Category: Economics

16-04 Why Republicans Winning Oregon Elections Just Got More Likely

16-04 Why Republicans Winning Oregon Elections Just Got More Likely

Show 16-04 Summary:  This week, it’s Oregon’s all important 2026 elections — and why things will change. We start with Representative Ed Diehl (HD17) to talk about his decision to run for Oregon’s governor. Can he win? Find out why we certainly think he will not only win the primary, he will win the general. But can he really win in a state known for its lack of election integrity? Including having what Judicial Watch called “the dirtiest voter rolls in the nation.” We talk with Judicial Watch’s senior attorney, Eric Lee, about their lawsuit — and why last week’s SCOTUS ruling opens the door to fundamentally changing elections. Including right here in Oregon.

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: January 24th & 25th, 2026 | Guests: Ed Diehl & Eric Lee

This Week – Republicans Winning Oregon’s Elections

When we last talked to Ed Diehl at the end of December, we scheduled this week to continue our discussion on fraud in Oregon (hold our beer, Minnesota) and legislative days in Salem. But the night before our interview on Wednesday, news broke he was going to run for Oregon governor.

How do we not talk about that? We have been urging Ed to run for governor for at least a couple of years. We talk about his race, what changed his mind, and his competition—both Republican and Democrat. Plus, we do get a chance to talk about fraud, including what he will do about it as governor.

Plus, we talk about that all-important No Gas tax petition drive that will not only help Ed Diehl win Oregon’s 2026 governor’s race, but help sink Democrats. Democrats might not lose their majorities in the house or senate—although they just might find themselves in the minority after November—hey will definitely lose their super majorities in both chambers.

Want to find out more about Ed Diehl, candidate for Oregon governor? Head to Ed’s website. Remember: deep pocket donors wait to see how many smaller donors are sending in money. They need to see that interest. It’s their way of judging a candidate’s chances before committing bigger money.

Then we welcome back Eric Lee, senior attorney on Judicial Watch’s election integrity team, to discuss their lawsuit against Oregon to force them to clean up their voter rolls. And there was a major admission on Oregon’s part about its dirty rolls just last week. Whoops.

But before we get there, we get Eric’s take on last week’s SCOTUS ruling in Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections. On the surface, it was about whether a candidate had standing. But dig a little (which the leftstream media did its best not to do) and it is much. much bigger. How much bigger? Enough that it could fundamentally change elections. And people might just trust them again.

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Show 16-02 Podcast: 2026 — The Year Democrats Destroy Themselves

Show 16-02 Podcast: 2026 — The Year Democrats Destroy Themselves

Show 16-02 Summary: In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. Chuck is a meteorologist, pilot, and fierce Global Warming debunker. And he’s a growing political activist. We take a brief look back at the biggest stories of 2025 but focus on what will be the biggest stories of 2026. And the biggest and best will be the Democrats destroying themselves in 2026. Repeatedly. Find out why “the pundits” and Far-Left strategists have it all wrong. Have plenty of popcorn on hand—2026 is going to be lit!

Keywords/categories: 2026 elections, 2026 year of popcorn, Chuck Wiese, fraud, global warming, Minnesota fraud, Oregon fraud, Somali fraud, conservative talk radio, democrats, democrats in 2026, 2026 mid-term elections,

2026: The Year of Popcorn | How Dems Will Destroy Themselves

2026: The Year of Popcorn | How Dems Will Destroy Themselves

Show 16-02 Summary: In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. Chuck is a meteorologist, pilot, and fierce Global Warming debunker. And he’s a growing political activist. We take a brief look back at the biggest stories of 2026 but focus on what will be the biggest stories of 2026. And the biggest and best will be the Democrats destroying themselves. Repeatedly. Find out why “the pundits” and .Far Left strategists have it all wrong. Have plenty of popcorn on hand.

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations and anywhere via live streams. Check out when, where, and how to listen. Missed it? Podcast available Mondays.

Air Dates: January 10th & 11th, 2026 | Guest: Chuck Wiese

This Week – Look Back, Look Forward, and Look Out

There has been nothing boring about 2026’s opening days. From watching the Somali fraud that exploded in late 21025 just get bigger and bigger in 2026 to the awe-inspiring capture and arrest of Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro, Americans are witnessing historical events unfold.

