Jason vents the spectacle that was the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson--the fight no one asked for!

Get the book, "Who Owns Democracy" here: https://a.co/d/5CG9bAF

Who Owns Democracy: The Real Deep State and the Struggle Over Caste and Class in America

In this episode, we examine the return of Donald Trump, now re-elected after his 2020 defeat, with his presidency poised as a mission of Charles Bronson like retribution. Campaigning on dismantling the so-called “deep state,” Trump has presented himself as a champion of the people, railing against a corrupt elite while being a member of that very elite. 

To unravel these contradictions, we delve into the concept of the "deep state" and explore its historical and structural implications. How does Trump’s rhetoric weaponize popular discontent while deflecting from the deeper systemic issues? And what does the "deep state" actually entail beyond the political buzzword it has become? 

Joining us today are professors Charles Derber and Yale Magrass, co-authors of the groundbreaking book, *Who Owns Democracy: The Real Deep State and the Struggle of Caste and Class in America*. The book explores the interplay of caste, class, and power in shaping America’s political and economic systems, revealing how the true deep state extends far beyond partisan politics

Get Matt's book here: https://a.co/d/6wjTY0c

Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop

Jason breaks down the faux outrage of text telling African Americans to report for Slavery after Trump's electoral victory. Then Jason along with the audience examine nuisance streamers; what is their end game? Lastly, we check out the hot new song by viral hip hop sensation, Lil Fuckhead, "Eatin' All tha Butt". Enjoy. 

Listen to the 1982 Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/04wj895QLuRqidJYCPIOaj?si=ynwWIGIxTC-eEoOkibegBA

In this episode, we dive into the pivotal year of 1982, a watershed moment that saw heavy music break away from the “dinosaur” rock of the '70s and launch into new, dynamic subgenres. This year gave birth to two powerful yet opposing forces in metal: the raw, uncompromising sound of thrash and the glammed-up spectacle of hair metal. We explore how both genres became symbolic of a larger cultural and economic shift, with thrash embodying an anti-establishment ethos while hair metal captured mainstream attention with its flashy, accessible style.

However, as capitalist production infiltrated these new genres, the revolutionary spirit that first defined them was soon diluted. Record labels and media, quick to capitalize on the trend, churned out copycats and polished away the edge, reducing genuine rebellion to commodified rebellion. This episode discusses how, despite the initial burst of creativity and defiance, the rapid commercialization of both thrash and hair metal ultimately diminished their potential for lasting cultural impact, leaving us to question: can music remain revolutionary within a capitalist framework?

Check out our new bi-weekly series, "The Crisis Papers" here: https://www.patreon.com/bitterlakepresents/shop

As political attention pivots towards the potential return of Donald Trump, the deeper and more pervasive economic reality of bipartisan austerity persists for most working Americans. Our guest today, Clara Mattei, argues that austerity’s fundamental purpose is not merely economic constraint but an assault on labor itself, embedding a “capitalist realist” resignation into our collective consciousness. In her recent article for Jacobin Magazine, Mattei writes, “When the US state, like most states, increases military spending or rescues banks while simultaneously cutting spending on health care, education, transportation, public housing, or unemployment benefits, it structurally transfers resources from the working majority to the 1 percent of the population that subsists mainly off capital ownership (i.e., stock dividends, rents, and interest).” This reveals austerity as a project not of restraint, but rather a reallocation of resources “in favor of the economic and financial elite and to the detriment of the majority of the population.” As we navigate a landscape where many struggle to afford medical care, are forced to send children to overcrowded, underfunded schools, and endure bureaucracy’s inefficiencies, defense and corporate profits continue to soar. In light of the election results, will we see new tax breaks for the 1% thinly veiled as fiscal “belt-tightening” while the public funds genocidal wars? Can we the people understand how this all functions and begin to organize to push back? 

Well, I don’t have the answers to these questions, but maybe our guest today can help to get us on the right track, please welcome Clara Mattei!