I love these episodes and am so thankful to Beth and Sarah for this work. However, am I alone in my frustration with some, if not most, of the Congressman’s answers? Beth asked several pointed questions and he just skirted around the answer about what conversations he’s having and what the committees are saying and droned on and on about how bad the cuts DOGE is making are and how bad the things Trump is doing are. We get that. Answer the question. It’s time we stand up. Ok, then do it and say something.
I felt the same way. Also came to the comments to see if this is how others felt. Sarah and Beth ask such good questions. I continue to hear the old playbook (in Griffon's words "orange man bad"). What are WE offering? What are WE doing differently?? And also, still an episode and interview I enjoyed. Thanks Spice Cabinet. <3
I came to the comments looking to see if anyone else felt this way. I had to pause several times because it was a bit painful to listen to. That said, I loved the photography part at the end and that’s when I felt like I got a better sense of the Congressman as a person. It almost felt as though he was trying to talk to an audience that didn’t know that much about these matters, but luckily thanks to Sarah and Beth, I’d say we have a better understanding than most. That said, I appreciate hearing from people in office and hope it continues!
Yeah, I got frustrated when they asked questions about the committee’s perspective on the VA cuts and he started talking about abortion generally. I couldn’t tell if he was using talking points to pivot because he didn’t have a good answer or if he just genuinely drifted from answering the question.
Thank you so much for this episode. It is important to learn about the nuts and bolts of government since any policies we fight over will eventually have to be implemented to accomplish anything. The Rep did a good job at explaining the money situation with Medicaid. I know people's eyes glaze over when we get to budget stuff, but it is so important. I think the majority of people misunderstand what is in our budget and how it works. Like the questions about foreign aid - most people think we spend about 20 times more on foreign aid than we actually do. McGarvey's illustrations of the amount of money involved in Medicaid and what it goes towards were very understandable. I wish there was a way to get these sorts of illustrations out to the general public in a way that they would listen. Back in the day, people would sometimes make fun of how President Reagan simplified things and used props, but that approach is looking a little genius right now.
Can I just gush a minute about this photo project? I'm a birth photographer and I won't do a birth without also doing a followup because it's SO FREAKING MAGICAL to watch a family become a family, and to get pictures? I could swoon right now. And then the continuing story of a family? I might die a little just thinking about it. ❤️❤️❤️
I am exactly three days older than the Brother who was/is the baby in the photo essay/book. I *ran* via the internet to find a copy for myself. How neat.
On the Medicaid cuts topic…as someone who’s used Medicaid and been sooo grateful for the free medical coverage for myself and my boys during the pandemic, it always irks me that the conversation never delves into the fact that Medicaid is government money spent on for profit insurance plans. It’s not state insurance the way people talk about it. I had pacific source - it was a great plan and we paid no premium, copays or deductibles because the government paid those things on our behalf - but they paid them to a for-profit company. Soooo maybe instead of defunding Medicaid we could look to better regulate the insurance companies who only are looking to fill their own coffers.
There are a couple of things that I am watching in the current budget process. First, I think the cuts that were discussed and that are in the news are all from the President's proposed budget, which historically, for Presidents of both parties, was more of a wish-list -- the actual budgets that passed would look very different from the President's version. But maybe this Republican party is so attached to Trump that they pass his budget as is? Second, and longer-term, this budget will make the Republican members of Congress actually take responsibility for the cuts in government services, instead of letting them hide behind Elon Musk and DOGE and deny culpability. Which will win out, their loyalty to the President, or their desire not to be responsible for cuts in programs their constituents depend on? Third, do budgets even matter anymore when Musk and DOGE can just unilaterally decide not to pay for things that Congress has appropriated money for?
Yes. I STILL don't understand how DOGE has been able to go through with these cuts. Especially for things that are in the middle of contracts. If you want to get rid of a grant program, fine. But how in the world are they allowed to end grants that are in the middle of projects. Or leave Fulbright scholars unfunded and stranded where they have been sent? (I mean, I know Trump did this sort of thing all the time with contracts when he was in business, but that doesn't mean it was legal. And government is different.) Besides being angry, I am befuddled.
