

Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson: Less Obstruction, More Government
130 snips 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.
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Liberal Policies and Affordability Crisis
- Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson argue that well-meaning liberal policies have created an affordability crisis.
- This crisis is driving voters away from blue states and hindering progressive goals.
Building to Combat Rising Prices
- Build more housing to combat rising prices in successful cities.
- This is a proven solution, as demonstrated by historical examples like New York City and mid-century California.
Marin County's Water Restriction
- Marin County restricted water access to limit housing growth, creating vulnerability to drought.
- They later had to build a costly pipeline, demonstrating the unintended consequences of such policies.