November 14, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of the Civil Union Pod, the hosts discuss a range of topics, including the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Trump's construction of a $300 million ballroom at the White House, and the political and economic impacts of Missouri's anti-LGBTQ+ laws. They express frustration over Republican policies affecting healthcare costs and SNAP benefits, and criticize the handling of the shutdown by both parties. The episode also touches on California's Prop 50 outcome, the resignation of Congressman Jared Golden, and the consequences of Missouri's discriminatory legislation on state economics and population.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Kickoff
00:34 Personal Updates and Reflections
01:34 Mel Robbins and Inspirational Quotes
03:21 Northern Lights and Climate Concerns
04:53 Longest Government Shutdown in History
15:45 Trump's Ballroom and Government Spending
19:23 Debating Economic Policies
22:03 California Prop 50 and Political Dynamics
25:18 Missouri's Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws and Economic Impact
28:40 Conclusion
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.
(00:07):
Welcome to the Civil Union Podwhere politics and everyday life
collide.
Today we'll discuss the endingof the longest shutdown in
history Trump's new ballroom,California Republicans, and now
the Justice Department suingover the Prop 50 outcome and
Missouri anti LGBTQ plus lawsand how it affects the state's
(00:27):
economy.
We're no longer the flyoverstate here in Missouri.
We're spilling the tea.
So, hey Alex, we're back.
Yay.
Episode two.
Episode two.
I hope everyone's been doinggreat.
Hope everyone's been surviving.
Yeah.
Um, how have you been, babe?
I've been good.
I've been, it's been, it's beena, it's been a, it's been a
journey, but we're here and weare doing great.
(00:51):
It's been a great week.
Everything is going to plan, soyeah.
How are you?
I'm doing good.
You graduated with your master'sdegree?
Yes.
It's one of many things thathave happened, but yeah,
master's degree is great.
I'm very excited for thatactually.
If you do feel like when theysay Master's degrees opens
doors, I do feel that.
Now, granted, I'm not gettinganyone knocking on my door, but
(01:12):
I am able to apply for things Iwasn't able to apply for.
For before.
So I definitely think myqualifications have changed,
which is amazing'cause all Ihave, you know, specialty in is
what I, my career I've been insince I've been like 22.
So this is something new.
It's exciting.
I am really looking forward towhat the 2026 will bring for us.
Totally.
(01:32):
Me too.
Yeah, and you know, I've beenlike reading and um, and been.
Inspired by Mel Robbins.
I've been like reading her booksand the Let Them Theory and then
the five second rule theory thatshe has.
And, um, here's a quote I wannashare with you is, remember this
November.
If you fail, congratulations.
Most people didn't even try.
(01:53):
I, that's a great quote.
Yeah.
I love Mel Robbins a lot.
She's like the first person thatlike got me into like that whole
like positivity life coach typeperson.
Jay Shetty, who I wouldrecommend is really good as
well.
He's gotten more famous thoughin the years I followed him.
He starts, he's just.
He, he's interviewed celebritieslike Kim Kardashian stuff now.
(02:15):
Like he's at that level,Michelle Obama.
So it's like he's kind of, Idon't know, his lifestyle is
just, he's a different type ofperson.
Mel Robbins, I feel like hasstayed grounded.
She's still just as popular asJay Shetty, if not more.
But she doesn't, I don't think,flaunt it as much.
And I really like her.
You know?
If we had Mel Robbins over fordinner, what would we serve?
(02:35):
Ooh, good question.
Um.
For me, I would do lobster rolls'cause she's from New England.
That is, of course I would go tohave dinner at her house and we
would hire a chef becausethere's no way either one of us
could do good lobster rolls.
Like we would hire someone andbe like, oh, they're just making
lobster rolls and we hope youenjoy it.
(02:56):
Maybe.
No, she is one person I wouldlove to hang out with.
Like super late at night, smokea joint and then just like stare
at like the Northern Lights.
'cause the Northern Lights havebeen around here and just like.
Get inspired and talk about likelife and what you need to do to
get to the next step, you know?
No, totally.
(03:17):
Mel Robbins would be so fun toget high with.
Um, speaking of the NorthernLights, everyone's so positive
about, about the NorthernLights.
Oh, everyone's like, what?
Thinking about it.
And I'm over here worried ashell because I'm like, this is
not normal.
Another atmospheric storm, therewas a coworker of mine, she.
21 and she was like, theNorthern Lights have been in the
Midwest forever.
I'm like, just because they'vebeen here, you have your life.
(03:39):
Does not mean that's normal.
Like you literally, it happened,started three years ago and I
think it's because of globalwarming.
It scares me like it's notnormal for the atmosphere to be
that thin or whatever.
It needs to happen for it toshow this south like it's
supposed to be north, it'sgreat.
It's pretty, yeah.
I don't know what's causing itor whatnot.
And I'm sure we've lost thefunding to even find out by the
(03:59):
way.
True.
But, um, everyone was like.
Taking pictures and telling meto get out and look at it, and
I'm over here like, okay, lastyear when it happened.
I was looking south so I didn'tsee it.
And then this year when I waslooking north the right
direction, either we're in a toowell-lit area or something, I
(04:20):
just, I did not see them.
I still haven't seen them.
And yeah, it's funny.
Casey Musgraves, I follow,obviously follow.
She's like my, my sister.
But she had been posting out thenormal lights'cause she can't
keep seeing'em either.
She keeps missing'em and shegets so frustrated.
She's like, y'all, she postedone of like the horizon and it
was one of those.
Old vintage cups with like theturquoise waves on it and the
(04:41):
sky.
It was really funny.
It's like all poor girl.
She would love'em.
I dunno everyone, but it wasjust funny.
Alright, let's get into it.
Hey, are we great yet, Alex?
Depending on who you ask.
Exactly.
So the longest shutdown in UShistory is coming to a close.
And so, uh, this is whathappened.
So back in July when the big,beautiful bill was signed into
(05:02):
law, Republicans made some nastymoves.
They cut Medicaid by a trilliondollars slash snap benefits by
nearly 200 billion, and let theAffordable Care Act subsidies
expire.
And here's the thing.
