Topic: Act Blue

Activists launched the "We Ain't Buying It" (WABBIT) campaign, urging consumers to boycott Target, Home Depot, and Amazon due to their perceived alignment with Trump administration policies. Led by groups like Black Voters Matter, the campaign targets corporations that have abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments. The effort is linked to the Act Blue donation platform, suggesting a partisan political motivation.

A group of 50 protesters carrying Ukrainian flags was spotted in Fredericksburg, Virginia, which the hosts attribute to national organizing groups. The segment briefly shifts to mention a severe cyclone causing power outages in Australia and the EU's interest in strengthening ties with the country.

The organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) led a massive sit-in at Grand Central Terminal to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Analysis suggests the group functions as a front for radical Democratic interests, noting its ties to ActBlue and its endorsement of "The Squad" members like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Critics argue the group's branding misrepresents its fringe political alignment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a pre-recorded message during the Grammy Awards, introduced by host Trevor Noah. The segment promoted the website "Stand Up For Ukraine," which redirects to Global Citizen, an organization funded by major banks and pharmaceutical companies. Critics described the production as a "globalist takeover" of entertainment media.

Protesters are criticized for donating to Act Blue under the impression they are supporting bail funds, while the money is actually absorbed into a broader political machine. The discussion touches on the concept of police nullification, where law enforcement stops patrolling certain communities, leading to an increase in murder rates. This dynamic is framed as middle-class politicians "bamboozling" the poor, as described by Malcolm X.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is linked to George Soros through campaign funding from the Open Society Foundation. The hosts trace Soros's influence in the Democratic Party back to the 1980s and Hillary Clinton. They also identify "Unicorn Riot" as an Antifa-affiliated media arm involved in bailing out protesters using funds collected through these networks.

Hillary Clinton promoted her new organization, Onward Together, which supports progressive groups like Indivisible, Swing Left, and Run for Something. These organizations utilize Act Blue for financial processing and focus on recruiting young candidates for the 2018 midterm elections.

Aetna's CEO announced the company will exit 20 states after losing $200 million on Obamacare exchanges, joining United Health and Humana in scaling back participation. The discussion highlights that Blue Cross Blue Shield is requesting rate hikes of up to 60%. Furthermore, it is noted that under the Affordable Care Act, doctors can be fined for accepting cash payments from patients already enrolled in the system.

Representative Peter Roskam presented data showing massive proposed health insurance premium increases for 2016. Insurers, now using a full year of Affordable Care Act claims data, are requesting hikes of up to 51% in some states like South Dakota. The hosts argue this contradicts the "false narrative" that the ACA would lower healthcare costs for the average American.

The hosts criticize the "open enrollment" system of the Affordable Care Act as a scam that limits consumer choice. One host reports that Blue Shield of California warned of a six-week backlog in processing insurance paperwork due to ACA-related glitches. Patients are reportedly being told to keep receipts and seek emergency care in the interim.

A healthcare brokerage commercial for the Affordable Care Act is noted for using high-pressure "chopper-dicer" sales techniques usually reserved for late-night infomercials. Separately, a Hyundai Blue Link advertisement demonstrates the ability of law enforcement to remotely reduce engine power or immobilize vehicles. The hosts compare these remote-kill features to science fiction scenarios of state-controlled movement.

Senator Ted Cruz uses data from Open Secrets to argue that the top campaign donors predominantly support Democrats, noting that Koch Industries ranks significantly lower than groups like Act Blue. Cruz criticizes Harry Reid for using the Senate floor to impugn the character of private citizens who have no right of personal privilege to defend themselves. The hosts comment on Cruz's distinctive speaking voice and his wife's employment at Goldman Sachs.

The hosts discuss the portrayal of U.S. Marshals in new TV shows like "The Chase" and "Dark Blue." They highlight a scene from "Dark Blue" that depicts the remote activation of a cell phone microphone to listen to conversations, a capability the hosts have long claimed exists under the Patriot Act.