Release Date: Monday, November 10, 2025Hosts: Carl Able & VanessaSeries: Crayon Box Weekly – News Review Edition⸻Episode SummaryThis week’s news roundup swings from science that makes you laugh (and then think) to politics that makes you question reality. Carl and Vanessa kick things off with a look at Japan’s latest clinical breakthrough — intestinal oxygen absorption, better known as “butt breathing.” What starts as comic disbelief turns into a serious conversation about medical innovation and emergency care.Then the focus shifts stateside, where Election Day confusion hit new levels. Some voters in Kentucky tried to cast ballots in an election that didn’t exist, while political tensions flared nationwide over mail-in voting, state aid, and Trump’s increasingly erratic influence on upcoming races. From coin shortages to the end of the penny, the hosts close with a grounded (and surprisingly costly) look at the tiny details shaping our economy.⸻In This Episode • 0:08 – Welcome to the new two-part format: News Review & In-Depth • 1:00 – Japan’s “butt breathing” research enters human trials • 5:45 – COVID’s legacy and the search for alternative oxygen methods • 10:30 – Election Day confusion: Kentucky voters show up for the wrong race • 13:00 – Trump’s threats, state aid politics, and the Mamdani election • 18:00 – The Department of War? Trump’s “fit or fired” military directive • 25:00 – The penny’s demise and why rounding up could cost you • 30:40 – What losing Lincoln means and how small change adds up⸻Key Takeaways • Science meets absurdity: “Butt breathing” could save lives — and egos. • Politics remains performance art: Even off-cycle elections can reveal major 2026 energy. • Every cent counts: The penny’s removal could quietly raise costs for cash users.⸻Listen & Engage📩 Submit your news stories: contact@crayonboxpolitics.com🎧 Listen to past episodes: www.crayonboxpolitics.com/podcast💬 Join the discussion: “64” Community on Facebook
This episode kicks off the “States’ Rights” arc of the Chaos or Unity series — exploring how American governance walks the line between independence and interdependence.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Carl and Vanessa peel back the layers of what it actually means to be a “state” in the United States. From the Articles of Confederation to the 10th Amendment, they trace how state sovereignty evolved — and how that independence continues to collide with federal power today. Through humor, history, and a few well-timed tangents (including undercooked military meals and Trump’s platform shoes), they make sense of one of America’s most misunderstood foundations: the balance between chaos and unity.
Key Topics:
The origins of the states and the Articles of Confederation
How the Constitution redefined the balance between state and federal power
The 10th Amendment and the Supremacy Clause explained (without the legal jargon)
Texas v. White (1869) and why states can’t legally secede
Federal vs. state authority — from SNAP benefits to National Guard deployment
Everyday examples: marijuana laws, taxes, and the gray area between local and federal control
Why the U.S. system confuses the world — and sometimes, us too
Takeaways:
A “state” is both sovereign and bound — independent within, united without.
The Constitution intentionally left room for friction; it’s what keeps democracy alive.
Federal authority may trump state law, but local governance remains the engine of everyday life.
Understanding these dynamics is key to understanding how—and why—America governs itself the way it does.
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Carl and Vanessa close out the Vote or Be Ruled series with a grounded discussion on why voting still matters—even when it feels futile. They explore voter apathy, political longevity, age in leadership, and how personal participation keeps democracy from decaying into complacency.
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Key Topics & Corrections
Voting Frequency and Civic Power
• There’s always an election happening somewhere in the U.S.—federal, state, or local.
• Correction: “California Proposition 50” is a fictional placeholder in the conversation; no such 2025 measure exists. However, the point stands: local and state propositions often decide key policy shifts.
• Voting is the direct mechanism for accountability. Calls for “term limits” often ignore that voters already have that power—they just don’t use it.
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Career Politicians and the Age Debate
• Carl and Vanessa discuss longevity in office, using examples like Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and President Biden.
• Correction: Pelosi is a representative, not a senator. She has served in the House since 1987.
• The conversation expands to the cognitive and generational gap in leadership—how older politicians may struggle to represent younger constituencies.
• Correction: No sitting U.S. president has died of old age in office; several have died from illness or assassination, but none solely from advanced age.
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Informed Voting and Breaking Tribalism
• Blind party loyalty keeps entrenched incumbents in power.
• Educated voting—based on candidate background, policy record, and lived impact—creates real change.
• Correction: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) did not die in office; he is still serving as of 2025. (Carl was referring to another member of Congress who passed earlier that year.)
• Abstaining from uninformed voting can be better than supporting a candidate whose platform contradicts your values—but it’s not a substitute for civic engagement.
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Local Elections: The Real Power Base
• Local offices—mayors, school boards, city councils—affect zoning, policing, education, and representation far more immediately than the presidency.
