Michael Lewis: Why Government is Good | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

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“The Fifth Risk” author and “Against the Rules” podcast host Michael Lewis joins Bill to discuss the good work being done by federal employees.
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[@presence5426]

"Government never had a publicist". Damn straight. It should be part of every government agency's mission to inform the public as to what they do and how it protects the citizenry.

[@radicalaccounting]

Michael Lewis is a national treasure. I've read all of his books and look forward to reading this one too.

[@ursulareeg1171]

Bill, this was one guest that you should NOT have interrupted. He knows more about the subject than you and you didn't let him.

[@sophialewis5474]

Yes. Bill loused this one up. My like took a dive on this one.

[@patriciakedeni]

Lewis is a captivating writer, onemof my favourites.

[@mark-j-adderley]

Thank goodness for people like this.

[@jamesgunnerson8880]

As a semi-retired government employee, just want to say thanks to Michael Lewis for recognizing government employees and the valuable work they do.

[@Daniel_B79]

Amazing we need to hear more from this guy ❤️

[@danidejaneiro8378]

I've got a new drinking game: take a shot every time Bill interrupts his guest. You'll be legless by the end of the interview.

[@thesoundsmith]

Don't drink - take a toke... More fun, and half an hour later, you can drive. Well, maybe 90 minutes...

[@smokindauberdoo4204]

David Kempton depends on the cannabis

[@danidejaneiro8378]

Midnight Rider - looks like you're winning at that one.

[@danidejaneiro8378]

David Kempton - ill be doing that anyway 🙄

[@5urg3x]

It's his show, that's what he does...It's not like this is new

[@banyarydym]

Should've allowed Mr. Michael Lewis to express himself more

[@marinemccord1059]

Wait, so as a logical adult, if someone told me they were brilliant but I wasn’t allowed to see their grades, told me they made billions but I wasn’t allowed to see tax returns, and told me they had never committed a crime but I wasn’t allowed to see their background check...I’d have to ask myself, is there a porn star under your bed? 🤔

[@HexIsme]

"Is there a porn star under your bed? .....Is she--wait, he--....DEAD?"

[@jameswhite3415]

+Marine McCord It's obvious Trump is rich since he is a billionaire although not as rich as he claims. Presumably, Trump has to be smart at least in some areas since he made a comeback from losing all that money and doesn't seem to listen to people far smarter than himself. As for criminal-no on is going to say I am a criminal he seems like he is

[@marinemccord1059]

His condition is getting worse and he’s deteriorating before our very eyes 🤦‍♂️

[@redmed10]

Some Americans will believe a big lie rather than a small truth.

[@albertrogers4130]

Trump won deal with it...

[@pathenman4513]

Michael is very smart and very talented and well spoken, damn, he is good.

[@krapfantasy]

One of our shining stars, truly.

[@mrogs12]

Happy to see my favorite modern author on the show!

[@ThaiGui27]

What's his best book to date?

[@mrogs12]

@@ThaiGui27 Tough call. Obviously the three that have been adopted to films (Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short) are quite popular, but I'd have to go with Flash Boys as my personal favorite. Excited to read this new one too!

[@kendrapatterson8941]

I understand Bill's frustration but at least let the man answer your questions. Stop interrupting him.

[@rodhucker4901]

couldn't agree more. wish he'd just shut up for a bit!

[@heatherremlin8607]

It's a interview Kendra, buy his book ;)

[@e.m.tanner179]

Yeah, I agree. I had a real hard time following this "discussion". The information was good (as far as i could tell), but just as one of them was getting to the point of their comment, the other one would jump in and cut the other off. It's very frustrating to try to follow such an exchange. Bill should have just let this guy express his point. I got very little from the whole thing.

[@Eric-om2hz]

Bill doesn't like people who are smarter than he is

[@ursaltydog]

That's a great department Lewis has mentioned. NOAA.. everyone in the world especially the U.S. depends upon the data gathered by NOAA.. Insurance companies depend on NOAA for their rating systems of different areas. Local and state governments depend upon correct future outlooks so as to fund their emergency state budgets for climate disasters.

[@tomb7088]

Name one government that actually has adequate funds set aside for natural disasters? And Insurance companies use actuarial table to determine risk, not a government department.

