America's Last Best Hope

The United States of America is divided, its democracy is shaken and its Supreme Court politicized. But all is not lost.
In this interview George Packer speaks to the BBC's Justin Webb about how America got here, and how it can move forward. He presents a hopeful vision for a radical reform of American life - one that enables meaningful change, via policy, legislation, executive action, civic activism, scholarship and the media. Drawing on the best of American history - what once made it great - without being trapped in the past, Last Best Hope dares America to step into a new and better era.

[@wendywilson-fall3973]

These problems of democracy are also the result of losing our focus on quality education and we are still attacking the humanities and social sciences

[@saimbhat6243]

I am not sure if statistics will lend any credence to your claim. By any parameter, current americans aren't poorly educated or badly educated than earlier ones. And it is not only far right which has become uncompatible with democracy, a significant far left has also become uncompatible with democracy. The american situation has real causes, but :people being stupid is not one of them. And it will be a big mistake to take that stand. Well, there can be many causes e.g. income stagnation, wealth inequality, social anxiety, consumerism on steroids, erosion of traditional value system, competition in job market etc. etc. etc. OR MAY BE, IT IS WHAT IT IS, and by that I mean the causes for such mass behavior/mass psychology are beyond understanding/predicting and managing. But to be honest, no matter which party wins, truth is that the current, money tainted politics doesn't work primarily for people.

[@Bangle9]

George Packer-Wow! Your observations and analysis is spot on! Glad to learn about you. Thanks for such intelligent conversation.

[@dnickaroo3574]

The only hope is that Americans threw out Donald Trump -- but got Biden instead. Not much to base your hope on.

[@brucewilds7102]

That says it all. I found this interview far less insightful than most of those watching. brucewilds.blogspot.com/2022/06/great-american-presidents-are-as-rare.html

[@zephead843]

Americans are getting exactly what they voted for. Good and hard. The CCP is content to strengthen their relationship with Russia while distancing themselves from the US. Together they will simply wait for the money to run out.

[@jdavies1296]

I'd like to thank Intelligence Squared for introducing me to the writings of George Packer. I don't think I've heard a more balanced and unflinching assessment of what is happening in US politics today. It gave me a real perspective on the daily cant pouring from the news channels.

[@hawkarae]

Agreed!

[@adarolon2513]

@J Davies: Well said !!. Definitely I will buy his book. May God blees him.

[@IBACb]

Karl Rove was the architect of the divisive politics being discussed. His axiom of "51% is all you need" killed the willingness to compromise that is needed to have a sustainable democracy.

[@markdolph]

I think you're right. Rove was probably the first republican strategist who exploited the country's divisions, but we shouldn't lose sight of what Gingrich started in the 80's.

[@4OHz]

Let’s not forget who really started this last round of division (which is not new to American Politics), Newt Gingrich. It’s been going on ever since he was elected to Congress. In essence it was a Clinton/Gingrich administration.

[@kkpenney444]

And it all dovetailed with the debut of Fox News. I remember having a feeling of doom that eventually these will be forces we won't be able to defeat. Ta da.

[@stevemcelmury4618]

These guys are the one-two punch of serious, relevant political discourse. They're smart, calm, serious and optimistic. I've learned more in the past 45 minutes about our nation's political and social divide than I ever knew... Let's do this again!

[@tomdemartino3125]

Incredibly insightful and articulated with remarkable precision. This relatively unknown George Packer is one of the best I've heard.

[@libradragon]

George Packer is very well-known in certain circles; unfortunately, these are very small circles.

[@trainerdisability]

Frank Furedi did a talk in Australia and warned everyone. He said, “hold on to your middle class as tight as you can. Do not let it disappear as it will lead to lots of social problems”. He also said the middle class in the USA was disappearing

[@Shopartshop]

its obvious to many of us, but put forward perfectly. we need more of these guys in mainstream, but knowing how these things work these days, he will be put into the 'elite' corner

[@mikegray8776]

I suspect there are already rather too many voices, indistinguishable from George Packer’s, already present in the echo-chamber of mid-left journalism and wider writing. Sloppy framings which lean further towards propaganda than to objectivity. Not even remotely helpful in pointing towards any solutions - which should be the prime imperative of all thinking writers, chronicling the decline of an almost irreparable political machine.

[@peteg6118]

George, I just finished Last Best Hope. Great read. Highly recommended especially for those still in shock as to how we got here. I hope we can salvage this once great human experiment.

[@gabemendoza1052]

Great? It was never great to begin with.

[@pcbacklash_3261]

I'm amazed that I've never heard of this guy! His political insights, from his characterization of Trump to his analyses of both the Democratic and Republican Parties, are spot on! I guess I'll remember the name George Packer from now on. Thanks, Intelligence Squared!

[@pratikpanchal7276]

He's a keenest political observer!

[@garyjohnson1466]

Exactly, it’s like a layered cake, as I’ve always said, it’s not what you know, but who you know., more than anything else, my highly educated brother one told me that the connection one make at school are in many ways more important that the education or degree one earns, the real education start after graduate, most graduates don’t work in the fields they majored in…

[@ckyoutube6720]

Wow!! Thank You.. shared on multiple sites to try and get people to listen..

[@johnwightman7549]

I got fifteen minutes into this and he hadn't mentioned the names biden or harris. what was the point of getting rid of trump if the democratic party couldn't find anyone who even looked like they had a grip on anything.

