Far Middle episode 181 arrives the day after the 2024 General Election.

“Election Day is about as American as you can get, and we are in the middle of a great football season, which is another thing that is about as American as you can get,” begins Nick. Accordingly, Nick pays homage to “Captain America,” better known as legendary NFL quarterback Roger Staubach for the installment’s sports dedication.

Recounting Staubach’s impressive career, Nick looks back on his college days at the U.S. Naval Academy, his subsequent service in the Navy, and his success with the Dallas Cowboys. Staubach’s achievements include winning the Heisman Trophy, serving in the Vietnam War, leading the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances and two victories, building a successful real estate business, and much more.

Transitioning from Staubach’s story, Nick begins the episode’s string of connections, starting by spotlighting a recent Government Accountability Office report that estimated $236 billion in improper payments last year. For perspective, Nick notes that figure is more than six times the Department of Justice’s annual budget.

From wasteful spending of federal tax dollars, Nick connects to wasteful spending of state tax dollars in California. The Golden State has spent $24 billion over the last five years to address homelessness. Despite those billions spent, California’s homeless population has grown by roughly 20 percent over the past five years. And further, 30 percent of the nation’s homeless population today is now found in California.

“California’s multi-billion-dollar homelessness industrial complex has had the opposite effect, that of catalyzing an ever-growing population of homeless,” says Nick. “And that homelessness industrial complex, it consists of nine state agencies and more than 30 individual programs. It is massive, complex and expensive. But we can’t say that it’s effective. It may be making the problem worse.”

Next up, the “Fauci Focus” finds a home once again on the Far Middle. The segment returns as Nick calls out testimony from Dr. Fauci where he stated that the 6-foot distancing rule “sort of just appeared.” And Nick also addresses Dr. Fauci’s statements that he didn’t recall any supporting evidence for masking children.

Moving abroad, Nick discusses a case involving Swiss women and the European Court of Human Rights, “yes there is such a thing,” affirms Nick. The court agreed with the women’s claim that Switzerland was a human rights abuser due to inaction on climate change. The case “shows the danger of handing over delegating authority from a sovereign nation to an international or multinational organization like the EU and its kangaroo courts.”

The episode’s connections connect to “a very underrated and underappreciated economist by the name of Vernon L. Smith,” says Nick. Smith is considered the founder of experimental economics. Nick discusses Smith’s views on inflation and printing money to pay government debts, as well as the importance of raising the value of work to help the poor, contrasting with current trends in America.

“The way to raise the value of people’s work is to get government and the bureaucrat out of the way of the private sector,” says Nick. “And the way to deal with budget deficits and government debt is to rein in spending and balance budgets, not to print more money. What worries me and what should worry you is that the trends we’re seeing today in America are in the two opposite directions.”

Returning to the topic of elections, Nick compares recent elections in Mexico and India, and how Western media is misrepresenting the democratic trends in both countries. While Leftist policies proliferate and checks and balances erode in Mexico, India is demonstrating its democratic strength despite its imperfections.

In closing, Nick discusses Leo Tolstoy’s short story “How Much Land Does a Man Need,” using it as a metaphor for the dangers of excessive ambition and greed.

In Far Middle episode 180, Nick highlights a one-of-a-kind baseball brawl from his favorite era, the 1970s, for the installment’s sports dedication.

The incident between Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, pitcher Al Hrabosky, hitter Bill Madlock, and their Cardinals and Cubs teammates in 1974 was a memorable altercation, but also one of which many fans may be unaware. Listen as Nick recounts the wild events that took place in St. Louis just over 50 years ago.

Delving into more serious issues, Nick explains the episode’s theme. He describes it as “standards and rule of law, meeting those standards – or falling short – getting rule of law right or getting it wrong, and then second chances to get things back on course.”

With that synopsis, Nick begins a critique of the Secret Service, highlighting several recent failures and historical lapses in security protocols. Drawing parallels between these failures and broader governance issues, Nick questions the influence of unelected individuals like First Lady Jill Biden on executive decisions. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to constitutional norms and protocols for succession of power.

Nick stresses that he has no opposition to the important role of first ladies or first gentlemen, but rather highlights that they are not elected by the voters to be or to act as president.

“If the president is unable to perform the duty of office, there are pretty clear protocols in place that lay out what needs to be done in the interim until another election,” says Nick. “It doesn’t say in any of those protocols that first lady or first gentleman assumes the responsibilities of their elected spouse.”

Connecting from the rules relating to the succession of power in the executive branch, Nick then discusses the rules pertaining to America’s legal system and warns of the dangers of lawfare.

Nick calls for a consistent legal system based on established rules that apply universally and are clearly defined. He criticizes the Chevron deference, which granted excessive power to bureaucrats, and praises its recent overturn by the Supreme Court in the Loper-Bright decision, providing a return to constitutional balance among the branches of government and “a return to sound government and rule of law.”

In closing, Nick recounts Ricky Nelson’s career transformation from a teen idol to a country-rock artist. He discusses Nelson’s hit song “Garden Party,” inspired by an incident at Madison Square Garden where Nelson was booed for playing new material instead of his old hits. The song’s lyrics reflect Nelson’s realization about staying true to oneself despite public opinion.

Far Middle episode 179 honors the one and only Chuck Bednarik. Not only does Bednarik join a long list of football legends celebrated on the Far Middle, but he joins a distinguished class of Far Middle sports legends who also served in our military, such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, and Pat Tillman.

