Paul Krugman on Arguing with Republican Zombies (May 24, 2020)

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The NYT columnist and Nobel Prize winner discusses how Republicans operate in bad faith on issues like climate, tax cuts,decifits, income and wealth inequality, and now, the pandemic.

[@equipage72]

As a Miinnesotan who voted for you, and would again in a heartbeat, I am sorry your voice is missing in the Senate, but glad for your podcast. You were, ARE, a voice the zombies have always been afraid of. You are sorely missed! Carry-on, and thanks, Al.

[@omfug7148]

exactly, and that is why the Right had to bring Al down (sadly, they had plenty of help from some on the Left who are now joining the circular firing squad going after Joe Biden, smdh.)

[@debzacher1332]

I so completely agree with you! He is so needed!

[@jltrem]

Return Al to the Senate!!

[@junebug5390]

@@jltrem Franken for VP....

[@555atU]

It's missing because he treats women like shit.

[@greghartman6660]

The country needs you back in the Senate Al

[@b.h.6599]

the country needs an al franken stand up special

[@annettejones4902]

A BIG Yes!!!

[@annettejones4902]

We really need you BACK in the Senate But can understand why someone would not want to put themselves in the pit of vipers.

[@perpetual76]

No we don't. Please stay home. It's safer this way.

[@carmenjones5528]

I couldn't agree more.I miss him in the Senate. Oh this is when democrats shoot themselves in the foot.

[@omfug7148]

RUN AGAIN Senator, hell I don't even know the name of the person who replaced you. At any rate, if Biden gets elected we need to bring back the WPA and use that manpower to rebuild the sagging infrastructure in this country.

[@galaxy2012]

I'm listening to two intelligent people. Intelligence - what a concept.

[@createdeccentricities6620]

It takes my breath away.

[@justsaying3729]

SCARY, ISN'T IT WILL ALL THE BULL SHIT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERYDAY....SO MANY MORONS (UNMASKED)

[@galaxy2012]

@Joe Devola your an idiot, go listen to Fox

[@rogerc23]

Good for you, unfortunately I’m listening to this podcast.

[@bertohlsson6921]

Dear Al, I'm living in Sweden, and have followed you for years. Get back into politics, you are one of the few honest politicians l have ever heard. Living in Europe, I think I have a better than average knowledge of global politics then your average US citizen. Forgot to mention that I grew up on a ranch in North Dakota ,where I also went to high school. Go !!!! Best regards Bert

[@phriedokra6158]

Quite Jelly you got out of Trumps great admin...

[@niccolea2086]

We have a very broken education system and that coupled with Fox News, we have zombies walking around. Plus because of slavery here, I believe we are still dealing with ignorant white ppl feeling resentment towards minorities because they’re hurting economically. Having a punching bag, a “face” for what they’re feeling gives them hope. It’s horrible.

[@Ariels888]

I agree completely and wholeheartedly!

[@Ariels888]

@@niccolea2086 Research the green party. They have plans for infrastructure in this country and we are growing in numbers and gaining momentum every day by helping to educating and informing people! We need all of what you mentioned and more in order to help prevent this from happening again. Keep talking and sharing with others, because we need to unite, work together and end this insane nightmare!! Take care my friend.

[@donfitger9567]

Bert Ohlsson I’m Canadian and I truly think that Al is the only one who can save the world 🌍

[@TheKCBBQ]

What I like about Prof. Krugman is he has the right balance between hubris and humility. Willing to admit when he doesn't know the answer to a question.

[@noirellee]

Hey Mr. Franken, you won a few Emmies and a lot of hearts. Many of us miss you in the public forum.

[@maryroseart]

Yippee!!!! Time for the Al Franken Podcast!! Thank you so much Al and Paul, much appreciated!!! xoxo

[@robertdrake5100]

I just discovered your podcast today. BOY have I missed you! I have subscribed here as well as put you on my podcast list on my phone. I have already listened to several podcasts. I look forward to going down the list and listening to them all. Keep up the good work! PS, I am super pissed what they did to you in the U.S. Senate. You were one hell of an excellent Senator.