They did it all through thisprocess called budget
reconciliation, which means theydidn't need a single Democrat's
(05:23):
vote to pass it.
The bill passed by a simplemajority, no Democrats voted for
it.
Now, independent of that, eachCongress must pass 12
appropriations bills to fund thegovernment for the next year, or
a short term continuingresolution to keep it running
while negotiations take place.
(05:44):
This year they did neither.
So the government shut down.
Why?
Well, Republicans just wanted topass a clean cr, which would
temporarily extend fundinglevels.
But what they left out is thatthis would be under the baseline
of what the big beautiful billsays, which would allow the
extended a CA subsidies toexpire.
(06:07):
Democrats held out to restorethe a CA subsidies.
Which would keep healthcarepremiums lower for millions of
Americans.
When those subsidies run out,millions of Americans are going
to get hit with some serioussticker shock.
The cost people are paying now,which in my opinion is already
expensive as fuck, are going tomore than double, and in some
(06:28):
cases triple their monthlyhealth insurance bills.
We're already, by the way,paying some of the highest
premiums in the world.
In response to thoseexpirations, this would push
millions of people to considerdropping their healthcare
coverage because it's just toofucking expensive.
Like I, I have great healthinsurance because I'm on your
(06:48):
health insurance, thankfully.
But it like.
Raises for you every year.
Right.
Since starting at my job, what,seven years ago, our insurance
has gone up by over, I would say$150 a paycheck.
And that's just me and you.
Like I families.
I don't even remember.
(07:08):
I know when I first started afamily of four or a family of
five that a coworker of minehad, they were already paying
like.
300 a month, but I couldn'timagine what an actual family is
paying right now.
Yeah, it's, it's crazy.
So, so let's be clear on a fewthings here.
Republicans would not continuethe subsidies for the 25 million
Americans receiving marketplacea CA coverage.
(07:31):
This means healthcare costsskyrocket for everyone because
hospitals are going to have tofoot the bills somehow.
When all these people who getsick or injured or whatnot go in
for, you know, help and theydon't have the insurance to
fucking cover it, it it,honestly, it, it pisses me off,
but.
(07:51):
I will never understand whyRepublicans refuse to alleviate,
alleviate the burden ofhealthcare costs in for their
constituents in general.
It's crazy to me Republicanscan't even come up with the
backup plan to help the everydayJoes like us to afford decent,
reputable healthcare coverage.
Even Marjorie Taylor Greenagrees with this and I can't
(08:15):
believe that.
I'm a agreeing with MarjorieTaylor Green's comments.
Republicans have always wantedto abolish the a CA.
This is their way of doing it.
During the shutdown, Republicanscompromise the safety of
Americans.
Due to the TSA and air trafficcontrollers not getting
paychecks, they starved thepoorest of Americans by
(08:36):
withholding SNAP benefits.
When the SNAP benefits lapsed onNovember 1st, red and blue
states rushed to get them paidor brought in support from
people like the National Guardto help out at food banks.
42 million Americans rely onSnap.
That's about one in every eightAmericans.
(08:58):
The shit Republicans pool justweighs me down mentally,
physically, all of it.
And with that, my husband and I,Alex sitting right next to me,
raised a combined total of$200from our neighbors to donate
food to a local food bankbecause I just, I can't bear to
think.
Of kids or just elderly oranyone starving because they
(09:23):
can't afford food.
Snap, or in layman's terms, foodstamps.
Are paid out monthly to eligibleAmericans whose income is less
than 130% of the federal povertyline.
That equates to about a$1,600net income for a one person
household.
The average monthly benefit isusually around$177 per person
(09:48):
per month.
Four in five snap householdsinclude a child, an elderly
person, or a non elderly personwith disabilities.
In response, Alaska, Maryland,Vermont, Virginia, a handful of
other states freed up funds topay for the November Snap cuts.
(10:09):
States like Connecticut, NewMexico, West Virginia sent funds
to already strained food banksbecause the rising food costs
continue to hit low incomefamilies Hard.
Trump has never had to worryabout a grocery bill in his
life.
By the way, this shutdownresulted in the furlough of
roughly 900,000 federalemployees and kept another 2
(10:32):
million working without pay.
So here's a quick rundown ofwhat I just said.
Republicans compromise thesafety of Americans, especially
those who have flown.
Between October and November,Republicans have starved the
poorest of Americans.
This was not a Democraticshutdown.
The Republicans hold the WhiteHouse, the Senate, and the House
(10:54):
of Representatives.
This is on them.
That wasn't until eightDemocratic Senators bent the
knee to end this shutdown.
The Democrats who bent the kneeand negotiated horrible deal.
Mind you, this negotiation doesnot guarantee a vote on a c.
A subsidies.
Here's a bit from Sonny Hostin,from ABC's, the View.
(12:44):
You know, I agree with her.
Schumer, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry guys.
I love Schumer.
I love New York.
Schumer needs to step aside.
We need new blood, areplacement, and I personally
would love to see Amy Klobucharto take his place and like lead
the Senate.
You know, Schumer is great, butwe don't need, we don't need
that type of Democrat leading.
(13:05):
Anymore we don't need Nice.
We need someone that'saggressive or that's someone
that's someone that can reallypush things and Amy would be a
great choice, I think.
Totally.
I totally agree.
Anyways, so are we great yet,babe?
Again, I think depends on whoyou ask or you know.
Well, that's a question to askmaybe in a.
Like six months and see what allthese effects will hap, like
(13:26):
where people will be once allthese things start taking in
effect.
I do wanna add, the Democraticparty just won stunning
victories.
November 4th, there werenumerous democratic wins showing
people were starting to reallyback what the Democrats were
standing for and not even.
Not even five days later, theDemocrats as a unit aren't
(13:48):
standing.
They were pushed over again bythe Republicans.
Chuck Schumer voted no, but howhard did he actually try to
prevent these eight Democrats todefect?
I think what mattered more inall this wasn't the actual deal
itself, but the fight.
Democrats needed to hold theline.
(14:10):
I don't think people understandthe importance of that.
People wanted to see themfinally stand up and hold the
line.
Trump has dismantledconstitutional constraints left
and right, and this was thetest.
