A Radical Reset

Herby

Our Republic has been converted into a democracy which is just another name for mob rule. The mob is getting what it wants, to paraphrase H.L. Mencken, good and hard. One day soon, the entire edifice is going to collapse under its own weight and what takes its place historically will be tyranny. A Radical Reset is the alternative and the system is called Antipolitism. It calls for a new republic based upon merit and not ambition. No parties, no money in politics, no careers in politics, and only serving the public good. 

  1. AUG 22

    Father Figures Missing: Prison Taught Me What Statistics Can't Show

    Send us a text What if everything we believe about crime, poverty, and social breakdown stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of cause versus correlation? Drawing from my personal experience as someone who served over four years in prison, I reveal the uncomfortable truth about what really drives America's most pressing social problems. The destruction of the nuclear family—particularly in the Black community—stands at the epicenter of our societal decline. In 1960, 80% of Black children were born into two-parent families. Today, that figure has flipped completely, with only 20% having both parents present. This devastating shift wasn't accidental but resulted directly from well-intentioned government programs initiated under Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society" that inadvertently incentivized fatherlessness. During my time behind bars, I witnessed firsthand how virtually every young inmate shared one common factor: they grew up without fathers. Without paternal boundaries, boys lack discipline and direction, while girls often confuse sex for love, seeking male attention at increasingly younger ages—perpetuating the cycle of single parenthood across generations. Similarly, our approach to drug policy reflects this same confusion between cause and correlation. It's not drugs that cause most crime—it's the artificially high cost of illegal drugs that drives users to theft and violence. If substances were truly legalized (not merely decriminalized with burdensome regulations), most drug-related crime would disappear overnight. Current approaches to these problems—whether Trump's deployment of federal troops to high-crime areas or government intervention in private industry—treat symptoms while ignoring root causes. Central planning and control inevitably create unintended consequences, regardless of who implements them or how noble their intentions. The solution isn't to reform these failed systems but to end them entirely. We must stop subsidizing behaviors that destroy families and communities while recognizing that some apparent problems—like recessions—actually represent necessary resets before stronger growth. Are you ready for a radical reset that addresses causes rather than correlations? Join me in questioning the conventional wisdom that has failed us for generations. Support the show

    35 min
  2. AUG 16

    Why Central Control Always Fails, No Matter Who's in Charge

    Send us a text Are we damaging America by trying to fix it? In this thought-provoking episode, Herbie Kaye explores the ancient Taoist concept of "resisting the urge to act" and how it applies to our modern political landscape. Drawing parallels between the philosophy of Lao Tzu and America's governance challenges, Herbie makes a compelling case that well-intentioned government intervention has systematically undermined our society since 1964. Taking listeners on a journey through American political history, Herbie examines how the Great Society programs, despite noble intentions, contributed to family breakdown and cultural decay. He challenges conventional thinking about trade deficits, tariffs, and central economic planning, arguing that voluntary transactions always benefit both parties in a truly free market. The concentration of power in the executive branch receives particular scrutiny, with Herbie highlighting how presidents increasingly rule by executive order rather than through proper legislative channels—a dangerous trend the founding fathers sought to prevent through checks and balances. Madison's brilliance in designing a system where government action is deliberately difficult gets special attention. As America faces mounting debt and unfunded obligations approaching $200 trillion, Herbie makes the case for a "radical reset"—returning the federal government to its constitutional roles while devolving most responsibilities to families, communities, and states. This libertarian vision offers a path forward based on courage, liberty, and personal responsibility rather than central planning and government intervention. Whether you lean conservative or progressive, this episode will challenge your assumptions about government's proper role and the unintended consequences of political action. Subscribe to join the conversation about antipoliticism and how we might restore America's greatness through limiting, rather than expanding, government power. Support the show

    31 min
  3. AUG 13

    We Need to Be Smart About Crime, Not Just Tough on It

    Send us a text What if everything we think we know about fighting crime is wrong? Drawing from my extraordinary journey through the American prison system, I take you behind the steel doors to reveal truths about crime and punishment that politicians and pundits never discuss. The current response to rising crime in Washington DC reveals a familiar pattern – conservatives demand tougher sentences while progressives call for police reform, yet neither addresses the root causes of criminal behavior. My time as an inmate gave me unprecedented access to the inner workings of drug cartels and criminal enterprises, revealing how our prohibition-based approach to drugs actually fuels the violence we're trying to prevent. I explain why legalization (not mere decriminalization) of drugs would dramatically reduce violent crime by eliminating the black markets where violence is the only means of contract enforcement. This isn't about enabling addiction – it's about recognizing that prohibition has failed throughout history and continues to waste billions while making our communities less safe. I share firsthand accounts of how the prison drug trade operates, demonstrating why interdiction efforts are doomed to fail against the economic incentives of prohibition. Beyond drugs, I explore how social breakdown contributes to criminal behavior and why neither "tough on crime" nor "defund the police" offers practical solutions. By shifting our focus from being tough on crime to being smart on crime, we could concentrate our limited resources on preventing and solving violent offenses that directly harm others. If you're tired of simplistic solutions to complex problems and want to understand crime from someone who's seen both sides of the justice system, this candid discussion offers perspectives you won't hear in mainstream political discourse. Subscribe now and join me in reimagining how we approach one of society's most persistent challenges. Support the show

