>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP, THE PRESIDENT GETS A BIG WIN IN CONGRESS, THE NATION PAUSES TO HONOR ITS VETERANS, AND A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS THINK CANCEL CULTURE HAS GONE TOO FAR.

NEXT!

[ANNOUNCER SPEAKING] ♪ A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT PBSNC.ORG/FRONTROW ♪ >> WELCOME BACK JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI OF THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART, DONNA KING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CAROLINA JOURNAL, AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISOR TO NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

MITCH WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH THE PRESIDENT'S BIG WIN IN CONGRESS THIS WEEK.

>> AMID A SEA OF GENERALLY BAD NEWS IN RECENT WEEKS, PRESIDENT BIDEN GOT A GLIMPSE OF THE ISLAND RECENTLY WHEN 13 REPUBLICANS JOINED WITH MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO PASS THIS 1.2 TRILLION DOLLAR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

NOW I CALL IT INFRASTRUCTURE, MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CALLING IT INFRASTRUCTURE, HOW MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE IS ACTUALLY IN IT?

THOSE RABID RIGHT WINGERS OF THE WASHINGTON POST HAVE TOLD US THAT AMONG THE NEW SPENDING ONLY ABOUT 20% OF IT IS FOR BRIDGES AND ROADS, IF YOU THROW IN OTHER THINGS LIKE MASS TRANSIT, OTHER RAIL, AIRPORTS, PORTS, AIRLINES, PORTS, ALL OF THAT SORT OF THING YOUR UP TO ABOUT 46% SO STILL MORE THAN HALF OF THIS MONEY IS NOT TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

NOW THIS BILL HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE HOUSE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS.

>> SINCE APRIL.

>> BASICALLY FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP WANTED TO WAIT TO GET SUPPORT ANOTHER EVEN LARGER BILL FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ITEMS.

THEY FINALLY DECIDED THAT THAT COULD WAIT AND THEY WOULD VOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL FIRST, STILL WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR 6 HOUSE DEMOCRATS INCLUDING ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD THEY WANTED TO VOTE ON THE LARGER BILL AS WELL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE 13 REPUBLICANS WHO WENT ALONG WITH THIS, MOSTLY NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY A COUPLE IN MID WEST, NO SOUTHEASTERN REPUBLICANS WENT ALONG WITH THIS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE IMPACT IN NORTH CAROLINA, IT'S SAID TO BE ABOUT 9 BILLION DOLLARS OVER 5 YEARS.

THINGS LIKE COMMUTER RAIL, EVEN IF THE COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT GETS THIS MONEY IT'S NOT EXPECTED TO OPEN UNTIL 2030.

>> DONNA IS THIS A WIN FOR TAXPAYERS?

>> I WOULD SAY, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY NO.

BUT WHO IT IS A BIG, BIG, WIN FOR IS PETE BUTTIGIEG.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY UNDER A JOE BIDEN.

HE IS GOING TO CONTROL ABOUT A 126 BILLION DOLLARS OF THIS ABOUT A 5TH OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT.

TRADITIONALLY THE MONEY WOULD COME IN A SPENDING PACKAGE LIKE THIS IT WOULD GO TO THE STATES, LET THEM FIGURE OUT WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM, HE IS NOW A HUGE POWER BROKER BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO RUN THIS COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM AND TRADITIONALLY I THINK WE CAN BET THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO PRIMARILY TO STATES THAT VOTED FOR JOE BIDEN IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY FAVOR PROJECTS THAT THAT SHOW THAT KIND OF POLICY PRIORITIES AT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS LIKE LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND RACIAL EQUITY.

SO THIS MONEY, THIS 126 BILLION DOLLARS IS REALLY GOING END UP LOOKING MORE LIKE A BIG BOONDOGGLE.

>> JOE.

>> WELL THE INTERESTING THING IS WILL THERE BE A POLITICAL BENEFIT TO DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION?

A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE FUNDING TO ACTUALLY PRODUCE SOMETHING TANGIBLE.

PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT IT AND SAY, "OH YEAH, THE DEMOCRATS DID THIS FOR US", IMPROVED A BRIDGE OR AT AN AIRPORT.

