The Far Middle episode 77 celebrates two of the NHL’s greatest defensemen, number 77’s Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque. Nick reflects on how Coffey set new norms for the position and Bourque epitomized the position over a long career as an elder statesman.

Coffey and Bourque paid their dues over their Hall-of-Fame careers, unfortunately, the same can’t be said of today’s mass transit riders. Nick transitions to discussing major public transportation networks not enforcing fare collection and spending taxpayer dollars without concern over their rate of return. Nick highlights fare evasion in D.C. and the impact on the transit system’s finances.

Alongside broken public transportation, there’s a host of issues American cities are dealing with, but their fiscal coffers aren’t one of them as the federal stimulus spigot has been wide open since 2020. However, things are changing as state governments spend more while tax revenue begins declining and interest payments start increasing. At the same time, high earners are leaving high-tax states for lower-tax states, which will inevitably impact state and local government tax revenue.

The lack of leadership in public transit and government fiscal discipline pales in comparison to the Vatican’s vacant leadership. Nick next comments on Pope Francis’ focus on matters that have nothing to do with Catholic doctrine while he ignores crises where his support could have huge differences—one example is the imprisonment of 90-year-old Catholic Cardinal Zen in China. Listen as Nick explains why Pope Francis is turning a deaf ear to Cardinal Zen’s imprisonment, and read more analysis on Pope Francis in Nick’s papal profile in Precipice.

Next, Nick examines the front-page headlines of one recent day’s paper; headlines that when packaged together sum up the climate policy scheme.

In closing, Nick notes that he’s a big believer in the freedom of the press and only asks for a modest level of integrity and rigor. He concludes with a few truly mean comments that were made about prior presidents, spanning FDR to Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama.

The Far Middle episode 76 pays homage to two great sports achievements from 1976: Anthony Dorsett’s Heisman Trophy-winning season, and the gold-medal performance of America’s boxing team at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

After recounting the monster accomplishments of Dorsett, and boxers Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael and Leon Spinks, Leo Randolph, and Howard Davis Jr., Nick transitions to discussing the monster accumulation of America’s national debt. “Our debt exceeded $31 trillion this fall, placing it at 125% of GDP, that’s a level we haven’t seen since World War II,” says Nick.

America’s interest on its national debt is running at about $90 billion/month, or more than a trillion dollars annually. As the Fed continues to raise rates, interest costs will only increase. And add to that America’s growing debt, and we’re living in a double-whammy world.

Inflation is also worsening America’s debt, to which Nick examines food price inflation and how energy policy resulting in energy scarcity correlates with increased food prices. So, what are governments doing to address the mess they created when it comes to energy and climate policies? In the case of Germany, they’re panicking and looking to address their problems with more state intervention—something many other countries and governments are doing.

Nick transitions to UK tax policy, followed by the criticism of the World Bank head for his comments at a UN climate event. “Be careful for goodness sake when you’re speaking in public about science these days…stay in the herd,” says Nick before switching gears to commentary on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Nick calls out the provision in the IRA of $60 billion going toward environmental justice, which is twice the annual budget of the entire Department of Justice.

Next up is the academic complex, with Nick looking at collections from the 1.4% endowment tax juxtaposed to college loan forgiveness. And if you think things at colleges are bad, look at what’s happening in K-12 education, using Illinois as an example.

Nick wraps by highlighting six epic rock albums released in 1976 and connecting their titles to this week’s topics.

As The Far Middle reaches episode 75, the milestone installment is appropriately dedicated to the greatest Pittsburgh Steeler of all time, “Mean” Joe Greene. The four-time Super Bowl champ is one of the four faces on Nick’s Mount Rushmore of Pittsburgh sports Hall of Famers, which includes prior Far Middle dedications Mario Lemieux in episode 66 and Roberto Clemente in episode 21. Who’s the fourth face? That’s where things get interesting.

While no one would ever call Greene soft, the same can’t be said for today’s American work ethic, and the numbers don’t lie. Nick proceeds to discuss attitudes to work and explains the far-reaching ramifications if America’s declining labor participation continues.