In our first live show for 2026, we welcome back fan-favorite and long-time guest, Chuck Wiese. We love talking to Chuck because of his analytical, scientifically trained  mind. But as someone who has recently taken a more active role in politics, his eyes have been opened. And it’s good to get that every-man perspective. Because “the pundits” are too often wrong because they rely solely on other “pundits.”

Going out of 2025, those media pundits were predicting no end of doom for Republicans in 2026’s midterms. But they are missing the key elements behind the stories, which explains why they are so likely to be wrong about what’s coming.

Tune in to find out what.

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15-51 Podcast: If the Fraud Happened There, It is Happening Here

15-51 Podcast: If the Fraud Happened There, It is Happening Here

Show 15-51 Summary: USAID? The Social Security gateway fraud? All that fraud, waste, and abuse DOGE uncovered? That was bad. But more extensive fraud will be uncovered at the state levels. This week we bring back Rep. Ed Diehl to discuss this success of the No Gas Tax referendum movement. And what that success means for ODOT, an agency that oozes overspending and waste. And what it means for the Democrats who pushed this bill on Oregonians. ODOT is a prime example of a government agency abusing the taxpayer. We are seeing fraud, waste, and abuse exposed at every level of government. We drill down into the Somali fraud in Minnesota because there are patterns now emerging in other states where additional fraud is being uncovered. And those are very similar patterns to fraud that Ed is exposing at Oregon’s Health Authority.

 

 

15-50 Podcast: Medical Marxism | Lies that Made the Pandemic Happen

15-50 Podcast: Medical Marxism | Lies that Made the Pandemic Happen

Show 15-50 Summary: The tyranny we witnessed during the covid pandemic happened because of the lies that created the pandemic. On this week’s show, we look at the covid lies, especially treatments, that led directly to the pandemic. We talk with Dr. Simone Gold, the President and Founder of America’s Frontline Doctors, who led the White Coat Summit on the steps of the Supreme Court. She and other doctors took a stand against the fear and lies. Covid revealed was the worst in people. But it also revealed what had been brewing in the medical system for decades and then boiled over. Medical Marxism. Doctor Gold reveals what she witnessed firsthand, being fired for standing up, and exposes the lies that made the pandemic. So what are the answers now?

 

15-50 Medical Marxism | The Lies that Made the Pandemic Happen

15-50 Medical Marxism | The Lies that Made the Pandemic Happen

Show 15-50 Overview:  This week we speak with Dr. Simone Gold, the President and Founder of America’s Frontline Doctors, who led the White Coat Summit on the steps of the Supreme Court. She and other doctors took a stand against the fear and lies. Covid revealed was the worst in people. But it also revealed what had been brewing in the medical system for decades and then boiled over. Medical Marxism. Doctor Gold reveals what she witnessed firsthand, being fired for standing up, and exposes the lies that made the pandemic. So what are the answers now?

Air Dates: December 13th & 14th, 2025 | Guest: Dr. Simone Gold

This Week – Medical Marxism

It’s been said the pandemic didn’t create problems. It revealed them. The pandemic didn’t create the worst in people. It revealed who they really were.

While we saw a lot of the worst of far too many people, we also so the best. And that was the case with the White Coat Summit. Doctors who refused to bow to fear and instead stood up to break the spell.

Fear is how tyrants rule. They need you to be afraid. Which is why the fear peddlers lashed out and tried to destroy them for daring to challenge them by offering hope.

Dr. Simone Gold

Doctor Simone Gold is an emergency doctor., lawyer, and fierce defender of what healthcare ought to be. And she saw the rise of Medical Marxism up close and extremely personal. She was threatened for prescribing hydroxychloroquine in the early days of the pandemic. And then fired for standing up to give people hope.

