That's The Key! Take It All Personally!

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "That's The Key! Take It All Personally!" Release Date: March 24, 2025 | Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty | iHeartPodcasts

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1. Mexican Cartels and Border Security

The episode kicks off with an intense discussion surrounding a recent 60 Minutes report on Mexican cartels' involvement in human trafficking and drug smuggling across the U.S.-Canada border. Joe Getty questions the extent of fentanyl movement, prompting a chilling interview segment with a cartel member identified as Javi.

Notable Quote:

Joe Getty [00:29]: "How much fentanyl do you move across that border?"

Javi (Cartel Member) [00:34]: "Lately it's been quiet, but for a while there we were bringing in 30 kilos per month."

The hosts express strong criticism towards 60 Minutes, accusing the program of left-leaning bias and failing to present alternative viewpoints. They argue that the show sensationalizes cartel activities without acknowledging the broader context or other perspectives.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [00:23]: "Accept no substitutes! ... they're becoming so full on lefty, it's ridiculous."

2. Fentanyl Overdose Crisis and Border Dynamics

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the fentanyl overdose epidemic in the United States. The hosts reference a retired official's outdated estimate that only 2% of fentanyl enters the U.S. through the Canadian border, countering it with updated information that suggests a tenfold increase.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [05:17]: "It's the largest unguarded border on planet Earth. The longest?"

They also highlight a 25% decrease in fentanyl overdose rates, attributing the decline to fewer individuals dabbling in opioids due to the high fatality rates.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [07:04]: "There's a bunch of different factors. ... Word is getting around that that is just... you are diving into the grave."

3. Personal Anecdotes: The Struggle with Ideal Neighbors

Shifting from national issues to personal experiences, the hosts delve into the emotional impact of having seemingly perfect neighbors. An unnamed contributor shares feelings of inadequacy when comparing themselves to neighbors who appear exceptionally organized, healthy, and content.

Notable Quote:

Unnamed Contributor [08:11]: "Perfection... it's like seeing their Facebook page with all the achievements... I need to live next to people who are, like, obese, laying around and eating crap."

Jack Armstrong humorously suggests retaliatory thoughts to cope with these feelings, emphasizing the importance of taking such comparisons personally.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [10:13]: "The key is to take it personally. Their excellence is an insult to you."

4. Israel-Hamas Conflict and Netanyahu’s Strategy

The conversation transitions to international affairs, specifically the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The hosts critique Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aggressive military strategies, questioning their efficacy and alignment with public opinion within Israel.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [11:34]: "Netanyahu and his hawkish group of aides are kind of going against the grain of Israeli society right now because polls have shown a majority... want the fighting to stop."

They express skepticism about the feasibility of a two-state solution involving Hamas, labeling it as "psychotic" and emphasizing the complexity of the situation.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [14:28]: "I can't believe there is any serious constituency in Israel for let's have a two-state solution in which Hamas is part of the process."

5. Domestic Politics: Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Tour

The focus shifts back to U.S. domestic politics, highlighting Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (AOC) highly attended "Fighting Oligarchy Tour." The hosts critique the effectiveness and sincerity of their political messaging, suggesting that their popularity on social media and large gatherings may not translate to tangible legislative accomplishments.

Notable Quote:

Unnamed Contributor [16:54]: "One of the ironies is seeing AOC out there. ... she's in the lowest 20 for actual accomplishments as a legislator."

Jack Armstrong sarcastically remarks on the pairing of Sanders and AOC as a potential presidential ticket, mocking the generational and ideological differences.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [17:58]: "There's your 2028 ticket right there. Bernie and AOC."

6. Critique of "Families Over Billionaires" and Wealth in Politics

The hosts critically examine the "Families Over Billionaires" campaign, revealing its connections to wealthy donors and consulting firms like Arabella Advisors. They argue that the organization masquerades as a grassroots movement while being heavily influenced by super-rich backers aligned with the Democratic Party.

Notable Quote:

Unnamed Contributor [26:10]: "He's an evil, evil man."

Jack Armstrong likens the campaign's false grassroots appearance to astroturfing, emphasizing the lack of genuine small-dollar support.

Notable Quote:

Jack Armstrong [27:57]: "It's not Families Over Billionaires so much as it's billionaires over other billionaires. Hilarious. Pure astroturf."

7. Social Security and Elon Musk’s Controversial Statement

Towards the end of the episode, Elon Musk's characterization of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme is brought up, prompting indignation from the hosts. They discuss the implications of such statements on public perception and trust in government programs.

Notable Quote:

Unnamed Contributor [36:08]: "Elon Musk called Social Security a Ponzi scheme."

Conclusion: Personal Reflections and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter about neighborhood dynamics and humorous takes on execution traditions. The hosts reiterate the importance of taking criticisms personally and navigating societal pressures.

Notable Quote:

Unnamed Contributor [35:17]: "And also this. You're Homer Simpson, and you live next to Ned Flanders. That is pretty accurate dope."

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Final Thoughts

In "That's The Key! Take It All Personally!", Armstrong and Getty navigate a wide array of topics, from international drug trafficking and geopolitical conflicts to sharp critiques of domestic political figures and campaigns. Their candid and often irreverent commentary provides listeners with a blend of serious analysis and humor, encouraging personal introspection amidst societal comparisons.

Key Takeaways:

• Border Security: Persistent issues with Mexican cartels and fentanyl trafficking remain critical national concerns.
• Personal Well-being: The psychological impact of comparing oneself to seemingly perfect neighbors can lead to negative self-perception.
• Political Landscape: Skepticism towards mainstream media narratives and progressive political movements highlights a polarized societal framework.
• Influence of Wealth: The intertwining of wealth and political campaigns calls into question the authenticity of grassroots movements.

For listeners seeking a no-holds-barred discussion on pressing national and international issues, intertwined with personal anecdotes and sharp political critiques, this episode offers substantial content worth engaging with.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln radio studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty. Armstrong and Getty. And now here's Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Do you work only with humans or do you move drugs?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Also everything.

[Joe Getty]

How much fentanyl do you move across that border?

[Javi (Cartel Member)]

Lately it's been quiet, but for a while there we were bringing in 30 kilos per month.

[Joe Getty]

Wow, you were. The drugs come from.

[Javi (Cartel Member)]

China. I get more into the U.S. but also it goes from the U.S. to Canada. And weapons.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That was on 60 Minutes last night. Ah, we're speculating that they got so much pushback on 60 minutes from some of their ridiculously left leaning coverage of a couple of big stories in the last few weeks. They decided to do this because, I mean, God, a lot of liberals had to hate 60 minutes pointing out, yeah, the Mexican cartels are absolutely moving humans and drugs across the Canadian border. And they interview a guy.

[Jack Armstrong]

As I mentioned earlier, I was so disgusted with 60 minutes I couldn't bring myself to look at it last night. Just because they've been on the the 25 issue of 65, 25 issues several weeks in a row and they don't even acknowledge that there is another viewpoint, much less that that viewpoint is held by double or triples number the number of people they're expressing. They've just gone so full on lefty, it's ridiculous.

[Unnamed Contributor]

So little.

[Jack Armstrong]

Correct perhaps.

[Unnamed Contributor]

It's so maddening when the news does that. When they take the minority position and act like that's the only position. God, how are you even in journalism when you do that?

[Jack Armstrong]

But anyway, luckily they're dying. Jack is an industry.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Here's a little more of this cartel guy with his his face blacked out and adjusting his voice, talking to 60 Minutes.

[Joe Getty]

In February, we traveled to an area the U.S. customs and Border Protection calls the Swanton sector, which runs from New Hampshire to upstate New York. Last year, more than 80% of migrant apprehensions at the northern border happened here. This man told us he coordinated the handoff and took the video. Can you tell us who you work for?

[Javi (Cartel Member)]

For the Sinaloa cartel.

[Joe Getty]

He goes by the name Javi and agreed to speak with us only with his camera off. He said he can't risk his identity being exposed. How does this work? They tell you where to go, they tell you how many people you have to bring across each week.

[Javi (Cartel Member)]

Exactly. That's how it goes. They provide the people. They have more people who are behind all this, looking for customers, finding them and summoning them to certain locations.

[Jack Armstrong]

This this is not fundamental to the discussion, but why is that dude talking to 60 Minutes?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Right?

[Jack Armstrong]

Upside. Because the downside is several holes in him.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Oh, the downside is being tortured to death?

[Jack Armstrong]

Yes.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I mean, like, horrifically. To make sure nobody would shoot you.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, that would be a bargain.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That's why as I was watching this, I thought if the politics were flipped on this story, I'd be calling BS. I really would. I'd be saying, oh, sure, 60 Minutes found somebody who's willing to risk their lives of being tortured by the Sonola cartel to go on the record for some reason. What a bunch of crap. I. I think I would be saying that.

[Jack Armstrong]

That's odd.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Here's a little more. The guy I don't know, but here's a little more from him. Before we discuss.