I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THIS HAS THE BENEFIT THE DEMOCRATS THINK THAT IT WILL IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

IN SOME WAYS, THE JUST THE NATURE OF THE WAY THE MONEY WILL ROLL OUT WILL HAVE A LOT OF POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS TO IT AS WELL, I DON'T THINK IT'S AS SIMPLE AS A LOT OF RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES FOR DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY QUITE FRANKLY I THINK VOTER ATTITUDES ARE PROBABLY AT THIS POINT MORE OR LESS SET FOR THE 22 ELECTION.

I'M NOT SURE THIS REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> BUT NELSON, THEY HAD TO DO IT AFTER THE VIRGINIA LOSS CORRECT?

>> I THINK THEY HAD TO GET SOMETHING DONE AND REPUBLICANS CAN KIND OF BLAME THEMSELVES.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WHEN THEY HAD MAJORITY SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND THEY DIDN'T GET THAT DONE.

BUT REALLY MORE IMPORTANTLY, JOE MANCHIN.

HE IS THE GUY THAT HOLDS THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW AND REPUBLICANS WANT TO KEEP HIM HAPPY.

HE IS HOLDING BACK THINGS THAT ARE MUCH WORSE AND TO JOE'S POINT, I DON'T THINK THIS BRINGS BIDEN BACK.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SHOVEL-READY JOBS FOR OBAMA THAT HE PASSED IN IN 2009 THAT DID NOT CHANGE THE NEEDLE IN THE 2010 ELECTION.

>> WHERE DO YOU THINK THE RECONCILIATION BILL IS THE PROGRESSIVES WANTED?

BY THE WAY TO PROGRESSIVES VOTED AGAINST THIS BILL.

THE 6 OF THE SQUAD.

>> I THINK THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR ARE THEY ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THROUGH THAT BILL THEY'VE GOT A BILL THAT THEY'RE SENDING OVER IT IS NOT TO MANCHIN OR SINEMA'S LIKING.

THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT TOO MUCH MONEY OUT THERE.

ALL THEY'RE GOING TO SUCCEED AT DOING IS PULLING CAPITAL OUT AND FUELING INFLATION WITH MORE AND MORE SPENDING.

>> OKAY, I WANT TO CHANGE GEARS DONNA GETTING YOUR THOUGHTS ON VETERANS DAY.

>> YES, SO THIS WEEK, THE NATION STOPPED TO HONOR OUR VETERANS, NOW OF COURSE THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN MEMORIAL DAY, MEMORIAL DAY.

WE RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR THIS COUNTRY OF COURSE WE ALSO REMEMBER THEM ON VETERANS DAY, BUT ON VETERANS DAY WE REALLY TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE OF 19 MILLION AMERICAN VETERANS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THINGS THAT MOST OF US WILL NEVER SEE.

WE DID READ, THERE WAS A LOT OF KIND OF OUTPOURING, PARTICULARLY THIS YEAR.

ONE VETERAN WROTE A PIECE FOR THE JERUSALEM POST, AN OP ED AND SHE SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN, AND SHE TOOK THAT VETERANS DAY TO RECOGNIZE THE DISASTROUS PULL OUT OF AFGHANISTAN AND HOW MANY REALLY SAID THAT THEY GAVE THEIR SERVICE THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THIS COUNTRY.

AND SHE FELT THAT THEY WERE ABANDONED IN AFGHANISTAN.

SO WE SAW A LOT OF THAT SHOWING UP IN SOME MEDIA PUBLICATIONS IN WASHINGTON, THOUGH, IT ALSO FELL ON THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY THAT REPLICATED THE ORIGINAL 100 YEARS AGO WHERE THE REMAINS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED WORLD WAR ONE KILLED IN ACTION WERE INTERRED THERE AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY, SO IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY WATCH THAT.

AND REMEMBER HOW LONG IT'S BEEN AND HOW MANY VETERANS HAVE REALLY SERVED THIS NATION.

>> NELSON WE'VE GOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF VETERANS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE COVID REALLY, THE PANDEMIC HIT THEM HARD.

>> IT HIT 'EM EXTREMELY HARD AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL SEE NEXT WEEK WHEN THE STATE BUDGET COMES OUT, THERE'S A BIG VOTE ON THAT.