And they folded.
It shows weakness.
I'm sorry.
It does, and I understandgovernment workers deserve to
(14:31):
get paid, obviously, but it'simportant to note that these
Democrats that folded.
A couple of them are retiringnext year.
None of them use snap and I'mpretty sure none have to worry
about their health insurancebill when it comes to snap.
I do also wanna mention when thegovernment shut down, the Trump
administration rushed to cutSnap.
(14:52):
Even though there was moneyavailable to pay for those
benefits, they purposefully tiedSNAP into the shutdown even
though it didn't need to be.
That is authoritarianism at itsfinest.
And Democrats just taught anauthoritarian like Trump that
threatening to hurt people, thatholding the government hostage
(15:15):
works to get their way, thatshould scare us.
And in a year one, they allowedthis.
And I think, and I've, from whatI've read from other sources.
A lot of people think that thisis going to make Trump stronger
because he realizes he can getwhat he wants, may take 40 days,
(15:36):
but he will get what he wants byholding the country hostage,
because it already happened, ithappened once for him.
He he's there.
It was a victory for them.
Yeah.
So while the shutdown wasoccurring, Trump certainly did
not work with legislators.
He traveled to Mar Largo,England and fucking tore down
the east wing of the WhiteHouse.
There is this thing called theCommission of Fine Arts.
(15:58):
It's a small, independentfederal agency that advises on
the design aesthetics affectingWashington DC's appearance.
The mission of this agency is toprotect and enhance DC's
artistic character, if you will.
But Trump swooped in and firedthe six member team whom were
all appointed by Biden, just sohe could bypass their approval
(16:19):
and build a fucking$300 millionballroom.
So let's get this straight.
2 million Americans are workingwithout pay our air safety
compromised.
The poorest Americans arestarved.
He literally has bulldozers plowdown the east wing of the White
House, our house.
To make room for his ballroom.
(16:42):
Let me remind you, the WhiteHouse is our house.
Seriously.
Our tax dollars fund.
This entire shit show going onit.
We fund it.
We actually own the White House,but not the ballroom.
We don't own the ballroombecause the ballroom has been
funded by donations ofbillionaires.
And some of our most favoritebillionaires, by the way,
(17:02):
Amazon, apple, hard RockInternational, Google Meta,
Microsoft T-Mobile, just to namea few.
Actually, you know, I'm gonnarecord a twin episode just so we
can name all the people whodonated to this ballroom.
Maybe we can make a list of whatproducts to stay away from or
something.
It's a pretty unique listactually.
Yeah.
It's interesting when everythinghappened to Kimmel, I believe,
(17:23):
you know, people were reallyquick to shut down their Hulu
and, and Disney, which wasgreat.
You know, people really took astand and it, it, it worked.
But when so many of thesecompanies, I mean, I would say a
hundred percent of Americans usethese companies on a daily
basis.
It's very hard to, to, you know.
Understand that supporting themis supporting other things.
(17:45):
It's just, it's gonna be, it'sreally difficult.
But anyway, I know we're gonnatouch on this and dive deeper in
another episode, but just togive you something to chew on
until then, listen to this.
This is something I've kind ofread and figured out.
Remember the January, 2021insurrection.
Obviously everyone does.
When people literally broke intothe capitol, Trump went and sued
(18:06):
YouTube for suspending hisaccount after the insurrection
because obviously they shouldhave, and everyone should have,
well.
YouTube chose to settle thelawsuit that he brought, and it
was like a six month process,but they ended up, they ended up
closing it by settling.
They agreed to pay Trump$24.5million, which is now going
(18:29):
straight into the White Houseballroom.
So let that sink in for amoment.
Insurrection.
Trump got in trouble because heflamed it on social media.
They took down his accounts.
YouTube did.
He sued, they won.
Oh no, he won.
They settled.
And the money that he's winning,uh.
In the settlement he's puttingtowards a ballroom that will
(18:52):
always be part of the WhiteHouse, and that numerous
presidents going forward,numerous important people will
be utilizing in the future.
That is a, that is a cloud oversomething on this White House
that will forever be there.
Yes.
It's only 24.5 million out ofthe 300 million that's gonna
take, but that's just, that'sjust one little.
Segment of this, and it's just,it's, it's crazy to wrap your
(19:15):
head around.
Yeah.
I wonder if anyone has verifiedthe legal status of the
construction workers at the,this new ballroom, by the way.
Good question.
That's the life we're livingnow, so here's some tips to get
people to shut the fuck up.
Okay.
Are you ready, Alex?
Yeah.
I'll read the quote and you canjust like follow up.
Okay.
So, ugh, I'm so sick ofDemocrats calling me a bigot
because I voted for Trump.
(19:36):
I voted for his economicpolicies, not the bad stuff.
Okay, wait.
I love the voice you used for aRepublican.
It's, it, it's fitting well.
If you voted for him though, youvoted for all of his policies.
That's how it works.
It is not a buffet.
I was just sick of all the outof control spending by
(19:58):
Democrats.
Republicans are better for theeconomy.
Facts.
The US economy has historicallydone better under democratic
presidents than Republican ones.
Seriously, the real GDP hasgrown about 4.3% under Democrats
and 2.5% under Republicans.
10 of the last 11 recessionshave occurred under Republican
(20:22):
president.
Yeah, because they inherited abad economy from the Democrats
before he took office.
In term of jobs, total jobgrowth has averaged 2.5% per
year under Democratic presidentsand just over 1% for Republican
presidents.
Okay.
But plenty of people have madeMO a lot of money under Trump,
(20:42):
so I would probably check thosenumbers.
The civil union always checksnumbers, but you're right.
There are a lot of people whohave made plenty of money under
Trump.
Not regular people, but theultra wealthy for sure.
Under the two, 2017 Tax Cuts andJobs Act, the wealth of US
billionaires jumped 77%.
(21:03):
That is$2.2 trillion in theyear's following.
According to the CBO, the top10% control about 60% of the
nation's total wealth, while thebottom half of families hold
just over 6%.
Now you said republicans doworse because they inherit a bad
economy for democraticpresidents.
(21:25):
No, that's, that's just plainwrong.
