Jen The Libertarian

Think of this episode as part 1 of 2 where in part 2 I will discuss the Flynn - FBI story and the #MeToo movement all of the sudden discovering Nuance Jesus in relation to Biden's situation  This episode I talk about the meat processing plant situation, Amash finally throwing his hat in the ring, and how exactly is the LP going to pick a nominee this year anyway 

It's been a long crazy week, with Trump tweeting that he's stopping all immigration (he didn't but it's still not good) to Trump pondering how to get UV light and bleach inside the body to kill COVID (don't do that!) to Congress passing another relief bill (because $2T only buys you a few weeks)

Some states are letting their stay at home / shelter in place orders expire in the next few days, I give a rundown on who's doing what including (obviously) Georgia's plan to open almost all the things 

Biden gets a few key endorsements (finally), Trump has a wild week with his daily press conferences, and the media has a bit of a problem dealing with the sexual assault accusations against Biden

It's been a while since I've done a book review episode and I did say that I would give this book a try so here it is - my review of The Case For Nationalism by Rich Lowry  It's...quite something. Still not sure what that something is but I have a lot of thoughts on it.

Now that I'm (hopefully) back on my regular recording schedule in these 'rona times it's time for a week and a half roundup, from our unemployment numbers to the "let's reopen the economy" debate to FEMA stealing PPE to a update on the primary season that yes is still happening 

Let's take a break from COVD-19 and discuss the latest manifesto coming out of Team TradCon - this one from Adrian Vermeule in The Atlantic  

Since I've been making *a lot* of content lately I've covered a bunch of current topics of the day but there's some things I haven't had a chance to discuss so here's a hodgepodge of stuff  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

Since the whole idea that COVD-19 has killed libertarianism thing hasn't died (despite my valiant efforts to kill it) I decided to have Dave on to talk about how libertarianism has been vindicated, the stimulus package, how government never fixes anything, and a host of other stuff Subscribe to my Patreon for early access to episodes - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

Scott (adjuct at Cato / trade lawyer / many other things) and I talk about the shiny new stimulus / relief bill and the confused purpose of it and the weird incentive structure it sets up for employers who are having to deal with lockdowns We also have a (thankfully outdated since events have unfolded otherwise) conversation about the easing of tariffs on China but lo be me to deprive you of the pleasure of listening to two libertarians rip on tariffs  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

Marc Clair (host of the Lions of Liberty podcast) is one of the unfortunate souls who lives in California and is subject to a statewide shelter in place order. So we chat about what it's like on the inside, subversive art supply sellers, how California is a *really* big state with a lot of people and industry, and how humans are going to finds ways around any lockdown  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

The Fed shot it last shot by dropping interests rates to 0%, the Dow still plummeted, states are starting to institute lockdowns, Biden widened his lead over Bernie and Bernie still isn't dropping out, and we might have a few Senators who decided tending toothier stock portfolio was more important than being honest with the American public about COVD-19 Welcome to libertarian hell

We've made it to the (as of now) next to last Democratic debate and this one was different Two candidates, three moderatos, no audience  And I've gotta say, it was actually...good Subscribe to my Patreon for early access to episodes - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

This week ended in a very different place from where it started, from the WH completely botching it's response to coronavirus to Biden extending his lead on Bernie to setting up an upcoming week where who knows what will happen Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

For some reason there are people online who think this is a good time to try dunk on libertarians like we don't have an answer as to what to do in a pandemic Yeah its really not er a good time to try libertarians on healthcare policy Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

To say Biden had a super Super Tuesday is an understatement but this race is far from over.  We said goodbye to Pete and Amy and Mike and Liz with varying amounts of drama and infighting On the 15th we will have a debate but someone will be conspicuously left out again.... And ICYMI Trump's camp filed three SLAPP lawsuits against media outlets who ran opinion pieces he didn't like  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

Seeing as I've been following this new nationalist movement since it got it's introduction though that weird Carlson monologue from last January having a conversation with Slade (managing editor of Reason) seemed a no brainer  Her April 2020 cover piece covers Lowry's new book and his new definition of nationalism, the flaws in their thesis, and what do these people even want  Read her piece here - https://reason.com/2020/02/24/against-the-new-nationalism/ And subscribe to my Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe 

Biden gets a massive victory over Bernie in SC (what does it mean?), Weinstein is finally convicted of sex crimes (and nobody cares?), coronavirus takes over the news cycle (are we going to die?), the US and the Taliban strike a peace deal (is this gonna work?), and two good bits of immigration news (how is this going to play out?) Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

Two primary debates in the span of one week. I don't know who thought this was a good idea. It some ways it was better than the last debate, in some ways it was worse, but I'm pretty sure its the last debate that will matter  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe

In a week where we had the most insane Dem debate yet we also had the Nevada caucus which featured some surprises that make me think my assessment of the debate may be more correct than I thought Not all is good though - it's beginning to look like we'll have a Candidate Sanders and let's just say certain people are freaking the hell out  I also have a tale to tell about what happens when you fall for an internet rumor that happens to fit neatly into your confirmation bias  Subscribe to my Patreon for early access - https://www.patreon.com/jenmonroe