She shares with us the lies we saw that made the pandemic possible. And her fight now is to restore our rights to make our own decisions about the kind of health care we want and need. Because unless things change, we will lose our health freedom altogether.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

15-49 Democrats Starting to Panic? No Gas Tax Blowing up Oregon Dems

15-49 Democrats Starting to Panic? No Gas Tax Blowing up Oregon Dems

Show 15-49 Summary: We talk with Oregon State Rep., Ed Diehl, about the phenomenal No Gas Tax petition effort to get insight on why it’s been so successful, with nearly double their goal and well ahead of schedule. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what insiders said why it would never work, and the dirty tricks unions, Democrats, and Governor Kotek used to try to derail it — and could still use to derail it. Plus, some scandals in other blue states that almost certainly have happened here, and how they are doing it. Thanks to the fraud gateway Elon Musk uncovered.

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: December 6th & 7th, 2025 | Guest: Representative Ed Diehl

No Gas Tax Signatures Explode Beyond Wildest Expectations

How can you tell when elected Democrats start to panic? When they blame someone else for the problems they created. How can you tell when elected Democrats aren’t starting to panic? When they blame someone else for the problems they created.

This week, we talk with Rep. Ed Diehl (HD-17) about the phenomenal signature gathering effort to get insight on why it’s been so successful. As of our interview, they already have more than double their goal and way ahead of schedule. It has been a true grassroots effort, with zero paid signature gatherers.

Haven’t signed yet? Visit NoTaxOR.com

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what insiders were saying why it would fail—and the dirty tricks unions, democrats, and Governor Kotek used to try to derail it. And dirty tricks they could still use to derail it. So much for Democrats being for “democracy,” right?

And then there are the scandals in other blue states that almost certainly have happened here, ones we already know happened here, and how they are doing it. Plus, the Far Left’s political strategy on “affordability” and the “fraud gateway” that Elon Musk’s DOGE uncovered.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

15-46 Economics Intelligence | The Only Way Socialism Works (It Doesn’t)

15-46 Economics Intelligence | The Only Way Socialism Works (It Doesn’t)

Show 15-46 Summary: People who fail to understand how economics works vote for socialism. Which says all you need to know about the New York City and Seattle elections last week. Socialism is unique in that it is the only form of slavery that people voluntarily vote themselves into. There is one way socialism works. But it doesn’t on its own. Find out more as we talk with Jonathan Williams, president and chief economist of ALEC. After weeks of success, Trump has floated some bad ideas lately. What is happening and why?

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: November 15th & 16th, 2025 | Guest: Jonathan Williams

This Week – Economics, Socialism, and Elections

Plato, some 400 years before Christ, said of Greece’s democracy, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” And that’s true. Similarly, One of the penalties for refusing to understand how economics work is you end up voting for socialism. Which says all you need to know about the New York City election last week.

Socialism is unique in that it is the only form of slavery that people voluntarily vote themselves into. And that happens because people who fail to understand how economics works vote for socialism. Nothing is free. To say otherwise is a lie.

Socialism promises free. But note they never promise freedom. Because by definition, you can’t have freedom if you’re dependent on the government.

But host, Mark Anderson predicts New York City’s socialism will succeed. For a little while. Why? For the simple reason the democrat socialists, cannot allow socialism to fail publicly on the world’s largest stage in what used to be the heart of capitalism.

What’s Happening with Trump?

Trump’s tariffs have been massively successful. They have brought in some $200 billion while getting more exports and better trade deals. Plus, the massive price increase that democrats hoped for never happened. But in the middle of that, the Supreme Court has taken up tariffs. Could they be about to upend all that good? And give the power to negotiate trade deals to Congress? Really? They couldn’t even keep the government open.

But those tariffs proved that Trump is usually right. Remember how many people were against them? Trump usually has really good ideas. Brilliant ones. But every so often, after weeks or even months of success, he floats some real stinkers. A 50-year mortgage? Tariff bonus checks — while we’re putting more than $2 trillion on the nation’s credit card every year, and $38 trillion in debt?

But he’s still putting out good ideas. Like the idea to move Obamacare payments away from insurance companies and send it directly to people, which will increase competition and reverse the free-market abuse Obamacare unleashed on healthcare.

Once again, with their shutdown ransom demands for $1 trillion of free money (there’s that “free” again) for Obamacare subsidies, Democrats may have backed themselves right into a trap. Because they agreed to end the shutdown in exchange for a debate about spending even more on the “Affordable” Care Act.  It was never affordable. Just like nothing socialism offers is ever free.