THAT IS A BUDGET THAT WILL HONOR VETERANS AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS THERE AND THEY BRING SUCH TALENT TO OUR WORKFORCE AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND WE HAVE A GROWING NUMBER OF VETERANS THAT ARE NOW SERVING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK BACK TO THE GREAT WAR.

THERE ARE LESSONS LEADING UP TO THAT WAR THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT NOW.

THERE WAS A NAVAL ARMS RACE, THERE WERE WARS IN 1911 12 AND 13 LEADING UP TO THE WAR STARTING IN 1914 SIMILAR SET OF REGIONAL CONFLICTS THAT ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

IN EUROPE IN ASIA AND AFRICA, SO YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN OUR SERVICE MEMBERS THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD, BUT THE LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON AND PENTAGON THAT DOESN'T INSPIRE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE RIGHT NOW.

>> MITCH.

>> YOU MENTIONED COVID AND I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IS THE IMPACT THAT THIS IS HAVING ON THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND THE HOSPITALS >> THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

>> YES, THAT'S BEEN A SOURCE OF CONCERN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BUT WE LEARNED FAIRLY RECENTLY THAT THIS IS CAUSING MAJOR BACKLOGS IN THE HOSPITALS AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THIS THINK THAT THEY WON'T EVEN HAVE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS UNDER CONTROL UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, JUNE OF 2022.

SO AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE VETERANS, AS WE'RE HONORING THEM, WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE SERVE THEM MEDICALLY AFTER THEY'VE SERVED US.

>> JOE WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS.

>> I REMEMBER READING AN ARTICLE MANY YEARS AGO TALKING ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF CONGRESS IN THE YEARS AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR WHEN SO MANY VETERANS WERE SERVING IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THEY TALKED ABOUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD PARTISAN DIFFERENCES, MANY TIMES THEIR MILITARY EXPERIENCE HAD TAUGHT THEM HOW TO WORK TOGETHER, TO BE MISSION CENTRIC, AND TO GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

I HOPE THAT THIS GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN, THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS THEY'VE LEARNED, I HOPE WE SEE INCREASED NUMBER OF VETERANS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> I THINK WE ARE SEEING IT DON'T YOU THINK?

>> I HOPE IT CONTINUES BECAUSE THEY DO BRING A GREAT PERSPECTIVE AND A WILLINGNESS TO COMMIT TO PUBLIC SERVICE, BUT ALSO TO TRY TO GET THINGS DONE.

>> OKAY, WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK TO YOU.

INTERESTING HARVARD HARRIS POLL DONE BY BILL CLINTON'S OLD POLLSTER ON CANCEL CULTURE.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

THIS POLL WAS CONDUCTED ASKING THE QUESTION USING THE MIRIAM WEBSTER DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF CANCEL CULTURE.

THE PRACTICE OR TENDENCY OF ENGAGING IN MASS CANCELING AS A WAY OF EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL AND EXERTING SOCIAL PRESSURE.

OVERWHELMINGLY PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY REJECT THIS NOTION IN LARGE PART I THOUGHT THE INTERESTING NUMBER WAS AMONG DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

THIS SENSE OF THE CANCEL CULTURE UNFAIRLY PUNISHES PAST DEEDS OR ACTIONS.

THERE'S NO SENSE OF REDEMPTION AND IF YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING WRONG ONCE, YOU'RE FOREVER TARNISHED IN THAT REGARD.

ARE WE SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE ARE REJECTING THIS?

I THINK NOT.

I TALKED TO A SOCIOLOGIST FRIEND OF MINE AND SHE SAID PART OF THE CHALLENGE AND IN THE CLASSROOMS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT SHE TEACHES THEY FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO ROOM FOR DISCUSSION, YOU'RE AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THIS NOTION AND EVEN HER ADOLESCENT SON WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION SAID AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT JUST FEELS LIKE THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER ANYMORE, YOU'RE JUST AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT ANY SUBJECT MATTER FOR FEAR THAT YOU BECOME SOMEHOW SUBJECT TO THIS CANCEL CULTURE PHENOMENA.

SURELY IN AMERICAN HISTORY, THE SORTS OF CULTURAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL MOVEMENTS LIKE A PENDULUM THAT SWINGS TOO FAR ONE WAY AND IT SWINGS BACK INEVITABLY, BUT I THINK FOR DEMOCRATS THAT WERE COUNTING ON THIS AS A BATTLE CRY GOING INTO THE 22 ELECTION, THIS IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BOTH DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS AND EVEN UNAFFILIATED SAY WHAT WE'RE TIRED OF THIS PHENOMENON.