[@Darth_Bateman]

Because everything happening today? Is the result of Trumps presidency.

[@ivandafoe5451]

Both of them are worse than useless in office. "Getting rid of Trump" was more political theater than a true transfer of power. Their only roles were to be "anyone but Trump" for the election and virtually impotent and invisible place holders that would accomplish next to nothing for the American people.

[@bjorsam6979]

Thanks for this delightfully intellectual interview! Justin's posture, expressions and fingers in his lips make me nostalgic and happy. George's analysis strike me as insightful, helped by his eloquence and tone. I especially like the four politiacal classes of the Real, Free, Woke and Smart. George said something I wanted to highlight: that nationalism is more or less essential. Now, I'm from Sweden. Nobody except our populistic right talks about nationalism. Very few have been since the 50's. I'd wager the word patriotism would have most swedes think of american rednecks or perhaps GW Bush invading Iraq. Swedes together with Iceland score on the absolute outlier of the GAL-TAN scale (). Sweden at the same time is less religious than any known country in the history of mankind and hold to "modern" family values. Yet, social cohesion, trust in authorities and general social trust towards strangers is much higher than in any anglosaxian country; indeed probably higher than any country outside the Nordics. That's to say, nationalism probably isn't the best way to bring people together. USA scores very high on patriotism, Sweden high on other parameters. And even though George tried to deny it, nationalism is by definition devisive, exclusive and tribalistic (just like race division and religion). What did I miss? I'd appreciate input on this. Okay, not if you're going to say "it wouldn't work here" because exceptionalism is always just a lazy excuse for everything and anything. George, you here?

[@ese3go]

I was about to move to Mexico permanently when I discovered that I have a life threatening illness and endless medical appointments. The US is finished and fortunately I'm 75 and will avoid the worst of the carnage.

[@worldpeacepatriot9448]

Yes indeed , we are all world citizens and have the right to live on our world in peace , unity , cooperation and justice in a climate of democratic freedoms ! This ought to be the standard and value that all our fellow human beings live by !

[@krcalder]

Looking on a slightly longer timeline it has all become clear. Mariner Eccles, FED chair 1934 - 48, observed what the capital accumulation of neoclassical economics did to the US economy in the 1920s. “a giant suction pump had by 1929 to 1930 drawn into a few hands an increasing proportion of currently produced wealth. This served then as capital accumulations. But by taking purchasing power out of the hands of mass consumers, the savers denied themselves the kind of effective demand for their products which would justify reinvestment of the capital accumulation in new plants. In consequence as in a poker game where the chips were concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, the other fellows could stay in the game only by borrowing. When the credit ran out, the game stopped” A few people have all the money and everyone else gets by on debt. Is that why Keynes added redistribution? Yes, it stopped all the wealth concentrating at the top. A strong, healthy middle class developed in the West. Maggie and Reagan removed the redistribution and inequality soared as things returned to the old normal of neoclassical economics. A few people have all the money and everyone else gets by on debt.

[@jgalt308]

Ah, the mythology of the new deal still lives. Try "FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression by Jim Powell...then you can attempt to support your claim with the actual facts and evidence. Good luck!!!!

[@hawkarae]

Thank you for this. Succinct and expansive to the curious.

[@jgalt308]

@@hawkarae also total B.S. Are you seriously going to give credence to the FED chair...when the U.S. went fiat in 1933? The "middle class" was a result of the war...and the American "delusion" ended in 1971. ( the rest is just an inevitable consequence of the choices made in the 30's )

[@krcalder]

@@jgalt308 Richard Koo used to be a central banker at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and he looked at both sides of the bank’s balance sheets around the Great Depression. Richard Koo shows the US money supply / banking system (8.30 - 13 mins): kzbin.info/www/bejne/boq3qn2wos57fc0 1) 1929 before the crash - June 1929 2) The Great Depression before the New Deal - June 1933 3) During the New Deal - June 1936 The money supply ≈ public debt + private debt The “private debt” component was going down with banks going bust and deleveraging from a debt fuelled boom causing debt deflation (a shrinking money supply). It was the public borrowing and spending of the New Deal that helped the economy recover. The money supply ≈ public debt + private debt The New Deal restored the money supply by increasing the “public debt” component of the money supply. Once the New Deal was working, they reduced Government borrowing and plunged the nation back into recession again. The enormous public spending and borrowing of WW2, eventually sorted things out.

[@jgalt308]