Such a great episode. I appreciated the conversation about the VA. I am in the middle of a VA claim. (Primarily for issues related to burn pits as I lived next to one while deployed and had to inspect it as part of my job at times....I was not happy about recent moves with the PACT Act). Needless to say, in 6 months, I've had lots of difficulty getting any response from the offices. A few woman veterans I know had appointments in March, and then showed up and the provider had been fired, but there wasn't staff to cancel the appointment. Hopefully, we don't lose the ground we gained in care for women veterans
Oh my gosh, that is absolutely horrible. And also the sort of story to send to your federal representatives. Real stories about real constituents are one of the things that can get them to move on something. Do you know what state the appointments were in?
How many people on here grew up in conservative households where the frog in boiling water analogy was used to talk about why you shouldn’t watch sexual content in stuff or whatever?
Also, are there really people out there who haven't heard the frog in boiling water analogy? Is it generational? I was almost laughing when the guest took the time to explain it.
I did not grow up in a conservative household where the analogy was used to talk about why you shouldn't watch sexual content, but I still thought everybody knew about boiling frogs. There's even a column in The Dispatch titled Boiling Frogs.
In other news: JD Vance's German buddies of the AfD party have been declared "right-wing extremist" by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution today. That means that the party is now considered anti democratic and anti constitutional. Birds of a feather ...
Sarah and Beth and team, you do many things well. This type of episode, where you speak to a representative or senator about their daily work and who is deeply concerned about representing their constituents? Some of the best work you do. I found this deeply interesting and satisfying, that there are people still head down, committed, doing the work of representing their people. I learned a great deal from this episode and appreciate the Representative’s time and your ongoing commitment to excellence in what you do.
I love this comment and agree- even when it’s discouraging- it’s so hopeful to see our reps just doing the work and finding places of progress and hope.
I just came here to say the boiling frog thing is not just a Kentucky thing. I learned this from my mom in California
I love these episodes and am so thankful to Beth and Sarah for this work. However, am I alone in my frustration with some, if not most, of the Congressman’s answers? Beth asked several pointed questions and he just skirted around the answer about what conversations he’s having and what the committees are saying and droned on and on about how bad the cuts DOGE is making are and how bad the things Trump is doing are. We get that. Answer the question. It’s time we stand up. Ok, then do it and say something.
I felt the same way. Also came to the comments to see if this is how others felt. Sarah and Beth ask such good questions. I continue to hear the old playbook (in Griffon's words "orange man bad"). What are WE offering? What are WE doing differently?? And also, still an episode and interview I enjoyed. Thanks Spice Cabinet. <3
I came here to see if anyone else had this thought. I found myself frustrated too.
I came to the comments looking to see if anyone else felt this way. I had to pause several times because it was a bit painful to listen to. That said, I loved the photography part at the end and that’s when I felt like I got a better sense of the Congressman as a person. It almost felt as though he was trying to talk to an audience that didn’t know that much about these matters, but luckily thanks to Sarah and Beth, I’d say we have a better understanding than most. That said, I appreciate hearing from people in office and hope it continues!
Yeah, I got frustrated when they asked questions about the committee’s perspective on the VA cuts and he started talking about abortion generally. I couldn’t tell if he was using talking points to pivot because he didn’t have a good answer or if he just genuinely drifted from answering the question.
Agreed. I kept thinking “such a politician” answering the question by not answering the question.
You are not alone!
Thank you so much for this episode. It is important to learn about the nuts and bolts of government since any policies we fight over will eventually have to be implemented to accomplish anything. The Rep did a good job at explaining the money situation with Medicaid. I know people's eyes glaze over when we get to budget stuff, but it is so important. I think the majority of people misunderstand what is in our budget and how it works. Like the questions about foreign aid - most people think we spend about 20 times more on foreign aid than we actually do. McGarvey's illustrations of the amount of money involved in Medicaid and what it goes towards were very understandable. I wish there was a way to get these sorts of illustrations out to the general public in a way that they would listen. Back in the day, people would sometimes make fun of how President Reagan simplified things and used props, but that approach is looking a little genius right now.
