Category: Economics

Oregon’s 17% Health Insurance Hike & Britain’s Collapse | Show 16-25

Oregon’s 17% Health Insurance Hike & Britain’s Collapse | Show 16-25

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I Spy Radio  ·  Keeping an Eye on Big Government Show 16-25

When Governments Fail Their People — Oregon’s Health Care Crisis and Britain’s Collapse

Aired  June 20 & 21, 2026 Runtime  47:50 Host  Mark Anderson Guests  Lisa Lettenmaier · Simon Hankinson
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About this episode

The cost to stay healthy in Oregon is about to climb again — and across the Atlantic, a country that gave us free speech and common law is unraveling in real time. This week, two conversations about what happens when government systems reach their breaking point.

First, Oregon regulators just confirmed that health insurers want a 17% average rate increase for 2027 — on top of last year’s 11% jump. Worse, two of the state’s biggest carriers, Providence and PacificSource, are leaving the individual market entirely, forcing more than 50,000 Oregonians to scramble for new coverage. Independent health insurance broker Lisa Lettenmaier of Health Source NW returns to break down what is actually driving the numbers: a shrinking pool of carriers, the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies, and a Medicare/Medicaid system now covering 41% of the population. She and Mark dig into the real engine of medical inflation — the enormous markup providers can charge once the government, not the consumer, is setting the price.

Then the show turns to the United Kingdom. Heritage Foundation senior fellow Simon Hankinson — who spent his formative years in Britain and earned two of his degrees there — joins Mark to make sense of a country in crisis: the attempted beheading in Belfast that touched off nights of rioting, the collapse of immigration enforcement, the two-tier justice system, and a stunning new privately funded report estimating that grooming gangs abused hundreds of thousands of British girls while authorities looked away. The segment closes on the question that should matter most to American listeners: is the U.S. experience different enough to avoid the same fate — or are we just a few years behind?

In this episode

00:00
01

The 17% Rate Shock — Why Oregon’s Market Is Shrinking

Mark’s free-market opener, then Lisa Lettenmaier on the provisional 2027 rate filings, the carriers leaving the individual market, and why fewer insurers means higher prices for everyone who stays.

10:05
02

Customer or Liability? Nationalized Medicine’s Endgame

From Canada’s euthanasia expansion to England’s canceled surgeries — what happens when government, not the patient, decides what your health is worth. Plus the demographic squeeze of an aging population.

16:51
03

The Government Markup — Where Your Premiums Really Go

The expired pandemic subsidies, the “welfare for the wealthy” problem, and a drug test that costs $20 cash but $250 billed to the Oregon Health Plan. Why government pricing fuels medical inflation.

23:50
04

Belfast and Britain’s Two-Tier Justice

Simon Hankinson on the Belfast knife attack that sparked days of rioting, the killing of Henry Nowak, and a justice system that critics say pulls its punches based on the race of the accused.

31:35
05

Replacement by the Numbers — and the Media Playbook

The demographic math behind Britain’s transformation, why Reform UK surged in the local elections, and how the press reframes inconvenient stories — the “Republicans pounce” pattern of media bias.

40:03
06

The Grooming Gang Report — and a Warning for America

The 219-page Rupert Lowe inquiry, the institutional failures it documents, the new push to restrict free speech and social media — and whether America is far enough behind Britain to change course.

Links & resources mentioned

Lisa Lettenmaier & Health Source NW

  • Health Source NW (independent insurance & Medicare brokerage — Oregon & SW Washington, no cost to clients)

Oregon’s 2027 Health Insurance Rates

Medicaid, Subsidies & Government Pricing

Simon Hankinson & The Heritage Foundation

The UK Immigration Crisis

About the guests

Lisa Lettenmaier
Owner, Health Source NW

Lisa Lettenmaier is an independent health insurance broker serving Oregon and Southwest Washington, and the owner of Health Source NW — an agency that helps individuals, families, and seniors navigate individual health insurance and Medicare plans at no additional cost to the client. She is a recurring I Spy Radio guest and the show’s go-to voice for common-sense answers on Oregon’s health care system.

healthsourcenw.com

Simon Hankinson
Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation

Simon Hankinson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. He holds a master’s in modern history from St. Andrews, a law degree from the College of Law in London, and a master’s in international security affairs from the National Defense University — and spent his formative years in the United Kingdom, giving him a firsthand vantage on the country’s transformation.

heritage.org/staff/simon-hankinson

Full transcript ▸

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I Spy Radio  —  Keeping an Eye on Big Government
Illustration of a taxpayer shining a flashlight into a ledger titled "State Taxpayer Accounts & Funding" while the state government attempts to keep the book closed. Text reads "Who's looking at the books? The fight for state accountability" featuring Jonathan Williams.
16-23 Digging Into and Exposing State Government Fraud & Waste

16-23 Digging Into and Exposing State Government Fraud & Waste

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Digging Into and Exposing State Government Fraud & Waste

Release Date: June 6, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Jonathan Williams

About This Episode

Government agencies are supposed to protect taxpayer dollars, so why are some states resisting efforts to examine spending records, voter rolls, and public assistance programs? And what happens when government agencies don’t want anyone looking at the books? On this episode, Mark Anderson sits down with Jonathan Williams, president and chief economist of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), to examine fraud, waste, and accountability in government spending.

