-lie Hezbollah’s Hostages, Sex Slaves, Syria, and the Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/hezbollahs-hostages-sex-slave-syria-free-press Exposing the Hypocrisy of the Genocide Propagandists https://www.commentary.org/seth-mandel/exposing-the-hypocrisy-of-the-genocide-propagandists/ The Post-Ceasefire Phase of the War https://www.commentary.org/seth-mandel/the-post-ceasefire-phase-of-the-war/ Echoes of 2006: Israel, Hezbollah, and the Potential for Regional War https://www.brookings.edu/articles/echoes-of-2006-israel-hezbollah-and-the-potential-for-regional-war/ The Coming Conflict with Hezbollah https://www.csis.org/analysis/coming-conflict-hezbollah

Kamala Harris - Issues - https://kamalaharris.com/issues/ Donald J. Trump - Platform - https://www.donaldjtrump.com/platform Trump RNC Platform - https://rncplatform.donaldjtrump.com/?_gl=1*nm9ll6*_gcl_au*MTcxODk2MjE5My4xNzI2NTkxNDk3&_ga=2.102404420.455320868.1726591497-1819617850.1726591497 Federal Reserve Economic Research Paper - https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/feds/files/2019086pap.pdf Trump vs. Biden Tariffs - Tax Foundation - https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-biden-tariffs/ Kamala Harris Tax Plan 2024 - Tax Foundation - https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/kamala-harris-tax-plan-2024/ Trump and Harris Defense Policies - Brookings - https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-partially-convergent-trump-and-harris-defense-policies/ Defense Prioritization - National Review - https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/09/defense-prioritization-is-not-enough/ The Harris Shuffle - AEI - https://www.aei.org/op-eds/the-harris-shuffle/ Trillion Dollar Tax Cuts - Cato Institute - https://www.cato.org/blog/its-not-just-republicans-democrats-want-trillion-dollar-tax-cuts-too Rent Control Expansion Effects - Stanford GSB - https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/publications/effects-rent-control-expansion-tenants-landlords-inequality-evidence

For only the 2nd time since her coronation, Kamala Harris faced the public without the aid of a teleprompter last night in the first presidential debate with Donald Trump. Kamala has enough vulnerabilities that any replacement level republican politician (or even the non-politicians texting me during it) could've knocked out of the park and her down a peg or two, but alas, Trump is not even talented enough to do so. Yes, the moderators were bad and unfair to Trump, but what's new in conservative politics? We expect the media to be biased. As my dad texted me during the debate, "Trump is hanging himself with his own rope". I think that pretty much sums it up. Mackenzie is back to talk about it, because she can't get enough of my negativity and pessimism.

This week saw another terrifying school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. After every tragic mass shooting, especially at a school, both sides go into a frenzy of emotional defending of their side and vilification of the other. Gun-control advocates demand we "DO SOMETHING" and accuse those not on their side of caring more about guns than kids' lives. Meanwhile, some on the right dismiss them as just an expected part of living in America. Both sides assign evil intent to the other, and we get nowhere. This kind of violence SHOULD anger us. It's understandable to be emotional. But I want to look at the nuance of the issue and the data to show that the typically proposed solutions like AR-15 bans, universal background checks, or other so called "common sense" gun control laws would be ineffective to prevent these kinds of tragedies. Don't worry, though, I do have some ideas of what could work. CHAPTERS: 00:02:21 Gun violence is an extremely nuanced problem 00:09:18 How many people die by firearms every year? 00:13:27 What type of firearms are used in homicides? 00:15:47 Let's talk about mass shootings/school shootings specifically 00:17:08 How do we define mass shootings and active shooter incidents? 00:22:08 The media over-exaggerates the problem 00:28:22 School shooters and suicide risk overlap 00:32:42 What "solutions" wouldn't work (IMO) 00:36:56 Do more guns equal more homicides? 00:37:54 What about mental illness? 00:39:14 Should parents be held legally responsible for their kid's violence? 00:41:02 A few more bad solutions 00:41:27 Would universal background checks work / The myth of the "gun show loophole" 00:45:30 Should we ban AR-15 rifles? 00:46:14 The common patterns in school shooters 00:49:19 Solutions that could make a difference at the margins 00:52:05 What about red flag laws or gun violence restraining orders? 00:54:38 We should enforce existing gun laws, first 00:56:08 Congress should allow more gun violence research 00:58:24 Are gun-free zones to blame? 00:59:54 Should we arm teachers? 01:01:44 The best solution to stopping school shootings, in my opinion 01:10:42 The media's responsibility Notes: Crime Data Explorer - https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/shr Guns: Safety Topics - https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/guns/ 2023 FBI Active Shooter Report - https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2023-active-shooter-report-062124.pdf/view FBI 20-Year Active Shooter Review (2000-2019) - https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-incidents-20-year-review-2000-2019-060121.pdf/view PMC Gun Violence Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4211925/ Debunking the 355 Mass Shootings in 2015 - https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/12/no-there-were-not-355-mass-shootings-this-year/ TRB Special Report 269 - https://trb.org/publications/sr/sr269.pdf CNN 2020 Census Data - https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/12/politics/us-census-2020-data/index.html#:~:text=The%20Hispanic%20or%20Latino%20community,identify%20their%20race%20and%20ethnicity. The Link Between Gun Ownership and Homicide - https://medium.com/handwaving-freakoutery/everybodys-lying-about-the-link-between-gun-ownership-and-homicide-1108ed400be5 The School Shooting Solution - https://hwfo.substack.com/p/the-school-shooting-solution Thresholds of Violence (The New Yorker) - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/19/thresholds-of-violence

