The Lonely Liberal

The U.S. National Debt is $36 Trillion: Should We Be Freaking Out?

The U.S. national debt just crossed $36 trillion — but what does that actually mean? In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we dig into how we got here, who and what is really driving the debt, and whether it's the crisis some politicians make it out to be.
From trillion-dollar interest payments to pandemic spending, tax cuts, and entitlement programs, we break down the numbers, the myths, and the politics. Is investor confidence cracking? Could rising debt limit future government action? And how do other countries — like Japan — manage even bigger debt loads?
Whether you're debt-pilled or debt-skeptical, this episode gives you the facts, the context, and the insight to understand one of the biggest (and most misunderstood) issues in American politics.

The GOP Spending Bill is a Complete Joke

Join us for a bonus lunchtime rant about the newly released GOP spending bill, dubbed "The Big, Beautiful Bill." 
 
Don't worry, normal episode still planned for tomorrow as usual. 

Week of May 4th: A New Pope, Trump’s New Jet, and Newark Airport is Broken

From presidential interviews to absurd policy proposals, Rick and I go through this week's headlines:
Trump fumbles a question about the Constitution in a new NBC interview
Biden and Jill go on The View about 2024
Meet Pope Leo XIV: the first American pope
19 states sue RFK Jr. over sweeping HHS cuts
Trump freezes $2.2 billion in research grants to Harvard
Newark air traffic controllers temporarily lose signal—again
17 states sue Trump admin over offshore wind ban
Ridiculous Headlines
Jon Voight pitched the idea for a film tariff to Trump
Trump announces plan to reopen Alcatraz
New self-deportation program offers $1,000 to leave the U.S.
Trump to accept luxury plane from Qatar
Nearly half of Americans admit to not washing their hands properly
Skype officially goes out of business
Tap in for the facts, the farce, and everything in between.
Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on IG at @thelonelyliberal
 

Why Are Grocery Prices in the U.S. SO Expensive?

On this week's show, we discuss one of the most talked about issues in American politics -- why are groceries so damn expensive? We break it down for you, covering inflation, corporate greed, and what other countries do to fight these things. 
Send us an email at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
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Week of April 27th: Trump's Approval Drops, Ukraine Mineral Deal, and Schumer's Imaginary Friends

On this week's show, Rick and I discuss the most pressing issues in the news over the past week, including:
Amazon threatens to show the impacts of tariffs
Trump lashes out at Fox News and WSJ for publishing polls about the economy.
Trump's 100-day approval rating drops
U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal
Mike Walz leaving role, moving to new job
Democrat approval ratings drop
Pete Buttigieg goes on Andrew Schultz’s podcast and discusses how Democrats need to do more modern media.
Canada's liberal Party wins
Empire Wind Work Stop Order
Trump fires climate scientists
NSF halts all funding
RFK talks about autism
And on a more lighthearted note:
In a 2007 New Yorker article, Chuck Schumer describes his middle-class imaginary friends.
Hegseth “proud” to end women's peace and security program
The U.S. demands that Mexico prevent screwworms from entering the U.S. The U.S. doge killed the screwworm monitoring program earlier this year
Student rescued on Mount Fuji needs rescuing a second time after going back for his cellphone
Texas goes after fluoride toothpaste
A man hid weed in Easter eggs around the city

Is Trump’s Tariff War Making the Nintendo Switch 2 More Expensive?

In this bonus episode of The Lonely Liberal, I dive into a very serious question that has been occupying too much headspace for me: Are Trump’s new China tariffs really driving up the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?
From console hardware and accessories to global supply chains, currency shifts, and manufacturing costs, we break down what’s really behind Nintendo’s surprisingly high price tags — and whether political trade wars are the main culprit or just one piece of the puzzle.
If you love video games, global economics, or just want to understand how political decisions ripple all the way down to your next gaming console, this one’s for you.
 

The Stock Market is Killing the Economy

We are back! In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we unpack one of the most common myths in American life: that a rising stock market means a healthy economy. From the shift away from pensions to 401(k)s, to the rise of stock buybacks and the concentration of market wealth in the hands of the richest 10%, we look at how Wall Street’s obsession with short-term profits has eroded jobs, wages, and long-term security for everyday Americans. Why are we forced to cheer for a system that’s hurting us — and what could a better, fairer economy look like?
Shoot us an email at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com and follow us on IG at @thelonelyliberal

Why Does Trump Want the Panama Canal?

On this week's show, we explore the Trump Administration's newfound obsession with regaining control over the Panama Canal. Are fears of Chinese influence legitimate? Are they going way too far with their rhetoric and potentially behavior (yes)? Let's find out! If you like the show, please like/review/subscribe!  
 
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @thelonelyliberal 
 

Trump and Dump: Is Trump Intentionally Hurting the Economy?

In this week's episode (a bonus episode!), Rick and I talk about the state of the economy, ending with the final question: Is Trump intentionally taking the economy?  It's a fun one!
 
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com 
 
 

Why Does Trump Want Greenland So Bad?

On this week's episode we take a deep dive into the Trump Administration's obsession with Greenland, why they want it so badly, and what could happen next.
 
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @thelonelyliberal