They discuss ALEC’s Government Efficiency Coalition, major fraud investigations, improper Medicaid payments, and why some states are resisting efforts to verify public records and benefit programs. The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence, audits, and greater transparency could help uncover billions in waste and protect taxpayer dollars.

Could the fraud already uncovered be only the beginning? And what would it take for states like Oregon to truly clean up their fiscal house?

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Why complexity makes fraud easier to hide
  • 11:05 – ALEC’s Government Efficiency Coalition and its work with state lawmakers
  • 18:01 – How AI is being used to uncover waste and abuse
  • 25:11 – The Minnesota fraud scandals and lessons for other states
  • 32:56 – Why improper payments cost taxpayers billions
  • 40:53 – Practical reforms states can implement to improve transparency and accountability

Transcript

(Opener)

Mark:

If your intention is to commit fraud — there is an easy, simple way to do it: make things complicated. The more complicated something is, the easier it becomes to hide what’s actually happening — with a lot of moving parts, interrelated systems, and, the number one means: make it hard for people to look. Make it complicated to look.

Because if there is no fraud, they would welcome your scrutiny. Here’s the checkbook! Take a look. And if you find fraud for heaven’s sakes let us know! We have a sacred duty to protect taxpayer dollars.

But they don’t do that they make things complicated and say you can’t look.

Take for example our voting rolls. Right now there are multiple lawsuits where states are pushing back against the federal government which is asking states to provide basic information about who is on the voter rolls. That should be simple. How many people are in your state? How many people are citizens — and of those citizens how many are registered to vote? Because we have a sacred duty to protect our elections and to make sure that only citizens vote. And only vote once. And only vote in one state.

But states are pushing back because they don’t want to provide that simple, straightforward data. They act as if the federal government has no right to obtain it — no right to look. Imagine telling the IRS ohh you can’t look at our books — everything is fine. You’ll just have to trust us.

When you complicate It’s something that ought to be simple — like a database — it opens the door to fraud even if that is not your intention. Allegedly not your intention.

Because here’s how voter rolls ought to work. Simply. The federal government maintains a single database of every person living in the United States. The various columns would include their name, their SS #, whether someone is a citizen yes or no. The address where they live. And the state where that address is.

States can then access that database and append data to. This person with this Social Security number has this voter ID and they live at this address in our state — or they’re currently living overseas — serving in the military, and so on.

Problem solved. We know where everybody lives we know where everybody ought to be voting and if there are multiple instances of that person then guess what — there’s your problem. Simple.

Government, like businesses using shell companies, can further complicate things by hiding the end recipient of money by hiding it behind a shield of nonprofits. You, the taxpayer, can see money going in but you can’t see who a “non-profit” getting 100s of millions of taxpayer dollars then gives that money to.

And even if they opened their books just a little, it’s still complicated because they can say ohh that $1,000,000 we got from the taxpayers we spent that on office space and utilities — we didn’t spend $1,000,000 on activists. We used our own funds for that. sure

But. Where government is uniquely positioned to help people commit fraud is the bureaucracy within government.

Again, it’s complicated, Multiple agencies multiple departments all getting money comingling it and shoving money out the door. Add to that, the layer of inherent laziness by far too many people in government.

For example so much fraud could have been prevented if bureaucrats handing out cash had just asked questions. Like looking up business addresses on google maps.

But that would depend on people taking initiative. And from where I sit far too many people in government don’t bother to ask questions about where that money comes from or where it goes.

