February 12, 2025 • 35 mins
In this episode of 'Civil Union,' hosts Alex and Ryan, kick off with a discussion on Alex's recent bout with the flu and their activities, including painting a soccer Tifo and binge-watching the Twilight movies. The conversation then pivots to a detailed examination of various political and social issues such as AI technology, its impacts, and public fear around it. A thorough critique is given on USAID's recent funding cuts and its global implications. The hosts also discuss other recent political developments including Trump's reversal of Biden's classified information access, FCC investigations into media freedom, Missouri's state income tax debate, and a growing measles outbreak in Texas. The episode rounds off with news about an ongoing environmental report and the upcoming RFK Jr. confirmation and its potential impact on the NIH.
00:00 Introduction to the Civil Union Podcast
00:38 Weekly Catch-Up: Sickness and Soccer
01:39 Twilight and Political Analogies
03:26 AI Technology: Fear and Future
07:22 USAID Job Cuts and Global Impact
14:07 Immigration and Local Protests
15:51 FCC Investigations and Media Freedom
23:17 Who Said It? Edward or Jacob?
25:35 Constitutional Crisis and Executive Power
29:52 Missouri's Tax Debate and Government Efficiency
32:43 Environmental Report and Future Prospects
34:23 Conclusion and Upcoming Events
Music: What's The Angle? by Shane Ivers -
https://www.silvermansound.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
Welcome to the Civil Union, thepodcast where politics meets
partnership.
We're Alex and Ryan, a marriedcouple navigating life and
debates in a conservative state.
We bring you sharp insights,bold opinions, and honest
conversations about thepolitical issues shaping our
lives, especially those livingon society's margins.
(00:27):
Tune in for a real talk, a touchof humor, and plenty of passion,
because when it comes topolitics, every voice matters.
And we're here to make surethey're heard.
So uh, how has the week gone foryou?
Oh my gosh, I am coming out of about of sickness.
I think I had the flu from whateveryone else has been getting,
(00:50):
so it's hit me the past coupledays.
Yeah, that really sucked.
You had like a hundred and onefever.
Yeah, for two days.
It was absolutely miserable.
Now, I've had worse flu.
It wasn't like on my deathbed,but it definitely still sucked.
I still sound kind of gross, Ifeel like.
I know.
You even got the flu shot thisyear, too.
Yes, I did.
I got my flu shot back inOctober, so I must have been hit
(01:11):
with a strand that wasdifferent.
I don't know.
That's crazy.
We also helped, uh, paint theTifo flag for the city SC soccer
team.
We did.
We helped paint the Tifo flag onFriday, which is really
exciting.
I can't wait for that to be seenby everyone on the next, on the
game day, the home game day, Ithink it's next weekend.
So that's really exciting.
It can't believe soccer'salready starting.
(01:33):
Yeah.
February 22nd is the first homegame.
So I'm very excited for that.
We're huge soccer fans here atthe pod.
We've also been watching a lotof Twilight.
And I have to say, this wasRyan's idea.
It was Ryan's idea to bingethese Twilight series.
I think we're on like the lastmovie, right?
I have no idea.
Why did I want to watch thosemovies?
(01:54):
What brought that up?
I have no clue.
Maybe because when he looked atme it reminded him of a vampire.
You're so pale.
Um, you know, yeah, watchingthose movies and I, I mean, I'll
tell you what, those, uh, theCullens, the good vampires that
only eat animal blood orwhatever, like, that's the
Democrats.
(02:14):
And then those evil vampires,That's the Republicans or the
administration.
Every time that, you know, like,I think Dakota Fanning was the
actress for it or whatever.
And amongst the other mean ones.
And I was like, yeah, that'sthis administration and the
wolves are the Native Americans,the Midwesterns, the hardworking
farmers of America.
The Um, did you, uh, watch theSuperbowl?
(02:39):
I did not watch the Superbowl,but I did look, I did watch the
halftime performance like acouple nights ago.
I was bored and I pulled it upand it was actually really good.
I think it was better thanRihanna's and I think it was
better than last year'sperformance as well.
We were actually watching theTwilight movies and we didn't
watch the Superbowl performance,but around 720, we had like, Six
(03:02):
or seven people like text us allat once because Alex was in a
commercial.
It was like a local city I seecommercial, but yeah, I made a
little cameo.
It was kind of fun.
It was really fun.
It was really cool.
I was doing my capo thing.
Thank you to our friends thatsent us those videos because,
uh, we shared them on Instagramand it was really cool.
(03:22):
Yeah.
If it wasn't for people textingus, we would have had no clue.
Hey, so what are your thoughtson, AI technology?
Oh God, I think there'sdefinitely positives to it.
It's kind of creepy, but I alsoutilize AI technology with chat
GPT like all the time in school.
So yeah, I use it sometimes too,but people are like, so scared
(03:46):
of like change when in reality,like change has always led to
new and better things for ourlives, you know, maybe not like
for this, like.
The change we're seeing in thiscurrent administration, but, um,
just like the advances we'veseen in science, the creation of
the automobile, radio,television, computers, internet,
iPhones.
(04:06):
I can go on AI technology is oneof those new and interesting
technologies that will reallyimpact all of us.
So many ways and we can't runaway from it.
The new Apple update, even onyour iPhone.
I don't know if you noticed,even when you text people,
there's an option.
If you hold down like yourmessage, you can like a window
pops up underneath and you canchange your text to make it
(04:26):
sound more professional or likehave all these AI options and it
will read.
Write your text.
It's crazy.
I love it.
Actually.
It helps me out a lot more.
It helps me sound moreprofessional, you know?
But like I F I found myself andmaybe you have to, and several
conversations with people wherethe conversation always leads to
(04:47):
the scariness of this newunknown.
One group thinks this new AItechnology is going to swoop in
and take all our jobs.
And I find these people aremostly like the doomsday people,
the Trump people.
These conversations actuallyreminded me of an earlier
episode of South Park whereactual.
(05:07):
Aliens from outer space wereusing time portals, illegally
entering the town and taking allthe jobs from, you know, farm
laborers, gas stationattendants, fast food workers,
etc.
And all the townspeople,specifically the ones whose jobs
were lost to the aliens fromouter space.
(05:28):
Went to the local dive bar andthey started shouting, they took
our jobs.
They took our jobs.
It's, it's quite a funnyepisode.
Have you seen it?
I think you've made me watchthat.
And it is a really funnyepisode.
Well, when the episode aired, itwas really making light of the
ongoing immigration crisis ofthe late nineties.
But this episode also reminds meof this new AI technology and
(05:52):
how.
Some people that I've hadconversations with are reacting
to it.
Um, this conversation I was apart of people are scared and
rightfully so because they don'twant to lose their jobs.
But just with every invention,you know, like electricity, even
comes the evolution of newerjobs, better jobs and careers
(06:14):
that help sustain the Americaneconomy.
Living here in the Midwest,especially change is slow and
hard to come by.
We always see trends and newtechnologies take hold on both
sides of the coast and theyslowly make their way here to
the Midwest.
We just got to somehow changethat conversation with the
(06:35):
Midwesterners in it.
Let them know that this newtechnology is not scary.
It's, it's actually going to doa lot of good in my opinion.
Like I think AI technology isgoing to advance us as a human
evolution and so many ways thatin 20 years from now, we're,
we're not going to know what wewould do without it or how did
we live life without it?
(06:56):
You know, just like our, ouriPhones, you know, I think.
Science and medicine will havefascinating advances when it
comes to diagnosing patients, aswell as advances in vaccinations
and preventions of new diseases.
I'd be surprised if we see jobcuts and losses, at least not to
the extent where the South ParkTownspeople start shouting at
(07:19):
local bars and city councilmeetings, but.