Get a little more intelligence on economics. So you don’t vote for socialism.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Jonathan is the president and chief economist organization at American Legislative Exchange Council. Find out more at ALEC.org.
    • Encourage your representatives to join ALEC! There are state and city memberships. Help elected officials understand economic problems and the real solutions available to get out of them. Send them this link: https://alec.org/membership/.
    • And you too can join as a private-sector member!
    • Follow Jonathan on Twitter at @TaxEconomist.
  • Head to Rich States, Poor States to see how your state is doing.
  • Job cuts in October hit highest level for the month in 22 years, Challenger says (MSNBC, Nov 6, 2025)
    • Layoff announcements soared in October as companies recalibrated staffing levels during the artificial intelligence boom, a sign of potential trouble ahead for the labor market, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
  • Private payrolls rose 42,000 in October, more than expected and countering labor market fears, ADP says (MSNBC, Nov 5, 2025)
  • VIDEO: ‘I Don’t Understand’: Barrett Grills Lawyer Arguing Against Trump’s Tariffs About IEEPA Authority (Forbes Breaking News YouTube Channel, Nov 7, 2025)
15-42 “Real Socialism” hasn’t been Tried…? How About “Real Slavery”?

15-42 “Real Socialism” hasn’t been Tried…? How About “Real Slavery”?

Show 15-42 Summary: There comes a time when you must do something before it’s too late. First, you have to recognize when and why. And then it’s time to take a stand. The UK is lurching—sprinting, really—toward the point of no return to shackle every citizen to the government to control every aspect of their lives. And, closer to home, Oregon is on the path to take even more money from its people. But we can stop it. Find out how.

Map showing the radio stations broadcast areas and air time for the I Spy Radio Show.
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: October 18th & 19th, 2025 | Guests: Rep. Ed Diehl & James Hirsen

This Week – Big Government Speeding toward Slavery

This week we’re talking about big government trying to get bigger. Right here at home in Oregon, it’s about taxing people more than ever after the passage of the ODOT tax and spend bill. Fortunately, there’s a way to stop it before it starts its engine.

We talk with Representative Ed Diehl and the effort to stop the ODOT tax from going into effect? How? By letting the people of Oregon decide, not elected democrats forcing it on people. And make no mistake. Democrats forced this bill by ignoring voters. They passed it despite over 95% opposition.

Now the Democrat governor is playing games by not signing the bill she called an “emergency.” And it’s, once again, to ignore the voice of the people to limit the time signature gatherers will have to get it on the ballot.

We talk with Ed about the rules and the strategies to get around the Democrats’ roadblocks.

Take a stand against big government—get involved! Big government only grows and gets abusive because people don’t say no. The ODOT tax is not just about a five cents tax increase and hundred more in new fees. It is the abusive way it was passed. It’s about forcing government to live inside its income. And it’s just the beginning—unless we stop it now.

Start here: visit NoTaxOregon.com to volunteer, donate(!), and help spread the word.

Real Socialism = Real Slavery

In the second-half of the show we talk with James Hirsen about digital IDs that are already in the process of being implemented over in the UK. Worse, they are paired with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). This gives the government the ability to quite literally track everything that you do. And it will be even more powerful by using A.I.

Read James Hirsen’s article: “The Mandating of Digital IDs and CBDCs

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared no one will be able to work or buy or sell or get government benefits unless they have a digital ID. For you Christians out there, yes, it sounds remarkably like the “mark of the beast” mentioned in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation.

Because the UK is pairing the digital ID with Central Bank Digital Currencies. No more cash. Which means the government can shut off your money anytime it wants to. Or prevent you from buying things. Or paying your mortgage or rent.

And in case you think that’s just conspiracy theory, remember: it already happened in Canada when the truckers had their bank accounts switched off when they protested the covid lock downs.

