The Ezra Klein Show
Biden, Psychedelics, Twitter, My New Book — and So Much More
Tue Jul 25 2023Description
The episode covers a range of topics including supply-side progressivism and liberalism, balancing multiple objectives in infrastructure projects, streamlining processes for climate change and sustainability, challenges in affordable housing and community input, Biden administration's climate efforts and challenges, comparing Biden's presidency to FDR's, challenges in addressing drug addiction and improving healthcare, term limits for Congress and Supreme Court justices, the Hunter Biden scandal and its implications, undervalued professions and societal structure, the importance of teachers and alternative platforms for information, and music recommendations and the experience of time.
Insights
Supply-side progressivism and liberalism
Ezra Klein is co-writing a book with Derek Thompson about supply-side progressivism or liberalism that focuses on scarcity and how to fix it. The book explores how liberalism, despite advocating for an activist government, often struggles to effectively govern. The project also delves into the history of post-20th century liberalism and its collision with new left and environmental movements.
Balancing multiple objectives in infrastructure projects
The collapse of section 595 in Pennsylvania showcased the ability of the government to quickly complete infrastructure projects by suspending regulations. This case highlights the challenge of balancing multiple objectives within a single project, as liberals often do. The Pennsylvania governor's emergency powers allowed for the suspension of regulatory statutes and streamlined the building process.
Streamlining processes for climate change and sustainability
Pennsylvania radically altered the process of building I-95, bypassing normal procurement and contracting rules. Emergency processes should not be more thrilling than normal processes. Climate change should be considered an emergency, requiring changes to existing processes. To address climate change effectively, there needs to be a shift towards modifying current processes. There is a need for a version of permitting reform that balances environmental justice, community input, and faster building. Projects focused on environmental sustainability should have a streamlined path forward.
Challenges in affordable housing and community input
Affordable housing in California has been sped past certain points in the process, while market rate housing doesn't always receive the same treatment. Community input can be complicated and may not always represent the sentiment of the entire community. Wealthy homeowners often have significant influence over the planning process, limiting the construction of below-market-rate homes in desirable areas. Powerful interests and lobbyists invest heavily to ensure their voices are heard during regulatory meetings. Giving power to elected representatives can provide broader community input, but checks should be in place to prevent abuse.
Biden administration's climate efforts and challenges
The Biden administration has made significant climate investments and created a new structure for climate infrastructure development. Biden's climate efforts outweigh those of previous presidents, including Obama and Clinton. The focus has shifted from securing funding to actually implementing decarbonization infrastructure. Implementation is challenging, but the Biden administration deserves credit for their achievements so far.
Comparing Biden's presidency to FDR's
They prioritized it, they figured it out, they passed it, they deserved to be applauded, and now they deserve to be watched over and scrutinized as the real work has to happen. The bulk of their legislation has been an extraordinary climate presidency, given what is actually possible in American politics. Comparisons between Joe Biden and FDR are not justified because the political landscape and congressional majorities were different during their presidencies. FDR had a much larger congressional majority than Biden does, which allowed him to pass more legislation. Biden's 50/50 Senate limits the scope of his presidency compared to FDR's. The success of Obama's healthcare reform has reduced the urgency for further healthcare reform. The slowdown in healthcare cost growth has also diminished the need for immediate reform. While there are still improvements that can be made to the healthcare system, other priorities like universal baby bonds and universal pre-K may take precedence in Congress.
Challenges in addressing drug addiction and improving healthcare
The issue of drug addiction leading to deaths has not been solved by healthcare reform. Financial insulation from healthcare costs is often not the most effective way to improve health. Expanded child tax credit and baby bonds could have a bigger impact on health than health insurance reform.
Term limits for Congress and Supreme Court justices
Term limits for Congress may not necessarily lead to better or more effective legislators. Experience, connections, and skills are important in being an effective member of Congress. Term limits for Supreme Court justices could be beneficial with 12 or 18-year terms. Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices lack accountability. Voters participating in elections should have the power to decide on term limits for representatives.
