Sacred Symbols+, #417 | How Could Donald Trump's Return Affect the Games Industry?
Added 2024-11-09 17:00:09 +0000 UTCHello! It's me, Colin. Welcome back to another episode of Sacred+. The election season is now behind us, and America has a new president-elect. In Grover Cleveland-like fashion, Donald Trump is returning to the White House, and it looks like he'll be doing so with complete GOP control of the House and Senate, too. No matter who won, though, I knew I wanted to do an episode on the victorious candidate, and specifically how (if at all) their policy prescriptions and stances may affect our space. To do this, I called in lawyer and friend-of-the-show Rick Hoeg, and we focused-in on five topics in particular: Tariffs, Inflation, Labor, the FTC, and Expression. Could Trump's unabashedly protectionist leanings ultimately make gaming more expensive in the US? Will inflation finally be stemmed, allowing people to afford more leisure items and activities? Does the new administration's populist slant signal a softening of anti-union sentiment once common with conservatives? Will the activist FTC be dismantled by a man who seems to believe most-of-all in free, unbridled markets? Should we be worried about a Trump statement from 2019 about access to violent games? We get into all of this -- and more -- in hopes that this podcast provides some tools to you to understand what's happening (and may still happen) in our sphere. More than that, though, we hope this show is useful to you, balanced, and fair. Please enjoy.
Comments
I live in shit hole brazil, besides our corrupt government making us pay a lot of taxes, and never returning it properly to us, our last president passes a bill to gradually reduce electronics taxes and video games included. the cost of a console here is the US price x10 the result is the sale price in our currency, and the minimum wage here is around 1412,00 (2024)
Marco Maluf
2024-12-30 17:05:02 +0000 UTCLmao it’s hilarious that Colin and Hoeg actually gave our special needs president the benefit of doubt and assumed he’d have a nuanced tariff plan…”He wouldn’t put tariffs on PS5’s, we don’t make those!” Turns out it’s blanket tariffs…which anyone who paid attention to this dipshits first term knew it would be. But hey, eggs probably won’t go up! 🙄
Halph Pint
2024-11-28 04:31:08 +0000 UTCYes very scared
Tyler
2024-11-16 15:36:39 +0000 UTCGrown ass men scared of conservatives 😂
Bailey Callis
2024-11-15 22:18:38 +0000 UTCWow, hearing about Hoegs medical bills is nuts! I am grateful that l live in Canada and we have (for the most part) universal healthcare. The Healthcare system here is by no means perfect but people can have the peace of mind that when they go to the hospital, they will not be billed up the wazoo.
Nicole M
2024-11-14 14:26:27 +0000 UTCMake your own show then and tell us all your brilliant ideas bro
SirJoseph_iv
2024-11-13 20:36:58 +0000 UTCI thought it was only ppl in my mom’s demographic (old ass ladies) who believed that nonsense.
SirJoseph_iv
2024-11-13 19:46:44 +0000 UTCProject 25 was not real you fell for the media and Kamala’s lies
Hose A Contra Razz
2024-11-13 15:11:26 +0000 UTCI am a fan of Hoeg
Glen Yelenovic
2024-11-13 13:43:05 +0000 UTCThe feeling is mutual, you come off as entirely ignorant of everything America voted on and have issues with. You also used cringe so you’re like 15, you don’t know shit.
The Rose Experience
2024-11-12 19:54:42 +0000 UTCYou’re literally the crying woah jack with the smiling mask on for a whole week
Scott
2024-11-12 16:24:52 +0000 UTCI’ve heard on job sites from the union guys that the union leaders got booed out of the halls for promoting Harris.
Tanner Denso
2024-11-12 14:59:08 +0000 UTCThere are always huge barrels of money for everything but the common people.....
Gooch Gobbler
2024-11-12 14:40:33 +0000 UTCCause the last four years were so great right? lol
Tazmaniandevil
2024-11-11 23:38:17 +0000 UTCEnjoyed the discussion. Great to see Colin touching on the insanity that is going around in terms of trans in sports, as well as the blatant corruption in the media.
