Unf*cking The Republic

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently pledged $20 billion of support to Argentina to prevent its currency from sliding further and to backstop Javier Milei’s Trump-like economic agenda. Then, Argentina turned around and lowered its export tariffs and dumped its soybean crop on the market. They found a willing buyer in China, who has ceased purchasing U.S. agriculture due to the Trump tariff war. The whole affair boiled over when an AP photographer snapped a picture of a text thread on Bessent’s phone from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Collins who said U.S. soybean farmers were livid because their market collapsed. It’s another example of the Trump administration putting ideology and pettiness ahead of his own constituents. But there’s a larger game afoot that no one is talking about that this situation perfectly illustrates: We’re playing checkers and China is playing chess. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Post Show Musings: 00:25:22 Outro: 00:27:43 Resources Americas Quarterly: A Key Pending Challenge for Milei’s Argentina New York Times: Milei Vowed to Fix Argentina’s Economy. Then Came a New Crisis Newsweek: Trump’s Argentina bailout sparks fury among farmers, Republicans Paul Krugman: Why Is Trump Bailing Out Argentina? Federal Reserve: Dollarization in Argentina The Observatory of Economic Complexity: United States (USA) and Argentina (ARG) Trade International Trade Administration: Argentina - Market Overview MercoPress: Argentina records 21st straight trade surplus CEIC Data: Argentina Consolidated Fiscal Balance, 1993 – 2025 Americas Quarterly: Milei’s Path to Dollarization: Riddled with Doubts J.P. Morgan: De-dollarization: The end of dollar dominance? Become a UNFTR Member Book Love Carol Wise: Dragonomics: How Latin America Is Maximizing (or Missing Out On) China's International Development Strategy -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max and 99 tackle pressing topics like AI's concentration risks and the ethical concerns surrounding Palantir’s marketing. They delve into the implications of automation versus AI on the job market and explore the complexities of government shutdowns. The pair critique Pete Hegseth's recent military address, addressing toxic masculinity and hypocrisy in politics. They also reflect on Jane Goodall's impact and discuss the cultural distractions of celebrity news while contemplating a listener's idea for a worker-owned gig co-op.

The discussion delves into the deep-rooted influence of white Christian nationalism in America. It highlights the urgency surrounding Project 2025 and its implications for policy and society. Revealing undercover insights, the podcast outlines alarming plans for deportations and increased policing. The conversation critiques liberal centrism and its failure to address systemic racism. Moreover, the connections between economic strategies and white nationalism are exposed, raising concerns about militarization amid rising chaos.

The podcast explores the alarming strategies of alt-right figures aiming to dismantle key institutions in America. It delves into Project Esther, likening it to COINTELPRO's tactics, and forecasts chaotic societal impacts like mass layoffs and constitutional crises. The discussion also critiques decades of neoliberal policies, highlighting the complicity of both political parties. Listeners are urged to unite and organize around a working-class vision to counter the looming threat of authoritarianism.

The discussion opens with a sharp contrast between media reactions to Charlie Kirk's murder. Max dives into the online radicalization of Gen Z, drawing connections to gaming culture and incel networks. The implications of Kirk's death on youth politics are explored, suggesting it could intensify partisanship. The podcast also highlights the risks to civil liberties and how organized right-wing forces magnify divisive politics. Finally, hidden online communities are warned to be fueling this dangerous landscape, cementing the need for urgent action.

