JRE #522 – CJ Werleman

7/16/2014

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Joe Rogan Podcast – #522 – CJ Werleman

This episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast features CJ Werleman, a controversial author and columnist known for his outspoken views on religion, politics, and American society. The conversation delves into provocative topics and explores deep underlying themes, challenging the listener to confront their own beliefs and biases.

Major Topics:

1. Political Correctness and Free Speech: Werleman argues that political correctness has stifled open debate, particularly on topics related to Islam. He criticizes the liberal class for focusing on “saying the wrong things” rather than addressing real issues.
• Werleman claims that the liberal class has become a “political police force” for PC correctness.
• He believes that the liberal class is too focused on criticizing Islam while overlooking critiques of Christianity.
• He suggests that liberals are more likely to focus on language than actions, failing to address real issues like systemic inequality.
2. The Dangers of American Imperialism: Werleman criticizes the United States’ military presence in over 100 countries, arguing that it fuels anti-American sentiment and creates instability. He points to the situation in Iraq as an example of how American intervention can lead to chaos and violence.
• He argues that the West created fictitious borders in the Middle East, leading to sectarian conflict and instability.
• He criticizes the US for removing dictators like Saddam Hussein without providing suitable alternatives, leading to power vacuums.
• He believes that the US should recognize Iraq as three separate countries, but that this would never be allowed due to geopolitical considerations.
3. The Corporate Totalitarian State: Werleman argues that America has become a “corporate totalitarian state” where corporations have undue influence over government policy, leading to decisions that benefit corporations at the expense of the American people.
• He points to the military-industrial complex as an example, where corporations profit from war.
• He argues that the war on drugs is also driven by profit, with corporations benefiting from mass incarceration.
• He suggests that corporations have more power than the government in America, dictating policies through lobbying and campaign contributions.
4. The Case for Socialism: Werleman advocates for a socialist system as the solution to America’s problems, arguing that it would redistribute wealth, provide universal healthcare and education, and promote shared prosperity. He criticizes the current system of trickle-down economics as a failure.
• He points to the success of social democracies in Europe and Canada as examples.
• He argues that American infrastructure is falling apart due to low corporate tax rates and a lack of public investment.
• He believes that the fear of socialism is rooted in a misconception that it means the absence of capitalism.
5. The Hypocrisy of American Religion: Werleman exposes the hypocrisy of American Christianity, pointing to contradictions between its rhetoric and its practice. He highlights the use of religion as a political tool, the historical context of the Bible, and the pervasiveness of hypocrisy in religious institutions.
• He criticizes the religious right for promoting a “welfare fit” ideology that blames the poor for their circumstances.
• He argues that Christianity has been used to justify racism, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry.
• He discusses the history of the Bible, revealing its origins in pagan rituals and the process of its translation.
6. The Role of Fear in American Society: Werleman suggests that fear is a driving force in American society, leading to polarization, prejudice, and a resistance to change. He argues that this fear is fueled by ignorance, misinformation, and the power of echo chambers.
• He points to the rise of right-wing militia groups as evidence of growing fear and paranoia.
• He argues that the American media often reinforces fear and division.
• He believes that the fear of the unknown and the fear of death are at the root of this polarization.
7. The Impact of Globalization and Free Trade: Werleman argues that globalization and free trade have decimated American manufacturing, leading to job losses, economic decline, and growing inequality. He criticizes the Walmart business model as an example of how globalization exploits workers and destroys local economies.
• He suggests that the Republican Party’s support for small business is hypocritical, as their policies favor large corporations.
• He points to the rise of Walmart as a symbol of how globalization has shifted manufacturing and jobs overseas.
• He criticizes the race to the bottom in corporate subsidies and tax breaks, which benefits corporations at the expense of local communities.
8. The Limits of Democracy in America: Werleman questions the effectiveness of democracy in America, arguing that corporate influence and money have corrupted the system. He believes that the two-party system is a bottleneck that prevents meaningful change.
• He points to the high levels of campaign financing from corporations as a sign of corruption.
• He believes that the media is complicit in perpetuating the two-party system and marginalizing alternative voices.
• He suggests that a lack of public financing for elections gives corporations a disproportionate influence over politics.
9. The Importance of Social Reform: Werleman argues that social reforms are essential to address the problems facing America. He believes that a return to FDR-style policies is necessary to rebuild the middle class, promote shared prosperity, and address income inequality.
• He advocates for increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy to fund public investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
• He believes that labor reforms are necessary to protect workers and ensure that they share in the benefits of economic growth.
• He suggests that the government has a role to play in addressing market failures and ensuring social justice.
10. The Future of America: Werleman expresses pessimism about the future of America, believing that the country is on a path towards economic and social collapse. He fears a future where the rich live in gated communities while the rest of the population struggles to survive.
• He argues that the current economic system is unsustainable, with the wealthy hoarding wealth while the middle class shrinks and the poor struggle.
• He believes that the rise of right-wing extremism and violence is a sign of societal decay.
• He suggests that the browning of America will lead to an increase in white minority politics and potentially more violence.
11. The Impact of Ideology and Belief Systems: Werleman explores the power of ideology and belief systems to shape human behavior, both for good and for ill. He discusses the dangers of extremism, the appeal of utopian ideals, and the need for critical thinking.
• He points to the examples of the Heaven’s Gate cult and the Bali bombers as examples of how ideology can lead people to commit terrible acts.
• He suggests that the human mind is easily influenced by powerful ideas and messages from authority figures.
• He believes that the need to believe in something larger than ourselves is a fundamental human drive.
12. The Importance of Humility: Werleman emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of the vastness of the universe. He argues that our focus on our own problems and our smallness in the grand scheme of things can lead to a greater sense of perspective and understanding.
• He points to the experience of looking at the stars as a humbling and life-changing experience.
• He believes that a sense of humility can help us to overcome fear, prejudice, and division.
• He suggests that our earthly worries are insignificant in the face of the vastness of the universe.
13. The Role of the Media: Werleman criticizes the role of the media in shaping public opinion and perpetuating harmful ideologies. He argues that the media is often controlled by corporations and focused on sensationalism rather than truth.
• He suggests that the media often ignores or marginalizes important social and political issues.
• He believes that the media contributes to polarization and division by reinforcing existing biases.
• He argues that a more independent and critical media is essential for a healthy democracy.
14. The Future of Politics: Werleman speculates on the future of American politics, predicting that the Republican Party will struggle to win presidential elections in the coming decades. He believes that the rise of populism and the browning of America will lead to a more volatile political landscape.
• He believes that Elizabeth Warren is a strong contender for the Democratic nomination and potentially the presidency.
• He argues that Bernie Sanders has little chance of winning a national election due to his self-identification as a socialist.
• He predicts that the Republican Party will continue to rely on voter suppression and gerrymandering to maintain its power at the state level.
15. The Importance of Action: Werleman emphasizes the importance of taking action to address the problems facing America. He encourages listeners to get involved in politics, support progressive candidates, and challenge the status quo.
• He believes that the current system is not working for the majority of Americans.
• He urges listeners to get involved in political movements and organizations.
• He believes that individual action can make a difference in creating a more just and equitable society.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “The liberal class no longer exists in America. It has no voice.”
• “America today looks like a 3rd world country with white people.”
• “We live in a consumer economy now. We no longer make stuff. Our economy is basically financial services and military.”
• “Americans are temporarily embarrassed millionaires.”
• “The only reason these corporations despite their record profits aren’t hiring is because there’s no consumer demand.”

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