On with Kara Swisher cover image

On with Kara Swisher

Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson: Less Obstruction, More Government

Mar 17, 2025
Ezra Klein, co-founder of Vox and host of a popular podcast, teams up with Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic, to discuss their new book on transforming scarcity into abundance for the Democratic Party. They argue that bureaucratic hurdles obstruct growth, leading to affordability crises in blue states. The conversation delves into innovative housing solutions like 'yimbyism,' critiques of current governance, and the role of technology in shaping a sustainable future. Ultimately, they advocate for a government that prioritizes effective infrastructure and community needs.
01:04:13

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Klein and Thompson argue that the current affordability crisis in blue states stems from excessive bureaucracy and counterproductive policies.
  • The podcast emphasizes the urgent need for easing housing regulations to combat the rising costs and promote development in major cities.

Deep dives

Reassessing Liberal Policies

The episode discusses how the book 'Abundance' critiques liberal policies in blue states, highlighting that those well-meaning policies have inadvertently created an affordability crisis. The authors argue that these liberal initiatives have made it difficult to provide ample housing, public transportation, and energy resources. This situation has led to disillusionment among voters, causing many to flee blue cities in search of more affordable living conditions. They contend that Democrats need to shift their focus from a scarcity mindset to one that promotes abundance and forward-thinking strategies.

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