The world is a better place with Jon.

43 years old French Canadian listener here. The province of Québec is providing their citizens with nationalized electricity, daycare and healthcares. I lost my job 2 years ago and my government is currently giving me $100 a week to complete a college degree in electrical engineering (in a public institution with yearly tuition fees of $250). Social democracy works! Tax money can benefit the people. Thanks for your show Jon!

Having lived in a state (Alabama) that was very proud of the fact that they had very low taxes, the results were horrible roads, atrocious schools, lack of public facilities in general. Now that I have returned to suburban Chicago, I can easily see where the money goes. A wonderful swimming facility that I can access daily for about 16.00/ month, a beautiful library , very good schools, roads regularly maintained, the list goes on, and while our tax rate is somewhat high, we get some bang for our buck.

Dark Money by Jane Mayer is a masterpiece of journalism and that is how I learned years ago about what is really going on.

The ethics situation with the Supreme Court is absolutely fucking INSANE. Your mailman isn't allowed to accept a $20 gift card to Starbucks as a thank you. But Fuck-all's McWearsARobe can go on free million dollar vacations & have RVs just given to them, or hell, had a fucking house GIFTED to them....

Wow what a concept, people having civilized intelligent discussion and coming up with real ideas to make change. Nice to hear something positive .

I have a feeling these podcast conversations are going to lead to real legislative change. Thank you so much yet again, Jon!

I absolutely love that Jon and his team started this show. I don't know how many of his Daily show fans will have the attention span to listen to an hour long broadcast but for those of us that want to see the intellect behind the comedy we'll be delighted to tune in each week

With so many worthless podcasts out there it’s about time Jon starts blessing us with a thoughtful and intelligent one. We need as much Jon Stewart as we can get.

Want an end to corruption in politics? 1. Fund campaigns publicly through taxes. Each candidate gets te same amount, and it's not a lot because in the Information Age, you don't need a lot. 2. Lobbyists can't give a politician ANYTHING - not a candy bar and not a luxury vacation. That would eliminate the need to call donors because there would BE no donors. Lawmakers could spend their time making laws.

Visiting a small village in France years ago, the friends whom we visited showed us the local tax bill. It included a complete itemized break down of expenditures. Brilliant!

Supreme court 2010 - "money is free speech and therefore can not be limited". But, huge donations aren't an amount of speech, it's the volume at which that speech is vocalized. More money, LOUDER speech... to the point of drowning out all other voices.

I love the idea Jane said, being able to lookup where taxpayer dollars are going.

When the judiciary is chosen by political parties, it will never end well…😢

In my county they break down how the property taxes are used on the billing invoice so I have no doubt they can expand on the transparency. I hope it happens.

I love John's "Holy shit" moment with Jane's idea of having a way to find out where your individual taxes are going. I agree that it is an absolutely brilliant idea!

John’s ability to be funny when no one is there laughing back is an underrated skill.

Jon is such a bright spot in these dark times.

Jon's point at about the hour mark about the DOD's budget and constant failing audits is so important. How is this allowed to go on? Keep speaking truth to power Jon, your voice is sorely needed in the discourse.

This was a powerful show and conversation of facts and ideas. As a citizen of USA and voter, I believe it has called me to figure out how to help with these issues and ideas. Thank you Jon Stewart and guests for your insight and creating this podcast.

I feel like a huge solution no one ever talks about is reducing campaign time. The reason politicians have to constantly fundraise is because they are constantly campaigning. If we reduced the available time then it would solve sooo much.

What's insane, is that these disenfranchised people choose to support the billionaires that are exploiting them instead of those people trying to help them.

Oh good sir, how GRATEFUL I am that you are BACK in EVERY way that you're back! You HAVE been missed on the late night and podcast media formats I use! I've BEEN watching/listening to you since 2001 (& Colbert when he joined you at CC) and you know what... STILL AM! You continue to enlighten, educate, inform, amuse, and yes entertain me in the process, and we NEED your voice out there speaking for the REST of us! Thank you, good sir, thank you!

This was the best conversation I've heard all year. Hands Down. All Americans need to hear these ideas.

Corporate profit taking is off the rails. This is not inflation.

We have been doomed by seeing everything as transactional since the Reagan 80's. So now we have Whorehouse Economics and no shame.

In reference to Jon's last example. It was mind numbing. The interview gave me a headache. We need countless Jon Stewarts out there doing what he does. This was a great pod cast, thanks for this. Good luck to everyone out there.