[@davidanderson9664]

Krug-meister is The Dude. The NYTimes subscription is worth it for his column alone. SMART people listen to smart people like P.K b/c we all didn't do a degree in economics (let alone win prizes like him) so the next best thing is to *listen* to people like him who know what they're talking about. Take note- MAGA -hatters - "truth" isn't "in your gut" it is actually what experts say. D.A., J.D., NYC

[@bobbycottonwood]

Great interview! Thanks Al. Keep up the good work and Pl-e-e-e-a-a-s-e run again for the U.S. Senate. We need you more than ever.

[@Northstarunlimited56]

So glad I found your podcast Al!! Yours and Paul Krugman's insights are so intelligent and honest! I've been so sick of people saying Democrats are the spenders and create the deficits and Republicans are the money watch dogs - thank you for pointing out the lie/misrepresentation of that. Great podcast...so good to hear Mr. Krugman. Thanks again Al for a really interesting podcast!

[@awallner1]

David Stockman, Regan's own budget director, said in his book that the Reagan tax cuts and defense spending would deliberately create deficits.

[@tommonk7651]

The GOP wants deficits so they can drain social programs. Deficits are the excuse.

[@andrewmastin4312]

Tom Monk, exactly. That has been the GOP’s long game for decades. They want to run up large deficits (mainly through tax cuts for the wealthy) to starve the government, then use that as an excuse for cutting social programs like welfare, food stamps, social security, Medicare & Medicaid. It was pretty sub rosa under Reagan, but became increasingly explicit over time, especially when Pail Ryan was Speaker of the House.

[@555atU]

Obama doubled the deficit and outspent Reagan by huge margin. Which was all done deliberately.

[@tommonk7651]

@@555atU Obama was dealing with the disastrous and collapsing economy left by Bush jr. He didn't have much choice. Trump came in with a strong economy left over from Obama and proceeded to run unnecessary huge deficits for no valid reason.

[@555atU]

@Greg Moonen so Reagan with Democrat majority did it all on his own, but Obama did it because Republicans had the Congress. *Facepalm*

[@sandrahunter5904]

Al Franken I ❤ you. 😁😁 Your books are CAREFULLY NOTED ; your humour is HIGHLY INTELLIGENT!

[@johntao6822]

@@555atU he won't get it until it happens to his daughter

[@elmolewis9123]

The US went from being an indispensable nation to being the punch-line of the rest of the world's jokes.

[@zebunker]

Keep it up Al. Thanks for doing the podcast!

[@rl2oo8]

It's so good to listen to Al Franken again :)

[@hownow7532]

Good interview Senator ... Thanks! ... 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@DocZom]

This can be the Franken Decade. Please make it so, Al.

[@yodez3]

Lindsey stole a gravy boat from Pottery Barn. Cracks me up.🤪

[@julesfans5190]

Ready to grab anything he gets hus hands on 😆 compulsive thief Moscow Mitch

[@cynthiaallen9225]

He's partial to housewares.

[@elainedaprano9130]

@@cynthiaallen9225 HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[@sandrashaw6298]

Cynthia Allen , at first I thought you’d written, “He’s partial to housewives.” 😜

[@njosborne6152]

Screw Lindsey Graham‼️ He was the First Advertiser On this podcast. He’s nothing but 🤢a slime ball🤮

[@jimburig7064]

Graham is our pixie from Dixie.

[@thayerboo]

You are the Best Al Franken. 🦋❣️

[@sirjoeg6515]

Glad to hear your back.keep helping himanity your way. You are a Patriot.

[@BoatDawg]

I'm to old to immigrate to New Zealand, I fail their point test, but if Trump steals the next election, I will become an illegal immigrant in New Zealand.

[@flangekiwi]

Good luck with that bro. We're surrounded by a bloody big swimming pool with lots of sharks in it.👍🏾 (But we don't lock people in cages)

[@raidermaxx2324]

whats the point test? how an immigrant would contribute to their economy and\or society? why do you fail it? generally curious..

[@silverwoodchuck47]

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'." is one of the dumbest things Reagan ever said.