[Joe Getty]

Search for border excursions on TikTok and Facebook and you'll find a black market set to music that guarantees migrants safe passage across the northern border. There are posts in Spanish, English and Punjabi. Hello. And reviews like you'd find on Yelp. These men in the back of a car on their way to a new life in the United States give their smugglers five stars and a thumbs up.

[Unnamed Contributor]

How about that? They have just flat out advertisements with music and a voiceover and an endorsement from somebody from a happy customer. Who? The Mexican. The. The. The awful, deadly Mexican cartels are working in Canada to get these people across. And. And of course they are, because your life is going to be so much better for you and the rest of your family if you can get into the United States, especially with our current Sinaloa vacations.

[Jack Armstrong]

Sign up today.

[Unnamed Contributor]

How about the fact that on 60 Minutes, they had a guy flat out say, yeah, China is getting the fentanyl to Mexico, and then we get it into the United States across the Canadian border.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right on 60 minutes.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That's a trust line right there.

[Jack Armstrong]

It's pretty well known, but it is very, very interesting that they are saying, yeah, all that stuff is true. Yep. And much more than you were told we had.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Not well known at all by the crowd that watches 60 Minutes.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, that's a good point. Great point. We had an email a couple of weeks ago. I think we featured it from a recently retired feller who worked the Canadian border who said, fellas, that, you know, only 2% of the fentanyl in America comes through the Canadian border. Thing is a wildly outdated number based on a faulty estimate, and it's easily ten times that much. It's the largest unguarded border on planet Earth. The Longest?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Well, yeah, by. By quite a bit. It's almost 6,000 miles long. I mean, it's. It's amazing. I had another point to make on that. Oh, yeah. So it's a person. It's a small percentage of the amount that comes across the Mexican border. Well, good God, I would hope so, because that's an absurd amount.

[Jack Armstrong]

Absolutely. To kill, you know, hundreds of thousands of American. Millions of Americans every year.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

We're pointing out the. The fentanyl overdose rate is down fairly significantly from. Are you kidding me? To. That's a tragedy. The number is still in the 80,000 a year range. 80,000 a year. That's down 25%, which is a good thing. But again, it's from unsinkable to horrific. Wow.

[Unnamed Contributor]

We have what, 30,000 a year fatalities from car wrecks? Something like that. 80,000 from fentanyl.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That is amazing.

[Jack Armstrong]

Good news.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I have always wondered, with fentanyl, it's just at some point, don't you kill all your customers? That's what I've just always wondered. Can you come up with enough new people who are willing to dabble in fentanyl?

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, it's interesting. We can look when we have a little more time at why the drop has occurred. It's a bunch of different factors. There seems to be a drop in opioid use overall, which is partly. So many people have died. Partly. Word is getting around that that is just. You are diving into the grave.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

By dabbling in this stuff.

[Unnamed Contributor]

So I guess the main point would be. I'm not. I don't think we need to be in a trade war with Canada. No.

[Jack Armstrong]

They need to be our 51st state. Just ask Governor Trudeau. Oh, that's right. He's not in office.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Or be badmouthing Canada like there's some sort of evil country. But obviously the pushback that they're. The Mexican cartels were not working with the Canadian border, and doing this sort of stuff is just flat out wrong. So good on 60 Minutes for having that story. I appreciate that. I mentioned earlier, my neighbors are making me feel bad about myself and.

[Jack Armstrong]

Super.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Super nice people in this new neighborhood that I live in, but they. My picture of them from my driveway is. I've only had a couple of conversations with them. Few conversations. Men, their kids, that sort of stuff. Really nice. But my picture of them for my driveway, it's like. It's like seeing their Facebook page with all the achievements and everything that all the time, they're always up earlier than my. Me and My kids, they're always out exercising, like, with the kids. Bike rides and all this different sort of stuff. On Sundays, they're up early and the kids are all dressed up and they get to church. Every time I go to the gym, he's there. It's like, are there two of you? How do you do this? I don't understand how you do this. Washing their cars in the drive. It's just like they're constantly doing productive things and, like, being just so productive and happy. And it's just. It's. I need to move somewhere where the people are, like, just laying around. They're in super fit. I need. I need. I need to live. I need to live next to people who are, like, obese, laying around and eating crap. Their cars are dirty, their kids look unruly.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Well, you have. You have three choices to me. All right? Number one. There's that choice. Very attractive. Number two. Number two, you could up your game and be as good or better than your neighbors. Let's just put that one aside right now.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Let's table that at best.

