Federal Andy: Recent Episodes
Andrew Angove
Federal Andy is politics from an ordinary American's point of view, a discussion of life in general, and surviving the day-to-day events that confound, amaze, and distress us.
Donald Trump must go to jail. He must be punished for the first time for his crimes. No golf, no galas with his wealthy friends, but punishment—picking up trash along the road, working in a soup kitchen, serving the public with his own time and labor—or serving time in jail. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
💯 Former President Donald Trump finally gets 100% of the vote—by a jury of his peers! Guilty on 34 felony counts. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy’s back and is still among the active podcasters, although you wouldn’t know it by the last 7 months. (So sorry.)And what’s up with Trump still not being in jail?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸Andy discusses “convenience fees” that some businesses are charging customers to cover their cost of business expenses, and how quickly these fees can add up for consumers. 🔹A bill moving through the Senate authored by Sen. Dick Durbin intends to reduce these fees by requiring more competition in the industry, but the big banks are against it, warning consumers that they might lose rewards or airline miles. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸It’s Friday the 13th! Hope your day is full of good vibes. In this episode, Andy discusses the inability of Republicans to govern and the huge divide within their own party. 🔹Republicans play the blame game and point to Democrats as the reason things aren’t getting done, when it’s clearly an issue on the right. 🔸Andy talks briefly about the war between Israel and Hamas, as well as improvements to the podcast.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸They say justice is supposed to be equal for all.🔹They say justice is supposed to be fair for all.🔸So why is it that some people--usually those who are powerful and wealthy--seem to be treated differently from a typical, average American citizen? Why is a powerful public person allowed to endanger others through stochastic terrorism without being stopped?🔹Andy talks about his week with a contractor who didn't show, and a Republican-controlled state website for citizens that appears to not have considered the user experience during its design (imagine that!) and last but not least, the altercation between Hamas and Israel, which Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is calling war.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸In this episode of FEDERAL ANDY, we discuss a new ad campaign from an organization on the right that's definitely anti-Trump. The six figure campaign includes ads on Fox News in critical swing areas, as well as billboards. Is this further evidence of a shift in support away from Trump?🔹Andy briefly talks about the work being done on his house, as well as the Republican sponsored attempt at shutting down the government which failed on Saturday, September 30, but was temporarily delayed for 45 days, which means we'll have lots more drama from the right as they continue to flourish by creating one crisis after another. They are all drama queens. Check back on November 17th, and we'll do a recap on all the drama from the right.🔸As always, thanks for listening. The next episode will likely be late in the week, somewhere between October 3rd-7th, 2023.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔶Republicans know America isn’t on board with GOP policies, but instead of growing and changing to meet the needs of the people, Republicans have just decided to make it mote difficult to vote, unless you’re a likely GOP voter. 🔹Coming attractions from the GOP: another possible government shutdown because they can’t govern! Andy bresks down who this impacts most if it happens. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸After receiving feedback and reading responses to the Sunday "Meet the Press" show with Trump, Andy provides an alternative view of how well the host handled Trump's repeated and continuous lies on the show.🔹Also, gas prices are increasing and Andy discusses why this is happening, why it isn't Joe Biden's fault, and what can be done to ensure prices don't get too out of hand.🔸Finally, the worker's strikes in the country are long overdue, as corporate earnings and CEO pay have been great in recent years, but worker's compensation isn't reflecting that situation and workers are mad as hell and they're not gonna take it anymore!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸In this FEDERAL ANDY episode, Andy discusses the Fourth Estate (media) and what their obligations are to the public in serving as a check and balance on government, and how they're failing to maintain that responsibility.🔹A brief history of NBC's Meet the Press and its new host, Kristen Welker, along with a discussion of her first guest--former president Donald Trump. Welker failed to do her job by allowing Trump to repeat one lie after another, without debunking him or calling him out for being a liar, which only serves to reinforce what he says to his supporters.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸Right wing women have begun to condemn Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) for her rude and disgusting behavior at a Denver theater last Sunday night. 🔹 COVID is still a thing, although medical professionals are saying it’s getting harder to identify from a cold or allergies. 🔸 Expect COVID to be worse in Florida due to poor leadership in the state misinforming—lying—to the people.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔸Andy explains the FICA Tax--when it started, how it works, and how much employees and employers pay into it.🔹Next, we go to Wisconsin to discuss the redistricting plan the conservatives have proposed, which has passed the Wisconsin Assembly.🔸We close with comments from someone who is obviously concerned about Section 3 of the 14th Amendment which prohibits Donald Trump from holding pubic office again, since he's provided aid and comfort to insurrectionists, and encouraged their behavior. We all saw it--LIVE AS IT HAPPENED--on TV, so there's no disputing Trump's participation in the failed January 6, 2021 coup.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the circus of fools that is today's Republican Party (now best identified as the Trump cult).
The latest from Lauren Boebert, who disrupted a theater in Denver on Sunday night to the point where--after numerous complaints from other attendees--police had to be called, and she and her male escort were escorted out of the building and told to leave the property! So much for respecting others.
(The worst) Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has announced an illegitimate impeachment inquiry into President Biden, and Andy discusses the claims and debunks them.
Join our Facebook Group and be a Charter Member! https://www.facebook.com/groups/309633401411928
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy remembers the morning of September 11, 2001, and the good friend that he lost on that day. Also addressed are the many secrets the government keeps from We the People, and that we should have full transparency. After all, they work for us and we have a right to know what is really going on. We cannot move forward as long as so much of our history is shrouded in darkness under the pretense it's what's best for us.
Why are so many of the major issues served up by the Republican Party? Nixon's treason, Spiro Agnew's crimes in office, Reagan's treason, Iran-Contra, George H.W. Bush's pardons to cover up crimes, George W. Bush's failure to protect the country on 9/11 and war crimes and lies surrounding the Iraq war, and Trump's mini-series of lies, crimes, and abuses of the American people. We have a right to know--all of it.
Shine the light of truth on all of it so we can then perhaps move forward with full knowledge of the indiscretions of the past and full transparency in the future. Those who gave their lives deserve it, as do the rest of us.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy returns after a week's absence with a new episode, updating a few political news items from the previous week: Navarro convicted of contempt of Congress for failure to appear after receiving a subpoena, and says he'll appeal. Yawn. Did you get the subpoena, Mr. Navarro? Yes. Did you show up per the terms of the subpoena, Mr. Navarro? No. What's to discuss? Next!
The very conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the First Amendment issue regarding the White House and social media. 10 days to send to the Supreme Court of the United States before anything takes effect. Note: The First Amendment is not without restrictions. You cannot just say anything you want to say, if it endangers others or encourages others to commit crimes.
Finally, the Republicans have determined that their "pro-life" branding is a losing image, and they now want to rebrand the party as more friendly to women. And humanity in general. Tell that to the woman bleeding in her car in the hospital parking lot because her pregnancy has gone awry and the doctor's say they can't do anything yet, because of Republican laws...but if she's about to die...then maybe they could treat her. BAH! That's cruel.
The next scheduled episode of FEDERAL ANDY is tomorrow!
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Things did not go well for Trump’s legal team in court on Monday. The judge had to advise a Trump attorney to “take the temperature down” twice.Andy also discusses the comment made by a Jacksonville, Florida council woman after yet another shooting in Florida—where lax gun laws passed by Governor DeSantis and the GOP regularly terrorize citizens—that “a bullet don’t know a party“—and a bullet certainly does know that the Republican Party has repeatedly for years, passed legislation that favors gun violence and mass murders in the United States of America. And so does the majority of the American people. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
🔹FEDERAL ANDY celebrates 200 episodes!🔸Andy reminds that the "election interference" excuse we hear from Trump, Republicans, their talking heads and supporters as justification for the prosecutions and indictments against Trump and others just isn't possible. The DOJ investigation into Trump occurred long before Trump announced he was running for office again, so the part about it happening because Trump is ahead in the polls is complete garbage.🔹Recent polling shows weakness in the public's support of Trump, with the majority of Americans wanting trials before the November 2024 election, most want Trump to serve prison time if convicted, and Trump's favorability rating is in the toilet by a whopping -31%!🔸Andy's closing comments on the podcast, why he's doing it, and appreciation for everyone who listens, shares, and helps spread the word. THANK YOU!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
This episode of Federal Andy discusses truth in advertising. Does truth in advertising still exist? What do you do if an ad seems too good to be true? Who are you going to call?We’lll tell you some of the steps you should take if you feel that you have been taken advantage of by an advertisement, and what federal agencies can offer assistance to you in this situationYou should know that there is one exception to truth in advertising and that is political ads. Apparently it’s perfectly OK to lie in political ads—ain’t that great?!?!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
What’s black and white and red all over? How about six three, 215 pounds, strawberry blonde with blue eyes? Nothing, that’s what. The lies and deception continue, and we now have another first in the country—a former president with a mug shot taken when he surrendered to the authorities for the fourth time this year! Some folks need to seriously raise their standards for the person in the nation’s top job because 45 was a huge failure. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Apparently the dictionary definition of the word “find” is important when discussing Trump’s phone call asking Georgia officials to find 11,780 votes. Also, Andy discusses the 1st GOP debate. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy addresses the Biden’s visit to Maui and the criticism of that visit from both the right and left; are there three more indictments headed Trump’s way? And finally a gag order on Trump—but will it be enough or will it take detaining him behind bars?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Republicans are attacking your rights, freedoms, and liberties. They are terrorizing women by eliminating options during a problem pregnancy where the fetus or embryo has an issue that prevents it from surviving. Andy reveals the top HMO profits for 2022, as well as cumulative CEO compensation for the year.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the Georgia indictment of former president Donald Trump, who is accompanied on the indictment by 18 co-defendants and 30 unindicted conspirators. The 98-page indictment contains a total of 161 individual, separate related illegal acts that spread across not only Georgia, but Washington DC, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
A brief recap of what Trump's Republican rivals for the presidential nomination had to say about the indictment also included.
Announcement: We are starting a new group on Facebook! This will be a private group so only members can see who's in the group and see posts. It's just getting started, so you can be a charter member! The group can be found by searching for "FEDERAL ANDY" on Facebook, or at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/309633401411928
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy ponders how long Donald Trump is going to be allowed to thumb his nose at justice by violating his pretrial release agreements. LOCK HIM UP!
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy comments on feedback that he has received from Episode 191 “The Call Is From Inside the House.”
Also discussed in this episode is Donald Trump‘s attempted interference in the 2020 Georgia election and the fact that the regular grand jury in Fulton County Georgia seems to be moving much quicker than anticipated. Are indictments coming this week?
It’s also been reported that Fulton County prosecutors have in their possession documents that indicate Donald Trump‘s associates were involved in a voting machine data breach in Coffee county Georgia, as well as evidence that supports a meeting in the Oval Office discussing this at which Trump himself was present.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Is Trump’s support crumbling? Trump fatigue is a real thing and it seems to be spreading. From Ohio to Georgia, Republicans and Independents are tired of the constant drama from Trump and are not happy about the criminal charges.
Recently two legal scholars, both members of the Federalist Society have come out with a legal paper that they feel proves Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president in 2024 based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Life is too short for public servants to waste time and money on politics. We have real world problems that demand solutions RIGHT NOW!
This is not a game. This is not pretend people are hurting, and every day that passes without solutions without problems being addressed is another day of time that we no longer have.
Andy talks about the challenges he’s been facing trying to have work performed on his house, and how busy everyone seems to be. Tell us again about how awful the Biden economy is, Republicans—one thing for certain, it’s far better than the Trump recession, or the baby Bush recession…see the pattern, America?
Andy closes with a few memories of Darrel, a friend who recently passed away. Darrel was a progressive and will be missed by the many friends who were fortunate enough to have spent time with him.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Donald Trump is in violation of his release agreement with the court by posting on his Truth Social network a threat to anyone who apparently disagrees with him.
People on the right are saying that Trump was indicted over his First Amendment rights, but this is simply not true. On the second page of the indictment, the Department of Justice addresses this; it’s not what Trump said, it’s what Trump did. His actions got him into trouble, not his speech.
In this episode, Andy also discusses the Trump Cover-up Cult, formerly known as the Republican Party, and shares a memory of his late father which came to mind last week on what would’ve been his dad‘s 96th birthday.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Have you heard much lately about Trump’s former acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller? Just days before the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorist attack on Congress and the U. S. Capitol, and in the presence of intelligence from multiple agencies, Miller released a memorandum listing actions that COULD NOT be taken against the angry Trumpers who turned out, set on violence fueled by lies from Donald Trump that the election had been stolen from them.
Andy also discusses the block being placed on military promotions by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville and a theory being discussed by Thom Hartmann as to the possible real reason these positions aren’t being filled. More: https://hartmannreport.com/p/is-tubervilles-senate-hold-on-military#details
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
It’s an old Nazi Gestapo trick: accuse your opponent of doing what you are doing.
In this episode, Andy discusses a new ad released this week by the Trump campaign. With this new ad, the Trump campaign has painted a very dark, fearful picture of the deep state in the United States. Much of what is presented in the ad is untrue, and the things that are true actually are things that Trump and the folks in the Republican party, all of whom seem to be working in concert with Trump to cover up the crimes they committed in unison during Trump’s term in office.
All Trump and the Republicans have ever had is fear, hatred and racism and it continues today.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
It sounds like the plot of a Stephen King novel: the former corrupt leader of a country is returned to leadership by a group of followers, who believe everything that person has said over the years, and then, as leader again, that person basically dissolves the government and makes himself a dictator.
A nightmare scenario, right? You might be shocked to learn that there is currently no law that would prohibit former President Trump from becoming president again. In the 14th Amendment Section 3 there is a provision that states anyone who has participated in an insurrection or provided comfort or aid to insurrectionists, cannot serve in public office ever again. Currently Trump is not facing any charges of this nature, however that doesn’t mean he won’t in the future.
Normally we could depend on Congress to reign in an out of control president, but the current batch of Republicans in Congress seem to be spineless and unwilling to do their job, and that is a problem!
In this episode, Andy also discusses the differences between disqualification and impeachment, as well as the GOP members of Congress not doing their job and allowing fascism to come to America if we do not stop Donald Trump from becoming president again.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Do you have bad habits? Probably, everyone does. Except for Trump, of course, he thinks he’s perfect.