Speaking of job losses, some 10,000 USAID workers are without a
job at this current moment dueto the insane spending cuts
President Musk, I'm sorry, Imean Trump has been
implementing.
So with annual disbursements of23 billion since 2001, the
(07:46):
United States Agency ofInternational Development is one
of the largest aid agencies inthe world.
The USAID actually has over ahundred missions across the
globe.
This administration announced onFebruary 6th that all USAID
federal employees would beplaced on administrative leave
globally.
(08:06):
Out of 10, 000 employees fewerthan 300 were left with jobs.
This has upended the global aidsystem.
I was watching this oneinterview with a USAID worker
that was, um, on MSNBC.
And you know, it's really sad.
You forget that these workersare like human beings and they
were given no notice.
(08:26):
You know, they were saying thatthey were locked out of their
offices.
They couldn't even access theiremails.
Some of them didn't even knowwhat was going on because they
lost access.
It was like such a cluster ofmisinformation going on.
It just.
It sounds like a nightmare.
It sounds like an absolutenightmare.
It's scary too, not knowing ifyou have a job to come to
tomorrow.
But um, people think USAID is acharity organization, but in
(08:51):
reality, it's the U.
S.
's most effective tool forpower, if you think about it.
And the leverage it creates toadvance American interests is
far more cost effective thanwhat any country's military can
provide.
It's really a game of therichest man in the world versus
(09:11):
the poorest children in thirdworld countries.
Is anyone really benefiting fromthis?
My fellow Americans, if you'relistening, you can be rest
assured the money saved fromthis cut will not be spent
improving your lives.
Just imagine how Republicansshout pro life.
And then cut everything thathelps people.
(09:32):
Nevermind the amount of peoplewho voted for him, who he's
currently firing at the moment,but USAID does not just provide
aid on the taxpayer's dime.
It provides regional support andensures economic, societal, and
political stability andsensitive and vulnerable areas
throughout the world.
When we suddenly pull out, itleaves a massive void.
(09:54):
So other countries, our directcompetitors can just move in.
Yeah.
And supposedly customs andborder protection, which this is
just like the knife in the back.
They have taken over the leaseof the space previously housing
USAID in downtown Washington.
And that's just, that's justcrazy.
Um, you know, and the otherthing too, to think about with
(10:17):
this, if you are a religiousperson, like so many Republicans
base their entire identity on,part of the purpose of USAID is
the fact that Feed the hungry,feed the poor when religion is a
tool they can weaponize fortheir needs.
Republicans use it, but goingagainst the USAID goes against
everything a religious personwould find important and where
they find their valuespertaining to living to the way
(10:39):
they should in the quote eyes ofGod.
I mean, The biggest part of theBible, one of the biggest parts
is feeding the poor.
You don't hear Republicanstalking about their religion in
regard to USAID.
I mean, just saying that was alittle rant, but it's just my
two cents on that subject.
I don't understand how they'rejust so against the USAID.
Well, yeah, well, with uspulling out of this, this is
literally how groups like ISISstart and Trump is fueling it.
(11:04):
This situation has made ourcountry less safe.
The elimination of USAID weakensour democracy abroad.
It also aids more evidence ofthe Musk, Trump and Rubio and
company intentionallyundermining American interests
and our democracy abroad.
I don't think they realized howmuch pushback they were going to
(11:24):
get from this.
I think they thought they wereacting in a way that they didn't
realize.
actual citizens knew what theywere doing and everyone's
actually pushing back a lotharder than I think they thought
they would, which is great thatthey're getting so much pushback
from both sides of the aisle.
And a little fact is that USAIDbuys from farmers through this
(11:44):
organization called Food forPeace.
Food for Peace uses taxpayerdollars to buy American
agriculture surpluses to use asforeign aid to help feed the
hungry people around the world.
Not only does Food for Peaceprovide a valuable market for
family farms, it allows us toshow the spirit of generosity
(12:04):
that defines just what being anAmerican is.
Yeah.
And speaking of that, now thatyou mentioned that, I did see a
story that the closure of USAIDwould affect American farmers
specifically in Georgia, whichis very interesting because
Georgia obviously was Trump wonin 2024, especially I'm sure in
the areas where farming is a bigthing in the more outside the
(12:27):
city limits of, you know,Atlanta and things.
But those farmers supply apeanut paste, which is vitamin
rich under the nonprofit mana, MA N A.
And they supply this paste tofeed approximately 2 million
hungry malnourished children peryear.
I mean, they are directlyinvolved with USAID and shutting
down USAID is now going toaffect them.
(12:49):
Yeah, I also found a KansasState University study on the
value of USAID agriculturalresearch.
So it was a study onagricultural research showed
that a return of 8 and 52 centson every dollar invested.
That's crazy.
USAID also supports Missouriagricultural producers.
(13:11):
12 large scale Missouri farms,uh, fulfilled direct orders for
humanitarian assistance.
I guess not anymore now thatit's like, what is it just
canceled now?
What, what happens to thosefarms?
I will be interested to see ifthis flips people's ideas of,
you know, what Trump promisedthem because it does affecting
(13:31):
their business.
It also helps Missouribusinesses.
Romer labs works with USAID todistribute mycotoxin.
Testing supplies, reducing postharvest loss for farmers around
the world.
It also supports Missourinonprofits, uSAID also funds the
university of Missouri to helpmodernize irrigation systems in
(13:51):
Ghana, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.
USAID also supports the FishInnovation Lab at Washington
University in St.
Louis to reduce maternal andchild nutrient deficiencies.
Speaking of St.
Louis, have you heard this,Alex?
A Hispanic family in St.
Louis that owns like multiplebusinesses is temporarily
(14:12):
shuttering their doors in aprotest against the Trump's
deportation of undocumentedimmigrants.
They are standing up for theircommunity, citing the emotional
toll of this administration'sactions on both their customers
and staff.
At least 25 Hispanic ownedrestaurants across the St.
Louis Metro are shutting theirdoors in a show of solidarity.
(14:35):
The shutdown lasts betweenFebruary 10th through the 12th.
It is important to note a non UScitizen with legal status can
obtain a real ID.
A real ID is the new ideas thatwe all are having that switch
to.
Um, I think.
Effective by May this year, buta real I.
D.
Can obviously prove citizenship,but just having a real I.
D.
(14:55):
Driver's license may not beenough from keeping an officer
to asking more questions fromyou.
I mean, even, for instance, me,if I'm out and about an officer
were to grab me in a vast raidthat I'm around, having just my
driver's license may not beenough.
So what I would suggest nextbest thing is to get a passport
card.
Go to your post office in personappointment.
(15:17):
It's a 35 fee, I believe, orthey're saying carry a digital
copy of your passport on you.
That is going to be an officialdocument that can prove your
citizenship right then andthere.
So I mean, and it's sad that weeven have to have this
conversation.
But as a brown person in thiscountry, especially in a very
red state, it's important to,you know, people know these
(15:37):
things.
Totally.
It's very important.
That's just ridiculous.
so, okay, moving on to somequick bits of news stories to
catch up on the, uh, FCC and theKamala Harris interview.
Have you heard of this one?
I did hear about this.
The federal communicationscommission and CBS released the
transcript of a 60 minutesinterview with the former vice
(15:59):
president, which has been thecenter of a lawsuit between CBS
and Trump.
The transcript of the interviewshows Harris gave a lengthy
answer about the Israel crisis.
Um, but Only 21 seconds of itaired, and a different 7 second
part of that answer aired thenext day.
Trump sued saying theydeceptively edited the interview
(16:22):
to interfere with the election,even though he won.
60 Minutes has denied anywrongdoing.
The executive producer of theshow said he would not apologize
to Trump in case any settlementis reached.
Paramount, which owns CBS, isproducing a settlement in hopes
that it would swiftly close itsmerger with Skydance.
