Evo plays host this week, and everyone's invited to his anti-Republican party. He kicks off the festivities by explaining the origins of the "free market" in America, and we discuss why it's built into the nation's psyche. Does that still make sense today? Or is free-market worship just a "faith" position. Ex thinks the "American Dream" is a nightmare perpetrated by the GOP. (00:00)
How did we get into the economic mess we're in? Surprise: It wasn't just the Republicans. Incompetence and greed may not know party lines, but certainly the drive to deregulate has come from the Right, allegedly in defense of "free markets" — that don't even exist. Aren't all economic philosophies somewhat "faith-based"? After all, there's no scientific evidence that any system would work under all circumstances. However, there's plenty of evidence that the system now in place doesn't work. (Hint: Peek in your wallet.) (14:06)
In the beginning of the last segment, Evo asked if a defense of "free markets" could be supported Constitutionally. Do people confuse our individual rights with the rights of corporations? Philly goes back to that question and shares (at no cost!) his insights. The government bails out businesses, but not individuals; that's "corporate socialism," of course. While the Herd isn't happy with the deregulators, are some of us right to label their ideas as "faith"? What's the difference between faith and opinion, anyway? Chappy says that with supportable opinions, we can rationally attack a notion — but not with faith. OG does the impossible when she makes Ex reexamine his position. (30:36)
Ex grabs back the mike and takes us through puzzles, polls, and quizzes. Even as a rational thinker, you may find that you are CONfounded, but you should have no trouble CONfining your CONfusion to this podcast only! Remember, Ex is a bit of a CONman. By the way, you won't want to miss SI do his short stand-up comedy routine. (42:34)
Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [13:18]: excerpt from "Heathen Boogie"
Bridge Music [29:38]: excerpt from "Latin Down the Hatches"
Bridge Music [41:54]: excerpt from "Highway 45"
Bridge and Closing Music [59:06]: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)
This Week's Goddamned Links
Wikipedia on "Free Market"
An Example of Faith-Based Free Market Nonsense
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
Phil Gramm Calls America "A Nation of Whiners"
Puzzling Listeners
Another Goddamned Puzzle:
Krystian Kyhl, J-Mil, Thorum
Evo's Science Quiz:
Thorum
Give this post a thumbs up
I dig this post
Vote up on The Atheist Spot
Reddit
del.icio.us
8 comments:
Colonel Klink described me and economics best: "I know nothingk!!" I can tell you about me. I rarely notice anything whether the economy is good or bad. Therefore, this latest fiasco doesn't affect me. Maybe 'cause I don't make much money? It does hit my 401k pretty hard but so what. I am buying shares cheaper now, no? I suppose a Depression would affect me though. I do have an opinion and that is I feel the government should have let these companies fail. Kaput. "Clear out the dead wood". Congrats on getting Eric Kampmann!! I have posted a couple times on my Islam bashing blog about the book. I will post about him being on next week. I leave you with a quote by Abraham Lincoln (my hero): "When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees."
Woah woah woah. I'm confused. How can the free market not be supported Constitutionally? The Constitution doesn't grant government power to regulate the economy. Or am I wrong?
But, guys, I gotta hand it to you, I loved this podcast. Well done.
Thanks a lot, Kelly! Be sure not to miss our next one. We interview Eric Kampmann whose going to publish the book on Islam, The Jewel of Medina, that was dropped out of fear by Random House.
You might even start by going back and listening to Podcast #26, "Muslims, Publishers and Free Speech".
Always good to see you around the Atheosphere!
Man there must have been a rush of listeners, i couldn't download the show.
I had to drink beer to calm my nerves.
Sean, are you trying to download the show from iTunes or from the blog?
OG I was downloading from the blog. It was taking three hous on a fast conection and then dropping out.
I tried again through google reader and it downloaded in 15 minutes.
That's odd because they come from the same place. Maybe it was just timing. We'll look into it.
I'm glad you got the episode. Let us know if you have problems in the future.
Post a Comment