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The Politics Guys

PG127: Net Neutrality, AT&T Time-Warner Merger, Transgender Ban, Sexual Harassment

The Politics Guys

Michael Baranowski

Politics, News

4.5772 Ratings

🗓️ 25 November 2017

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mike and Jay start off this week with a discussion of net neutrality in the wake of the FCC's move to revoke Obama-era rules that prevent internet service providers from privileging content from certain providers over others. Jay argues that this is a welcome backing off of government regulation that is not only more fair to ISPs but should result in greater investment and better outcomes for consumers. Mike disagrees, saying that investment didn't drop after the net neutrality rules went into effect and says that this is a perfect example of a market in which natural monopolies cry out for smart regulation to enhance competition. Mike goes even further than this, calling for an internet infrastructure project as a 21st century equivalent of the interstate highway system. Then the Guys look at the Justice Department's surprising legal challenge to the AT&T / Time Warner merger. Neither Mike nor Jay think that there's much of a case, because historically, 'vertical' mergers like this - where the two companies involved are not in direct competition - don't meet anti-trust guidelines. Mike thinks this is probably a negotiating strategy on the part of the Justice Department and that an out-of-court settlement will ultimately be reached. Next, it's a look at the latest challenge to President Trump's ban on transgender troops. Both Mike and Jay agree that the federal judges ruling against the ban made the right call, and they also both have trouble understanding what rational reason the president would have for attempting to change policy in this area. Finally, Mike and Jay discuss the latest sexual harassment allegations on Capitol Hill involving long-time Democratic Representative John Conyers, new allegations against Democratic Senator Al Franken, as well as President Trump's semi-endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. What Mike's Reading: The chained CPI: Another secret tax hike for the middle class slipped into the GOP tax bills | http://lat.ms/2n2H0pv What Jay's Reading: The Desolate Wilderness | http://on.wsj.com/2n3Mxfc And The Fair Land | http://on.wsj.com/2n1IlNn Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. If you’re interested in supporting the show, go to http://www.politicsguys.com and click on the Patreon link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-politics-guys/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You know what that is.

0:04.0

An ice cold beer.

0:07.0

What's different?

0:09.0

It's Budweiser.

0:11.0

Food longer for a refreshing, smooth taste.

0:15.0

Like no other.

0:20.0

Cheers to that. Budweiser. Like no other.

0:22.3

Cheers to that.

0:25.3

Budweiser, like no other.

0:26.7

Please drink responsibly.

0:28.5

For the facts, visit drinkaware.com. UK.

0:30.2

Give the gift of a world of knowledge this holiday season with The Economist.

0:35.5

Get access to trusted, fact-based global reporting and analysis,

0:39.7

plus exclusive podcasts, insightful newsletters, films and more. And here's the best part. When you

0:46.0

buy a subscription, you can give a second one for free. Perfect for those who think big, just like

0:51.7

you. So go to Economist.com slash holiday gifting offer

0:55.8

to take advantage of this gifting offer ending soon. Welcome to the politics guys. I'm Michael Baranowski, a political scientist at Northern Kentucky University.

1:24.5

Before I get to today's show, I wanted to let everyone know that we experienced a few issues

1:28.9

with audio quality. We didn't notice them when we were recording the show, but when I started

1:33.2

to do the post-production, they became apparent. I did my best to clean them up, but there were still

1:38.8

a few artifacts here and there. We're working on the issue, and I think I have a solution, so

1:43.4

this should just be a temporary

...

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