[@Andeetec]

Which is why he worked and stole from the government. He meant that we're here to take and give to the rich.

[@jamescatoirejamesc9564]

Someone wrote it for him.Reaganomics enriched the already-rich exponentially and made the middle-class and the working class much poorer.

[@gheller2261]

But it is evidence of how good messaging works even if the message itself is ridiculous. Republicans figured out messaging 50 years ago while Democrats don't even try to figure it out. It's why they allow Defund the Police to become a talking point rather than, say, Reform the Police. A one word difference can mean the difference between reaching people and pushing them away. Because, when you have to explain what a slogan or talking point really means, you have lost the debate.

[@johnkidd5070]

Thank God. Al Franken is alive.

[@jeannettesarpola3056]

at what point are trumps "mistakes" considered to be purposeful? they're not mistakes if you make them over and over again....

[@Rebecca-qx1et]

Al, you are a star...you are missed in the Senate but these podcasts are perfect, I could listen all day. Thank you sir. Stay safe, stay well.

[@Kbyr083]

I really enjoyed listening to that. Thank you

[@Ploobstill]

"Lifting gravy boat from pottery barn" Hillarious.

[@bunk-bn9eo]

It's an open secret in Washington. 😁

[@ttrons2]

70 % of Canadians do not have private because the system gives us all the essential medical care we need I don"t know anybody who has private insurance. Other than for elective procedures.

[@michaeldion4855]

Typical. I had to PAY for MY gravy boat !

[@debrabiderman4275]

You should still be in the Senate Al Franken.

[@brokebastard]

The problem with the U.S. is that we value money more than we value human beings.

[@gmaureen]

Yesterday on CNN WH spokesman Kevin Hassett said, "Our human capital stock is ready to go back to work." We're not people, or even citizens, we're simply stock.

[@TheNeeenha]

Oh yes ..unless your a woman and pregnant ...the swelling in your belly is worth more than you...until it's born No health care ...no day care ...(they want you to work in jobs that don't exist)...none for your child that they have cut funding to schools..oh charter schools..ya I guess there great.... Oh well some of us will be around to feed the machine

[@patsystewart254]

Al..... thank you for a frank honest discussion.

[@andybaldman]

Some might say a Franken honest discussion

[@FakingANerve]

@@andybaldman beat me to the punch 😊

[@stevenkaplan9945]

I am a big fan of both Al and Paul!

[@someguy2135]

Come on Al. They are all good. Some are just better than others. Your self deprecating humor alone makes compelling listening. Subscribed and activated notifications.

[@liviadix1433]

Thank you for another illuminating discussion Your podcasts not only impart knowledge, but are extremely pleasurable to listen. Thank you again. Livia

[@scasey1960]

We need your voice of reason!!

[@fergusmallon1337]

I am Canadian and I have a supplemental medical insurance. it covers eye care, chiropractics, two person hospital room, TV, and anything not essential.

[@fergusmallon1337]

@Yankie Doodle Our medicare does not yet cover dental costs so dental insurance is a good idea. Like all insurances, it does not cover the full cost. I recently had a route canal costing about $2000.00 and the insurance paid about half of that. Pooer people tend to have pooer teeth.

[@fergusmallon1337]

@Yankie Doodle Hopefully, we will soon have dental care covered. We still have some stone age parliamentnarians holding up legislation

[@TA-lt1ph]

I haven't had a real pair of glasses for a decade, I have a broken tooth, need a root canal and can barely afford to go to the pharmacy. You are only as strong as your weakest link. We are sick, we are tired, and we are out of time. Sounds like America of late.

[@v.britton4445]

Love Al.

[@scottluthy5828]

Sadly, is is the low wage workers who are getting screwed. Trickle down economics is a fallacy. For so long the money never trickles down to the workers the wealth and money is extracted by the top 1 to 2 percent on top. Bad, we need economic structural change, plus universal health care.

[@sharonkritz7335]

Also we stayed working and got screwed out of 600 extra that really could of helped . We would spend it on maybe replacing a 12 year old car. Appliances on their last legs yeah trickle down never trickled over here

[@sharonkritz7335]

Universal healthcare please!!!!!!!!!