[@ursaltydog]

@@tomb7088 You don't think insurance companies are not using the actual data of NOAA and oth er government agencies to predict where they need not to invest or cover homeowners and businesses from damages from severe climate change? All of those who cannot purchase insurance on their homes or business buildings due to chaotic climate.. All along the gulf, Eastern seaboard, entire state of California.. Those who cannot purchase insurance, have their losses through FEMA, and at some point, we will not be able to sustain those losses. So, yeah.. the data and scientific research is VERY important not just for the money markets but for people's lives and livelihood and future tax bases for local, state and federal.

[@tomb7088]

@@ursaltydog You are assigning things to a government agency that is actually done by private companies. The only thing that NOAA has to do with insurance costs is inventing a total cost estimate of a given event. Which mean nothing to actual businesses providing the actual insurance coverage other than to create a public excuse for rate increases. Each company knows exactly how exposed they are to insurance claims and that exposure dictates how much insurance they sell and what they charge. People that use hard data know that government agencies are often tainted by politics and the agenda of those running it and will never use that data to determine their prices. They use their own hard data which is used to create the actuarial tables. In fact, I think you have it backwards. It is government that uses insurance data, not insurance rates that are determined by government data. Any insurance purchased through FEMA, and by that I assume you mean NFIP (National Flood Insurance Company) is nothing more than subsidizing people that own beach front property, in other words, subsidizing rich people, and I for one, think that is a bad idea, maybe you liberals feel differently about that? Oh, and those same agencies that cover the rich folk along the coasts have stopped selling insurance to people along the Mississippi. I guess only liberals are allowed cheap government insurance. Private investment determines if there is any tax base created, not government who only hinder productive development. Government is famous for making bad investments like high speed trains. In short, government does nothing right and always acts in a way to defend and grow itself regardless of presented facts.

[@krob1957]

@@tomb7088 I'm with you. Govt interference in markets with senseless regulations and subsidies distorts the market and usually drives costs up for consumers. You'll never convince brainwashed libtards of this however. "Government good, businessmen bad".

[@rrteppo]

When I say I dislike the government. I am talking about the congress, senate, judges, and president. The people in each department actually try their best to do a good job despite those idiots.

[@MagnusAnand]

Government is not good or bad by itself. The proper amount of government, efficiently ran, is what makes it good

[@octavius9685]

"The govt doesnt work. Elect me, and ill make sure it never does." -Generic Repub Candidate

[@burger_kinghorn]

Self fulfilling prophecy

[@paulwblair]

Like hiring a PETA member to run your slaughterhouse.

[@johndanielson3777]

That’s the GOP motto.

[@indymarrow8050]

I wish. We need a lot less bloated government voting for their pay.

[@rbw19800]

@@indymarrow8050 So, you are indeed for "bloated government" ... Just less of it? I suppose how a "pro-lifer" would be for a pregame woman but less pregnant. You just drove their point home.

[@heatherremlin8607]

I'm buying his book right now! Great tease Bill, interrupt the poor guy every second so he can't complete a thought... BRILLIANT!

[@xerakis5620]

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. Thomas Paine

[@richardblock2458]

One of the best journalists alive. Read any of his books and you'll see.

[@ddantes64]

I agree, I've been saying for over a year that the SEC should be investigating him. One of his first tweets in Office was about Boeing. I'm sure I he's an actual billionaire now since being in office.

[@PrinceCharmingsMom2930]

Pump and Dump....so true

[@bowtiethirteentwenty8627]

Rhymes with something..... What is it??

[@dragoncrash1234]

That’s one of the few books I’ve seen promote on a talk show that I might actually end up buying

[@ChristianLangenegger]

Blake B. It’s a great read.

[@vicaravitakka8332]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has -- in addition to its service to the American people -- literally saved the lives of whole populations in the rest of the world by providing data and advance warnings of typhoons and cyclones across the regions. As someone from one of the most disaster-afflicted countries in Asia, I am grateful to NOAA and the U.S. Government for this. Glad that more Americans will get to learn about NOAA through this book.

[@HughSHay]

I rate that book a BUY. When you buy the hardcover, the first thing you see inside the dust jacket is this: "What are the consequences if the people given control over your government have no idea how it works." If that doesn't make you buy it, nothing will (short of if it included a 100% reliable pussy magnet)

[@paulthiers2008]

I have taught political science for 20 years and I would say this is the best popular audience book on this subject I have every seen.