Historical data shows thatDemocrats often inherit a weaker
economy.
And leave a stronger one.
Republicans inherit a strongereconomy and leave it a weaker
one.
The economy doesn't just happen.
It responds to leadership,policy, timing, and Democrats
(21:46):
simply have a stronger record.
Dang, we just shut that persondown, babe.
That was good.
I think that's what everyoneneeds to start learning to do.
Everyone you know right now isjust being quiet or they want to
ignore things.
It's like, no, you gotta, yougotta stand up and respond to
these idiots.
California RS and the justicesdepartment are suing California
(22:06):
for the Prop 50 passage.
It's.
Interesting that Donald Trumpgoes to Republicans in Texas and
says, give me five more seats.
And they say, yes, sir, anythingyou want, sir.
And Lapdog Abbott passes it.
But the people of California whoactually get to have a voice and
get to have their vote count,Republicans don't like that.
(22:29):
The Prop 50 congressionalredistricting passed with nearly
65% of the 11 million votescast.
Yeah, I mean, it seems like inTexas, give me five more seats
is treated like a royal decreerather than a Democratic ask.
Meanwhile, in California,democracy still votes and nearly
65% voted yes to prop 50.
(22:51):
Uh, guess the difference betweenthe lapdog and democracy is who
gets to bark last.
Ooh, I like that.
Now also, Jared Golden is notrunning for reelection.
Who?
Who's Jared?
Golden and why should you care?
Well, Jared is a US HouseDemocrat, who represents one of
Maine's most Trumpy districts.
This district happens to berepresented by Golden, who's a
(23:14):
Democrat.
He's not leaving because ofthat.
He's leaving because he doesn'tlike it.
He wrote an op-ed and says,quote.
I don't fear of losing.
What has become apparent to meis that I now dread the prospect
of winning.
He dreads the prospect ofwinning.
Let that sink in.
He goes on quote, simply put,what I could accomplish in this
(23:39):
increasingly unproductiveCongress pales to what I could
do in that time as a husband, afather, and a son.
End quote.
I don't know.
Sounds fishy to me.
People love power, butessentially the explanation is
more about the feeling that hecan't get things done.
Yeah.
I mean, politics is aboutpoliticking.
You have to hustle.
(24:01):
What's his name again?
Jared Golden.
All right, hold on.
I'm reading up on him right now.
Oh, here's one.
He openly supported Trump'stariff policy.
Ew.
Gross.
Uh, let's see.
Uh, he's one of two houseDemocrats to side with
Republicans.
(24:22):
Overturning Joe Biden's studentloan debt cancellation.
Ugh.
Another red flag.
Uh, let's see.
Marijuana.
Oh, he gets an A Grade from theNational Organization for the
reform of marijuana laws.
Okay.
Uh Right.
And then oh LGBT issues.
(24:42):
Okay.
Golden voted in 2022 for theRespect for Marriage Act, which
repealed the Defense Mar ofMarriage Act and federally
protected same sex andinterracial marriages.
Okay.
He was one of four Democrats tojoin the majority of House
Republicans.
To pass the annual defensepolicy bill, which included
(25:06):
provisions barring Pentagonfunding for abortion and
transgender rights.
Ugh, another red flag.
Sounds like the sky.
I don't know.
I'm in the middle with the sky.
What else do you have, babe?
So also, a study findsMissouri's anti LGBTQ plus laws
are linked to population lossand decline in tax revenue.
(25:27):
Uh, that makes sense.
Yeah.
By continuing the anti LGBTrhetoric, uh, business and
people leave, prospects ofhiring employees and bringing in
new businesses also kills stategrowth and analysis.
By movement advancement Projectestimates hundreds of millions
(25:47):
of dollars in household incomehas left the state.
Research has also shown thatamong LGBTQ plus identifying
people age 13 through 24, around39% have considered or have
already moved to another state.
Another study by the NationalCenter for Transgender Equality
found 47% of transgenderedpeople have thought about or
(26:12):
have already moved due todiscriminatory policies.
But also, yeah, discriminatorylegislation portrays this state
as unwelcoming.
Of course.
Absolutely.
Missouri is one of 10 stateshighlighted in the study as
having a higher proportion ofrespondents moving away.
(26:32):
States with larger LGBTQ pluspopulations had higher rates of
economic growth between 2010through 2019.
A top concern for Missouribusinesses is their ability to
recruit and retain talent, whichequates to economic growth.
Businesses want to ensure thatpeople feel safe in their
neighborhoods and homes.
(26:54):
I agree.
I don't want my money spent inplaces that.
Don't believe we should evenexist.
You know, you know I did noticewhen we went to the Apple Butter
Festival in late October, uh,you were spending money at
booths that were locally ownedby LGBT people.
Absolutely, and I will continueto do that anytime I saw a
little rainbow flag.
I think I've bought, there weretwo candle companies, which also
(27:17):
they, I have a friend that sellscandles in Chicago.
He's a great dapper flame.
But, um, the two that I boughtfrom, yeah, they were both LGBTQ
plus and it's kind of funny'cause they was this straight
guy with her, his wife shoppingfor candles and he goes, what's
a bear?
And the wife was trying toexplain it to him.
And I'm just like, oh man.
This is a funny interaction, butyes, it send a powerful negative
(27:40):
signal to potential residents,investors, businesses, and
workers.
It says to them that the stateof Missouri is not a place they
should wanna visit live or dobusiness, or move their family.
I mean, no one wants to go to ared state if they're not being
supported financially.
Even with healthcare, everythinggoing on with healthcare now in
this country, you wanna go to astate that has your back.
(28:01):
Yeah, the rising extremism outof Jeff City has removed a sense
of community, which is crucialfor our Missouri State economy
to grow.
Wow.
That's good.
Good job, Alex.
That was a great, great episodeand great findings.
I love those stories.
Yeah, I feel like we had somegood facts.
I think people are wanting tolearn now.
(28:22):
I think we're getting a pivotpoint where people were ignoring
the news the first six months ofthis year, and I think now we're
starting to see people turn outto these protests.
They're starting to want to beeducated so.
We're doing our due diligence.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We can't say, we just sat by anddid nothing, so that's good.