Can I just gush a minute about this photo project? I'm a birth photographer and I won't do a birth without also doing a followup because it's SO FREAKING MAGICAL to watch a family become a family, and to get pictures? I could swoon right now. And then the continuing story of a family? I might die a little just thinking about it. ❤️❤️❤️
It is so beautiful to think about how much life has been captured for this family
I am exactly three days older than the Brother who was/is the baby in the photo essay/book. I *ran* via the internet to find a copy for myself. How neat.
Amazing, Jessica! Looks like it’s out of print so copies are scarce, did you score one?
I was able to order a copy from Half Priced Books online. It arrives this week! I did notice there were $60 copies and $10 copies. I got a $10 copy 😂
On the Medicaid cuts topic…as someone who’s used Medicaid and been sooo grateful for the free medical coverage for myself and my boys during the pandemic, it always irks me that the conversation never delves into the fact that Medicaid is government money spent on for profit insurance plans. It’s not state insurance the way people talk about it. I had pacific source - it was a great plan and we paid no premium, copays or deductibles because the government paid those things on our behalf - but they paid them to a for-profit company. Soooo maybe instead of defunding Medicaid we could look to better regulate the insurance companies who only are looking to fill their own coffers.
There are a couple of things that I am watching in the current budget process. First, I think the cuts that were discussed and that are in the news are all from the President's proposed budget, which historically, for Presidents of both parties, was more of a wish-list -- the actual budgets that passed would look very different from the President's version. But maybe this Republican party is so attached to Trump that they pass his budget as is? Second, and longer-term, this budget will make the Republican members of Congress actually take responsibility for the cuts in government services, instead of letting them hide behind Elon Musk and DOGE and deny culpability. Which will win out, their loyalty to the President, or their desire not to be responsible for cuts in programs their constituents depend on? Third, do budgets even matter anymore when Musk and DOGE can just unilaterally decide not to pay for things that Congress has appropriated money for?
Yes. I STILL don't understand how DOGE has been able to go through with these cuts. Especially for things that are in the middle of contracts. If you want to get rid of a grant program, fine. But how in the world are they allowed to end grants that are in the middle of projects. Or leave Fulbright scholars unfunded and stranded where they have been sent? (I mean, I know Trump did this sort of thing all the time with contracts when he was in business, but that doesn't mean it was legal. And government is different.) Besides being angry, I am befuddled.
Such a great episode. I appreciated the conversation about the VA. I am in the middle of a VA claim. (Primarily for issues related to burn pits as I lived next to one while deployed and had to inspect it as part of my job at times....I was not happy about recent moves with the PACT Act). Needless to say, in 6 months, I've had lots of difficulty getting any response from the offices. A few woman veterans I know had appointments in March, and then showed up and the provider had been fired, but there wasn't staff to cancel the appointment. Hopefully, we don't lose the ground we gained in care for women veterans
🤬 I’m so sorry
The real life consequences of the chainsaw approach
That’s infuriating
Oh my gosh, that is absolutely horrible. And also the sort of story to send to your federal representatives. Real stories about real constituents are one of the things that can get them to move on something. Do you know what state the appointments were in?
Florida. We've definitely talked about sharing experiences
How many people on here grew up in conservative households where the frog in boiling water analogy was used to talk about why you shouldn’t watch sexual content in stuff or whatever?
Totally. Boiling frogs and slippery slopes warning against any and all things 😵💫
Or hold hands?
Also, are there really people out there who haven't heard the frog in boiling water analogy? Is it generational? I was almost laughing when the guest took the time to explain it.
I did not grow up in a conservative household where the analogy was used to talk about why you shouldn't watch sexual content, but I still thought everybody knew about boiling frogs. There's even a column in The Dispatch titled Boiling Frogs.
In other news: JD Vance's German buddies of the AfD party have been declared "right-wing extremist" by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution today. That means that the party is now considered anti democratic and anti constitutional. Birds of a feather ...
Sarah and Beth and team, you do many things well. This type of episode, where you speak to a representative or senator about their daily work and who is deeply concerned about representing their constituents? Some of the best work you do. I found this deeply interesting and satisfying, that there are people still head down, committed, doing the work of representing their people. I learned a great deal from this episode and appreciate the Representative’s time and your ongoing commitment to excellence in what you do.
I love this comment and agree- even when it’s discouraging- it’s so hopeful to see our reps just doing the work and finding places of progress and hope.
Agreed!
Thank you!!!!!!!