WE DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE.

>> DONNA WE ARE SEEING PUSH BACK FROM FOLKS LIKE JAMES CARVILLE AND BILL MAHER, SAYING ENOUGH'S ENOUGH.

>> YEAH, WELL I THINK JAMES CARVILLE WE KNOW HIM BECAUSE HE WAS YOU KNOW PART OF THE RAGING CAJUN PART OF THE BIG CLINTON TEAM.

YOU KNOW HE SAID THAT THIS IS IT.

THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE END OF DEMOCRATS IF THEY DON'T WAKE UP AND STOP BEING SO WOKE, I MEAN THAT'S REALLY WHAT THEY'RE SEEING.

BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING THAT I'M TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF VOTING WITH YOUR FEET IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH SOMETHING YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

BUT THIS IS THE LAZY WAY TO DO IT THIS IS HIDING BEHIND YOUR KEYBOARD AND CREATING MASS HYSTERIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NOT LISTENING TO THE FACTS.

WHEN YOU MAKE A WISE WELL THOUGHT OUT DECISION AND CHOOSE TO VOTE THE WAY YOU WANT OR GO TO THE SCHOOL YOU WANT OR SHOP OR YOU WANT THAT'S ONE THING.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS.

AND YOU'RE SEEING THIS CROP OF NEW COLLEGES NEW HIGHER EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, THAT'S WHERE WOKEISM STARTED, IT WAS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

WE HAVE HILLSDALE IN MICHIGAN WE'VE GOT THIS NEW UNIVERSITY OF AUSTIN WE'VE GOT YOU KNOW, THIS COLLEGE HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THEY'RE REALLY COMING UP AND THEY'RE GETTING STUDENTS AND THEY'RE SAYING WE WANT TO DELIVER A CLASSIC EDUCATION WITH REAL CLASSES, REAL CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, AND PARENTS ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

>> MITCH, WHAT HAS CANCEL CULTURE PERMEATED THE BOARDROOMS?

CORPORATE BOARDROOMS?

>> CERTAINLY.

PRETTY MUCH ALL AREAS OF SOCIETY AND EVEN GETTING INTO THINGS LIKE THE MILITARY WHERE YOU COULD HAVE REAL LIFE AND DEATH CONSEQUENCES.

CANCEL CULTURE IS A BAD THING.

THE BEST THING THAT I SAW IN THAT POLL BEYOND JUST THE GENERAL NUMBER WAS THE FACT THAT THIS WAS SO WIDESPREAD.

YOU THINK WITH SOMETHING THAT HAS 71% POLLING ON THIS THAT IT MIGHT BE 95% REPUBLICANS AND 30% DEMOCRAT.

NO, IT WAS PRETTY CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD THAT IT WAS 76% REPUBLICANS, 70% DEMOCRAT SURPRISINGLY THE LOWEST NUMBER AMONG THE 3 GROUPS WAS UNAFFILIATEDS AT 68%.

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THEY JUST HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT AS MUCH BUT TO SEE SUCH WIDESPREAD DISAPPOINTMENT WITH CANCEL CULTURE THAT HAS TO BE A GOOD SIGN FOR MOVING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AS JOE SAID.

THE PENDULUM SWINGING BACK THE OTHER WAY.

>> NELSON, YOU THINK IT'S RUN?ITS COURSE.

>> IT HAS NOT RUN ITS COURSE UNFORTUNATELY I DO THINK THIS IS SORT OF THE PROGRESSIVE'S NEW PURITANISM SO THAT WE HAD COMPLETE WITH SUSPECTED YOU KNOW, WITCHES AND HERETICS ON PUBLIC TRIAL.

I MEAN YOU SEE THAT SORT OF THING SO IT IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.

WE GO THROUGH THESE CYCLES.

THE LAST ONE LIKE THIS WAS IN THE 60'S INTO THE 70'S AND I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL UPHEAVAL, AMERICANS ARE VERY LOUD, WERE VERY AGGRESSIVE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS.

THROUGH THE 2020'S -- >> IS THIS A CASE OF A VOCAL MINORITY BEING LOUD AND MOVING THE AGENDAS?

