The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: "Go Woke, Go Broke" Summary

Episode Details:

• Title: Go Woke, Go Broke
• Release Date: June 23, 2022
• Host: Ben Ferguson, hosted on The 47 Morning Update
• Description: Hosted by Ben Ferguson, this episode delves into the latest political developments, cultural shifts, and significant Supreme Court decisions impacting America. The discussion centers around gun control legislation, the influence of "woke" culture in Hollywood, and a landmark Supreme Court case on religious liberty.

1. Capitol Hill Showdown: Gun Control Legislation

Timestamp: [04:12]

Discussion Overview: The episode kicks off with a critical analysis of the recent gun control legislation vote on Capitol Hill. Ben Ferguson discusses the surprising defection of 14 Republican senators who sided with Democrats to pass the motion to proceed with the bill.

Notable Points:

• Vote Breakdown: The legislation passed with a 64-34 vote, surpassing the required 60 votes, with all Democrats and 14 Republicans in support.

• Citing the 14 Republicans: Ben Ferguson points out the names of the 14 Republicans who broke ranks, highlighting a significant shift within the party dynamics.

Notable Quote:

Ted Cruz: "It's a combination of the moderate to liberal Republicans combined with Republican leadership combined with the Republicans who are retiring...they transmogrify into very, very different senators until the last two years when they're back on the ballot, when suddenly they become conservative again."
[05:08]

Analysis: Ted Cruz elaborates on the reasons behind the Republicans' capitulation, attributing it to a mix of moderates, leadership pressure, and senators who are retiring and thus less accountable to voters. He criticizes the lack of accountability, suggesting that senators who are leaving office are more susceptible to outside influences and less aligned with their conservative base.

2. The "Go Woke, Go Broke" Phenomenon in Hollywood

Timestamp: [07:06]

Discussion Overview: Ben Ferguson transitions to a cultural critique, focusing on Hollywood's incorporation of "woke" elements and its financial repercussions. The primary example discussed is the underperformance of the movie Lightyear, which included a lesbian toy kiss scene.

Notable Points:

• Box Office Performance: Lightyear grossed $80+ million globally and $51 million domestically against expectations of $135 million globally.

• Cultural Backlash: Ferguson argues that the inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes, such as a lesbian kiss, alienated traditional moviegoers, leading to the film's poor performance.

Notable Quotes:

Ben Ferguson: "We talked last time about how people don't want to see toys and cartoon characters engaging in all sorts of eccentric sexual activities...and Lightyear bombed at the box office."
[12:10]

Ben Ferguson: "There were very few kids movies at the box office this past weekend...Americans said, you know what, I can think of something better to do than listen to Hollywood lecture my six-year-old on their views of sexuality."
[16:19]

Analysis: Ferguson criticizes Hollywood for pushing a liberal agenda through popular family films, suggesting that audiences reject such attempts. He contrasts Lightyear with blockbuster hits like Top Gun, which embody traditional patriotic and conservative values, arguing that the latter's success underscores the audience's preference for non-political entertainment.

3. Supreme Court Victory: Carson v. Maine on Religious Liberty

Timestamp: [17:35]

Discussion Overview: The conversation shifts to a significant Supreme Court decision, Carson v. Maine, which Ferguson hails as a triumph for religious liberty and school choice.

Notable Points:

• Case Background: Maine had a tuition assistance program that excluded religious (sectarian) schools from eligibility, prompting a challenge based on religious discrimination.

• Supreme Court Ruling: The Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Carson, declaring that Maine's exclusion of religious schools violated the Constitution's First Amendment protections for religious freedom.

Notable Quotes:

Ted Cruz: "So the Supreme Court said, sorry, you can't. If it's an equally applicable program that everyone else can get, you can't discriminate against people of faith and schools of faith just because they're exercising their First Amendment rights and their religious liberty rights."
[19:34]

Ted Cruz: "The Establishment clause was about preventing government from controlling churches, preventing government from controlling faith."
[22:54]

Analysis: Cruz emphasizes that the ruling reinforces the First Amendment by ensuring that government programs cannot exclude religious institutions. He challenges the liberal interpretation of the Establishment Clause, arguing that it should protect religious freedom rather than enforce a secular government stance against religion. The decision is portrayed as a protective measure for both religious liberty and educational choice.