To talk about fraud I’d like to welcome back Jonathan Williams to the show…

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Additional Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Jonathan Williams’ organization is ALEC – the American legislative Exchange Council. Visit them at alec.org. &the ALEC Coalition
  • ALEC helped push states like Oregon to put their spending online. Oregon’s attempt at spending transparency can be found at Oregon.gov/transparency
  • Co-founder of ‘green’ bank gets 14 years for defrauding lenders, investors (Courthouse News Service, June 1, 2026)
  • State of Oregon Statewide Single Audit Report, March 2025 (PDF)
  • Oregon audit flags OHA and ODOT errors, including OHP Bridge eligibility problems (KATU, Apr 1, 2026) *“The audit also identified holes in the Highway Planning and Construction Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Auditors said they could not gather enough evidence to verify compliance” with the law and federal regulations.
  • Audit: California Lost Track of $24 Billion Spent to Combat Homelessness (Breitbart, Apr 12, 2024)
  • “Illegal aliens & foreign fraudsters steal BILLIONS yearly from American taxpayers.” (White House via X, Jun 3, 2026)
  • The Joe Rogan interview with Elon Musk in February 2025 discussing social security as the fraud gateway (Joe Rogan Experience, Episode 2281)

 

A man in a rugged jacket stands in a desolate desert landscape at twilight, looking at a large heap of broken solar panel debris and dilapidated wind turbines. A prominent central sign on a concrete pylon base reads, "IPCC: RCP8.5 MODEL DECLARED IMPLAUSIBLE."
16-22 Did the IPCC Just Kill Its Worst-Case Climate Model?

16-22 Did the IPCC Just Kill Its Worst-Case Climate Model?

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Did the IPCC Just Kill Its Worst-Case Climate Model?

Release Date: May 30, 2026

Duration: 48:28

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Craig Rucker, president of CFACT, and Chuck Wiese, meteorologist


About This Episode

The IPCC quietly walks back its most alarming climate model, RCP8.5. Who holds billions in green mandates accountable? Plus: The looming toxic crisis of worn-out solar panels and wind turbines. And what Oregon — the first state with a recycling bottle bill — is not doing about all that “green” about to litter the state.

Show Notes

On Show 16-22, what if the foundational worst case model behind fifteen years of global climate policy was just declared implausible by the very institution that created it? For two decades the world spent trillions on mandates based on a nightmare scenario known as RCP8.5. Now that the IPCC is walking back its most alarming work, who is being held accountable?

First up we have Craig Rucker breaking down this massive scientific course correction and why a multi-billion dollar green transition moves forward without an apology. We look closely at the broken promises of government programs, from California missing its solar goals by hundreds of thousands of homes, to looming legal liabilities over toxic forever chemicals.

Then, meteorologist Chuck Wiese joins us to expose a massive environmental crisis looming on the back end of the green energy push. Millions of acres of solar panels and wind turbines are operating nationwide, but what happens when they wear out. We dive into the hidden reality of this waste, the legal loopholes, and what surprisingly Oregon is actually prepared to do about the looming aftermath. Listen to find out who will be left holding the bill, and what it means for the future of our farmland.

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Additional Show Notes & Research

Craig Rucker is president of CFACT — Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow. Find them and all their terrific work at cfact.org.

IPCC / Climate Science

California Green Energy / Solar

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

Wind Turbine Disposal

Solar Disposal / EPR Policy

Oregon Policy

 

A split-screen graphic titled "The Fight for Oregon's Future." The left side shows a roaring forest wildfire with a sign reading "Dr. Bob Zybach: Federal Mismanagement = Tinderbox." The right side shows a legal team auditing large stacks of voter registration documents with a sign reading "Eric Lee (Judicial Watch): Cleaning 800,000 Inactive Voters."
16-20 Oregon’s Future: Forest Mismanagement & Election Integrity

16-20 Oregon’s Future: Forest Mismanagement & Election Integrity

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Oregon’s Future: Forest Mismanagement and Election Integrity

Release Date: May 16, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Dr. Bob Zybach, forester, National Wildfire Alliance and Eric Lee, senior attorney for Judicial Watch’s Election Integrity Team


About This Episode

On Show 16-20, this week, we dive deep into two major fights for Oregon’s future: the mismanagement of our timber landscape and the critical battle over the integrity of our voter rolls.

First, we sit down with Dr. Bob Zybach, who is running for Lane County Commissioner. For decades, Zybach has documented the federal failures that have turned Oregon’s lush forests into tinderboxes. We discuss the real cost of federal forest mismanagement, the status of the National Wildfire Alliance’s work with the Trump administration, and the startling truth about the billions spent on the spotted owl recovery. If you live in Lane County or care about our O&C lands, you need to hear what Zybach says every voter must understand before the May 19th election.

Then, Eric Lee, Senior Attorney for Judicial Watch, joins us to sound the alarm on election integrity. Following a landmark legal victory and settlement against the state of Oregon over its 800,000 inactive voters, Lee breaks down what it takes to actually clean the rolls. And he tells us what’s actually in the settlement agreement that will hold Oregon accountable. We’ll discuss how President Trump’s recent Executive Order and the SAVE Act impact mail-in voting vulnerabilities.

Tune in to hear how demanding accountability for our forests and security at the ballot box will safeguard a promising future for Oregon.