>> SOME OF IT IS THAT, BUT IT IS ALSO YOU SEE MOVEMENT IN HOW YOU DEFINE THE PARTIES BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND REPUBLICAN PARTY, THEY'RE CHANGING THEIR DEFINITIONS THEY'RE CHANGING THEIR COALITIONS THERE'S A LOT OF FOOT HERE, AND TO BE FAIR THE ISSUE OF RACE WE'VE NEVER FULLY ADDRESSED IT IN AMERICA, THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT PLAGUES US IN TERMS OF HOW WE COME TO GRIPS WITH THIS.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS CERTAINLY NOT THE ANSWER, BUT INDIFFERENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

>> OKAY, WE'VE GOT TO MOVE ON I WANT TO TALK TO THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING CANCELING ANOTHER PIPELINE.

>> YES.

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR WHITMER WANTS TO CLOSE ENBRIDGE BRIDGE LINE 5 PIPELINE.

IT CONNECTS CANADIAN AND U.S. OIL AND GAS FIELDS THROUGH MICHIGAN TO ONTARIO.

SHE CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WHERE IT CROSSES THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC, I BELIEVE I PRONOUNCED THAT RIGHT.

BIDEN IS WEIGHING HIS OPTIONS, THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE HUGE.

>> [MARC] MACKINAW.

>> OK, I'LL TAKE YOUR -- "THE STRAITS".

[MARC LAUGHS] BETWEEN LAKE MICHIGAN AND HURON.

[ALL LAUGH] SO IT HASN'T LEAKED IN 65 YEARS, BUT NOW THEY'VE GOT A CONCERN ABOUT IT.

>> BUT THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE HUGE.

YOU'LL BE CUTTING OFF PROPANE TO THAT REGION IN HALF, YOU WOULD BE CREATING HUGE SHORTAGES.

CANADA IS FURIOUS THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER THE MOVEMENT OF -- >> [MARC] -- WOULD GET HIT HARD.

>> IT WOULD.

AND SO OUR ECONOMY IS BASED ON LOW AND COST ENERGY AND ABUNDANT ENERGY.

AND IF BIDEN WILL SAY TRANSITION BETWEEN FOSSIL FUELS AND RENEWABLES NATURAL GAS AND NUCLEAR HAVE TO BE PART OF THAT AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT EUROPE RIGHT NOW.

EUROPE, IT HAS FAILED TO UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE TO HAVE TRANSITION.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE NATURAL GAS.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE INFLATION GO UP AND ENERGY SHORTAGES IN THIS COUNTRY AND SEE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THAT.

>> MITCH I'LL ASK YOU WHEN WE'RE COMING INTO AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY, DON'T WE NEED MORE ENERGY?

>> YEAH, WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE ENERGY AND EVEN BE TALKING ABOUT THIS AT THIS TIME SHOWS THE SIGN OF POLITICAL TONE DEAFNESS.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND IT'S A BAD IDEA, BUT WHY WOULD YOU DO IT AS WINTER IS APPROACHING AND PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT THEIR ENERGY NEEDS?

WHY WOULD YOU BE TALKING ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN ANOTHER SUPPLY OF ENERGY RIGHT AT THIS TIME?

WHY NOT IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS BAD IDEA HAVE IT IN MARCH OR APRIL WHEN PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO SAY WHY ARE THEY THINKING ABOUT TURNING DOWN THE SOURCE OF ENERGY THAT WE NEED UP HERE IN THE NORTH IN MICHIGAN?

IT JUST SHOWS THAT THE FOLKS WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS ARE NOT REALLY THINKING THINGS THROUGH.

>> DONNA IS THIS DESIGNED TO - THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY DESIGNED TO GET PEOPLE TO DRIVE ELECTRIC CARS GREEN ALTERNATIVES FOR ENERGY?

>> I THINK SO.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE ARE SEEING.

RATHER THAN THEIR FOCUS BEING ON KEEPING ENERGY AFFORDABLE.

THEY'RE FOCUSED ON MAKING PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR HABITS AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK A LOT AMERICANS ARE HIGHLY RESISTANT TO.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE HEARD IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO AS WELL, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TURN DOWN YOUR THERMOSTAT.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT KIND OF THING SINCE THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION, >> [MARC] I STILL HAVE MY SWEATER.