4. Addressing Concerns: Potential Implications of the Ruling

Timestamp: [21:15]

Discussion Overview: Ferguson addresses potential criticisms and hypothetical scenarios arising from the Supreme Court's decision, including the establishment of schools with controversial religious orientations.

Notable Points:

• Mailbag Question Response: A listener named Zachary inquires about the possibility of non-traditional religious schools, such as those founded by the Satanic Temple, receiving state funding.

Notable Quotes:

Ted Cruz: "Look, I don't maintain today that federal student loans, federal Pell grants should be disallowed from going to Yale University. So why should I say they shouldn't go to the Satanic Temple?"
[24:08]

Ted Cruz: "A tenured professor at Princeton is a guy named Peter Singer...he's argued in favor of infanticide up until age six."
[25:03]

Analysis: Cruz defends the ruling by drawing parallels between established institutions like Yale and hypothetical ones like the Satanic Temple. He suggests that excluding one religious perspective over another lacks consistency and undermines the establishment of diverse educational options. By highlighting that prestigious universities also engage in controversial teachings, he questions the reasonable basis for singling out specific religious ideologies.

5. The RINO Challenge: Strengthening the Republican Core

Timestamp: [25:28]

Discussion Overview: Ferguson and Cruz delve into the issue of RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) and the challenges they pose to maintaining a strong conservative base within the Republican Party.

Notable Points:

• Primary Elections: Cruz shares success stories from recent primaries, endorsing candidates like Yesleigh Vega who embody strong conservative values.

• Leadership Critique: He critiques Republican leadership for favoring obedient members over conservative insurgents, leading to a dilution of core principles.

Notable Quotes:

Ted Cruz: "Republican leadership in both the Senate and House...if you have someone who's gonna rock the boat, who's gonna be a rebel leadership would rather a democrat get elected than a pain in the neck conservative who will buck leadership."
[26:11]

Ted Cruz: "If you want stronger conservatives, then you gotta get involved in the primary process and get behind people who will follow through on what they say."
[28:54]

Analysis: Cruz emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement in the Republican primary process to elect candidates who genuinely represent conservative values. He argues that the current party leadership prioritizes loyalty over ideology, leading to the rise of moderates who may not align with the party's foundational principles. By supporting principled candidates, Republicans can strengthen their legislative influence and better resist internal and external pressures to compromise.

6. Upcoming Content: Cloakroom and Legal Discussions

Timestamp: [29:20]

Discussion Overview: The episode concludes with a teaser for upcoming content on Verdict Plus Community and the Cloakroom segment, which will focus on legal intricacies surrounding the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Notable Points:

• Cloakroom Preview: Liz Wheeler introduces the next segment, promising in-depth legal analysis on the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on abortion rights and the Democrats' potential responses.

Notable Quotes:

Liz Wheeler: "We're waiting with bated breath for the Dobbs decision...and we're going to dive into some of the legalities of some of their ideas because a couple of their suggestions I'm pretty sure are against the law."
[29:20]

Ted Cruz: "This week on Cloakroom, we'll be discussing the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow. Well, I can't wait."
[31:48]

Analysis: The hosts hint at further exploration of critical legal battles affecting American society, particularly focusing on reproductive rights and the legislative maneuvers likely to follow the Supreme Court's decisions. This segment aims to provide listeners with detailed and nuanced understanding of complex legal issues.

Conclusion

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, the discussion weaves through pivotal political and cultural issues facing America. From the internal struggles within the Republican Party over gun control legislation to the financial repercussions of "woke" culture in Hollywood, and a landmark Supreme Court decision bolstering religious liberty, Ferguson and Cruz provide a comprehensive analysis aimed at informing and mobilizing conservative listeners. The episode underscores the importance of maintaining ideological purity within the party, resisting cultural shifts that undermine traditional values, and staying vigilant in the face of significant legal and political challenges.