Jane's idea to graphically display for everyone to see charts that show where tax money goes, is brilliant. Here's how I can get the ball rolling in my small town in western Colorado: Go to our town council with Jane's idea, and try to get them to generate our local version of it. After a period of evaluation and adjustment to make it easier to read or provide more detailed information, publish widely and challenge county government to do the same, then on up the governmental ladder. Great idea, Jane.

We need a climate of absolute unmitigated transparency. Not so that we could see whenever someone is doing something wrong (as I previously thought), but so that we can tell that *somebody is doing anything* at all.

Institutionalism has proven to be our greatest enemy in the face of many of today's threats. The idea that legally applying an ethics code to SCOTUS or banning stock trading in congress is somehow radical. Keep up the good fight Jon!

this is the format I enjoy Jon's commentary the most. he is best in long form discussions, and this is right up my alley. I hope this show really takes off

I'm glad comedy Central shows enough respect for Jon Stewart and gave him another show

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jon, for making this podcast. America desperately needs you! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

I'm in Germany. When I couldn't find a job after working abroad, my state paid over 15.000 Euro for my second apprenticeship as an Associate in Industry (commercial area) while also covering my apartment and basic living costs. I was 33 when I had my diploma. For 14 years now I have been continuously employed with good salaries. In the meantime, I qualified as a quality manager and ISO auditor, and now I work as a business process manager in robotics. My brothers logistics apprenticeship was also financed by the state. He got his diploma in January and works now in one of the biggest logistics company worldwide as a freight forwarder. We also have "levels of care" for people who can't fend for themselves completely or not at all, often for older people. So the person who cares for you would get a certain amount of money from you, that you reveived by the state. It's between 120 Euro a month for level 1 and more for 2 and 3. So yes, these systems work.

Human ignorance and outright stupidity are the greatest threats to democracy, and given 2016 and everything since, I no longer believe those can be remedied.

Looking forward to seeing more!! Jon is doing a solid service to mankind 🙏🙏

I am a single caregiver for my 86 year old mom who has stage 4 dementia. Everything I had is gone into caring for her. No help from immediate family. I cannot work because as she worsens I MUST be home. I have begged DCF for assistance. Nothing. The landlord jacked our rent $450 per month more "or get out". I've never been late on rent. As a matter of fact, I was early until they jacked the rent. Now, it's the first. I fought for 6 months to get SNAP food assistance, but we are moments away from being homeless. I've tried everything I've been referred to. I'm at the end of my rope. On a positive note: It's fantastic to have you back in the light. Love your smarts and empathy. THANK YOU

76 year-old retired English teacher here. John is absolutely right about the disconnect between the way students learn and the way our educational system is set up. Also, when Democrats do messaging, they need to pay attention to the ways people learn. Talk to some good educators. Figure out how to drive a point home to the American public!

I would vote for Jon Stewart for President!!

Her idea for finding out where our taxes are going is incredible and absolutely should be a thing.

How is it that not enough of our tax money is going to local education? Not just salaries for teachers, but for improving educational infrastructure, like school staffing, teacher aids, educational tools (books, computers, etc) to facility management? All we keep hearing are more cuts. Does government want us to stay stupid? This is one institution that can and needs to be bolstered.

Corruption is the problem that makes it impossible to solve any of the other problems.

I so very much appreciate Jon and his service to the American people, whether they are aware it or want it. I do!!

word up! thank you jon stewart and guests!!!! i am grateful and appreciate your energy and passion. smart, critical, compassionate, and funny!!!

I remember your interview with that pentagon person, Jon. You don’t wanna know the things I was calling her while yelling at my smart TV. I was getting so angry. She was so clearly full of shit that it was offensive. That’s the thing when people lie to you like that. It’s an insult to one’s intelligence. Not just that they’re lying to you, but they think you are so stupid that you will believe their bullshit. Which of course makes one even angrier. Keep up the good work. It’s too bad that Apple TV didn’t have your back and couldn’t deal with the controversy. They should’ve known what they were getting with you. I am so happy you are doing this. And so happy you are back on The Daily Show in whatever capacity. My Best to you and your family.

Thank you Mr Stewart and all those who make this show possible.

Fantastic Jon! You are a Godsend. For the first time in a long while, I feel a trickle of hope. Keep doing what you're doing. I so enjoyed this first podcast; in-depth, inspiring conversation getting to the root of the issues that also offer thoughtful resolution, laced with humour. I love seeing you back on the Daily Show on Mondays and now I have Thursdays to look forward to as well. Thank you for being the person you are, tapping into your network of influence. May this grassroots think tank lead to life-changing results.

Robert Reich just wrote an excellent piece on addressing the governmental vulnerabilities.

In order for us to change we need a well educated public. Over the last 50+ yrs I've watched them dismantle our education system and media.

