Key Takeaways
- The current government shutdown is historic in length and lacks a clear path to resolution.
- Jonathan Last argues the shutdown reflects a new era of "power politics" distinct from past bipartisan negotiations.
- President Trump is reportedly using the shutdown to advance his agenda, while Democrats struggle with an effective counter-strategy.
- The episode questions the health of U.S. democracy, with terms like "late stage democracy" and "competitive authoritarianism" used.
Deep Dive
- The current government shutdown is the second longest in U.S. history.
- The host notes a perceived lack of urgency from those in control regarding its resolution.
- The 2019 government shutdown, initiated by President Trump over border wall funding, lasted 35 days and led to disruptions like airport ground stops, ending within days of the disruptions.
- President Trump's demeanor suggests he acts as if the shutdown is not occurring.
- He reportedly uses the shutdown to dismiss individuals and target government agencies he opposes.
- Trump downplays the shutdown's impact, concealing who is being paid, leading to disparities where some employees with guns are paid and others who book travel are not.
- Lawmakers are gridlocked, with Democrats demanding negotiation on healthcare subsidies before reopening the government.
- The host proposes D.C. statehood as a strategic ask for reopening the government, leveraging Republican control.
- The guest suggests Democrats fail to make maximalist demands, such as D.C. statehood or ending ICE detentions, contrasting their approach with Republicans.
- The host describes the current political climate as a "late stage democracy" or "competitive authoritarianism."
- Guest Jonathan Last believes the U.S. is a "late stage democracy" superficially resembling democracy.
- The host argues the U.S. is already experiencing competitive authoritarianism, citing redistricting efforts and potential weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
- The discussion critiques modern capitalism, describing it as no longer free due to regulatory capture and state-directed capitalism.
- Examples include the U.S. government taking golden shares in U.S. Steel and owning 10% of Intel.
- This perceived breakdown in the capitalist system is linked to paving the way for a breakdown of the democratic system.
- The impeachment mechanism within the Constitution is deemed ineffective due to political incentives, presenting a structural problem.
- This failure is seen as a design flaw that makes other constitutional components, like the executive term, problematic, leading to political "sclerosis."
- A desirable shutdown outcome involves Democrats not shielding Republicans from political consequences, specifically not allowing President Trump to get credit for resolving it by undoing unpopular decisions.