Public Service Turmoil: Michael Lewis, W. Kamau Bell, David Eggers

In this episode Stanford University professor Jim Steyer delves into the current state of American government, focusing on the experiences of federal employees amid ongoing political turmoil. His guests include best-selling author Michael Lewis, comedian and TV host W. Kamau Bell, and writer and educator Dave Eggers. They discuss the dedication of civil servants, the impact of political actions on public perceptions, and the broader ramifications for American institutions. 

 

Despite all the turmoil in Washington, is there reason to be optimistic?

 

00:00 Introduction: The State of Affairs

00:52 Welcome to 'Which Side of History'

01:11 Introducing the Guests and the Topic

01:39 Michael Lewis on Public Perception vs. Reality of Government

02:36 Art Allen's Story: The Unsung Hero of the Coast Guard

11:46 Dave Eggers on NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

19:06 Kamau Bell on Antitrust and Justice

26:39 The Impact of Government Layoffs

29:11 Trump's Approach to Government

35:33 The Problem with Cutting Deficits

36:25 Misguided Firing Practices

36:42 The Impact on Federal Agencies

38:07 Trump's Strategy and Consequences

40:13 Loss of Faith in Institutions

40:55 Idealism in Government Work

42:17 Challenges Faced by Teachers

46:23 Historical Context and Institutional Flaws

48:42 Potential Financial Crisis

51:49 The Role of Trust in Institutions

52:53 Crypto and Trump's Financial Interests

59:09 Comedians and Political Alignment

01:01:29 Messages of Hope and Optimism