Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: The A&G Replay Monday Hour Three
Date: September 1, 2025

Overview

This episode features deep-dives into California politics—especially gerrymandering and state governance—immigration, tech innovation, labor markets, and some lively discussion on American founding principles. Main guests include Congressman Tom McClintock and Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute, Timothy Sandifer. The hosts critically analyze California’s redistricting battles, illegal immigration policy, the impact of autonomous vehicles, and shifting American historical narratives, mixing informed skepticism with wit and a distinctly libertarian-conservative tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. California Redistricting and Gerrymandering

(01:47–06:13)

• Guest: Tom McClintock (Republican Congressman, CA-5th)
• California, like all states, redraws districts every decade, but the process often opens the door for partisan gerrymandering.
  • “Over the years, it’s gone from artwork to science, and it can now be used to badly distort the partisan choices that the voters make.” (McClintock, 02:26)
• McClintock critiques Governor Newsom’s attempt to bypass the independent commission, calling his process a “Gavin-mander.”
• Despite the commission's efforts, McClintock argues the system is still stacked against Republicans due to the inclusion of non-citizens in population counts for apportionment.
  • "Illegal aliens are counted for districting, which increases the proportional influence in Democratic regions." (McClintock, 04:38)
• National perspective: Democratic states’ gerrymandering results in Democrats having more seats than their share of votes.
  • Illinois: "Republicans got 47% of the vote, 17% of the seats. ... Massachusetts, 35% of the vote and zero seats." (McClintock, 04:38)
• The independent commission model is popular—Prop 27’s attempt to abolish it failed resoundingly.

2. Illegal Immigration and Federal Law

(06:13–08:07)

• McClintock criticizes sanctuary policies and selective enforcement of federal immigration law, questioning what other federal laws could be ignored if this precedent stands.
  • “If we don’t enforce our immigration laws, we have no immigration laws. If we have no immigration laws, we have no border. If we have no border, we have no country.” (McClintock, 06:54)
• Claims that mass disregard for federal law under the Biden administration has led to historic migration surges, culminating in forced large-scale deportations.

3. Congressional Role in Immigration Reform

(08:07–10:23)

• Current law mandates detention of illegal immigrants, but executive actions have circumvented enforcement.
  • “We didn’t need new laws. We needed a new president. ... within 30 days, the borders were secured.” (McClintock, 08:25)
• Calls for reforms:
  • Tightening asylum laws so only legitimate cases proceed
  • Closing parole loopholes
  • Improving unaccompanied minor procedures to combat trafficking
  • Restoring integrity to visa programs, citing “13 million visas granted that were completely unvetted” under the Biden administration

4. Presidential Power & National Guard Deployment

(10:23–12:27)

• On Trump’s proposal to send National Guard to Chicago:
  • McClintock, a federalist, defends federal powers in DC and federal law, but advises caution in intervening with local law enforcement unless invited.
  • “Local law enforcement needs to remain in local hands, no matter how badly those local hands are handling it.” (McClintock, 10:47)
• Hosts warn against setting precedents, as federal overreach could be applied by future political opposites.

5. Cultural Trends: The “Latinx” Debate & California Econ Policy

(12:34–14:58)

• The hosts and production team mock the political focus on the term "Latinx", citing its lack of support in actual communities.
  • "Not one person ever in my office has ever used the word Latinx." (Co-host, 12:39)
• Montage of Gavin Newsom using “Latinx” for political purposes while also running from it, reflecting shifting strategies as he eyes a presidential run.
• Broader critique of California governance: loss of 100k private sector jobs, gain of 361k government jobs since 2022, and an emphasis on business-unfriendly policies.
  • “California has created one of the most over-regulated, expensive and risky environments for business in America.” (Bed Bath and Beyond CEO statement, 15:53)

6. California’s Business Environment & Bed Bath and Beyond

(15:36–18:38)

• Explored the CEO’s statement refusing to open stores in California due to overregulation, taxes, and costs. Newsom’s dismissive response on social media is criticized.
  • “Big companies sometimes fail... But it’s the very thing we treasure in America... innovation, adaptation, creativity and sticking to it.” (Co-host, 16:57)
• Hosts assert Newsom’s privileged background blinds him to the realities of entrepreneurship.

