What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead The Higher Ed Doom Spiral
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Dec 5, 2025 The discussion kicks off with Pete Hegseth's controversial stance on Caribbean strikes and political implications. A major fraud scandal in Minnesota stirs debate about its connections to immigrant communities. They dive into the struggles of uniting the divided GOP coalition, compounded by shifts in voter demographics. The focus then shifts to the spiraling crisis in higher education, marked by declining enrollment and graduates' job readiness. Insights into remedial education challenges and changing employer expectations highlight the urgent need for reform.
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Boat Strike Debate Is More Posture Than Law
- The Hegseth/drug-boat controversy is largely political posturing amid unclear facts.
- Major legal questions hinge on broader policy toward Venezuela, not just the boat strike.
Minnesota Fraud Exposes Systemic Oversight Gaps
- Large-scale fraud in Minnesota's social services signals policy and oversight failures.
- The case challenges narratives that mass immigration poses no administrative or fiscal difficulties.
Enrollment Pressure Lowers Academic Standards
- College enrollment pressures push schools to admit less-prepared students to meet numbers.
- That dynamic reduces academic quality and increases remedial needs across campuses.