S2 Ep1016: Jonathan Cohn and Mark Lilla: Lobotomizing America
Apr 8, 2025
auto_awesome
Jonathan Cohn, Senior national correspondent and author, joins Mark Lilla, Professor of humanities and author, to unpack the current state of biomedical research amidst significant governmental cuts. They discuss the troubling impact of these changes on diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, emphasizing how ignorance can shape political landscapes. The duo also explores the dynamics of Medicaid reform in red states and the importance of facing uncomfortable truths in an uncertain world. Their insights provide a profound look at how policy shapes lives.
The podcast critiques the consequences of the Trump administration's policies, especially highlighting how they negatively impact biomedical research and innovation.
Mark Lilla discusses the rise of reactionary politics as a response to societal upheaval, emphasizing the tension between gradual change and nostalgia for the past.
Jonathan Cohn explores the significance of translating complex governmental policy decisions into relatable impacts on healthcare and everyday life for Americans.
Deep dives
Dave Chappelle's Timely Critique
A notable discussion centers around a Dave Chappelle clip from 2017 that critiques Donald Trump's tariff policies, underscoring that warnings about these issues had been long-standing yet overlooked. This insight serves to challenge the naiveté of Wall Street figures like Bill Ackman, who now express surprise at the unfolding consequences of Trump's administration. The clip highlights that the criticisms laid out years ago remain relevant, illustrating a disconnect between political rhetoric and its anticipated outcomes. This discussion accentuates the idea that foresight in policy analysis is crucial yet frequently dismissed by those who are surprised by subsequent developments.
Supreme Court Rulings and Humanitarian Concerns
Recent Supreme Court rulings relate to the deportation cases of individuals such as Kilmer Abrego Garcia, underscoring serious concerns over human rights issues associated with current immigration policies. These rulings indicate that while some procedural protections are noted, the on-ground implications remain dire, especially for individuals already deported. The court’s mixed decisions reveal that even as some rights are upheld, the chances for recourse and return from wrongful deportation are severely limited, leaving many in precarious situations. This reflects a troubling intersection of legal and humanitarian issues that will require ongoing scrutiny.
Insights on Tariffs and Manufacturing
The implications of recent tariff policies, particularly in the context of Michigan's auto industry, highlight the interconnectedness of cross-border commerce and local economics. The state, pivotal in manufacturing, is witnessing the ramifications of heightened tariffs as parts cross borders multiple times, complicating cost structures for automobile assembly. Local businesses are beginning to feel the impact, with some announcing idling of plants or halting new factory plans due to increased expenses from tariffs. This situation presents a clear link between national policy decisions and local job markets, underlining the trickle-down effects of such economic strategies.
Policy Analysis by Jonathan Cohn
Jonathan Cohn's background in policy writing offers a critical exploration of the government's changing dynamics, especially in regard to healthcare and the effects of administrative changes on essential services. His approach in the forthcoming newsletter aims to illuminate the direct implications of policy decisions on daily life, ensuring that complex government actions are translated into relatable impacts for everyday Americans. Cohn seeks not only to report on developments but to contextualize them in terms of real-world consequences, shedding light on how legislative decisions can manifest in healthcare access and the broader social safety net. This focus on practical implications underscores the need for clear communication in policy analysis.
Reactionary Politics and Its Underpinnings
Mark Lilla's insights into reactionary politics reveal a deep-seated tension between the contemporary response to societal changes and historical political philosophies. He delineates the distinction between conservatives, who advocate for gradual change, and reactionaries, who endeavor to regain a perceived lost order while critiquing liberal ideologies. Lilla points out that the rise of reactionary politics is a response to the chaos of modern life, wherein individuals may cling to nostalgia and simplicity as counterbalances to their discomfort with rapidly evolving societal norms. His work urges a reevaluation of political discourse and stands as a reminder of the complexities inherent in human responses to change and uncertainty.
When it comes to biomedical research, America is already great. We are the world's leader in the field. But the Trump administration is gutting research and innovation on things like cancer, Alzheimer's, and arthritis—and the amputation of our scientific expertise under RFK, Jr. has been about as thoughtful as the tariffs rollout. Meanwhile, when it comes to the developing budget bill, Medicaid is getting some surprising red state support from people like Josh Hawley. Plus, when people willfully choose ignorance as a way to cope with an uncertain world.
Professor Mark Lilla and The Bulwark's Jonathan Cohn join Tim Miller. show notes