The “left” is a wide spectrum with ever deepening divides. This week’s essay highlights two newsworthy items that perfectly illustrate the fracture between leftists and liberals and how we’re willing to accept anything on the Democratic side that shows signs of life; even if those things are undemocratic in nature. Part one addresses the fallout from the Wired Magazine article uncovering the relationship between online creators and a group called Chorus. The second part addresses California’s move to neutralize Texas’ recent redistricting effort designed to pick up Republican House seats in the midterms. Chapters Intro: 00:00:00 Part One: 00:00:56 Part Two: 00:14:01 Resources Wired: A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers Chorus Tucker Carlson: Ana Kasparian: Epstein Cover-Up, Israel Strikes Gaza Church, & the Great American Political Shift TYT: Cenk Explains Why He’s REMOVING A Contributor From TYT Network Sixteen Thirty Fund 270 to Win: 1964 Presidential Election Yes on 50 New York Times: The Democratic Party Faces a Voter Registration Crisis UNFTR Resources Video: Journalist Exposes Dark Money on the Left Video: Democrats fight back with California redistricting plan -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max and 99 jump in for another edition of Show Notes, covering headlines and some recent Unf*cker feedback. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:26:07 Emails: 00:33:02 Memberships: 00:53:09 Outro: 00:53:25 Resources Sign the Petition To Stop the Senate From Passing These Bills Max for MTN: Trump makes FATAL MOVE that Instantly RUINS LABOR DAY The Guardian: Florida to end vaccine mandates for children as state’s surgeon general likens them to ‘slavery’ Politico: Poll: California Democrats like Gavin Newsom over Kamala Harris in 2028 Quinn Slobodian: Hayek's Bastards: Race, Gold, Iq, and the Capitalism of the Far Right I Am Leg Chloe Sorvino: Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Fight for the Future of Meat Unf*cker Recommendations Carlota Perez: Technological Revolutions and Financial Capital: The Dynamics of Bubbles and Golden Ages UNFTR Resources Video: Journalist Exposes Dark Money on the Left Video: Democrats fight back with California redistricting plan Californication: F*cking Around with our Biggest Economy. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. is running out of options to service the national debt. Secretary Bessent announced that we will now use revenue from tariffs to pay down budget deficits, rather than reinvest them into the economy. Some are treating this as welcome news. At the same time, the GOP has formed a working group to draft up a “sequel” to the Big Beautiful Bill to deepen cuts to Medicaid and federal student aid. They’ll do anything other than raise taxes on those that can afford them. But tariffs and more cuts to vital programs will only hasten economic decline, so team Trump is running out of options to stop the bleeding. And that means only one thing: Printing more money. But that’s more complicated than it seems and will lead to disastrous results. It does explain, however, why Trump is so desperate to take over the Federal Reserve. Chapters Intro: 00:00:57 Post Show Musings: 00:32:55 Outro: 00:47:04 Resources UNFTR.com Sign the Petition To Stop the Senate From Passing These Bills Politico: House Republicans want another megabill. One GOP senator says it could be ‘damaging.’ X: Republican Study Committee Republican Study Committee: One Big Beautiful Sequel: RSC Chairman Launches Working Group for Second Reconciliation Bill Brookings: What is the repo market, and why does it matter?  St. Louis Fed: What Is Yield Curve Control? Treasury: Treasury Announces Marketable Borrowing Estimates UNFTR Quickies UNFTR Discord -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the toxic myth of hustle culture and its impact on American workers. Discover how self-reliance has overshadowed vital worker protections. Delve into the history of labor power and how gigs shape precarious lives. Unpack the psychological grips of rugged individualism and the role of AI in labor displacement. Examine the consequences of shareholder primacy on wage inequality, and consider the potential of worker cooperatives as an alternative. Finally, envision a collective reimagining of work that emphasizes dignity, solidarity, and support.

Max and 99 are back at it for another edition of Show Notes! They cover a few trending headlines plus Trump Stablecoin ep. feedback, and have an unnecessarily long conversation about soap. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:12:14 Episode Feedback: 00:51:32 Memberships: 01:25:42 Outro: 01:30:12 Headlines New York Times: Cracker Barrel’s New Modern Logo and Aesthetic Become a Political Rorschach Test The Guardian: Target CEO steps down as company faces weak sales and customer boycott CNBC: Former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon questions stock drop: ‘It was about as good of a quarter as any retailer could have in any environment’ The Guardian: CEO-to-worker pay gap surges to 632 to 1 at US’s lowest-paying large firms, study shows USA Today: Eric Adams adviser accused of bribery after giving reporter cash inside potato chip bag New York Times: Goodbye, $165,000 Tech Jobs. Student Coders Seek Work at Chipotle Resources UNFTR Resources Environment The Bulwark: Is Tim Miller closer to endorsing Zohran Mamdani than Hakeem Jeffries is? Petition: Stop Trump's USD1 Stablecoin Video, Max for MTN: Trump’s SHADOW CRYPTO Network is WORSE Than You Think Video: Trump's Crypto Scheme MUST Be Stopped Episode: Trump is Looting the Treasury. Congress: S.394 - GENIUS Act of 2025 Congress: H.R.3633 - Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 Congress: H.R.1919 - Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act Molly White Citation Needed Molly White on Bluesky -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.