[LAUGHTER] >> [DONNA] THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO DO.

I MEAN THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF LIVING HERE RIGHT?

IS THAT WE CAN MAKE CONSUMER CHOICES AND REMOVING THOSE CHOICES AND FORCING PEOPLE TO LIVE UNDER UNDER THEIR VALUES AND THEIR POLICY BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT TO TURN OFF THE SPIGOT THAT IS NOT GOING TO FLY WITH AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> JOE PUT THIS IN CONTEXT.

>> I THINK THIS REALLY BELIES, NELSON TOUCHED ON THIS, WHAT'S HAPPENED IN EUROPE WITH THE PIPELINE AND THE RUSSIANS ENERGY PRODUCTION IS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE AT SOME LEVEL AND WE'VE ACHIEVED THE LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AS A NATION WE PROBABLY ARE WELL OVERDUE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY POLICY, BUT NOT ONE THAT'S PIECEMEAL WHERE YOU'RE TAKING A POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS OR THAT TO TRY TO MAKE A POINT OR AND GALVANIZE THEIR SUPPORT AMONG YOUR BASE, BUT THIS KIND OF STUFF REALLY DOES MAKE PEOPLE CYNICAL ABOUT THE POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES -- >> [MARC] AND THEY'RE PAYING FOR IT IN THEIR POCKET, IN THEIR WALLET.

>> WELL, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PULL OUT YOUR SWEATER AND I KNOW HOW CRANKY THAT MAKES YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT I WANT TO MOVE ON.

LET'S GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK MITCH.

>> ONE OF THE BIG HEADLINE STORIES OF COURSE WAS THE RETIRED UNION COUNTY JUDGE DAVID LEE WHO HAS SAID THAT 1.7 BILLION DOLLARS NEEDS TO BE TRANSFERRED, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SAYS, TO PAY FOR EDUCATION NEEDS.

BURIED BENEATH THAT DESERVEDLY BIG HEADLINE WAS THE NEWS THAT THE FORMER JUDGE WHO OVERSAW THIS CASE FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, HOWARD MANNING OF WAKE COUNTY, HE CAME OUT WITH A MEMORANDUM THAT SAID, "WAIT A MINUTE.

JUDGES CAN'T DO THIS.

A "JUDGE CAN MAKE AN ORDER, BUT IT CAN'T FORCE ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION."

BUT THEN HE ALSO SAID WHILE HE WAS AT IT, WHILE HE WAS BUSY AND CRANKED UP AND FIRED UP, THAT HE SAW OVER THE COURSE OF 20 YEARS OF THIS CASE THAT THE BIG PROBLEM WAS THE EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT.

HE SAID THE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO GET THIS NEW MONEY, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE THE PROBLEM.

>> WE'LL COVER LEANDRO IN FURTHER DEPTH IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

>> JOE.

>> YEAH ARTICLE OUT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS OR THE PUBLICATION ON RECORD ON HEALTH CARE IN NORTH CAROLINA NOW ABOUT THE CHALLENGES PEOPLE COMING OUT OF PRISON FACE THE INCARCERATED.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

THE FOLKS TRYING TO BE REINTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY AFTER HAVING SERVED A TERM IN JAIL OR IN PRISON HAVE A FAR GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF MENTAL HEALTH OR PHYSICAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHALLENGES IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE OTHER SORTS OF THINGS THAT SOMEONE COMING OUT OF INCARCERATION FACES IN TERMS OF OCCUPATION, FINDING HOUSING AND JUST BEING RE ENTERED INTO SOCIETY A FAR GREATER NEED FOR ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES MAYBE WITH THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID THAT HELPS COVER SOME OF THESE FOLKS BUT WE DO WANT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME AND PAID THEIR DEBT TO SOCIETY TO BE ABLE TO BECOME FUNCTIONING CITIZENS AGAIN SO WE'RE NOT ONLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

>> DONNA?

>> SO DRIVERLESS VEHICLES THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO APPARENTLY THEIR LEGAL NOW IN NORTH CAROLINA, GOVERNOR COOPER SIGNED A BILL THAT ALLOWS THESE DRIVERLESS VEHICLES TO MAKE DELIVERIES THEY CAN CARRY UP TO 400 POUNDS OF CARGO ON NORTH CAROLINA'S NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS.