[@fredm5245]

My 18 year old grandson having a party down the other end of the house and I'm asked to stay in the lounge... Watching Bill here I reckon I'm having much more fun than all those teens... lol. Thanks Bill.

[@kimberlycrichton2932]

Lewis is a National treasure. He finds scandals / absurdity and tells unforgettable stories

[@galepatrick1702]

It is annoying when Maher keeps interrupting - doing this with Michael Lewis especially annoying but at least one knows the importance of a book like this being read-

[@lostcat9lives322]

Does Mahler think nobody realizes he's on cocaine? Fortunately there is a legit interview with Lewis on a PBS news KZbin video.

[@thesoundsmith]

@Roger B Unfortunately. Maybe if enough of us bitch his staff may let him know (not that it will change anything...)

[@Alkalite]

Totally agree, Michael was way more interesting to listen to. And I agree with Roger B as well.

[@danallyn7]

Well, sign up for Michael Lewis' podcast - I just did. "Against the Rules"

[@getreadytotube]

I agree, I didn't get as much as I wanted out of this interview because of the interruptions.

[@jo19479]

Mr. Maher you should have let Michael Lewis talk, you kept interrupting him, and I was really interested in what he found, I WILL READ HIS BOOK, thank you for bringing him on your show.

[@manishmishraji]

Let the man speak goddamnit!!!

[@elloco1996]

Michael Lewis is one of the few persons I know that actually have a story to tell, and what a story it is! So ... LET HIM TALK AND STOP INTERRUPTING.

[@SNAPVegan]

He needs to be on for three solid segments. Book him again...soon!

[@heatherremlin8607]

Buy his book!

[@joylopez2735]

Michael Lewis-- knocked it out of the park...way to tell it like it is.

[@Hyperpandas]

That comparisson between the administration and a "pump and dump" operation makes me think the SEC should be investigating cabinet officials and trade negotiators for insider trading. For example, checking to see if they're buying Chinese stock after applying sanctions, then selling upon an actual trade deal or just resumption of normal relations, etc.

[@bowtiethirteentwenty8627]

Wilber Ross did some highly questionable shit before being appointed. www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2018/08/06/new-details-about-wilbur-rosss-businesses-point-to-pattern-of-grifting/#21f884761c33 And this also: publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/watchdog-calls-for-investigation-into-wilbur-ross-financial-dealings/

[@Lindeberg91]

I bought his book Flash Boys the other day, great author.

[@kevinhay7073]

Bill should let the guy talk!

[@ursaltydog]

6:30... that's another point... h e's giving insider information.. and making profits and kickbacks for giving out information of what he's going to do, so his buddies and son/daughter can buy stocks then sell them quickly.. That's illegal too...

[@panpluto13]

I remember how obvious this was at the start of his presidency. He would call out a company, their stock would drop 5% and then be back up within 2 weeks. He switched to fucking around with tariffs so it wouldn't be as blatant.

[@vikrim1]

I was talking to a president of an investment firm on the weekend and he said people are making a killing watching trump’s tweets. It’s so obvious that he’s just in this for himself and the rich, and meanwhile throngs of conservative ideologues who can barely scrape together two pennies think he’s the second coming. It’s amazing the ability of our species to forego their own best interests in favour of ideology.

[@ursaltydog]

@@vikrim1 That's what is most scary.. that people who believe he's the actual second coming, or specially anointed by God. Not that they believe he's Christian or holds their values in esteem necessarily, but rather that God sends bad people to preside over them as a "judgment"

[@slaunie]

Bill you're the best!!! I'm addicted to you!!!! Keep it REAL!!!!

[@JosiePC44]

I agree but he has to stop interrupting his guests!!

[@Halloween111]

Fun tidbit. Many of the Secret spooky agencies ( CIA, NSA, etc.) and their agents draw checks from the Dept. of Agriculture.

[@mpostroz666]

I'm surprised Rick Perry didn't know what the department of energy was responsible for. I'm Canadian and I knew.

[@kurttappe]

Rick Perry is an impressively ignorant person.

[@peter_castle]

this guest is smart

[@Virtual-Media]

A mental competency test should be required to vote.

[@LifeIsTwoShort]

Voting is a fraud

[@blueeyessiamese]

Excellent!!!