(16:44):
It's a really stupid thing forTrump to do because he's
questioning something that hasno merit.
The Harris interview they'realready finding has nothing,
there's nothing hidden in it.
I don't know what he's trying todo.
And like you said, he won.
What is the point?
What is the point of arguingwith a media establishment
unless he's trying to weaken theviews of it?
Oh, he definitely is.
(17:05):
Okay.
So here's another FCC story.
Uh, the FCC is investigating,San Francisco radio station for
its coverage of ice activitiesand, uh, an appearance on faux
news.
I'm sorry.
I mean, Fox, ha ha ha.
Um, FCC chair, Brennan Carraccused KCBS 740 AM of
broadcasting live locations ofundercover ice agents.
(17:27):
He said that the stationreported that undercover agents
were doing operations in EastSan Jose.
a part of town which is knownfor violent gang activity and
the station was broadcastinglive locations of ICE agents and
the vehicles they were in.
Carr said that he sent a letterof inquiry to the station and
(17:47):
that they have days to respondand explain how this could
possibly be consistent withtheir public interest
obligations.
The FCC's Enforcement Bureauwill reportedly inquire as to
whether the station violated theterms of its FCC license, which
dictates that it operate, theradio station operates as a
public interest.
(18:08):
Speaking of Brendan Carr, youknow, he's the chair of the FCC,
you brought him up just, justnow, he is a Project 2025 co
author.
So what do all theseinvestigations mean to the media
as a whole?
Even PBS and NPR were attackedat the end of January.
What does this mean to the freepress in project 2025?
It's important to note it callsfor defunding PBS and NPR.
(18:31):
You may not like the media ormay have trust issues with
certain top, you know, variantsof it, but without it, There'd
be no checks and balances ofwhat information is going out to
inform the public of any of thepoliticians wrongdoings, you
know, there needs to beintegrity and journalism and
these companies allow thatintegrity to live.
And if Trump continues to goafter these media companies,
(18:53):
what are we going to be leftwith?
Another story, Trump revokesBiden's access to classified
information.
Did you hear this one?
I did not hear about this one.
So in 2021, uh, then presidentBiden barred then former Trump
access to intelligencebriefings, Biden was arguing
that Trump could not be trusteddue to his erratic behavior
(19:14):
since returning to office.
Trump is now revoking Biden'saccess to those privileges.
And let's be honest, he has hardfeelings about this, obviously,
but damn, I do the same thingafter that insurrection fiasco.
Trump is acting like a big baby.
I mean, he is literally goingafter everyone who he's, I mean,
(19:34):
it just sounds ridiculous.
If I was Biden, I'd be laughingand I'm sure he is wherever he's
at.
He's probably rolling his eyes.
I saw him out to dinner withJill and him.
I don't know where they were.
They looked good.
They were dressed up going outto dinner, enjoying retirement.
So there's a measles outbreakgrowing in a rural area in West
(19:56):
Texas where vaccination ratesare well below the recommended
level.
Uh, measles, which is anairborne disease is extremely
infectious and can be especiallydangerous to infants, pregnant
women, and those with weakenedimmune systems.
At least 10 cases were reported,eight in school aged children.
Due to the highly contagiousnature of the disease,
(20:17):
additional cases are likely tooccur.
All cases were people who wereunvaccinated.
Yeah.
And speaking of vaccinations,there is something called herd
immunity.
The less amount of peoplegetting vaccinated, the less the
population is protected.
This directly affects diseaseslike measles, specifically
(20:38):
measles.
It's interesting this outbreakhappened in an area that has a
low belief in vaccinations andare part of the vaccination
debate.
There are more than 20 bills.
endorsed by a group calledTexans for Vaccine Choice that
makes it easier to opt out ofvaccinations.
Just keep this in mind, you need95 percent vaccination rate to
(21:02):
have herd immunity in acommunity.
So these areas in the countrythat are kind of allowing people
to do what they want, it's goingto affect Everyone, you know,
even if you are for vaccines, ifother people around you are not,
it's going to affect your kidsand yourself and your household.
So just something to take inconsideration with this whole
(21:23):
situation going on.
Well, that's why it's importantto stay on top of your
vaccinations.
Absolutely.
I've never been not on top of myvaccinations.
I've always been back.
I don't always get vaccinations.
A doctor's like, do you wantthis vaccination?
I'm actually currently getting avaccination.
I have to go back in like amonth and I'll get my second
dose of it.
I don't even know what it is,but I'm like, shoot me up.
I'm ready for it.
Like give it to me.
(21:43):
I want to be protected.
Okay, another one is the USDAfreezes farmer funding for some
programs and conservationcontracts.
So the impact has been immediateand wide ranging from cash
assistance for ranchers to fixcattle watering systems to help
for corn growers wanting toplant cover crops to prevent
(22:04):
wind erosion.
The freeze, if implemented,because it's currently blocked
in court right now, Would add toeconomic uncertainty for farmers
already struggling afterconsecutive years of low crop
prices.
It also comes as a surprise forthis community who, voted
overwhelmingly for Trump thelast three election cycles.
(22:26):
Missouri cattle producer SkylarHolden posted a video, a series
of videos on TikTok saying thathe signed a contract with USDA's
Natural Resources ConservationService for 240, 000 for
improved water quality.
water lines, fences, and a well,but USDA officials called him to
(22:47):
tell him that the contract wasfrozen and it's not clear when
these funds will be released.
So Skylar said that he's out allthe costs for the material and
labor with the possibility oflosing his farm if they don't
uphold their end of the bargain.
It is like whiplash talkingabout all these subjects because
all these subjects I mean we'renot even a month in to this
(23:08):
Trump presidency and I feel likewe are going from farming to
USAID world organizations.
I mean it is mind boggling howmuch is being changed under this
administration in three weeks.
Anyway.
It is crazy.
Okay it's it's time for the midbreak the uh game time Uh, we're
going to do a who said it, and,I don't want to do politics
(23:30):
right now.
I need a break.
So I'm going to do either EdwardCullen or Jacob Black from
Twilight.
Okay.
Let's do it.
Are you ready?
Yeah.
All right.
First one.
Don't get me upset or things aregoing to get very ugly.
Edward or Jacob?
(23:50):
I'm going to say that's Jacob.
Yes.
He was very emotional.
Ding ding.
Yes.
Uh, number two, you'll warm upsoon faster if you took your
clothes off.
Edward or Jacob?
I totally know this one.
This is Jacob when he took hisshirt off in the tent.
Yes, on the mountain.
(24:11):
Yeah, on the very cold mountain.
Uh, number three, do you thinkyour life would be easier if you
weren't in love with me?
Edward or Jacob?
Edward.
Yes.
Yes.
Are you three for three?
I am three for three right now.
All right.
Number four.
Let's face it.
I'm hotter than you.
(24:33):
Jacob.
Yes.
Yeah.
Cause he was basically meaningwarm blooded.
He's hotter than Edward.
You're fresh off this one.
All right.
So number five, I've killedpeople before.
Edward or Jacob?
Edward.
Yes.
Nice.
I mean, he is a vampire.
Okay.
(24:53):
Number six.
Yes.
It means if you were smart,you'd stay away from me.
Edward or Jacob?
Edward?
Yes.
Oh man.
It's Jacob.
Yeah.
Good job.
Or no Edward.
No, it's Edward.
Um, okay.
Last one.
(25:14):
Age is just a number, baby.
Oh, ooh, um, ooh.
I think that is Jacob.
Yes! Did you get all of themright?
I got a hundred percent on thatquiz.
I was paying attention to thosemovies.
You really were.
But you blamed me for wanting towatch them, so I own all of
them, though.
But, that was fun.
(25:34):
I won.
Okay, um, so What exactly is aconstitutional crisis?