The Hunter Biden scandal and its implications
The Hunter Biden scandal involves unsavory actions but lacks evidence of consequential influence on Joe Biden's governance. Biden's laissez-faire attitude towards his son's activities generates sympathy for him. Hunter Biden's life has been a tragedy, causing harm to himself and his father. The scandal lies in the influence peddling becoming part of the federal government's power. Trump's actions do not absolve Biden, but evidence could change the perception of the situation. Influence peddling by high-ranking aides and lobbyists is common in Congress and administrations. Republicans need to strategically position their candidate to take advantage of Biden's weaknesses.
Undervalued professions and societal structure
Undervalued work in contemporary American society includes social workers, teachers, and foster care guardians who work with children. Childcare work is badly compensated and lacks prestige compared to other professions. Prestige often follows money, which leads to undervaluing child-related industries. Societal structure should compensate child-related professions well to attract talented individuals. Teachers in other countries are highly regarded, but it is not the case in America.
The importance of teachers and alternative platforms for information
In other countries, teachers are considered prestigious professions alongside engineering and law. The social prestige of being a teacher is an important factor in attracting talented individuals to the profession. The speaker's spouse works in early childhood education and faces criticism for not pursuing a more prestigious career. Printing out articles and reading them on paper helps improve focus and engagement with the information. Leaving Twitter has resulted in a better attention span for reading articles, but there is a sense of missing out on people's thoughts and collective reactions. Using alternative platforms like threads may be enjoyable but does not substitute for more reliable sources of information like newspapers or magazines. Spending excessive time on Twitter can detract from reading, reporting, and gaining unique insights from other sources. Being on social media gives a feeling of knowing what others are thinking, but it may not lead to actual knowledge acquisition. While some useful links can be found on Twitter, there are better places to find reliable information.
Music recommendations and the experience of time
Caroline Shaw's album 'Orange' with the Attica Quartet, particularly the song 'Herbaceous Border', is a deep and moving music experience associated with the speaker's children. Fred again's Tiny Desk performance on YouTube, where he live loops his music using instruments, is virtuosic and reminiscent of Steve Reich. Maribou State's music is instrumentally interesting, warm, and inviting, suitable for casual settings like cooking dinner with friends.
Chapters
- Supply-side progressivism and liberalism
- Balancing multiple objectives in infrastructure projects
- Streamlining processes for climate change and sustainability
- Challenges in affordable housing and community input
- Biden administration's climate efforts and challenges
- Comparing Biden's presidency to FDR's
- Challenges in addressing drug addiction and improving healthcare
- Term limits for Congress and Supreme Court justices
- The Hunter Biden scandal and its implications
- Undervalued professions and societal structure
- The importance of teachers and alternative platforms for information
- Music recommendations and the experience of time
Supply-side progressivism and liberalism
00:04 - 07:18
- Ezra Klein is co-writing a book with Derek Thompson about supply-side progressivism or liberalism that focuses on scarcity and how to fix it
- The book explores how liberalism, despite advocating for an activist government, often struggles to effectively govern
- The project also delves into the history of post-20th century liberalism and its collision with new left and environmental movements
Balancing multiple objectives in infrastructure projects
06:52 - 13:30
- The collapse of section 595 in Pennsylvania showcased the ability of the government to quickly complete infrastructure projects by suspending regulations
- This case highlights the challenge of balancing multiple objectives within a single project, as liberals often do
- The Pennsylvania governor's emergency powers allowed for the suspension of regulatory statutes and streamlined the building process
Streamlining processes for climate change and sustainability
13:06 - 19:30
- Pennsylvania radically altered the process of building I-95, bypassing normal procurement and contracting rules
- Emergency processes should not be more thrilling than normal processes
- Climate change should be considered an emergency, requiring changes to existing processes
- To address climate change effectively, there needs to be a shift towards modifying current processes
- There is a need for a version of permitting reform that balances environmental justice, community input, and faster building
- Projects focused on environmental sustainability should have a streamlined path forward
Challenges in affordable housing and community input
19:02 - 25:39
- Affordable housing in California has been sped past certain points in the process, while market rate housing doesn't always receive the same treatment
- Community input can be complicated and may not always represent the sentiment of the entire community
- Wealthy homeowners often have significant influence over the planning process, limiting the construction of below-market-rate homes in desirable areas