Another subject on the decline is America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which the Biden administration has drawn down to its lowest level since 1984. And as the president seems to be putting political gain ahead of America’s vital interest with SPR drawdowns, Nick addresses billionaire Michael Bloomberg taking similarly destructible action. Specifically, Bloomberg announcing $85 million to stop petrochemical projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—thereby destroying opportunities for doers.

While Bloomberg attempts to be a barrier to an expanded middle class, you may not have heard the latest from the Australian Institute for Marine Science who report the Great Barrier Reef is enjoying record levels of coral cover. If you missed this, it’s because no one told you, as it doesn’t serve the code red for humanity storyline, explains Nick.

Next, Nick looks at China’s recent coal investments and increasing CO2 emissions. Adding insult to injury, Nick notes that much of China’s coal-fired power and coal mine additions will be used to power its factories and facilities to extract, refine, or make the various feedstocks and components for wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles that the West is mandating.

Shifting from Chinese energy policy, Nick returns to a recurring Far Middle topic: California energy policy. Nick explores a few of the 40 climate bills signed by Governor Newsom this past September.

Nick proceeds to look back on America’s Declaration of Independence and points of contention with King George III, points that sadly mirror issues Americans face today with their own government. And in closing, Nick examines the $80 billion headed to the Internal Revenue Service from the Inflation Reduction Act. This brings to mind the great Johnny Cash song “After Taxes,” recorded on the album I Would Like to See You Again—released in 1978, the year “Mean” Joe Greene and the Steelers would go 14-2 and on to win Super Bowl XIII.

The Far Middle episode 74 is dedicated to four notable events from the 1974 Major League Baseball season, specifically three great achievements and one infamous beer night in Cleveland.

While baseball celebrated many milestones in 1974, America at large was struggling with horrible inflation and energy crises, situations we’re seeing repeated today. While most Americans recognize what’s going on, our elected leaders unfortunately do not. After noting skyrocketing costs in the U.S., Nick says we should count our blessings we’re not facing the inflation and energy insecurity that Europe is. The state of energy instability and unreliability in Europe today is evidence that the elite and their policies have now been exposed across continents.

Transitioning from EU ineptitude, Nick looks at another bungling of a big moment by the elite: pandemic management and related draconian shutdowns. Nick then examines New York City’s fiscal health, where Escape from New York is evolving from a fictional big-screen account to real-world reality.

Next, Nick explores whether we, society, are hardwired for destruction, and examines the stages of civilizations laid out by Sir John Glubb in his essay, “The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival.” Discussing America today, Nick observes, “You can’t help but feel we are sitting in one of the final two stages in a terminal decline.”

Nick then pivots to commemorating the teachings and work of Reverend Ike. “Go save yourself and go achieve on your own behalf,” says Nick, referencing Reverend Ike’s philosophy and message.

In closing, Nick wraps with a great Far Middle connection. Circling back to 1974, Reverend Ike, and one of the reverend’s listeners, John Lennon (who incidentally comes in at number three on Nick’s ranking of the Fab Four).

The Far Middle episode 73 is dedicated to one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time, John Hannah. Hannah not only wore number 73, but his Pro Football Hall-of-Fame career began in 1973 when the Patriots selected him fourth overall in that year’s draft. One fellow Hall-of-Famer that would’ve loved to run behind Hannah is Jerome Bettis, which is where Nick begins this episode’s connections.

Moving from teamwork on the field to teamwork in business, Nick discusses the special partnership between his company, CNX, and Jerome and John Bettis. Beginning as a business relationship, today it is one anchored by a focus on making a tangible, local, and impactful difference in their communities. The relationship most recently led to the creation of the “Wifi On Wheels” Cyber Bus.

Staying on the theme of partnerships, Nick examines how partnerships were key to America’s shale revolution and the ongoing economic opportunities natural gas provides, as well as the critical role natural gas plays in foreign policy (topics further discussed in Nick’s essay, “The Premeditated Murder of the Greatest Story Never Told”).

Next, Nick discusses a recent study on ESG investing and the ultimate winners of ESG marketing. He notes there are good, bad, and ugly sides to ESG. Nick pivots from the marketing of ESG to a final segment exploring how names are used in marketing. This includes a look at the use of the umlaut—and who was the first rock group to use it in their name? Listen for the answer!