Transcript

(Opener with Bob Zybach) Oregon was once one of the most productive timber states in the nation — and in many ways it still could be. In fact Oregon was the top or “most” in a lot of thing. Forests, timber, high tech. education, etc. The forests are still there. The growing capacity is still there.

The problem is the policy. Oregon keeps saying it wants jobs — but then does nothing to take advantage of the free-money that grows in our forests at a rate of 9 billion board feet per year.

And few people in Oregon have watched that decline as closely, or fought it as long, as our next guest. Dr. Bob Zybach is a forester whose academic focus is catastrophic wildfire in Oregon, and he’s been working with the National Wildfire Alliance to push back.

(Opener with Eric Lee) Our second guest today is a man who has been working to do something Oregon’s Secretary of State refused to do: clean up Oregon’s voter rolls. Which is always weird when govt which creates the laws — doesn’t follow their own laws.

Eric Lee is a senior attorney with Judicial Watch’s election integrity team. Eric, welcome back to I Spy Radio. … So when we last talked, Judicial Watch had a lawsuit pending against Oregon to force them to remove 800,000 inactive registrations from the voter rolls…

 

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Oregon economic outlook and election integrity Discover why Oregon ranks 40th in economic outlook. We discuss the 19th edition of Rich States, Poor States, potential energy price hikes, and the battle for Oregon’s election integrity.
16-18: They’re Hoping You Won’t Notice the Numbers

16-18: They’re Hoping You Won’t Notice the Numbers

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Show Summary

In this episode, we dive into the economic divide between “rich states” and “poor states” with Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist at ALEC. As Oregon falls to 40th in national economic outlook, we explore the data behind why tax-heavy, high-spending states are falling behind and the looming 300% natural gas price spike facing Oregonians. We also shift gears to election integrity with Dr. Douglas Frank and Judicial Watch to discuss the recent removal of 800,000 names from Oregon’s voter rolls. From the intent of our Founding Fathers to the transparency of our local ballots, this episode uncovers the numbers and policies shaping Oregon’s future.

Air Dates: May 2nd & 3rd, 2026 | Guests: Jonathan Williams & Dr Douglas Frank

About This Episode

On Show 16-18, is your state building wealth — or quietly destroying it? This week we sit down with Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist  of ALEC and co-author of the just-released 19th edition of Rich States, Poor States. Nineteen years of data. One consistent lesson: the states that tax less, spend smarter, and keep government accountable consistently outperform the rest — and the gap is widening.

Oregon economic outlook and election integrity Discover why Oregon ranks 40th in economic outlook. We discuss the 19th edition of Rich States, Poor States, potential energy price hikes, and the battle for Oregon’s election integrity.
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Oregon ranks 40th in Economic Outlook and shows how bleak our economic future is. Jonathan breaks down what that means, why it matters for your wallet right now, and what’s coming. Especially if Phase 2 of Oregon’s Climate Protection Program hits in 2028 — potentially spiking natural gas costs by 300%.

We also dig into what happens when state agencies become too disorganized to audit, what the labor market is actually signaling, and — on the eve of America’s 250th birthday — what the founders actually intended when they designed the relationship between states and the federal government.

This is the economic conversation Oregon needs to hear.

Dr. Frank is visiting every county in Oregon. Coming up May 4th through 6th: Portland, Salem, and Canby. Head to Secure Our Elections Now to find a Dr. Frank event near you.

Also this week, election integrity expert Dr. Douglas Frank joins us on Oregon’s elections integrity — who’s really controlling Oregon’s elections, and what’s the state of our rolls? Plus, Judicial Watch’s landmark settlement forced Oregon to address 800,000 names that shouldn’t have been on voter rolls. A step forward — but is it enough?

Tune in because what Oregonians don’t know about its own numbers is exactly what some are counting on.

Catch Live the Show or Podcast

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I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends—seven different times on seven different radio stations. The real ones, not internet-only “radio” stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to see a full list of times and stations.

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Need to listen again? Wish you could share it? We’ve got you covered. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, catch the I Spy Radio podcast version is available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here with the built-in player. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Jonathan Williams 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 — .

Dr. Frank Election Integrity Events

Michael Astalis grew up in Romania while it was still behind the Iron Curtain. He shares what it was like and how similar to it some areas of America are becoming.
16-15 Iron Curtain Deja Vu Part 1

16-15 Iron Curtain Deja Vu Part 1

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Iron Curtain Déjà vu, Part 1

Release Date: April 12, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Michael Astalis – Property developer, owner of KFIR radio station, Iron Curtain escapee

About This Episode

On Show 16-15, imagine growing up in a world where the walls had ears and one in fifty people around you were a government informant. And saying the wrong thing, or being suspected of believing the wrong things, could mean serous trouble. Jail, accusations of being an insurrectionist, or much worse. This week, we sit down with a man who survived the brutal dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, and his regime in Communist Romania—a place where the state didn’t just control your career and your travel, they tried to control your mind. It’s a gripping look at the price of liberty and the ghost of communism. Don’t miss this powerful conversation. Be sure to catch 16-17 Iron Curtain Deja Vu Part 2.