Having been a former Department of Defense contractor and later working as a consultant for someone who was a member of, as George Carlin so eloquently put it, "the club", I have seen entitlement raised to an insane level, including a complete suspension of rule of law. These people operate with a level of impunity that makes it seem like it's a natural thing. For God's sake I walked around with a sheriff's badge and the instruction that if anything should happen just show them the badge and let them know who I worked for and everything would be taken care of. That is power. And what do people with power want? More power. I thought to myself, this only happens in movies, but no, it was real life and was never more frightened in my life. Why? Because it comes with a pledge of fealty that is absolute. And some times that fealty is from a member of Congress to their backer. And that is why I left. Jane's idea is spot on regarding having a reporting process for transparency. But as she mentioned getting the information is problematic. I suggest we take a path that is a little more doable and starts to shine the light on transparency. Create a website that is a portal to all elected officials and their appointees. You log on with your social security number and access all the state and national officials. It would have all their basic information; state, region, background information, education and public work background (if any). It would also show their voting record on bill and a hyperlink to what those bills are. also links to all their appointees and their information. And (drum roll please) it would include affiliations with PAC funding or individuals. Except for dark funding all this information is available and as a country that prides itself in being a technology leader, can be done today. As someone who has been in tech for over 30 years, we can do this TODAY. Jon, your team and passion for a sustainable, honest, and transparent government, is sorely needed in today's environment. Keep up the great work. "It is a historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture ; but , as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us , groups are far more immoral than individuals." Martin Luther King, Jr. - Letter from Birmingham Jail

This is the Jon we’ve been missing. Welcome back. We need you. We need each other to make this crazy experiment in democracy work.

Glory be. Thank you, Jon. Mondays alone aren’t enough.

I totally favor representative democracy. Sadly, I don’t see how we can describe our system as a representative democracy when billionaires and corporations are able to buy the votes of our “representatives.” Add to that mess our Electoral College, our gerrymandered House of Representatives, and our two-senators-per-state Senate and it’s easy to understand why our federal government does not deliver what the American people want and deserve. To mention just one example, I think a government that represents the 99 percent as well as the 1 percent would pass a law prohibiting businesses from selling their customers’ personal information. That should be a pretty light lift.

As far as tax transparency, Finland has it. You can literally call or go to a tax office and look up anyone's taxes. You can literally look up your neighbors or a politician. If that happened in the US, I think it would cause a purge.

Hi Jon! Thanks for being with us. Up and onward, and god speed, my friend.

72 year old Coloradan listener here. Love this show

Jane Mayer ROCKS!

I am so so happy that Jon is back in this kind of format. I love him on the Daily Show. But TDS is comedy. And I LOVE his comedy. But I also love his trenchant analysis and commentary. I am so happy he's doing this too!

Please keep the dialogue going this is fantastic this is what needs to be publicly discussed and publicly listen to publicly educated and to advance our Union to as close as perfection as we can get it

Why can’t we have more people like this!? Jon Stewart is knowledgeable and has common sense. Very informative!

Delighted you’re doing more in depth podcasts along with your return to the Daily Show, Jon. Fan since the 90s. We really needed you back. Ty too for helping our NY First Responders🫶

The money tracker in government is an amazing idea and the military complex is a great place to start!

Jon, this is so good. Thanks to you and your guest for doing such a great job.

I was a civil engineer working in California and had to return to Idaho to take care of my parents. My good father contracted dementia and I helped clean him up for 4 years until 2008. Guess what? A year later my house plummeted from 150,000 to 50,000. I gave it to the bank. And like you say Obama let them off scott free. Those bastards. you under something Jon keep going keep going!

Keep up the good work Jon! In 10-15 years you'll be young enough to run for President!

The biggest threat to democracy is complacency

What a great crew, can't wait for more! The transparency, research, fact checking, diplomacy, relaxed candidness, and willingness to criticize all sides gives it all integrity.

Excellent discussion, much food for thought, but the rational outline of these problems and the actual solutions take it to the next level. Thank you all for your efforts & concerns in these matters, good to know there are many others watching this train wreck.

The flex of having both Jane and Noah on this first episode is wonderful. Looking forward to future episodes!!

Getting money out of politics would make the greatest change to our entire country. Unfortunately, since it would help the bottom 90% & hurt the top 1%, it will never happen.

God bless you Jon, you are a great American. I am so thankful for you not quitting/retiring. We need you sir, I appreciate you keeping a rational conversation going!

You all have filled my heart with joy. Thank you for your kind words!