So anyways, uh, I think thiswraps it up for us today.
(28:42):
Um, thank you so much forlistening.
If you made it through, I, Iabsolutely love you.
Make sure to give us a follow onInstagram and TikTok.
We're gonna get those up andfire it up again.
And, yeah, that's it.
That's all we got.
Yeah, please follow and shareour post.
We're really gonna try to getthat back up.
So I hope everyone has a greatrest of your week.
Bye bye.
Welcome to the Civil Union Podwhere politics and everyday life
collide.
Today we'll discuss the endingof the longest shutdown in
history Trump's new ballroom,California Republicans, and now
the Justice Department suingover the Prop 50 outcome and
Missouri anti LGBTQ plus lawsand how it affects the state's
(00:27):
economy.
We're no longer the flyoverstate here in Missouri.
We're spilling the tea.
So, hey Alex, we're back.
Yay.
Episode two.
Episode two.
I hope everyone's been doinggreat.
Hope everyone's been surviving.
Yeah.
Um, how have you been, babe?
I've been good.
I've been, it's been, it's beena, it's been a, it's been a
journey, but we're here and weare doing great.
(00:51):
It's been a great week.
Everything is going to plan, soyeah.
How are you?
I'm doing good.
You graduated with your master'sdegree?
Yes.
It's one of many things thathave happened, but yeah,
master's degree is great.
I'm very excited for thatactually.
If you do feel like when theysay Master's degrees opens
doors, I do feel that.
Now, granted, I'm not gettinganyone knocking on my door, but
(01:12):
I am able to apply for things Iwasn't able to apply for.
For before.
So I definitely think myqualifications have changed,
which is amazing'cause all Ihave, you know, specialty in is
what I, my career I've been insince I've been like 22.
So this is something new.
It's exciting.
I am really looking forward towhat the 2026 will bring for us.
Totally.
(01:32):
Me too.
Yeah, and you know, I've beenlike reading and um, and been.
Inspired by Mel Robbins.
I've been like reading her booksand the Let Them Theory and then
the five second rule theory thatshe has.
And, um, here's a quote I wannashare with you is, remember this
November.
If you fail, congratulations.
Most people didn't even try.
(01:53):
I, that's a great quote.
Yeah.
I love Mel Robbins a lot.
She's like the first person thatlike got me into like that whole
like positivity life coach typeperson.
Jay Shetty, who I wouldrecommend is really good as
well.
He's gotten more famous thoughin the years I followed him.
He starts, he's just.
He, he's interviewed celebritieslike Kim Kardashian stuff now.
(02:15):
Like he's at that level,Michelle Obama.
So it's like he's kind of, Idon't know, his lifestyle is
just, he's a different type ofperson.
Mel Robbins, I feel like hasstayed grounded.
She's still just as popular asJay Shetty, if not more.
But she doesn't, I don't think,flaunt it as much.
And I really like her.
You know?
If we had Mel Robbins over fordinner, what would we serve?
(02:35):
Ooh, good question.
Um.
For me, I would do lobster rolls'cause she's from New England.
That is, of course I would go tohave dinner at her house and we
would hire a chef becausethere's no way either one of us
could do good lobster rolls.
Like we would hire someone andbe like, oh, they're just making
lobster rolls and we hope youenjoy it.
(02:56):
Maybe.
No, she is one person I wouldlove to hang out with.
Like super late at night, smokea joint and then just like stare
at like the Northern Lights.
'cause the Northern Lights havebeen around here and just like.
Get inspired and talk about likelife and what you need to do to
get to the next step, you know?
No, totally.
(03:17):
Mel Robbins would be so fun toget high with.
Um, speaking of the NorthernLights, everyone's so positive
about, about the NorthernLights.
Oh, everyone's like, what?
Thinking about it.
And I'm over here worried ashell because I'm like, this is
not normal.
Another atmospheric storm, therewas a coworker of mine, she.
21 and she was like, theNorthern Lights have been in the
Midwest forever.
I'm like, just because they'vebeen here, you have your life.
(03:39):
Does not mean that's normal.
Like you literally, it happened,started three years ago and I
think it's because of globalwarming.
It scares me like it's notnormal for the atmosphere to be
that thin or whatever.
It needs to happen for it toshow this south like it's
supposed to be north, it'sgreat.
It's pretty, yeah.
I don't know what's causing itor whatnot.
And I'm sure we've lost thefunding to even find out by the
(03:59):
way.
True.
But, um, everyone was like.
Taking pictures and telling meto get out and look at it, and
I'm over here like, okay, lastyear when it happened.
I was looking south so I didn'tsee it.
And then this year when I waslooking north the right
direction, either we're in a toowell-lit area or something, I
(04:20):
just, I did not see them.
I still haven't seen them.
And yeah, it's funny.
Casey Musgraves, I follow,obviously follow.
She's like my, my sister.
But she had been posting out thenormal lights'cause she can't
keep seeing'em either.
She keeps missing'em and shegets so frustrated.
She's like, y'all, she postedone of like the horizon and it
was one of those.
Old vintage cups with like theturquoise waves on it and the
(04:41):
sky.
It was really funny.
It's like all poor girl.
She would love'em.
I dunno everyone, but it wasjust funny.
Alright, let's get into it.
Hey, are we great yet, Alex?
Depending on who you ask.
Exactly.
So the longest shutdown in UShistory is coming to a close.
And so, uh, this is whathappened.
So back in July when the big,beautiful bill was signed into
(05:02):
law, Republicans made some nastymoves.
They cut Medicaid by a trilliondollars slash snap benefits by
nearly 200 billion, and let theAffordable Care Act subsidies
expire.
And here's the thing.
They did it all through thisprocess called budget
reconciliation, which means theydidn't need a single Democrat's
(05:23):
vote to pass it.
The bill passed by a simplemajority, no Democrats voted for
it.
Now, independent of that, eachCongress must pass 12
appropriations bills to fund thegovernment for the next year, or
a short term continuingresolution to keep it running
while negotiations take place.
(05:44):
This year they did neither.
So the government shut down.
Why?
Well, Republicans just wanted topass a clean cr, which would
temporarily extend fundinglevels.
