8 chapters across the catalog
Bill Maher Political Donations, Steve Ballmer Recruitment
Bill Maher defends his million-dollar donation to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), arguing that the Senate is currently "in play" for the midterms. The hosts contrast Maher's support for campaign finance reform with his own massive personal contributions. Maher also mentions his attempt to recruit former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to donate to the cause.
Major corporations including Marriott, Dow, and Blue Cross Blue Shield have announced they will halt donations to lawmakers who voted against certifying the Electoral College results. Stripe has ceased processing payments for the Trump campaign, while Ford and Microsoft have suspended all political giving pending a review of recent events.
Linda Sarsour, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund Controversy
Political activist Linda Sarsour launched a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that drew skepticism regarding the ultimate destination of the donations. Critics alleged the funds might be diverted to political organizing rather than direct humanitarian aid for flood victims.
A $150 donation to the Trump campaign during the election cycle resulted in the receipt of a "Trump Gold Card," which became a point of contention during a dinner in France. The donation was intended to secure campaign mailings for media deconstruction purposes, similar to donations made to the Clinton campaign. The ensuing discussion touched on the viability of other candidates like Joe Biden and the general lack of information among European elites regarding US politics.
Producer Donations and Phallocentric Society Debate
Listener donations from Indiana and Oregon sparked a discussion on gendered language and societal structures. A producer's note questioned why certain derogatory terms are socially acceptable for men but not for women, leading to a debate on the "phallocentric society's oppression of women." The hosts reflect on how linguistic taboos vary significantly between the U.S. and the UK.
The Dallas-Fort Worth meetup saw an attendance of approximately 40 producers, despite technical issues with the RSVP system. Curry notes the effectiveness of using MailChimp to target producers in specific states like Texas and Oklahoma. The gathering included a diverse range of political viewpoints, from gun rights advocates to liberals, who found common ground in their skepticism of current governance.
Bitcoin Political Donations and the Assassination Market
The discussion turns to the potential for Bitcoin to be used for legal political donations and its darker applications, such as the "Assassination Market" website. The site reportedly uses crowdfunding to place bounties on public figures like Ben Bernanke and Barack Obama.
Campaign Finance Limits and State Election Rules
An investigation into political donation records reveals individuals contributing multiple times to the same candidate. This is explained by varying state laws and the distinction between primary and general election limits, which allow donors to contribute up to $2,300 per specific election cycle.