[Jack Armstrong]

Third, undermine their efforts. Now, here's the option I'm interested in exploring. What can you do to undermine that family, their good habits and their happiness? The best offense is a good defense. You'll know that watching the NCAA tournament, Jack.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Gotta admit, I'm looking for some downside to make myself feel better. It's like, there's gotta be something going on over there that's not perfect. Because it looks perfect.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Contributor]

And I feel like they're doing it just to mock me. That's their main motivation.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, that's. Yeah, that's the key. Is to take it personally. Yes.

[Unnamed Contributor]

It only makes sense.

[Jack Armstrong]

Their excellence is an insult to you. Yeah. That's a very productive, great attitude to have. Yeah.

[Unnamed Contributor]

When I. When I walk out and I see them with their kids all dressed up, headed to Sunday school, and I think, my kids are still in bed, and I just got up myself. Oh, my God.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right? You've got to resent them for that.

[Unnamed Contributor]

You're gonna come home from church and then wash your cars and then you're going to the gym. Okay. That's not exactly what my plan is.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. Wow. Have you read Hillbilly Elegy? You really should. Or we're gonna read it.

[Unnamed Contributor]

We're gonna eat too much bad food and go back to sleep is sort of our plan.

[Jack Armstrong]

But teach their own. Exactly.

[Unnamed Contributor]

We've got more on the way. Stay here.

[News Anchor]

Armstrong and Getty, as the IDF expands Its attacks in Gaza and any talks of a renewed cease fire between Israel and Hamas have stalled. The IDF saying they'll continue to seize more areas in Gaza until Hamas releases the remaining several dozen hostages. The IDF targeting Nasser Hospital, one of Gaza's largest, still operational, saying a Hamas leader was operating from inside. The Trump administration firmly standing behind Israel, saying it had every right to restart this war after Hamas refused to keep negotiating. Hamas, of course, accuses Israel of breaking the ceasefire.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Ceasefire.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'm sorry, say again. You got cut off. Israel is breaking the ceasefire.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yes, I saw it on the news. Israel broke the ceasefire all right.

[Jack Armstrong]

Goodness sakes. So Benjamin Netanyahu and his national security team have decided to go ahead with an aggressive plan to capture and hold swaths of territory. They think that's the way to finally defeat Hamas, because that's the only way to go. There's no coexisting with Hamas anymore. Perhaps you saw over the weekend they sent infantry into the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Areas around Rafah in the south, has also. Israel has also deployed troops in the so called Net Sarim Corridor, which bisects the enclave, returning it, returning to areas that it withdrawn from as part of the ceasefire. That the prisoner exchange, the hostages, blah, blah, blah. We all follow that, and I didn't mean to blah, blah, blah, the hostages and those still held. It is horrific, it is medieval, it is evil. What's interesting is that Netanyahu, Netanyahu and his hawkish group of aides are kind of going against the grain of Israeli society right now because polls have shown a majority, a pretty good majority, including a majority of right wing voters in Israel, want the fighting to stop as part of a deal that brings home the remaining hostages in Gaza. I'm of two minds on this. Number one, Israel and Israelis should run their own country the way they see fit. But also, Hamas is really, really good at manipulating public opinion and saying, hey, hey, all you have to do is take it easy on us for a little while longer and your dad will come home. Just give us another week. We're not reconstructing the tunnels or rearming or training recruits or anything like that. And that, that nice granny, we'll, we'll go ahead and release her or they're.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Not already dead and we don't even know where they are.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, and I, I am sympathetic to the desperation of the Israeli people for, you know, just normal reasons that all humans share and then for traditional reasons among Jewish folks to get those people and, or their bodies back. I just wonder how realistic they're being, I mean, because I look at the American public, there are times that polls show Americans want something that's completely unrealistic. It happens. People are not experts in this stuff. And so I just, I don't understand. You know what, I ought to dig into this, find out why the Israeli people in large numbers think this. Do they think that if we string this along a little bit and get a few more hostages back, we can then stomp out Hamas?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Most of the polling that I've seen has been overwhelmingly positive towards stomping out Hamas still ultimately. But that is Jewish tradition to do whatever you got to do to get hostages back. That's just, that's part, that's. I mean, that's the religious law and, and cultural. So.