[@johndemeritt3460]

Scott Luthy, the best illustration of "trickle down economics" I've ever seen is the cover of The Who's classic album "Who's Next".

[@ArabesqueWoW]

I LOVE you Al Franken!!!! Never forget how VERY important you are!!!

[@itsme-nt2lj]

Who loves their "insurance"? We are terrified of being denied, getting massive medical bills or losing insurance! Give Americans HEALTHCARE!

[@sylviawilliams8670]

I truly miss you Al Franken, absolutely happy to stumble across your pod cast and will always tune in.

[@escope1959]

I want to see the video of Lindsey shoplifting. Wonderful show Thank You Al

[@user-ik2no7jw5g]

Good show. Thanks for reducing the number of ads!

[@gnomedeguerre2482]

Al, come back to politics. We need you. Your warmth, smarts, and values are sorely missed.

[@barbclark69]

What an excellent Memorial Day discussion to listen to. Thank you both.

[@raphaellavelasquez8144]

I ❤️ Al Franken.

[@tadmarshall2739]

Sad that they agree that “ACA 2.0” is the best we should hope for.

[@markbrownner6565]

agreed...we voted for Obama and got romney-care a heritage foundation plan....yuk..

[@niccolea2086]

If democrats take control and revive the ACA, once republicans are back in control, they will simply dismantle it again. Why waste time and tax payers money? I’m with Bernie. The American ppl need to start having an honest/realistic discussion about the true power this industry has and a therefore the endless threat to us ever being able to have affordable healthcare in this country as long as they have this power over us. They will NEVER allow a “public option” competition. Unless we have a constitutional amendment to get the money out, it’s never going to happen. And democrats will need 2/3 of congress to do that. Lol I’m with Bernie. As long as our congress is corrupt to the degree it is, we will forever take one step forward and two steps backwards. Meanwhile, ppl are dying.

[@niccolea2086]

mark brownner and Republicans took over and now we really don’t even have Romney-care. Think about what America has accomplished over 30 years of fighting for something better. I say let’s stop this song and dance.

[@FakingANerve]

@@niccolea2086 I couldn't agree more.

[@danield7449]

A gravyboat would be hard to shoplift. Would it fit in a pocket? Maybe Lindsey Graham held the gravy boat under a coat draped over his arm. You can't trust senators nowadays.

[@riverhermit1620]

How refreshing! At last I’m hearing common sense and well thought through dynamics. Ahhh... so soothing to common person!

[@katwalkable]

Al Franken You were the best in Congress, best questions, smartest, please if you can't go back... mentor some of them, be in their ear, feed them your questions!

[@chrispennino8981]

Frankin- I appreciate you and support you 100%

[@booklover3959]

Hey Al, I have super enjoyed your podcast so now I am going back and listening to all of them from the beginning of the show because I just discovered it in the last month. It has been helping me to have a human voice to listen to through the pandemic.....a humane voice also. Please keep up the podcasts as often as you can. You are honest about the issues. I think we are opening up things in a reckless way that will endanger hundreds of thousands of lives. Almost one hundred thousand dead in the USA...your podcast matters sir.

[@bobbolan4672]

VOTE BLUE

[@darickhibbert9170]

They got Lindsey with more than a gravy boat. Good instinct Al.

[@niccolea2086]

Sex scalded. Caught in a closet in congress. Lol

[@darickhibbert9170]

@@niccolea2086 or the Senate bathhouse showers with Jim Jordan. 🤣

[@andrewmastin4312]

They don’t call him Miss Lindsey for nothing. “Open secret” indeed. It really should be a nonissue, but might cost him his seat in South Carolina.

[@darickhibbert9170]

@@andrewmastin4312 yep, it should be a non issue. But for their hypocrisy it is one. Pence was probably MC at that party.