Once again. It’s happening now. Because people did not stand up to big government then.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • To stop the ODOT tax increase. Head to NoTaxOR.com to see what you can do. Volunteer signature gatherers, get training, spread the word. They need half a million dollars to save Oregonians $4.3 billion in new taxes. Please donate to help with expenses.
  • All of James Hirsen’s articles can be found at JamesHirsen.com but the one we talked about this week was “The Mandating of Digital IDs and CBDCs

More info:

 

15-40 What Now, Cash Cow? | Democrat Spending and Grift Hits a Pothole

15-40 What Now, Cash Cow? | Democrat Spending and Grift Hits a Pothole

Show 15-40 Summary: This week we look at Democrat spending  and grift. Some of Democrats’ taxpayer-funded spending spree is being cut off. Trump made it clear at his U.N. speech, the climate change hysteria money spigot from the U.S. is being turned off. So what will Democrats do now? And Oregon Democrats who are determined to spend at all costs, voters be damned, shoved through the ODOT spending spree. So what can voters do now?

Map showing the radio stations broadcast areas and air time for the I Spy Radio Show.
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: October 4th & 5th, 2025 | Guests: Craig Rucker & Rep. Ed Diehl

This Week – Democrat Spending and Grift

Since our very first year on air, 2011, we have said if you want to stop the far-left, then take away the money they get from taxpayers.

Yes, it is that simple.

Thankfully, someone got the idea of that to President Trump. Because he is pulling the plug on green energy and Climate Change* funding. This is billions upon billions flowing from taxpayers to democrat-affiliated “environmental” organizations, studies at far-left universities to publish papers “proving” climate change and to find better ways to spread Global Warming* propaganda fear to keep the funding going. And that money comes back to democrats who vote for more Climate Change money. That does nothing for the environment. But does keep far-left activism funded.

* We capitalize Climate Change and Global Warming because they are a religion, not science

We welcome back Craig Rucker, the president of CFACT, to talk about Trump’s UN speech, and what the far-left and democrats will do now that taxpayer money is being cut off. And there is nothing a far-leftist hates more than to be forced to spend their own money. Or do something to earn it.

Plus, there’s a new danger from “green” energy that many people may not have heard yet: PFAS. These are the “forever chemicals” we’re discovering in so many of the things we buy. And it’s leeching into our food and water supplies.

PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, including cancer, developmental issues, liver disease, low fertility, and hormone problems among others.

It turns out, not too surprisingly, that PFAS are in some solar panels and may be leeching into the ground when it rains. And where is the new craze to slap up solar panels? On farm land.

ODOT Spending Spree Becomes Law – Now What?

Despite overwhelming public outcry against the ODOT tax increase, Oregon Democrats spending continues unabated. And unnecessarily so. The Republicans’ plan would have not raised any taxes and instead forced ODOT to live within its means and reprioritize its existing spending.

But why do that when Democrats are hungry for money. Unions need money. And Democrats need unions. That’s why. And while they say they are all for “democracy,” even that’s a lie. Republicans put forward an amendment to simply ask the voters to decide whether to pass the ODOT tax. But Democrats rejected it.

We talk with Rep. Ed Diehl (R-17) about the Democrats’ unquenchable thirst for more money and the timeline of the ODOT bill roll out. There is already a referendum being put together but there are a lot of games Democrats can play to derail it. Tune in to find out what — and what you can do to help. (Hint: visit NoTaxOR.com to find out more.)

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Craig Rucker’s organization is CFACT
  • Visit NoTaxOR.com, to help stop the ODOT $4.5 billion spending spree bill from going into effect. We need to hit the ground running!
  • Regulators weigh billion-dollar utility takeovers as bills rise for consumers (Fox17, Sep 27, 2025)
    • “Private equity giants like BlackRock and Blackstone are buying local utilities to power AI-driven data centers, sparking ratepayer and regulator concerns”
  • Ford CEO expects EV sales to be cut in half after end of tax credits (CNBC, Sep 30, 2025)
    • “…the industry learned that ‘partial electrification,’ such as hybrids, are easier for customers to accept for the time being.”
  • Trump administration to expand coal leasing, fund coal plant upgrades (CNBC, Sep 29, 2025)
  • Trump’s fiery UN speech targets immigration, climate change and global conflicts (National Security News, Sept 25, 2025)