The Social Contract with Joe Walsh - podcast cover

The Social Contract with Joe Walsh

America, we gotta get back to doing what's expected of us as free citizens in this democracy. That means being tolerant, being respectful, staying informed, and being engaged. I'm former Congressman Joe Walsh. Follow me here and join the millions of Americans who are renewing their social contract with each other. The social contract. It's on us.

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Episodes

Political Tribalism Callouses Your Soul

If what Trump said in the Oval Office yesterday doesn’t send a chill up your spine, then you’ve forgotten what America is. Or you’re way too dangerously partisan. And once you throw due process out the window for anyone, you throw it out the window for yourself. And one more problem…we’re not even speaking off the same basic fact sheets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 202537 min

This Is Not America. This Is Not America. This Is Not America. This Is…

We’re snatching up innocent people because of what they believe. We’re sending innocent people to foreign prisons. This isn’t what America is. Right? Also, Trump only says what Putin allows him to say. Finally, why are we at each other’s throats? A different theory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 202544 min

Why Does It Take A Court Order For Trump To Just Do The Right Thing?

The Trump administration admitted they made a mistake when they grabbed him, put him on a plane and sent him to a prison in El Salvador. They acknowledged he’s an innocent man. The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the Trump administration to bring him back here. Pronto. But will they? Also, an interview with the brother of an Israeli hostage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 202534 min

We Will Regret Normalizing Trump

He commits acts of corruption right out in the open, he goes after his political opponents right out in the open, and we just think oh this is no big deal. We are so lowering the bar with Trump. We will regret it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 202529 min

Trump Lies About Everything, But He Can’t Lie About The Economy

These tariffs are different. Trump has been able to survive and thrive politically because he lies about everything - January 6th, Haitian migrants - but he can’t lie about the economy. People know if the economy is good or bad. Trump can’t lie his way out of layoffs and rising prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 09, 202517 min

Now They’re Apprehending American Citizens. Not A Surprise

He’s an American citizen, he’s a lawyer, his family came back to America from vacation. And they detained him. For no reason other than to intimidate him. And to be cruel. This is wrong. This is not America. Also, no single person should have the power Trump has. Shame on Republicans for giving it to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 08, 202530 min

Don't Blame Just Trump. Blame The Entire Republican Party

As markets here in the U.S. and around the world crater, and as the entire world economic order borders on crisis, it's easy to blame just that madman in the White House for all of this. Nope. He's not alone. Also...millions and millions took to the streets two days ago to say "hands off!" It was a sight to behold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 07, 202534 min

That Stupid Person In The White House Is Hurting So Many People

good week politically for Democrats, but I gotta be honest. I’m sad and angry because we put such a stupid person back in the White House. And that stupid person in the White House is going to hurt so many people. It’s going to get much worse. And sadly, way too many Americans are going to have to feel the pain before they wake up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 04, 202524 min

A Conversation With A Young Conservative Who’s Disappointed In Me

I sat down with a young conservative who worries about/wonders why a conservative like me sounds basically like a Democrat these days. We had a great, respectful conversation about why we each have taken the stances we’ve taken. I enjoyed this conversation with Will Murphy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 03, 202559 min

Yesterday Was The First Chance For Voters To Speak. And They Did

Musk and Trump have had ten weeks to wreak havoc, chaos and mayhem. And last night in Wisconsin & Florida voters had the first opportunity to punch back. And they did. Also, people will die because of what Musk & Trump are doing. Finally, if Trump wasn’t such a coward, he’d make one simple phone call. But he won’t, because he’s a coward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 02, 202538 min

If You Don’t Support Due Process For Non-Citizens, Then You Don’t Support The Constitution

Every single day in this country right now, people are being detained and deported without due process. This is illegal, this is unconstitutional. Every day in this country right now, this administration is “accidentally” putting innocent people on airplanes and sending them to foreign prisons. Without any due process. This isn’t America Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 01, 202539 min

Waging Dialogue: How To Engage With People Who Don’t Think Like You

I’m obsessed with the political divide in this country. A divided I helped create. So I sat down with two experts in the field. To discuss how to have conversations with people with whom you disagree. They’ve developed a project called “Waging Dialogue.” Their website is wagingdialogue.org. Check the site out and Have a listen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 31, 202559 min

Don’t Let Musk Buy Another Election

Elon Musk is paying people to vote in next week’s Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Trump just admitted that WE pay for his tariffs, the White House doesn’t believe in separation of powers, and the Attorney General has made it official: she is Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Here we are America! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 202537 min

This Is Not America. This Is Not What America Should Be

Right now, people are being grabbed from their homes, snatched off of streets, and denied entry into this country. All because of the views these people hold. This isn’t America. We don’t penalize people because of their views, their beliefs, Right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 202534 min

Anyone In Uniform Would Be Court Martialed For This

Hegseth, Waltz, et al just dared the Atlantic reporter to put out the information he was privy to on that group chat security breach. And so he did put it out. And if the information on that group chat isn’t classified, then nothing is. Heads should roll for this. But remember, in Trump world, it’s a cardinal sin to admit wrongdoing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 26, 202537 min

The Attorney General Of The United States Should NOT Be Going On Fox News Every Day

The attorney general of the United States is the top law enforcement officer in the country. Sherry is America’s top cop. Her job is to defend the Constitution and the law. She does not work for the President. She works for us. All of us. So she shouldn’t be going on Fox News every day getting political. That’s wrong. That’s not normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 202535 min

