JRE #1668 – Krystal Ball & Saagar Enjeti

by

16-Jun-21







This podcast explores the experiences of Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti, political commentators and hosts of “Breaking Points,” as they navigate the world of independent media. They discuss their decision to leave corporate media, the challenges of dealing with outside influences, and the importance of staying true to their values. The podcast delves into provocative and controversial topics like the China problem, the decline of the American middle class, and the overreach of corporate power. It also examines the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and the implications of hyper-personalized algorithms. Underlying themes include the erosion of trust in institutions, the pervasiveness of cultural wars, and the quest for truth in a fragmented and often misleading information landscape.

Topics

Breaking Points: A New Era of Independent Media

  • Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti’s decision to leave The Hill and launch their independent platform, Breaking Points, driven by a desire for greater editorial freedom and alignment with their values.
  • The challenges of navigating outside influences in corporate media, with anecdotes about how their coverage was potentially affected by The Hill’s corporate interests.
  • The inherent pressures and limitations of working for corporate media outlets, where corporate interests and political considerations can influence reporting.
  • The overwhelming positive response from audiences who crave honest and unbiased news, showcasing the growing appetite for independent media.

The China Problem: A Global Power Shift

  • The increasing influence of China in the global economy and its impact on American manufacturing and jobs.
  • The role of Wall Street and the shareholder class in pushing for free trade with China, often at the expense of American workers.
  • The alarming trend of American celebrities and athletes siding with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over their own citizens, highlighting a potential disconnect between American values and the pursuit of profit.
  • The need for a rebalancing of power between workers and corporations, coupled with a societal shift in prioritizing values beyond pure economic gain.

Amazon’s Reign: The Price of Convenience

  • Amazon’s exploitative treatment of its largely black and brown warehouse workers, characterized by low wages, limited opportunities for advancement, and intense pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines.
  • Amazon’s practice of incentivizing low-skilled employees to leave after three years, hindering upward mobility and perpetuating a class-stratified workforce.
  • Amazon’s aggressive anti-union stance, using tactics like wage increases and improved benefits as a means to discourage unionization and maintain control over its workforce.
  • The growing concern about Amazon’s dominance in the labor market and its potential to become the employer of choice, creating a scenario where workers have limited bargaining power.

The Lab Leak Theory: Unraveling a Conspiracy

  • The increasing evidence suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from a lab leak in Wuhan, China, challenging the prevailing narrative of a natural zoonotic origin.
  • The alleged cover-up by the Chinese government, reminiscent of their past efforts to conceal information about SARS and other outbreaks.
  • The complicity of the scientific community and mainstream media in dismissing the Lab Leak theory, often weaponizing accusations of racism to silence dissent and protect funding resources.
  • The need for transparency and a comprehensive investigation into the origins of the pandemic, especially given the potential implications for future public health crises.

The Culture War: A Tool for Division and Control

  • The pervasive nature of cultural wars, which often distract from real economic and social problems, fostering division and animosity between political factions.
  • The role of the media in amplifying and fueling cultural wars, often promoting a narrative of mutual demonization and perpetuating a zero-sum game in American politics.
  • The inherent danger of allowing cultural wars to overshadow critical issues, enabling the political class to avoid addressing systemic problems and focusing on superficial battles.
  • The need for a more nuanced and empathetic approach to political discourse, fostering greater understanding and collaboration across ideological divides.

January 6th: A Case Study in American Discontent

  • The significance of the January 6th Capitol riots as a manifestation of deep-seated discontent and anger among certain segments of the American population.
  • The dangers of political rhetoric and demagoguery, which can incite violence and undermine democratic norms.
  • The potential for future unrest and similar incidents, especially as societal divisions and distrust in institutions continue to grow.
  • The need for a comprehensive and non-partisan investigation into the events of January 6th, focusing on the root causes and preventing future escalation.

The Surveillance State: A Looming Threat

  • The proposed expansion of domestic surveillance powers under the guise of combating domestic extremism, mirroring the tactics used in the War on Terror.
  • The potential for abuse of such powers, leading to unwarranted surveillance and potential entrapment of individuals.
  • The chilling effect on free speech and dissent, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship.
  • The need for robust safeguards to protect civil liberties and prevent the erosion of individual freedoms in the name of security.

The American Dream: A Cruel Joke for Many

  • The stark reality of economic inequality in America, where the rich continue to amass wealth while working-class Americans struggle to make ends meet.
  • The myth of the meritocracy, which perpetuates the idea that anyone can succeed if they work hard enough, ignoring the systemic barriers and disadvantages faced by many.
  • The consequences of this inequality on individuals and communities, including social fragmentation, decreased opportunities, and increased despair.
  • The need for a more equitable system that provides opportunities for all Americans, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Power of the Elites: A Global Network of Influence

  • The influence of billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk on various aspects of society, including labor, public health, and technology.
  • The potential for abuse of power by these elites, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the public.
  • The alarming trend of these elites avoiding taxes and exploiting loopholes in the system, exacerbating inequality and eroding public trust.
  • The need for greater accountability and transparency in the actions of these elites, ensuring that their power is used for the benefit of all.

The Future of America: A Crossroads of Possibilities

  • The potential for a significant realignment of values and priorities in America, driven by the experiences of the pandemic and the growing awareness of systemic inequalities.
  • The importance of independent media and platforms like Breaking Points in challenging the dominant narratives and providing alternative perspectives.
  • The need for a more compassionate and inclusive society that prioritizes the well-being of all its citizens, regardless of their background or beliefs.
  • The possibility for a more equitable and just future, where the American dream is accessible to all, and where the values of freedom, justice, and equality are truly upheld.

Memorable Quotes

  • “The problem is, like, the problem isn’t necessarily him. The problem is a system that enables the richest among us to pay 0 in taxes. Yeah. That but he’s not generally he’s genuinely not making an income because he just takes loans off of the market.”
  • “This is the problem that we have, which is that you want that what they want, the the current structure is for people to pay for the stuff that everybody benefits them. And increasingly as they are benefiting from everything, they want to even continue to push down every single dollar towards people.”
  • “I think that there’s an innate hunger for a different way of approaching this because — There is. This is the per and this is the perfect example of, like, with the domestic surveillance, you know, when it was the war on terror, you had a lot of progressives who were very, like, clear about civil liberty and like they stood up for the principal, they really knew where they stood.”
  • “If we could figure out as a country how to slowly but surely you, like but there has to be an ethic because instead of looking at it tribaly. Instead of looking at it as like this cultural war, looking at we’re 1 giant fucking community and what do we share in common? We want our loved ones to be safe and happy.”
  • “What I miss opportunity. But what I mean, what I mean He was a tenant. I remember. I was living abroad though, and I and people were so happy. And I was remember I was like, dude, we’re gonna get out of a rack. We’re gonna get out of Afghanistan. Like, we’re gonna come together. We’re gonna rebuild and what happened.”