This is a article in the NewYork Times that I read and I
thought it was very interestingand I want to share it with
listeners.
So law professors have longdebated what the term
constitutional crisis actuallymeans, but many have concluded
(25:56):
that the nation faces areckoning as Trump continues to
test the boundaries of executivepower.
There is no universally accepteddefinition of a constitutional
crisis, but these scholars agreeon some of the characteristics.
It's generally a product ofpresidential defiance of laws
(26:16):
and judicial ruling, rulings.
It's not binary, it's not aslope or a switch, and once one
starts, it can get much worse.
A dean from the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley noted that
there have been manyunconstitutional and illegal
actions in just this first,what, 20 days of this
(26:37):
presidency.
We've never seen anything likeit.
Examples include revokingbirthright citizenship, freezing
federal spending, shutting downagencies, removing leaders of
other agencies.
Firing of government employees,and it will take some time for
any of these legal challenges toactually reach the Supreme
(26:58):
Court.
Just recently, Vice President J.
D.
Vance tweeted a confrontationaltone on social media.
Judges aren't allowed to controlthe executive's legitimate
power.
Did you see, speaking of JDVance, did you see Trump this
week?
I think it was like Monday orTuesday on Fox news.
(27:18):
He was asked if he could see JDVance as his successor.
And Trump said like point blank.
No.
But he's very capable.
Like, like, if I was JD Vance,I'd be very upset about that
because Trump's like, I don'tthink I could.
Anyway, we'll see what happensin four years when it's time for
Trump to step down.
(27:39):
But yeah, it was veryinteresting.
Yeah, if he steps down.
Anyway.
But, um, a clash between thisadministration and the courts
would only add to the crisisthat is already underway and the
courts in any event.
May not be inclined or equippedto push back.
So, so much is happening so fastthat even eventual rulings from
(28:00):
the Supreme Court rejecting anyof Trump's executive orders
could come too late aftersomething like USAID or the
Consumer Financial ProtectionBureau are dismantled, no court
decision could recreate them.
What I don't understand is.
Don't do Republicans controlCongress.
(28:22):
I mean, it's a slim majority, Ithink like two, two 20 out of
two 15 majority, but withelections in 2026, a lot of
these Republicans will dowhatever they need to do to hold
an office or a seat.
I keep seeing Trump won't beable to shut down this
department or that departmentwithout Congress approval.
But do we think Congress isstrong to strong enough to gain
(28:44):
a majority enough to actuallyvote against these decisions?
He's making, I mean, silverlining with Florida rep Gates
and Florida rep Michael Waltz,both seats open.
This would mean the GOP would bedown three slots, meaning a 20
to 17 to 15 split until specialelections are held, which are
scheduled for April 1st.
(29:05):
So there's a very small window.
These things could be argued inCongress where there could be a
chance.
There's also New York Rep.
Stefanik, Stefanik's seat thatDemocrats just recently tried
delaying that special electionuntil November that did, that
failed actually.
Today, which is when Tuesday,um, but anyway, there's a very
(29:28):
small window of opportunityhere.
And if Republicans push thosespecial elections rapidly, we
will lose hope.
And this Congress may save usidea.
I mean, these are nitty grittylittle numbers, things we're
getting down into, but thesethings are having broad
implications in ways the public.
I'm not sure understands thatthese departments are dissolved.
So, yeah, that's.
(29:49):
Oh, okay.
Missouri.
This is always fun.
So, supported by Missouri's newgovernor, a House panel launched
a formal debate on a sprawlingplan that could lead to the
elimination of state income taxaltogether.
Missouri's current state incometax sits at 4.
7 percent and would drop to 4percent next year.
(30:12):
The plan is to begin in a phasedout elimination of the state
tax, potentially costing thestate more than 8.
4 billion annually.
The move would be paired with aconstitutional amendment asking
voters to allow theseelimination of taxes to be
levied on services likehaircuts, lawn care, real estate
(30:33):
services to help replace theloss of the state income tax
revenue.
So they're, they want to.
Eliminate the state tax, butthey want to pass the tax burden
on to small businesses.
This move could triggersignificant pushback from the
business community, becausesimply this is not an
elimination of tax.
(30:53):
It's simply a tax switch toother businesses you're already
using.
So even though your paycheck isgoing to see a little bit more
money, you're going to be payingmore at the small businesses
that you're currently purchasingproducts from.
Let's not forget.
Missouri voters have passedseveral amendments to the state
constitution codifying abortion,expansion of Medicaid, and those
(31:17):
have never been enacted.
We also passed an amendment togradually increase the minimum
wage.
That passage also included everyemployee earning paid sick time.
But the Missouri Republicancontrolled government has also
failed to enact that amendment.
Saying it would be too expensivefor businesses.
But just like I said, 30 secondsago, they are trying to
(31:39):
eliminate the state tax and wantto pass that burden on to small
businesses.
It just doesn't make any sense.
In fact, nothing that comes outof Jefferson City these days
makes much sense anymore So, uh,but just last week, actually,
The Missouri Republicancontrolled government released
its own version of DOJ or theDepartment of Government
Efficiency for residents tosubmit reports of government
(32:03):
waste or inefficiencies.
Missouri State Senator MaryElizabeth Coleman, who leads the
Efficiency Committee, says,Missourians deserve a government
that works for them, not againstthem.
The new portal gives citizens adirect line to spotlight
inefficiencies and to ensuretaxpayer dollars are used wisely
and state services are runeffectively.
(32:25):
But given that All but three ofMissouri's 114 counties are red.
I wonder whom they're going tolampoon first.
I bet it's St.
Louis County, Boone County,which is a Columbia, Missouri,
or Jackson County, which isKansas City, all blue counties,
but all right, onto lighternews.
So, the first ever nationalnature assessment, which was
(32:47):
based on significant publicfeedback and strove to reveal
how nature loss influencesclimate change and impacts may
still see the light of day.
The first full draft assessmenton the state of America's land,
water, and wildlife was justweeks away from completion when
Trump killed the major report.
(33:08):
However, the project leaders arelooking for a way to still post
the report, calling it tooimportant to die.
More than 150 scientists andexperts had collectively spent
thousands of hours working onthe report.
The study was intended tomeasure how the nation's lands,
water, and wildlife are faring,how they are expected to change,
and what that means for people.
(33:30):
Most of the 12 chapters werewritten by teams of a dozen or
so scientists and specialists.
It's going to be interesting tosee how this moves going
forward.
I mean, there is a way for thisto have some air to breathe,
most likely through a scientificjournal or even from an overseas
scientific establishment.
It would need to be a peerreview journal like Scientific
(33:51):
American, but I do think thiswill see the light of day.
I mean, I have hope.
Um, too many people andestablishments care about it,
depend on it, national parksdepend on it.
And I mean, there's just a lotof eyes on this report that I
don't see this just So somethingto look forward to.
I also find it just like very,very interesting.
Like I want to know about, uh,nature and life and how it
(34:15):
affects our climate change,especially in America.
Absolutely.
I'm excited to see it.
I hope it sees the light of day.
So.
Well, that wraps up this week'sepisode.
One thing to look forward tothis upcoming week is RFK Jr.
's confirmation.
It's this week, if not by thetime you listen to this, maybe
already happened, but there isthis idea Susan Collins is
(34:37):
waiting to act on anything goingon with NIH until he's confirmed
and he will Quote, handle it iswhat he is saying.
Once confirmed, what will thisconfirmation mean for the future
of NIH?
NIH basically is anythingresearch.
oriented with universities,medical facilities in this
(34:57):
country.
So it's a huge situation goingon and everything is on Tinder
hooks until his confirmation.
So we will see what that meansgoing forward.
Yeah.
All right.
Well, that's it for this week'sepisode, you guys.