Hey Pam Bondi, Don’t You Dare Tell Me What I Can & Cannot Say About Elon Musk

So the Attorney General of the United States, who seems to spend her entire day and night on Fox News, went on Fox News over the weekend and said that we gotta be careful how we criticize Elon Musk. Somebody needs to remind the Attorney General that we have free speech in this country. And she should re read the First Amendment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 202537 min

The America I Loved Is Dying: A Conversation With A Brit

She grew up loving & admiring America, she spent time here as a 13yr old exchange student and worked in NYC as a young woman. But that America, from her perspective, is no more. Trump & Vance beating up Zelensky in the White House a few weeks ago made that clear. A poignant conversation with a friend from the U.K. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 202546 min

How To End The ‘Two Party Doom Loop.’ A Conversation

I sat down with political scientist @leedrutman to talk about the current state of our politics and our two parties. He believes we have system wide problems and the only solutions to our broken politics are system wide solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 202554 min

What Musk & Trump Are Doing Is Not Constitutional. Don’t Lose Sight Of This

From day one, I’ve believed that Musk & Trump didn’t have the constitutional authority to do damn near everything they were doing. A Federal Judge yesterday affirmed that belief when he ruled that Musk & Trump did not have the constitutional authority to shut down USAID. Let’s hope similar rulings follow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 19, 202528 min

Simple Question: Should Trump Be Able To Do WHATEVER He Wants? Even If A Judge Says It's Unconstitutional?

The mad, cruel, dishonest tyrant in the White House lashed out this morning in a social media post complaining that because he won by a "mandate" no judge or court should be able to stop him from doing what he wants. Now Trump is an idiot and a narcissist, so no surprise he feels that way, but…do the American people agree with him? That he can do WHATEVER he wants? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 202536 min

Trump Doesn't Give A Damn About Court Orders Or The Law. Do The American People?

He's doing what he said he would do. He's moving fast, he's acting like a king, and he's defying the law. His party and his followers are applauding him, and the so called "opposition party" is utterly lost. The two remaining questions are: Will the courts hold? And will the American people rise up and oppose him? We shall see. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 202538 min

Chuck Schumer: A Man NOT Made For This Moment

Schumer said he’s voting for the GOP spending bill. What a wussy. In a moment with a radicalized Republican Party led by Donald Trump and that calls for a real FIGHT over the Constitution, Schumer thinks he’s back in the 1990’s dealing with Republicans like Bob Dole. I know I’m a broken record, but Democrats need to fight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 202537 min

Democrats, Take It From A Former Right Wing Culture War Practitioner: On The Transgender Issue, Most Americans Are With You

Decency and tolerance. Most Americans still side with basic human decency and tolerance on most policy issues. And Especially when it comes to the issue of transgender men & women. Most Americans oppose how House Republicans are treating their transgender Democratic colleague from Delaware. So come on Democrats, don’t shy away from the issue. Fight on this issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 202537 min

What About People Who Aren’t MAGA Right or Far Left? What Do They Do? A Conversation

I sat down with freelance opinion writer Kimberly Ross. She doesn’t belong to either side right now. She will rightly criticize both sides. We discussed what it feels like to not belong to a political team these days. And even though I help Democrats because I consider MAGA a unique threat, truthfully, I’m in the same lonely spot Kim is in Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12, 202548 min

Dear Democrats: Don't Help Republicans

Trump was handed a great economy. And he’s destroying it. Nothing but chaos, confusion, and tariffs. And btw Democrats, do not bail Republicans out. They created this mess, let them deal with it. And what happened over the weekend happens in authoritarian regimes. It should not happen here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 202538 min

We Don’t Arrest/Deport People Here On Student Visas Who Peacefully Protest. That’s Not What America Is

Trump is suppressing speech, and he’s using immigration enforcement to suppress speech. He’s cracking down on international students who are here on student visas and who are protesting in support of Palestinians. He’s trying to arrest and deport them. I’m hugely pro-Israel, but that’s not right. And we should be bigger and better than that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 202539 min

Dear Democrats, Now Is Not The Time For Decorum & Civility

Ten democrats joined every Republican in the House to vote to censure the Democratic Congressman who interrupted Trump’s address the other night. That’s ten Democrats who don’t get how unprecedented and scary these times are. Decorum & civility ain’t gonna cut it Dems. You wanna preserve our democracy? You gotta put decorum & civility in the rear view mirror for awhile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 07, 202533 min

Thanks To Trump, Bigotry, Racism, Indecency, Cruelty, & Ignorance Are Now Cool

A Hispanic Member of Congress gave the Spanish language rebuttal to Trump’s address. The official House Republican Twitter account called him an “illegal immigrant.” Disgusting, cruel, ignorant…but hey, in today’s Trump era, that tweet will get a bunch of high fives. Trump has made it permissible for people to be their very worst. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 06, 202533 min

A Confession: I Will NEVER Move Past January 6th. Never.

Trump gave a speech last night to a joint session of Congress. It was his first time in the House chamber, in the Capitol, post-January 6th. Remember January 6th? 4yrs and 2 months ago, Trump sent a mob into that chamber, into the Capitol to overthrow an American election. And last night he gave a speech there and people were supposed to listen to him and pay him some sort of respect? Never. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 05, 202539 min
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