• Correction: In North Carolina and many other states, local election schedules can shift when municipalities vote to align with federal cycles, often to improve turnout or reduce costs.
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2024 Election Breakdown (Corrected Data)
• U.S. population: ~336 million
• Registered voters: ~174 million
• Ballots cast: ~154 million
• Donald Trump: ~77.3 million votes (49.8%)
• Kamala Harris: ~75.0 million votes (48.3%)
• Margin: ≈2.3 million votes
• Trump won via Electoral College, not popular mandate—his total represents roughly 23% of the total U.S. population, not “half the country.”
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Takeaway: The “Why” of Voting
Voting isn’t about believing your single ballot will swing a presidency—it’s about building the conditions that make accountability possible.
Democracy isn’t self-cleaning; if voters don’t show up, the system calcifies under those who do.
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Crayon Box Politics Update: Politician Baseball Cards
Carl announces the upcoming Politician Baseball Cards project—a quick-reference tool for voters to see who represents them, what they’ve done, and how they’ve voted.
A pilot release is planned for summer 2026, with public feedback rounds in early 2026.
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Next Episode Preview
November kicks off the State’s Rights series—exploring how state power, federal limits, and historical battles still define American freedom today.
Carl and Vanessa dissect America’s democratic mythos—how the Electoral College, primary system, and party elites shape outcomes long before voters step into a booth. The discussion threads from the Founders’ elitism to the 2024 Democratic transition, revealing how much “representation” is managed behind the curtain.
Correction: The Electoral College originated in 1787—not to deny democracy, but to reconcile state power under the Constitution.
Each state’s electors = total number of senators + representatives.
“Faithless electors” can occur, but most states now legally bind electors to the state’s popular vote.
Correction: Five presidents (not two) have won the Electoral College while losing the popular vote—most recently Trump in 2016.
The system gives smaller states disproportionate weight, meaning a Wyoming vote counts more than a California vote.
Before 1972, party leaders—not voters—chose nominees in conventions.
The 1968 Democratic Convention (Hubert Humphrey’s nomination despite poor primary support) led to reforms giving states more power.
Correction: Kamala Harris did not “appoint herself” or “receive no votes.”
After Biden’s 2024 withdrawal, pledged delegates and superdelegates reallocated under DNC succession rules.
This process was legal and procedural, though it appeared undemocratic to many.
Correction: The four notable 2024 Democratic challengers—Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Jason Palmer, and the “Uncommitted” protest vote—did compete in early primaries before the race collapsed.
Pop culture and wealth distort civic engagement.
Correction: Elon Musk’s “lottery for voters” story is unverified; however, similar celebrity-driven or financially-incentivized turnout efforts have skirted the ethical edge of electioneering.
Concerts, endorsements, and influencer campaigns reflect how political messaging now thrives on entertainment, not policy.
The American system wasn’t rigged by accident—it was built to balance control and chaos. Reforms like primaries and campaign laws tweaked the process, but power remains concentrated among elites, donors, and party insiders. Democracy, in practice, is still a managed performance.
In this episode of Crayon Box Weekly, Carl and co-host Vanessa explore the evolution of voting rights in America, discussing key amendments such as the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. They delve into historical contexts and legal frameworks that shaped voting eligibility, including age requirements tied to the Vietnam War draft, women's suffrage, literacy tests, and poll taxes. The discussion also covers the significance of the Voting Rights Act, federal vs. state law dynamics, and the inclusion of multilingual support for voters.
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Crayon Box Weekly is hitting pause—but not for long. In this special update episode, hosts Carl and Avery announce a temporary hiatus to focus on personal matters and major updates to the Crayon Box Politics platform. The podcast will return in September with brand-new political content, including an exclusive interview with Alexander Moss, author of The De Federalized Democrat.
Carl and Avery reflect on the state of American politics, identity politics, and the critical role voters play in shaping democracy. They also share thoughts on Pride Month and offer support for the LGBTQ+ community during this important time.
Listeners are invited to stay engaged during the break by joining Crayon Box Politics’ online communities and participating in upcoming discussions and projects.
Subscribe to stay informed, stay engaged, and—as always—color outside the lines.
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This episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly is all about the tangled web of religion and politics in the U.S. From the commercialization of faith by high-profile figures to the latest state and federal legislation on religious freedoms, Carl and co-host Avery dive deep into the complexities and absurdities shaping our lives one bill at a time.
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This week, hosts Carl and Avery discuss recent federal and state legislation affecting protest rights, including resolutions from Rep. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, executive orders, and key Supreme Court rulings. The episode also touches on the international context, comparing U.S. policies to those in other countries. They round off with an update on recent political issues including classified information leaks by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the impacts of President Trump's trade wars. The discussion concludes with a passionate soapbox segment on the non-partisan but biased nature of Crayon Box Politics against regressive policies.