@@krcalder So what solved the great depression of 1920? (that would be a war, followed by a real pandemic and then a crash. ) Also the new deal wasn't working on any level to reduce anything...but if you think the war sorted things out, the following are the facts...regarding the effects of fiat and inflation...( and the Supreme Court was citing most of it as unconstitutional. ) What cost $1.67 in 1939, cost $2.90 in 1950, inflation rate 73% , $3.57 in 1960, i.r. 23%, $4.67 in 1970, i.r. 30%, , $9.93 in 1980, i.r. 112%, $ 15.75 in 1990, i.r. 53%, $20.75 in 2000, i.r. 31% $26.27 in 2010, i.r. 26%, and $34.18 in 2022, inflation rate 30% Total inflation from 1860 to 1939 = 67% From 1939 to 2022 = 1946% and in terms of the gold price since 1970 = 5193% I wonder what could possibly account for this radical difference???? But things get worse factually with the claim that corps raise prices because they can. In 1865 the price of oil ranged from $12. to $16 dollars/ barrel. During this period the "robber baron" J.D. Rockefeller organized and turned Standard Oil into a monopoly and became the richest man in the world. Therefore the price of oil either increased or decreased during this period? 1865 thru 1896? Therefore in 1896 what one could purchase with $1. either increased or decreased compared with the purchasing power of the dollar of 1865? Fact: The price of oil fell to less than $1/brrl and stayed there until Standard Oil was broken up in 1909. The dollar which was inflated by 95% due to the money printing to finance the war ... from this point steadily regained its 1860 value, which it achieved in 1896/7/8...when the U.S, having completed "manifest destiny" began its quest for international empire. ( Spanish American war ) Prices also dropped for other robber baron commodities, by 50% or more...( steel, freight rates, etc. ) while the purchasing power of the dollar kept getting stronger. A good book that tracks all of this from the "beginning" is "We the Corporations" and if one wants to understand what happened after the U.S. became an "empire"...Michael Hudson is the proper source. Michael Hudson's new book...The Destiny of Civilization: Finance Capitalism, Industrial Capitalism, or Socialism. And a KZbin video interview by Ben Norton can be found by entering this title in yt search bar. Michael Hudson on Decline of Dollar, Sanctions War, Imperialism, Financial Parasitism and " The Rentier Class Has Sought to Make America’s Neoliberal Privatization and Financialization Irreversible" Apparently, no one here acknowledges the "rentier" class or understands that it is NOT capitalism...the understanding that "Marxism" is a "critique of capitalism" while failing to include this "distinction" is simply distracting from the actual problem.

[@bradroy8902]

I agree with some of what being said here but it spirals the drain pretty fast when the jaded DMC garbage oozes it's way out.

[@bradroy8902]

@norm simpson Well look at the big brain on you. Another FACTS person. I get a very big kick out you definitive peeps. I'm surprised you didn't finish with " that's all,,,period. "

[@richardsimms251]

Great speaker. Great interview. Also, you let him talk without constant interruptions

[@dorissharp1729]

Eehrr

[@dorissharp1729]

Trustrjj

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Never says Um, Ahh or stutters & brings to the table No notes. Tells you something about someone Worth listening to. I Like this guy.

[@mikegray8776]

Umm and Ahh are verbal punctuations, which almost invariably buy you time to select the perfect word or phrase to illuminate your point. This guy, could have done with more moments of studious reflection - not less. Delivery over content would seem now to be almost an obsession with left-leaning politicos and writers.

[@AaronHahnStudios]

@@mikegray8776 What a Pathetic unintellectual thing to type, um & ahh are Not words but a signal of fools to let other fools know that they're brains are beginning to finally work. Maybe one day your brain will work.

[@susanmcdonald9088]

@@mikegray8776 lol rhetoric & debate was studied in ancient Athens as part of the first democracy. "Left leaner's" lol great imagery coming from the right lolol

[@zehrajafri9252]

If farming is a dying field, then we'll all die hungry.

[@maxheadrom3088]

Here's why History is important - and for History we go looking for a Historian. (I'm not Historian, btw) A few days ago I saw a lecture about "White Trash" and how the divisions in the US are as old as the Brittish settlers. We, however, remember the elites who cared for the whole of the country as if it was a US timeless characteristic but it isn't - that was the New Deal.

[@jgalt308]

Ah, the mythology of the new deal still lives. Try "FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression by Jim Powell...then you can attempt to support your claim with the actual facts and evidence. Good luck!!!!

[@wendywilson-fall3973]

Why not see it? Origins are personal history. We should enjoy difference which leads to creativity.

[@reinfeddedewolff5565]

Thank You Very Much For This Indeep Analysis and Your Conversation/Opinions Exchange On the USA Society Nowadays as Such.

[@krcalder]

Does anyone remember what democracy actually is? People vote for politicians and when they get into power they do what lobbyists want. No, that’s not it. Have another guess.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

A Common-wealth.

[@jgalt308]

@@SirAntoniousBlock I believe that was Athens...and they canceled Socrates, permanently.

[@kauswekazilimani3736]

Money usually trumps values.

[@lizgichora6472]

Thank you.

[@markanneprice]

As a boomer tugboat capt., student of history, and blue collar Duke graduate who was there in 1969 on the quad for the SDS assault on the campus and non-helpful results, I have a different perspective. Americans since the 60s are generally poorly educated (propagandized) and myopic in the understanding of world history and events, economics, and lacking even proper language, and social decorum. [my generation +] Watch what politicians do after you hear what they say. And always try to follow the money. IMHO, Joe Biden is a self-serving Jim Crow Democrat professional politician who has had a reputation of being dishonest his whole career. He seems to hardly ever tell the truth or try to keep his promises. Donald Trump presents himself as a reality TV star with a crude demeanor at times but with a care for the "lower classes". He, apart from political boasting, seems to be more honest. He is one of few in my lifetime that I think campaigned on what he wanted to do and tried to keep his promises, despite deep state interference. The other two were Kennedy and Reagan. I am not judging his platform but surprisingly from my conversations with minority men I talk to at trash dumps and salvage centers overall seem to like him. He consistently puts himself in front of a hostile press and seemingly tries to answer their questions in a straightforward manner. What politician does that? NOT Joe Biden. I just wish he (Trump) would stay off social media and never pick on civilians. Yes, I believe Trump is narcissistic but can you name me a politician (or newscaster) who isn't? For good or ill, I think Trump is one the most TRANSPARENT presidents we have had. Others were Washington, Lincoln, and Teddy Rosevelt. Of course, they didn't have cameras always stuck up their behinds everywhere they went 24/7. I think you need to consider Thomas Sowell for a social and economic perspective. and Peter Zeihan for geopolitical perspective.