Thanks for joining us and forlistening.
We'll be back, uh, as soon aspossible.
Um, until then, be sure to giveus a follow on Instagram at
TheSilvalU.
(35:17):
That's just with the letter U.
And hey, are we on Blue Sky?
We are not on Blue Sky yet.
Although I've been sharing us onBlue Sky on my account, but We
should, uh, create something.
Yeah, we should.
Well, look for us out there atsome point.
I'll share it.
And, uh, feel free to send us anemail letting us know your
thoughts, questions, what we gotwrong, anything you would like
for us to discuss atTheSilvalUnion25.
(35:39):
At gmail.
com.
Thanks guys.
Thank you guys.
Bye.
Welcome to the Civil Union, thepodcast where politics meets
partnership.
We're Alex and Ryan, a marriedcouple navigating life and
debates in a conservative state.
We bring you sharp insights,bold opinions, and honest
conversations about thepolitical issues shaping our
lives, especially those livingon society's margins.
(00:27):
Tune in for a real talk, a touchof humor, and plenty of passion,
because when it comes topolitics, every voice matters.
And we're here to make surethey're heard.
So uh, how has the week gone foryou?
Oh my gosh, I am coming out of about of sickness.
I think I had the flu from whateveryone else has been getting,
(00:50):
so it's hit me the past coupledays.
Yeah, that really sucked.
You had like a hundred and onefever.
Yeah, for two days.
It was absolutely miserable.
Now, I've had worse flu.
It wasn't like on my deathbed,but it definitely still sucked.
I still sound kind of gross, Ifeel like.
I know.
You even got the flu shot thisyear, too.
Yes, I did.
I got my flu shot back inOctober, so I must have been hit
(01:11):
with a strand that wasdifferent.
I don't know.
That's crazy.
We also helped, uh, paint theTifo flag for the city SC soccer
team.
We did.
We helped paint the Tifo flag onFriday, which is really
exciting.
I can't wait for that to be seenby everyone on the next, on the
game day, the home game day, Ithink it's next weekend.
So that's really exciting.
It can't believe soccer'salready starting.
(01:33):
Yeah.
February 22nd is the first homegame.
So I'm very excited for that.
We're huge soccer fans here atthe pod.
We've also been watching a lotof Twilight.
And I have to say, this wasRyan's idea.
It was Ryan's idea to bingethese Twilight series.
I think we're on like the lastmovie, right?
I have no idea.
Why did I want to watch thosemovies?
(01:54):
What brought that up?
I have no clue.
Maybe because when he looked atme it reminded him of a vampire.
You're so pale.
Um, you know, yeah, watchingthose movies and I, I mean, I'll
tell you what, those, uh, theCullens, the good vampires that
only eat animal blood orwhatever, like, that's the
Democrats.
(02:14):
And then those evil vampires,That's the Republicans or the
administration.
Every time that, you know, like,I think Dakota Fanning was the
actress for it or whatever.
And amongst the other mean ones.
And I was like, yeah, that'sthis administration and the
wolves are the Native Americans,the Midwesterns, the hardworking
farmers of America.
The Um, did you, uh, watch theSuperbowl?
(02:39):
I did not watch the Superbowl,but I did look, I did watch the
halftime performance like acouple nights ago.
I was bored and I pulled it upand it was actually really good.
I think it was better thanRihanna's and I think it was
better than last year'sperformance as well.
We were actually watching theTwilight movies and we didn't
watch the Superbowl performance,but around 720, we had like, Six
(03:02):
or seven people like text us allat once because Alex was in a
commercial.
It was like a local city I seecommercial, but yeah, I made a
little cameo.
It was kind of fun.
It was really fun.
It was really cool.
I was doing my capo thing.
Thank you to our friends thatsent us those videos because,
uh, we shared them on Instagramand it was really cool.
(03:22):
Yeah.
If it wasn't for people textingus, we would have had no clue.
Hey, so what are your thoughtson, AI technology?
Oh God, I think there'sdefinitely positives to it.
It's kind of creepy, but I alsoutilize AI technology with chat
GPT like all the time in school.
So yeah, I use it sometimes too,but people are like, so scared
(03:46):
of like change when in reality,like change has always led to
new and better things for ourlives, you know, maybe not like
for this, like.
The change we're seeing in thiscurrent administration, but, um,
just like the advances we'veseen in science, the creation of
the automobile, radio,television, computers, internet,
iPhones.
(04:06):
I can go on AI technology is oneof those new and interesting
technologies that will reallyimpact all of us.
So many ways and we can't runaway from it.
The new Apple update, even onyour iPhone.
I don't know if you noticed,even when you text people,
there's an option.
If you hold down like yourmessage, you can like a window
pops up underneath and you canchange your text to make it
(04:26):
sound more professional or likehave all these AI options and it
will read.
Write your text.
It's crazy.
I love it.
Actually.
It helps me out a lot more.
It helps me sound moreprofessional, you know?
But like I F I found myself andmaybe you have to, and several
conversations with people wherethe conversation always leads to
(04:47):
the scariness of this newunknown.
One group thinks this new AItechnology is going to swoop in
and take all our jobs.
And I find these people aremostly like the doomsday people,
the Trump people.
These conversations actuallyreminded me of an earlier
episode of South Park whereactual.
(05:07):
Aliens from outer space wereusing time portals, illegally
entering the town and taking allthe jobs from, you know, farm
laborers, gas stationattendants, fast food workers,
etc.
And all the townspeople,specifically the ones whose jobs
were lost to the aliens fromouter space.
(05:28):
Went to the local dive bar andthey started shouting, they took
our jobs.
They took our jobs.
It's, it's quite a funnyepisode.
Have you seen it?
I think you've made me watchthat.
And it is a really funnyepisode.
Well, when the episode aired, itwas really making light of the
ongoing immigration crisis ofthe late nineties.
But this episode also reminds meof this new AI technology and
(05:52):
how.
Some people that I've hadconversations with are reacting
to it.
Um, this conversation I was apart of people are scared and
rightfully so because they don'twant to lose their jobs.
But just with every invention,you know, like electricity, even
comes the evolution of newerjobs, better jobs and careers
(06:14):
that help sustain the Americaneconomy.
Living here in the Midwest,especially change is slow and
hard to come by.
We always see trends and newtechnologies take hold on both
sides of the coast and theyslowly make their way here to
the Midwest.
We just got to somehow changethat conversation with the
(06:35):
Midwesterners in it.
Let them know that this newtechnology is not scary.
It's, it's actually going to doa lot of good in my opinion.
Like I think AI technology isgoing to advance us as a human
evolution and so many ways thatin 20 years from now, we're,
we're not going to know what wewould do without it or how did
we live life without it?
(06:56):
You know, just like our, ouriPhones, you know, I think.
Science and medicine will havefascinating advances when it
comes to diagnosing patients, aswell as advances in vaccinations
and preventions of new diseases.
I'd be surprised if we see jobcuts and losses, at least not to
the extent where the South ParkTownspeople start shouting at
(07:19):
local bars and city councilmeetings, but.
Speaking of job losses, some 10,000 USAID workers are without a
job at this current moment dueto the insane spending cuts
President Musk, I'm sorry, Imean Trump has been
implementing.
So with annual disbursements of23 billion since 2001, the
(07:46):
United States Agency ofInternational Development is one
of the largest aid agencies inthe world.
The USAID actually has over ahundred missions across the
globe.
This administration announced onFebruary 6th that all USAID
federal employees would beplaced on administrative leave
globally.
(08:06):
Out of 10, 000 employees fewerthan 300 were left with jobs.
This has upended the global aidsystem.
I was watching this oneinterview with a USAID worker
that was, um, on MSNBC.
And you know, it's really sad.
You forget that these workersare like human beings and they
were given no notice.