Bad habits like voting for the same person time after time, despite the fact that they’ve done nothing to make your life better, believing what you were told by public servants or the media without checking for yourself to verify what is factual and what isn’t, pretending that your vote really doesn’t matter anyway, or believing that both parties are basically the same are all bad habits that we need to put a stop to in order to save our democracy for future generations.
In this episode, Andy discusses the Trump-Republican plan to greatly expand presidential power should trump win a second term in office. This frightening scenario of expanded presidential power would basically put an end to democracy as we know it. As Americans, we cannot allow this to happen.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Remember me? Once again, I’ve been beset with Internet connectivity problems, equipment, failures, and a schedule that is out of control and I don’t seem to be able to do anything to control it. My apologies for taking so long to record another episode. This one may not be the one that you’ve been waiting for, but it’s slightly better than nothing,
Andy discusses the latest developments regarding you know who, and of course he and his attorneys once again, are doing the same thing that they’ve been doing in the past: delay, delay, delay.
This time, however, Trump’s delays could end up causing more problems because there is an election coming up and if— heaven forbid—he is elected president, he can tell his Attorney General to just make all of his crimes go away—poof! 💨
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Is there a more miserable politician than Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? He doesn't like people; you can tell by his body language and his reactions to others. His hateful legislation backs this up. If you aren't male, white, Christian, and wealthy, he couldn't care less about you.
Andy reviews the current group of GOP announced candidates for the 2024 presidency, and discusses some of the more notable legislation passed in Florida so far this year--including anti-LGBTQ+ hate bills, bills designed to allow DeSantis to run for another office without resigning his position as governor, as required by Florida law (until DeSantis and the GOP legislature changed the law), a bill to conceal the governor's use of state airplanes, who visits him at the governor's mansion, his travel agenda, who is with him, etc.
He's attacked women, LGBTQ+, divorcees finances, Mickey Mouse, diversity, inclusion, minorities, Democrats, all of us "woke" Americans, and if he hasn't gotten around to you yet, chances are he will eventually. And if you live in Florida, good luck getting any attention from your governor.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Supreme Court of the United States decided that Affirmative Action was no longer necessary and did away with it in its announcement of its decision on the final day of this session. What is left in the wake of this decision is unknown. Has racism and preferential treatment in college and university admissions ceased to exist? Hardly, but it appears this court is out of touch with reality, and who can blame them? In the land of million dollar salaries of spouses, $500,000 paid "gift" vacations, and high dollar paid appearances, most of the conservatives on the nation's highest court don't have much contact with the little people who are impacted the most by their undemocratic and unfair decisions.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy’s Independence Day message for July 4, 2023.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The situation that brought the 303 Creative case before the U.S. Supreme Court is questionable. The man who allegedly asked the website designer to create a wedding website and other creatives for him and his soon to be husband says he did no such thing--and he's a married straight man!
The court's opinion was vague and in Andy's opinion opens the door to a forthcoming slew of litigation on discrimination, public accommodation, and who knows what else. The fact that the situation behind this decision apparently didn't happen further clouds the decision, which will likely create situations where people will think they can discriminate against others.
We must rebalance and unpack the Supreme Court. Let's not forget that one seat was stolen, held open by Republicans for almost a year, and another one was filled a few years later almost before the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had even been buried!
Please remember to like, subscribe, and share on social media. Thank you, we appreciate it very, very much!
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy is back, for better or worse (snicker), and in this episode discusses the student loan forgiveness program that the Supreme Court just killed.
Andy also discusses Biden v. Nebraska, the case before the Supreme Court that allowed this decision and Andy also addresses the issues with paying back student loans where the majority of your monthly payment is applied to interest first, so that the principal balance remains high well into the loan term, which maximizes profits for the lenders.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy gripes about his experience with corporate America after a recent storm where information to customers was lacking during an outage. It wasn’t so much the fact that service was out, it was the complete lack of communication to customers by a so-called communication company.
Andy also briefly discusses the recent revelation that Merrick Garland hesitated to open an investigation into the crimes of Trump, out of fear that it might appear political.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Happy Juneteenth!
Mother Nature seems to be angry. At me. And you. At all of us. Weather has had a big impact on Andy’s ability to record recently, so in this episode, Andy explains what has been going on over the last few weeks that have prevented him from recording another episode and surprisingly enough at the same time there has been a lot of news that should’ve been covered, which Andy recaps in this episode.
This episode is being recorded on an iPhone because weather has prevented Andy from having access to the Internet as his cable provider is down due to storms on Sunday morning. So, pardon the poor audio, and let’s hope that the folks restoring power to the damaged parts of the city will be able to complete their difficult tasks quickly, so that things can get back to normal.
In the meantime, thank you so much for your patience and your understanding. Take care and thank you again for listening.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy recognizes the observance of Memorial Day in the United States, honoring and remembering all who have served in the United States Armed Forces currently and in years past. Thank you all for your service, and We the People will do our part to protect and defend the Constitution and our rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens, as the military has done in other parts of the world.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Apologies from Andy for missing the last few days. Life has a way of interrupting sometimes, and Andy hasn't found a way to be in two places at the same time, or add a few hours to each day. (Yet.)A BLOCK: Andy mentions that there may be a debt limit deal. Both the GOP-controlled House and the Biden White House have indicated as of late Saturday (May 27, 2023) that there is a deal in principle. We'll see how it looks late Sunday when the text is released to the public by the House, per Speaker McCarthy.B BLOCK: Finally, Andy talks about the true meaning of the Memorial Day holiday. Some have truly sacrificed to protect our freedoms, liberties, and rights, yet at this moment there are those in power in red states and in Congress on the right side of the aisle busy passing legislation that is taking away rights from some. We cannot allow this to continue, and it's happening because so many Americans simply don't pay attention to what is going on in the real world. We're wrapped up in our own lives, and only think about how politics impact our lives every single day when election time rolls around--and even then, many of us don't bother to vote to protect our own best interests.Happy Memorial Day! Andy is planning an episode for Memorial Day, so check back.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
In this episode, Andy talks about recent developments that seem ominous for Donald Trump and his cohorts in (alleged) crime.A BLOCK: Andy discusses the letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland from Donald Trump‘s attorneys requesting a conference. This action would seem to indicate—according to most experts—that indictments are imminent in the secret documents illegally stored at Mar-a-Lago issue.B BLOCK: In Georgia, Fulton county district attorney Fani Willis has advised judges to not schedule in person hearings or trials in the courthouse during two weeks in August. She has also advised that approximately 70% of her staff will be working remotely and will not be in office buildings during this time. Earlier, she asked the FBI to do a security assessment on the buildings that could be involved in any possible announcements (of indictments against former President Trump), so these actions seem to indicate that something big will be happening in Georgia this summer.C BLOCK: Additionally, there are more trials forthcoming for Trump: a March 2024 trial date has been set in the stormy Daniels hush money case. This will be in the middle of the Republican primary season, of course, and since it is a criminal case, Trump will be required to attend in person in court every day that court is in session, which could be several weeks.There may also be other things coming to light from the Department of Justice as well as other sources that are as of this point unknown.Looks like a hot summer ahead for all of us.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
A Florida tourism ad from the 1960's advertises: "Florida...a circus of summer fun" but that may not be the case in the summer of 2023.The super majority Republican Florida Legislature and fascist Republican governor Ron DeSantis have shoved through more hateful, anti-LGBTQ+ bills this year than in any other year in the history of the state. The end result is that Florida is no longer welcoming to all people. If you are gay, trans, a pregnant woman, African-American, a drag queen, or something other than a white Christian, you might want to rethink your summer vacation plans to exclude Florida.The NAACP has issued a travel warning to people considering Florida as a destination in the near future, and other countries have also advised their citizens that the United States, and in particular Florida might not be the best place to go due to the lax gun laws that we have. For a state that depends so much on tourism, it would seem that these laws will be devastating to Florida tourism. Time will tell.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Supreme Court of the United States apparently doesn't have to follow the rules of law, ethics, or anything else.Andy discusses the ethics issues surrounding many of the "conservative" members of the nation's highest court, as well as the court's reluctance to be restrained by standard ethics regulations imposed on lower courts. Also, the move toward less public transparency of the SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) through "shadow dockets" that are decisions released unsigned, with little explanation, and often late at night. Shadow dockets were normally used for emergency decisions in the past, but have become more commonplace today.Congress does have the authority to impose ethics rules on the SCOTUS, but with so many Republican members of Congress that don't seem interested in legislating or governing right now, that isn't currently a possibility.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy talks about life in Florida--alligators, sinkholes, and hurricanes, oh my!In addition to the many natural disasters Florida residents must endure, there are some man-made ones as well--particularly their problematic Governor Ron DeSantis. He says he'll stop the federal government from mandating mask wearing and getting vaccinations during a pandemic that put the state of Florida high up on the death rate list due to COVID-19, but is now actually the one taking away the right to make their own health care choices from Florida women and parents.And if that isn't enough, thin-skinned DeSantis, who wants to be a dictator, attacks the state's second largest employer, the company that brings in loads of tourists every year, and the company that pays more taxes in the state than anyone else. Smart? Most don't think so, and many Floridians are getting fed up with it because other issues in the state that DO matter to them are being ignored--flooding, the high cost of housing, the high cost of homeowner insurance, as well as many others.This episode was recorded in three different areas with three different microphones, and it still has audio issues. Very sorry about this! I will get the audio issues resolved someday.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the work requirements demanded by Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy for people who depend on the safety net. That means the elderly on Social Security are expected to work--AGAIN--for the same money they've already worked for and paid into the system. People who are incapacitated and cannot work who depend on Medicare or Medicaid are expected to crawl out of their beds and work to "help the supply chain". This is despite decades of multiple studies showing work requirements only make matters worse for people who are already suffering major setbacks.And...House Republican George Santos survived a resolution to expel him from Congress this week, thanks to the entire Republican body in the House of Representatives who voted to refer him to the House Ethics Committee instead of expelling him. The problem is, the House Ethics Committee has already been looking into Santos for over 3 months, with no results.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
There was a time in America when most people believed the results of an election, but that is in the past. Because of the elections in 2020 and 2022, where accusations were made without merit that those elections were somehow rigged, and in the complete absence of evidence that anything untoward happened during those elections, many Republicans still have suspicions that the elections were stolen.Question: how do we get back to a point when most Republicans believe the legitimacy and the outcome of our elections? Do we want to go back to a time in the past when things like elections were not questioned, or do we need to find another solution—something better that will be more acceptable?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
In this episode recorded on Mother’s Day, 2023, Andy discusses the return of California Senator Dianne Feinstein to Washington DC after an absence of several months.During this week, House Republicans also released a report on their probe into the alleged activities of the Biden family, regarding foreign income, and the results of the report show that no evidence has come to light to indicate that any of the allegations are actually true.Do you know what a purple, red, green, blue or blinking porch light signifies? You will after listening to this episode of Federal Andy.Andy recorded a special episode yesterday on behalf of Mother’s Day, but once again would like to wish all the moms out there a very happy Mother’s Day.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
For Mother’s Day, Andy shares a few special childhood memories of his paternal grandmother.Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy briefly discusses George Santos’s problems in Brazil and with the U.S. Justice Department.And then there’s the Trump primetime rally that aired Wednesday night on CNN. The audience was hand-picked specifically to support Trump, the moderator was also hand-picked and was not able to adequately fact check Trump as he walked all over her during the entire program.Americans must not tolerate the normalization of a man like Trump, who is under multiple investigations for crimes against the country, and has recently been convicted by a jury of his peers of sexual assault and defamation of a woman, who he defamed again on CNN during his televised rally.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the E. Jean Carroll – Donald Trump trial and the jury‘s verdict of sexual assault instead of rape. Donald was convicted of sexual assault and defamation in this case and the jury awarded Ms. Carroll with $5 million.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The first draft of the second amendment indicates what the original intent of the amendment was.It said:“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, a well-armed and well-regulated militia being the best security of a free country; but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.”Nothing about OWNING arms, nothing about SELF PROTECTION, nothing about protection from TYRANNY OF GOVERNMENT. Clearly, it was about protecting the COUNTRY.The second amendment has been RAPED by corrupt members of the Supreme Court and politicians who have been bought and paid for by the gun industry.Your second amendment rights are being infringed--by having a bunch of unregulated yahoos wandering around terrorizing citizens and preventing us from enjoying our FREE COUNTRY (or state).Andy also discusses the meaning of "bear arms", "free state" and "free country" at the time the Bill of Rights was written.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Republicans in Texas and Georgia have recently passed laws that seem undemocratic—and possibly unconstitutional—and are clearly designed to give the Republicans more power over the people of those states.You can be certain of one thing: Republicans in other red states are looking at these laws to see if they can enact them in their states as well. Is it a power grab? Is it opening a door to further abusive laws? Is it designed to help keep Republicans in control in those states? The answer to all of those questions is likely yes, and all Americans should be concerned.In many instances Republicans can’t win the popular vote, and the only way they can maintain their power is by rigging Laws to benefit only their party.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Republicans have a difficult time governing, a difficult time legislating, and they don’t seem to understand economics at all. When the GOP cuts taxes, they are cutting our income as a country. When this happens repeatedly, and at the same time the debt increases, obviously those tax cuts are not producing the economic vibrancy that was promised.After four or five decades of tax cuts failing to produce results, perhaps it’s time to reconsider some of those tax cuts and rescind them so that we actually have an increase in our income that we can use to operate the country.The Republicans spend money in the form of tax cuts and increases to the military when they’re in control—they act like there’s no such thing as being fiscally responsible. But when the Democrats follow them into office and are in charge, all of a sudden the Republicans are fiscally conservative again and they blame everything on the Democrats. Instead of looking to the people who have benefited the most from their tax cut mistakes in the past, they want the working poor and the average Americans to be responsible for lowering the debt. Enough is enough. It’s time to tell the Republicans to stop the crap because that is what they are giving most of America: crap. A load of crap!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
In this episode, Andy provides a brief history of Senator Dianne Feinstein, and talks about her recent complications with shingles.Senator Feinstein‘s health complications are also complications for the Senate, as well as democracy. Feinstein has missed around 60 votes in the Senate due to her absence and Biden’s judicial nominees are not being processed. Naturally, none of the Republicans in the Senate are willing to vote with Democrats to make anything happen that might be good for the country or the American people.Andy also discusses options that have been mentioned, including expulsion of Senator Feinstein from the Senate and temporarily replacing her on her committee, so that some Senate business can continue until she is ready to come back to work. Investigation has shown that none of those options are actually viable. The one option that is viable? Resignation. That’s it—and as of the time of this recording, that does not appear to be an option with Senator Feinstein.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Can you explain this? Jim Jordan wants to prove Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is investigating Donald Trump for political reasons, and he’s doing it by deposing a former prosecutor who resigned because he thought the case against Trump was strong but that Bragg was reluctant to prosecute?What kind of Alice in Wonderland fantasy is this?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Where do you rank on the fear scale? Do things that go bump in the night terrify you? Does the unexpected call during the early morning hours from an anonymous number make you concerned?Andy tells the story of a real life encounter he once had—or almost once had—with potential murderers. In this case, fear was a good thing. Fear caused Andy to react appropriately to the situation, but constant fear is not a good thing. It can affect our health, including our mental health, and it can prevent us from living our lives the way we would like.What keeps you up at night? Andy shares what keeps him awake at night and what he is truly fearful of these days—and it’s not the noises in the middle of the night. It is what is going on in our nation’s state capitals, and in the U.S. Capital that causes Andy to lose sleep.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
In this episode Andy talks about karma. Sometimes karma is slow to come and waiting for it to happen can be difficult, but that’s where many Americans are right now.Andy discusses the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment which makes sex discrimination illegal. We have been attempting to ratify this amendment since 1972, yet for some reason we have difficulty acknowledging the fact that women are equal to men.Andy also welcomes all of the new listeners and subscribers to the Federal Andy podcast. Thank you, we’re glad you’re here and we appreciate your time.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Ball of confusion--that’s what the world is today, hey hey...If you remember the 1969 hit song from The Temptations, that describes the Republican Party and the negative impact they’re having on the U.S. today.This is by design: the Republicans want to distract and detract from what they’re actually doing so they come up with a bunch of BS issues so that Americans aren’t focusing on the real issues that impact their lives every single day.The Republican-controlled House of Representatives just passed their debt ceiling bill yesterday and of course it attacks and hurts average Americans while doing nothing to the wealthy and the big corporations. It should not be lost on anyone that this debt ceiling crisis is a manufactured one--the GOP voted three times to raise the debt ceiling during the Trump years without blinking an eye. They spent like sailors on shore leave after pay day. Now, with a Democrat in the White House, they've suddenly become fiscally conservative. They've done this before. Are you going to keep falling for it, America?