Wesley
2024-11-11 22:32:46 +0000 UTCWait, what? Ben's gone?where ya'll hear this?
biki minhas
2024-11-11 13:01:16 +0000 UTCSame here.
Hustle&Motiv8
2024-11-11 11:51:30 +0000 UTCGoing to be a rough 4 years that’s for sure.
Aaron
2024-11-11 08:53:21 +0000 UTCYou're also espousing pro big business rhetoric. If the country had unfilled jobs, rather than unemployment wages would become a competition point and this is the driving factor behind immigration and deregulation, which both parties support.
Yalingo
2024-11-11 02:50:00 +0000 UTCExactly. The price of your cheeseburger went up far more than inflation. That’s why corporations are seeing record profits. They saw an opportunity to blame someone else for the cost of goods increasing.
Tyler
2024-11-11 02:38:58 +0000 UTCI’m a big time lefty soy boy and it’s been a very stressful few days. I just want to say I really appreciate you guys doing this. It certainly helps put some things into perspective, even if I don’t feel entirely convinced he’s not going to put Project 2025 into motion. But really, thank you Colin.
Tyler
2024-11-11 02:34:54 +0000 UTCYeah it was hard to listen to. Also Hoeg should have corrected him multiple times if he truly was an econ major. I have a mecon and I groaned multiple times.
Wayde
2024-11-11 01:52:27 +0000 UTCColin mentioned Bitcoin. It's at 80k, and just getting started. Orange man good, orange coin good. ~90k by end of year. ~200k by holidays 2025. America's digital gold.
Rufián
2024-11-11 01:43:40 +0000 UTCTrump the goat 🫡🇺🇸
Cyprus Davis
2024-11-10 21:25:00 +0000 UTCI really appreciate the intro to this pod. No particular ideology, just useful information. Thank you for this!
Molly Bittner
2024-11-10 21:09:47 +0000 UTCWho are you even talking about? I only see your opinions on topics you’re not in a position to talk about authoritatively, or even intelligently. The only other opinion in this thread is that you’re being annoying.
MomsLikeMe
2024-11-10 20:16:45 +0000 UTCI’m not over emotional lmao it’s just infuriating that people who have no idea what they’re talking about seem to have a lot of opinions on it.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 19:40:37 +0000 UTCYou’re getting insulted because youre very clearly over emotional
Scott
2024-11-10 19:38:52 +0000 UTCNo I think people just don’t want to face any facts. I’m not tapped into some great ever present truth where people need to come to me to for what’s “really” happening. The current inflation rate is readily available for everyone. Google it. The unemployment number is readily available as well. People just ignore it, spin up stories in their head that fulfill their ideal story, and run with it. I present them the truth, that’s an easy google search away, and immediately they insult. It’s not complicated.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 19:37:20 +0000 UTCPeople jump to insults because you’re being a tosser in a Patreon comments section. You’re coming across as callow, uneducated, and obstinate. That is literally the last person any sane individual would want to engage with in meaningful discourse.
MomsLikeMe
2024-11-10 19:32:46 +0000 UTCShout out to Romancing Saga 2's remake. Its quite good.
Cameron
2024-11-10 19:13:58 +0000 UTCIt’s always interesting listening to an American’s views on tariffs as I’m an Australian. Global tariffs have been contentious since our federation in 1901 so when others discuss it, I try to pay attention. Our primary exports though are iron ore, natural gas, coal, education services and gold. It always seemed as though Aus’ success as a nation has depended on how we interact with our neighbours and allies. Will be interesting to see how Trump’s policies will affect us here.
Caesar
2024-11-10 18:51:02 +0000 UTCThey literally said your second point at the end of the episode
Jared R
2024-11-10 18:14:36 +0000 UTCNone of you have anything to say on it cause you have no idea what you’re talking about. Everyone jumps to insults bc you have no argument.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 17:47:49 +0000 UTCGlad “debate me!” bro has entered the chat.
