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General Strike

Hi Krystal and Saager, We've been hearing tons of news on the massive strikes in other parts of the world from many lefty independent news sources. There's always a hint at how powerful a general strike would be in this country. However, the hosts never discuss why it would be next to impossible for most Americans. Most Americans do not have PTO, paid sick leave, or even paid vacation time. Not to mention, healthcare is directly connected and controlled by the employers. I really believe these are features of the system and not bugs. With the very small amount of unions in this country, who, would absolutely have to lead the charge of a general strike and the fear others, who are not protected by unions, that they may loose their jobs, or can't afford to take time off, how can we ever overcome these obstacles and rise up against injustice? I keep hearing that a majority of the country is progressive when it comes to minimum wage, sensible gun legislation, and M4A, and I believe that's true. However, we never see what the majority of the country wants reflected in legislation. We only see what the donors want. Given the above aforementioned seemingly impossible hurdles, what would a general strike actually look like and how do we go about starting one?

Israel Debate

Hi Krystal & Saagar - Long time fan and premium subscriber have followed your 'rise' from the Rising days. This has been asked in previous AMA but seems pertinent to bring up again. It would be great to have an alternative view on the Israel/Palestinian debate as many of your guests are coming at it from the same angle (Parsi, Beinhart, Halper, etc). There are many thoughtful folks that would be great guests to bring on in regards to this and I think we would all learn a bit to hear the other side. Michael Moynihan, Eli Lake, Bill Maher! all come to mind. Thanks, -Steve

Addition to General Strike Q

I posted earlier about a general strike conversation. What I was trying to summarize was that no one is talking about why Americans don't strike and why people in other countries are able to raise hell by the millions. I think there needs to be more discussion on the reasons Americans are so beaten done and financially unable to strike and the reasons people in other countries are able to. I really think that most Americans do not realize that other countries have laws guaranteeing PTO, sick leave, a living wage and other employment protections not to mention they have national health care so aren't as terrified of loosing their job and their healthcare in the event an employer were to retaliate. I think once people could connect the dots they might be more likely to rise up. I think we need more discussion about the features in our systems that are deliberately there to oppress us and keep us on the hamster wheel. Also, really curious as to what a general strike would look like because frankly I'm disgusted and ready for change.

Breaking Points Hypocritical Outlook On Israel

On one hand you call the extreme right, or orthodox Jews in Israel as fascist due to wanting expulsion of Arabs, yet you don't hold Arabs to the same light. An overwhelming majority of the Arabs don't want peace with Jews either, they want Jewish expulsion and are equally fascist. Why don't you ever consider this on your show?

The case for cash

Krystal and Saagar, I know Saagar hates cash, but he's wrong. You once name-dropped cash as an excellent currency for allowing food service workers to avoid taxes on tips. Besides that, it also has other advantages: - It's by far the best currency for ensuring privacy - It still works during power and communications outages - It prevents big corporate profit on transaction fees - It's more available to less wealthy classes Cash took a hard hit during COVID; many businesses started refusing it and haven't looked back. I have multiple times had my cash rejected at larger performance and sports venues (which I no longer patronize), and when paying the checked baggage fees at airports. A "Payment Choice Act" (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4395/text) pushed by a "Consumer Action" group is floating through congress that would mandate that at least some businesses accept cash. Could you do a segment on if cash should and will survive? ABC Chicago wrote a decent article on the topic here -> https://abc7chicago.com/payment-choice-act-cash-cashless-credit-card-only/12444148/