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Introduction. What daily life was like under Communism. And how long before it went from “political” government change to brutal and authoritarian? Shooting at hungry kids?
  • 08:52 – When Michael turned 16, Nicolae Ceaușescu took power. Brutal secret police watching everything. 1 in 50 Romanians were rumored to be working for them. School life when you’re branded a traitor.
  • 16:04 – Michael’s window to the outside world: radio. How they got one, and what would happen if they got caught listening. In a hard-line communist country like Romania, what realistic future prospects existed, if any? The thought propaganda. Travel restrictions. How Michael finally got out. The eerie similarities between Communist Romania and some modern-day American states.
  • 24:34 – New life in America. Chasing the American Dream, and the hard work to get there. Chasing it in the 1970s vs now. Getting used to free speech.
  • 32:19 – More echoes of communism in his adopted home state of California. Worst aspects of what he sees now — the policies that are used to shift the U.S.
  • 40:10 – Going from hiding an illegal radio to owning his own station. His perspective on American interventions in socialist/communist Venezuela and Iran. Teaser for Part 2.

Transcript

(Opener) Lately, it seems more times than not, you see posts online about how great communism is. New York City voters fell for it. That all these things you need will be free. They fell for the lie.

“Free” is communism’s biggest lie. And here’s the biggest tell of that biggest lie: no communist leader lives under a bridge like the people who live under communism do. No communist leader has given up their wealth, their mansion — and sometimes even just one of their mansions to people who don’t have homes. So much for equality and equal results.

If people are getting paid then nothing is free.

Capitalism is the freest economic system in the world. By definition, it needs to be. If people don’t have the freedom to open businesses, to pursue their dreams, To benefit from their own ideas and hard work — capitalism fails.

And despite having that freedom here in America to go out there and make our dreams, to chase that American dream of success, those freedoms are slipping away — Not through armed rebellion and revolution — its more subtle. Because the very system designed to create those freedoms also allows the freedom to make bad decisions but it has a lot to do with our so-called education system, Where teachers paid by capitalism have the freedom of speech to tell kid s how evil capitalism and America are. Lies and disinformation they would not be able to say about communism if they lived under communism.

And then kids who come up through that system and then go on to lead misguided lives based on misinformation and try to spread “the good news” about communism. Thankfully not everyone is fooled.

There’s a line that gets repeated a lot in political conversation these days. You’ve no doubt heard it — that America is sleepwalking toward socialism. Or that maybe we’ve already arrived. Most people who talk about Communism — for or against it — are speaking from theory — from a textbook or a news segment or something they saw on social media — who might intellectually realize what’s happening and they’re right. But today’s guest is speaking from something else entirely: from memory. From having lived it.

Michael Astalis is a successful business owner and property developer in Southern California — los angeles in particular. We got to know Michael bec he also owns a radio stations, KFIR, one of the stations on which I Spy Radio airs. He’s an American success story in the truest sense. But he wasn’t born here. He was born in Romania — when it was still behind the Iron Curtain — and grew up there, including living his last 5 years there under one of the most brutal communist dictators of the 20th century, Nicolae Chow shesh koo.

Here’s something that changed this conversation: when we first booked Michael, it was our understanding he had come here as a young boy — that communism was just a childhood memory for him. We were wrong. He didn’t leave Romania until age 21, after attending 3 years at a Romanian university. He saw communism, he lived it, as an adult, a young man trying to set out in life. That’s a very different lens than a child’s.

As a result, we’re splitting Michael’s story across two shows. Today — Romania. What that system actually looked like from the inside — the secret police, the ration lines, the forbidden radio broadcasts. And what it wasa like to escape that and come to America. Then, in two weeks, we’ll bring Michael back to talk about California — a state that, in his words and experience, is looking more familiar than it should.

Michael, welcome to I Spy Radio!

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More About This Episode

A first time guest to I Spy Radio, Michael Astalis, a property developer and owner of KFIR 720AM, shares his incredible story of growing up in Romania. Like scavenging spare parts to build a secret, homemade radio just to catch a whisper of the truth from Radio Free Europe or the Voice of America. Think of that. A radio. Something considered so dangerous that the mere possession of it would have cost him his freedom. We’ll discuss the reality of Michael’s life behind the Iron Curtain. The government seizing their home and farm at gun point, the constant surveillance, and the escape to freedom that changed everything.