THEY CAN GO UP TO I THINK ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR, DON'T LOOK FOR THEM YET, THEY'RE NOT HERE.

BUT I THINK IT'S JUST PAVING THE WAY FOR WHEN THEY DO FINALLY COME THERE'S AT LEAST SOME MECHANISM IN PLACE.

BUT THEY DO USE CAMERA SENSORS SENSORS AND CAMERAS.

>> [MARC] DID YOU BUY ONE?

I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD BE USED FOR I THINK IT'S MORE OF A DELIVERY MECHANISM, PIZZA AND WHATEVER.

>> [MARC] LIKE UBER?

>> SORT OF YEAH, PIZZA, GROCERIES, OR WHATEVER, >> [MITCH] I WANT TO SEE THAT LITTLE CREATURE THAT FOLLOWS AROUND THE PIZZA DELIVERY -- [ALL LAUGH] >> EXACTLY, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN ON BIKES AND PETS AND WHATEVER ELSE IS GOING ON, SO, I THINK IT'LL GET A LOT OF ATTENTION WHEN WE DO START SEEING IT.

>> NELSON?

>> MY UNDERREPORTED IS GLOBAL SHORTAGE OF SAND.

>> I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU.

>> SOMETHING DIFFERENT RIGHT?

SO SAND IS THE NUMBER ONE MINED MATERIAL AROUND THE WORLD.

OVER FOR 50 BILLION TONS A YEAR IS USING CONCRETE ASPHALT GLASS, SILICON CHIPS AS WELL AS HYDRAULIC FRACKING IN THE U.S. FOR NATURAL GAS, SAND DESERT DOES NOT WORK SO YOU CAN'T JUST GO OUT TO THE DESERT IT'S TO SMOOTH, USELESS FOR THE PROCESS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE RIVER SANDS OR GLACIAL, SANDS.

YOU FIND THOSE IN DELTAS, FLOOD PLAINS, THE OCEAN, AND IT'S BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN.

A LOT OF THE SAND THAT'S BEING TAKEN OUT, ISLANDS ARE DROPPING OFF RIVER BANKS ARE DROPPING IN, THERE ARE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, PERMITTING ISSUES, AND A SOARING GLOBAL DEMAND RIGHT NOW THE NUMBER ONE USERS OF SAND PARTICULAR FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS OF COURSE, CHINA AND INDIA, THE U.S. IS A NUMBER ONE PRODUCER IN WHAT ARE CALLED INDUSTRIAL SANDS, THOSE ARE THE HIGH END SANDS WE'RE ALWAYS GOOD AT HIGH END STUFF, AND INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH NORTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF THE TOP PRODUCERS OF SAND AND IN PARTICULAR, ESSPECIALLY MINERALS LIKE QUARTZ, THEIR GROUND DOWN TO BE USED FOR SILICON CHIPS SO WE HAVE A PLAY IN HERE AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON TO LIGHTNING ROUND.

WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK MITCH?

>> WHO'S UP MILITARY VETERANS IN UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOLS, THERE ARE SOME 12,000 VETS WHO ARE WORKING TO EARN DEGREES NOW AND 20,000 PLUS WHO ARE MILITARY AFFILIATED, THAT'S ABOUT 10% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION, 9,000 OF THEM ARE USING 55 MILLION DOLLARS IN GI BILL, AND OTHER DEFENSE DEPARTMENT BENEFITS, MY DOWN, NURSES.

WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ABOUT 21,000 QUALIFIED NURSES IN THE COMING DECADE.

BURNOUT RATES ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS.

NOW BEFORE COVID-19 THE SHORTAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 12,000 BY 2033, SO THE SHORTAGE ESTIMATE HAS GROWN BY 75%.

>> OKAY, MY FRIEND.

>> UP UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

FIRST-TIME CLAIMS, THE NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP THE LAST 2 WEEKS.

STRANGELY ENOUGH, EVEN THOUGH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED FROM OUR EARLIER HIGH IN APRIL OF 5% TO UNDER 4.3% NOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS HOW THERE'S MORE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS BEING FILED.

BUT JUST BECAUSE THE THING IS NOT UNDERSTANDABLE BY ME, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S COMPLICATED.