[@The_ZeroLine]

One of the first actual authors or intellectuals who I agree with on literally every single thing he said.

[@RitaMarieWeiss]

I "discovered" Geo Packer during the Iraq war .. truly trust him and I wonder thou, what happened to the Woodstock generation and their ideas? I happen to be one of them and still maintain ..

[@robertholland8283]

He seems so creditable.

[@davidstevenjacoby1873]

So articulate

[@TheWesternunionman]

Not on un-social media….very wise Mr Packer

[@nathanngumi8467]

Word.

[@rezakarampour6286]

' The End Of American Empire Is Here '

[@RokasKundrotas]

Great conversation, loved it.

[@shelleylabar6310]

ONE TRUTH TELLER; John Mearsheimer.

[@mjnyc8655]

What is the last best hope?

[@riyadougla539]

America must be held together.

[@pmo2982]

Why when America has caused divisions in the world? You think the countries that have suffered under the American interference are not countries? Just get lost.

[@jutsu1]

No, We need to break up. We are clearly not the same. And two Americas will benefit everyone.

[@Jay_Johnson]

@@jutsu1 What about the republicans wanting to force pregnancies on women throughout the country makes you think they will let an independent state 'Kill Babies'

[@carladehaas7866]

Why?

[@hlysnan6418]

The concessions to small states at the Constitutional Convention were not about slavery...

[@EstherYael1984]

I wish they’d define “authoritarian” and how they are using the word. What exactly constitutes it?

[@bobcornwell403]

Funny that the existence of huge campaign funding, from the wealthy and large corporations, is never mentioned here. Those were the likely source of NAFTA and other trade deals that pretty much destroyed the working middle class. They dominate The Democratic Party and probably The Republican one as well. Such interests care little about who runs the country, or how they run the country, providing their twin interests are looked after. Those are: low taxes (for them) and next to zero regulation. I could go on and on, but I don't have the credentials or the fame of Mr. Packer. Another issue, that is not brought up, are the flaws in our constitution, which allow such abuses as one political party setting up a feed back loop between their election prospects and The Supreme Court (all of which is perfectly legal according to our constitution).

[@UTubeISphere]

Books such as (and the respective YT book launch videos) Jane Mayer's Dark Money and Christopher Leonard's Kochland do a very good job explaining how deeply embedded the super rich have become in the American body politic (without appearing so) and how they have actually achieved this.

[@bobcornwell403]

@@UTubeISphere I ought to read those. But I suspect I already know much of what they are going to say. Th super-rich have a huge megaphone that can drown the rest of us out.

[@qingzhou9983]

He did. You just don’t understand. The Free trade supporters are the Regain Free elites and Clinton smart/professional elites. Corporation is a legal construct. It is led by professionals and Rich owners.

[@MWBonfiglio]

The division between the left didn’t tank the agenda. Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema did. Progressives allowed the general infrastructure bill to pass without holding out for build back better. Then compromised the crap out of build back better afterward, but Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema weren’t open to anything. And let’s be real, if not for those two, another 1 or 2 corporate Democrats would have stepped up and played bad guy to protect corporations. This guy speaking is the real problem with the “left”. He’s part of the smart group, that don’t understand what the actual working class needs. All they’re concerned about it maintaining their money and voting for social issues that have no affect on their wallets.

[@iamanomas]

But you have thought for years that you (as a nation) are NO. 1 in the world. The shock came when you realized you no longer are and you have fallen out of respect and admiration. You need universal access to healthcare and good education. However you have consistently voted against these modern policies that are part of most nations in the world and have regressed in almost all areas of social development. I do not believe that the biggest problem is race. It is economics and inequality across the racial and ethnic divides.

[@benjamindover4337]

There are as many misconceptions on the left as on the right. Farming is adying industry? Tell that to the people trying to get crops out of Ukraine. Tell that to Bill Gates, who has gone all in on farming investments. You must be thinking of the hip and cool industries.. you know, theones where you dont actually do anything but get a 6 figure paycheck as long as you never say a word against the establishment line.

[@milaalt1141]

I see the farming industry as dying not because they are not needed but because they are being bullied to shut down.

[@carladehaas7866]

I think he means in the US.

[@justinmitchell9681]

Farming is an industry that is being corporatized like anything else. I come from a rural farming town. Most of the families that farmed when I was growing up no longer farm. I know that's anecdotal but that's been my experience.

[@ivandafoe5451]

@@justinmitchell9681 You are correct.

[@zephead843]

@@milaalt1141 Who's bullying American farmers to shut down?

[@geneelliott5666]

Have not heard mention of the problems that most weigh on the people, inflation, crime and violation of immigration laws, for example.