I've watched the Defense Dept. interview he was talking about. And it was alarming, Jon actually downplayed the absolute disdain she had for anyone who wanted to question why the largest annual budget, which would be the 18th largest national GDP in the world, can't pass an audit and doesn't seem to have any interest in doing so. Should be required watching for all!

Great podcast….this is exactly what we need in today’s society….common sense conversations…with a laugh mixed in with the knowledge of our world…..love you Jon

Amazing. Jon Stewart is saving the country from itself by creating fascinating conversations and educating everyone..... Thank you Jon!!!❤

I'm so happy that Jon Stewart is back to doing long format discussions like this again!

Jane you ignorant genius - ‘Showing people where their government money comes from and goes to is utterly brilliant.’

Very intelligent and articulate analysis. So happy to have your podcast back.

RFK Jr. Needs to speak with Jon. One on one for 3 hours straight. It would break the internet and wake up the left to the honest and sincere person that he is. Make it happen Jon. You know he’d jump at the opportunity to go on your show

There was ONE SINGLE year when we received a breakdown of how our tax money was being used within the state. It did not go into federal breakdowns, but it was incredibly illuminating. I'm pretty sure that was quashed by those who would rather taxes continue to be evil, opaque, and difficult so that they can really people to cut them... regardless of the true cost of tax cuts. Tax cuts almost never benefit those for whom they are purchasing as being beneficial.

I’m glad you’ve decided to carry on doing a podcast as I loved the ones you did for The Problem & it’s nice to have you back two times a week now 🥳

When you look at how much money washes out every two years into electoral cycles, how can Americans complain about prices.

So grateful to have found this channel and so grateful to you Mr. Stewart and your collaborators.

Your voice is needed and valuable Jon. Stay well, and healthy. Thank you 🙏🏾

Agree with most people here and it shows that being intelligent is very difficult. Fantastic, classy Jon work. Plus, thanks A MILLION for having no ads throughout! 😊 can’t wait for next week’s show.

Around the 16 minute mark Jon nails what my complaint is with wanting business men in the government, business is transactional, and we’re trained you don’t give anything without getting something in return. This behavior in government can be corrosive if it’s self serving and its’ attraction is immense.

Thanks Jon. You were always a political activist even doing your comedy. It’s what you’re meant to do. Thank you for being our voice.

it was about time we got a Jon Stewart podcast!!! We love you so much Jon!

I think a lot of the problem stems from the constituents being people who are very poorly educated and don't understand how the people who are representing them are actually not representing them.

A weekly podcast where beloved news comedian Jon Stewart discovers that the profit motive is the fundamental problem underlying every issue we encounter.

So great to see this

Long-time Stewart Fan--his face as he's aged is a combination of Wisdom, Kindness, and Humour, that we all need so much more of. Love it. Maximum success with the Podcast. I want to send a screenprint of an overhead lights problem during the podcast that made Jane look like literally an alien. Honestly, not exaggerating. How do I do that?

I am often reminded of Bernie’s 2016 campaign platform and wistful about what could have been. It is all still spot on required after all these years.

I am always looking forward to anything Jon Stewart has to say. True voice of democratic thinking. Thank you for your relentless work Mr Stewart. Lots of love from the Down Under 🍀 ❤

Susan from Maui Hawaii: Recently these two things happened here. A brand new high school was built on the uphill side across a highway from the nearby homes where families live - without protected access for the students to walk or bike to school safely. The school sat empty for a while. Now there are plans to build an overpass. On the positive side, Maui County has recently heated the public Pukalani swimming pool. Before, it was freezing. They have changed from chlorine to salt water. Families and seniors are very appreciative… including me. (Pukalani is located at a higher elevation on Haleakala volcano and the pool is in a windy area… so cooler than beach locations.) Thank you for all you do.

I hope this show will finally blow the lid off “Big Tupperware”

I believe that both parties, Democrat and Republican, mostly do not care about how middle and lower class Americans are suffering every day. I am a retired teacher, worked my butt off for almost 30 years, and barely am able to pay bills today. Congress members, the Supreme Court, and most elected officials are so busy lining their own pockets and playing politics that they have forgotten that we are the ones who pay for everything! we need more transparency on how much money our politicians take from interest groups. We need more transparency on where our tax dollars are going. How about the pentagon stealing millions of dollars of taxpayer money, the insider trading done by Congress members, and George Bush ripping money out of Social Security money.! Thank you John Stewart for organizing this meaningful, intelligent group.

THE WEEKLY SHOW is gonna be a HIT! ✨

So glad to see this show!! Jon and his guests showed tremendous insight into how to improve life in the US. But this is only made possible by our citizens, not our elected officials and corporate influence!

Man I love listening to Jon's coverage. I learn so much from his knowledge and his guests books.