9 chapters across the catalog
Final Donations, G7 Finance Meeting, Wagner Group Tease
The show concludes with a final round of donor thank-yous and "Jobs Karma" for listeners. A brief news item covers Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's comments at the G7 finance meeting in Japan regarding "economic coercion" by China. The hosts tease an upcoming segment on the Wagner Group for the next episode and discuss the potential for a continuing resolution on the U.S. debt limit.
Janet Yellen Africa Trip, Debt Limit, Mali-Russia Relations
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen began a 10-day trip to Africa to extend US influence and counter Russian "barbaric aggression" that has exacerbated food insecurity. While Yellen pledged $55 billion in aid, countries like Mali continue to turn to the Kremlin for military support, recently receiving a shipment of Russian warplanes. The trip occurs as the US faces a critical debt limit crisis at home, requiring "drastic measures" from the Treasury.
US Debt Limit, 31.4 Trillion Dollar Threshold
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the United States will reach its $31.4 trillion debt limit on Thursday, January 19, 2023. The Treasury plans to implement "extraordinary measures" to prevent a national default if Congress does not raise the ceiling. Critics argue that the current tax revenue is barely sufficient to cover interest payments on the national debt, contributing to inflationary pressures.
Global Banking System and Central Bank Digital Currency
German analyst Ernst Wolff's theory that the pandemic was used to save a failing global banking system is discussed. The end goal is identified as a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns of the debt limit being reached in October.
Ted Cruz Criticizes Debate Moderators, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
Ted Cruz delivers a viral response during the CNBC debate, listing the insulting questions asked of his fellow candidates to illustrate why the American people distrust the media. Cruz compares the Democratic debates to a fawning exchange between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks while refusing to answer a debt limit question until the moderators address substantive issues.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is featured in a C-SPAN clip discussing the difficulty of explaining congressional proceedings to the public. Her performance is analyzed for its media-savvy nature, specifically her habit of looking directly into the camera to engage the viewing audience.
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee is criticized for a floor speech regarding Medicare and Social Security that is characterized as grandstanding. Conversely, Representative Ron Paul appears on CNN with Anderson Cooper, claiming that the debt limit negotiations are a theatrical performance and that a deal has likely already been finalized behind the scenes.
Senator Marco Rubio reads past quotes from 2006 and 2007 by then-Senators Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Harry Reid, all of whom previously opposed raising the debt limit. Rubio uses these quotes to counter current accusations of "Tea Party extremism," highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in the shifting political stances of Democratic leadership.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testified before Congress regarding the necessity of raising the national debt limit by May 16th. Geithner warned that a failure to act would result in catastrophic economic consequences, including a global financial crisis, higher borrowing costs for families, and a default on U.S. obligations.