[@daala6698]

The problem that should weigh on all minds, human population overgrowth and the biosphere. And the violence that arises from crowding. (Look how China is solving it with social capital and wall-less prisions.)

[@carlwilson8859]

At 43:55 Comments about US people supporting Ukraine. That support is very shallow.

[@ZeeMann777]

Only conclusion I have,,is that this guy talked only about effect not the cause. Here's a hint.. Does he knows what the electoral college is???..citizen united..?? Filibuster action by minority..??? Separation of state & church is..just a few.. This guy needs to sit with Chris hedges,,so he can be enlightened..!!!

[@brianbrecknock9625]

It might be better for some states to succeed from the Union, with people able to move as they want.

[@zephead843]

Dissolving the welfare state, cutting the war machine by half, closing the southern border, and dissolving all public sector unions would be the less bloody way to go. Of course the money grubbing freaks in Washington won't hear of it since there's too much money being made off the system in its current configuration.

[@garyjohnson1466]

Despite all the insightfulness, He did a good job avoiding the religious issue, how those on the religious right fear the erosion of Christianity, by most young educated secular people, who are turning away from their parents beliefs, towards atheism, agnostic, LGBTs, views on abortion etc, thus the religious conservative right are attacking education and anything they fear threaten them, and authoritarians tend to capitalize these fears, but there’s always hope in such strong politicians, like Liz Chaney and other, however privately, so even as people are projecting a strong showing by republicans, I predict they may well get a thrashing, especially those promoted by Thump, Tromp only cares about Trump and his authoritarian elite corrupt backers…

[@asecretturning]

Any discussion on this matter which doesn't include LAND BACK as one of the core prescriptions for healing the country and the world isn't worth its weight in piss.

[@asecretturning]

And blaming education over white supremacy, yeah this guy doesn't understand what is going on at all.

[@nealamesbury1480]

We’re toast

[@RitaMarieWeiss]

Not on social media .. what is this / youtube? I'd say .. we need to grow-up .. mature with the new technology .. as we did when introduced to the new fangled 'telephone" Bell introduced ..

[@susannunes6196]

COMPROMISE seems to have evaporated

[@fightthepower4648]

Global Declaration of Independence - Fight the Power (KZbin video) offers a unique and viable global solution to global problems such as these! Fixing America's Democracy: There's a future app for that.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

Maybe it's easier to see from the outside in .The U.S used to be a country that maybe wasn't loved by all , but atleast respected and sometimes envied by it's allies. These last two decades Europe have been progressing while the U.S has gone into a rapid decline. By now it's almost as if the inmates of a mental asylum have taken over the Republican party. Scary to see.

[@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse]

I can't see the replies

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

@@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse neither do i. they must have been deleted indignantly

[@mikegray8776]

It was an interesting conversation, but actually one between “kindred spirits” in which the interviewer did not push back on many egregious distortions of argument framing (Jan 6th, globalist mindset, elite influence, citizenship) creating more of a monologue than a dialogue. Good in describing battle-lines - but very poor on signalling solutions. At least Webb DID encourage him to think outside the partisan box on a couple of occasions - but there was no way Packer was going to go for it. Ultimately, just another unopposed mid-left commentary, of which there is patently no shortage amongst the trans-Atlantic mid-left media landscape.

[@jimmyfaulkner5746]

got the same impression from the first 10 minutes of and you've confirmed my suspicions. cheers

[@williamvorkosigan5151]

You are not wrong. I was enjoyed his viewpoints. Agreeing and disagreeing but too often I was disturbed by staggering projection and lack of self awareness.

[@EuDouArteHipHopArtCulture21]

32:00

[@i.m.gurney]

Tiered class system based on education, knowledge. It makes it hard for the religious to push people down who are enlightened, because they do not want light, knowledge at the bottom. Personally, I thought we were moving away from the 2D top/down view, to the 3D centre/out view. Not that this would do anything to address class protectionism. Should we defend God, or should we defend the Truth? If god is true then it survives either way, not sensible the other way round. Truth supersedes belief....

[@i.m.gurney]

An interesting talk, but a country that openly holds religion as a principle guiding light, I am surprised it was not covered when nearly everything else was. The emperors clothes comes to mind.

[@jgalt308]

Here's a possible insight into God's thought as expressed by St Augustine 1600 years ago... [It] is not merely legitimate for a man to possess things as his own, it is even necessary for human life, and this for three reasons. First, because each person takes more trouble to care for something that is his sole responsibility than what is held in common or by many-for in such a case each individual shirks the work and leaves the responsibility to somebody else, which is what happens when too many officials are involved. Second, because human affairs are more efficiently organized if each person has his own responsibility to discharge; there would be chaos if everybody cared for everything. Third, because men live together in greater peace where everyone is content with his task.

[@i.m.gurney]

@@jgalt308, I am unsure how that relates to either of my comments.

[@jgalt308]

@@i.m.gurney Really??? How is that possible when you ask: Should we defend God, or should we defend the Truth? Is Augustine defending God or truth???? Then there is the problem of whose god and which truth? The other problem is: Do the educated have any greater understanding of the "truth" or are they merely its "controllers"...and as this guest admits, he is one of "them"...yet what is his actual productive contribution to "society"? Would one find more truth in his writings than, say Shakespeare? Then there is the fact that "this country" ( the one initiated in 1789/91 ) did not hold religion as its guiding light, but rejected it out of hand, while granting its practice as an individual right, yet granting freedom from it. i.e. "no religious test" and a rejection of Christianity directly as the prohibition of the concept of "corruption of the blood"...which is the foundation of Christian belief. Does that clear it up any???

