The Majority Report with Sam Seder

2497 - Fight Over Republican Cuts to Medicaid & "Abundance" w/ Ezra Klein

May 14, 2025
Ezra Klein, a New York Times columnist and host of The Ezra Klein Show, dives into his book, Abundance. He tackles the Republican cuts to Medicaid, revealing their implications for vulnerable populations and healthcare access. The conversation spans housing affordability, the influence of corporate interests on urban development, and the clash of governance strategies. Klein emphasizes the need for policies promoting equity while critiquing the power dynamics shaping today's political landscape.
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INSIGHT

Why Liberals Struggle to Deliver

  • The main question of "Abundance" is why liberals fail to produce more of what we need despite governing in several states.
  • Ezra Klein highlights regulation, bureaucracy, and local power struggles as key hurdles.
INSIGHT

Proceduralism Creates Veto Points

  • Procedural bureaucracy creates veto points that allow various interests to block housing and infrastructure.
  • Power in these processes isn't just corporate; local homeowners and other groups also exercise it.
INSIGHT

Money Drives Political Influence

  • Money is a core mechanism of influence in politics and housing development.
  • Wealthier groups can shape processes to preserve asset values and restrict affordability.
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