[@ianchandley]

I’m from a supposed “Third World Country” and lived / worked in DC in the 90’s after university. Within a year of being in DC, I realized that the USA IS a large, wealthy Third World Country from my observations of corruption and income inequality there. Fast forward 30+ years and my observation is now plain to the world to see. My national government reacted quickly and aggressively in March 2020 and we have under 600 case and 9 deaths from COVID-19, and are planning to phase our reopening in a week and hopefully we will start moving forward, SAFELY. As a fan of history, I knew the USA Empire would eventually come to an end but NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would happen in my lifetime!!

[@flangekiwi]

It's a 3rd World country with a 1st World paint job. Since Reagan's administration. (#ShockDoctrine by Naomi Klein is available to watch on KZbin 👍🏾)

[@dukemetzger3784]

I never thought about the climate change attitudes and responses as being a methodology for the pandemic! Great point!

[@yfm6089]

Mr. Senator Al Franken .... please run again. America needs you. People what must we do to get Senator Franken back where he is desperately needed?🤔

[@mpetry912]

this was a good one, thank you Al !!1

[@Ahmedkhan8802]

Good job. Good discussion. This is my first time listening to the Podcast - I'll do more.

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Great One 👍

[@raphaellavelasquez8144]

Ronald Reagan took my Pell Grant. It's best to keep people under educated so...God bless mofo America.

[@davidanderson9664]

"We love the poorly educated."

[@mlight6845]

My condolences for the loss of a fine education.

[@SPayne-vn5od]

"Ronald Reagan took my Pell Grant" The republicunts eliminated what used to be free higher education in California. To continue in my last year of university the cost went from Free to 25,000. a year. I could not afford it even working 3 jobs. I also remember years later when Bush 2 said how great it was to have the opportunity to work 3 jobs. Paybacks are coming you old fossilized Fascist pigs.

[@raphaellavelasquez8144]

@@SPayne-vn5od 👍

[@donaldintlekofer8448]

Pig Reagan destroyed America, drove the jobs away to break the unions and wipe out the middle class. The americans voted him back in, which told me to go F*** myself.

[@AZWings]

"You're no Larry Kudlow" - LOL

[@tamaramousley8597]

AZWings Your have got to be kidding!

[@AZWings]

@@tamaramousley8597 Not sure if you understand my comment. Just to clarify: it is laughing at Al's joke. Kudlow is an idiot.

[@Guizambaldi]

I cracked at the "he turned flamboyant wrongness into an art" or something like that.

[@bryonkidder6199]

Luv it! Keep it up, Al....

[@AttyCPA1]

Great Podcast !

[@4everyoung24]

It’s always interesting listening to stuff like this a year later. Nuanced discussion, always appreciated.

[@GroovyVideo2]

Thanks

[@tigertiger1699]

Helllooooo Mr Frankenstein, hello from NZ🙏 miss seeing you behind a mic in your people’s Congress.., you seem to be a great leader🤔👍👍👍

[@lesliehill4715]

I realize I am late to the game.. but, welcome back. I listened to your podcast years ago and enjoyed you on Air America. Your important voice taught me so much at a time when I knew so little. So glad you’re back🤗

[@bobbresnahan8397]

Al, Please talk to Stephanie Kelton about the economy and how we can pay for universal health care and education.

[@sheiladodds4186]

Watching from BC Canada..Love you Al.

[@markhatfield8809]

Well,how`bout that ? Ol` Gravyboat Graham, yukyuk, five-finger discount, eh ?

[@kberken]

Love you Senator Franken, love hearing your voice and wit and wisdom. Miss you in MN politics. But.... Can you do these without ads? Or just have ads at the front and end? I can't always skip the ads if I'm not looking at my phone. Thanks for all you do!

[@benjaminpark5460]

As I read this an ad came on. I don’t think creators have a say in advertisements on this platform.

[@kberken]

@@benjaminpark5460 bummer. Because I want to listen but don't want all those 2min ads every 10 minutes.

[@benjaminpark5460]

kberken presuming you have extra money you cold opt to pay for “KZbin Red”. No idea how much it costs but it is a subscription service that eliminates ads. Never had it because I don’t have disposable income lol. Especially these days.

