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"Nobody Voted for Diarrhea" — Why CDC Cuts Are Backfiring (Literally)

July 17, 2026 / 00:59

This episode discusses the impact of government cuts on public health, focusing on the CDC's workforce reductions and the resulting health crises.

The hosts criticize the Republican Party for their decisions leading to outbreaks of illnesses like Cyclospora, linking these issues to cuts in health programs.

They highlight the importance of competent government workers and the consequences of neglecting public health initiatives.

The conversation emphasizes that voters did not choose these negative outcomes, framing the issue as a failure of leadership and foresight.

TLDR

Government cuts to the CDC lead to health crises like Cyclospora outbreaks.

Episode

0:59
00:00:00
Just ridiculous. These people made the cuts and this is the result. Everyone's having diarrhea. The fact that diarrhea
00:00:05
is the is the brand for the Republican Party, like bringing us diarrhea and measles and possibly polio and Ebola, is
00:00:12
really quite something. [music] >> It is cuz that's the same thing. This is true of Democrats and Republicans. We've
00:00:17
taken for granted how many competent people work for the government. You don't notice these things when the CDC
00:00:22
is working. You only notice it when someone is themselves. >> But in this case, this was the
00:00:27
Republicans cutting these programs. >> Elected by an American populace. >> Nobody voted for diarrhea.
00:00:33
>> We didn't vote for diarrhea. >> It's not just short-sighted, it's just dumb. Like, let's stop the tracking of
00:00:37
food-borne illnesses. Who made that decision? >> Folks, connect the dots. Since early
00:00:42
2025, the administration has cut more than 3,000 positions from the CDC, roughly a quarter of the workforce. And
00:00:49
what do you know? We're having a Cyclospora outbreak. I mean, this is math. This isn't politics.

Episode Highlights

  • The Diarrhea Brand
    The Republican Party's brand is humorously linked to diarrhea and disease outbreaks.
    “The fact that diarrhea is the brand for the Republican Party...”
    @ 00m 05s
    July 17, 2026
  • Cuts to the CDC
    Over 3,000 positions cut from the CDC lead to a Cyclospora outbreak.
    “Since early 2025, the administration has cut more than 3,000 positions from the CDC.”
    @ 00m 42s
    July 17, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • Nobody voted for diarrhea.
    "Nobody Voted for Diarrhea" — Why CDC Cuts Are Backfiring (Literally)
  • This isn't politics.
    "Nobody Voted for Diarrhea" — Why CDC Cuts Are Backfiring (Literally)

Key Moments

  • Diarrhea Brand00:05
  • CDC Cuts00:42
  • Cyclospora Outbreak00:50
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