the attitude with Arnie Arnesen the monday edition noon to 1pm EST Aug 18

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Arnie Arnesen

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Aug 17, 2025, 8:48:22 PMAug 17

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the attitude with arnie arnesen

opening thoughts: Gavin Newsom and vouchers

producers: Dave Scott and Stephanie Collins
Chloé LaCasse (the best of the attitude)
streaming live at wnhnfm.org noon&7pm EST on the dial-94.7FM Concord NH

podcasts available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attitude-with-arnie-arnesen/id1634055179

opening thoughts

"I think he (trump) should start with Shreveport, Louisiana, and Speaker Johnson's district that has 6x the per capita murder rate of Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco. What about the carnage, Mr. President, in Shreveport? Why aren't you protecting the folks there? What bullshit." Gov. Newsom

the Voucher scam...Florida style

I just learned that some of Florida’s homeschool families are getting their child’s visit to Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom Park reimbursed—courtesy of the state’s Personalized Education Program (PEP) vouchers, funded by tax credits.

Florida’s PEP program is essentially a “voucher for homeschoolers.” Families unenroll from public schools and receive an Education Savings Account equal to what their public school would’ve received in per-pupil funding. There are no required academic standards and virtually no accountability. Parents are left on their own to decide what best suits their child’s needs.

According to the PEP purchasing guide, families can use these funds to buy backyard playsets, paddle boards, TVs, bicycles—and yes, tickets to Florida theme parks like Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal, and Legoland. Theme park spending has previously drawn criticism from lawmakers and taxpayers, but Step Up For Students (the nonprofit administering the funds) continues to approve such expenses if families provide a statement of “educational benefit.”

Apparently, a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique qualifies under the approved category of “dress-up clothing.”

If you’re unfamiliar, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a salon where “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” transform children into storybook princesses—complete with hair styling, makeup, nail polish, glitter, and often a Disney princess gown. Packages range from $99.95 (for basic styling, makeup, a t-shirt, and sash) to over $450 for the full experience, including a signature gown and crystal tiara.

PEP families have been fully reimbursed for the whole shebang – by listing the experience as “approved expense per purchase guide, dress up clothes.”

rethink the weeks

talkers:

Stephen Pimpare is Professor of Public Policy at Vermont Law and Graduate School. He is the author of four books, including A People’s History of Poverty and, most recently, Politics for Social Workers: A Practical Guide to Effecting Change

Aaron Rosenthal is the research director for North Star Policy Action and the author of The State You See: How Government Visibility Creates Political Distrust and Racial Inequality.

Lincoln Mitchell teaches political science and public policy at Columbia University. He is the author of nine books and his writings have appeared at

Ryan Cooper is the Prospect’s managing editor, and author of How Are You Going to Pay for That?: Smart Answers to the Dumbest Question in Politics. He was previously a national correspondent for The Week.

topics:

DC takeover

Why Republicans Are Terrified of Nonexistent Crime They need an excuse to violently subjugate liberal cities. https://prospect.org/justice/2025-08-15-why-republicans-are-terrified-of-nonexistent-crime/

On D.C.’s Busiest Streets, Trump’s Provocateurs Provoke Today on TAP: ICE agents and federalized cops are now deliberately stationed where they can incite the most backlash. https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2025-08-14-dcs-busiest-streets-trumps-provocateurs-provoke/

Some Democrats Panicked Over Mamdani. Obama Called Him. New York Times

gerrymandering wars

California Democrats Announce Special Election to Redraw Congressional MapsThe maps could net up to five seats and make swing seats easier to hold. Gavin Newsom pitched it as a defining moment for the party. https://prospect.org/politics/2025-08-14-california-democrats-special-election-redraw-congressional-maps-gerrymandering-texas/

Union-Buster in ChiefTrump has surpassed Reagan in his war on workers’ rights. https://prospect.org/labor/2025-08-15-union-buster-in-chief-federal-employees/

Exactly what is in the Ivy League deals with the Trump administration – and how they compare https://theconversation.com/exactly-what-is-in-the-ivy-league-deals-with-the-trump-administration-and-how-they-compare-262912

Update: China to launch new type of visa for young science, technology professionals https://english.news.cn/20250815/c3329210dd2b4bdd87222ab5a3b61341/c.html

Peak Neoliberalism: Wall Street Journal Pearl-Clutches Over Lack of Mobility Due to High Housing Costs, Insufficient Pay. https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/08/peak-neoliberalism-wall-street-journal-pearl-clutches-over-lack-of-mobility-due-to-high-housing-costs-insufficient-pay.html

Factcheck: Trump’s climate report includes more than 100 false or misleading claims Carbon Brief

What do Putin, Trump and Zelensky want from Alaska summit? https://thehill.com/policy/international/5453192-what-do-putin-trump-and-zelensky-want-from-alaska-summit/

Ahead Of Trump-Putin Talks, Russia Readies World’s 1st Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile — 9M730 Burevestnik: Reports Eurasian Times

CPI report: Core inflation rises by most in six months, stoking tariff-driven price concerns Yahoo! Finance

Why are wholesale vegetable prices spiking, and what’s that mean for consumers? Marketplace

Trump Tariffs Are Burdening US Families With ‘Back-to-School Tax’: Analysis Common Dreams

Trump Bureau of Labor Statistics nominee was a ‘bystander’ outside Capitol on Jan. 6, White House says NBC News

Newsom announces ‘Liberation Day’ event in gerrymandering fight https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5451424-newsom-announces-liberation-day-event-in-gerrymandering-fight/

Proponent of Medicaid cuts set to brief House Republicans as they plot another megabill Politico

Israel to Okay Plan Splitting West Bank in Two to ‘Bury the Idea of a Palestinian State’ Haaretz