Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: "All I Know Is My Car's More Expensive!"
Date: March 30, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty dive into a range of current events and social issues with their signature irreverent tone and banter. They kick off with political turmoil in California, focusing on the state's wealth tax proposals and their economic impact, then turn to broader economic discussions, comedic asides (including a man with a pet hyena), debates about what constitutes "rich" across the U.S., and contemporary controversies including trans athletes in sports. The episode also touches on celebrity news, the evolution of warfare in Ukraine, and concludes with commentary on technology, AI, and shifting societal norms.
Key Topics and Insights
1. California Politics and the Canceled Governor’s Debate
Timestamps: 00:27 – 01:44
- The debate was canceled because all six top candidates were white, despite California being 62% minority.
- A USC professor who designed the candidate selection formula explains it's standard:
Jack Armstrong (00:54): “I used the same formula that Harvard and Stanford and everybody’s used for all kinds of elections... This is just how it turned out.” - Joe Getty suggests the real reason is political gatekeeping to protect interests aligned with public employee unions:
Joe Getty (01:13): “They didn’t have enough people who are going to be prostitutes to the public employee unions... That’s almost certainly what happened.”
2. The Proposed California Billionaire Wealth Tax
Timestamps: 01:44 – 05:27
- California’s proposal: A “one-time” 5% wealth tax on billionaires, likely to be repeated, leading to wealthy residents fleeing the state.
- The SEIU union claims of $100 million revenue are exaggerated; experts predict far less due to migration and avoidance.
- Armstrong and Getty highlight the burden on the top 1%, who already pay 40% of California’s income tax.
- Important reflections on tax policy and democracy:
Joe Getty (04:12): “The top 1% of taxpayers generate... 40% of the state’s income tax.”
Jack Armstrong (04:17): “If that’s not the fair share, what is?”
3. Tax Comparisons: California vs. Texas & Florida
Timestamps: 05:27 – 07:23
- Governor Newsom claims California is more tax-friendly than Texas/Florida, which the hosts debunk with raw numbers:
- California: ~$10,000 per person in taxes/year; 14% of state economy taxed.
- Texas/Florida: ~$5,000 per person; 9% of state economy taxed.
- Personal income tax: 13.3% (CA) vs. 0% (TX/FL).
- Sales, gas, and unemployment taxes are also higher in California.
4. Debating Tax Structures and Economic Reality
Timestamps: 07:23 – 10:41
- Discussion of different tax burdens—not just income but property, sales, etc.
- Armstrong floats a consumption tax as a fairer, cheat-resistant alternative.
- They criticize convoluted tax codes, arguing most loopholes and complexities exist to benefit those with political access: Joe Getty (10:09): “Why is the U.S. tax code so complicated?... People who have access to power twist the tax code into ways that benefit them, period.”
5. Viral Video Interlude: Dad Jokes with a Pet Hyena
Timestamps: 11:37 – 13:55
- Brief comedic detour: reacting to a viral video of a man telling dad jokes to his pet hyena.
- The hosts riff on the absurdity of domesticating wild animals:
Jack Armstrong (12:59): “I would think at some point it would rip your neck open.”
6. What Does It Mean to Be “Rich” State-by-State?
Timestamps: 13:55 – 17:14
- Examination of the income required to be in the top 5% in each state.
- Example: Connecticut—$692,000/year (7x state median); West Virginia—$346,000 (6x median).
- Consistency of top-earner multiples across states.
- Discussion on the cost of living and quality of life relative to income:
Jack Armstrong (15:57): “Are there states where being in the top 5% and you’re still living a pretty modest lifestyle?”
7. Shohei Ohtani’s $75 Souvenir Cup & Sports Commentary
Timestamps: 17:26 – 19:14
- Dodgers’ $75 Souvenir cup with free refills leads to discussion of sports merchandising.
- Comment on escalating prices for fans and the economics of major league sports.