Now a successful American property developer, Michael also reveals a startling perspective on the “land of opportunity.” But things have changed tremendously since 1970 when he escaped communism. And he has been seeing the same echoes of corruption and pay-to-play that he fled decades ago. In California. Where he not fulfilled his American Dream — but also lost it all.

Be sure to join us for Part 2 in two weeks when Michael shares what happened in California and how its punitive policies threaten to resurrect Romania’s Iron Curtain.

Catch Live the Show or Podcast

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends—seven different times on seven different radio stations. The real ones, not internet-only “radio” stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to see a full list of times and stations.

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Need to listen again? Wish you could share it? We’ve got you covered. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, catch the I Spy Radio podcast version is available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here with the built-in player. See the full list of podcast options.

 

The I Spy Radio Show Logo, 2025. © Copyright January 2025. All rights reserved.
16-12 Same Enemy — Two Fronts?

16-12 Same Enemy — Two Fronts?

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War on Prosperity. Same Enemy, Two Fronts?

Release Date: March 21st & 22nd, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Jen Hamaker, president of ONRI, and Craig Rucker, president of CFACT


About This Episode

Show 16-12 exposes the growing “war on success” narrative, examining new policies aimed at unlocking America’s natural resources—from revitalizing Oregon’s timber industry to restarting California offshore oil production. Featuring Jennifer Hamaker and Craig Rucker, the episode explores the “maximum productivity” model, U.S. energy independence, and how domestic oil production now exceeds consumption, reshaping economic and geopolitical strategy. It also dives into the shift from climate-focused policies to a rising “plastics agenda,” revealing the broader impact on energy prices, supply chains, and American prosperity.

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Host opener. Jen updates us on the status of Trump’s executive orders on timber production after one year. Working? Or just more of the same old same old? How is the Left combating it? The reality of what the EOs actually do. Incredible illustration of just how much 1 billion board feet of wood actually is.
  • 08:42 – Oregon produces 13 billion board feet annually. But when Oregon chooses to let the wood rot or burn, just how much is lost? Another terrific illustration of just how much we lose when that happens — the Labor Day fires as just one example.
  • 15:50 – Sorry, tree huggers and uninformed Leftist “environmentalists.” There is WAY more wood than you think there is. Just how much we could be doing. The exciting news from the Bureau of Land Management — the revision to Oregon’s O & C forest lands. What this means for Oregon’s counties. Why is the Left the enemy of prosperity?
  • 24:46 – Craig Rucker joins us, we talk just how much oil the US is producing, how this changes the impact of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Genuine energy Independence.
  • 31:27 – Oregon and California’s war on prosperity. Why and how Trump is beating them anyway. The impact if Democrats finally got on board with supporting America. Why it’s amazing Trump has been able to get anything going with the economy.
  • 38:49 – Green mandates. How things would be going if Trump hadn’t made the changes he did in his first time — and not getting credit for his current changes. The UN has given up on Climate Change. And what their next war is. Meaning, where now the cash cow?

Transcript

(Opener only) Way back in 2012 and again in 2013 and 2018, we interviewed Vicky Steiner, a North Dakota state representative, and the Executive Director for the North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties.

Seems like ancient history now but if you remember back in those days North Dakota was having a massive oil boom thanks in large part to fracking. They could not get enough workers in fast enough. Wages skyrocketed.

And that’s great to be suddenly making a lot of money but there’s the other side of that. They did not have the infrastructure. People were sleeping in tents or their trucks. And it gets cold in North Dakota. Esp in winter. Temporary housing was brought in. Water and plumbing and electric lines all needed to be run. Which meant another boom they needed electricians and plumbers. There was constant food shortages — and… whenever supply is short, prices on food and everything else shot up. Roads needed to be built or repaired — rural schools suddenly had twice as many students.

It was like squeezing 15 years of civilization into about one year.

So when we talk to Vicki she said something that has always stuck with me. She said, “I don’t understand Oregon. Here in ND we realize at some point these wells will go dry. You guys have trees and they grow back. Why aren’t you harvesting them? That’s an endless supply of money just sitting there. None of us can figure that out.”

Trust me, I said. We don’t get it either. But it’s the radical left. We’re largely handcuffed by environmentalists and the democrats and to a lesser degree republicans are scared of them.

Oregon is a tremendously blessed state when it comes to natural resources — we are the envy of other states. The problem is we are cursed with junked up junk science. That carbon dioxide is somehow “the enemy” (which goes against what most of us learned in second grade science — That plants depend on carbon dioxide). And the overriding junk science of “Climate Change” is costing us a massive amount of money — money that we could be earning.

