Summary of "Ep. 540 Are We a Nation of Laws or Not?" from The Dan Bongino Show

Release Date: September 5, 2017
Host: Dan Bongino | Cumulus Podcast Network

Introduction

In Episode 540 of The Dan Bongino Show, titled "Are We a Nation of Laws or Not?", Dan Bongino delves into several pressing political and economic issues, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law, critiquing liberal policies, and highlighting the consequences of high taxation in democratically governed states. The episode, released amidst the threat of Hurricane Irma, navigates through topics such as DACA, price gouging during disasters, blacklisting conservative groups, state tax burdens, taxation systems, and media narratives surrounding hurricane damages.

DACA and the Rule of Law

Timestamp: 04:10

Dan Bongino opens the episode by discussing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, emphasizing that the issue at hand transcends mere immigration debates. He asserts that DACA represents a constitutional and legal matter, challenging the executive authority exercised by former President Barack Obama. Bongino states:

"DACA is a constitutional issue and a rule of law issue... [It] was an unconstitutional legal program using Barack Obama's own words, himself, his executive action... they were given an exemption from the law. There's no disputing that."
(04:10)

He criticizes the Obama administration for circumventing Congressional mandates, arguing that immigration policies should align with existing laws passed by Congress rather than through executive orders. Bongino underscores the importance of maintaining a nation governed by laws, regardless of political disagreements.

Price Gouging During Hurricanes

Timestamp: 11:30

Transitioning to the topic of emergency response, Bongino addresses the contentious issue of price gouging during natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the impending Hurricane Irma. He challenges the necessity of government intervention in regulating prices, advocating for a free-market approach. Bongino articulates:

"I don't think the government has a role in price gouging. I don't think laws are going to help that."
(11:30)

He acknowledges the moral and ethical dilemmas but maintains that consumers should exercise discretion—choosing not to purchase overpriced goods rather than rely on legal restrictions. Bongino points out the signaling mechanism of prices, explaining that high prices indicate scarcity, thereby encouraging supply. However, he concedes the ethical concern of exploiting crises for profit.

Blacklists and Boycotts of Conservative Groups

Timestamp: 16:45

Bongino shifts focus to the political tactics employed against conservative entities, particularly blacklisting and boycotting. Referencing Daniel Greenfield's piece from Truth Revolt, he expresses concern over organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Color of Change targeting businesses associated with conservative leaders, including President Trump. He asserts:

"If you are a company that pulls advertising or stops doing business because of a Southern Poverty Law center hate label... that company should be boycotted by us too."
(16:45)

Bongino warns of a developing schism resulting in alternate economies, where conservatives and liberals create separate marketplaces based on ideological alignment. He critiques the effectiveness of such boycotts, suggesting they are economically unsustainable and ultimately counterproductive.

Tax Burden in Democratic-Dominated States

Timestamp: 23:15

Delving into fiscal policies, Bongino cites an article from American Thinker highlighting the disproportionate tax burdens in states led by Democrats. Listing New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and Illinois as the top five states with the highest tax per capita, he correlates high taxation with Democratic governance. Bongino emphasizes the trend of population migration from high-tax to low-tax states, noting:

"A thousand people a day are leaving overwhelmingly blue states dominated by Democrat politics for red states."
(23:15)

He argues that high taxes impede economic growth, leading to residents relocating to states with more favorable tax environments, thereby shifting political power away from Democrat-majority states.

Taxation Systems: VAT and Alternatives

Timestamp: 35:50

Bongino critiques proposals to implement a Value Added Tax (VAT), referencing an op-ed by John Cochran from The Journal. He explains the concept of VAT—a national sales tax levied at every production stage—and its implications:

"The problem with the value added tax is that it's hidden... it's hidden into the final product."
(35:50)

He contrasts VAT with alternatives like the flat tax or a fair tax, advocating for the latter as more transparent and equitable. Bongino argues that VAT complicates the tax system by embedding taxes at multiple production levels, making it difficult for consumers to discern the actual tax burden.

Media Narratives on Hurricane Damage

Timestamp: 42:20

Addressing media coverage, Bongino criticizes the Washington Post for attributing Hurricane Harvey's damage to factors like climate change, zoning laws, and building codes. Referencing a piece from Cato Institute, he discusses the efficacy of building codes in mitigating hurricane damage. He mentions a study by the University of Pennsylvania and Austin College which found that strict building codes can reduce wind damage and save costs in the long run.

However, Bongino also presents conflicting data, noting that some studies suggest building codes may lead to a "race to the bottom," where builders meet minimal requirements without necessarily enhancing structural integrity. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven analysis over media-driven narratives that align with liberal political agendas.

Conclusion

In this episode, Dan Bongino emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to the rule of law, scrutinizing liberal policies on immigration and taxation, and challenging the effectiveness of government interventions in free-market dynamics. He advocates for limited government involvement, transparency in taxation, and resilience against politically motivated boycotts. Bongino also urges listeners to critically evaluate media narratives and seek evidence-based conclusions to foster a more robust and legally consistent society.

Notable Quotes:

• On DACA:
  "DACA is a constitutional issue and a rule of law issue... [It] was an unconstitutional legal program using Barack Obama's own words."
  (04:10)

• On Price Gouging:
  "I don't think the government has a role in price gouging. I don't think laws are going to help that."
  (11:30)

• On Boycotts:
  "If you are a company that pulls advertising or stops doing business because of a Southern Poverty Law center hate label... that company should be boycotted by us too."
  (16:45)

• On Tax Burden:
  "A thousand people a day are leaving overwhelmingly blue states dominated by Democrat politics for red states."
  (23:15)

• On VAT:
  "The problem with the value added tax is that it's hidden... it's hidden into the final product."
  (35:50)

This summary provides an overview of the key discussions and perspectives presented by Dan Bongino in Episode 540, offering insights into his viewpoints on law, taxation, media narratives, and political strategies.