Lindsay Owens, a political analyst, and Waleed Moore, a political commentator, delve into the alarming influence of billionaires on democracy. They discuss how oligarchs like Elon Musk are reshaping governance, often at the expense of the working class. The conversation highlights historical parallels with past industrialists while raising concerns over the role of tech in political manipulation. The need for grassroots activism is emphasized to combat the rising tide of plutocracy and maintain democratic values against the backdrop of wealth-driven power dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Lindsay Owens, Executive Director of the Groundwork Collaborative, sheds light on corporate profiteering amidst the pandemic. She reveals how rising corporate profits are tied to decreased competition and increased market concentration. Lindsay emphasizes that these dynamics have given companies unprecedented pricing power, leading to unjustified price hikes for consumers. She advocates for policy changes to enhance competition and transparency, aiming for a fairer economic landscape that prioritizes the consumer.

Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, joins experts like Lindsay Owens and Ben Burgis to dissect the illusion of conservative economic populism. They explore the need for progressives to unite around a message of economic justice and the importance of automatic stabilizers during downturns. Jeff Madrick emphasizes the dire consequences of child poverty, while Virginie Perrotin discusses the potential of worker cooperatives in combating inequality. The conversation critiques current economic models, advocating for a shift towards community-centric, sustainable practices.

Lawrence O'Donnell joins Representatives Jasmine Crockett, Becca Balint, and Maxwell Frost to discuss the implications of Trump's rhetoric on his presidential ambitions. Lindsay Owens sheds light on price gouging in the economy, highlighting recent efforts to combat it. Skye Perryman emphasizes the need to push back against Republican overreach. The conversation also touches on defending democracy and the importance of public education about Project 2025. Together, they explore the vital interplay of politics, economic justice, and civic engagement.

The Republicans get nervous about midterms. The Senate tries to pass same-sex marriage protections. Economic expert Lindsay Owens from The Groundwork Collective joins to talk about inflation. And the guys play a new game called Two Takes and A Fake. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.