But instead the idiots in charge — currently in charge — are far more interested in getting and spending other people’s money than doing anything to fix other people’s problems

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Additional Show Notes, Links Mentioned, Related Info

Our Guests’ Websites:

  • Jen Hamaker is president of Oregon Natural Resources, ONRI.us
  • Craig Rucker is co-founder and president of the Committee For a Constructive Tomorrow, CFACT.org

Links Mentioned

Democrats and their policies are already burning down Oregon's economy. But now they're about to throwing gasoline on it with even more stupid decisions. The house is on fire. But this is fine.
16-09 Problem Lovers vs Problem Solvers | Exposing Oregon Democrats’ Damage

16-09 Problem Lovers vs Problem Solvers | Exposing Oregon Democrats’ Damage

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Exposing Oregon Democrats’ Damage | The Problem Lovers

Release Date: February 28, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Ed Diehl (Oregon state representative and gubernatorial candidate)


About This Episode

On Show 16-09, Oregon’s legislature has had some intense hearings along with a couple of dramatic walk outs. But then walk-back-ins. What? To give insights into what’s been happening, we welcome back Representative Ed Diehl, who’s also running for Oregon’s Governor. We get updates on what’s going on with SB 1599—the Democrat’s continuing fight against Democracy to move the No the Gas Tax ballot initiative from November to May — and the plans of what will happen if Governor Kotek signs it. It’s just more of Oregon Democrats hating democracy and destroying Oregon.

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Jumping right in — Oregon’s horrid economy, Portland in a doom loop, no help on the horizon. “Is Oregon’s economy bad enough to swing an election?” article and just how badly Oregon democrats have failed Oregon.
  • 08:12 – A business owner is sick of his West Coast blue state and is wants to relocate his company — and its 1,000 employees. The shocking details of the economic hit a state like Oregon would take on just three aspects: wages, state taxes, and housing. And the incredible benefit to employees by just stepping across state lines.
  • 16:44 – Trump and Republicans just gave Americans a bunch of tax breaks. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, etc. But also big cuts and incentives to businesses. Except not in Oregon. Democrats are lusting for money. It will steal $300 million from Oregon businesses. But they already have plans to spend twice that. No wonder Kotek’s own “prosperity council” asks, “What the heck are you doing…?”
  • 25:17 – Democrats hate democracy so much they are ignoring 250,000+ signatures and overwhelming opposition in public testimony (more than 95%!) and are trying to move the No Gas Tax referendum from the November’s general election to the May 2026 primary. The status of SB 1599, the bill to move it, the illegality of doing so, and how Ed plans to fight it.
  • 33:42 – Oregon has a national reputation for some pretty crazy ideas. Initiative Petition 28 (IP 28) may just top them all. With more than 95,000 signatures already, it is well on its way to reach the 117,000 needed to qualify for the ballot. Are Democrats suddenly Islamaphobes? One of the clearest examples yet of Oregon as the Wuhan Lab of leftist policies. They experiment on it here, develop gain of function, and then infect other states.
  • 39:32 – The gun bill that would create a two-tiered system of gun ownership. If you haven’t bought a gun yet in Oregon, you might not be able to if this passes. Don’t miss the closer!

Transcript

There’s a lot to talk about today and some of these questions are gonna take a bit of a setup so I’m going to forgo my normal opener and let’s get right to it.

I’d like to welcome back Representative Ed Diehl, from house district 17 E Marion County and parts of northern Linn County. And in case you’ve been hiding under a rock he’s also running for governor. Ed welcome back — with so much going on it’s really great to talk to you and we appreciate you taking the time in what I know is a very hectic week.

On today’s show we want to talk about the Democrats decoupling Oregon businesses from federal tax breaks in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, SB 1599 and the walkout, Oregon’s economy IP 28 and if we can get to it the gun bill especially Jason Kropf’s behavior around that.

Because I think it will help people put things into context and make more sense of what the Democrats are doing around decoupling and the no gas tax referendum and the damage those will cause to an already damaged system

Mark Hester worked for 20 years at The Oregonian but is now a contributor to Oregon roundup. He has a really good article, titled “Is Oregon’s economy bad enough to swing an election?”

How bad is Oregon’s economy” he asks. It should be the number one question voters ask before this year’s statewide elections.

He says by just about any measure organ is nearing the pain threshold for anyone who is not a public employee. Look at Oregon’s trajectory relative to other states

Oregon’s December unemployment rate a 5.2% was better than only two states New Jersey and California. We’re the third worst.

Broader employment statistics are even more alarming. Portland ranked fourth worst among metro areas for job losses in 2025 with a decline of 8800

Oregon business bankruptcies rose 25% in 2025 — four times faster than the national average.

