Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar 12/2/25: Black Friday Shoppers Crushed, Trump Frees Convicted Fraudsters, Hegseth Throws Admiral Under Bus Over Venezuela
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Dec 2, 2025 Black Friday spending shows a troubling reliance on credit as consumers struggle financially. The hosts delve into the controversial pardons issued by Trump, discussing the implications of releasing convicted fraudsters. They also critique the White House's blame-shifting regarding military decisions in Venezuela, raising critical questions about leadership and accountability. The discussion touches on systemic issues like the high costs of raising a family and the impact of consumerism on personal debt, advocating for rethinking societal norms.
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Poverty Line Undercounts Modern Costs
- Michael Green argues the official US poverty line is far too low for modern costs of living.
- Krystal Ball highlights childcare, housing, healthcare and taxes as drivers making median incomes insufficient.
The Two-Income Trap And Benefit Cliffs
- Childcare and housing have grown far faster than food, breaking the original poverty-line formula tied to food costs.
- Saagar Enjeti and Krystal argue two-income traps and benefit cliffs exacerbate working families' struggles.
Cut Holiday Debt With Simpler Gift Plans
- Avoid financing holiday spending you cannot clear quickly, because consumers are increasingly using BNPL and credit to cover gifts.
- Saagar Enjeti and Krystal suggest pairing back gifts and using Secret Santa or family draws to cut costs.