(08:26):
You know, they were saying thatthey were locked out of their
offices.
They couldn't even access theiremails.
Some of them didn't even knowwhat was going on because they
lost access.
It was like such a cluster ofmisinformation going on.
It just.
It sounds like a nightmare.
It sounds like an absolutenightmare.
It's scary too, not knowing ifyou have a job to come to
tomorrow.
But um, people think USAID is acharity organization, but in
(08:51):
reality, it's the U.
S.
's most effective tool forpower, if you think about it.
And the leverage it creates toadvance American interests is
far more cost effective thanwhat any country's military can
provide.
It's really a game of therichest man in the world versus
(09:11):
the poorest children in thirdworld countries.
Is anyone really benefiting fromthis?
My fellow Americans, if you'relistening, you can be rest
assured the money saved fromthis cut will not be spent
improving your lives.
Just imagine how Republicansshout pro life.
And then cut everything thathelps people.
(09:32):
Nevermind the amount of peoplewho voted for him, who he's
currently firing at the moment,but USAID does not just provide
aid on the taxpayer's dime.
It provides regional support andensures economic, societal, and
political stability andsensitive and vulnerable areas
throughout the world.
When we suddenly pull out, itleaves a massive void.
(09:54):
So other countries, our directcompetitors can just move in.
Yeah.
And supposedly customs andborder protection, which this is
just like the knife in the back.
They have taken over the leaseof the space previously housing
USAID in downtown Washington.
And that's just, that's justcrazy.
Um, you know, and the otherthing too, to think about with
(10:17):
this, if you are a religiousperson, like so many Republicans
base their entire identity on,part of the purpose of USAID is
the fact that Feed the hungry,feed the poor when religion is a
tool they can weaponize fortheir needs.
Republicans use it, but goingagainst the USAID goes against
everything a religious personwould find important and where
they find their valuespertaining to living to the way
(10:39):
they should in the quote eyes ofGod.
I mean, The biggest part of theBible, one of the biggest parts
is feeding the poor.
You don't hear Republicanstalking about their religion in
regard to USAID.
I mean, just saying that was alittle rant, but it's just my
two cents on that subject.
I don't understand how they'rejust so against the USAID.
Well, yeah, well, with uspulling out of this, this is
literally how groups like ISISstart and Trump is fueling it.
(11:04):
This situation has made ourcountry less safe.
The elimination of USAID weakensour democracy abroad.
It also aids more evidence ofthe Musk, Trump and Rubio and
company intentionallyundermining American interests
and our democracy abroad.
I don't think they realized howmuch pushback they were going to
(11:24):
get from this.
I think they thought they wereacting in a way that they didn't
realize.
actual citizens knew what theywere doing and everyone's
actually pushing back a lotharder than I think they thought
they would, which is great thatthey're getting so much pushback
from both sides of the aisle.
And a little fact is that USAIDbuys from farmers through this
(11:44):
organization called Food forPeace.
Food for Peace uses taxpayerdollars to buy American
agriculture surpluses to use asforeign aid to help feed the
hungry people around the world.
Not only does Food for Peaceprovide a valuable market for
family farms, it allows us toshow the spirit of generosity
(12:04):
that defines just what being anAmerican is.
Yeah.
And speaking of that, now thatyou mentioned that, I did see a
story that the closure of USAIDwould affect American farmers
specifically in Georgia, whichis very interesting because
Georgia obviously was Trump wonin 2024, especially I'm sure in
the areas where farming is a bigthing in the more outside the
(12:27):
city limits of, you know,Atlanta and things.
But those farmers supply apeanut paste, which is vitamin
rich under the nonprofit mana, MA N A.
And they supply this paste tofeed approximately 2 million
hungry malnourished children peryear.
I mean, they are directlyinvolved with USAID and shutting
down USAID is now going toaffect them.
(12:49):
Yeah, I also found a KansasState University study on the
value of USAID agriculturalresearch.
So it was a study onagricultural research showed
that a return of 8 and 52 centson every dollar invested.
That's crazy.
USAID also supports Missouriagricultural producers.
(13:11):
12 large scale Missouri farms,uh, fulfilled direct orders for
humanitarian assistance.
I guess not anymore now thatit's like, what is it just
canceled now?
What, what happens to thosefarms?
I will be interested to see ifthis flips people's ideas of,
you know, what Trump promisedthem because it does affecting
(13:31):
their business.
It also helps Missouribusinesses.
Romer labs works with USAID todistribute mycotoxin.
Testing supplies, reducing postharvest loss for farmers around
the world.
It also supports Missourinonprofits, uSAID also funds the
university of Missouri to helpmodernize irrigation systems in
(13:51):
Ghana, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.
USAID also supports the FishInnovation Lab at Washington
University in St.
Louis to reduce maternal andchild nutrient deficiencies.
Speaking of St.
Louis, have you heard this,Alex?
A Hispanic family in St.
Louis that owns like multiplebusinesses is temporarily
(14:12):
shuttering their doors in aprotest against the Trump's
deportation of undocumentedimmigrants.
They are standing up for theircommunity, citing the emotional
toll of this administration'sactions on both their customers
and staff.
At least 25 Hispanic ownedrestaurants across the St.
Louis Metro are shutting theirdoors in a show of solidarity.
(14:35):
The shutdown lasts betweenFebruary 10th through the 12th.
It is important to note a non UScitizen with legal status can
obtain a real ID.
A real ID is the new ideas thatwe all are having that switch
to.
Um, I think.
Effective by May this year, buta real I.
D.
Can obviously prove citizenship,but just having a real I.
D.
(14:55):
Driver's license may not beenough from keeping an officer
to asking more questions fromyou.
I mean, even, for instance, me,if I'm out and about an officer
were to grab me in a vast raidthat I'm around, having just my
driver's license may not beenough.
So what I would suggest nextbest thing is to get a passport
card.
Go to your post office in personappointment.
(15:17):
It's a 35 fee, I believe, orthey're saying carry a digital
copy of your passport on you.
That is going to be an officialdocument that can prove your
citizenship right then andthere.
So I mean, and it's sad that weeven have to have this
conversation.
But as a brown person in thiscountry, especially in a very
red state, it's important to,you know, people know these
(15:37):
things.
Totally.
It's very important.
That's just ridiculous.
so, okay, moving on to somequick bits of news stories to
catch up on the, uh, FCC and theKamala Harris interview.
Have you heard of this one?
I did hear about this.
The federal communicationscommission and CBS released the
transcript of a 60 minutesinterview with the former vice
(15:59):
president, which has been thecenter of a lawsuit between CBS
and Trump.
The transcript of the interviewshows Harris gave a lengthy
answer about the Israel crisis.
Um, but Only 21 seconds of itaired, and a different 7 second
part of that answer aired thenext day.
Trump sued saying theydeceptively edited the interview
(16:22):
to interfere with the election,even though he won.
60 Minutes has denied anywrongdoing.
The executive producer of theshow said he would not apologize
to Trump in case any settlementis reached.
Paramount, which owns CBS, isproducing a settlement in hopes
that it would swiftly close itsmerger with Skydance.
(16:44):
It's a really stupid thing forTrump to do because he's
questioning something that hasno merit.
The Harris interview they'realready finding has nothing,
there's nothing hidden in it.
I don't know what he's trying todo.
And like you said, he won.
What is the point?
What is the point of arguingwith a media establishment
unless he's trying to weaken theviews of it?
Oh, he definitely is.
(17:05):
Okay.
So here's another FCC story.
Uh, the FCC is investigating,San Francisco radio station for
its coverage of ice activitiesand, uh, an appearance on faux
news.
I'm sorry.
I mean, Fox, ha ha ha.
Um, FCC chair, Brennan Carraccused KCBS 740 AM of
broadcasting live locations ofundercover ice agents.