[@i.m.gurney]

@@jgalt308 , yes it does, & clearly the truth is not subjective, there is a definitive truth. What does vary is our line of sight, our interpretations.

[@kkpenney444]

Oh, ffs. if you think Nikki Haley is America's savior, we're well and truly done.

[@thegrimmer]

13:05 Sweeping social media opinions and advice from a guy who just literally said he doesn't use it

[@robert9ish]

Some genuinely decent analysis and conversation to an utter load of unsubstantiated speculations and rubbish. Disjointed and discombobulated prattle at some moments with others of sorely reaching clarity. I'm no wiser for having listened to this. What a sad commentary. The speakers are utterly stuck, so what are we listening to? A wank?

[@zalishaabdool7030]

WE THE PEOPLE!! HAVE BECOME... INSIGNIFICANT!!.... PLEASE LISTEN TO THE LEADER!! WE VOTED FOR!!!...BY D' WAY!!!...DID YOU SEE...BORIS JOHNSON TODAY?...THE BRITISH!! ARE SAYING!!《■ ENOUGH!!... 《■ IS ENOUGH!! ■》

[@CariMachet]

Almost an aristocracy ??? Hahahahhaha almost intelligent

[@jessesewell7922]

When your guest starts off claiming Trump is a populist authoritarian leader, I’m out. That is an admission of spectacular stupidity.

[@DarylATC]

He lost me when he stated that Trump was the worst president in history. What planet is he from? Joe Biden will win that contest.

[@VinnyWilk]

We're not divided like some Steppenwolf. People have decided to violate the constitution and establish a religion in contravention to the the authors' explicit writings.

[@tomx9978]

democracy....how could you expect a man who can hardly manage his own life and career to contribute to the management of a country? that's insane.

[@daggerin4life726]

But it's OBVIOUS US can't WINN none.. 32 TRILLIONS in DEBT and Counting. 🤣🤣

[@zephead843]

My God, is it $32 trillion already? Just the other day it was $30 trillion. Our grandkids had better learn Chinese quick since they'll be working for them.

[@krcalder]

The culture wars. What’s the idea? Inequality exists on two axes: Y-axis - top to bottom X-axis - Across genders, races, etc ..... The traditional Left work on the Y-axis and would be a problem when you want to increase Y-axis inequality. The Liberal Left work on the X-axis. You can increase Y-axis inequality while the liberal Left are busy on the X-axis. As long as they are doing nothing about Y-axis inequality, this is a result. We need to keep the debate on the X-axis and this is easier said than done; it is getting a bit silly. The liberal left are a lot better than the alternative. The two axes of inequality ...... All upper class people are privileged. Many white people aren’t privileged. Things make a lot more sense on the Y-axis.

[@krcalder]

Finding out what real wealth creation is might help. You have been through this before. At the end of the 1920s, the US was a ponzi scheme of inflated asset prices. The use of neoclassical economics, and the belief in free markets, made them think that inflated asset prices represented real wealth. 1929 - Wakey, wakey The wealth evaporation event of 1929 finally brought them to their senses. They needed to find out what real wealth was. This is when they invented GDP. Real wealth creation involves real work, producing new goods and services in the economy. That’s where the real wealth in the economy lies. Neoclassical economists have always excelled in creating wealth of the evaporating kind. Inflated asset prices. GDP measures economic activity in the economy; the new items produced and sold every year in the economy. That’s where the real wealth in the economy lies.

[@jgalt308]

GNP came first...GDP replaced it in 1991.

[@Eric-ye5yz]

Its about Money $$$$$$ if you have that you can employ the educated, fresh from their Doctorate.

[@fidomusic]

Seems naively optimistic given the recent Supreme Court ruling.

[@robertbrandywine]

Don't you see that the Supreme Court ruling said that this was an issue for the legislative branch to decide? It's a pro-democracy decision.

[@robertbaltha3371]

Sounds like German 1930s all over again!

[@yctai6151]

10%? na

[@geoffreynhill2833]

I've watched hundreds of political discussions like this and still don't know what happened to Bernie.

[@mikegray8776]

“The Machine” is what happened to Bernie. Whilst I disagree with a significant number of his views, he was a man of unshakeable conviction and integrity - starkly at odds with the last 5 incumbents of this office. Which of course IS the very reason why the swamp and notably Big Tech would always conspire against him. A man of principle in the White House? Seriously?!

[@geoffreynhill2833]

@@mikegray8776 I'm only watching from afar, Mike, but I thought he was a real blast of fresh air among the wind and piss of the Senate; heartfelt and genuinely for the man and woman in the street. I wonder why more people haven't inquired after him. He's left a big empty space behind him. Anyway, greetings from London UK.