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In this episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly, Carl and Avery delve into the current state of free speech in the U.S., discussing its importance as a core right enshrined in the Constitution. Recorded on April 14, 2025, the podcast critiques the policies of the Trump administration concerning free speech, specifically focusing on new legislation like HR 2634 (Free Speech on Campus Act), HR 2501 (Free Speech Fairness Act), and controversial state bills. The discussion expands to the potential dangers of these bills under an administration accused of authoritarian tendencies, and the episode also highlights executive orders signed by Trump that could impact the interpretation and application of free speech. Both hosts emphasize the need for awareness and active engagement to safeguard democratic rights.
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In this week’s episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly, Carl and Avery break down the recent tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2nd, referred to as 'Liberation Day'. The discussion delves into the economic and global impact of these tariffs on various countries, including China, Vietnam, and the EU. The hosts critique the Trump administration's approach to economic policy, comparing it to historical tariffs and exploring the subsequent market reactions. They highlight the contradictions in Trump’s statements about tariffs and the rising economic turmoil, examining the political and social ramifications. The episode concludes with a reflective analysis of the current political landscape and hints at topics for the next episode, including freedom of speech laws.
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We’d also love to hear from you—share your thoughts, experiences, or questions by submitting an audio clip to contact@crayonboxpolitics.com. Your voice could be featured in a future episode!
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In this episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly, recorded on March 31, 2025, hosts Carl and Avery, discuss the critical issue of 'Signal Gate.' Stepping away from their usual format of analyzing congressional and presidential activities, they delve into the mishandling of classified information via the messaging app Signal by high-ranking officials. The discussion covers various past incidents involving classified information, highlighting inconsistencies in accountability between political appointees and lower-level personnel. They also critique the officials' use of Signal for sharing sensitive data, with a focus on specific examples, such as detailed operational plans leaked prior to military actions. The episode also addresses the broader implications for national security and accountability within the intelligence community.
If you enjoy what we do and want to help us keep the show going, please consider supporting us at www.crayonboxpolitics.com/buy-me-a-crayon.
Every contribution makes a difference! We’d also love to hear from you—share your thoughts, experiences, or questions by submitting an audio clip to contact@crayonboxpolitics.com. Your voice could be featured in a future episode! Join us on Discord! https://discord.gg/TxbW656F
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This episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly covers the latest updates on state and federal legislation affecting healthcare and government funding. Hosts Carl and Avery discuss the passage of the continuing resolution bill to fund the federal government and a wide range of healthcare-related bills, both federally and at the state level. They analyze the Veteran's Choice Accountability Act, Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act, Defense of Conscience in Healthcare Act, and the Healthcare Price Transparency Act. At the state level, they dive into Missouri's bills on psychiatric hospitals, New York's combat veterans' healthcare choice programs, Tennessee's gun-related healthcare inquiry bill, and Indiana’s controversial anti-transgender healthcare legislation.
We’d also love to hear from you—share your thoughts, experiences, or questions by submitting an audio clip to contact@crayonboxpolitics.com. Your voice could be featured in a future episode!
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In this episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly, hosts Carl and Avery delve into the latest developments in voting rights and election legislation at both federal and state levels. They break down Congressional activities, executive actions by President Trump, and state-level bills in Alabama, Nebraska, and Washington. Carl and Avery discuss the implications of these legislative moves, their impact on voter accessibility, and the broader themes of voter suppression and election security. Tune in to stay informed and engaged as they draw clarity from the chaos of American politics.
If you enjoy what we do and want to help us keep the show going, please consider supporting us at www.crayonboxpolitics.com/buy-me-a-crayon. Every contribution makes a difference!
We’d also love to hear from you—share your thoughts, experiences, or questions by submitting an audio clip to carl@crayonboxpolitics.com. Your voice could be featured in a future episode!
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In this episode of Crayon Box Politics Weekly, hosts Carl and Avery dive into various state and federal legislations affecting housing policies. They start by exploring two significant bills passed in the House of Representatives: HR 965 and HR 224, aimed at providing rental assistance to disabled veterans and the complexities involved. The conversation extends to various state-level housing initiatives in Missouri, Utah, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, and Washington. The hosts also discuss President Trump's recent executive actions, including an notable order consolidating power within Doge teams across federal agencies. An engaging episode that mixes policy analysis with humorous insights into current political happenings.
If you enjoy what we do and want to help us keep the show going, please consider supporting us at www.crayonboxpolitics.com/buy-me-a-crayon. Every contribution makes a difference!
We’d also love to hear from you—share your thoughts, experiences, or questions by submitting an audio clip to carl@crayonboxpolitics.com. Your voice could be featured in a future episode!
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House Bills Mentioned in this show:
https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr224/BILLS-119hr224eh.pdf
https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr965/BILLS-119hr965rfs.pdf
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