(17:27):
He said that the stationreported that undercover agents
were doing operations in EastSan Jose.
a part of town which is knownfor violent gang activity and
the station was broadcastinglive locations of ICE agents and
the vehicles they were in.
Carr said that he sent a letterof inquiry to the station and
(17:47):
that they have days to respondand explain how this could
possibly be consistent withtheir public interest
obligations.
The FCC's Enforcement Bureauwill reportedly inquire as to
whether the station violated theterms of its FCC license, which
dictates that it operate, theradio station operates as a
public interest.
(18:08):
Speaking of Brendan Carr, youknow, he's the chair of the FCC,
you brought him up just, justnow, he is a Project 2025 co
author.
So what do all theseinvestigations mean to the media
as a whole?
Even PBS and NPR were attackedat the end of January.
What does this mean to the freepress in project 2025?
It's important to note it callsfor defunding PBS and NPR.
(18:31):
You may not like the media ormay have trust issues with
certain top, you know, variantsof it, but without it, There'd
be no checks and balances ofwhat information is going out to
inform the public of any of thepoliticians wrongdoings, you
know, there needs to beintegrity and journalism and
these companies allow thatintegrity to live.
And if Trump continues to goafter these media companies,
(18:53):
what are we going to be leftwith?
Another story, Trump revokesBiden's access to classified
information.
Did you hear this one?
I did not hear about this one.
So in 2021, uh, then presidentBiden barred then former Trump
access to intelligencebriefings, Biden was arguing
that Trump could not be trusteddue to his erratic behavior
(19:14):
since returning to office.
Trump is now revoking Biden'saccess to those privileges.
And let's be honest, he has hardfeelings about this, obviously,
but damn, I do the same thingafter that insurrection fiasco.
Trump is acting like a big baby.
I mean, he is literally goingafter everyone who he's, I mean,
(19:34):
it just sounds ridiculous.
If I was Biden, I'd be laughingand I'm sure he is wherever he's
at.
He's probably rolling his eyes.
I saw him out to dinner withJill and him.
I don't know where they were.
They looked good.
They were dressed up going outto dinner, enjoying retirement.
So there's a measles outbreakgrowing in a rural area in West
(19:56):
Texas where vaccination ratesare well below the recommended
level.
Uh, measles, which is anairborne disease is extremely
infectious and can be especiallydangerous to infants, pregnant
women, and those with weakenedimmune systems.
At least 10 cases were reported,eight in school aged children.
Due to the highly contagiousnature of the disease,
(20:17):
additional cases are likely tooccur.
All cases were people who wereunvaccinated.
Yeah.
And speaking of vaccinations,there is something called herd
immunity.
The less amount of peoplegetting vaccinated, the less the
population is protected.
This directly affects diseaseslike measles, specifically
(20:38):
measles.
It's interesting this outbreakhappened in an area that has a
low belief in vaccinations andare part of the vaccination
debate.
There are more than 20 bills.
endorsed by a group calledTexans for Vaccine Choice that
makes it easier to opt out ofvaccinations.
Just keep this in mind, you need95 percent vaccination rate to
(21:02):
have herd immunity in acommunity.
So these areas in the countrythat are kind of allowing people
to do what they want, it's goingto affect Everyone, you know,
even if you are for vaccines, ifother people around you are not,
it's going to affect your kidsand yourself and your household.
So just something to take inconsideration with this whole
(21:23):
situation going on.
Well, that's why it's importantto stay on top of your
vaccinations.
Absolutely.
I've never been not on top of myvaccinations.
I've always been back.
I don't always get vaccinations.
A doctor's like, do you wantthis vaccination?
I'm actually currently getting avaccination.
I have to go back in like amonth and I'll get my second
dose of it.
I don't even know what it is,but I'm like, shoot me up.
I'm ready for it.
Like give it to me.
(21:43):
I want to be protected.
Okay, another one is the USDAfreezes farmer funding for some
programs and conservationcontracts.
So the impact has been immediateand wide ranging from cash
assistance for ranchers to fixcattle watering systems to help
for corn growers wanting toplant cover crops to prevent
(22:04):
wind erosion.
The freeze, if implemented,because it's currently blocked
in court right now, Would add toeconomic uncertainty for farmers
already struggling afterconsecutive years of low crop
prices.
It also comes as a surprise forthis community who, voted
overwhelmingly for Trump thelast three election cycles.
(22:26):
Missouri cattle producer SkylarHolden posted a video, a series
of videos on TikTok saying thathe signed a contract with USDA's
Natural Resources ConservationService for 240, 000 for
improved water quality.
water lines, fences, and a well,but USDA officials called him to
(22:47):
tell him that the contract wasfrozen and it's not clear when
these funds will be released.
So Skylar said that he's out allthe costs for the material and
labor with the possibility oflosing his farm if they don't
uphold their end of the bargain.
It is like whiplash talkingabout all these subjects because
all these subjects I mean we'renot even a month in to this
(23:08):
Trump presidency and I feel likewe are going from farming to
USAID world organizations.
I mean it is mind boggling howmuch is being changed under this
administration in three weeks.
Anyway.
It is crazy.
Okay it's it's time for the midbreak the uh game time Uh, we're
going to do a who said it, and,I don't want to do politics
(23:30):
right now.
I need a break.
So I'm going to do either EdwardCullen or Jacob Black from
Twilight.
Okay.
Let's do it.
Are you ready?
Yeah.
All right.
First one.
Don't get me upset or things aregoing to get very ugly.
Edward or Jacob?
(23:50):
I'm going to say that's Jacob.
Yes.
He was very emotional.
Ding ding.
Yes.
Uh, number two, you'll warm upsoon faster if you took your
clothes off.
Edward or Jacob?
I totally know this one.
This is Jacob when he took hisshirt off in the tent.
Yes, on the mountain.
(24:11):
Yeah, on the very cold mountain.
Uh, number three, do you thinkyour life would be easier if you
weren't in love with me?
Edward or Jacob?
Edward.
Yes.
Yes.
Are you three for three?
I am three for three right now.
All right.
Number four.
Let's face it.
I'm hotter than you.
(24:33):
Jacob.
Yes.
Yeah.
Cause he was basically meaningwarm blooded.
He's hotter than Edward.
You're fresh off this one.
All right.
So number five, I've killedpeople before.
Edward or Jacob?
Edward.
Yes.
Nice.
I mean, he is a vampire.
Okay.
(24:53):
Number six.
Yes.
It means if you were smart,you'd stay away from me.
Edward or Jacob?
Edward?
Yes.
Oh man.
It's Jacob.
Yeah.
Good job.
Or no Edward.
No, it's Edward.
Um, okay.
Last one.
(25:14):
Age is just a number, baby.
Oh, ooh, um, ooh.
I think that is Jacob.
Yes! Did you get all of themright?
I got a hundred percent on thatquiz.
I was paying attention to thosemovies.
You really were.
But you blamed me for wanting towatch them, so I own all of
them, though.
But, that was fun.
(25:34):
I won.
Okay, um, so What exactly is aconstitutional crisis?
This is a article in the NewYork Times that I read and I
thought it was very interestingand I want to share it with
listeners.
So law professors have longdebated what the term
constitutional crisis actuallymeans, but many have concluded
(25:56):
that the nation faces areckoning as Trump continues to
test the boundaries of executivepower.
There is no universally accepteddefinition of a constitutional
crisis, but these scholars agreeon some of the characteristics.
It's generally a product ofpresidential defiance of laws
(26:16):
and judicial ruling, rulings.
It's not binary, it's not aslope or a switch, and once one
starts, it can get much worse.
A dean from the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley noted that
there have been manyunconstitutional and illegal
actions in just this first,what, 20 days of this
(26:37):
presidency.
