Off The Record With Paul Hodes

America’s biggest long-term problem isn’t what you think—and almost everything you’ve heard about it is wrong.In this livestream, I’m joined by budget expert Jessica Riedl (Brookings Institution) to break down what’s *actually* driving America’s debt, why the standard political talking points are misleading, and the uncomfortable math that no one in Washington wants to admit.We cut through the myths—tax cuts, defense spending, “waste”—and get to the real drivers: Social Security, Medicare, and rising interest costs. More importantly, we explain why there are no easy solutions—and why the political system keeps avoiding the hard choices.If you want a clear, honest explanation of the U.S. debt crisis—and what it really means for the future—this is the conversation to watch.---⏱ **TIMESTAMPS**0:00 – The warning: $4 trillion deficits are coming1:00 – Why this time is different2:00 – The real crisis politicians won’t face3:30 – Introducing Jessica Riedl5:00 – Deficits exploding: what the data shows7:00 – Debt surp