    43 min
  4. AUG 8

    How to Beat Trump: A Libertarian's Campaign Against the System

    Send us a text What happens when a political outsider challenges the entire system? In this provocative episode, I introduce my revolutionary concept of "anti-politism" – a vision for American governance without career politicians, without money in politics, and without partisan divisions at the federal level. As I prepare for my 2026 congressional run in Arizona's 4th District, I'm staking out bold territory that defies conventional political categories. The Democratic Party has abandoned classical liberalism for progressive extremes, while Trumpism offers right-wing rhetoric with left-leaning economic policies. Both paths lead to fiscal disaster as our national debt approaches $200 trillion when including unfunded liabilities. My campaign strategy might surprise you: I'm targeting disillusioned Democrats who feel politically homeless – reasonable people appalled by progressive extremes but unwilling to embrace Trumpism. By positioning libertarian principles as the rational middle ground, I aim to create a coalition of Americans who believe in fiscal responsibility, personal freedom, and the restoration of the nuclear family as society's foundation. This episode dives deep into why the welfare state has failed everywhere it's been tried, how eliminating the Federal Reserve would naturally limit endless wars, and why returning most federal functions to the states represents our only sustainable path forward. I also share my philosophical framework combining stoicism and objectivism – embracing courage, justice, moderation and wisdom while recognizing objective reality. Ready to join a movement that could fundamentally transform American politics? Listen to discover how we can create a government that serves from duty rather than ambition – before economic reality forces our hand. The time for a Radical Reset has come. Support the show

    39 min
  5. AUG 6

    We Don't Need No Stinking Gerrymandering: A Case for AntiPolitism

    Send us a text What if we eliminated political parties, campaign fundraising, and career politicians from our federal government? Herbie K offers a compelling alternative to our broken system in this thought-provoking exploration of Anti-Politism. At its core, Anti-Politism proposes replacing congressional elections with a merit-based lottery system that would select representatives from among citizens who have demonstrated they understand how the system works. Qualified participants would be those over 35, in the top third of income earners, without criminal records, who work full-time—creating an elite that's accessible to anyone willing to work hard and achieve. The current redistricting battles raging in Texas, California, and New York perfectly illustrate why such a radical change is necessary. Our system has devolved into partisan manipulation, with both parties engaging in the same gerrymandering they condemn when the other side does it. Anti-Politism would eliminate this problem entirely by creating simple geographic districts with equal populations—no strange shapes needed when representatives are randomly selected. Perhaps most revolutionary is how this approach transforms federal service from an ambition to a duty. Representatives would serve a single four-year term and then return to private life, eliminating the career politician problem that has plagued American governance. Since 80-90% of a modern congressperson's time is spent fundraising rather than legislating, Anti-Politism proposes making Congress a part-time position that primarily convenes to pass the annual budget and address national emergencies. Whether you find yourself nodding in agreement or questioning these ideas, Herbie K's passionate case for a return to true republican governance will make you reconsider fundamental assumptions about how our democracy should function. Explore the full vision in his book "A Radical Reset: The Manifesto of Antipolitism," available now on Amazon. Support the show