The Republican Party is playing with your life like it's a game. It's time to tell the GOP that they've lost the game and it's time to pack up all of their BS and corruption and go home (or to prison, where they really belong).
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the termination of Tucker Carlson at Fox News, and wonders if some of the other on air personalities might also have the same thing in store for them in the future.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy provides a very brief history of Dominion Voting Systems, and discusses whether or not there is indeed a right to vote in the United States, or whether voting is just a privilege.Andy also discusses his dream voting situation for the country, where voting is a right that’s clearly stated in a new amendment to the Constitution, easily accessible, secure, convenient, and we have an official election day so that people do have the opportunity to exercise their right to choose their representation in their government.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The first Earth Day was recognized in 1970. Then-President Richard Nixon and wife Pat planted a tree 🌲 at the White House. Have the changes we’ve made in the 53 years that have passed sine the first Earth Day been enough to save the planet? What’s in store for the planet 53 years from now?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
In today’s news: SpaceX Starship was uncrewed when it exploded shortly after launch.Andy discusses the settlement between Fox News and Dominion—despite the record amount Fox is going to have to pay Dominion, the damage to the American people and to Fox News’ own viewers has not been addressed. Hopefully future lawsuits from Smartmatic and others will provide the relief that the American people and Fox viewers deserve.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma—to date, still the worst domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history. Andy remembers the lives lost and the dreams shattered on that day, 28 years later.Andy also briefly discusses the Fox News-Dominion lawsuit settlement and the fact that Fox News barely has to admit that it lied to its viewers, and apparently has decided there’s no reason to change its policies.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Is the Speech or Debate Clause a “get out of jail free” card for members of Congress?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Republican Party has moved to a very dark, very gloomy, very dangerous place. The GOP wants Americans to fear everything; people that don’t have white skin, gay people, immigrants, and let’s not forget Socialism, which is what the bad, liberal Democrats want to inflict on everyone in the country.In this episode, Andy talks about how the Republican Party has moved to the dark side and wants to take the rest of the country down to a very dark, deep, scary, fearful, hateful place.Andy thinks the majority of the American people want something far better than that.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the possible ethics issues surrounding the relationship between Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and GOP billionaire megadonor Harlan Crowe.Further, what are the potential consequences of not investigating this relationship and the possible ethics violations involved?It’s also important to note that Republicans in Congress will likely not be cooperative in any investigations of any conservative on the Supreme Court, or in Congress, or anywhere else for that matter.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the challenges of restoring terrazzo marble floors and the incredible lies from the right that go unchallenged in the media. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
I keep hearing hearing how bad the economy is from the right, but it sure doesn’t seem that way to me. I have been trying to hire new landscapers to take care of our yard as well as schedule irrigation system repairs, and it’s very busy for everybody. Over two weeks for the irrigation company to come out, and some of the landscapers haven’t even bothered to return my call. Perhaps it’s just me but I don’t think I’ve been difficult to get along with, after all—I’m only asking for a quote.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Pharma/Health Products Industry spent $373,741,282 lobbying in 2022. There were 595 clients and 1,840 lobbyists, according to Open Secrets. Pharma is a huge industry represented by the biggest lobbying group. Do you think they’re going to allow a judge to force a safe pharma product off the market? Now 2 judges have issued conflicting rulings on the abortion pill. Who do you think is going to win this? Andy’s answer: the industry. Its lobbyist group gets paid for performing and this endangers too many livelihoods. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Justice Clarence Thomas is a problem. Issues have surrounded Thomas ever since his confirmation hearings, which included discussion about the size of his manhood, and other inappropriate actions toward a female coworker.Then there was the confusion over his wife Ginni’s income, which they forgot to report for years, and now we hear tales of luxury vacations going back years and years all paid for by a billionaire Republican donor. Planes, trains, and automobiles aren’t good enough for the justice and his wife—they have private jet planes, private luxury resorts, and lavish expensive gifts bestowed upon them.When does all of this become unethical? Is it legal to bribe a Supreme Court justice in this country?--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Federal Andy is dealing with an uncooperative laptop, diagnosis still to be determined. As a result, the episode scheduled for today about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been delayed. Andy briefly discusses the Thomas crisis, and then talks about his strained relationship with laptops over the years that all seem to have a short lifespan.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Tennessee Three scandal of this week suggests that there are some serious issues in the state of Tennessee. Issues involving race, dishonesty, and a lack of concern about gun violence and disrespect for members of the House of Representatives in the state of Tennessee by other members of that same body.Is it time for President Biden to federalize the National Guard in Tennessee and send them to the state capitol to restore democracy? President Kennedy had to do this back in 1963 in Alabama to desegregate public schools in the state so it’s certainly not unprecedented.One thing is for certain: the people cannot tolerate the racism, hatred and division that we are seeing literally across the board from our Republican legislators.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Have we reached the year 2525? There was a hit song in 1969 by Zager and Evans titled "In the Year 2525" that talked about how things would be in the future, and that everything you thought, did, and said would be controlled. It might seem according to recent Republican actions, that we’re already there.Republicans say they are the party of smaller government, they are the party that is protecting your freedoms and rights, but they are actually the party taking freedoms and rights away from the American people, and if the people register their unhappiness by voting against the Republicans, the Republicans just want to override the vote of the people and install more fascist Republicans who will continue to take away freedoms and rights, and blame everything bad on the Democrats.Link to video of "In the Year 2525" by Zager and Evans on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gb7poHQuMWg--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy talks about (now) defendant Trump's day in court. Charged with 34 felonies of falsifying business records in the first degree, which makes them a felony. Trump didn't look happy, almost got hit by a door when a deputy failed to hold it open for him, and a NYC police woman flashed the white power sign to the camera. Hopefully she will be unemployed soon, as she's not qualified to be in law enforcement with that attitude.Andy wonders if Trump could perhaps do drag queen story hour and read to children. After all, he has the hair (just add a bow or tiara), the makeup, and the heels. He just needs a sparkly outfit! Of course, the reading part might be a problem. Perhaps one of his Secret Service agents could do the actually reading part. Our tax dollars hard at work!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Why do people support the Republican Party? Andy shares part of his communications with a lifelong Republican on the differences between the two parties and the Republican perception of government. This will be continued in another episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Federal Andy celebrated its first anniversary yesterday—March 31, 2023! We now enter Season 2…and who knows what the future will bring! Andy’s reminder for the next few days is to not let the lunatic fringe fantasy-conspiracy corrupt Republicans play you for a sucker. They all have ulterior motives. None of them know what’s in the indictment, so they cannot comment on guilt or innocence. In the U.S., everyone is deemed innocent until proven guilty. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
The Long Hard Climb that Helen Reddy sang about in her 1973 song has finally come to an end. Former President Donald J. Trump was “indicated” [sic] yesterday, March 30, 2023. Yes, he meant indicted (in all caps, of course).
Andy discusses what's next, the Soros-Bragg conspiracy that the right is yakking about, and how amazing it is that they all have crystal balls and know what's in the indictment and that the charges are all bogus before the indictment has even been unsealed. Their ability to compromise themselves is truly amazing.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Disney didn't get to be Disney by doing stupid things. When Disney saw the un-American direction the Republican majority in Florida was headed, it took steps to protect its interests. Take that, GOP!
And long live the descendants of King Charles III of England!
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Trump’s 2020 top 20 donors by industry. Want to guess which industry came in at number one? Things have changed with Trump’s donor’s since 2020, however. Several top donors are now on record as stating that they will support other candidates in 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the immense hypocrisy regarding gun rights in the U.S. The Supreme Court prohibits guns in their workplace, but expects many Americans to tolerate guns in their workplace. Why? Are the lives of the justices on the Supreme Court more valuable than others? Are we going to rank value of life by position in the world, bank balances, skin color?
We lock our homes, turn on alarms when we go to sleep or leave. We take our car keys, hide valuables, and lock the doors when we leave our vehicles. We keep an eye on our children in public (OK, some parents don't) ... Why do we do these things? Because we can't trust strangers who will steal from us, or could possibly harm us in the middle of the night while we sleep. But we're expected to TRUST THOSE SAME STRANGERS WITH GUNS?!?!
One Republican in Congress stated on camera that Congress isn't going to do anything about guns, that if someone is willing to kill themselves to kill you, there's nothing you can do. When asked about his children, he replied that they are HOMESCHOOLED! Not everyone has that option, of course, since his Republican Party refuses to raise the minimum wage, which means both parents must work full time to support their family.
The hypocrisy is truly stunning. How do we address this? Show the bodies. Show the bloody classrooms. Show the blood and gore to America so it can see first hand what these guns are truly doing to our society.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
Yesterday's shooting in Nashville was the 38th mass shooting in the United States this month alone.BLOCK A: Andy discusses the 1966 Austin, Texas mass shooting.BLOCK B: Breakdown of all school shootings in the U.S. since 1999.BLOCK C: The covenant Nashville shooting yesterday that resulted in 6 innocent lives being taken plus one more for the shooter.BLOCK D: Andy discusses the response to the shooting by Second Amendment supporters, which is a repeat of the same BS we've all heard before.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
BLOCK A: A Wall Street Journal poll has bad news for Florida’s anti-woke Republican Governor and an ominous warning for the Republican Party: most Americans are not with them on their agenda.BLOCK B: Trump's attorneys have asked the Georgia state judge assigned to his case to bar Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis from continuing her investigation and prosecution of Trump, and to also throw out the report from the special grand jury that was seated to investigate Trump's alleged interference in the 2020 Georgia presidential election, as well as throw out all of the witness testimony! Willis has until May 1st to respond.BLOCK C: The 128th mass shooting in the United States this year happened today. Again, sponsored by the Republican Party. This time in Nashville, TN. The tally: 3 children dead, 3 adults dead. It happened at a school. Thoughts and prayers aren't working. Still. How many more? Our sympathies and love to the families and friends of the victims, we're so sorry.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
BLOCK A: Andy discusses the events from last week that caught his attention most. Three Republicans chairing committees in the House of Representatives sent a letter to New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in what appeared to be an attempt to impede his investigation into the Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels hush money investigation. An attorney from Bragg’s office responded to the letter from Congress telling them basically to mind their own business.BLOCK B: Congress has powers granted to it by the Constitution, and those powers do not include oversight of state investigations, regardless if the person authoritzed by that state to investigate such things is exceeding the power of their office, it does not give members of Congress the right to exceed their power of office.BLOCK C: The Republican Party is not working for the people, and as each week passes, that fact becomes more and more cemented in history as accurate.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
A BLOCK: We're still waiting for an indictment. From someone. Anyone? Andy believes they are coming. Tomorrow. Or next week. Maybe.B BLOCK: Andy discusses some of the court decisions this week that have not been in Trumps favor, which of course means they’re good for the country.C BLOCK: Are prosecutors endangering the public safety by not indicting Trump? Every court decision that goes against Trump angers him and he turns to social media to express his anger, which increases the danger of his supporters turning to violence again.D BLOCK: BREAKING - Trump aides ordered to testify; includes Mark Meadows and other top aides. Trump expected to appeal (of course).--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/federal-andy/message
BLOCK A - Andy discusses Trump’s premature ejac—I mean—arrestulation and the lack of reaction from his supporters who apparently don’t mind being lied to. BLOCK B - Trump is having a lot of trouble with his attorneys and with the judges hearing his cases, and bad news for Donald is good news for the majority of Americans. BLOCK C - We need a reset on ethics in this country—it is not acceptable for a branch of government or a governmental agency to police itself. Andy is a member of THE EXHAUSTED MAJORITY! How about you?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy wonders if the announcement that Trump was to be arrested today (Tuesday, March 21st) was just an attempt to garner attention by Trump. Andy also has a message for Trump supporters that might be thinking about protesting if and when he is eventually (hopefully) arrested. Also, have you noticed that Republicans have just started changing laws to cover for their own?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
This is for my late mother who was murdered in her home—our home—when she was just 47 years old. I was a teenager and heard the gunshot. I was in bed sleeping. Today is her birthday, and even though decades have passed, I still miss her and think of her daily. And it still hurts, because the pain never completely stops. Happy Birthday, Mom. You were a great mom and I’m sorry you didn’t get the chance to live your life. I love you. ❤️--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn is working hard for Americans. She is the queen of appliances, making sure that the big bad Biden administration doesn’t take away your gas stoves that could be making your family sick, or your inefficient old washing machines that waste water and electricity. Thank goodness for people like Marsha Blackburn—protecting our interests—unless, of course you are an infant and you’re born in her state of Tennessee which ranks 11th in infant mortality. Oops, but she’s pro life so she’s going to prevent women from having abortions and there will be a lot more babies being born and hopefully most of them will survive. This is today’s dark Republican party, taking America into the dungeon of fear and division. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
How about some good news for a change? Apparently, law enforcement has been put on notice to take steps to prepare for a possible indictment this week. Former President Donald Trump said he is expecting to be arrested on Tuesday. Will there be a perp walk with Trump in handcuffs? I’d love to see that, and I’m sure lots of other people would as well. Are you planning to vacation in Florida this summer? Leave your drag clothes at home, if you go, and be forewarned that there is a big blob of seaweed headed for Florida’s West Coast. Apparently, it is stinky and can be 5 to 6 feet deep on the beach. Would you like to dine outdoors for lunch? I want to see governor Ron deFascist wearing a bikini swimsuit and his white go-go boots standing in the seaweed, doing a tourism ad for the state of Florida, because that would represent perfectly what he’s doing to the state. OK, skip the bikini--get him a mumu that covers everything up!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Is democracy in the United States running out of time? What is it going to take? Rights being taken away isn't enough; dead children in mass murders at school after school across the country isn't enough; being lied to isn't enough; living paycheck to paycheck or in poverty isn't enough--what will be the event that crosses the line, America?Why are we allowing billionaires to control our lives? Will it all have to be taken away before the people wake up? And will it be too late at that point?We need to talk, America. We need a plan, America. We need action, America. And we must do it peacefully and lawfully.The people in Germany entered 1933 with a democracy, and ended 1933 with concentration camps. If that doesn't chill your soul, I don't know what would.NOTE: The poll or question Andy mentioned in the episode only applies to the Spotify platform, unfortunately. You can answer it on our Spotify page, which is here: Federal Andy | Podcast on Spotify--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The number one requirement to join or support the GOP should be that you must be a huge hypocrite. Life is precious during the first nine months but after that it’s expendable because we don't want restrictions on guns. Children must be protected from drag queens, but can legally work cleaning slaughterhouses, as long as it's not past 9:00 at night. We don’t want children to know about our history with slavery and abuses of non-white people, but it’s OK for children 16 years old to marry someone three times their age in some states, with parental consent of course.This is today’s reality in the Republican Party. All of these things can and do happen in the United States today.Andy is heavy on the sarcasm in this one, but the scenarios are true.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy explains FDIC insured bank accounts. Your money is likely safer in a bank then it is tucked underneath your mattress or stuffed in your freezer. Many are concerned the bank failures that have happened in the last few days may be an omen that the 2008 Great Recession may be happening again, but that does not seem to be the case. In this instance, the FDIC has taken steps to ensure that banks can cover customer withdrawals. Your best bet is to make sure that your financial institution is covered by FDIC insurance, and spread your money out among various institutions making sure that you don’t have more than $250,000 in any one single bank.Check to see if your financial institution is currently FDIC-insured here: BankFind Suite: Find Institutions by Name & Location (fdic.gov)--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy talks about the Silicon Valley Bsnk (SVB) failure and the hate legislation bring written in Florida by the Republicans who have a supermajority in the state.
