Heard Tell w/ Andrew Donaldson for 11MAR22

Summary

The Heard Tell podcast for March 10th, 2022, discusses the implications of rising gas prices, the push for electric vehicles, the return of earmarks in Congress, and the potential expansion of the Federal Trade Commission's powers to regulate Big Tech, with guest Andy Jung providing insights.

Abstract

In the latest episode of Heard Tell, host Andrew Donaldson delves into the complexities surrounding the current surge in gas prices and the assumption that this will automatically lead to a widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The discussion highlights the limitations of emerging technologies in being a universal solution, particularly for the lower economic classes. The episode also features a conversation with Andy Jung from Young Voices, who explores the history and mission of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and scrutinizes the Biden Administration's inclination to broaden the FTC's authority. The conversation raises concerns about whether the FTC is equipped to handle additional responsibilities related to fair competition law, antitrust issues, and consumer harm, especially considering its current staffing and resource constraints. The potential overextension of the FTC's role is debated, along with the implications for consumers and the tech industry. Additionally, the podcast touches on the reintroduction of earmarks in the recent congressional omnibus package and shares a heartwarming story about a Ukrainian family's experience with cheesecake in San Antonio.

Opinions

The podcast challenges the notion that high gas prices will inevitably lead to increased electric vehicle adoption, suggesting that the transition may not be feasible for all economic classes.
There is skepticism

Gas Prices and Electric Vehicle Push, Earmarks Are Back, FTC Empowered/Expanded, w/guest Andy Jung

Heard Tell for Thursday, March 10th, 2022, is turning down the noise and getting to the information we need about discerning out times and recognizing what causes a crisis before it hits the headlines and becomes a disaster. From foreign policy to domestic partisan politics, the “fuel load” of tomorrow’s raging issues are noticeable today if we take action on them. We turn down the noise on the growing groupthink that high gas prices will drive people towards electric vehicles, and delve into how emerging technology isn’t quite ready to be the be all, end all especially for the working class and below when it comes to the price of admission. Guest Andy Jung of Young Voices joins to discuss the Federal Trade Commission, its history and mission, and why the Biden Administration and others are wanting to use and expand its powers to deal with growing Big Tech issues. But is the FTC the right agency for enforcing things like fair competition law, anti-trust, and consumer harm, and is it bad policy and over extending the FTC to make it regulate things like consumer choice and self-preferencing both online and in store. Andy also explains that the FTC is already — in their own words — lacking the staffing and ability to do its core mission, and this mission creep will not be good for the agency, the government, and especially consumers. Plus, earmarks are back in congress, part of the deadline omnibus package just passed, and a great story out of San Antonio about cheesecake coming to the rescue for one family of Ukrainians. All that and more on this Friday edition of Heard Tell.

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