I'm trying to figure out why Reaganite Republicans are no longer welcome in Trump's GOP, but Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard - both far-left politicians who were disowned by Democrats - are welcomed with open arms. With positions on the transition team! The enemy of your enemy isn't always your friend. I talk about RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard's more outrageous claims and policy positions and how there's no upside to embracing them. Later, I talk about Trump's further proven unfitness for office with his claim that if Jesus had counted the votes in California in 2020, he would have won. And finally, Kamala Harris does an interview 5 weeks into being the Democratic nominee. How did it go? Meh. Will she do another one ever? I doubt it. 0:00 - Intro 1:42 - Trump welcomes RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard endorsements 4:07 - RFK Jr.'s very progressive policy ideas 13:23 - RFK Jr.'s disproven conspiracy theories 19:02 - ...specifically, debunking RFK Jr.'s linking of vaccines and autism 28:14 - Tulsi Gabbard's siding with dictators like Assad in Syria and Putin in Russia 38:02 - Trump is now claiming he won California in 2020. Seriously. 41:50 - Trump should be winning the border issue, but spouts insane conspiracy theories about Venezuelan prisons being emptied into the US 47:34 - Also, Trump is ripping off your loved ones by selling them $99 digital trading cards 50:24 - Kamala's first interview was...fine, I guess. 🗒️ SHOW NOTES 1. Radical Left Democrat RFK Jr (Via Donald Trump’s Youtube Channel) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_NpxRcYbvA 2. RFK Jr.? No, Thank You - https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/rfk-jr-no-thank-you-american-politics-is-crazy-enough-as-is/ 3. Chemical Castration of Autistic Children Leads to the Downfall of Dr. Mark Geier - https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/chemical-castration-of-autistic-children-leads-to-the-downfall-of-dr-mark-geier/ 4. CDC Measles Data and Research - https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html 5. It’s Probably Time to Debate the Kooks - https://www.commentary.org/abe-greenwald/its-probably-time-to-debate-the-kooks/ 6. Pence-Founded Group Slams Trump Transition Leader RFK Jr. Over Radical Left-Wing Views - https://www.nationalreview.com/news/pence-founded-group-slams-trump-transition-leader-rfk-jr-over-radical-left-wing-views/ 7. RFK Jr. Says He Supports Abortion, Even Full-Term - https://www.foxnews.com/media/rfk-jr-says-supports-abortion-even-full-term 8. On the Campaign Trail, RFK Jr. Pushes Bonkers Theory That CIA's - https://abcnews.go.com/US/campaign-trail-rfk-jr-pushes-bonkers-theory-cias/story?id=111274658 9. The Real Reasons Autism Rates Are Up in the U.S. - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reasons-autism-rates-are-up-in-the-u-s/

✅ Visit https://thehomelessconservative.com to sign up for email updates and check out other content from Blake! ⭐️ Please rate the show on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 🎤 TODAY'S SHOW We all know Trump has an interesting relationship with the truth. But what if he believes the lies he tells? I think his behavior since Kamala Harris' crowing by Democrats might prove his mental competency is also in question - to be fair, in a different way we think of Biden's - but can we really say that a man who thinks the only explanation for Kamala pulling large crowds is that it's being faked with A.I. is fit to run the executive branch of the U.S. government? I don't think so. Plus, is Kamala's alleged moderation on *checks notes* every single issue she campaigned on in 2019 a good thing for conservatives? 🗒️ SHOW NOTES Trump vs Obama crowd size True the Vote admits it can’t back up election fraud charges  2000 Mules pulled after defamation suit How to Make the ‘Flip-Flop’ Charge Stick to Harris (Noah Rothman - National Review) The Harris Campaign’s Hubris May Be On The Verge of Breeding Nemesis (Jeffrey Blehar - National Review) Dr. Dre “deadass serious” about competing in archery at next Summer Olympic Games