[CHUCKLING] BUT THIS IS A REALLY HARD FOR ME TO GET MY HANDS AROUND.

MY DOWN, EAST LAURINBURG, NORTH CAROLINA SCOTLAND COUNTY, THE STATE TREASURER DALE FOLWELL AND STATE AUDITOR BETH WOODS FOUND A MALFEASANCE, THEY'RE GOING TO REMOVE THEIR CHARTER AND SO THEY WILL NO LONGER BE A CITY.

>> OKAY, DONNA.

>> SO MY UP IS RETIREMENTS MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE THAN THEY THOUGHT WERE GOING TO RETIRED DURING COVID.

IN 2019 ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF PEOPLE DECIDED TO RETIRE.

DURING COVID, 3.2 MILLION PEOPLE DECIDED TO RETIRE AND THAT'S A HUGE AMOUNT IT'S REALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THE LABOR SHORTAGE.

AND OF COURSE THE LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN A LOT OF OUR ECONOMY.

MY DOWN IS NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AT UNC THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOTED DOWN A PROPOSAL TO BAN ADMISSIONS BASED ON RACE GENDER OR ETHNICITY, KEEP IN MIND EVEN CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS HAVE HAVE INSTITUTED THAT BAN FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> NELSON.

>> UP INFLATION.

6.2% IN OCTOBER INFLATION HIT A 30 YEAR HIGH.

>> [MARC] SO IT'S NOT TRANSITORY?

>> IT IS NOT TRANSITORY.

[OTHERS LAUGHING] AND I THINK THE ENERGY POLICIES ARE HELPING DRIVE UP THOSE COSTS AS WELL AS FOOD COSTS.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT ON TOP OF THE LABOR SHORTAGES THAT YOU'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WITH THE BABY BOOMERS RETIRING, GROWTH IS GOING TO SLOW CAPITAL COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP IF INFLATION PERSISTS YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT STAGFLATION IN THE NEXT YEAR TOO, THAT'S A REAL POTENTIAL.

DOWN, KAMALA HARRIS.

THE VICE PRESIDENT'S JOB APPROVAL HAS DROPPED TO 28%.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. TODAY SUFFOLK POLL SO DICK CHENEY IS NOW HAPPY TODAY HE NO LONGER HOLDS THE TITLE OF MOST UNPOPULAR VICE PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY.

>> SHE'S NOT HAVING A GOOD TRIP OVER IN FRANCE, EITHER RIGHT?

>> SHE'S NOT AND IT'S MOSTLY BEING IGNORED BY THE EUROPEAN PRESS.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, MITCH.

>> LAWMAKERS APPROVE STATE BUDGET, GOVERNOR COOPER MUST DECIDE WHETHER HE WANTS TO LET THE TRAIN PASSING BY.

>> CAN THEY OVERRIDE THE VETO?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING, THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH DEMOCRATIC VOTES TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE WHETHER THE GOVERNOR'S WITH US OR NOT.

>> WILL HE LET IT JUST GO INTO LAW WITHOUT SIGNING IT?

>> HE COULD, THAT'S ONE OF HIS OPTIONS HE COULD SIGN IT VETO IT OR LET IT BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.

>> JOE?

>> PANELISTS TAKE A PAGE FROM CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY AND VOTE MARC ROTTERMAN A HISTORIC FIGURE AND WILL LEAD THE SHOW FOR THE NEXT CENTURY.

>> [MARC LAUGHING] THAT WAS A PAID POLITICAL AD.

[ALL LAUGH] >> DONNA?

>> I THINK I'LL BE WATCHING THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO MEET THE PRESIDENT OF CHINA, BUT IT WILL BE VIRTUAL THEY'LL MEET ONLINE.

SO I'M I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THAT SHAKES OUT.

>> THAT'S HIGH STAKES, ISN'T IT?

>> IT'S VERY HIGH STAKES, BUT IT ALSO GIVES THE WHITE HOUSE A CHANCE TO KIND OF VEIL THE SITUATION AND AVOID CRISES.

>> QUICKLY HEADLINE.

>> GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES BUDGET WITH A STRONG BIPARTISAN MAJORITY.

>> GREAT JOB PANEL THAT'S IT FOR US.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

♪ [ANNOUNCER SPEAKING] ♪ A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT PBSNC.ORG/FRONTROW ♪