[@Defy_Convention]

Remember the gubment ain't your friend, it's always business.

[@accountable3653]

Rick Perry the wizard of oz.

[@bigtoepapa]

Thank you

[@argentpuck]

Maher, shut up and let the man talk. The over-talking and interrupting is infuriating.

[@CCEkeke]

THANK YOU. Thought it was just me. Its made his show difficult to watch.

[@claydog6422]

He likes to make himself look good

[@jeffpatterson3676]

Buy Lewis's God dam book if you want ah know what he said, Bill Maher is a fucking entertainment show if you don't like it don't watch , or don't whine like a kid , unless you are .

[@zafarsobhan9191]

Agreed. I love Bill, but WTF?

[@UKindness4]

I love Michael Lewis's books and recommend them highly if you want to understand Trump administration and Wall Street shams with facts that will blow you away and easy to read for a layperson!

[@krizzygrl3969]

I hate when he doesn't let ppl talk he cut him off over and over

[@MarciaKarasek]

You nailed it with the last comment....not being able to distinguish the real

[@octojake]

Come on Bill, let the man talk. Stop interrupting.

[@LifeIsTwoShort]

Bill is a narcissist

[@catchgenerics8667]

It’s amazing to me that people can make an argument about a why a shadowy, collectivist, collection of people should have more power. Government is almost always the problem.

[@williamroark]

Thanks

[@joeyramirez6355]

Solid points to make and host interrupts or rushes to make a "joke". (comment applies to any domestic talk show)

[@OverlordZephyros]

We don't need government, we don't need politicians We need a post scarcity automation economic system where science and humanisms makes the decision

[@trentrubenacker9718]

That... would be a different type of government. A technocracy.

[@dinsel9691]

BILL.. LET HIM SPEAK+

[@BoT-mr8rw]

Keep America Great!

[@redmed10]

Michael Lewis should be on every week.

[@aabill1950]

In National Weather Service for seventeen years. I don't remember any meteorologists saying they were "traumatized" by a weather event. There must be some. But it's not a story we commonly heard. But as for dedication, try working one week of evenings, one week of midnights, and two week of days every month for years on end. It messes with the digestive system, sleep cycle, and other things. But they keep doing it year after year. Someone has to be on duty at all times. The 5 am forecast doesn't get done by itself. Someone is working midnight to 8 am to get that forecast out plus severe storm warnings and winter storm warnings when they come along.

[@PabloIzurieta]

Reagan was right (about government).

[@scottipippen6554]

Keep money and the industrial lobby out of politics, it will do wonders..- greets from Europe;-)

[@jasrajsinghbhinder5033]

Bill. I like you. But let the man speak for heaven's sake. You get your time during the monologue, New rules and the discussion!

[@sophialewis5474]

Well said. He's still in my like but his interruptions were especially horrific in this segment

[@jasrajsinghbhinder5033]

@@sophialewis5474 Yeah! For longer, 30 minute interviews, I guess it is fine. But 9 minutes is hardly anything. And his constant interruptions break the flow.

[@NormReitzel]

One learns that when you do your job well - you become invisible.

[@whatahero2337]

Is that where we're at now? We need to explain to the average adult why a government that provides security, a system of laws, and public goods, is better than anarchy and fending for yourself? Really??? I guess this is just more proof that we need to better our public education, cause this should be elementary school learning here.

[@bowtiethirteentwenty8627]

Yes. :(

[@troycrittle9809]

Dracula in charge of the blood bank

[@willmpet]

I’ve read “The Fifth Risk” and shared it with a Trump supporter who hated me.

[@mssage974]

Education is power. It enables you to think, have the ability to think for yourself and recognize wrong things in the world. That's why slave owners would kill a slave who learned to read. Slave masters viewed an educated slave as one views a rotten apple in a barrel. One rotten apple ruins the whole barrel. So the educated slave might talk to illiterate slaves and get them to see the truth of their mistreatment and rise up against the master. So master would stop the threat by killing the educated slave.

[@Craxin01]

Good zinger at the end.

[@kenadair6044]

Jeez, Bill.... let the guy talk a little bit

[@misterlondoner]

Ken Adair passion thats all

[@dwh8310]

Certainly Government is important but convince me we can't cut out 10% of it.

[@jhhatcher]

Bill! Talkus Interruptus! Give the guests a chance.

