No Ex-Strain-eous Math

In an effort to explain the current state of the economy as well as the ...

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In an effort to explain the current state of the economy as well as the political ramifications of some parts of the Biden agenda coming down the pipeline, Jonah invited Michael Strain, his colleague at the American Enterprise Institute, for a return appearance. Strain explains complicated issues without confusing the plebeians among us who can’t look at numbers for very long before developing a headache. Speaking of headaches, near the end of the podcast the guys get into a relitigation of the ending of Lost, in addition to a brief discussion of WandaVision, Peaky Blinders, and Deep Impact, of all things.

Show Notes:

–Michael R. Strain, American Enterprise Institute

–Michael’s latest book, The American Dream is Not Dead (But Populism Could Kill It)

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  1. Avatar photo
    Brian Levy

    RE suggested podcast topics: Speaking of Karma, how about going deep into metaphysics and philosophy with a discussion about your thoughts on the existence of free will. For something perhaps less likely to cure insomnia (not mine mind you, I would be fascinated), how about interviewing Yale professor and author of Against Empathy, Paul Bloom.

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    Robert Knudson

    So glad to hear the econ talk - 5 stars just for the discussion of crowding out alone.

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    Poindexter

    Evergreen pod topic: Charles Murray co-wrote a history of the Apollo space program back in 1989. Should be a pretty interesting topic.

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  4. K-man

    Ideas for future podcasts:

    --Joel Stewart's American Indian idea
    --Reiterating my earlier idea of looking at Ernst Gellner on nationalism (Jonah quoted him again recently)
    --Cats and dogs -- could be scientific (recent research), historical/social (domestication, concept of pets), and/or policy (rise of no-kill shelter and adoption networks, licensing/chipping), etc. And this is the last time I'll mention this, but I reiterate my suggestion to add a meow from Gracie, MTM-style, to the podcast outro.

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  5. Dave Tenn

    Idea for podcast. I would like to hear you (and possibly Steve Hayes) discuss Charles Krauthammer. I believe you knew him from his early days at The New Republic through his later years. It would be interesting to hear about your agreements and disagreements with his views, your interactions with him, etc.

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    Rev Snow

    Maybe it's too much to expect for an economist to offer answers that are clear and plausibly correct, but at least they should have the decency to avoid whoppers. The $1.9 Trillion proposal is clearly too big, approximately by 5 times, and full of other bad things, your guest offers, yet the $3.5 to $4 Trillion spent pre-Biden was "all money that was well spent". He actually said that.

    Good Lord, lie to the public about obscure things they don't understand, but tell us the pandemic spending was all wisely and effectively directed?! We watched it happen. It passed through us. We know how much foolishness was shot through it.

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  7. Julie Daulton

    You asked for ideas for podcasts to put in the can: consider interviewing Rod Dreher on his book Live not by Lies.

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  8. Ben Moser

    Another Remnant another potshot at teachers unions. Jonah I disagree with you on most policy issues but I love your pod because you usually come to your positions with an inquisitive nature.
    What did you possibly think was going to happen when you asked an AEI economist about teachers unions? That isn’t a sincere question. That’s as bad as Pod Save America bringing on Randi Weingarten and asking her about the topic. All you are going to get is an echo chamber a ditto head would feel comfortable in. Try bringing in a former principal, someone who has had the good and the bad of the unions and ask that question.
    Otherwise it just becomes a mutual admiration society for you and Strains shared brilliance. Challenge your ideas!

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    The Stray Goose

    Megan McCartle had a really good piece on this several years ago. She talked about a fictional woman who works at Walmart. When she's working, she wants to get the highest wages from the company. BUT. When she's shopping at Walmart, she wants the lowest prices possible. Those two concepts are in tension.

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  10. Avatar photo
    The Stray Goose

    When people bring me an estimate that ends in a '0' or '5', I know it's B.S. The 'Fight for Fifteen' crowd is bringing us B.S.

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