CORRECTION: It was just announced that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday instructed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to guarantee Silicon Valley Bank customers will have access to all of their money starting Monday, a reversal of what had been indicated earlier. Also, a second bank, Signature Bank, failed today (Sunday, March 12, 2023).
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses why we must prosecute Trump and everyone else involved in the January 6th, 2021 domestic terrorist attack on the United States. Precedent has been set in previous GOP administrations, and we cannot “look the other way” again. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy provides statistics on anti-trans bills being written and sponsored by Republicans in states across the nation as well as in Congress. We're told these bills are being written to protect children, however with guns being the number one cause of death of children in the United States, one might think Republicans would want to focus on that instead of legislation that supports hatred, intolerance, and division. There has been a huge increase in hate speech just since Florida passed its "Don't Say Gay" bill. Andy also discusses the hypocrisy of Fox News and the latest discovery evidence showing their on-air personalities didn’t believe a word they were saying, while they sat there and looked at the camera night after night lying to their viewers.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy has good news and bad news for you. The good news is Andy is not going to fact check Trump’s CPAC speech. From start to finish, it was all one big ole LIE! The bad news is even if indicted, Trump can still run for the presidency and could still be elected to office in 2024. 😡 And if you haven’t noticed, the Republicans in Georgia are trying to turn the lights out on their shenanigans, as they are working on legislation that would allow Republican controlled positions in government to remove prosecutors like Fani Willis—who it just so happens is investigating Trump’s interference in the 2020 Georgia election!! Just a coincidence, of course…right?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy fact checks the speakers at the 2023 CPAC, and as you might expect they are not being completely honest. Andy calls out the lies and corrects the speakers.Apparently, Fox News isn't the only liar, liar pants on fire out there. Literally everything the Republicans say they are for is offset by a bill or pending legislation that opposes those beliefs. They're still selling fear, hatred, and anti-Christian policies wrapped up in lies.Attendance has generally been down, so perhaps CPAC is losing the ability to brainwash people.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy moves smoothly (cough, cough) through topics on CPAC 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and who knew Keanu Reeves could kill fungi and be environmentally friendly!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Jon Stewart exposes the hypocrisy of the Republican Party and of gun rights supporters in this interview with Oklahoma State Senator Nathan Dahm (R). Link to interview on Twitter below.https://twitter.com/TheProblem/status/1631610370887491584?s=20Andy also discusses the results of a survey by Rutgers University that asked adults how they secure and store their guns, and the responses are somewhat shocking.Please subscribe, rate, and share--it really helps!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Which one are you? Republicans have commandeered words to distort their meaning. The GOP feels it should have esclusive rights to the word "patriot" yet there's nothing patriotic about the party today--it's a CULT. At the same time, they've twisted "woke" and "liberal" to have negative connotations, when the definitions of those words are very positive.Republicans are taking away rights and freedoms from Americans, and are hypocrites when they say they're pro-life but do nothing to save lives from gun violence (which the GOP sponsors by protecting the NRA and gun manufacturers), and prohibit reforms to pharma drug pricing, making health care available to all, and allowing many in their red states to suffer in poverty.Federal Andy is proud to be woke and aware and liberal. Those are the traits of patriots.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Lauren Boebert, the Trumpublican gun lovin’ representative from Colorado complains a lot…about EVERYTHING—without realizing that it’s her job to correct the situations she gripes about. Andy discusses Boebert’s multiple run-ins with the law, and her husband’s tattoo in a private area that he exposed to two unappreciative females in a bowling alley. Klassy. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is a small little man with hatred burning in his heart and soul, and a strong desire to be the next president of the United States. I mean dictator.Andy discusses the "Don’t Say Gay" hate bill in Florida, the removal of the Reedy Creek improvement district that has been in place for over half a century that served Walt Disney World very well, saved Disney money as well as taxpayers in the two counties Disney's resort land mass occupies, and Andy mentions some very questionable activities regarding appointments in Florida by Ron DeSantis allies and donors that seem like they should warrant an investigation.For a state that depends on tourism for much of its income, Ron DeSantis has definitely not put out the welcome mat.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy recaps some of the events that caught our attention last week. A woman in Knoxville, TN died after police and medical professionals failed to protect and serve; the GOP has a grim future ahead as it fails to understand the direction most Americans are headed—and it’s one of equality not hatred, racism, and division; a new Department of Energy report says COVID may have originated in a lab in China; “Dilbert” creator gies on racist rant and hundreds of newspapers drop the comic strip; and out of touch Republicans want to name the gun if choice in mass shootings, the AR-15 as the “National Gun of America”. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Fox News Special: Celebrating Hatred during Black History Month? Media Matters has found that during Black History Month, Fox News has aired anti-black narratives every single day. Lies, LIES, L I E S!Andy talks about good vs. evil in this episode and makes a movie recommendation for western movie fans: "Day of the Outlaw" from 1959. Starring Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, Tina Louise, and David Nelson. Andy isn't a western movie fan, but he liked this one. Filmed on location in Oregon during the early winter months in late 1958, this black and white film is visually striking, and features a good story with great acting.Andy also discusses the hypocrisy of the right and provides telephone numbers to contact members of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, the White House, and the Department of Justice. It's time to call, and demand that the powerful be held accountable for their criminal actions, and to let them know that we're tired of the hatred, bigotry, racism, intolerance, and lies from the right.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California already gave away the farm in his attempt to become the Speaker. Now he is fulfilling promises. He has provided a right wing fringe television personality who specializes in misinformation with raw video footage that could compromise the safety and security of everyone in the United States Capitol. McCarthy said this was done to provide the footage to the public and allow sunshine to let everyone make their own judgment. Except...it's not available to the public, and the snippets we're likely to see will be done to distort the facts rather than shine light on them.Would a patriot do such a thing? Jeopardize the safety of everyone they work with and everyone around them? Is it patriotic to withhold information from the Department of Justice if you've done nothing wrong, or are criminals the only ones who plead the Fifth and fight being cooperative with the authorities?What is YOUR definition of a patriot? Is it more than just a compliment in a fundraising message from Kevin McCarthy?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy provides facts on the Ohio train derailment and discusses how once again Trump and the Republicans take no responsibility and blame Democrats. Republicans say Biden should have gone to Ohio instead of Ukraine and blame Buttigieg for not speaking up about it sooner. Andy’s advice to Republicans? Get off of TV and social media and sit down with the Democrats and write legislation to address the safety concerns. Complaining nonstop does nothing but put on a show and stir people up. In short, try DOING YOUR JOB FOR A CHANGE!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
This may sound like a Richard Burton-Elizabeth Taylor movie, but it isn’t. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has suggested the red and blue states divorce. How would that work? They’re against big government so the military would go with the blue states. Good luck replacing all those lost jobs in the red states! Oh, and naturally the blue states keep all of our tax money, and a lot of red states depend on that money for survival. Good luck with that, too! And one more thing, Marge…since Georgia is more blue than red, you’re going to have to GET OUT! Start packin’, Marge!!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
President Biden honors Presidents Day with a surprise visit to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Naturally, the insurrectionist cult on the right in Congress felt this visit was insulting, as you would expect from a group that makes a habit of disrespecting and insulting the American people on a daily basis. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the recent evidence that has come to light in discovery during the Dominion Voting Systems-Fox News lawsuit. It’s interesting to note that even Fox itself has said that Tucker Carlson‘s reputation is basically garbage! Should Fox News continue to present itself as news instead of entertainment?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
If you’ve ever wondered where government debt comes from, how governments borrow money, and how governments pay back that money, this is the episode of federal Andy that you need to listen to. Andy explains everything about debt, borrowing, interest, and how it is a vicious cycle that works against the American people and how the wealthy profit from this destructive and unsustainable cycle. PLEASE SHARE!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Former VP Mike Pence is taking a page out of the Dick Cheney Manual on evading testimony by claiming he cannot testify to the J6 special counsel grand jury due to the Speech and Debate Clause in the Constitution. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the recent “radar anomalies” that have been reported in the media and shot down by jet fighters, plus concerns over an upcoming decision on medicine abortions by an extreme right wing religious judge appointed by Trump in Amarillo, Texas. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses news stories and events that occurred during the week ending Saturday, February 23, 2023.
Correction: The J6 Select Committee did not actually subpoena former Vice President Mike Pence, although there were apparently discussions between the two parties about Pence voluntarily coming in to testify, which Pence ultimately refused to do, but did allow his staff to voluntarily testify to the J6 committee.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
What’s it going to be, America? If the choice is normal or crazy, which ride are you going to take? Andy discusses Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ pathetic response for the GOP to the State of the Union address. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy celebrates the 100th episode of Federal Andy with events and insights of his life that formed and developed his political beliefs over the years. Andy thanks you for your time over the last 11 or so months, and for your patience as the podcast develops, grows, and hopefully improves. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy recaps President Biden’s State of the Union address to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Tuesday, February 7, 2023: President Joe Biden delivers his second State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress tonight at 9:00 ET. Behind the president will be Vice President Kamala Harris, and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. In the audience, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as Supreme Court Justices, special guests, and quite a few insurrectionists.Will the clowns on the right act like responsible, respectful adults? Or, will they be disrespectful and childish as they have before?A horrible 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria over the weekend, and the death toll is 5,200 at the time this podast episode is being readied for publication.Republican U.S. House Representative George Santos is making trouble again, this time he's charged with allegedly touching a man in a sexual manner--an unwanted and uninvited assault--that Santos denies. Who to believe?This episode wraps with the contradictions between the Democrats and the Republicans, which show the GOP takes things to the extreme, but can't back up what they say with facts.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Insulting behavior from Republicans in Congress who are proudly displaying their hatred of people and life by promoting gun violence through wearing assault rifle pins. This is unacceptable behavior from members of Congress who have been bought and sold by those with the most money. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Our economy is based on capitalism. They theory is that competition and customer service will ensure people receive competitive prices and a high level of service or quality. How has that worked out? Well...competition isn't always adequate to provide competitive prices, as large corporations buy up competitors and condense the market, which now gives them the ability to raise prices. And how about customer service? Also, not so great. Go online and type in any large corporation and "issues," "problems," or "reviews" or something of that nature, and you'll likely see a slew of unhappy customer comments.Andy discusses a few bad customer service problems that he's experienced over the years, and mentions a few companies that have provided really great customer service.What has your experience been with big corporations? Are you getting a good value for your money, and if you've had problems have they taken care of you promptly and to your satisfaction? Leave a comment on Twitter: @FederalAndy--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Years ago, America's wealthiest families paid a higher tax rate. So did corporations. In 1976 and 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that money is free speech and that corporations are people, too--opening the door to the legalized bribing of politicians. Citizens United expanded on the money in politics concept, and the result is those at the very top have become far more wealthy, while middle Americans and those trying to become middle Americans have not done as well, and have carried most of the load.
