Episode 680: Pigs in the Swamp – Earmarks in the $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill

Newt talks with Les Leopold about his new book, "Wall Street's War on Workers". He explains how corporations in the U.S. have used mass layoffs and stock buybacks to enrich shareholders at the expense of employees. Leopold argues that these practices have contributed to the decline in support for the Democratic Party among urban and rural workers. He suggests that the party has failed to address the issue of mass layoffs and has instead supported policies that have led to job instability. Leopold proposes solutions such as limiting stock buybacks to 2% and preventing companies with government contracts from laying off workers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with bestselling author Timothy Carney about his new book, "Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs To Be". Carney argues that modern American parenting standards are unrealistic and contribute to record rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in children. He criticizes the culture of over-parenting and suggests that it's time to end this failed experiment. Carney also discusses the impact of technology, the fear of crime, and the pressure to succeed on parenting. He highlights the declining birth rates in the U.S. and globally, attributing it to factors such as career-focused lifestyles, housing costs, and a shift in cultural values. Carney suggests that policy changes, particularly in housing, could help support families and reverse the trend of declining birth rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Neil Chilson, the leader of AI policy at the Abundance Institute. Chilson explains that while AI has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare and creative fields, there is a pervasive fear and pessimism surrounding the technology. He argues that this fear-based approach could hinder the full potential of AI. Chilson also discusses the Abundance Institute's focus on Artificial Intelligence and energy, emphasizing the need for regulatory changes to foster innovation in these areas. He invites those interested in a positive technological future to get involved with the Abundance Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt’s guest is Brett Tolman, a former U.S. Attorney and Executive Director of Right on Crime. They discuss the organization's efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Right on Crime, part of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, advocates for alternative sentencing, parole expansion, and evidence-based programs to improve the success rate of those reentering society. Tolman highlights the Safer Supervision Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow individuals who have served half of their supervision term and maintained good conduct to request early termination. He also emphasizes the importance of accountability and redemption in the criminal justice system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the escalating tensions in the Middle East with Adam Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Middle East Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. They discuss the recent Iranian attack on Israeli soil, the assassination of a top Iranian General by Israel, and the ongoing hostility between the two nations. Weinstein suggests that the Iranian regime's hostility towards Israel is rooted its desire to assert itself as a regional power. He also discusses the role of the United States in the region and the challenges of achieving peace and stability, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt’s guest is Gianno Caldwell, a Fox News analyst and founder of a bipartisan consulting firm. He discusses his journey from growing up in poverty on the south side of Chicago to becoming a successful political strategist and author. Caldwell shares his experiences with the welfare system, his views on welfare reform, and his belief in the power of hard work and self-belief. He also discusses his role as a Republican strategist, his work with Fox News, and his efforts to combat violent crime following the murder of his brother. Caldwell's book, "Taken For Granted: How Conservatism Can Win Back the Americans That Liberalism Failed," is available on Amazon and in bookstores everywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the importance of funding Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. He is joined by Jim Gilmore, former Governor of Virginia and Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). They discuss the Senate's approval of a $95 billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and the pushback from some Republicans. Gilmore emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukraine, stating that if Putin wins, he will not stop and will risk a much larger war which could involve the United States. They also discuss the potential of seizing Russian assets to help fund the war and the need for President Biden to provide stronger leadership. Newt also speaks with Congressman Chuck Edwards, who recently returned from a trip to Ukraine. Edwards shares his experiences and the dire situation in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to provide military assistance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the Biden administration's new student loan debt forgiveness plan with guest Adam Kissel, a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The plan, which is yet to be finalized and is expected to face legal challenges, proposes to forgive up to $20,000 in interest for nearly 30 million borrowers. The plan could reduce payments for 25 million borrowers and erase all debt for more than 4 million Americans. However, critics argue that the plan is regressive, as it would transfer the debt to taxpayers, potentially costing between $519 billion to over a trillion dollars over 10 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putin had intended to conquer and annex Ukraine with a vicious blitzkrieg, redrawing the map of Europe in a few short weeks with seismic geopolitical consequences. But in the face of this existential threat, the Ukrainian people fought back, turning what looked like certain defeat into a great moral victory, even as the territorial conflict continues to this day. In his new book, Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence, Yaroslav Trofimov traces the war’s decisive moments to show how Ukraine and its allies have turned the tide against Russia, one of the world’s great military powers, in a modern-day battle of David and Goliath. Newt’s guest is Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign-affairs correspondent for The Wall Street Journal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 World Happiness Report, released by Gallup, ranks the United States 23rd, a drop from 15th place the previous year. The top four happiest countries are Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The report suggests that the U.S. ranking has fallen due to the perspectives of people under 30. The report measures happiness based on life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Newt’s guest is John Helliwell, one of the chief editors of the World Happiness Report, a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Distinguished Fellow, and Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of British Columbia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.