The Ricochet Podcast Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
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Nov 14, 2025 
John Yoo, a law professor and former Justice official known for his expertise in constitutional law, joins Rob Long and James Lileks for a lively discussion. They dissect the implications of the recent government shutdown and the shortcomings of shutdowns in addressing the deficit. Yoo tackles complex issues like presidential war powers and the legal nuances of drug trafficking as warfare. The trio also examines the moral debates around taxation and the unpredictable effects of AI on labor markets, all while keeping the conversation engaging and humorous.
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Shutdowns Are Political Theater, Not Reform
- Government shutdowns are recurring political theater that rarely produce meaningful budgetary reform.
- The party in the White House usually emerges politically stronger while substantive cuts never happen.
Entitlements Drive Long-Term Deficits
- Entitlement programs drive the long-term federal deficit and are largely on autopilot.
- Shutting government operations temporarily won't solve structural debt from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Generational Resentment Shapes Politics
- Younger generations feel they subsidize older generations' retirement and health care and are deeply resentful.
- That resentment fuels political movements on both left and right, reflecting generational economic stress.