America's wealthiest pay less than 3% on average in income taxes. How about you? Are you paying more than that? Chances are that you do. But the wealthy not only got huge tax breaks, as did the corporations they own through stocks or other investments, but they now loan money to the government and charge interest on those loans, which the government must pay. Over $400 billion in a recent fiscal year. This is money that could go toward things that would help Americans instead of sitting in bank accounts of the obscenely wealthy.
So--bottom line...the wealthy bought politicians (known as "campaign donations") to get their personal and corporate taxes lowered, creating a deficit in what the government needs to run the country, so the government has to borrow money and pay interest on that loan, and the loans often come from the same entities that bribed the politicians to lower their taxes that created the deficit to begin with! The rich get richer on America's back. See the scam?
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy reads and discusses a few of the numerous Tweets from official GOP accounts that are misleading and divisive. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Karma—it can be distressing when you’re on the receiving end and satisfying if it catches up with someone who hasn’t been a particularly nice person. Andy discusses Republican Representative Jim Jordan’s history and his lack of cooperation with investigations in the previous Congress, and what he might expect from others now that he’s chairing a committee himself. Andy hopes others are as cooperative with him as he was when he was asked to testify. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The DOJ has asked the Federal Election Commission to hold off on its investigation of Santos, indicating the DOJ has opened its own probe. Considering its been two years since the J6 insurrection with no charges filed against principles at the top, Andy wonders if the DOJ will conclude its investigation into Santos before his two year term in the House expires. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Yak yak yakkity yak…
Who knew that Chuck Todd of NBC's "Meet the Press" had a spine? Ohio Republican Representative Jim (aka "Gym") Jordan was guest, and Todd actually hit back with facts when Jordan attempted to contort facts and pretend that the Republican Party is somehow the victim when it comes to government oversight and investigations. It's almost like Jordan and his peers in Congress weren't involved at all in the January 6, 2021 deadly domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol! It was nice to see some journalism for a change out of Todd, hopefully he will continue to correct the lies on his show going forward.
Plus, a little on Trump and his Saturday rallies, and DeSantis the dictator wannabe from Florida.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Did you hear the one about the investigator who was investigating the investigators looking into the investigation?So far, the John Durham special counsel looking into the Trump-Russia scandal has cost taxpayers over $6.5 million. The final bills are still to be tallied. The result of the investigation that took longer than the Robert Mueller investigation (Mueller was the investigator being investigated by Durham)? Zip. That's right: a big ole nothingburger, as the folks on the right like to say.Andy suggests that the new Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government needs to go back to the Trump era for its investigation, as it's apparent that is when the weaponization began and ended.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Trump + Manafort + Deripaska + McGonigal = circle of corruption. Will justice ever be served? Andy provides a timeline linking significant people and events during the 2016 campaign to present. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
NARA asks former presidents and vice presidents dating back to Reagan’s term to check for any documents that are covered by the Presidential Records Act. Andy discusses why it may be taking the DOJ so long to indict top people in the J6, 2020 election lies, and possibly a few far more serious crimes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
A decision is imminent on the Trump 2020 election scam according to the Fulton County, Georgia DA. More mass murders in gun crazy America. The Republican debt crisis scam, etc. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
No this isn’t the sequel to “Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice”! It is a comparison of why none of the issues with these men are comparable with each other. That is, Don’s legal issues don’t compare to Joe’s and the situations with the murders Kyle committed aren’t the same as the situation with Alec. Confused? You might still be after this episode! 😄Note: Kyle Rittenhouse was charged, tried, and acquitted of all the charges against him, and in the United States, we have to accept the jury's decision. However, we do not have to agree with it, nor do we have to join his fan club as so many on the right have.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Roe v. Wade almost made it to 50 years. The states with the most barbaric anti-abortion policies also are the states with the highest infant mortality rates. Seems the priorities are seriously screwed up in the Republican Party. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Hold on to your pocketbooks.America—the GOP is raising your taxes. BIG TIME! (This offer not applicable to millionaires, billionaires, and corporations.)Our apologies for the occasional static and popping noises in this episode. Tried a new mic for the first time, and the noises didn't show up at the time of recording. This was a replacement from the manufacturer (the first one didn't even turn on), and apparently, we need to keep looking for something that actually works. We're sorry, we'll get the audio issues solved as soon as possible,--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy explains the discharge petition rule in the House of Representatives, how it's been used in the past and how it may be used now and in the future. Perhaps it will be a way for Democrats to move some worthwhile legislation through the house, with the support of just a very few House Republicans who represent districts that are leaning more toward blue than red.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Will the real George Anthony Kitara Santos Devolder Ravache please stand up?The Republican Party proves they are the party of no values, no morals, poor character, and that lying to supporters is OK as long as you get a seat in Congress. No need to be honest about your education, work history, family, or anything else. After all, lying to people isn't illegal, so what's the beef, Long Islanders? Do Americans have a right to expect honesty from politicians? How about the appearance of honesty, you know, while they smile at the camera and tell you how important you are to them while they take away your rights and lie to you.Education, work history, family, personal life...all are a kaleidoscope of contradictions. Is he a foreign agent working for another country? Is he here to intentionally destroy democracy in the United States?Who knows? No one seems to know, and what's worse is the Republican Party doesn't seem to care. They just want the seat and the power that it brings. The Republicans are traitors to the country.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The Do Bee and the Don’t Bee children are present and ready to wreak havoc on the world. Gym, Marge, and the rest of the Don't Bee's have received their committee assignments, and Gym was delighted to learn he's now in a position to investigate the entities who are investigating him! Banana Republic, here we come! And last but not least, of course, is the big Speaker Bee, who might be allowed to buzz around the chamber as long as he doesn't get his stinger caught in a place that might make one of his social bees angry and demand a vote to vacate the hive!The 118th Romper Room House of Congress is now in session and ready to pass bills that will help the American people...important things like obstructing justice, distracting with unwarranted impeachment investigations, cutting your Social Security and Medicare, and covering up their own crimes. And for the opening spectacle, perhaps a default on the United States debt that could cause a world wide panic, and cost the American people even more money due to a lower U.S. credit rating!They'll be tweeting lots of stupid things, misinformation, baseless accusations to keep their poorly educated supporters at the buffet for all you can eat "librul" smackdowns. The next two years should be fun, don't you think? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The Republican Party (aka GOP) is playing roulette with the American people, our economy, and the worldwide economy. Refusing to raise the debt ceiling has been used before by the GOP to force Democrats to do things Dems don't want to do. Previously, this game the Republicans play caused the ONLY downgrade of the credit rating of the United States, which cost taxpayers almost $19 billion. Childish, irresponsible, and careless.
Now, they're at it again and this time it could have far more serious consequences. No more Republican games! Lives are literally at stake--people are living in poverty, and that's not being addressed. Women are risking their lives with pregnancies that could go bad, because the medical community is afraid of treating women who are pregnant due to Republican legislation that could imprison them for doing so.
We have serious issues that need to be addressed, and the GOP wants to again play games while they protect the wealthiest Americans, putting everyone else at risk. The Republican Party is a clear and present danger to our democracy, our country, and our lives.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
CDC recommends that people remain current with COVID vaccines despite one signal that indicates a very slight possible increase in strokes among those 65 and older. While data in just one monitor that tracks side effects of medications and vaccines shows this could be a concern, other monitors do not indicate a similar issue.More my body my choice hypocrisy from the right and man are they gobsmacked over the classified documents found in Bidens former office and in his personal residence. This does not change or reduce the seriousness of Trump's far worse document concealment and refusal to cooperate with authorities, however.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
A president who committed adultery on all three wives, lied constantly, was twice impeached, violated the Foreign Emoluments Clause for four years, and incited a coup, among many other issues; a sitting Representative in the House who bragged he was like David Duke (KKK) without the baggage; another GOP House member accused of child sex trafficking; and now yet another House member who has apparently lied about most of his history, has used various names over the years and is wanted in Brazil for passing a stolen check. Does this sound like the party of family values, morals, transparency and good character?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
In what is basically a slap on the hand and a sternly worded statement, a NY judge fined the Trump Organization $1.6 million as punishment for a decade of tax fraud which a jury found the company guilty on all 17 counts. Andy also discusses other pending lawsuits against Trump and his children. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The latest on the classified documents that were found at Biden’s former office and at his personal residence in Delaware. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Timeline of events regarding the classified documents scandal of former President 45 (Trump). Part 2 regarding President Biden coming soon in Episode 76. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Debt ceiling? It’s basically the limit of which the government can borrow money. Republicans have used it in the past to get what they want, even if it comes at the expense of the U.S. credit rating, which has been downgraded in the past due to the GOP. And the Republicans are threatening to do it again. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Did you have a civics class in school? Since the Reagan era, civics classes have become pretty much extinct in America. Why would a country benefit from citizens not understanding how the government is supposed to work? One benefit is to politicians who want to fool their constituents into thinking things happen a certain way when they don't. This causes fear and uncertainty, and the Republican Party thrives on its supporters being afraid.Andy discusses the ABCs of Federal laws. How bills are initiated, the path they must take before they become enacted, the barricades they must pass in order to become law, and how both chambers of Congress as well as the president must approve them.Andy also discusses the threat from Republicans in the House to refuse to raise the debt ceiling in order to hold the country hostage to get what a minority of undemocratic, anti-American House members want to force on the country, despite huge opposition from the majority of the people.Coming soon: The Debt Ceiling and Discharge Petitions.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
A bit of sarcasm here from country bumpkin Andy, wonderin' what the heck is goin' on with Congress. Care to guess what the new Republican-controlled House has chosen for its very first bill? Aw, c’mon… guess!Andy ponders what House Resolution #1 is going to be in the 118th Congress and is shocked to learn what it's alleged to be! He called up his bud Jethro of the Beverly Hills cee-ment pond fame with his 6th grade education and Jethro was no help at all because he was eatin' his big bowl of corn flakes for breakfast. So, Andy decided to just follow the money.And the results should have been shocking but aren't since Americans seem to have become used to abuse from their elected public servants. Remember when Republicans start talking about cutting "entitlements" like Social Security and Medicare, they don't want to increase the tax base by making their wealthy donors pay their fair share of taxes--they want YOU to suffer so the wealthy aren't bothered.VOTE THEM OUT!Y'all be sure to listen and tell all yer friends, y'hear?!?!(*Spelling intentional)--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
President Biden recently said, "America is back" and was asked, "For how long?" It seems the Trump era has left a bad taste in the mouths of many, and the fact that the Republicans--a group viewed by many worldwide as on the lunatic fringe--is now in control of the House of Representatives and the money, is cause for concern among some of America's allies.Our credibility and reputation on the world stage is compromised by these steps backward away from progress, and it's harmful to the country and its people. We all suffer because of this.There are already reports of unhappiness and unease from within the Republican Party. How long will this ship float with McCarthy at the helm?Honorable mentions: Just one Republican attended the ceremony on the Capitol steps in honor of law enforcement killed and injured during the J6 riot. Just ONE. Blue lives matter, eh? And the House has a steering committee that is responsible for committee assignments, it's not 100% up to Speaker McCarthy, and the steering folks may not be so excited about honoring McCarthy's promises to Representatives to get their votes while he was running for Speaker.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
15 rounds of votes to squeeze out a win for Kevin McCarthy. 4 days of nonsense at taxpayer expense. A lot of arms twisted, two last-minute late-night returns to Washington D.C. by allies, and a few "present" votes which don't indicate confidence in the people running for office, and McCarthy wins. But he's a paper speaker, with less power than any other speaker in the history of our country.And he had to give away the farm so he could obtain his self-serving, precious title of Speaker of the House. I see another Boehner or Ryan in McCarthy--unable to control the crazies in the House, and impotent when it comes to performing his duties.And the Republican Party has no one to blame but itself for this mess. Let's hope the American people who support these government-hating crooks who take government jobs despite their hatred wake up over the next two years and vote the whole lot fo them out in 2024. If the Constitution is to survive, we must rid the country of these parasites.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try again...right?The 118th Session of Congress is a bust so far. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has turned into a clown show, failing to take care of the very first step of a new Congress--choosing the Speaker of the House. So far, 4 rounds of votes and the leader is Democratic Party member Hakeem Jeffries!Andy discusses the completely pathetic fiasco the Speaker vote has become, along with some of the goodies Kevin McCarthy has agreed to in order to gain the position of Speaker and guess what--NONE OF THEM ARE GOOD FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!Popcorn...lights...clowns...camera...action!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Section 3, states:
“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.”
Call and demand that the traitors in Congress be removed from their seats!
U.S. House of Representatives and Senate: 202-224-3121
U.S. House of Representatives and Senate TTY: 202-225-1904
U.S. Department of Justice Comment Line: 202-353-1555
U.S. Department of Justice Main Switchboard: 202-514-2000
U.S. Department of Justice TTY/ASCII/TDD: 800-877-8339
We cannot allow these folks to continue to undermine our democracy and corrupt our nation. Please call!
Thanks to Michael Moore for the inspiration.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy predicts the history books will refer to the 118th Session of Congress and the Romper Room years in the House of Representatives. Romper Room was a popular children's television show that ran from 1953-1994 that taught children how to behave like decent people. They learned things like how to be a good sport when you lose...surely a lesson that some on the right in Congress missed. It's too bad they weren't watching the show the day that Mr. Do Bee, a person wearing a bumblebee costume, advised children "Do be a good sport when you lose" or "Do be honest and tell the truth at all times".The hostess of the show used her "Magic Mirror" to spot children in attendance on that day's show. Perhaps Demcrats in the House should get Magic Mirrors to focus on Republicans in the House, or maybe they could invite Mr. Do Bee to come lecture the right on morals, ethics, and remind them of th oaths they took before each House session.In short, you can plan on a circus--investigations based on retaliation and vindictiveness, speeches for the sake of show with no substance to them, lots of in-fighting, and nothing will really get done to help the American people, as all those issues they were so upset about during the campaign are now long forgotten.Stock up on popcorn! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
2022 will soon become a previous chapter in history books and 2023 will be unwritten, but content is soon to come. What is the agenda for the GOP-controlled House? How do they plan to police themselves? Will there be accountability on the right side of the aisle?
Finally, a sincere thanks to all for listening and enduring the growing pains of starting a podcast when you’re not a professional. Your time means everything.
