57 Comments
19 hrs agoLiked by Matt Welch

This episode needs a video feed in which Batya is on mute and is forced to listen.

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founding

Yeah. She has some interesting insights as to how working class people are thinking (don't want handouts, but also want their lives protected from change), but her understanding of economics is terrible. I would have expected more from someone who studied at the University of Chicago.

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UChicago is a commie hellhole at this point, sorry to disappoint

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Her utopian fantasy of Trump's incoming second term is just as delusional as the people who think that it is going to be the end of America.

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I have a feeling that in four years we’re all going to be disappointed

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Life of a libertarian!

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She would have to be strapped into a chair like Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange

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If this site allowed images, my original post would have had a screenshot of this scene from the film with the caption: "Never had I viddied so much neoliberalism!"

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This made me burst out laughing.

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Leftists like her and Ultra Nationalists that she’s embraced unfortunately have chosen the opposite… they’d rather plug their ears and yell loudly “La La La La La” than listen. I’m convinced dear leader could cause a depression and they’ll pretend nothing is wrong sooner than acknowledging the failure.

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The best way to experience her in on mute.

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Omg hahahahha

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That would be awesome

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Well, I listened to five hours of the Fifth Column podcast today.

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13 hrs agoLiked by Matt Welch

I'm just passing hour 3 and if I manage this entire episode I'll match you!

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18 hrs agoLiked by Matt Welch

Great tariffs primer. Scott says “globalists” like he’s been hanging out with Jonah Goldberg too long. iykyk

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The Hyatt loyalty program has a level called “Globalist,” and I always read it in Jonah’s voice.

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16 hrs agoLiked by Matt Welch

I am a fan of nerdy discussions with DC types about niche policy issues. Please continue your efforts in this direction. Also more music discussion.

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16 hrs agoLiked by Matt Welch

Here to say I would have ABSOLUTELY listened to two hours of tariff talk.

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Come on. We all know tariffs are just a "bargaining chip!" He won't do them even though he has and they'll work so well even though they haven't!

Man's a genius. His masterful tariff plan will undoubtedly accomplish... things and create... Stuff.

It goes like this.

Step 1- tariffs

Step 2-?????

Step 3- profit!

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(In best Trump voice...) "Beautiful Tariffs! Beautiful, beautiful tariffs. So, so many tariffs."

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founding

Suppose that I don't like tariffs. Suppose that I don't like that in some pursuits Chinese companies can outcompete American companies on price simply by using slave labor. What is a free marketer like me supposed to do with these facts? I don't like being part of a "demand" for slave labor.

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Many more hours of Scott please

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founding

Who had “mentions Jones Act” in first 15 minutes on their bingo card?

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author

Everyone?

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founding

Hahaha it was the free square. Great episode! I hope yall do an energy issue sometime around the time Trump pulls out of Climate Accords

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Great episode, gentlemen! While I largely agree with Scott, I also understand the frustration felt by those who might not be satisfied with an economic explainer. The “debate” has never actually been about tariffs, but around a perceived injustice.

I wonder how Scott would respond to the following questions:

1. Developed economies tend to shift towards a service-based model, but is this sustainable in the long run? While manufacturing will always be necessary, who will take on this role as economies continue to evolve? If the current economic imbalance benefits all parties, where will things settle when that imbalance no longer exists?

2. The US Navy is the sole force that enables global trade on the scale we see today and has eradicated piracy. This is solely funded by US taxpayers, regardless of whether they personally benefit from the global economy. How does this fact come into play when discussing the benefits of the global economy for the average American or the USA as a whole?

3. How do cultural differences influence the dynamics of labor practices? Large players like China excel at blurring the lines between forced and “regular” labor. Will the current model and thinking continue to be effective in an environment without forced labor or a permanent “underclass” that can be relied upon for cheap manufacturing? Similarly, how does the damage caused to American companies and workers by large-scale intellectual property theft factor into the calculations of net benefit to American citizens?

To the average working class person, the current manufacturing environment seems like a “current moment in time” thing, and it’s challenging for them to comprehend its long-term sustainability. Economics of the future are notoriously unpredictable, but I’m curious to see how someone like Scott would address these concerns, as they might alleviate some of the anxiety and sense of injustice felt by those who support the Trump tariffs (I’m not one of them!).

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SCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Phenomenal pod as always gents. Amazing info on the first half and great analysis on the back. I live in Greater Boston and I really appreciated the Seth Moulton discussion. Although I wanted to add some local context. He is being praised from some national outlets and pundits certainly for saying what he said, however he is not “winning” in the aftermath as Michael mentioned. At least not if he wants to win re-election locally.

Not only is there not one person with a D next to their name defending him locally, Salem Public Schools, Salem Democrats & the Salem City Council denounced his comments. On top of that, Massachusetts Democrats are already LINING UP A CHALLENGER TO RUN AGAINST HIM.

All for saying he wants to have a conversation about biological boys who transition playing girls sports. His point was proven that you are not allowed to have nuanced conversations in most Democratic Party circles and I commend him for it, but local democrats are digging into their insanity with a steel shovel. They’ve already decided they’re done with him and one of the last normie Dems in the state is probably going to get voted out by his Halloween Celebrating, Homeless Encampment Advocating, nutbag liberal district.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/13/metro/seth-moulton-democrats-transgender-backlash-election-challenge-massachusetts/

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More Scott Lincicome always! Forget 2 hours, I want 3.

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To answer Kmele’s question: Yes, I would have listened to another hour. Great conversation.

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founding

More episodes like this one, please!

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1. Won't manufacturing just shift to the lowest cost place? There will always be a lower cost location even if it's because everything is automated and it's better to be closer to the end consumer.

2. I guess it's the libertarian in me to say something so crazy, but can't we imagine a world with private security on the seas? Or even just some level of better cooperation?

3. Sweat shops are better than substance farming, that is why there is a line out the door. The answer is not less, it is more. More jobs to give employees more leverage. I hope my T-shirt is made in a poorer place in 2 year, that means the current people have grown wealthy enough to have better opportunities and to help new works will someday as well.

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