Unpacked: Ideas Behind the Issues

4th of July Special - What's So Special About The Declaration of Independence

Unpacked: Ideas Behind the Issues. In this special 4th of July video podcast, Josh and Howard discuss what's so special about the Declaration of Independence. Hint: It was a historic document, radical in every way. Happy 4th, everyone! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XWb1vJOiVE4?si=s_8Q1QRVBC3PaBNz [https://youtu.be/XWb1vJOiVE4?si=s_8Q1QRVBC3PaBNz] Email: Info@UnpackedPodcast.com

The State of Social Discourse

Is the term “truth” divorced from the work “fact?” The flow and free exchange of ideas is the key to a successful society. If you think politics are less polite today than 200 years ago, think again. “Fake news” is as old as civilization. The plethora of news and commentary sources are causing a fragmentation in society. Gone are the days where the big three networks espoused a broad point of view. With so much media, each source caters to a specific audience, a particular point of view, with little overlap. Is this why our country is more polarized than ever? Recorded: March 13, 2022 Email: Info@UnpackedPodcast.com [Info@UnpackedPodcast.com]

Regulation: What is the proper role of government in our lives?

The pros and cons of government regulation. What is the proper role of government in our lives? If there is a problem, is the solution government, or should government power be exercised as little as possible? What happens when government puts its thumb on the scale of the free market? How can regulations hurt and disincentivize people and companies? What is the definition of “fair?” An eye-opening, possibly infuriating, but always fascinating, conversation. Recorded: March 6, 2022 Email: Info@UnpackedPodcast.com [Info@UnpackedPodcast.com]

The Second Amendment: Facts, Not Emotions

The media focuses on certain hair-trigger go-to bullet points (no pun intended) when discussing the very polarizing issue of gun rights. Let's zoom out and understand the context for the Second Amendment, as well as the issues we face today in the 21st century, as opposed to 200+ years ago when the Amendment was written. No matter which side of the issue you're on, this episode should interest you! “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson (1 hour) Email: Info@UnpackedPodcast.com [Info@UnpackedPodcast.com]

Zooming Out: The Why and How of the Structure of US Law

The ideas behind what we know as "US Law" Let's "zoom out" and understand how and why the founding fathers structured our system of laws the way they did. To do this, we'll look at history, context, intent and application -- always keeping the central questions in mind. "Democracy is four wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." - Ambrose Bierce "Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death." -- James Madison "The experience of all former ages had shown that of all human governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and short-lived." -- John Quincy Adams "The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite." -- Thomas Jefferson "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." -- John Adams "Government is best which governs least." -- Thomas Paine "The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." -- Edward Abbey ...and, from across the pond: "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." -- Winston Churchill "Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place." -- Frederic Bastiat [https://www.azquotes.com/author/1031-Frederic_Bastiat] Email: Info@UnpackedPodcast.com [Info@UnpackedPodcast.com]