9 chapters across the catalog
Senator John Kennedy questioned the Deputy Secretary of Energy regarding a proposed $50 trillion plan to make the U.S. carbon neutral by 2050. Kennedy pressed the official for a specific estimate on how much this spending would actually reduce global temperatures, highlighting the official's inability to provide a mathematical justification for the massive taxpayer investment.
The hosts reminisce about the 2009 "Cash for Clunkers" program, characterizing it as a taxpayer-funded scam that destroyed the used car market. They argue the program failed to provide real economic benefit while wasting functional vehicles.
Canadian Parliament, Justin Trudeau, Gateway Casinos
In the Canadian Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized for a $200 million taxpayer investment in Gateway Casinos, a company with "junk" status. Trudeau responded with "Pence-like" deflections, focusing on Thanksgiving and the pandemic rather than the financial specifics of the casino deal. The opposition accused the government of throwing away money on "casino insiders" while thousands of energy sector workers lose their jobs.
Nancy Pelosi, Impeachment Pens, Montblanc Customization
Speaker Nancy Pelosi used approximately 30 custom-engraved Montblanc pens to sign the articles of impeachment, which were then distributed as souvenirs. Estimates suggest the pens could cost up to $3,000 each, potentially representing a significant expenditure of taxpayer funds. The pens were reportedly engraved with Pelosi's signature and the date of the impeachment, December 18th.
Congressional Settlement Transparency, Taxpayer Funded Payouts
A new bill aims to eliminate mandatory non-disclosure agreements and secret settlements for members of Congress accused of sexual misconduct. Reports indicate that $16 million in taxpayer funds has been used to settle 260 harassment claims over the last decade.
The GAO estimates that $60 billion is spent annually to maintain aging federal IT systems, including those at the Social Security Administration. Critics in Congress argue that IT graduates are being "dumbed down" to learn 1960s-era programming. The hosts defend the reliability of IBM mainframes and the AS/400, noting that the airline industry still relies on these robust legacy systems for core operations.
General Services Administration Excessive Spending, Martha Johnson Firing
President Barack Obama fired GSA Chief Martha Johnson following an Inspector General audit revealing excessive taxpayer spending at a Las Vegas training conference. The report detailed $822,000 in expenses, including a mind reader, commemorative coins, and a bicycle-building exercise. The hosts analyze the political fallout and Representative Darrell Issa's role in highlighting the scandal.
The cost of U.S. operations in Libya is officially estimated at $896 million, though internal documents suggest it will exceed $2.3 billion. Footage of rebels firing expensive 50-caliber rounds into the air from pickup trucks is criticized as a waste of taxpayer-funded ammunition. The combat style is compared to "Mad Max" or action movies starring Denzel Washington.
Michelle Obama Staffing, Taxpayer Waste, Redundant Titles
A report from the Canadian Free Press details the 26 servants and staffers currently working for First Lady Michelle Obama at a cost of $1.75 million annually. The hosts read through the list of titles, highlighting redundancies such as multiple "Deputy Social Secretaries" and "Directors of Advance." They argue this represents an egregious waste of taxpayer funds during a period of domestic economic hardship.
