Podcast Summary: The Daily Beans – "Refried Beans | Tax the Rich" (Original Air Date: March 28, 2022)

Host: Allison Gill
Publication Date: March 29, 2025
Podcast Description: The Daily Beans is a women-owned and operated progressive news podcast tailored for your morning commute. Hosted by Allison Gill and comedian Dana Goldberg, the show delivers social justice and political news with just the right amount of snark.

Introduction

In the "Refried Beans" episode, host Allison Gill revisits an original episode from March 28, 2022, providing listeners with a reflective look at past political and social events. This format allows the audience to gauge progress and changes over the years.

Key News Topics

1. Manhattan District Attorney Returns Evidence in Trump Case (00:46)

Alison Gill opens the episode with a significant update from New York, where the Manhattan District Attorney (DA) has begun returning evidence in the stalled case against former President Donald Trump. This development includes scheduled depositions for Trump and his children in a civil lawsuit accusing them of running a pyramid scheme through the Trump Organization.

• Notable Quote:
  "I’m fucking pissed. Prosecutors have been sending back documents to people who turned over information about former President Donald Trump's business." (05:10)

2. Depositons Scheduled for Trump and His Children (09:15)

The episode details the logistics of the upcoming depositions:

• Trump's Deposition: Scheduled for June 16, 2022.
• Eric Trump: May 12, 2022.
• Donald Trump Jr.: May 10, 2022.

This legal maneuver stems from a lawsuit alleging that the Trump Organization engaged in a multi-level marketing scheme, misleading plaintiffs into investing significant sums.

3. We Build the Wall Fraud Case Updates (18:40)

In another legal saga, We Build the Wall co-founders face potential plea deals:

• Key Developments:

  • Brian Kolfage and Timothy Shea signaled intentions to plead guilty, potentially bypassing trial.
  • Former strategist Steve Bannon was pardoned by Trump, leaving other co-conspirators without similar relief.

• Notable Quote:
  "Trump only pardoned Bannon, not the other guys. Nor did he say why he didn't." (20:25)

4. January 6th Committee Considers Subpoena for Ginni Thomas (24:30)

The January 6th Committee grapples with whether to subpoena Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, following the release of 29 text messages that suggest her involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

• Discussion Points:
  • Internal committee debates highlight tensions between aggressive investigation and avoiding bias.
  • Alison advocates for subpoenaing Ginni Thomas to maintain accountability:
    "I'd say, look, we got what we need, but we're going to go ahead, subpoena her and hold her accountable for not showing up and answering questions anyway." (26:50)

5. President Biden Unveils New Minimum Tax on the Rich (28:00)

President Biden introduces a historic tax proposal targeting billionaires, aiming to impose a 20% minimum tax on households with net worth exceeding $100 million.

• Key Details:

  • The tax is projected to generate $360 billion over the next decade.
  • It primarily targets unrealized gains and traditional income, addressing perceived disparities in tax contributions.

• Notable Quote:
  "I fucking pay 33%. These fuckers pay 8% and they're billionaires." (30:45)

6. High Rate of Russian Generals Killed in Ukraine War (33:50)

The podcast reports on the alarming number of Russian generals killed in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, marking one of the highest attrition rates for military leaders since World War II.

• Insights Provided:

  • Ukrainian forces are effectively targeting senior commanders, disrupting Russian command and control.
  • Experts attribute these losses to both strategic targeting and possible Russian intelligence lapses.

• Notable Quote:
  "Ukrainian forces appear to be targeting anyone with gray hair standing near a bunch of antennas." (35:30)

Host's Personal Insights

Throughout the episode, Allison Gill interjects her personal opinions, especially regarding President Biden's speech in Warsaw. She praises Biden's impromptu remark, "my God, this man cannot remain in power," viewing it as a powerful and necessary statement against the Russian leadership.

• Notable Quote:
  "I thought it was badass, honestly. And it's what all of us are thinking. There is. He didn't say the words regime change, but we do need one in Russia." (03:10)

Good News Segment

Transitioning from intense political discourse, Allison concludes the episode with uplifting stories submitted by listeners:

1. Historic Judicial Appointment (05:20)

• Story: Andy Murdick becomes California's first openly transgender judge appointed to the Sacramento County Superior Court.
• Quote:
  "I'm humbled and honored and I'm thrilled, Mudrick told the Times on Friday. I'm grateful to Governor Newsom for creating a vision of California for all." (31:40)

2. Listener Submissions:

• Recovery and Resilience:

  • Gates: Overcomes a severe ankle injury and credits The Daily Beans for providing support during recovery. Shares heartwarming photos of pets and healing.

• Community and Pets:

  • David: Shares adorable pictures of his Chihuahua mix puppy, Scooby, and his Pug, Bug, engaging in playful activities.

• Political Engagement:

  • Daniel: Unexpectedly becomes the second vice chair of his county Democratic Party and considers running for office, sharing his excitement and challenges.

• Entrepreneurial Success:

  • Melissa: Celebrates her thriving knitting business on Etsy, specializing in personalized Christmas stockings year-round.

• Health Milestones:

  • Anne: Announces the commencement of radiation therapy following successful surgeries to address early-detected cancer, expressing gratitude for community support.

Conclusion

Allison Gill wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to submit their own good news, corrections, confessions, and pet photos, fostering a sense of community and shared positivity. She also mentions technical issues with the podcast feed and provides solutions for listeners experiencing problems.

• Closing Remarks:
  "Until tomorrow, please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health. Vote Blue over Q. I've been he. And them's the beans." (31:14)

Final Thoughts

This "Refried Beans" episode of The Daily Beans offers a comprehensive snapshot of early 2022's political landscape, interwoven with personal anecdotes and community interactions. Allison Gill's candid commentary and the inclusion of listener stories create an engaging narrative that balances critical news analysis with heartening positivity.