✅ Visit https://thehomelessconservative.com to sign up for email updates and check out other content from Blake! ⏭️ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro - Opening Statement 07:21 - mConversation with Katherine Makinney about her organization09:43 - Was the 2020 election stolen? 13:07 - What happened January 6th? 30:13 - 3 specific Jan 6th cases 1:00:09 - Trump's inaction on Jan 6th 1:50:45 - Wrap Up 🎤 TODAY'S SHOW Are the people prosecuted for the riot at the Capitol on January 6th hostages, as Trump calls them, or are they criminals? Are they patriots, or just people who were lied to about an election being stolen who got caught up in a mob and behaved badly? I speak with Katherine Makinney who runs americanpows.com, a site dedicated to the stories of the people prosecuted for their actions on January 6th. We completely disagree about the 2020 election results and the causes and repercussions of January 6th. Which makes for an interesting discussion, I suppose. There is still no evidence the 2020 election was stolen via voting fraud of any kind. In the end, I'm not sure the conversation is very useful. Neither of us walked away convinced of the others argument and so far she's provided no credible evidence (blogs theorizing how the deep state works without any sited evidence AT ALL don't count) that the election in 2020 was stolen. As mentioned in our conversation, the two most cited sources from MAGA supporters are True The Vote and 2000 Mules. The former admitted in court that it has ZERO evidence of fraud in Georgia, and the latter has been removed from distribution due to getting sued for defamation by a citizen featured in the "documentary". Who's to blame, ultimately, for these filter bubbles so many Americans find themselves in - on one hand, they're being lied to by their leaders and the media they consume (I'm not just talking about MAGA folks here, by the way - this happens plenty on the left). But on the other, don't they have the same agency to check into a story or opinion they read/watch being valid? Katherine has access to the same internet I do, where I can quickly check if a fact or quote is authentic. So am I sympathetic to her because she's been lied to, or is it a choice she's made because we've made politics a religion where its heretical to ever admit your beliefs might be wrong? I don't know, honestly. I hope you get something out of the conversation. We talked for 4 hours, and I've trimmed the conversation down for length (sorry, it's still long). I've included some of the links she sent me in advance and after our conversation, but to be transparent, haven't included the ones I could easily disprove or didn't include any sourcing. 🗒️ SHOW NOTES Show Notes: Katherine’s organization - https://americanpows.com Trump court cases - https://campaignlegal.org/results-lawsuits-regarding-2020-elections Con’t - https://www.cramer.senate.gov/2020judicialrulings Yes, DOJ indicted and convicted BLM rioters https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-george-floyd-race-and-ethnicity-capitol-siege-racial-injustice-07da2a81193ce26de266881230340f1d Support for Ukraine - https://news.gallup.com/poll/643601/americans-say-not-helping-ukraine-enough.aspx https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/09/24/doj-says-over-300-hit-with-federal-charges-amid-nationwide-protests/ 18:30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6T9kGtooM Jan 6 minute by minutes timeline - https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/10/politics/jan-6-us-capitol-riot-timeline/index.html A Demographic and Legal Profile of January 6 Prosecutions - https://www.shu.edu/news/a-demographic-and-legal-profile-of-january-6-prosecutions.html 2020 was not like 1876 - https://electionlawblog.org/?p=130251 Her sources: The gallows - https://open.ink/collections/j6-gallows https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2023/06/18/sunday-talks-bill-barr-continues-his-crusade-against-trump-in-effort-to-protect-the-bush-obama-surveillance-state-and-doj-fbi-constructs/

In this episode, I confront a tough reality—I was wrong about what matters in the 2024 election. Kamala Harris' VP pick underscores that this election is all about vibes, not policies. 2024 has solidified as a "vibes election," where public sentiment (feelings, really) trumps detailed policy prescriptions, principles, and ideas. I discuss how media and social platforms distort our perceptions, creating a volatile environment where feelings can change rapidly and are easily manipulated. I also critique both parties' focus on base politics, leading to a lack of substantive policy discussions. I analyze Kamala Harris' choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP pick, interpreting it as a strategic move to maintain party unity and appeal to progressives. As we wrap up, I contemplate the future political landscape. What will happen if Harris wins? Can the Republicans reassess their strategy after repeated losses under Trump? My hope is for a shift towards pragmatic, policy-focused leadership.

One week into Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and we still haven't heard anything from her other than teleprompter speeches - none of which address her very progressive stances she took in her 2019 presidential campaign. The campaign is telling us she's moderating, but we haven't heard that from her, specifically. So far, it seems that the Biden campaign's plan of hiding their candidate from press conferences, tough questions, town halls, etc continues - they've just swapped candidates. Am I wrong to assume it's because they also don't think Kamala is a good messenger for her own candidacy?

Democrats get to change horses midstream and choose...her. In this episode I briefly touch on the events since last week - Trump's VP pick of JD Vance, his speech at the Republican National Convention, more damning evidence the Secret Service sucks at their jobs - and then get into President Biden announcing Sunday he won't seek a 2nd term in office. Within less than 48 hours of his announcement, it appears Kamala Harris has enough delegates to win the nomination at the convention. We didn't get to hear from anyone else, and no one got to challenge her for the highest office in the land. Will the choice hurt Democrats? Does Kamala Harris have a better chance of beating Trump in the general election? The truth is we have no idea because everything we thought mattered in this presidential race just changed.