Public Service Turmoil: Michael Lewis, W. Kamau Bell, David Eggers

In this episode Stanford University professor Jim Steyer delves into the current state of American government, focusing on the experiences of federal employees amid ongoing political turmoil. His guests include best-selling author Michael Lewis, comedian and TV host W. Kamau Bell, and writer and educator Dave Eggers. They discuss the dedication of civil servants, the impact of political actions on public perceptions, and the broader ramifications for American institutions. Despite all the turmoil in Washington, is there reason to be optimistic? 00:00 Introduction: The State of Affairs 00:52 Welcome to 'Which Side of History' 01:11 Introducing the Guests and the Topic 01:39 Michael Lewis on Public Perception vs. Reality of Government 02:36 Art Allen's Story: The Unsung Hero of the Coast Guard 11:46 Dave Eggers on NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 19:06 Kamau Bell on Antitrust and Justice 26:39 The Impact of Government Layoffs 29:11 Trump's Approach to Government 35:33 The Problem with Cutting Deficits 36:25 Misguided Firing Practices 36:42 The Impact on Federal Agencies 38:07 Trump's Strategy and Consequences 40:13 Loss of Faith in Institutions 40:55 Idealism in Government Work 42:17 Challenges Faced by Teachers 46:23 Historical Context and Institutional Flaws 48:42 Potential Financial Crisis 51:49 The Role of Trust in Institutions 52:53 Crypto and Trump's Financial Interests 59:09 Comedians and Political Alignment 01:01:29 Messages of Hope and Optimism