But what they left out is thatthis would be under the baseline
of what the big beautiful billsays, which would allow the
extended a CA subsidies toexpire.
(06:07):
Democrats held out to restorethe a CA subsidies.
Which would keep healthcarepremiums lower for millions of
Americans.
When those subsidies run out,millions of Americans are going
to get hit with some serioussticker shock.
The cost people are paying now,which in my opinion is already
expensive as fuck, are going tomore than double, and in some
(06:28):
cases triple their monthlyhealth insurance bills.
We're already, by the way,paying some of the highest
premiums in the world.
In response to thoseexpirations, this would push
millions of people to considerdropping their healthcare
coverage because it's just toofucking expensive.
Like I, I have great healthinsurance because I'm on your
(06:48):
health insurance, thankfully.
But it like.
Raises for you every year.
Right.
Since starting at my job, what,seven years ago, our insurance
has gone up by over, I would say$150 a paycheck.
And that's just me and you.
Like I families.
I don't even remember.
(07:08):
I know when I first started afamily of four or a family of
five that a coworker of minehad, they were already paying
like.
300 a month, but I couldn'timagine what an actual family is
paying right now.
Yeah, it's, it's crazy.
So, so let's be clear on a fewthings here.
Republicans would not continuethe subsidies for the 25 million
Americans receiving marketplacea CA coverage.
(07:31):
This means healthcare costsskyrocket for everyone because
hospitals are going to have tofoot the bills somehow.
When all these people who getsick or injured or whatnot go in
for, you know, help and theydon't have the insurance to
fucking cover it, it it,honestly, it, it pisses me off,
but.
(07:51):
I will never understand whyRepublicans refuse to alleviate,
alleviate the burden ofhealthcare costs in for their
constituents in general.
It's crazy to me Republicanscan't even come up with the
backup plan to help the everydayJoes like us to afford decent,
reputable healthcare coverage.
Even Marjorie Taylor Greenagrees with this and I can't
(08:15):
believe that.
I'm a agreeing with MarjorieTaylor Green's comments.
Republicans have always wantedto abolish the a CA.
This is their way of doing it.
During the shutdown, Republicanscompromise the safety of
Americans.
Due to the TSA and air trafficcontrollers not getting
paychecks, they starved thepoorest of Americans by
(08:36):
withholding SNAP benefits.
When the SNAP benefits lapsed onNovember 1st, red and blue
states rushed to get them paidor brought in support from
people like the National Guardto help out at food banks.
42 million Americans rely onSnap.
That's about one in every eightAmericans.
(08:58):
The shit Republicans pool justweighs me down mentally,
physically, all of it.
And with that, my husband and I,Alex sitting right next to me,
raised a combined total of$200from our neighbors to donate
food to a local food bankbecause I just, I can't bear to
think.
Of kids or just elderly oranyone starving because they
(09:23):
can't afford food.
Snap, or in layman's terms, foodstamps.
Are paid out monthly to eligibleAmericans whose income is less
than 130% of the federal povertyline.
That equates to about a$1,600net income for a one person
household.
The average monthly benefit isusually around$177 per person
(09:48):
per month.
Four in five snap householdsinclude a child, an elderly
person, or a non elderly personwith disabilities.
In response, Alaska, Maryland,Vermont, Virginia, a handful of
other states freed up funds topay for the November Snap cuts.
(10:09):
States like Connecticut, NewMexico, West Virginia sent funds
to already strained food banksbecause the rising food costs
continue to hit low incomefamilies Hard.
Trump has never had to worryabout a grocery bill in his
life.
By the way, this shutdownresulted in the furlough of
roughly 900,000 federalemployees and kept another 2
(10:32):
million working without pay.
So here's a quick rundown ofwhat I just said.
Republicans compromise thesafety of Americans, especially
those who have flown.
Between October and November,Republicans have starved the
poorest of Americans.
This was not a Democraticshutdown.
The Republicans hold the WhiteHouse, the Senate, and the House
(10:54):
of Representatives.
This is on them.
That wasn't until eightDemocratic Senators bent the
knee to end this shutdown.
The Democrats who bent the kneeand negotiated horrible deal.
Mind you, this negotiation doesnot guarantee a vote on a c.
A subsidies.
Here's a bit from Sonny Hostin,from ABC's, the View.
(12:44):
You know, I agree with her.
Schumer, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry guys.
I love Schumer.
I love New York.
Schumer needs to step aside.
We need new blood, areplacement, and I personally
would love to see Amy Klobucharto take his place and like lead
the Senate.
You know, Schumer is great, butwe don't need, we don't need
that type of Democrat leading.
(13:05):
Anymore we don't need Nice.
We need someone that'saggressive or that's someone
that's someone that can reallypush things and Amy would be a
great choice, I think.
Totally.
I totally agree.
Anyways, so are we great yet,babe?
Again, I think depends on whoyou ask or you know.
Well, that's a question to askmaybe in a.
Like six months and see what allthese effects will hap, like
(13:26):
where people will be once allthese things start taking in
effect.
I do wanna add, the Democraticparty just won stunning
victories.
November 4th, there werenumerous democratic wins showing
people were starting to reallyback what the Democrats were
standing for and not even.
Not even five days later, theDemocrats as a unit aren't
(13:48):
standing.
They were pushed over again bythe Republicans.
Chuck Schumer voted no, but howhard did he actually try to
prevent these eight Democrats todefect?
I think what mattered more inall this wasn't the actual deal
itself, but the fight.
Democrats needed to hold theline.
(14:10):
I don't think people understandthe importance of that.
People wanted to see themfinally stand up and hold the
line.
Trump has dismantledconstitutional constraints left
and right, and this was thetest.
And they folded.
It shows weakness.
I'm sorry.
It does, and I understandgovernment workers deserve to
(14:31):
get paid, obviously, but it'simportant to note that these
Democrats that folded.
A couple of them are retiringnext year.
None of them use snap and I'mpretty sure none have to worry
about their health insurancebill when it comes to snap.
I do also wanna mention when thegovernment shut down, the Trump
administration rushed to cutSnap.