Wishing all a safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Is it possible to be a Christian and a Republican at the same time? Really? REALLY?!?!?!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
My first apartment rented for $245 in the late seventies and is now a $79,000 condo that would rent for $1,140. Wages haven’t kept up with rent growth in decades. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 and hasn’t been increased since 2009. How do people manage to survive?Corrections: Andy mentioned his old apartment, now a condominium, sold for $69,000 in September 2022. The price was actually $79,000. He also mentioned that the federal minimum wage hadn't been increased since the 1990s, but it was last increased in 2009. (This is what happens when you have multiple distractions while trying to record. LOL)--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who professes to be a Catholic, dumped multiple busloads of migrants on the street in Washington, D.C. late in the night on Christmas Eve. In 18-degree weather. No notice was provided to local D.C. agencies to allow them to prepare for the arrival of these folks. Some wore only t-shirts according to news crews on the scene.How does this represent Christianity? Poorly, that's how. And if you vote for these people, you support these hateful, despicable actions. And this happened on CHRISTMAS EVE. This was a political stunt, and all Texans should be demanding Abbott's resignation right now. If you don't. you won it.This is not American, it is not patriotic, it is not Christian, it doesn't represent good values, high morals, or good character. This has been happening since last April, and other republican governors (DeSantis of Florida) are doing this as well. Where do you stand, America? Do you condone treating people this way? How does this reflect on YOUR Christian values?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy recalls memories of two of his favorite Christmases and recalls another that was memorable because it represented the last Christmas his immediate family was together.
Federal Andy hopes this season is a happy and healthy one for you, and will be memorable for all the right reasons. And as always, thank you for listening--we appreciate your time, and are honored that you spend part of your day listening.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY HANNUKAH!
HAPPY KWANZAA!
MERRY EVERYTHING!
No matter how you're celebrating this year, we hope it's full of joy.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
A rewrite of the classic poem, based on the original wording, which is not as commonly known as the more popular version.Set your expectations low, folks! Andy isn't a poet but thought this might bring you at least a snicker or two.Whatever you're celebrating this season, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or one of the other popular observances celebrated at this time of year, or if you choose to not celebrate, Federal Andy wishes you peace, health, joy, and happiness in your life. Thank you for listening.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Some good news today, and a bit of not so good news. Andy's sources are saying that indictments are on the way. They didn't offer a time frame, other than to say they will be forthcoming. Take that for what it's worth, which is what Andy is doing, but it's something to look forward to. Andy also mentions several things to look for as the complete J6 Committee report is released to the public on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.Congress has written legislation to overhaul the 1887 Electoral Count Act to clarify that the Vice President's role in overseeing the Electoral vote in the Senate is ceremonial, and that he has no input in the matter. This is expected to pass and be signed into law before the end of the week, as it's tied to must pass legislation that funds the government, as current funding expires this Friday (December 23rd) at midnight.The not so good news is that the Ukrainian people continue to be bombarded with missiles aimed at their infrastructure, using the cold, harsh winter weather as a weapon, according to President Biden.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The holidays are dead straight ahead, and no matter what you may be celebrating in the days and weeks ahead--whether it's Christmas, New Year's, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Festivus, or National Fruitcake Day (it's December 27th, I knew you were wondering...), please give the gift of being thoughtful. And that means if you aren't feeling well, you stay home and isolate. And you wear a mask and maintain distancing between people when indoors (and outdoors if the area is congested).We've lost 1,095,382 people to COVID-19 and 99,892,513 cases have been confirmed. You don't want to make friends, relatives, or loved ones sick for the holidays, so please take precautions. Wear a mask, it's a minor inconvenience if it prevents others from getting sick, and I recommend vaccinating yourself to help provide protection from serious illness.Andy reminds everyone that COVID-19 does require boosters, so if you haven't kept up to date, your protection is weaker than it should be.This year, give the gift of thoughtfulness to those you care about, as well as your fellow womankind and mankind.'Tis the season!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy still has a lot of unanswered questions regarding January 6, 2021 and the days before and after that haven't been answered. For instance, was Liz Cheney protecting her fellow Republicans in Congress by refusing to allow the J6 Committee from naming them specifically? Why the "and others" in the criminal referrals?Other questions: Who are the lawyers involved in witness tampering? Witnesses alleged that they were told to say they didn't recall in response to questions, even if they did, and were possibly promised employment that would give them a very comfortable living. Some witnesses were not as forthcoming with information, namely Ivanka Trump and Kayleigh McEnany.Who brought the gallows?Why were panic buttons removed from Rep. Ayanna Pressley's Capitol suite?Who disabled the key access cards used by VP Pence, his staff and aides?Andy discusses the First Amendment, and the types of speech it doesn't cover, and asks why Trump hasn't been charged with murder for the five people who died as a result of his premeditated incitement of a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol? In a 2021 interview, Trump told Fox News that there were no guns on J6...clearly, a lie.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the premeditated efforts by former president Donald Trump to announce victory on election night, even if it appeared he had lost.The J6 committee has referred Trump to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for 4 criminal counts, and has referred 4 GOP congressmen to House Ethics Committee for sanctions.Summary Report from the J6 committee has been released, and the complete report including transcripts is expected to be released this Wednesday, December 21st.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Your favorite podcaster, FEDERAL ANDY...better than Thom Hartmann, better than Stephanie Miller, better than Keith Olbermann...has a major announcement! My official FEDERAL ANDY TRADING CARD COLLECTION is here! Each limited edition card depicts a highlight of my life, like the year I went to Toad Suck, Arkansas for vacay! (Yes, it's a real place.)These make great Christmas gifts, folks!!! Can't you just imagine the stunned look on people's faces when they see their gift!?!?And your purchase automatically enters you into a sweepstakes to have lunch with Andy at an Arby's. We just knew you'd be delighted.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy briefly discusses the latest COVID outbreak in China, tests a new mic on this episode, and is still thinking about the batteries in his carbon monoxide detector when he discusses getting vaccinated and wearing masks to protect yourself and others (this will be self-explanatory when you hear it...DOH!)Former Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the Republicans had a candidate quality problem in the 2020 mid-term elections, which didn't provide the red wave they were expecting. That candidate quality problem goes back much further than the 2020 mid-terms, however. That's because a large number of Republicans in the House of Representatives and Senate voted to overturn the democratically elected government of the United States of America back in 2021.That act specifically violates the 14th Amendment (Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office) to the U.S. Constitution which says: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."And many of these same folks are about to renew their oath of office in January 2023. That's a problem.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
All of the lies.All of the crimes.All of the delay tactics.All of the disrespect.And still they supported him. Even as they realized their workplace was being destroyed and their lives threatened, they kept their mouths shut and maintained their support of a man who had become a clear and present danger to the country.Years went by, and the support barely waned...and then it did. What caused the slight slippage of support? Was it the conspiracy? The obstruction? The concealment of secret documents? No. It was the election losses. The failure of the big red wave they were all warm and fuzzy about that didn't ever come. The cowards in the Republican Party stood by and watched their peers and their president break the law, insult the Constitution, disrespect the American people, steal money under false pretenses, and they barely said a word.Until the mid-terms. That is the answer to the $17 Billion Question (the estimated amount of money spent on the mid-terms by campaigns, much from the dark side the right complains about but benefits from).--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the release of Brittney Griner from Russia as well as details of Paul Whelan's imprisonment in Russia, and why the deal was made for Griner only and not for both, including details of their lives and how they came to be arrested in Russia.Also, Andy takes a look at TFG's (the former guy's) record on prisoner exchanges, his comments on the Griner-Whelan case, and how the media personalities on the right have characterized this exchange. Unfortunately, it appears that racism may be behind the outrage from the right, as Paul Whelan was arrested during Trump's time in office, and Trump had two full years to do something to secure Whelan's release, but he did...nothing. And according the Whelan's brother David, Trump wasn't interested in doing anything at the time. (This from an interview on MSNBC.)Once again, hypocrisy and racism on the right rear their ugly heads.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
This week, Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced she was leaving the Democratic Party and registering as an Independent. This is not a reflection on the party, but on Sinema's personal goals of keeping her Senate seat in 2024. Support for Sinema among Arizona Republicans has collapsed due to her voting record in recent years, and polling has shown that her approval ratings are dismal. Since there are other more popular options for a primary candidate in the Democratic Party, Sinema knows she's in trouble.Her love of capitalism and protecting the super wealthy from paying taxes are high on the list of things her constituents don't support, along with her obstruction to getting rid of the Senate filibuster, which is a Jim Crow-era device to prevent black people from getting the representation they deserve.Is Sinema's departure from the Democratic Party something to worry about? Andy doesn't think so--at least not right now--but it warrants watching in the coming months.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discussed the 118th Congress, which begins on January 3, 2023. The Democrats will retain control of the Senate, adding 1 seat in the mid-term elections, and the Republicans failed to see the red wave they expected, barely gaining control of the House of Representatives. We don't know who the new Speaker will be, as there's an internal party struggle for the position, and for the first time in almost 100 years, multiple ballots may have to be done before someone reaches the 218 threshold required to hold the top position in the House.What can America look forward to in the next two years? Investigations. Retaliation. A clown show from the right. And bring it on! Let America see what's most important to the cult on the right--partisanship, retaliation, and what about the American people? Who, they say?Let's not focus on writing legislation to address the immigration issue, the minimum wage which is forcing Americans to live in poverty, the soaring health care costs in the country, thanks to the for profit health insurance vultures who have inserted themselves right between doctors and their patients, deciding on what care a patient receives based on their profits, with little concern for what's best for the patient. How does that set with you, American Medical Association? Seems you're OK with it.Thanks so much for listening, we truly appreciate your time.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Around 10 minutes til 11:00 pm EST on December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot 4 times at close range and killed on the street as he entered The Dakota building, where he lived. This happened in front of his wife Yoko Ono. It's an event that many remember. The loss to the music world is most likely huge, we'll never really know for certain, but Lennon wrote songs that are regarded not only as classics, but as being among the best ever written.Andy recalls that night in December 1980, and where he was and what he was doing at the exact moment he heard the news about Lennon. And despite 42 years of murders and gun violence, our nation is more violent today than it was back then. Have we learned nothing? Have we become a heartless society that will tolerate the mass murders of children in school and innocent people in public places? Because it happens regularly.The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had an opinion on the Second Amendment, which Andy discusses and paraphrases. Basically, RBG felt the 2A was obsolete and outdated. Andy agrees, and feels it needs to be updated since a few things have changed since the 2A was written. And we've lost a lot of people during those years that had a right to live their lives without being shot dead by someone.As of the end of November 2022, the United States has experienced over 700 mass shootings, and we still have to add in the month of December.Is this freedom? Are you really free when you live in fear of your life or the lives of your loved ones constantly? How many more, America?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Something to consider: If money is free speech, and speech is freedom, do you have the right to free speech and freedom if you don't have money? The cost to participate is high, with corporate money and millionaires and billionaires controlling much of our free speech time. Whoever has the most money, buys the most free speech, and the folks who don't have money don't really have as much free speech as those who have money, do they?Andy discusses the First Amendment, what it does and does not protect and who it limits. Additionally, Andy discusses corporations buying houses to drive up prices in the rental market, which ends up pricing individuals out of both markets, and often these corporate houses end up sitting empty for long periods of time.Finally, some statistics on the ultimate cost to buy a house for Millennials vs. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, and a reminder to Georgians to GO VOTE NOW! (Published on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, which is the date of the runoff election for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.)Warning: This was published without editing...not that my editing skills are all that great but wanted to get distributed in case someone in Georgia forgot to vote.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Is Donald Trump a clear and present danger to the Constitution? One of his latest posts on his (failing) social network have pointed to installing himself as president now because the 2020 election (yeah, still...) was rigged and that the rules and regulations outlined in the Constitution should be overruled to do so.Also, Andy discusses the Arizona election canvassing fiasco with one country that refused to certify results until ordered by a judge to do so, and sanctions against the attorneys representing loser candidates Kari Lake for governor and Mark Finchem for secretary of state (both Trumpers and election deniers).Where is the evidence of election rigging or fraud or whatever? Over two years have passed, and still no evidence of any wrongdoing or mistakes in tallying the vote. WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE? Put up or shut up already!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Two top Oath Keepers leaders have been convicted of seditious conspiracy, which carries a maximum 20-year prison term, and several others were convicted of obstructing an official proceeding, which also carries a 20-year sentence. Perhaps with this win, the Department of Justice will be more confident moving forward with charges against those at the very top, who no doubt planned and/or incited and/or assisted in this act of terrorism against the country by some of its very own citizens.Andy also would still like to know how the insurrectionists/terrorists knew where the "hidden" offices were of Senators and some House Representatives, as they aren't normally public knowledge. Also, why did Senator Grassley state on January 5th that he would be overseeing the Electoral College votes on January 6th because he didn't expect Pence to preside over the count? Who deactivated key cards that gave Pence and his staff and security access to protected areas in the Capitol?And finally, proof that George W. Bush is more corrupt and a bigger liar than we already knew. Who's the worst president of all time? Bush Jr. or Trump? Time will tell--perhaps they'll end up tying for the top honor.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
How selective can one be when Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and white supremacist Nick Fuentes are on your guest list for dinner? Andy rants about the intolerance and hatred of people today.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Since the election in 2020, we've constantly heard about the rigged 2020 election from those on the right. The "big lie" as it's been called has been on the lips on many top Republicans in Congress, at state level, and by the former president and his cronies. You'd think that would rank pretty high on the list of investigations for the Republicans who have won a slim majority in the House of Representatives in the mid-term election, which means they will chair the various House committees.We've heard that President Biden and his family (especially his son Hunter) will be investigated, along with the pullout of American troops from Afghanistan, which the Republicans have condemned as a failure, ignoring the fact that the deal to remove our troops from Afghanistan was negotiated during the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. Oops, that one might have to get buried as some point.Additionally, Andy discusses the sketchy history of incoming GOP House Chair of the Oversight Committee and the vast hypocrisy surrounding his stated platform and the reality of his actual life history, as well as the possibility that the Republicans may not have the majority in the House for long. Wishful thinking perhaps, but it's a possibility.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
United Furniture emailed and texted employees late at night two days before Thanksgiving last week telling them to not report to work the following day. Then followed up that with another message advising that employees were being permanently laid off and that COBRA benefits would not be available. But...Happy Thanksgiving! (Not that last part.)Arrow Trucking shut down two days before Christmas in 2009, stranding about 900 drivers thousands of miles from home with no pay and canceled corporate gas credit cards. Employees found out when they couldn't pay for gas that they'd just pumped into their rig ($$$$), or heard about it through the media, on the Internet, or by word of mouth. Merry Christmas! (Not that last part either.)Andy discusses the culture of corporate America, which often treats employees as expendable and not worthy of even common courtesies, much less a livable wage and decent benefits, and why laws regulating businesses are necessary. Oh, and he also discusses a 1967 trip to buy furniture with his grandmother, and manages to fit that story into this topic, kind of.Sorry about that job loss, but Happy Holidays anyway, America!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
If you're reading this, you survived Thanksgiving 2022, despite any right-wing friends and family members who might disagree with your political views. Did you agree to disagree, or did you make a pact to not discuss politics during the holiday?Andy looks back on some of his more memorable Thanksgivings, for various reasons, and reminds us that we can't choose our blood relatives, so perhaps the best gauge of who we really are in life is the people we bring into our lives.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
It's November 22 2022...where were you in '63? Andy recalls one of his earliest memories of where he was, who he was with, and what he was doing when a major world event occurred. Of course, it was the assassination of our 35th President, John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.
