Mon Sep 11 2023

Washington's view on China:

• There is a bipartisan consensus that China should not have been allowed to accumulate the trade deficit it has with the United States.
• The trade deficit with China is also a concern for countries like India, Japan, and South Korea.
• The push to rebalance the economy with China by bringing back production to the United States is supported by both Democrats and Republicans.

Business leaders working with China:

• Business leaders such as Bob Iger, Tim Cook, and Elon Musk have more access to China than military, political, or government leaders.
• This raises concerns about who is shaping the dialogue and policies between the US and China.

Diplomacy:

• It is important to engage in dialogue and communication with China, similar to what was done during the Cold War.
• While there may be differences in approaches regarding Taiwan, there should be efforts to deter any military invasion from China while allowing future determinations through peaceful dialogue.

Steel:

• The decline of American steel manufacturing can be attributed to prioritizing cheaper labor options overseas.
• Rebuilding the steel industry in the US would help create a well-balanced economy and bring back jobs that were lost.

Political reform:

• Proposal for term limits for members of Congress and Senators.
• Ban of corporate PAC money and lobbyist money in politics.
• Term limits for Supreme Court justices.
• Ban on stock trading for members of Congress.
• Ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists.

Age of politicians:

• Concerns about older politicians holding leadership positions without being fully cognitively capable.
• Suggestions for cognitive tests or age limits for presidential candidates or other positions are made.

Shadow governments:

• Risk of unelected individuals exerting influence over an aging president's decision-making process.
• Calls for active democracy and engagement from citizens to ensure transparency and accountability.

Accountability in Department of Defense (DoD) spending:

• Challenges in auditing defense spending leading to unaccounted funds.
• Need for increased accountability and transparency in DoD.

Social Security and Medicare:

• Proposal to scrap the payroll tax cap to make Social Security solvent.
• Highlighting the need for comprehensive healthcare reform and sustainable social security programs.

Accountability in federal government:

• Concerns about lack of accountability within federal departments, such as defense contractors not being held accountable.
• Calls for reforms to address accountability issues and prioritize real defense needs.

Importance of political involvement and activism:

• Emphasis on citizen engagement through actions like door-knocking, hosting events, supporting candidates, etc.
• Need for strategic thinking and business-like planning when it comes to politics rather than just relying on charisma or name recognition.

The importance of humility and empathy in political conversations:

• Recognition that moral smugness can hinder effective discussions.
• Importance of considering different perspectives and narratives to bridge divides in society.

Discussion on age limits for politicians:

• Concerns about older politicians holding leadership positions without addressing potential cognitive decline risks.
• Advocacy for new voices by engaging younger people in politics.

Interest in new generation leaders:

• Desire among some voters for a fresh perspective from younger candidates.
• Assessment of contenders like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Viswanathan based on policy proposals and alignment with personal beliefs.

Challenges of running political campaigns: 1 . The difficulty faced by challengers going against incumbents due to fundraising disadvantages and incumbency advantages. 2 . Need for more thorough campaign strategies similar to a business plan approach.