(14:52):
Even though there was moneyavailable to pay for those
benefits, they purposefully tiedSNAP into the shutdown even
though it didn't need to be.
That is authoritarianism at itsfinest.
And Democrats just taught anauthoritarian like Trump that
threatening to hurt people, thatholding the government hostage
(15:15):
works to get their way, thatshould scare us.
And in a year one, they allowedthis.
And I think, and I've, from whatI've read from other sources.
A lot of people think that thisis going to make Trump stronger
because he realizes he can getwhat he wants, may take 40 days,
(15:36):
but he will get what he wants byholding the country hostage,
because it already happened, ithappened once for him.
He he's there.
It was a victory for them.
Yeah.
So while the shutdown wasoccurring, Trump certainly did
not work with legislators.
He traveled to Mar Largo,England and fucking tore down
the east wing of the WhiteHouse.
There is this thing called theCommission of Fine Arts.
(15:58):
It's a small, independentfederal agency that advises on
the design aesthetics affectingWashington DC's appearance.
The mission of this agency is toprotect and enhance DC's
artistic character, if you will.
But Trump swooped in and firedthe six member team whom were
all appointed by Biden, just sohe could bypass their approval
(16:19):
and build a fucking$300 millionballroom.
So let's get this straight.
2 million Americans are workingwithout pay our air safety
compromised.
The poorest Americans arestarved.
He literally has bulldozers plowdown the east wing of the White
House, our house.
To make room for his ballroom.
(16:42):
Let me remind you, the WhiteHouse is our house.
Seriously.
Our tax dollars fund.
This entire shit show going onit.
We fund it.
We actually own the White House,but not the ballroom.
We don't own the ballroombecause the ballroom has been
funded by donations ofbillionaires.
And some of our most favoritebillionaires, by the way,
(17:02):
Amazon, apple, hard RockInternational, Google Meta,
Microsoft T-Mobile, just to namea few.
Actually, you know, I'm gonnarecord a twin episode just so we
can name all the people whodonated to this ballroom.
Maybe we can make a list of whatproducts to stay away from or
something.
It's a pretty unique listactually.
Yeah.
It's interesting when everythinghappened to Kimmel, I believe,
(17:23):
you know, people were reallyquick to shut down their Hulu
and, and Disney, which wasgreat.
You know, people really took astand and it, it, it worked.
But when so many of thesecompanies, I mean, I would say a
hundred percent of Americans usethese companies on a daily
basis.
It's very hard to, to, you know.
Understand that supporting themis supporting other things.
(17:45):
It's just, it's gonna be, it'sreally difficult.
But anyway, I know we're gonnatouch on this and dive deeper in
another episode, but just togive you something to chew on
until then, listen to this.
This is something I've kind ofread and figured out.
Remember the January, 2021insurrection.
Obviously everyone does.
When people literally broke intothe capitol, Trump went and sued
(18:06):
YouTube for suspending hisaccount after the insurrection
because obviously they shouldhave, and everyone should have,
well.
YouTube chose to settle thelawsuit that he brought, and it
was like a six month process,but they ended up, they ended up
closing it by settling.
They agreed to pay Trump$24.5million, which is now going
(18:29):
straight into the White Houseballroom.
So let that sink in for amoment.
Insurrection.
Trump got in trouble because heflamed it on social media.
They took down his accounts.
YouTube did.
He sued, they won.
Oh no, he won.
They settled.
And the money that he's winning,uh.
In the settlement he's puttingtowards a ballroom that will
(18:52):
always be part of the WhiteHouse, and that numerous
presidents going forward,numerous important people will
be utilizing in the future.
That is a, that is a cloud oversomething on this White House
that will forever be there.
Yes.
It's only 24.5 million out ofthe 300 million that's gonna
take, but that's just, that'sjust one little.
Segment of this, and it's just,it's, it's crazy to wrap your
(19:15):
head around.
Yeah.
I wonder if anyone has verifiedthe legal status of the
construction workers at the,this new ballroom, by the way.
Good question.
That's the life we're livingnow, so here's some tips to get
people to shut the fuck up.
Okay.
Are you ready, Alex?
Yeah.
I'll read the quote and you canjust like follow up.
Okay.
So, ugh, I'm so sick ofDemocrats calling me a bigot
because I voted for Trump.
(19:36):
I voted for his economicpolicies, not the bad stuff.
Okay, wait.
I love the voice you used for aRepublican.
It's, it, it's fitting well.
If you voted for him though, youvoted for all of his policies.
That's how it works.
It is not a buffet.
I was just sick of all the outof control spending by
(19:58):
Democrats.
Republicans are better for theeconomy.
Facts.
The US economy has historicallydone better under democratic
presidents than Republican ones.
Seriously, the real GDP hasgrown about 4.3% under Democrats
and 2.5% under Republicans.
10 of the last 11 recessionshave occurred under Republican
(20:22):
president.
Yeah, because they inherited abad economy from the Democrats
before he took office.
In term of jobs, total jobgrowth has averaged 2.5% per
year under Democratic presidentsand just over 1% for Republican
presidents.
Okay.
But plenty of people have madeMO a lot of money under Trump,
(20:42):
so I would probably check thosenumbers.
The civil union always checksnumbers, but you're right.
There are a lot of people whohave made plenty of money under
Trump.
Not regular people, but theultra wealthy for sure.
Under the two, 2017 Tax Cuts andJobs Act, the wealth of US
billionaires jumped 77%.
(21:03):
That is$2.2 trillion in theyear's following.
According to the CBO, the top10% control about 60% of the
nation's total wealth, while thebottom half of families hold
just over 6%.
Now you said republicans doworse because they inherit a bad
economy for democraticpresidents.
(21:25):
No, that's, that's just plainwrong.
Historical data shows thatDemocrats often inherit a weaker
economy.
And leave a stronger one.
Republicans inherit a strongereconomy and leave it a weaker
one.
The economy doesn't just happen.
It responds to leadership,policy, timing, and Democrats
(21:46):
simply have a stronger record.
Dang, we just shut that persondown, babe.
That was good.
I think that's what everyoneneeds to start learning to do.
Everyone you know right now isjust being quiet or they want to
ignore things.