8. Stephen A. Smith on Trans Athletes and Potential Run for President
Timestamps: 19:14 – 25:32
- Smith’s strong stance against biological males competing in women’s sports on Bill Maher’s show.
- He expresses mainstream Democratic voter concerns, criticizing party leaders for avoiding clear answers.
- Stephen A. Smith (~20:10): “Biological men should not be competing against biological girls in sports... What about protecting the young ladies?”
- Bill Maher/Smith exchange (21:55-22:08):
- Maher: “Is there one candidate on that stage who’s going to just say it outright like that?”
- Smith: “No. That’s why they’re vulnerable.”
- Armstrong & Getty argue Smith’s forthrightness might shift Democratic discourse:
Joe Getty (24:40): “If somebody like Stephen A. Smith could grant the permission structure for other people to start saying it out loud, even that would be useful.”
9. Pop Culture: Cher’s Engagement & Celebrity Couples
Timestamps: 26:12 – 28:29
- Discussion of Cher’s engagement to a much younger man, and reality shows with wide age gaps.
- Musings on fame, celebrity relationships, and reality TV “sincerity.”
10. Tiger Woods, DUI, and the Justice System
Timestamps: 28:29 – 30:14
- Speculation on whether Tiger Woods will face jail time for repeated DUIs.
- Read a cop’s text explaining why high-profile, wealthy offenders rarely see jail time, and musings on fines meaningful enough to deter billionaires.
11. Evolving Warfare: The Ukraine Drone War
Timestamps: 30:22 – 34:29
- Recap of a 60 Minutes segment:
- Drones have fundamentally changed the battlefield; innovation is rapid and ongoing.
- “The kill zone”: drones spot and hunt anyone entering a 10-mile strip.
- Both sides moving towards fully autonomous swarms, with AI choosing and targeting people—potentially soon: Jack Armstrong (33:05): “It’s just AI searching for people and chasing people down and killing them... That’s going to change everything on planet Earth and it’s coming any day.”
12. Satirical Close on Journalism and Pop Culture
Timestamps: 35:01 – end
- Joe Getty jokingly laments foreign reporters taking "attractive American journalist" jobs.
- Armstrong and Getty joke about feedback, staying engaged, and promoting their podcast.
- Joe Getty (35:34): “Armstrong and Gettysburg.”
Notable Quotes
- Jack Armstrong (04:17): “If that’s not the fair share, what is? What’s the correct percentage for 1% of people to pay?”
- Joe Getty (10:09): “People who have access to power twist the tax code into ways that benefit them, period.”
- Stephen A. Smith (20:10): “Biological men should not be competing against biological girls in sports... What about protecting the young ladies?”
- Joe Getty (24:40): “If somebody like Stephen A. Smith could... grant the permission structure for other people to start saying it out loud, even that would be useful.”
- Jack Armstrong (33:05): “It’s just AI searching for people and chasing people down and killing them... That’s going to change everything on planet Earth, and it’s coming any day.”
Memorable Moments
- Dad Jokes with a Pet Hyena (12:00 – 13:55): A surreal, viral moment with the hosts riffing on animal domestication.
- Shohei Ohtani’s $75 Cup (18:22 – 19:09): Armstrong and Getty’s bemused reaction to sports merchandising excess.
- Pop Culture Asides & Sarcasm: From Cher’s engagement to a jab at the “sexy American journalist” pipeline.
- Drone-War Dread (32:58 – 34:49): Genuine concern at the moral and practical implications of AI-driven warfare.
Conclusion
This episode delivers Armstrong & Getty’s trademark mashup: insightful (and skeptical) dives into economic and political issues, off-beat humor, and sharp-tongued commentary on social controversies. Listeners are offered a whirlwind tour of California state politics, national debates on justice and fairness, cultural quirks, celebrity tidbits, and deep unease about future warfare—always with a wink, a wisecrack, and a relentless demand for common sense.