One week before the U.S. Midterm elections, Mark Hayes and Brock Ganeles give their honest take on where the country stands. As voters abroad push back on their leaders, they ask whether Americans are ready to look at themselves, and what could change after Election Day.

As Israeli's go to the poll with an opportunity to rebuke a deranged leader, America is one week away from it's chance to shift teh balance of power. But as Americans have focused on Israel's atrocities in Gaza, they have been accepting of atrocities form its own government: from bombing fishing boats in the Caribbean to the abandonment of Ukraine to our own concentration camps. Brock noted the trend of White people finally acknowledging that other White Americans vote to maintain a racist hierarchy as their primary self-interest. Slow to come around, but finally noticing the blatant racism they have tolerated. maybe America can now finally self-reflect as recognizing a problem is the first step to fixing it.

In this episode:
The midterms and the world stage
The hosts say the Trump administration offers no clear plan beyond enriching itself.
They react to a controversial ad in Maine.
They discuss the Israeli election as the latest in a run of leadership changes abroad, after Hungary, Serbia and Brazil.
They ask whether Americans are ready to give a strong rebuke at the polls, and talk about what a Democratic majority could do on oversight.
Looking in the mirror
Brock argues Americans criticize other countries while ignoring what the U.S. does, including boat strikes in the Caribbean, cuts to foreign aid, and its stance on Ukraine and Venezuela.
They discuss how immigrants are portrayed in the media and treated by immigration enforcement.
They argue the campaign has focused on affordability while skipping these deeper questions.
Race and American politics
They say racism strongly shapes how many white Americans vote, and that the country has avoided talking about it.
They discuss teaching American history more honestly, including the Electoral College and the Senate's structure.
Mark cites unemployment, incarceration and economic data to argue Black women face unusual discrimination.
They cite a Citibank study on the economic cost of racism.
Both hope for lasting change, though Mark is more skeptical.
Corruption, regulation and accountability
They discuss alleged corruption tied to the Trump and Kushner families, based on a forthcoming book.
They push back on the idea that regulation always hurts business.
They criticize Merrick Garland for not prosecuting Trump sooner.
Education and policy
They argue for better public schools in cities and rural areas, and against school vouchers.
They say war spending could go toward schools and rural connectivity.
Quick hits
Jay-Z as the Super Bowl halftime performer, and the hosts' views on the NFL.
The World Series between the Brewers and the Rays.