[Jack Armstrong]

So the debate is just a question of timing and tactics. Then I think, yeah, how to stomp out Hamas, I've got to believe. And I, again, I will dig into these poll numbers, try to understand them a little more thoroughly. But I can't believe there is any serious constituency in Israel for let's have a two state solution in which Hamas is part of the process. I mean, that would just be, that would be psychotic.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I think what Netanyahu ought to do, he's an old man, he's got legal problems. I think he should just use up every bit of political capital he's got and do whatever he's got to do to absolutely wipe out Hamas.

[Jack Armstrong]

Agree.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Even if the opinion turns against him all around the world, just do it like, as a patriot to his country, I would agree.

[Jack Armstrong]

You know, take a page out of Churchill's book who was unpopular and hooted at and, you know, and made fun of during the 30s as he was screaming, we've got to defend our, We've got to arm ourselves because Germany is rearming themselves fast as they can. So. And then, you know, history looks upon you much more kindly. Speaking of politics, domestic, Bernie and aoc, it's the hottest tour since the Rolling Stones last summer. Bernard packing folk. The Bernards, that's the man. Yes. And cute little AOC are packing houses. And that is where all the energy is in the Democratic Party these days.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That's awesome.

[Jack Armstrong]

As a conservative. Yeah. I say it's super. Keep it going. Yeah, exactly. I got no, no criticism whatsoever. We can tell you the sort of things they're saying from the stage though. And, and you can be the judge whether that message will catch fire among the American people.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Well, yeah, and you got to hear the thunderous applause and everything. I mean, Bernie with the biggest crowds he's ever had. And that's saying something because he's drawn some of the biggest crowds in modern political history.

[Jack Armstrong]

And he's Biden old, right?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Oh, yeah. Let me ask Siri here.

[Jack Armstrong]

Stand by, everybody.

[Unnamed Contributor]

How old is Bernie Sanders? Thank God for my watch, huh?

[Jack Armstrong]

But now he's 83.

[Unnamed Contributor]

W. He's. He's older than these other people. He's 83 years old.

[Jack Armstrong]

You know, his brain works, which is.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yeah.

[Jack Armstrong]

More than a small detail.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yeah. I've seen no slippage on him whatsoever in terms of his cognitive abilities.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, he's helped by the fact that his ideas haven't changed since 1968.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Maybe socialism keeps you young. I don't know.

[Jack Armstrong]

Perhaps. So we'll have that for you. Coming up.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Less to worry about because somebody else is going to take care of you. Cradle to grave. It's less stressful. We got a lot on the way. Stay here. Armstrong and Getty out here in Denver.

[Jack Armstrong]

Big crowds to see Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. They're calling it the Fighting Oligarchy Tour.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yes, yes. And drawing giant crowds and going around the country. And you got how we got. We nailed down Bernie's age. How old is AOC? Masking my watch.

[Jack Armstrong]

34, 35.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Joe's guessing 35. Yes. That's the other day.

[Jack Armstrong]

She's old enough to run for President. Wow.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Bernie's 83. She's 35. He's almost 50 years older than her.

[Jack Armstrong]

There's your 2028 ticket right there. Bernie and AOC. Yes.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Spanning the ages.

[Jack Armstrong]

That'd be their slogan.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Do it. Do it. And draw in crowds like this. And if this makes the media. The media got so excited about this over the weekend. We're about to play clips, but so excited about this. Good. Believe that that's where your party is and that's where America is. Just keep believing that for like several more election cycles. I would love that. Anyway, let's. Let's hear some of it. Here's. Here's the old man, Flemmy. Bernie first.

[Bernie Sanders]

He loves media. That fawns on him. That tells about. Great he is. Well, I got news to you, Mr. President. What democracy is about is people discussing issues, debating issues and disagreeing with you. And if you can't take the criticism, get the hell out of politics.

[Jack Armstrong]

That was some of the weakest political rhetoric I've ever heard in my life. I was ready for, you know, Bernie bringing it. It's okay to disagree, and we're going to disagree. And if you don't like it, get out of politics. No. People have been, like, hammering Trump since the moment he came down the escalator. What are you talking about? I don't know.

[Unnamed Contributor]

We got more, Bernie, a little bit for. Here's AOC with a tale of woe.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]

Seeing all of this stack up is enough to make even the best of us want to give in to despair. I get it, and trust me, I really understand. But understand that that is by design. They want us to give up, and it is easy to give in to despair. And I can tell you, for a while there, in the years that I spent waitressing and wiping down tables and never being able to get ahead, I did give up. I tried. I tried to stop caring, keep my head down, work my shifts, and accept that this is just how things are. But that's no way to live, Colorado. It's no way to live. And we do not have to live like this. In fact, we cannot live like this.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Didn't she graduate from Boston University or something? You went to, like, a fantastic school. You're a college graduate, and you. You're gonna give up because you had to work a regular job for a.