Nick looks back on “Concrete Charlie’s” Depression-era childhood in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, his service as a B-24 bomber gunner in World War II, and his subsequent rise as a dual-threat college football player at the University of Pennsylvania.

Bednarik was selected first overall in the 1949 NFL Draft by the Eagles and became known for his fierce defensive play, contributing to two NFL championships. Nick highlights Bednarik’s infamous moments on the field, including his iconic tackle of Frank Gifford that left Gifford unconscious and led to lasting notoriety.

Describing Bednarik as versatile and outspoken, Nick transitions from sports to literature to highlight the versatile and outspoken writer George Orwell, “one of my top three favorite writers of all time.”

Nick delves into Orwell’s non-fiction political essays, examining how they contrast democracy with fascism and totalitarianism. Topics include media control, the manipulation of truth, and the dangers of totalitarian regimes. Nick links these ideas to contemporary political and societal issues. As evidence of the media’s impact on public perception, Nick explores Orwell’s analysis of the panic caused by Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” broadcast.

It’s another one-of-a-kind Far Middle as Nick tackles truth and the hard-hitting pair of Chuck Bednarik and George Orwell.

In Far Middle episode 178, Nick begins with a reflection on Christopher Columbus following the recent Columbus Day holiday, noting its significance for Italian Americans. Next, Nick recalls a trifecta of iconic and dramatic sports moments for the installment’s sports dedication. These baseball and hockey classics may not have been championship-winning games, but they’re often remembered as such.

Starting at Fenway Park, Nick remembers Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He then recalls the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, and then shifts six years later and 300 miles south to Shea Stadium for Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Moving from rivalries in sports to rivalries in major American political parties and philosophies, Nick delves into the current state of American conservatism. Acknowledging the work of the Hudson Institute’s John Fonte, Nick analyzes the competing conservative views between National Conservatives and Freedom Conservatives.

These groups represent different “waves” of conservative thought, with Freedom Conservatives representing the “second wave” and National Conservatives associated with the “third wave.” Nick reviews the key differences between these groups, including their views on globalization, immigration, and the role of government in cultural issues.

“What National Conservatives and Freedom Conservatives all agree upon, and for that matter classic or traditional Liberals and Libertarians like myself, is an affirmation of the idea of America as something special,” says Nick. “That they all agree on, even though they seem to disagree on everything else. The Left however, it views America as in need of a revolutionary transformation because it views America and its history as deeply problematic.”

From Conservatism and classic Liberalism and Libertarianism, Nick explores the economic philosophy of Friedrich Hayek and his influential book “The Road to Serfdom,” drawing connections between Hayek’s ideas and current Conservative movements.

After reaffirming the dangers of state control and intervention into free markets and individual rights, Nick assesses the latest on America’s financial and employment situation—a recurring, albeit sobering, Far Middle topic.

In closing, Nick concludes with a tribute to Pope John Paul II on the anniversary of his election as pope. Nick shares several interesting facts about the pontiff, including his prolific writing, extensive travels, and his role in opposing communism in Poland.

For more on the “Miracle on Ice,” revisit the intro to Far Middle episode 80, “Welcome to the No-Growth Hotel.”

In Far Middle episode 177, Nick begins by wishing Jewish friends and listeners a thoughtful upcoming Yom Kippur and best wishes for the new year. Nick then proceeds to examine a series of interconnected yet seemingly unrelated topics in classic Far Middle fashion.

In one of the more unique sports dedications, Nick offers a tribute to actor Burt Young, best known for his role as Paulie in the Rocky films. Young, who passed away a year ago yesterday, had a brief but successful professional boxing career before becoming an actor. He trained under legendary boxing coach Cus D’Amato and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, and in addition to Rocky, appeared in classic films like Chinatown and Once Upon a Time in America.

Nick next delves into government and administrative intervention in the private sector, highlighting three examples:

1. In California, Google recently struck a $180 million deal with the state to fund government-backed news organizations. This arrangement raises concerns about the independence of journalism and the potential for news outlets to become mouthpieces for government interests.
2. In New York, the state has agreed to pay exorbitant prices for electricity from offshore wind farms, potentially burdening taxpayers and ratepayers. The agreed-upon prices are significantly higher than estimated breakeven costs, raising questions about the economic viability of these projects.
3. Nick then examines numerous legal defeats suffered by federal agencies like the FCC, EPA, and SEC as courts have ruled against their attempts to expand regulatory power without proper authority. These cases highlight the “covert but serious campaign going on when it comes to the administrative state looking to expand its power and authority,” says Nick. “This behavior by the administrative state is lawlessness…the administrative state intends to disregard the law as it seeks to impose its will on the citizens of this country without any authority or consent from the governed. The best term for that is indeed lawlessness.”

Nick closes by connecting the episode’s discussion to English novelist Joseph Conrad, who died a century ago this past August. Conrad’s writings, particularly “Heart of Darkness,” explored the dark side of human nature and challenged notions of progress. Nick draws parallels between Conrad’s critiques of colonialism and modern concerns about government overreach and unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies.

“Don’t be too eager or easily swayed when it comes to government or bureaucratic promises of saving the planet, furthering education, or helping the downtrodden through state control. The actual results may make things much worse,” concludes Nick.