It's like, no, you gotta, yougotta stand up and respond to
these idiots.
California RS and the justicesdepartment are suing California
(22:06):
for the Prop 50 passage.
It's.
Interesting that Donald Trumpgoes to Republicans in Texas and
says, give me five more seats.
And they say, yes, sir, anythingyou want, sir.
And Lapdog Abbott passes it.
But the people of California whoactually get to have a voice and
get to have their vote count,Republicans don't like that.
(22:29):
The Prop 50 congressionalredistricting passed with nearly
65% of the 11 million votescast.
Yeah, I mean, it seems like inTexas, give me five more seats
is treated like a royal decreerather than a Democratic ask.
Meanwhile, in California,democracy still votes and nearly
65% voted yes to prop 50.
(22:51):
Uh, guess the difference betweenthe lapdog and democracy is who
gets to bark last.
Ooh, I like that.
Now also, Jared Golden is notrunning for reelection.
Who?
Who's Jared?
Golden and why should you care?
Well, Jared is a US HouseDemocrat, who represents one of
Maine's most Trumpy districts.
This district happens to berepresented by Golden, who's a
(23:14):
Democrat.
He's not leaving because ofthat.
He's leaving because he doesn'tlike it.
He wrote an op-ed and says,quote.
I don't fear of losing.
What has become apparent to meis that I now dread the prospect
of winning.
He dreads the prospect ofwinning.
Let that sink in.
He goes on quote, simply put,what I could accomplish in this
(23:39):
increasingly unproductiveCongress pales to what I could
do in that time as a husband, afather, and a son.
End quote.
I don't know.
Sounds fishy to me.
People love power, butessentially the explanation is
more about the feeling that hecan't get things done.
Yeah.
I mean, politics is aboutpoliticking.
You have to hustle.
(24:01):
What's his name again?
Jared Golden.
All right, hold on.
I'm reading up on him right now.
Oh, here's one.
He openly supported Trump'stariff policy.
Ew.
Gross.
Uh, let's see.
Uh, he's one of two houseDemocrats to side with
Republicans.
(24:22):
Overturning Joe Biden's studentloan debt cancellation.
Ugh.
Another red flag.
Uh, let's see.
Marijuana.
Oh, he gets an A Grade from theNational Organization for the
reform of marijuana laws.
Okay.
Uh Right.
And then oh LGBT issues.
(24:42):
Okay.
Golden voted in 2022 for theRespect for Marriage Act, which
repealed the Defense Mar ofMarriage Act and federally
protected same sex andinterracial marriages.
Okay.
He was one of four Democrats tojoin the majority of House
Republicans.
To pass the annual defensepolicy bill, which included
(25:06):
provisions barring Pentagonfunding for abortion and
transgender rights.
Ugh, another red flag.
Sounds like the sky.
I don't know.
I'm in the middle with the sky.
What else do you have, babe?
So also, a study findsMissouri's anti LGBTQ plus laws
are linked to population lossand decline in tax revenue.
(25:27):
Uh, that makes sense.
Yeah.
By continuing the anti LGBTrhetoric, uh, business and
people leave, prospects ofhiring employees and bringing in
new businesses also kills stategrowth and analysis.
By movement advancement Projectestimates hundreds of millions
(25:47):
of dollars in household incomehas left the state.
Research has also shown thatamong LGBTQ plus identifying
people age 13 through 24, around39% have considered or have
already moved to another state.
Another study by the NationalCenter for Transgender Equality
found 47% of transgenderedpeople have thought about or
(26:12):
have already moved due todiscriminatory policies.
But also, yeah, discriminatorylegislation portrays this state
as unwelcoming.
Of course.
Absolutely.
Missouri is one of 10 stateshighlighted in the study as
having a higher proportion ofrespondents moving away.
(26:32):
States with larger LGBTQ pluspopulations had higher rates of
economic growth between 2010through 2019.
A top concern for Missouribusinesses is their ability to
recruit and retain talent, whichequates to economic growth.
Businesses want to ensure thatpeople feel safe in their
neighborhoods and homes.
(26:54):
I agree.
I don't want my money spent inplaces that.
Don't believe we should evenexist.
You know, you know I did noticewhen we went to the Apple Butter
Festival in late October, uh,you were spending money at
booths that were locally ownedby LGBT people.
Absolutely, and I will continueto do that anytime I saw a
little rainbow flag.
I think I've bought, there weretwo candle companies, which also
(27:17):
they, I have a friend that sellscandles in Chicago.
He's a great dapper flame.
But, um, the two that I boughtfrom, yeah, they were both LGBTQ
plus and it's kind of funny'cause they was this straight
guy with her, his wife shoppingfor candles and he goes, what's
a bear?
And the wife was trying toexplain it to him.
And I'm just like, oh man.
This is a funny interaction, butyes, it send a powerful negative
(27:40):
signal to potential residents,investors, businesses, and
workers.
It says to them that the stateof Missouri is not a place they
should wanna visit live or dobusiness, or move their family.
I mean, no one wants to go to ared state if they're not being
supported financially.
Even with healthcare, everythinggoing on with healthcare now in
this country, you wanna go to astate that has your back.
(28:01):
Yeah, the rising extremism outof Jeff City has removed a sense
of community, which is crucialfor our Missouri State economy
to grow.
Wow.
That's good.
Good job, Alex.
That was a great, great episodeand great findings.
I love those stories.
Yeah, I feel like we had somegood facts.
I think people are wanting tolearn now.
(28:22):
I think we're getting a pivotpoint where people were ignoring
the news the first six months ofthis year, and I think now we're
starting to see people turn outto these protests.
They're starting to want to beeducated so.
We're doing our due diligence.
Yeah.
Yeah.
We can't say, we just sat by anddid nothing, so that's good.
So anyways, uh, I think thiswraps it up for us today.
(28:42):
Um, thank you so much forlistening.
If you made it through, I, Iabsolutely love you.
Make sure to give us a follow onInstagram and TikTok.
We're gonna get those up andfire it up again.
And, yeah, that's it.
That's all we got.
Yeah, please follow and shareour post.
We're really gonna try to getthat back up.
So I hope everyone has a greatrest of your week.
Bye bye.
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