[Jack Armstrong]

While and you hadn't made it at age 27. And. What. What are you talking about? What sort of life trajectory were you told to expect, sweetheart? Yeah, when I was 27, I had kid number one and could hardly pay the bills, and it was fine. And I didn't give up for a moment. Neither should any other normal person. What a load of crap.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Well, she had what lots of young people have, especially young people who come from fairly well to do families and go to a nice college. They assume when they come out at 22, things are going to be so damned easy and. And rewarding right off the bat. And. And of course they aren't, because the world has never been that way.

[Jack Armstrong]

The world will welcome them with open arms and open checkbooks. Right?

[Unnamed Contributor]

So it's called the Oligarchs now tour or whatever it is. Let's hear about the Oligarchs.

[Bernie Sanders]

And right now, what these oligarchs are doing is they're going after Social Security, they're going after Medicaid, they are trying to destroy the Veterans Administration.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, no.

[Bernie Sanders]

Veterans put their lives on the line to. To defend this country, and you don't fire 83,000 workers at the VA, which will mean worse quality health care for our veterans.

[Unnamed Contributor]

All right, so you got the whole they're coming after your Social Security thing, the oligarchs, because nothing Makes a billionaire happier than knowing you're not getting your Social Security check.

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh, yes. I want everyone so poor they can't buy my products. Wait a minute. What?

[Unnamed Contributor]

I realize we're on new stations, you don't know our act, but the whole now both parties. It used to just be one party, but now both parties swearing to never touch Social Security because, God, how could we possibly change something that's about to fall apart? It's just insane. It's just. It's so depressing.

[Jack Armstrong]

Give the people what they want, Jack. Any politics as well as show business. I will tell you this. There are a couple of Doge cuts that have made me uncomfortable. I think they're ham handed and not in the right places. I would prefer they're a little more surgical. We can talk about that next hour.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Are you really concerned that these things won't grow back fast enough, though? I just. I'd have no worry about that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, that's fine. Yeah, I do have a little worry about it because there are some lapses in care and help for average people right now that are, you know, screwing them and causing them great stress and pain.

[Unnamed Contributor]

People get screwed all the time, though. When the government's trying to do its best and nobody ever talks about it, it gets so little coverage. Remember the. Well, this got coverage because it was so incredibly over the top. But remember the va, which he was just talking about? Remember how bad we found out the VA was at various points when they were doing their best? The government screws people all the time when it's doing its best. So when DOGE comes along and makes some cuts and somebody gets screwed, oh, my God. That's a horror, right?

[Jack Armstrong]

No, I just think you can be smart and have it both ways if you're strategic about it. That's all I'm saying. You're in favor of screwing more people. You've made that clear. Let's just move on.

[Unnamed Contributor]

That's. That's fine. And a fair characteristic. Let's hear more, Bernie, here.

[Bernie Sanders]

You know what is almost unimaginable? And this is what greed is about. It's like a heroin addict. You need it more and more and more. They want to cut nutrition programs for hungry kids.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Oh, my God. Now they want to starve the children, right?

[Bernie Sanders]

You. In what world, in what universe, in what religion is taking food away from hungry children and giving tax breaks to the rich? Vaguely moral.

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, look, let me explain it to you, Bernie. It's simple as this. As a conservative, we starved, you know, like normal, healthy adults and Then we starved widows. Then we moved on to starving the handicapped. We passed over the blind. That's too much even for us. But then we thought, who can we starve next to fulfill our heroin, like, need to starve people? And I thought, children. Why not hungry children?

[Unnamed Contributor]

My personal criticism, Bernie, my personal favorite thing to do is, and I do this sometimes on the weekends, I find a veteran, especially if I can find something, somebody who served in the Middle east, protecting our country, and if I can take food from his child and then give the dollars directly to an oligarch, because that's the way it works. That's what makes me the happiest.

[Bernie Sanders]

Oh, my God.

[Jack Armstrong]

This is like a Project Veritas video in reverse. Listen to these two diabolical conservatives discussing their nefarious plans, right?

[Unnamed Contributor]

I find a veteran, got a flag out front, Marine tattoo. I run into his house at dinner time, I scoop the food off the table with his crying children into a bag, and then I run it over to the Bay Area and give it to oligarchs, right?