- Powerful interests and lobbyists invest heavily to ensure their voices are heard during regulatory meetings
- Giving power to elected representatives can provide broader community input, but checks should be in place to prevent abuse
Biden administration's climate efforts and challenges
25:17 - 32:24
- The Biden administration has made significant climate investments and created a new structure for climate infrastructure development
- Biden's climate efforts outweigh those of previous presidents, including Obama and Clinton
- The focus has shifted from securing funding to actually implementing decarbonization infrastructure
- Implementation is challenging, but the Biden administration deserves credit for their achievements so far
Comparing Biden's presidency to FDR's
31:55 - 38:25
- They prioritized it, they figured it out, they passed it, they deserved to be applauded, and now they deserve to be watched over and scrutinized as the real work has to happen
- The bulk of their legislation has been an extraordinary climate presidency, given what is actually possible in American politics
- Comparisons between Joe Biden and FDR are not justified because the political landscape and congressional majorities were different during their presidencies
- FDR had a much larger congressional majority than Biden does, which allowed him to pass more legislation
- Biden's 50/50 Senate limits the scope of his presidency compared to FDR's
- The success of Obama's healthcare reform has reduced the urgency for further healthcare reform
- The slowdown in healthcare cost growth has also diminished the need for immediate reform
- While there are still improvements that can be made to the healthcare system, other priorities like universal baby bonds and universal pre-K may take precedence in Congress
Challenges in addressing drug addiction and improving healthcare
44:20 - 51:20
- The issue of drug addiction leading to deaths has not been solved by healthcare reform
- Financial insulation from healthcare costs is often not the most effective way to improve health
- Expanded child tax credit and baby bonds could have a bigger impact on health than health insurance reform
Term limits for Congress and Supreme Court justices
44:42 - 51:20
- Term limits for Congress may not necessarily lead to better or more effective legislators
- Experience, connections, and skills are important in being an effective member of Congress
- Term limits for Supreme Court justices could be beneficial with 12 or 18-year terms
- Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court justices lack accountability
- Voters participating in elections should have the power to decide on term limits for representatives
The Hunter Biden scandal and its implications
50:58 - 57:47
- The Hunter Biden scandal involves unsavory actions but lacks evidence of consequential influence on Joe Biden's governance
- Biden's laissez-faire attitude towards his son's activities generates sympathy for him
- Hunter Biden's life has been a tragedy, causing harm to himself and his father
- The scandal lies in the influence peddling becoming part of the federal government's power
- Trump's actions do not absolve Biden, but evidence could change the perception of the situation
- Influence peddling by high-ranking aides and lobbyists is common in Congress and administrations
- Republicans need to strategically position their candidate to take advantage of Biden's weaknesses
Undervalued professions and societal structure
57:32 - 1:04:08
- Undervalued work in contemporary American society includes social workers, teachers, and foster care guardians who work with children
- Childcare work is badly compensated and lacks prestige compared to other professions
- Prestige often follows money, which leads to undervaluing child-related industries
- Societal structure should compensate child-related professions well to attract talented individuals
- Teachers in other countries are highly regarded, but it is not the case in America
The importance of teachers and alternative platforms for information
57:47 - 1:10:13
- In other countries, teachers are considered prestigious professions alongside engineering and law
- The social prestige of being a teacher is an important factor in attracting talented individuals to the profession
- The speaker's spouse works in early childhood education and faces criticism for not pursuing a more prestigious career
- Printing out articles and reading them on paper helps improve focus and engagement with the information
- Leaving Twitter has resulted in a better attention span for reading articles, but there is a sense of missing out on people's thoughts and collective reactions
- Using alternative platforms like threads may be enjoyable but does not substitute for more reliable sources of information like newspapers or magazines
- Spending excessive time on Twitter can detract from reading, reporting, and gaining unique insights from other sources
- Being on social media gives a feeling of knowing what others are thinking, but it may not lead to actual knowledge acquisition
- While some useful links can be found on Twitter, there are better places to find reliable information
Music recommendations and the experience of time
1:09:52 - 1:15:14
- Caroline Shaw's album 'Orange' with the Attica Quartet, particularly the song 'Herbaceous Border', is a deep and moving music experience associated with the speaker's children
- Fred again's Tiny Desk performance on YouTube, where he live loops his music using instruments, is virtuosic and reminiscent of Steve Reich
- Maribou State's music is instrumentally interesting, warm, and inviting, suitable for casual settings like cooking dinner with friends