Episode #24
Episode 67 | Democrats Lie. Republicans Lie. Numbers Don’t.
Rich and Kevin continue their conversation about higher education by examining the double standard between HBCUs and predominantly white institutions when scandal, underfunding, and institutional failures make headlines. From there, the gentlemen widen the conversation to the changing definition of America's working class, the rise of the gig economy, and why political parties must build stronger infrastructure to understand and actually deliver for the voters they claim to represent. 08:49 – HBCUs, PWIs & the Institutional Double Standard Rich and Kevin compare the scrutiny HBCUs receive with the treatment of predominantly white institutions when serious controversies arise. They argue that HBCUs are often judged institutionally for problems rooted in underfunding and neglect, while wealthier schools are more likely to survive major scandals without their entire institution being defined by them. 19:07 – Elections Aren't Enough: Build the Infrastructure With the midterms approaching, the conversation shifts to political infrastructure. Kevin argues that lasting political power requires more than finding the next charismatic presidential candidate—it requires building a pipeline of candidates, organizers, policy experts, state-level leaders, and institutions capable of producing results long after Election Day. 26:09 – Who Is the Working Class in 2026? Rich traces how America's working class has evolved from the manufacturing and union workforce of previous generations to today's service workers, delivery drivers, home healthcare workers, gig workers, and remote employees. The guys challenge the traditional political image of the working class and ask whether either party truly understands who fits that definition today. 41:14 – The Politics of Perception The guys examine how political messaging can distort the reality of the modern working class, including the controversial “Brad” ad and the stereotypes surrounding government assistance. They argue that successful political messaging begins with understanding how working-class Americans actually live, work, and see themselves—not relying on outdated cultural stereotypes. 47:02 – What Does the Working Class Actually Want? Using Angie Nixon and the rise of DSA as a jumping-off point, Rich and Kevin explore the ideological fight over how aggressively government should respond to working-class economic pressure. Their conclusion goes beyond labels like moderate, progressive, or socialist: voters want tangible solutions, sustained investment, and political leaders who understand that economic pain cuts across race, geography, and traditional party factions. Mamba Mentality Award The WNBA & Black and Brown Women Doing the Work Rich gives his Mamba Mentality Award to the WNBA , celebrating the league's growth, its players' push for better compensation, and the continued rise of women's basketball. Kevin expands the Mamba moment to the people doing the difficult work of creating political change, with special recognition for Angie Nixon and Black and brown women candidates and leaders who continue showing up despite intense criticism and political headwinds. For Kevin, their willingness to keep pushing even when challenging their own party or making people uncomfortable is exactly what meaningful change looks like.