We've never seen anything likeit.
Examples include revokingbirthright citizenship, freezing
federal spending, shutting downagencies, removing leaders of
other agencies.
Firing of government employees,and it will take some time for
any of these legal challenges toactually reach the Supreme
(26:58):
Court.
Just recently, Vice President J.
D.
Vance tweeted a confrontationaltone on social media.
Judges aren't allowed to controlthe executive's legitimate
power.
Did you see, speaking of JDVance, did you see Trump this
week?
I think it was like Monday orTuesday on Fox news.
(27:18):
He was asked if he could see JDVance as his successor.
And Trump said like point blank.
No.
But he's very capable.
Like, like, if I was JD Vance,I'd be very upset about that
because Trump's like, I don'tthink I could.
Anyway, we'll see what happensin four years when it's time for
Trump to step down.
(27:39):
But yeah, it was veryinteresting.
Yeah, if he steps down.
Anyway.
But, um, a clash between thisadministration and the courts
would only add to the crisisthat is already underway and the
courts in any event.
May not be inclined or equippedto push back.
So, so much is happening so fastthat even eventual rulings from
(28:00):
the Supreme Court rejecting anyof Trump's executive orders
could come too late aftersomething like USAID or the
Consumer Financial ProtectionBureau are dismantled, no court
decision could recreate them.
What I don't understand is.
Don't do Republicans controlCongress.
(28:22):
I mean, it's a slim majority, Ithink like two, two 20 out of
two 15 majority, but withelections in 2026, a lot of
these Republicans will dowhatever they need to do to hold
an office or a seat.
I keep seeing Trump won't beable to shut down this
department or that departmentwithout Congress approval.
But do we think Congress isstrong to strong enough to gain
(28:44):
a majority enough to actuallyvote against these decisions?
He's making, I mean, silverlining with Florida rep Gates
and Florida rep Michael Waltz,both seats open.
This would mean the GOP would bedown three slots, meaning a 20
to 17 to 15 split until specialelections are held, which are
scheduled for April 1st.
(29:05):
So there's a very small window.
These things could be argued inCongress where there could be a
chance.
There's also New York Rep.
Stefanik, Stefanik's seat thatDemocrats just recently tried
delaying that special electionuntil November that did, that
failed actually.
Today, which is when Tuesday,um, but anyway, there's a very
(29:28):
small window of opportunityhere.
And if Republicans push thosespecial elections rapidly, we
will lose hope.
And this Congress may save usidea.
I mean, these are nitty grittylittle numbers, things we're
getting down into, but thesethings are having broad
implications in ways the public.
I'm not sure understands thatthese departments are dissolved.
So, yeah, that's.
(29:49):
Oh, okay.
Missouri.
This is always fun.
So, supported by Missouri's newgovernor, a House panel launched
a formal debate on a sprawlingplan that could lead to the
elimination of state income taxaltogether.
Missouri's current state incometax sits at 4.
7 percent and would drop to 4percent next year.
(30:12):
The plan is to begin in a phasedout elimination of the state
tax, potentially costing thestate more than 8.
4 billion annually.
The move would be paired with aconstitutional amendment asking
voters to allow theseelimination of taxes to be
levied on services likehaircuts, lawn care, real estate
(30:33):
services to help replace theloss of the state income tax
revenue.
So they're, they want to.
Eliminate the state tax, butthey want to pass the tax burden
on to small businesses.
This move could triggersignificant pushback from the
business community, becausesimply this is not an
elimination of tax.
(30:53):
It's simply a tax switch toother businesses you're already
using.
So even though your paycheck isgoing to see a little bit more
money, you're going to be payingmore at the small businesses
that you're currently purchasingproducts from.
Let's not forget.
Missouri voters have passedseveral amendments to the state
constitution codifying abortion,expansion of Medicaid, and those
(31:17):
have never been enacted.
We also passed an amendment togradually increase the minimum
wage.
That passage also included everyemployee earning paid sick time.
But the Missouri Republicancontrolled government has also
failed to enact that amendment.
Saying it would be too expensivefor businesses.
But just like I said, 30 secondsago, they are trying to
(31:39):
eliminate the state tax and wantto pass that burden on to small
businesses.
It just doesn't make any sense.
In fact, nothing that comes outof Jefferson City these days
makes much sense anymore So, uh,but just last week, actually,
The Missouri Republicancontrolled government released
its own version of DOJ or theDepartment of Government
Efficiency for residents tosubmit reports of government
(32:03):
waste or inefficiencies.
Missouri State Senator MaryElizabeth Coleman, who leads the
Efficiency Committee, says,Missourians deserve a government
that works for them, not againstthem.
The new portal gives citizens adirect line to spotlight
inefficiencies and to ensuretaxpayer dollars are used wisely
and state services are runeffectively.
(32:25):
But given that All but three ofMissouri's 114 counties are red.
I wonder whom they're going tolampoon first.
I bet it's St.
Louis County, Boone County,which is a Columbia, Missouri,
or Jackson County, which isKansas City, all blue counties,
but all right, onto lighternews.
So, the first ever nationalnature assessment, which was
(32:47):
based on significant publicfeedback and strove to reveal
how nature loss influencesclimate change and impacts may
still see the light of day.
The first full draft assessmenton the state of America's land,
water, and wildlife was justweeks away from completion when
Trump killed the major report.
(33:08):
However, the project leaders arelooking for a way to still post
the report, calling it tooimportant to die.
More than 150 scientists andexperts had collectively spent
thousands of hours working onthe report.
The study was intended tomeasure how the nation's lands,
water, and wildlife are faring,how they are expected to change,
and what that means for people.
(33:30):
Most of the 12 chapters werewritten by teams of a dozen or
so scientists and specialists.
It's going to be interesting tosee how this moves going
forward.
I mean, there is a way for thisto have some air to breathe,
most likely through a scientificjournal or even from an overseas
scientific establishment.
It would need to be a peerreview journal like Scientific
(33:51):
American, but I do think thiswill see the light of day.
I mean, I have hope.
Um, too many people andestablishments care about it,
depend on it, national parksdepend on it.
And I mean, there's just a lotof eyes on this report that I
don't see this just So somethingto look forward to.
I also find it just like very,very interesting.
Like I want to know about, uh,nature and life and how it
(34:15):
affects our climate change,especially in America.
Absolutely.
I'm excited to see it.
I hope it sees the light of day.
So.
Well, that wraps up this week'sepisode.
One thing to look forward tothis upcoming week is RFK Jr.
's confirmation.
It's this week, if not by thetime you listen to this, maybe
already happened, but there isthis idea Susan Collins is
(34:37):
waiting to act on anything goingon with NIH until he's confirmed
and he will Quote, handle it iswhat he is saying.
Once confirmed, what will thisconfirmation mean for the future
of NIH?
NIH basically is anythingresearch.
oriented with universities,medical facilities in this
(34:57):
country.
So it's a huge situation goingon and everything is on Tinder
hooks until his confirmation.
So we will see what that meansgoing forward.
Yeah.
All right.
Well, that's it for this week'sepisode, you guys.
Thanks for joining us and forlistening.
We'll be back, uh, as soon aspossible.
Um, until then, be sure to giveus a follow on Instagram at
TheSilvalU.
(35:17):
That's just with the letter U.
And hey, are we on Blue Sky?
We are not on Blue Sky yet.
Although I've been sharing us onBlue Sky on my account, but We
should, uh, create something.
Yeah, we should.
Well, look for us out there atsome point.
I'll share it.
And, uh, feel free to send us anemail letting us know your
thoughts, questions, what we gotwrong, anything you would like
for us to discuss atTheSilvalUnion25.
(35:39):
At gmail.
com.
Thanks guys.
Thank you guys.
Bye.
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