7. Technology: Autonomous Vehicles & Privacy

(20:52–29:05)

• Guest: Tim Sandifer (Goldwater Institute)
• Enthusiasm for Waymo and self-driving technology: safer, more accessible, especially for the disabled.
  • “I haven’t been this enthusiastic about a piece of technology in a very long time… They’re going to make driving as safe as flying.” (Sandifer, 24:26)
• Host notes unease about loss of personal autonomy and privacy as cars become fully trackable and controlled.
  • “In my lifetime, it’s gone from I could have traveled...completely without a single human being knowing where I was to now thousands...and maybe all governments knowing where I am.” (Joe Getty, 26:38)
• Sandifer worries about government abuse but feels the key is protecting individual rights, not banning tech.
  • "Both options should be available in a society that respected individual rights. Unfortunately, our society respects that so much less nowadays..." (Sandifer, 27:16)
• Discussion shifts to insurance companies likely making traditional, self-driven cars prohibitively expensive as automated vehicles become safer—a potential death knell for driving freedom.

8. AI, Labor Markets, and Economic Change

(29:05–32:20)

• Sandifer argues that technological innovation, historically, always creates new jobs and opportunities, despite dire predictions.
  • "Every time technology has come along... it actually develops more jobs... new technology opens up new opportunities for economic growth..." (Sandifer, 30:30)
• Hosts voice skepticism whether AI will this time break that pattern.
  • “I really, really want you to be right about that with AI.” (Joe Getty, 31:36)

9. The American Revolution: Historical Narratives

(33:34–40:00)

• Clip from Ken Burns, who calls the American Revolution:
  • “...the most important event since the birth of Christ in all of world history.” (Ken Burns, 33:34 & 35:58)
• Hosts are surprised and pleased by this traditional view after years of more critical historiography (e.g., 1619 Project).
• Burn’s comments highlight the radical idea of citizenship and its historical ripple effects worldwide.
  • “Before this moment, everyone was a subject... We had created... a citizen.” (Burns, 35:58)
• The hosts and Gabby (co-host/producer) endorse the idea that the American founding, despite its flaws, is an extraordinarily positive event.
  • “But that doesn’t diminish the greatness, the wonder of the founding of the country and the principles on which it was founded.” (Co-host/Gabby, 39:37)
• Jonah Goldberg quote is read, emphasizing the global political influence and weight of the American experiment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom McClintock on Redistricting:
  "This, I guess you could call it a Gavin-mander, was drafted behind closed doors in a matter of days." (03:35)

• On Immigration Enforcement:
  "If you’re going to tolerate illegal immigration, it makes legal immigration pointless." (McClintock, 06:54)

• Tim Sandifer on Self-Driving Cars:
  “They’re going to make driving as safe as flying. It’s incredible.” (24:26)

• Ken Burns on the American Revolution:
  “It turned the world upside down… We had created in this moment... a very brand new thing called a citizen.” (35:58)

• On Political Virtue Signaling:
  “Not one person ever in my office has ever used the word Latinx.” (Co-host, 12:39) “He has to run away from it if he wants to be president.” (Joe Getty, 14:31)

• On the Loss of Privacy Through Tech:
  “In my lifetime, it’s gone from I could have traveled...completely without a single human being knowing where I was to now thousands...and maybe all governments knowing where I am.” (Joe Getty, 26:38)

Important Timestamps

• 01:47 – Tom McClintock joins to discuss CA redistricting
• 03:35 – “Gavin-mander” & critique of Newsom’s redistricting efforts
• 06:54 – McClintock’s core argument on immigration enforcement
• 10:47 – Debate on sending National Guard to Chicago
• 12:39 – Start of Latinx terminology debate
• 15:53 – Bed Bath and Beyond CEO’s statement on business climate in CA
• 20:52/21:03 – Tim Sandifer on the role of Goldwater Institute
• 24:26 – Self-driving car experiences and implications
• 30:30 – Sandifer’s optimism on technology creating jobs
• 33:34 – Ken Burns on the American Revolution’s world importance
• 35:58 – Birth of the citizen, paradigm shift
• 39:37 – Affirmation of American Founding ideals

Tone and Style

The segment is lively, irreverent, and skeptical of establishment narratives—favoring free-market, libertarian, and traditional American founding themes. There’s plenty of humor (often biting), personal anecdote, and insistence on questioning power, whether it’s governmental or cultural.

For New Listeners

This episode serves as a penetrating critique of California progressive politics and modern American cultural debates, while championing the importance of historical perspective, the vitality of innovation, and wariness of both bureaucratic overreach and utopian tech promises. The blend of political insight, guest expertise, and cultural commentary is classic Armstrong & Getty.