009 - Gerrymandering (& class conflict), Thomas and Joel's top five Congressional grifts pt. 1

Working independently, we each came up with five major problems related to the Congressional branch of the government. In this episode we discuss "Gerrymandering," what it is, how it affects you, and to a very limited extent what sort of things might be done about it.

Thomas & Joel's top 5:

I. Gerrymandering

II. Term limits, "auto-filibuster"

III. Insider trading, PAYGO

IV. "Nepo-reps," no-tax-increase pledges

V. Weakness, tax complexity ratchet

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An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.

[licensing]
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Intro, edits in volume only
Skimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg

Outro, edits in volume only
Claude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flac
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac

Transitional sound effects, heavily distorted
Robin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaid
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg