Village Underground Debate! Is America in Decline?

Last week, I had the pleasure of debating in New York City. The event took place at the Village Underground bar - sister club to the legendary Comedy Cellar. I was on the side arguing that the US is in decline, and my partner was George Packer from The New Yorker. On the other side, David Rothkopf of Foreign Policy was with conservative author, Kristin Tate. We had a lot of fun! My time linked comments follow below! I'm very grateful to CC owner, Noam Dworman and CC Director Special Events Stephen Calabria for inviting me.

My time linked comments:

First up...

Challenging David's contention of the debate parameters

On Foreign Policy, Entitlements, and Trust

My opening statement on why US power must be rendered into influencing action - not simply statistics - noting China and Mid-East as two key examples. Absent influence, Americans are suffering security and economic related costs. Also emphasizing the domestic fiscal crisis and how that affects the nation's future. Arguing that American decline is proven in the evisceration of American trust in each other and the political system. 

On Hillary Clinton, Trump, and the Nature of American Society

David says Hillary Clinton was be most competent President in last 25 years. I interject to say she's also the most corrupt. Continue by arguing that Trump represents the willing embrace of an anti-unity notion of American society. But that his supporters mustn't be ignored or mis-labelled as somehow unpatriotic.

On Business, College, and Skills

Defending Kristin for her business success at such a young age. Arguing that too many people are going to college, that they are being subsidized by those who don't go to college, and that we need to embrace technical skills training that can produce long-term employment and business skills that afford social mobility.

On Trump and Supporters in the US Military

Arguing that we should be concerned about proven patriots feeling that only Trump offers the legitimate answers.

On Citizens United and Media

David argues that Citizens United is the worst SCOTUS decision since Dred Scott. I suggest that Citizens United was correctly decided because it created equity of access to speech: Prior to the ruling, media outlets (hence my magazine references) had dominion.

On Free Speech

Suggesting that the campus problem with chilling of speech and broader orthodoxies of political correctness are serious. Also, that we need more conservatives Professors in US universities. See 1 of my relevant articles here.

Q from Audience: Answering on Citizens United Ruling and Why it is Correct

Explaining Citizens United ruling and (after about a minute) explaining why liberals are wrong to believe it represents a democratic crisis. Noting why the contrary is proven by the 2016 election. My take on free speech can be found in my article here.

Concluding Comment

Focusing on the movement of wealth and opportunity away from the young to old. How the failure to reform entitlements and the national debt endangers poorer Americans. Noting that the absence of American confidence is a crisis.

If interested, below are some of my other writings on freedom of speech.

• Citizens United Serves Our Democracy
• American Speech Law is Exceptional
• Citizens United and Media Acquisitions
• Comments on McLaughlin Group on student free speech
• Mizzou, Yale, and the Battle of Okinawa
• Alice in Arabia
• The Classroom Plot
• A politician, a tweet and a question of freedom
• The freer the speech, the stronger the democracy
• Free speech in NYC
• We must not censor our entertainment industry
• Britain's speech sickness
• European idiocy on free speech