    33 min
  6. AUG 1

    Why Democrats Need to Embrace Reality and Libertarian Values

    Send us a text Political discourse has devolved into a dangerous game of absolutes, where every issue must be labeled either completely good or completely evil. This oversimplified thinking prevents us from addressing the complex realities facing America today, from the welfare system's unintended consequences to Social Security's looming mathematical collapse. We explore how decades of well-intentioned government programs have transformed temporary poverty into permanent dependency, disrupting the natural family support structures that once helped people through difficult times. The demographic implications are staggering - responsible families limit childbearing due to economic pressures while those dependent on government assistance continue having children without considering long-term consequences. This pattern threatens the foundation of American society. The conversation turns to Social Security's impending crisis, where mathematical certainty shows bankruptcy by the early 2030s. Rather than treating this as an untouchable political "third rail," we examine practical solutions including innovative investment strategies using immigration program revenues. Climate change discussions also require nuanced thinking beyond emergency rhetoric, considering both costs and benefits of proposed policies while acknowledging that warmer climates historically benefit human civilization. Political movements must offer substantive alternatives rather than simply opposing everything proposed by opponents. We discuss how Democrats could rebuild by embracing objective reality over progressive ideology, ditching positions that deny basic science like gender biology, and focusing on achievable policy goals. The path forward requires honest acknowledgment of which problems government can actually solve versus those requiring different approaches entirely. This represents more than political commentary - it's a call for Americans to demand better from their leaders and themselves, moving beyond tribal thinking toward practical solutions based on evidence rather than emotion. Subscribe and share this episode to join the conversation about building a political system focused on results rather than partisan point-scoring. Support the show

    39 min
  7. JUL 29

    Courageous Conversations: Breaking Silence on Urban Culture

    Send us a text The cultural decay of urban America demands our honest attention. This raw, unfiltered conversation tackles the systematic destruction of the nuclear family and its devastating consequences across communities—particularly in urban centers. Starting with a viral incident in Cincinnati, we examine how decades of well-intentioned but catastrophic welfare policies have transformed poverty from a temporary hardship into a subsidized state of permanence. Since the 1960s, we've witnessed the collapse of two-parent households from 80% to just 20% in some communities, creating generations raised without crucial boundaries and guidance. Most striking is the counterintuitive reality that during the Great Depression, crime rates actually decreased across all demographics despite extreme economic hardship. Why? Because families remained intact, pulling together through adversity rather than fracturing under it. This reveals a profound truth: poverty itself doesn't cause social dysfunction—the breakdown of family structure does. The absence of fathers creates ripple effects through all aspects of child development. Young men grow up without essential boundaries, while young women often seek validation in unhealthy ways, perpetuating cycles of early parenthood. Meanwhile, popular culture has shifted from celebrations of love and resilience to glorifications of dysfunction, creating a toxic feedback loop affecting youth across all backgrounds. The path forward requires courage—speaking honestly about cultural issues while distinguishing between race and destructive cultural patterns that can affect anyone. Real compassion means restoring personal agency by phasing out programs that subsidize family breakdown, rebuilding cultures that value responsibility, and reintroducing the concept of healthy shame as a social regulator. Ready for solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms? Explore these ideas further in "A Radical Reset," available now on Amazon in multiple formats. Join the conversation about restoring the foundations that allow communities to thrive through intact families and healthy cultural values. Support the show

    37 min
  8. JUL 25

    The Rising Danger of Fascism in America

    Send us a text The warning signs are flashing red, but most Americans aren't connecting the dots. While we're distracted by the daily political circus, something far more dangerous is taking root in American politics—a new strain of fascism that's finding a comfortable home within mainstream conservatism. In this deeply insightful examination of America's political crossroads, I break down how modern fascism operates: not through jackboots and overt dictatorship, but by allowing private businesses to maintain a façade of independence while forcing them to serve nationalist interests. This isn't just about Trump or MAGA—it's about the extremist ideologies gaining acceptance from both ends of the political spectrum. What makes this moment particularly perilous is our economic vulnerability. With mortgage rates at 7%, the housing market cooling, and our national debt spiraling beyond control, we're creating the perfect conditions for extremism to flourish. History teaches us that economic crises don't just destroy wealth—they destabilize democracies. Germany was "the most liberal, educated country in Europe until Hitler got his hands on it because of a little economic upset." The solution isn't found within our existing political framework. Both parties have been corrupted by a system that attracts power-hungry individuals rather than public servants. Anti-politism offers a revolutionary alternative: random selection of qualified citizens who bring real-world success and common values to governance. By transforming politics from career to duty, we might yet avoid the collision course between socialism and fascism that threatens to tear America apart. Don't dismiss these warnings as hyperbole. The financial crisis looming on the horizon will make the Great Depression "look like a walk in the park," and when it arrives, mainstream America will be vulnerable to extremist solutions unless we've prepared alternatives. Pick up "A Radical Reset" to understand how anti-politism could be our path forward before it's too late. Support the show

    37 min

About

Our Republic has been converted into a democracy which is just another name for mob rule. The mob is getting what it wants, to paraphrase H.L. Mencken, good and hard. One day soon, the entire edifice is going to collapse under its own weight and what takes its place historically will be tyranny. A Radical Reset is the alternative and the system is called Antipolitism. It calls for a new republic based upon merit and not ambition. No parties, no money in politics, no careers in politics, and only serving the public good.