[@jjwalter5897]

If you think the government is bad, try living where there is none.

[@xibalbabarca5350]

John Stossel begs to differ.

[@dalegribble3543]

“Republicans want smaller government but bigger corporations for some reason. The difference is that if you don’t like the government, you can vote for a change but you have no say in corporations” Noam Chomsky.

[@anonymusum]

Bill, you´re interrupting your guest too often and mostly at the wrong spots of their sentences.

[@DinoWinoSaur]

His podcast is amazing

[@indymarrow8050]

If government is good then they’d be fine with people voting for their wages instead of themselves. #auditthefed

[@lfc7763]

Bill, stop interrupting your guest.

[@rainbowyahi]

As someone who worked in federal government and was involved with a Trump transition team, i can absolutely vouch for what he said in this clip. Haven’t read the book , but it was way worse than what he described here in this interview.

[@XR650L_GUY]

I imagine there will be a huge mess to clean up when Trump is impeached or gets kicked out in 2020 when Bernie takes over : )

[@swingset1969]

Lol. If you think that commie-lite lunatic spraying spiddle all over his microphone will ever see the White House, you need your meds upgraded.

[@rbw19800]

@@swingset1969 I'm sure that Bernie has seen the White House.

[@machetedonttweet1343]

More likely to be uncle Joe If enough hard progressives don't get butthurt and not vote. Then Trump gets to name RBGs replacement too. The old gal is hanging in there but it's up to us.

[@t1y_k]

Let your interviewee speak!

[@sophialewis5474]

Bill let Michael speak.

[@billyrock8305]

Bill, STOP INTERRUPTING THE MAN!!! HE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!!! 🛑

[@jeremyelliot4831]

How deep is your state? (Your state, your state, how deep is your state) I really need to know

[@melchizedekpsj]

What a grand beginning to the fuck up...

[@GLORYNEVADASMITH]

Yes ! A Government of the K Street , by the K Street , and for the K Street .

[@kernjames]

The interview was very choppy and didn't have a natural flow. Very frustrating to watch and listen to. I don't know if Bill was interrupting too much or if Michael Lewis was causing the problem. It could have been a great interview but seemed less than average.

[@Fabzil]

The Department of Agriculture has its own airforce ?xDD the fuck

[@imslicc]

hey, i'm looking for bill's monologue dealing with this exact issue of: people not knowing how much the government does. please help me find it.

[@danoneill2846]

@5:35 they have done a GREAT JOB with Fukushima

[@SBoss281]

Huh? Either you are intentionally being obtuse or are relentlessly ignorant on the story of Fukushima.

[@mjimih]

7:00 HEY CHUMPY! KEEP YER LITTLE PAWS OFF MY NOAA

[@twoshedsjohnson8540]

So, Bill, is Government good now with Trump in office? Nope. So, this is the point...you don't always get the government you want. Even when it's "your guys" in office, you still get a lot of crap you don't like. As Thomas Paine said "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."

[@PosDad]

Usually Bill is great in an interview but this interview derailed. This was so important and they missed such critical points, what i like about bill is he doesnt dumb things down, but this conversation seemed dumb down. Let the guy talk, stop interrupting.

[@Matt-rv1rm]

he needed one hour with Bill - then Americans may have actually learnt something

[@hereigoagain5050]

Would boards of directors hire CEOs that promised to drive the company out of business?

[@ANC2002]

With every day that passes I am more terrified..... Where are we going to end up when trump and the gop finally step out of power (if they ever do?!?!)?

[@joemug4079]

Our government is not bad. It’s the people running it that are.

[@traceywilkes7870]

The fact is people who work in these government departments are not allowed to market or “brand” the work or promote it in any way...

[@14gguzman]

A thought, most love weather its one of the biggest conversation starters... An odd phenomena we all have experienced in anyway, unbelievably uniqe on occassions. I... Find weather very interesting! (When its recorded):o [+1]

[@ryanlong6535]

Gov is a waste, should be no laws or gov.

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Connecting things is important. Looking at the bigger picture. Even though it was not highlighted alot in the media, there is an obvious reason why Russian media suddenly pivoted to praising Biden after behaving and saying different just days before. Connecting the dots is a sign of critical thinking.

[@quesadilla79]

"DEAR KING"what government?