[Jack Armstrong]

To slap the food out of the hungry child's mouth. Who's the child of a veteran. I mean, that is just, that's a good day.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I just, I hate that populism works so well. And it works on both sides. Like, Trump ain't a popular. But populism working is just so depressing when you hear that. So, yeah, you're right. Any program that's designed to field children is beyond reproach. Couldn't possibly have any waste or be overlapping with 10 other programs or not needed in the first place. Impossible. It's got to, by definition, be all wonderful.

[Jack Armstrong]

It's just. And it would be, it would be impossible in human history, of course, for the most nefarious among us to intentionally choose the most sympathetic sounding charities and programs because they're the easiest to rip off because people so easily can demagogue it. You'll find this interesting. Love this. So days after Trump got inaugurated this time, Biden and Harris staffers came together to launch a new effort called Families Over Billionaires. Exactly what Bernie and AOC were talking about. All right. The campaign will elevate the voices of the majority of Americans who oppose more tax breaks for the rich. And they told the Free Press that the organization is teaming with grassroots organizers to get its message out. In fact, like, this is. Who am I quoting here, Davy? Oh, Gabe Kaminsky. In fact, like a surprising Number of Trump 2.0 resistance pop up groups, Families Over Billionaires owes its existence not to small dollar donations from ordinary Americans or grassroots organizers, but to a single entity, the consulting firm Arabella Advisors, which oversees a massive dark money network bankrolled by super rich and aligned with the Democratic Party. The Families Over Billionaires group relies on support from billionaires like Bill Gates, ebay founder Pierre Omidar, LinkedIn Co and Finder, Reid Hoffman, founder Reid Hoffman, and Democratic mega donor George Soros. In other words, it's not Families Over Billionaires so much as it's billionaires over other billionaires. Hilarious. Pure astroturf.

[Unnamed Contributor]

So just on the politics of this, if this is the hottest thing out there for the democrats, socialist 83 old Bernie Sanders and powerless do nothing AOC. That's good news for Republicans. More on that right after this.

[Jack Armstrong]

She's Instagram famous. Yeah. Quick word from our friends at Prize Pick Springtime is here. Baseball season officially underway in moments. Don't miss your chance to add your favorite players from the diamond in your Prize Picks lineups. Whether it's strikeouts, RBIs, first inning runs. Take your pick of more or less for your shot to win up to a thousand times your cash. Today.

[Unnamed Contributor]

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[Jack Armstrong]

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[Unnamed Contributor]

I want to hear this real quick. Sarah Isger of the Dispatch, who I really like commenting on aoc.

[Sarah Isger]

I mean, one of the ironies is seeing AOC out there. An incredibly good fundraiser, an incredibly good spokesperson on behalf of the progressive movement. But a congresswoman? She's in the lowest 20 for actual accomplishments out of 435, mind you, in the bottom 20 for accomplishments as a legislator.

[Jack Armstrong]

Not 20%.

[Sarah Isger]

You're saying 2020 human beings. She's renaming some post offices. So if Congress is just gonna be a platform to raise small dollar donors and go on cable news, I don't know what we're doing with that first branch of government. And when you ask a senator what they can do and he's like, well, I don't know. Basically, we have to win back the White House. This is the first branch of government make Congress great again, first.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I like the idea of that, but in terms of her evaluating AOC's impact, I just. I think. I actually think she's wrong about that. I've heard this so many times. My Barack Obama. Name one piece of a legislation Barack Obama's name is attached to as a senator and don't make no difference. It don't make.

[Jack Armstrong]

Not anymore.

[Unnamed Contributor]

No. But the idea that you're hot for the Twitter left is going to transfer to general election wins. Come on. That's one thing Trump has such an advantage of.

[Jack Armstrong]

He.

[Unnamed Contributor]

He understands where most Americans are on these topics and plays to them with his populism, as opposed to the. The Twitter crowd, which is a small chunk of America.

[Jack Armstrong]

I don't remember who it was who made the distinction that long ago about popularism. How about we do things that people want us to do? Imagine that as a governing philosophy. That would be foreign. Well, I was going to say that'd be foreign to a person like aoc, but I think if you are bubbled enough in the online world, for instance, and just watch MSNBC all day, you think that your ideas are popular, but they're not. Not at all.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Got quite a few texts on how I should handle my perfect neighbors who are making me feel bad about myself. Among other things on the.

[Jack Armstrong]

Undermine them.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Among other things on the way.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty. An Arizona man was executed, but not before eating a last meal of onion rings, French fries, two sandwiches, baklava, and a double western cheeseburger. After hearing the news, Jay Pritzker said I should murder someone because he's a big fat guy. The governor of Illinois. Wow. He's an evil, evil man. Yes.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I thought there were a limit on last meals. Apparently not in this case.