Dante B
2024-11-10 17:43:02 +0000 UTCOn my way to the hospital, thanks asshole
Gabriel Baker
2024-11-10 17:25:05 +0000 UTCYeah the average American can’t afford a 400& emergency so you really can’t be surprised that killing unborn babies and respecting pronouns wasn’t top of the priority list when heading to the polls, RED TSUNAMI !
Scott
2024-11-10 16:53:18 +0000 UTCHe probably puts Dawn dish soap in the dish washer too.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 15:19:27 +0000 UTCI feel like you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about in any regard of politics. And I’m happy to debate you on any of it.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 15:18:26 +0000 UTCI’m talking about the average American. This isn’t complicated to understand.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 15:08:15 +0000 UTCColin has forgotten more about politics than you’ll likely ever know. Sorry.
The Rose Experience
2024-11-10 14:35:43 +0000 UTCLet me know some consistent modern examples of Deflation of integral items, I’ll wait.
The Rose Experience
2024-11-10 14:35:23 +0000 UTCIf you can’t afford a 400$ emergency I don’t think we should be listening to anything you have to say.if I were you I’d get off here and go work some more hours or something
Scott
2024-11-10 14:26:04 +0000 UTCJd vance puts his cast iron skillet in the dish washer
Jake Nunley
2024-11-10 14:03:08 +0000 UTCHearing Colin talk about politics when he knows basically nothing is cringe. You would rather have people working and paying more? First of all, unemployment is at record lows right now, arguably too low. Secondly, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if products were more since you’re a rich business owner. The rest of us can’t afford a $400 emergency. Your hard on for patriotism and “bring the businesses back” mentality doesn’t help the American politics, all it does is strike your ego that “America reigns”. Also, wtf are we talking about when it comes to inflation? Inflation IS down. Biden passed the inflation reduction act and as of right now, inflation is at 2.1%.
Nick Vieu
2024-11-10 11:34:40 +0000 UTCLol if only
Wayde
2024-11-10 09:21:39 +0000 UTCHope for the best prepare for the worst. Just hoping the majority is right
Wayde
2024-11-10 09:21:20 +0000 UTCMAWA
Wayde
2024-11-10 09:20:14 +0000 UTCCollin the US economy is fine. You are paying more because of corporate greed. The economy being good or bad has little to do with your over priced cheeseburger. There is a reason these companies are seeing record profits. Also prices can go down it's called deflation and if that happens we have entered a massive recession.
Wayde
2024-11-10 08:42:50 +0000 UTCW
Robbie Agnew
2024-11-10 06:47:09 +0000 UTCseriously 🤣
Michael McCoy
2024-11-10 06:10:53 +0000 UTCDon’t get me wrong, we definitely didn’t do everything right: the wishy washy comms (which could be inherent to trying to be transparent with evolving science), not having enough domestic production (which wasn’t there during trump either), and business taking advantage of the stimulus’s (hopefully who are now being punished). Sorry about this, just feel like this stuff isn’t brought up enough about inflation
DigitalGameMunkey
2024-11-10 03:48:00 +0000 UTCAlso you can look at other countries post Covid and they suffered just as much with inflation, some more and some only in specific markets
DigitalGameMunkey
2024-11-10 03:41:37 +0000 UTCPeople weren’t working and didn’t have that money pile to help support them, thus less people spending and more govt intervention/help to maintain the economy. The only other example we have is Spanish flu inflation, but that was also paired with the end of ww1 so it’s harder to make a fair comparison.
DigitalGameMunkey
2024-11-10 03:39:26 +0000 UTCYeah what do you think happened in 2020 that caused that rise in inflation and who do you think was responsible for it steadily lowering?
DigitalGameMunkey
2024-11-10 03:30:19 +0000 UTCReasonable mines can dig-fer
Alan Wake 2 - Alan WOKE
2024-11-10 03:13:00 +0000 UTCAre we taking a shot every time Hoge says reasonable minds can differ or what
Dante B
2024-11-10 01:56:22 +0000 UTCReasonable minds can what!?!?!?
