Topic: Corporate Lobbying

Attorney General Bill Barr issued a warning to American corporate leaders that their efforts on behalf of Chinese interests could implicate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). He suggested that "cultivating relationships" for business in China may cross the line into unregistered lobbying. This follows the high-profile prosecution of Paul Manafort for similar FARA violations related to his work in Ukraine.

Ted Cruz's attack on sugar subsidies during the debate is identified as a targeted strike against Marco Rubio, who has ties to the sugar industry in Florida. Cruz frames the subsidies as "corporate welfare" that bankrolls lobbying efforts. The hosts discuss the corruption inherent in these industry protections and the likelihood of a Bush vs. Clinton general election.

A classic George Carlin routine is played, detailing how "the owners" of the country control the government, media, and education system to keep the population obedient and incapable of critical thinking. Carlin argues that the "American Dream" is a myth used to pacify a population that has been economically abandoned. The hosts suggest this is the same message Sanders and Warren are attempting to co-opt.

The proliferation of soy oil, high fructose corn syrup, and chemical preservatives is blamed for declining global health and rising obesity. The hosts argue that "Frankenfood" is designed for long shelf life and high profit rather than nutritional value. They claim that corporate shills in government customize rules to benefit large food and pharmaceutical conglomerates.