[Jack Armstrong]

I couldn't eat that much on my best day. What is it? Maybe you just nibbled at a variety.

[Unnamed Contributor]

It's a weird tradition we have. Is that biblical? Does it come out of the Last supper? But what's the idea? You murdered a family of four in cold blood, but now we're gonna let you eat whatever you want before we execute you. Is a weird thing.

[Jack Armstrong]

It is an odd.

[Unnamed Contributor]

How about you just eat the freaking prison food everybody else eats, if you're hungry at all, and then we'll execute you.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I see your point. I think It's a. It's tipping our cap to the seriousness of executing somebody. But you're right, it's an odd custom. We can talk more about that later. Oh, speaking of blue states and their woes, Cal Cornea, there is a new poll out that shows that about half of California voters are at least open to considering a Republican. I know that sounds like a meager bit of good news, but what the hell is going on? Positive. Well, that and some other Cal Unicornia related stories coming up next hour. If you don't get next hour, for whatever reason, maybe you have to go somewhere. Maybe your station, local station, doesn't get it. Grab the podcast later, Armstrong. You getty on demand.

[Unnamed Contributor]

You should probably subscribe first to the text line. Got this text. Jack, you are so rude to your workmates. Workmates. You interrupt them while they're talking, thinking. All we want to hear is what Jack thinks. I think it's time for a change.

[Jack Armstrong]

Good note. Good email or text. Thanks for sending it. That's a good point. Solid.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Now to the topic of my fabulous neighbors. Make me feel bad about myself. I got really lucky. Where I move. I got great neighbors on both sides. I've been at a cul de sac, so it's like four houses staring at each other, but directly to my left is this really, really, really nice family. But they're so perfect. I mean, they're. Everybody's in really great shape. They got the kids out and about all the time. They're always on bike rides or going to church or washing their cars or just. And every. Every time I go to the gym, he's there. It's just. I don't know. And so it makes me feel bad at my. But they're always up earlier than us. Got a couple texts on that. Maybe you need fast. Maybe you need to move to a fat neighborhood. That would help. Jackie.

[Jack Armstrong]

What, are they, like, zoned for that or what? What is a fat neighborhood?

[Unnamed Contributor]

You might live next to Mormons. Best neighbors ever. Yeah, I got a buddy who lives in Salt Lake City, and that's been his experience in every neighborhood he's lived in. The neighbor. The Mormon neighbors are like the people I just described, Jack. Remember, comparison. Is the thief of joy true or.

[Jack Armstrong]

The supplier of standards?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Wow, that hurt.

[Jack Armstrong]

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Send your neighbors. Sign. Sign your neighbors up for a subscription to Playboy.

[Jack Armstrong]

A classic. Wow.

[Unnamed Contributor]

I'll put some distrust into their happy lives. Think you're so happy, Jack? Put the shoe on the other foot. Think how much better your neighbors feel having you as their Neighbor.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wait a minute. Yeah. So you're.

[Unnamed Contributor]

You're a force for.

[Jack Armstrong]

In the neighborhood.

[Unnamed Contributor]

Yeah, everybody's an example. You're. Everybody's an example in life, and I am the example of sloth.

[Jack Armstrong]

Maybe that's how they. They get their kids in line, Right? Or you don't want to grow up to be like Jack or neighbor.

[Unnamed Contributor]

We're gonna skip church. We're gonna get up late and go eat some bad food, then come back.

[Jack Armstrong]

Maybe take a little nap after all those carbs.

[Unnamed Contributor]

And also this. You're Homer Simpson, and you live next to Ned Flanders. That is pretty accurate dope.

[Jack Armstrong]

You know, I was just telling some folks the other day about the years I spent in Salina, Kansas. Judy and I, when we were young and broke, and. And I mentioned that the people in that part of the country are among the kindest and most generous humans on Earth. It was the best place to be young and broke in the world, because if you knew somebody for 10 minutes, they'd do anything for you. And a couple of the people were from various coastal areas where that is definitely not the culture. And they looked at me like, where is this wonderland? And I'm like, yeah, the middle part of the country. Some of y'all call it flyover country. And I'm on why I oughta, right?

[Unnamed Contributor]

So we got a lot more stuff to get to. Elon Musk called Social Security a Ponzi scheme.

[Jack Armstrong]

How dare he?

[Unnamed Contributor]

Among other things.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Gettysburg.