Armstrong & Getty On Demand Episode Title: I Don't Like The Word "Flaccid"
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Katie
Author: iHeartPodcasts

1. Opening Remarks and Political Commentary (00:00 - 04:59)

The episode begins with Jack Armstrong emphasizing the conservative principles that underpin recent legislative efforts. Jack introduces a discussion about a newly passed bill, referred to as the "big beautiful bill," highlighting its conservative credentials. He challenges the authenticity of Republican Speaker Mike Johnson's representation of the bill, questioning its alignment with true fiscal conservatism.

Jack Armstrong [01:07]: "Everybody's conservative. We believe in limited government and we believe in individual freedom and the rule of law and peace through strength and fiscal responsibility and free markets and human dignity. The things that are all wrapped into this bill."

Katie counters Jack's critique by labeling the bill as a "ridiculous rotten retreat," emphasizing that it doesn't genuinely reflect the stated conservative values.

Katie [02:10]: "What beautiful bill, or as I'd prefer to call it, the ridiculous rotten retreat."

2. Analysis of the "Big Beautiful Bill" and Fiscal Conservatism (02:23 - 06:15)

Jack plays a Fox reporter segment explaining the contents of the bill, which includes making Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, enhancing border security, targeting Medicaid reforms, and increasing the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000.

Fox Reporter Scott Besson [02:23]: "It makes permanent those Trump 2017 tax cuts... Raises the debt ceiling by 4tr."

Jack agrees with the factual accuracy of the report but criticizes the inclusion of the SALT deduction, arguing it contradicts fiscal conservative principles.

Jack Armstrong [03:00]: "There's nothing that could be less conservative than that SALT deduction portion of the bill."

Katie expands on the issue, arguing that empowering states like California and New York through higher SALT deductions leads to fiscal irresponsibility.

Katie [04:26]: "He [Mike Johnson] had it completely backwards... It's just absolutely unbelievable."

Jack underscores the lack of appetite for fiscal conservatism in the current political landscape, referencing Rush Limbaugh’s assertion that "fiscal conservatism is dead."

Jack Armstrong [05:41]: "Rush Limbaugh was recognizing what is. There is not a constituency for being fiscally conservative."

3. Republican Strategy and Medicaid Reform (06:02 - 13:24)

The hosts delve into the challenges Republicans face in promoting fiscal conservatism, particularly in cutting government spending. They discuss Karl Rove’s strategy for Republicans to address Medicaid by emphasizing a commitment to save the program from what he claims is Democratic mismanagement.

Katie [10:44]: "Rove writes GOP silence will make the inevitable Democratic assault more powerful."

They highlight public support for Medicaid reforms, citing a Kaiser Family Foundation poll where 62% of Americans support requiring adults to work or seek work to qualify for Medicaid.

Katie [12:27]: "62% support requiring nearly all adults to work or be looking for work to qualify for Medicaid."

Jack laments the Republican Party's reluctance to tackle spending cuts, suggesting it leads to long-term economic consequences.

Jack Armstrong [06:15]: "Eventually there's a price to pay for that."

4. Media Critique and the Hunter Biden Scandal (15:03 - 24:58)

The conversation shifts to a critique of mainstream media's handling of the Hunter Biden scandal. Jack criticizes Jake Tapper for initially dismissing allegations against Hunter Biden but acknowledges that Tapper's recent book sheds new light on the issue.

Jack Armstrong [20:12]: "Now his book has got all kinds of background stuff about what a scumbag Hunter was, which he knew at the time."

Katie echoes Jack's frustration, pointing out the media's selective coverage and lack of attention to conservative voices, such as Miranda Devine of the New York Post, who wrote "Laptop from Hell."

Katie [22:11]: "Miranda Devine... didn't get to go on any of those shows or podcasts. Zero."

They criticize the media for failing to recognize significant political scandals, comparing it to the neglect of concerns about Biden's age.

Jack Armstrong [23:18]: "The biggest media failure in American history easily."

5. Human Nature and Self-Delusion in Politics (28:09 - 33:03)

Jack and Katie explore the concept of self-delusion and cognitive bias in politics. They discuss how individuals often ignore inconvenient truths to maintain their beliefs, drawing parallels to Orwellian themes of reality manipulation.

Jack Armstrong [31:43]: "It's never a conundrum for your conscience. And I'll bet the same thing with the whole Biden thing."

Katie reflects on societal trends, such as the reinforcement of misguided beliefs through social acceptance, and the challenges of addressing deeply ingrained delusions.

Katie [29:50]: "You can get people to say inane stupid things if you reinforce it socially."

They emphasize the importance of recognizing and calling out self-delusion without condoning it, advocating for accountability in media and political discourse.

6. Personal Anecdotes and Reflections (34:22 - 38:57)

Transitioning from political discourse, Jack and Katie share personal stories, highlighting their everyday frustrations and interests. Jack recounts a maddening experience with a Tesla software update that left him stranded, illustrating his disdain for technological complexities.

Jack Armstrong [18:47]: "You're gonna leave me stranded here because you updated the software and improved my life somehow. Fu El."

Katie discusses her friends' experiences with Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of finding joy amidst life's inevitable suffering and changes.

Katie [16:36]: "Enjoy the love, you know, Enjoy the joy when you can. Joy."

They also touch upon their mutual interest in coffee, humorously debating the practicality of owning advanced espresso machines.

7. Future Topics and Closing Remarks (39:35)

As the episode nears its conclusion, Jack and Katie tease upcoming discussions on campus madness, mimetic thinking, and the social influences shaping human behavior. They hint at exploring evolutionary aspects of social conformity and the balance required to navigate personal convictions amidst societal pressures.

Katie [38:40]: "Do you know what mimetic thinking is? ... influenced by that."

The episode wraps up with final advertisements reiterating the benefits of Power Trip by Verify Skincare and Simply Safe Home Security, followed by a lighthearted exchange about coffee preferences.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jack Armstrong [01:07]: "Everybody's conservative. We believe in limited government and we believe in individual freedom and the rule of law and peace through strength and fiscal responsibility and free markets and human dignity. The things that are all wrapped into this bill."

• Katie [02:10]: "What beautiful bill, or as I'd prefer to call it, the ridiculous rotten retreat."

• Fox Reporter Scott Besson [02:23]: "It makes permanent those Trump 2017 tax cuts... Raises the debt ceiling by 4tr."

• Jack Armstrong [03:00]: "There's nothing that could be less conservative than that SALT deduction portion of the bill."

• Jack Armstrong [05:41]: "Rush Limbaugh was recognizing what is. There is not a constituency for being fiscally conservative."

• Katie [12:27]: "62% support requiring nearly all adults to work or be looking for work to qualify for Medicaid."

• Jack Armstrong [18:47]: "You're gonna leave me stranded here because you updated the software and improved my life somehow. Fu El."

• Katie [29:50]: "You can get people to say inane stupid things if you reinforce it socially."

This episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" delves deep into the intricacies of fiscal conservatism, the challenges within the Republican Party, and critiques of the mainstream media's handling of political scandals. Through engaging dialogue and sharp insights, Jack Armstrong and Katie provide listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current political dynamics, personal anecdotes, and reflections on human nature's role in shaping societal beliefs.