[@kberken]

@@benjaminpark5460 well I'll have to look into it. Thanks!

[@pearlbarral7018]

I'm glad your doing you show. You need to keep up the good work. Thanks!

[@roy7046]

And that goes for you too Franken

[@janinehudson]

Universal Health Care- "everybody else manages to do it," EXACTLY!

[@murraydyck2127]

Great show, they keep getting better all the time.

[@ergia4822]

Zombies of a feather flock together. Only true Zombies know each other.

[@rebeccao8895]

Huh?

[@555atU]

That was deep....and completely stupid.

[@555atU]

@jo bloggs That what awesome typo checking Jo .. or is it Joe? Let me guess....you haven't had sex yet.

[@desertportal5517]

Thanks Al and Paul, I learned a lot here.

[@dryhumorfoe8275]

I didnt know you had a podcast! Wonderful surprise to come across that. I have subscribed and will go back and listen to the others. Missed you so much! Welcome back Al!

[@matthewgmk5218]

Leningrad Lindsey is a compulsive shoplifter ? Gotta wonder if Al was a'jokin' or not ...

[@cynthiaallen9225]

I don't think so. I've heard this before.

[@richardjones1699]

Sarcasm my dude. He is gay and must be ashamed of it because this is what the repubs have on him. Shouldnt be an issue, but here we are.

[@liviadix1433]

Paul Krugman an economist even I can understand. He definatly deserved the Nobel Price for economic.

[@onnyang]

Dear Al, Please do this more than 1 time a week!

[@bigdog44pc]

A zombie lie is it repeated lie, if you repeat a lie long enough it becomes true.

[@talkwench340]

'We all do better when we all do better'. Great quote.

[@elainedaprano9130]

Exactly! Not extending Medicaid RUINED my state's rural hospitals! And now the state can no longer use the savings account to help!

[@mlight6845]

Yes, infrastructure investment!

[@pohkeee]

Wake up! KZbin is for profit! Channels don’t control the number of ads! Pay for premium or quit whining about ads!

[@mimIsra1]

Some people cant afford certain things

[@evaadams8298]

Miriam Israel exactly!

[@jerrywatson1958]

I suggest you watch the CBS All Access show "Brain Dead" it fits the situation perfectly. I subscribed Al. You're the Best!

[@danielryan3442]

Please run again.

[@cubangal1]

"I gotta write that down"....get virus under control......"got it"......Senator Al Franken....another great interview.....stay well

[@davegreene8588]

You seem to be misrepresenting what he said, at that point. Nonetheless, it *was* a great interview.

[@marcinna8553]

Two very smart guys. It is a shame Franken is not back in Congress. I hope he gives it another shot

[@tfsheahan2265]

Would it be asking too much to do this on Skype?

[@richardlmckinneysr.mckinne7260]

If tax cuts pay for themselves, then take a pay cut and get rich !!! Damn I*m sick of hearing that crap.

[@jonbrewer5027]

Big fan, thanks for the content. Sure wish you were still my federal senator. Much love me Franken!

[@njosborne6152]

🎵Lie-sol, Lie, Lie, Lie-sol . . .🎶 🎶And a Flashlight Up His ass🎵

[@chrisrichmond1941]

Most civilised nations share the Canadian model for healthcare - in the UK we pay 'National Insurance' as a small PAYE tax straight from your salary. You can then also buy a private medical insurance plan if you can afford/want it. This allows you to skip queues and so forth, but often the private company has a deal with the NHS so, for example, Boris Johnson's recent visit to St Thomas' NHS hospital was actually on his private insurance, apparently, so even if he wasn't PM he would have had preferential treatment/private room or whatever. I can't afford private insurance (and object on principle) but recently had to spend 2 nights in the Covid ward at my local hospital (it turned out to be DVT - working from home is not healthy!) I had excellent care, from the moment I phoned the NHS line with my symptoms, including an paramedic check, ambulance ride, X-ray and CT scan. And it was all 'free'. I'm not sure I could even have afforded the ambulance in the US. I'm now on blood thinners, for which I have to pay a prescription charge - slightly under £10 for a month's supply.