It's just Andy's story of his memories on that day as a very small child, and commentary on what the world might have been like had things turned out differently.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Neal Katyal, former Obama administration Acting U.S. Solicitor General said in an interview with PBS News Weekend that the original intent of the special counsel was to address the potential issue of an attorney general who might be reluctant to investigate the person who elevated them to their position in government. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking and we hope Merrick Garland is keeping track of the time, with the knowledge that everything seems to move slower than it should.
Andy discusses the change in GOP priorities since it appears they've barely won the House of Representatives. Before the election, it was all about the economy, inflation, crime, etc., and now all of that is gone and it's about investigating all Democrats, plus Hunter Biden, and cutting off funding for essential government programs and services that Americans depend on. Funny how that happened so suddenly, isn't it? Still no real ideas on making we the people's lives better.
And, sadly, yet another shooting--this time in an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs. It's time America admits we have a gun problem, and it's time to show the bodies of the murder victims on the news and name the Republican Party as being responsible for the continued mass murders in the country.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to handle the investigations and possible prosecutions into the involvement of former president Donald Trump and others in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the mishandling of sensitive documents seized under court order at Trump's winter residence, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach.
Andy discusses what a special counsel is, the scope of the investigation, and the reasons for appointing a special counsel, plus the limits and legal rights of that entity.
Yes, Pence is addressed as are the comments Trump has made about this news, all of which are debunked lies, of course.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The answer? It appears that the GOP is indeed killing its very own voters. A recent working paper indicates that death rates due to COVID-19 are higher for Republicans than Democrats. Could it be right wing media, disbursing irresponsible and unscientific information to its viewers and listeners as well as Republican politicians repeating the same be responsible for the excess deaths over and above the average historical deaths at the time?
This could very well partially explain the absence of the oft-cited "red wave" that failed to develop during the mid-term elections.
Elections have consequences. So does lying to your voters, apparently.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Former President Donald J. Trump has a slew of civil and criminal investigations and charges facing him, and now he's announced he's running for office again, despite being the worst president in history, according to many. Trump has stated his status as a former president offers him protections for his actions while in office, but if that's true (and some say it isn't true), does merely announcing your candidacy offer any protections? Some of these legal theories haven't been tested in court, so it's hard to say how valid they are. No one is above the law in the United States of America, say the experts, but why such a long delay in charging Trump? America saw many of the issues occur live on television, so there's not much to debate as far as Trump's involvement.
Trump's number one tactic is delay, and this announcement of his candidacy does put more pressure on the Department of Justice and Merrick Garland to act quickly--they've already had almost two years but may not have that much time going forward.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Donald Trump is about to become a three-time loser, setting himself up to once again lose the popular vote, which means the majority of the American people don't want him in politics. His announcement speech was long, monotonous, and lines of guests were attempting to leave before it ended, but security wouldn't let them exit. Even Fox News dropped the Trump speech before it was through and continued with regular programming. Seems the right wing propaganda media has fallen out of love with Trump.
We can thank Joe Manchin (DINO-West Virginia) for the Republicans gaining a few seats in the House of Representatives, enough perhaps to win the majority (we're still waiting for results as of the time this was recorded). Manchin held up legislation, pretending to have concerns about how it might impact the people of West Virginia, but really, he was mostly concerned about his personal financial interests and the interests of his wealthy donors over the citizens of his state. The result was the heavily watered down legislation that eventually did pass didn't get to the people of the country in time to impact them personally before the election. Hearing about something and seeing it in effect for yourself are two different things. Thanks, Joe, for the costly delay. I've got to think some of your fellow Democrats in the Senate despise you for your corruption.
Former vice president Mike Pence is not the hero some would want us to believe. He stood by for years and remained silent as he watched Trump break the law, violate protocols, take revenge on career military people who didn't give him the devotion he felt he deserved, and only did the right thing at the very end of the Trump administration, after he saw Trump incite deadly violence on the U.S. Capitol.
Now Pence has a book coming out. Money before country, party before country, and pretend you have integrity and values while you wave The Bible around. That isn't a hero, that's a coward.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
21 polling places in Harris County (Houston area), Texas ran out of paper ballots during the mid-term election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Despite notifying the appropriate party early in the day that the paper delivered was not adequate, at least a dozen polling places turned away legitimate voters who showed up to vote due to the inability to process their ballot without the necessary paper. Most of these polling places with a shortage of paper were located in the city itself, and the (majority white, Republican) suburban areas had adequate supplies. The voting machines require a special thermal paper that cannot be sourced at an office supply store, and supplies were allegedly based on historic turnout, yet long time election clerks say they did not receive the amount that had been delivered in the past. Prior to the election, the polls showed a tight race between Republican incumbent governor Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke. Is it possible something underhanded was going on here? Additionally, Texas students going to school in other states reported issues with absentee ballots, with notifications being mailed out the day AFTER the deadline to respond. It almost seems like the Republicans controlling Texas don't want (some) voters to vote. Something stinks in Texas.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The spelling of the episode title is correct. What is known today as gerrymandering is named after Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry (pronounced "Gary") who would also become a vice president in future years. In March of 1812, the Boston Gazette ran a political cartoon illustrating a new district that had been radically conformed the previous month by the Jeffersonian Republican Party in the state at that time. The result resembled a fork-tongued creature and the name was a combination of the governor's last name and salamander, which the fork-tongued creature illustrated in the cartoon resembled.
So, that's the history of the somewhat underhanded and perhaps frequently unconstitutional process of redistricting in the United States, and in this podcast Andy also discusses some of the dirty deeds the GOP has pulled that are no doubt responsible for the modest success it appears they may have achieved in the recent mid-term elections, which are still being counted in several states as this podcast is being recorded.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
No, this isn't about the Jane Fonda/Jeff Bridges movie from the eighties, nor is it about the song from "The Poseidon Adventure" movie from the seventies. It's a recap of the 2022 mid-term election, where we were told a big red wave was coming...because, well, that's traditionally what happens to the party in the White House during the mid-terms.
Andy discusses the big losers (Florida, Texas, Ohio) and the winners (Pennsylvania, several states codified the right to abortion, marijuana legislation), as well as the reasons for why things probably turned out the way they did.
Neither party had an outstanding night, but it was worse for the Republicans, as traditionally they should have picked up a lot of seats in Congress due solely to the mid-term timing, but they didn't, so if one party really lost its shirt last night it would have to be the Republicans.
And as far as the right's fearless leader: it's pretty apparent to many that he seems to be losing his grip and his support on the cult he created. When narcissists fall, they fall hard.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Facts on the top issues Republicans lie about when they blame Democrats--crime, economy, and taxes.
A few points Michael Moore asked me and others to share before the election.
That's it. Please go vote. If Democrats vote Tuesday, November 8th, we win. WE ALL WIN.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Is the Republican Party the enemy of democracy? It's up to the American people--all of us--to decide. The GOP has taken rights away from women which prevents them from deciding on their own about their health care. Leaders of the Republican Party have endorsed intolerance, violence, and racism. They have also embraced a lie that the 2020 elections were stolen their former president, despite numerous recounts by states and losses in court.
The Republican Party failed to do their duty to provide oversight of the Executive Branch while their former president Donald Trump was in office. They stood by and allowed him to politicize the Justice Department, and although some initially objected to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, they later did an about face and protected Trump and his associates, some of whom were their peers in Congress.
Can we keep this Republic? Benjamin Franklin expressed concern many years ago, and now we are at the edge of the cliff. Do we step back and fight in a non-violent way as so many other Americans have to protect our Constitution and democratic republic? Our ancestors fought so that we could be free and have liberty. Some of them gave their lives for those rights. Are we willing to let that be taken away based on lies, just so one man's ego isn't bruised?
Our country is in peril, and it's coming from within. We must all stand up to the enemy of democracy and remove its enablers from office.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
What's up with the Republicans and their admiration for a man who has eroded democracy in his country over the last decade or so? He did it by changing the laws and avoiding widespread violence in the streets. Republicans admire him as the authoritarian leader he is, and it would seem that's where the Republican Party is headed as well.
We hear socialist, communism, fascism, and authoritarianism tossed around a lot these days, and many of the people pointing fingers at Democrats don't realize their very own party is the one that's trying to take away freedom, liberty, and rights. Like a women's right to choose her own health care, what books you can read, your ability to travel to another state for medical procedures without being charged with a crime and fined and stalked by strangers.
We've seen this before: the distrust of government, hatred of minorities, condemning the media for doing their job when the media still does its job today, tolerance of violence, disrespect, lack of concern for fellow humans and other living things that are in peril.
Is this the America most of us want? I don't believe so, and I don't think most of you do, either. And we're about to find out next week. Vote, VOTE, V O T E !!!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy gives a brief update to the Paul Pelosi attack, and ponders why security at the Pelosi house seems to be less than it should have been, and discusses conspiracy theories that keep popping up and circulating in the media.
A rumor that Trump plans to announce his candidacy for the presidency on November 14th--the same day he's scheduled to appear before the January 6th Select Committee to testify under oath--brings to light the possibility of Trump becoming a "shadow" Speaker of the House if the GOP gains control in this election. If so, is there any chance the next two years won't be filled with investigations and impeachments of everyone Trump feels has wronged him? Think there will be much time spent helping the American people?
Andy points out that the 115th Congress of 2017-2018 was a trifecta for the Republican Party--they held majorities in both Houses of Congress and they also had the White House. Political scientists have described this time as one of modest accomplishments and summed it up as House and Senate GOP majorities struggled to legislate at the time.
Vengeance, revenge, investigations, impeachment, more lies, more conspiracy theories, more corruption, and meanwhile the people of America wonder when the Republican Party is going to remember who it is they work for. Let's remind them on November 8, 2022, America.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The Republicans complain about the economy, high gas prices, the open borders, defunding the police, and Hunter Biden. Yet, they voted against a bill that would have lowered gas prices earlier this year. They also voted against a bill that would have provided additional funding for police departments across the country. Our economy is tied into the worldwide economy, and many countries are experiencing high inflation right now--many of them have much worse inflation than the United States, in fact. To believe that Joe Biden and/or the Democratic Party policies are responsible for this worldwide inflation is ridiculous, and the Republicans smiling at the camera on TV know this. They're deceiving you.
Andy discusses Antifa, what it is and what it isn't (it isn't what the GOP wants you to think it is), and why do the Republicans act like they have no responsibility in any of this? Why do they pretend they are powerless to do anything? They can write legislation to correct some of these issues, but they haven't. Why not? If the American people are so important, why are the Republicans acting as if they can do nothing to help?
Finally, Andy discusses the bleak future ahead if the GOP gains control of Congress--investigating the J6 Committee while ignoring the attack on January 6th, 2021, impeaching Biden, investigating Hunter Biden (who isn't a part of the Biden administration), cutting Social Security and Medicare and rolling out a nationwide ban on abortions, banning contraception, and telling people who they can and cannot marry, just to name a few.
Bleak is an understatement. We can choose bright days ahead or dark ones, depending on the vote. What do you want for America? Vote accordingly.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy briefly discusses election challengers ("vigilantes"), restrictions on poll watchers and rights of voters when they go to the polls. It is illegal for poll watchers to yell at you, approach you, or do anything to intimidate you. Also, what you should take with you in case you are challenged or have an issue--certain documents can help prove your right to vote.
Additionally, a message about the poll rigging that the Republican side is doing. Low quality, right leaning polls have been consolidated in with more reputable polling to make it appear the Democrats are not doing as well as the more reliable polling is indicating, and this has been done to demoralize Democrats into thinking there's no chance we will win, so we might as well just stay home and let the fascist Republicans destroy the country.
And a reminder that the Republicans will likely scream the election has been rigged again when they lose. They don't seem to understand that not all legitimate ballots will be counted on election day, because some states don't even begin to tally mail-in ballots until the day AFTER the election. Not a difficult concept to comprehend, but the GOP seems to be very challenged on this fact.
VOTE! VOTE!! VOTE!!! Protect democracy and send a clear message to the fascist right wing that we won't accept their terrorism and lies.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy talks about stochastic terrorism and the impact it has had on our politics today, along with examples of the abusive rhetoric that's been directed at Nancy Pelosi by the right over the years.
Andy also points out that the Republicans complain about the economy, but have not brought legislation to the floor to address inflation. Where is their plan to fix the economy?
The Republicans complain about crime. Where is their legislation to address this issue?
They complain but do nothing. Their job is to address these issues, so they very clearly are not doing what they're paid to do. Americans are not paying them to spread lies and disinformation, promote conspiracy theories, and spread fear. But that's mostly what the Republicans have done recently. And their lack of accomplishments hurts their Republican constituents as well. Republicans in Congress and at the state level are taking care of themselves and their wealthy donors only.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
It's the economy, stupid! Right? So who are you going to trust to make things better FOR YOU? The Republicans protect their wealthy Corporate America donors, and the millionaires and billionaires who've amassed huge sums of money under GOP policies since the Reagan era, but how about you? If the economy is hurting you right now, you should know that corporations and the wealthy aren't sharing the pain with you--at all.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discussed the obscenity of spending $9.4 BILLION on the mid-term campaigns to date, the Pelosi break-in with additional details of that night, charges filed against the intruder, and comments made by the District Attorney of San Francisco, as well as a reminder of the Republican House members voting record for the 2021-2022 session, and how it has not helped but has actually hurt most Americans.
