JD Vance, Phony Populism on the Right, the Republican National Convention, and Democratic Party Messaging w/ Ben Burgis

Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

On this edition of Parallax Views, Ben Burgis, Jacobin columnist and host of the Youtube show Give Them an Argument, returns to discuss a potpourri of topics and revisit his 2022 article in The Daily Beast entitled "J.D. Vance’s Unbelievably Phony Populism". And, yes, we'll also cover Joe Biden dropping out and his apparent replacement in the race, Kamala Harris. Where should the Democrats go next if they hope to win? And what should Democratic Party messaging be as we head into the heart of election season?

We'll also discuss the Republican National convention including the circus like inclusion of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan and the speech made by Teamsters union leader Sean O'Brien that has sparked much debate. We'll talk the records of Josh Hawley and JD Vance, rhetoric vs. records, fake antiwar sentiments amongst Republicans (and the hawkish elements in the GOP saber-rattling for a war with Iran and China), Biden's immigration record, Gaza, antitrust lawsuit and labor in the era of the Joe Biden Presidency, the GOP's deregulatory agenda and the impacts it'll have on workers, Ron DeSantis' assault on worker's rights in Florida, forever chemicals (PFAS) and Project 2025, Josh Hawley's copyright reform BUT only to target Disney, why JD Vance doesn't support the pro-labor PRO Act and Ben's response to that, the opioid epidemic and deaths of despair, and much, much more!