What This Comedian Said Will Shock You

Maher discusses the growing chaos in society and the challenges of addressing it through policing. He describes a rise in crime that feels audacious and widespread, leaving people uneasy about their safety in public and at home, especially in cities like San Francisco. However, he acknowledges the systemic issues within law enforcement. Abuses of power, poor accountability, and a culture of silence have strained public trust. Police misconduct caught on viral videos reveals failures like poor psychological screening and weak internal accountability. Maher questions whether policing attracts individuals ill-suited for the responsibilities of the job, describing how unchecked power often leads to abusive behavior.

Maher believes that the police are essential for maintaining order in a society teetering on chaos, but they must be held to a higher standard to prevent further harm. He argues that reform is essential to address both the unchecked rise in crime and the misconduct within law enforcement. Without addressing these intertwined issues, public safety and trust will continue to erode.

In this chapter, Maher critiques what he sees as America’s real “deep state”: an overwhelming bureaucracy that slows progress and drives up costs across the country. He argues that excessive regulation turns even straightforward projects into prolonged, costly endeavors.