The Republican Party: protect the wealthy, do nothing for the everyone else except make them fearful and angry.
Vote on Tuesday, November 8th for democracy, which means you don't vote for a Republican.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
You know who I'm talking about without mentioning a name. The intolerance, racism, bigotry, hatred, and related violence are not normal. All of this is unacceptable in a functional society. It's sad that someone who is supposed to set the example for the good of all actually lowers the level of acceptable behavior in some people's eyes by their very actions and rhetoric.
In this podcast, Andy discusses the attack at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco residence against her 82 year old husband, Paul Pelosi. Updates with the lastest information and exposing the most recent right wing lies about the incident are included as of Monday afternoon, October 31, 2022. Andy also provides some examples that prove 45 is responsible for much of the distrust, hatred, and violence in the country today.
Apologies for the length of this podcast. Vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Think it's a great idea to let Vladimir Putin buy ads to influence the vote in the United States? How about Saudi Arabia royalty? Or the Supreme Leader of Iran? Do you agree with their values? There are 34 Senate seats up for regular election in 2022, and of those, 20 are held by Republicans. So how insane is it that more than $1.6 billion has been spent or has been booked on advertising for a dozen Senate races, all of them benefiting Republicans? Are you OK with millionaires and billionaires deciding our elections? That's exactly what's happening. Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada and Ohio are the six states being targeted, with $3 out of every $4 being spent in those states going toward ensuring the Republican wins.
As Americans, that should concern us. And what's also very concerning is that the Republicans are the ones the dark money seems to favor. Is that because they cater to the wealthy and big business, even if it hurts their voters? Yes, that's true. 86% of the advertising for Republicans or their causes is coming from outside, dark money groups. And were it not for this dark money, the Republicans would be drowned out by ads for Democrats, which mostly are paid for by individual donors. These outside groups have very little, if any, transparency so it's impossible to know who is footing the bill to get Republicans elected. All Americans should be concerned that foreign, likely adversarial governments, may be influencing our elections by throwing huge sums of money at advertising, much of which is misleading if not an outright lie.
Vote on November 8th, 2022--and vote for Democracy and not for the billionaires who want more, more, more.
Update: The article referred to in this episode written by Domenico Montanaro was on NPR. (Dark money groups have spent nearly $1 billion so far to boost GOP Senate candidates : NPR)
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
When it comes to the economy, the Republican Party is a one trick pony: cut federal spending that helps people survive, cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans, cut taxes for corporations, and reduce regulations that protect the environment and American people from corporate abuse. That's it.
The GOP implemented this by promoting an aging actor who would convince Americans that he and his party had the answers to their problems, and those answers were that government is the problem, and Americans should not depend on government to solve their problems.
The bottom line: Republicans don't care about YOU, except when it's time for your vote. Their voting history going back decades has not benefitted the middle class, which has been shrinking since the Reagan years. The majority of young adults are now living at home with their parents, instead of out on their own building a future. Republican policies are responsible for this. The very wealthy at the top have done insanely well due to those same Republican policies, and they spend their ill-earned money to make sure they keep most of it, while you foot the bills for the country.
Are you tired of paying high prices for gas? Did you know that American oil companies are exporting 29% of the oil they've pumped and refined here in America? Think that might cause the price you pay at the pump to be higher? You better believe it! And Republicans FOUGHT banning exports, saying it would be bad for the economy and for you. This was in July, just over two months ago, when prices at the pump were high. In truth, it would have been bad for the rich oil companies and the shareholders of those companies, America's wealthiest individuals.
Stop voting against your own best interests, America. The hate and intolerance must end.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Be afraid, America--be very, very afraid. But don't show fear, show anger. Blame everyone who isn't white, male, straight, and Christian for all of the problems in the country. Believe the GOP when they tell you they're going to take steps to fix the economy (by cutting federal spending...which means YOUR Social Security and Medicare, because it's your money, it's not a government hand out).
Believe the Republicans when they say they're going to protect your personal freedom but ignore the fact that they're busy passing legislation taking women's health care choices away from women, and they plan to eliminate the ability to use birth control for everyone and tell you who you can and cannot marry.
Do not question the Republicans when they promise to address the serious crime that's running rampant in our streets, while they also pass laws that make it easier for criminals to legally own guns. Ignore the gun violence, as it's the price we all must pay for freedom.
Yes, America, believe the GOP's Commitment to America and ignore the fact that most Republicans have voted against everything they've promised to do for you in that worthless document.
Vote them out on November 8, 2022. They do not have your best interests at heart.*
*Millionaires, billionaires, and corporate America excluded.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The Republicans in the House of Representatives have released their Commitment to America plan and it sure sounds like rainbows, lollipops, and bubblegum at first glance, but when compared to what they've done in the past, and what they've said they're going to do if they take over one of the House of Representatives in Congress, it's a SHAM.
They promise to address the economy, personal freedom, crime, and political accountability. These are all things they've ignored in recent history, and by their very words and actions have no intention of doing. They plan to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, tax veteran's benefits, raise the Social Security retirement age to 75 and guess what? You time out at 90! Yep, if you make it to 90 yer outta (spelling intentional) luck with any further benefits. Pro-life indeed.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
(Continued from Episode 18)
This is based on a true event that happened to Andy in a big, old mansion that was recently awakened from a long slumber and restored back to its original glory. The house wasn't in a desolate location, it was situated in the heart of the city on a bright, sunny, mid-October afternoon, which isn't exactly the ideal setting for a suspense story, but that was the setting. Many years later, Andy still has no logical explanation for what happened, and suggestions made over the years as the story has been told to others have turned up few suggestions as to what could have happened.
Perhaps you will think of something no one else has thought of and provide a logical explanation for this perpetual mystery.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The setting: An old, abandoned mansion on a corner lot in a major city. Built in the late 1920s by a doctor as his personal home, it had been a rental for a time, but despite being in good condition overall, it was in serious need of cosmetic updates and refinishing. It sat empty, year after year, with only the yard being minimally maintained. Houses are not living things, but they do tend to decline faster when they aren't being occupied, and this one hadn't been occupied in years. At least...not by anything of this world. In recognition of Halloween, this is a true story experienced by Andy when he was 20 years old. One that he's never forgotten and cannot explain, despite years of pondering exactly what happened in that house one October afternoon.
This is Part 1 of 2 (Part 2 will be Episode 19).
Note: The term I was searching for in this episode but couldn't remember was weathervane. I think I need more sleep. :)
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Halloween is almost here, and The Republican Party is up to its same old tricks-- the GOP wants Americans to be afraid. They want Americans to fear everyone who's not just like them. The GOP wants you to believe that they are the party of law and order, and that the Democrats are soft on crime. The facts, however, are not on the GOP's side. Red states often have the highest levels of crime, and Republican governors and legislators are busy passing laws that make it more likely their states will remain at the top of the list when it comes to crime.
Common sense says you cannot hand out guns like you would Bingo cards at a church social and expect lower crime rates. We have an epidemic of gun crime in the country right now, and it's not due to the liberal left being soft on crime: it's because the Republicans care about their own careers and satisfying their donors than they do about the welfare of the citizens--which is why the majority of Republicans are voting against everything that would help Americans live their lives without the worries of poverty, illness, debt, and crime.
You do not have freedom if you live in fear.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Oil is now controlling the world and is the new God, in case you've missed it. Corporations are in charge, and they are telling their politicians what they want them to do, and as a constituent, your voice no longer matters. You disagree? Well, polling shows the majority of Americans want legal abortions to be available to women, they want lower prescription drug prices on all drugs, an increase in the minimum wage, reasonable gun laws, equality for women, the right to vote protected, and a bunch of other things that politicians haven't given us.
Andy discusses the 1975 legislation that placed restrictions on most exports of American petroleum products to foreign countries, in response to the Arab oil embargo of 1973, and the 2015 legislation that eliminated most of those restrictions--with a couple of caveats. It seems President Biden can use his executive powers to restrict exports of American oil to foreign countries if he deems that country to be a state sponsor of terrorism, if the national interests require such a limitation, that a national emergency exists, or that the export of crude oil is having adverse economic consequences in the United States. Seems to be a good fit for the current situation, don't you think?
Andy also looks at the craziness of Qanon and their core beliefs, and the insanity of some Republican candidates running for top offices in the land--you've heard the one about litter boxes in schools for children who self-identify as animals, right? This is today's Rupublican Party.
Finally, a reminder that voting is on November 8, 2022, and you have a choice of voting for democracy (Democrats) or authoritarianism and fascism (Republicans). If you like giving more money and power to the wealthy and corporations, keeping women subservient to men, being lied to repeatedly by your elected officials, and having your legal, legitimate vote tossed out because someone in your state doesn't like the way you voted, vote for Republicans.
And another excuse for Andy's absence from podcasts during the entire month of September.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
What dirt does Trump have on politicians in the Republican Trump Cult Party? Why do some Americans not engage and investigate people before they vote them into office? Have you noticed how some senior GOPers in Congress have changed their tune about the Fake King Trump since he announced his candidacy in 2015? Andy dives into Fake Kings, hypocrisy, and shares details about his mom's 1967 living room decor.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Yes, it's been a while (insert excuse that sounds good here...LOL). Feeling anxious? Angry? Stressed? Unsure of the future? Other than death and taxes (except billionaires), change is the only thing in life that we can count on. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but we can always count on change. After the lollipops and rainbows, Andy discusses what the heck is going on with the cult on the right. And there's a promise of another podcast in the coming week, which surely brings joy to your day. HA HA
CORRECTION: Andy incorrectly stated in this episode that Jared Kushner received $200 billion from Saudi Arabia's Sovereign Wealth Fund. This is incorrect. The amount was $2 billion. But...Hunter Biden...right? Our apologies for this error.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said that the constitution means nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom. We've heard a lot of citizens declaring they want their freedom to make choices about vaccines and wearing masks but are apparently OK to allow the government to tell women what they must do if they get pregnant.
One big contradiction is the court ruling that states shouldn't make laws regulating guns, but it's open season on women's health. And disregard the changes in climate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) really can't regulate emissions for power plants, that should be left up to Congress, which is busy half of the time campaigning and fund raising. Literally.
Miranda rights? Oh, no big deal if a law enforcement officer forgets to tell a suspect that they have the right to remain silent or have an attorney present. Suspects can't sue the officer for damages now.
Separation of church and state? Are you kidding? Where did you hear that?
This U.S. Supreme Court has been labeled as a conservative court, but recent rulings have shown they are far from conservative--they are a radical court prepared to force their personal beliefs on the country. In short, legislating from the bench.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
A quick update to the previous episode discussing presidential pardons. Opposing views are always important when they come from a respected political and legal source, and after publishing episode 11, I heard a great point on another podcast, and did some additional research which I wanted to share with you in a timely manner.
Recorded and published on June 19, 2022--Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all of the dads, who will always hold a special place in our hearts!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon? How about a commutation? Federal Andy talks about the Presidential power of pardoning, how it has been used in the past, restrictions and limitations of this power, and discusses recent events where pardons have been offered and accepted, offered and refused, or perhaps secretly given and accepted, which are called "pocket pardons".
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
During the process of recording over and over the story told in episodes 8 and 9, rerecording it again, and editing, I left out a detail or two that had been in the original recording. I've also had a couple of questions from listeners (thank you!) to answer.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
[EDITED VERSION with details removed] The story of a young lady who was enjoying her life, had a successful career, and by all appearances had a sky's the limit future ahead of her, until one night in a parking garage of a high-rise office building, she heard a noise behind her. From that point on, nothing would ever be the same again, but in an odd way it opened the door to a life that wasn't what she intended, but was happy, loving, and fulfilling. Was it because of the dark night that almost ended her life, that she was redirected down a different path? Or was it because she was able to make a choice about her own life?
Explicit warning is due to sensitive subject matter, not language. Topics include a brutal attack, rape by multiple men, abortion, and thoughts of suicide. The good news? There's a happy ending.
There are better days ahead. Please ask for help if you are feeling depressed and/or need to talk to someone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, it's staffed 24/7 by people who understand and want to help you.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
TRIGGER WARNING! The story of a young lady who was enjoying her life, had a successful career, and by all appearances had a sky's the limit future ahead of her, until one night in a parking garage of a high-rise office building, she heard a noise behind her. From that point on, nothing would ever be the same again, but in an odd way it opened the door to a life that wasn't what she intended, but was happy, loving, and fulfilling. Was it because of the dark night that almost ended her life, that she was redirected down a different path? Or was it because she was able to make a choice about her own life?
Explicit warning is due to sensitive subject matter, not language. Topics include a brutal attack, rape by multiple men, abortion, and thoughts of suicide. The good news? There's a happy ending.
There are better days ahead. Please ask for help if you are feeling depressed and/or need to talk to someone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, it's staffed 24/7 by people who understand and want to help you.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy's unscripted rant about two of today's biggest topics: abortion and guns, and an explanation as to why he hasn't published any episodes for the past few weeks. (More episodes coming soon!)
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
With this week's revelation in Supreme Court Justice Alito's draft opinion on abortion that was leaked to the press, it's apparent that legal abortion in the United States may be coming to an end. This possibility opens up a slew of new problems and issues that cannot be ignored and endangers other rights that most Americans enjoy and approve of. Once we allow rights to be taken away from us, it will set a precedent and make it easier for more rights to be taken away in the future. Eventually, they'll get around to taking away a right that you enjoy, so the time to get involved is now, not later.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Did you know that some corporations actually have a negative tax rate? Did you know that billions of dollars in cash was flown into Iraq and just disappeared? Did you know that historically, recessions often follow large tax cuts? Yet taxpayers are told we can't afford to provide health care for everyone, raise the minimum wage, or pay off student loans to help young adults get off on solid footing in their careers?
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Is it socialism or fascism? Do we have a democracy or a republic? Is a monarch just a butterfly? The answers to these questions and more are in this podcast!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Oaths of office exist for a reason, so why are so many public servants blatantly violating their oaths? What are the penalties for violation? And whatever happened to respect and responsibility and sanity in Congress?
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses subsidies to oil companies, how much they spend on lobbying, and ponders how profits increase when demand for their product decreases.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message
Andy discusses the Supreme Court decisions over the years that have allowed money to invade and corrupt the political process in our country.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/federal-andy/message