[@ivandafoe5451]

"What happened to Bernie" is that the corrupted DNC leadership conspired to stop him from being the Democrat candidate for the Presidency. He was the clearly the people's choice and would have beaten Trump, but he was too progressive for the Democrat leadership and their corporate donors. Their choice was Biden, who suddenly went from worst to first in the primaries. The party delegates and especially the super-delegates had been told to switch their support to Biden, which they did en masse. Bernie knew what they had done to him and withdrew from the race, knowing it was hopeless.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

@@ivandafoe5451 Thanks for your informed and literate response, Ivan. I had my suspicions but had difficulty finding clear confirmation. For the media he seemed suddenly to become a non-person. There was even mention of a heart attack but nothing concrete. He could have been gifted a pair of concrete boots and dropped into the Hudson for all I knew. Anyway, Viva Bernie and greetings from the UK!

[@nickhambly8610]

Was enjoying the simplicity as well accurate references to fundamental aspects of the USA political landscape . Until I heard the complete fabrication and importance attributed to slavery. Complete nonsense that the constition senate congress etc set up to maintain aspects of slavery. It was set up so people can determine how best to rule and be ruled. Where information, equality, diligence, respect, kindness, ingeneuity and altruism are encouraged.

[@audiho]

Without the 3/5 Compromise and the Senate, the southern colonies never would have agreed to be in the Union, because their populations (unless one discounts Africans, which they did) were smaller and likely to be overruled by the bigger colonies.

[@nickhambly8610]

@@audiho you are correct about the importance of the more populated states not dominating. But that more in context of agricultural vs industrial with the well understood desire of destiny- advancing west. The split which is often not told these days was more to do with the North Insistence that the South 'antiquated ' cradle to grave welfare economy needed to be over hauled to the Norths debt slavery model. Infinitely cheaper. And better to scale. Yet not the same longevity it will soon hopefully prove to be. This reset is a real opportunity to do something just. And thus not what is planned. Yet. This is in fact backed up by facts. The 15th amendment has gone before the Supreme Court close to 240 times. With just over a dozen of them relating to individual rights. The 15th amendment is used to give corporations legitimacy in the 17 Common law jurisdictions on this rock.

[@nickhambly8610]

@@audiho i missed listing a real fundamental- compromise.

[@MrRichievee]

democrats have the big cities that have become more prosperous and educated.....did he send his children to a public school in Philadelphia, or Baltimore or DC or LA or the Bronx or Buffalo or.... and will they be able to find good paying jobs in the manufacturing sector or tech fields in Canton or Detroit or Chicago or St. Louis or New Orleans????

[@lonnielrc]

America original sin

[@jgalt308]

"A direct threat to our "democracy"???? When did this happen? We used to be a "constitutional republic"... based on the understanding that both "government" and the "mob" were the greatest threats to individual rights. Despite the design to prevent this...the present has confirmed the realization of these fears, while the "constitution" was made completely irrelevant in 1939. BTW the last time I checked, those who were being actually persecuted for whatever reason, did not seek to call attention to themselves and took care to avoid "situations" that would result in the very real threat of being persecuted.

[@mikelloyd520]

So you are NOT a democracy ?? We all knew that. Lol. Fake democracy. Always was. Electoral college and all the way down from there…..

[@jgalt308]

@@mikelloyd520 Then why is it that you obviously have no clue regarding what you have just read???

[@mikelloyd520]

@@jgalt308 sorry mate. I only speak English, Not American. You probably don’t understand my meaning.

[@jgalt308]

@@mikelloyd520 Nonsense is nonsense...so there is nothing to understand. The word is of "greek" origin, which might explain why you don't know what it means, and there was only one democracy and they canceled Socrates, permanently. Then there was that french guy, de Tocqueville, who used it in a book title inappropriately ( as you have ) while ironically citing the dangers associated with it...when the public figured out they could vote themselves free stuff. ( and there ain't no free stuff ) So the only fakery involved here is by those using the word incorrectly since we never were and are not now a "democracy"...and neither are any other countries. So other than the ignorance of what the word means as well as the ignorance of the history of the U.S. as a constitutional republic...and what that means...what YOU MEAN is both irrelevant and inaccurate. Of course, that the word "democracy" is somehow believed to be something positive or beneficial is another product of ignorance, as explained in the original comment. As for where you're from...you have enough of your own problems to deal with...so you might want to focus on them...and your "democracy".

[@mikelloyd520]

@@jgalt308 I see you know a lot about nonsense. Far more than I ! I cannot compete . I will leave to further hone your pedantry and misguided sense of importance.

[@jame2182]

2003 IRAQ WMDS

[@Chrisostomos]

Wow. TDS on steroids over here.

[@dianeneill499]

Are you sure you are talking about the USA? My notes and your notes don't accurately jive. May I recommend reviewing all that Biden is attempting to do?

[@phinhager6509]

This guy's choice is terrible. It's almost as bad as Ben Shapiro's

[@johnstevens6865]

Interesting mix of willful delusion and confirmation bias - dont bother listening

[@emmettjones8075]

"Trump didn't fundamentally change America", heck, he appointed three far right extreme Supreme Court Justices! LOL

[@paulsnow]

Constructionist isn't the same as far right.

[@danniwilder2198]

Emmett Jones. Far Right? LOL No, they are Originalists. This means they respect the constitution. The Democrats seem to think judges & justices should be political activists. They shouldn't.

[@danniwilder2198]

Emmet Jones. And if you knew what you were talking about you would know that neither ACB, Kavanaugh, or Gorsuch, are as conservative as Thomas & Alito.

