This week, Mike and Kristin discuss news of the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. As the nation sinks deeper into political divide, what transpired was a conversation about white nationalism, whether political parties are “responsible” for hate and tragedy. Mike thinks President Trump should be held accountable for his ramped-up rhetoric, while Kristin says that both parties must take responsibility for violent language. Kristin and Mike both bring up points about mental health and gun control, as well as Red Flag laws and assault weapons bans. They agree that they aren’t hopeful anything would transpire – but that we should work towards solutions.
Next, they talk about the Treasury Department declaring China a currency manipulator. Mike thoroughly explains the terms and says that China may have manipulated currency in the past, but that recent devaluation of currency isn’t manipulation. Kristin brings up the fact that all nations engage in currency devaluation, and mentions President Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese goods. Both Mike and Kristin maintain a “wait and see approach” – will the tariffs work to level the trade playing field, or will this declaration lead to a trade war? Time will tell.
Mike and Kristin often find themselves discussing immigration law, and this week is no exception. After ICE officials raided seven plants in MS and arrested 680 undocumented workers, both agree that the system is broken. Mike remains skeptical that anything will be done, citing powerful business interests. He also argues that businesses are often put in positions where they are forced to hire undocumented workers, who are then mistreated and separated from their families. Kristin agrees and both say that there must be a middle ground, an easier pathway for obtaining work visas or citizenship. Kristin argues this would help everyone - the government could vet immigrants and account for them, and the workers would be kept with families and they would have recourse for payment disputes and unsafe working conditions.
Finally, they move to the topic of Rep. Joaquin Castro’s alleged “doxxing” of Trump donors and their businesses in his district. Was it an effort to be transparent, or was it “dog-whistling”? Mike thinks that Republican critics are being overly sensitive, and mentions that this information is public record and easily found. Kristin brings up motive and the fact that these donors and their employees are constituents, but Mike argues that the tweet won’t affect businesses much. They discuss connections Castro made between the El Paso shooter and Trump donors.
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The End of Roe, Gun Rights, Funding Religious Education
That’s Not Funny: Matt Sienkiewicz on Right-Wing Humor
Fed Rate Increase, Primaries and New Mexico, Trump's Jan 6 Response, Senate Gun Bill, LGBTQI+ Executive Order
Will Moravits on Policing and Race in America
1/6 Hearings, Kavanaugh Threat, Guns, Summit of the Americas, Formula Shortage, Gas Prices
Howard Blum & The Spy Who Knew Too Much
Russia & Ukraine, SCOTUS & Social Media, Sussmann Acquittal, Guns, Heard-Depp, Katz Firing
Uvalde Shooting, Primaries, Police Accountability, Regulating Big Tech
Buffalo Shooting, Pennsylvania Primaries, Cawthorne's loss, FEC vs Cruz, Bezos vs President Biden, Abortion
Life After Roe, Trump’s Primary Success, COVID, Ukraine/Russia, Inflation, Expat Mike?
Adam Probolsky on Polling and Partisan Identification
Abortion Leak, Intelligence Leak, Puerto Rico, JD Vance, Shurtleff
Paul Brandus on Presidential Communication in the Biden and Trump Administrations
Disney & Florida GOP, Musk & Twitter, Russia & Ukraine, Title 42
McCarthy’s Lie, Mask Mandate, DeSantis vs. Disney, Russia & Ukraine, Tax Day, 4/20
Jennifer Sciubba on How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World
Brooklyn Shooting, New NATO Members, Oklahoma Abortion Ban, Tax Policy, Pakistani Espionage?
Larry Jacobs on Democracy Under Fire
Jackson Confirmation, Russian War Crimes, Amazon Union, Title 42, GOP Insurrectionists
Chris Brady on the Politics and Promise of Cryptocurrency
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