Armstrong & Getty On Demand – “A&G Replay Monday Hour Two”

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This hour of Armstrong & Getty centers around a critique of cultural, educational, and political developments in America. The hosts discuss diminishing patriotic pride, the influence of "neo-Marxist" ideology in schools, the effectiveness (and corruption) of homelessness programs, and the societal impact of technology on relationships. They offer personal anecdotes, listener stories, and quote from current events, maintaining their signature blend of sarcasm, cultural commentary, and concern for America’s future.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Pride Decline and Political Division

• Gallup Poll Analysis:
  • Discussion of Gallup tracking pride in being American; a marked decline across parties since 2000 ([05:50]-[07:28]).
    • 2000: ~90% of Republicans, Democrats & Independents were ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ proud.
    • 2025: Republicans just above 50%, Independents a third, Democrats lower still.
• Jack’s Reflection:
  • Pride isn't (or shouldn’t be) tied to the current government:
    • "The idea that the United States of America is its government, that's absolutely not true. It's the people... It's our Constitution... not our political parties." ([07:28])

2. The “Neo-Marxist Indoctrination” in Education

• Ethnic & Gender Studies Critique:
  • Jack outlines concerns about Minneapolis public schools, where ethnic and gender studies are now required ([08:03]-[15:13]).
    • Claims these classes focus on demonizing capitalism, labeling it as a pillar of white supremacy, and prioritize social justice activism.
    • Course materials reference Ibram X. Kendi:
      • "Course materials describe ethnic studies as an anti racist tool... readings by anti racist activist Ibram X Kendi, who is both a con man and an America hating Marxist." ([09:42]-[10:29])
• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Joe recounts pulling his history-loving son from an American history class that led with themes of land theft, genocide, and pronoun sharing:
    • "They wrote the land declaration the first day explaining how we had stolen the land from the Indians and how awful we should feel about it." ([13:19]-[13:51])
• Concerns About Educational Impact:
  • Both hosts lament that education now centers on activism and self-reflection on bias rather than substance or critical history.
  • Joe’s advice:
    • "You gotta get your kid out of that school. You'd be better off if they sat at home looking at YouTube videos about math and science..." ([12:46])

3. Homelessness, Harm Reduction, and Systemic Waste

• Portland Homeless Addict Clip:
  • Audio from a young homeless addict describing how "harm reduction" programs supply users directly with paraphernalia ([17:33]-[18:23]).
    • Both hosts agree current strategies enable rather than help—“it doesn’t help, it’s enabling” ([18:10]).
• Drug Rehab & Addiction:
  • Joe: Most rehabs don't work, and some are only there to scam insurance:
    • "Rehabs don't work when they're trying and they're legit. These are just trying to steal your money." ([19:48])
• Marijuana & Public Health:
  • New studies link heavy THC use to traffic deaths and psychosis ([19:57]-[20:48]).

4. Technology and (Artificial) Relationships

• AI Companionship:
  • Discussion about the emotional reactions people develop with AI assistants ([25:21]-[26:35]).
    • "Even guys like us... have an emotional reaction when you have an exchange with you know who and they say a cheery thank you..." ([25:21])
• Hosts’ Last AI Searches (Light Segment): ([26:36]-[29:45])
  • The hosts and producer Katie share their last (non-show related) personal AI/chatbot queries:
    • Jack: “Do I need a vent free gas insert for my gas fireplace?”; “How many species of animals eat their young?”
    • Joe: “Espresso with cream options”; “meaning of a couple of letters in a text”; grammar checks.

5. Democratic Party Schism & the “Feminization of America”

• Democratic Donor Fatigue:
  • Fundraising woes due to radical candidates; donors on the sidelines ([31:28]-[32:52]).
  • Critique of the Democratic Party’s leftward lurch; donors fear the "anti-capitalist" elements.
• Cancel Culture & Gender Norms:
  • Armstrong refers to Helen Andrews’ “feminization” thesis ([33:09]-[36:03]):
    • Claims cancel culture is an expression of feminine social control: prioritizing group acceptance over debate.
    • "Everything you think of as wokeness involves prioritizing the feminine over the masculine... Empathy over rationality, safety over risk, cohesion over competition." ([35:01]-[36:03])
• Lack of Left Media Debate:
  • Joe notes right-leaning media frequently hosts genuine disagreements, but he's unaware of similar debate—“competition”—within the left ([34:29]-[34:58]).

6. LA Homelessness Scandal & Government Waste

• RedState Story Recap:
  • Steve Williams documents LA buying hotels for homeless housing at grossly inflated prices—massive windfall for developers, empty hotels, no impact ([39:37]-[43:30]).
• Homelessness Spending and Accountability:
  • Jack & Joe suggest the homeless-industrial complex is fundamentally about moving taxpayer money, not solving problems:
    • "The spending is the point, not fixing your causes that you care about." ([44:48]-[46:16])
    • "Every wasted dollar is one that could have gone toward mental health treatment, addiction recovery, job training, new housing construction. Instead those dollars flowed to brokers, bureaucrats, and Blackstone's balance sheet." ([45:02])
  • Attempts to question or stop it met with accusations of being “anti-homeless” ([45:29]).
• School Food Waste Illustration:
  • Teachers are horrified at the volume of wasted food due to universal free meals implemented during COVID, “the spending is the point” logic ([43:46]-[45:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's the people of the United States. It's our Constitution. It's our system. It's not our political parties."
  — Jack Armstrong [07:28]

• "You gotta get your kid out of that school… than to be subjected to that. You're gonna reflect on your own biases. F you. God, that makes me angry."
  — Joe Getty [12:46]

• "The spending is the point, not fixing your causes that you care about."
  — Jack Armstrong [44:48]

• "Cancel culture is simply what women do when there are enough of them… women prize acceptance and cohesion."
  — Jack Armstrong, paraphrasing Helen Andrews [35:01]

• "Rehabs don't work when they're trying and they're legit. These are just trying to steal your money."
  — Joe Getty [19:48]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:44]–[07:28]: Decline in national pride, Gallup poll analysis, partisan breakdown
• [08:03]–[15:13]: Minneapolis schools, ethnic/gender studies curricula, “indoctrination” in education
• [17:33]–[19:27]: Harm reduction, homelessness, addict testimony
• [19:28]–[20:56]: Rehab scams and marijuana dangers
• [25:21]–[29:45]: Tech/AI relationships and revealing last AI queries
• [31:28]–[36:18]: Democratic donor crisis, “feminization of America”, cancel culture
• [39:37]–[43:30]: LA homeless housing real estate scandal
• [44:48]–[46:16]: “The spending is the point” in government programs
• [46:16]–[46:48]: Show outro

Tone and Style

• Sarcastic, direct, skeptical of institutions and current ideological trends
• Frequent banter, analogies, and storytelling
• Impassioned when discussing perceived government waste or ideology in education
• Personal anecdotes and offbeat humor balanced with policy critique & cultural commentary