Speak of the Devil presents Third Side Intelligence. Reverend Campbell is being joined by Witches Troj and Zaftig to discuss higher education and debt. Between predatory lenders and accessibility to higher education, does it benefit a population in the long term? Is the exorbitant cost of higher education creating a closed loop of classism? Even if you attend higher education, and are now buried in debt, will you realistically be able to pay it off, or find a job with a high enough salary to make a realistic dent in it?
You can learn more about Witch Doctor Troj on The Raising Hell Podcast where she is a regular contributor. Witch Zaftig can be found at her blog Unorthodoxy with Witch Zaftig.
Opening Monologue
What a month it’s been. I was afraid the Trump Russia thing would blow over before and after my last show, and holy hell were my fears unfounded. I’m not positive Trump is actively colluding with Russia but he’s not helping his case. His ‘spin the bottle’ world tour is nothing short of an American disgrace-from hitting on France’s Bridgett Macrone to the private Putin closet time. If it were done with grace or style, I might be impressed. When I first heard him say it was his strategy I was stunned, now it makes sense. He is a man of his word after all, moving on em like a bitch, in heat. You know a man is in trouble when he’s claiming he can pardon himself of crimes committed. Someone should tell the orangutans in chief that the innocent don’t need to be pardoned. He’s showing his hand. If you still have any trust or faith in Trump, you might be as foolish as he is.
Congress is no better. We have a single party voted into power. I don’t blame those that voted Republican, I blame the 71.5% of the voting population that DIDN’T vote in last year’s election for that one. People have been voting against their own self interest for all of history, but to allow others to govern your life with zero input, zero control, can there be anything less Satanic than that? Actually I believe a quote from the president sums it up pretty well…. Sad
The Republicans are doing everything they can to cut taxes for the top 5% wealthiest Americans (their donors) by the sum of $765 Billion over the next 10 years by stripping healthcare from the rest of us (we the people). The sad part is, the Republicans are quickly realizing they are only good at one thing, obstructionism, not governing, even when it comes to their own bills. I am always amused at the smoke screen for this tax cut being the ‘failing’ Affordable Care Act, and how it’s better to have the government out of healthcare. They seem to forget that the government stepped in because the private sector couldn’t do it themselves. There won’t be any real solution to healthcare until we move to a single payer plan, or medicaid for all.
I’m not saying any one person would be better than Trump as a president or the Republican in congress, I’m saying ANYONE would be. And now that I’ve pissed off the 26% of the eligible voters that voted for Trump let’s turn to the topic at hand: Higher Education and Debt. But first let’s meet our panel.
Our first guest is one of my favorite Witches in the world. She has an M.A. in religious studies, and is a PHD candidate. Her focus is on western esotericism, ritual and religion & popular culture. She has received multiple awards and scholarships and has had her research published in academic journals and books. She was a contributor to 9sense with her Unorthodoxy segment and has been a frequent guest on Speak of the Devil. Allow me to introduce the beautiful Witch Zaftig.
Our second guest is quickly becoming a favorite Witch of mine. She has a PHD in Clinical Psychology and works with a focus on disabilities, LGBT and low socioeconomic status rural & urban populations. Her research focus is in disabilities and studies fandoms and the use of fantasy in positive coping. You know her from her contributions to The Raising Hell Podcast or her last appearance on Speak of the Devil, the lovely Witch Doctor Troj.