[@emmettjones8075]

@@danniwilder2198 Originalist, Natural law, etc., OK, at the Constitutions inception, African Americans weren't considered human, and women couldn't vote, you sure you want to go back to the Constitutions Original intentions!

[@paulsnow]

@@emmettjones8075 Sure you would. Because the slavery and racial equality issues were fixed IN the constitution via amendments. Where we disagree with the constitution, we can amend the constitution.

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

The USA should split up into Atlantica Pacifica and Gilead.

[@carladehaas7866]

😚

[@whiterosesforthebrideofchrist]

In the news: Tesla has now become a trillion dollar company just as Apple and Amazon did last year. In the Bible: "...for thy merchants were the great men of the earth." (Revelation 18:23). In the news: A record number of container ships are backlogged at American ports. (They are still backlogged as of June 2022) In the Bible: "...and every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors and as many as trade by sea stood afar off and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning..." (Rev.18:17, 18). "The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing." (Rev.18:15). Rev. 18:4 "...Come out of her my people..." ...

[@hawkarae]

Thank you for sharing what you obviously see as The Truth but it would have considerably more effect were you to share why you believe these to be important words at this time.

[@emmettjones8075]

Mass immigration, he must be talking about slavery! The American Dream, is a nightmare!

[@TheMRBOSS899]

What a bunch of crap, delliusion .Capitalism is the core issue. Word garbage

[@oldkoot5828]

Gay

[@DavidWalker2323]

connect Trump with Putin ....He's done!

[@chrisatak9432]

You know Donald Trump against WEF#🇺🇲🇺🇲💪

[@Western_Decline]

this talk was great until he started talking about Ukraine at the end. There’s far more people against supporting Ukraine than he realizes. Congress is not representative of mainstream foreign policy opinion in the US.

[@APHS-B]

Grossly misleading

[@paulsnow]

I'm going to listen here..... But it is hard from the start. Was Trump really the worse president in history? It wasn't in the economy, and he did what it took to setup the response to the pandemic. (Hint: Vaccines didn't spontaneously appear) First topic was inequality, but Trump's record on inequality was record breaking. Smallest gap between Black and White income, greatly improved income for blacks. One of the most suspicious aspects of the election exactly was this massive turnout for Biden; Trump gained votes from minorities, by percent and numbers, and yet he lost. The political parties are clearly bought and paid for by their corporate and rich sponsors. Historically, Democrats were the party of racism, the south, and the confederacy. Now the Democrats are the party of the Urban interests and Academics. Whites supporting Trump are ignorant and poor. Rural communities are not just abandoned, but are being actively rejected by Democrats. It is the Democrats that wish to dispose of the Electoral College because the Urban centers have the numbers. The Electoral College was NOT about slavery, but about Populous vs Rural states. Democrats want to rule most of America with various hairbrained polices about Energy Production and Food production without the states that contribute this to the nation. Trump did not assert he wasn't representing the whole of America. He managed the business of the country while generating all sorts of chaos. The Democrats and liberals launched a massive attack on Trump and all his supporters. IT WASN'T ALL Trump's fault.

[@bettrho2490]

Yes it WAS all T-rump’s fault!! He’s a big fat liar, grifter, racist, narcissist, and rapist who is directly responsible for at least 500,000 people dying needlessly. He did his level best to wreck as much of the social safety net and social services as possible. THE WORST!!!

[@benjamindover4337]

The anti-Trump stuff is laregly a cultish belief system based on a fabricated mythology.

[@edpistemic]

Trump was the worst president in history for his contempt of anything that didn't directly bolster his own personal power. For his own greed, he did more damage to democracy and the long-term health of the nation (and the West!) than any other single individual.

[@paulsnow]

@@edpistemic For brokering the first peace accord in the middle east since Carter. For reducing black unemployment to historic lows. For reducing the black white income gap to the lowest in history For extending the longest period of economic growth in history (only stopped by covid) Reduced illegal immigration to historic lows Trump kept unemployment and inflation low, sans covid. Fewer covid deaths per year without a vaccine than Biden's first year with a vaccine. Won spending 25% less than Hillary Oversaw year on year carbon emissions flat, and even without covid, lower than under Obama. All while the media executed a 4 year full court press to attack everything he did. As greedy as you claim Trump is, he lost more or less half his net worth as president. Obama went from 1.3 million before to 70 million after. Bill Clinton did better, going from 1.3 to 240 million. But give Obama time to catch up.

[@clairezet3182]

This guy is so biased yet presents himself as fair and democratic. Trump did extremely well in virtually every policy, far better than Obama and the current idiot. He looks at the personality and not actual achievements. Cant stand this guy. Had to stop half way through, so skewed. Democrats, leftists are the richest people in us. Disgusting.

[@dougkitsis]

What a naive review of American politics

[@kevinjaegli6751]

i could find a blatant maxist that this guy seems to be quoting verbatim. blah blah the aristocracy dud it, blah blah smash the machine and re-distribute misery.. blah blah..

[@carladehaas7866]

You mean "Marxist."

[@Nick-kb6jd]

I think he means liberal.

[@KK-iy7mw]

REALLY???.....Trumps was worse than Biden??? LOL

[@davidcollishaw2771]

Oh dear another waste of time hit piece Shame