Owen S
2024-11-10 01:06:39 +0000 UTCI’d really like to PS+ shows as 2 a week again. They allowed bandwidth for a missable episode
Light The Idea
2024-11-10 00:44:22 +0000 UTC#justiceforben
Adam Barnes
2024-11-09 23:37:56 +0000 UTC0.25% is 25bps, not 1bp
GameSimp
2024-11-09 22:58:33 +0000 UTCjust wait til the constellation episode on monday, assuming its about the election lol
peanutbutterloveer
2024-11-09 22:26:03 +0000 UTCLove the thumbnail
Haru Discourse
2024-11-09 21:43:46 +0000 UTCI bet 1500$ on a Trump victory and cashed out my winning to buy my ps5 pro :)
Scott
2024-11-09 21:21:08 +0000 UTCHe’ll be fine. He’s been through worse on Twitter and half of it is him trolling people
Froilan
2024-11-09 21:14:58 +0000 UTCColin- By the time the economy effects me, you'll all be dead. I'm so sad!
Michael Rogers
2024-11-09 20:46:45 +0000 UTCI was actually confident in a Trump victory the whole time. I don't find it surprising. Trump has basically been campaigning for 2 straight years with almost no real Republican competition. The Dems started with Biden and then staged a coup within their own party after he, basically, died on stage during the first debate. They installed Harris as the nominee at the last minute with no primary process. Harris was a super weak candidate who dropped out of the 2020 race at the very beginning because she was unpopular. If Biden had decided from the beginning not to run again and the Dems had a proper primary process, they could have had a real chance with a strong nominee.
Matthew Cooper
2024-11-09 20:29:40 +0000 UTCGreat discussion. I'm not a fan of talking about tamping down government spending by cutting Medicare and Social Security. There are other ways to cut spending that aren't talked about by "defecit hawks". There are other ways to raise funds that won't impact the lives of average Americans. We've been conditioned to think this is what has to happen.
Michael Jacobson
2024-11-09 19:35:01 +0000 UTCHey Colin, hope you read this or someone brings it to your attention. I'm disappointed Ben is leaving not sure how much you were paying him the last few years and how he paid his bills,but just keep paying him the same and let him be on more episodes. Ben is great for LSM. Sort it out
drew
2024-11-09 19:28:51 +0000 UTCRegardless of the election outcome, I'm really glad there is an outlet like Last Stand Media in the gaming space that is able to discuss the impact of the election thoughtfully and respectfully. Thank you Colin and Hoeg!
Jab Bab Kab
2024-11-09 19:22:57 +0000 UTCR.E.S.P.E.C.T.
easelgames
2024-11-09 18:36:40 +0000 UTCGreat again! Only way to go is up
The Rose Experience
2024-11-09 18:35:57 +0000 UTCI supported the Harris/Walz ticket and am disappointed by the Trump win, but the people have spoken. Very excited to listen to this episode as we all continue forward.
Paul Waltz
2024-11-09 18:01:15 +0000 UTCI’m heating up popcorn as we speak!
Diddy’s Dong Quest
2024-11-09 17:58:32 +0000 UTCI’m sure the comments on this thread will be very fair and reasonable lol
Plombus bombus
2024-11-09 17:53:38 +0000 UTCDonald J. Trump - the eagle of America. Making Gaming Great Again. No more trans simulators. Woke gamers in shambles. We're back boys! 🇺🇸
Rufián
2024-11-09 17:46:02 +0000 UTCThat’s all I care about. But I hope he didn’t see the comment session of yesterday’s SS here on Patreon cause that was such a parassocial shitshow by some mentally unstable people that I don’t know how the fuck he’ll be comfortable in this community lmao
Breno Bezerra Bluhm
2024-11-09 17:33:13 +0000 UTCMore Trump impressions from Chris is all I care about
sotelo74
2024-11-09 17:15:06 +0000 UTCOh lawd, he tossing out the bait LMAO
Alan Wake 2 - Alan WOKE
2024-11-09 17:11:14 +0000 UTCTrump win…unbelievable. Hard to believe really.
Robbie Agnew
2024-11-09 17:09:40 +0000 UTC