Companies that aren’t filing bankruptcy are struggling. Intel and Nike used to power Oregon’s economy but both are struggling. And there are no new companies on the horizon to replace them as the premiere attractions to shore up Oregon’s economy.

Over 1/3 of offices in Portland urban area were vacant last year. Portland is ranked the second worst commercial real estate market in the nation. Migration is stagnant at best. Portland has become unattractive to newcomers at exactly the time it needs them most.

After hearing what I just read… you’re running for governor — are you sure you want the job? Got to be daunting just to hear just how bad it is.

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Show Notes, Research, Links Mentioned, and Related

  • Find out more about Ed Diehl — eddiehl.com/about
  • Ed on the No Gas Tax Petition: “The Oregon Senate has just passed SB 1599, defying the clear will of over 250,000 petitioners…” (via X, Feb 23, 2026)
  • Is Oregon’s economy bad enough to swing an election?  (Oregon Roundup, Feb 25, 2026)
  • People are fleeing from California, Oregon and coming to Idaho: Gov. Brad Little | America Right Now (Newsmax YT channel, February 21, 2026)
  • House Republicans boycott Oregon Legislature over workplace complaint, gas tax vote (OPB, February 23, 2026)
  • Oregon House Republicans stage walkout as gas tax election, gun control votes near (Oregon Capital Chronicle, February 23, 2026)
  • Kotek’s “economic advisory council” are not happy with her and the Democrats decoupling Oregon from the tax cuts in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Why? Because she put the council together to figure out some ways Oregon might attract businesses to Oregon. But then Kotek and the Democrats take away business tax cuts Republicans in Congress just passed. “Some Members of Kotek’s Prosperity Council Unhappy About Tax Change” (Willamette Week, Feb 26, 2026)
    • Like we said, Kotek wanted it for show. Not solutions.

The Insanity of IP 28

  • Oregon IP28A direct threat to animal ownership and agriculture (Oregon Horse Council, December 30, 2025)
    • “Oregon Initiative Petition 28 (IP28) …  represents one of the most aggressive assaults on animal ownership, agriculture, and private property rights ever proposed through a state ballot initiative. … It aims to criminalize lawful animal use, dismantle food production, and promote a long-standing animal liberation agenda through voter confusion rather than legislative debate.”
  • Oregon Update: “Animal Cruelty” Ballot Measure Inching Closer to Qualifying- Do Not Sign! (American Kennel Club, January 23, 2026)
    • “Removes the word “intentional”, thereby criminalizing even unintentional harm or neglect of any animal including wildlife.”
  • Only Two Groups Have Submitted Signatures for 2026 Ballot Initiatives. They Aim at Very Different Issues. (Willamette Week, January 28, 2026)
    • “[Co-Chief petitioner, David] “Michelson says he’s ‘under no illusion that IP 28 will pass this year,’ but making the ballot would start a conversation that he hopes will eventually lead to success.”
  • Animal-Rights Activists Are Attempting a Ban So Absurd That It Would Affect ‘Every Oregonian’ (Outdoor Life, February 2, 2026)
    • One line item, for instance, would reclassify animal husbandry practices as “sexual assault of an animal.” That would cripple everyone from bird dog breeders to livestock producers. Other provisions would outlaw rodeos, [and] make it illegal to trap or kill pests like mice.
    • “The Oregon hunters association had this to say: ‘It would create a “no-kill” sanctuary state, forcing Oregonians into a vegan diet or or to have their meat and dairy products shipped in from other states’.”
  • Don’t Be Fooled By Initiative Petition 28, The Oregon Hunting And Fishing Ban Proposal (Northwest Sportsman, February 20, 2026)

 

The I Spy Radio Show Logo, 2025. © Copyright January 2025. All rights reserved.
Show 16-07 Endanger! Endanger, Will Robinson! Climate Change Backbone Yanked Out

Show 16-07 Endanger! Endanger, Will Robinson! Climate Change Backbone Yanked Out

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Endanger! Endanger, Will Robinson! Climate Scam Backbone Yanked Out

Release Date: February 14th & 15th, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Craig Rucker, president of CFACT, and John Charles, president & CEO of Cascade Policy


About This Episode

This week, you’ll hear the massive news that the fossil media is hoping you’ll ignore. Because the Democrats and further Left have been making trillions off fake news and faked science. And the days of taxpayer-funded, compulsory tithes to the Democrats is coming to an end. The Obama-era EPA rule, the endangerment finding, has been the regulatory backbone of of not just Global Warming regulations but the legal means to fund environmental movement’s cash cow to fund Democrats’ political ideology and their broader operations.

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Intro – the Endangerment Finding’s tentacles, Left’s coming cognitive dissonance, media distractions to ignore what just happened.
  • 02:43 – Craig Rucker, president of CFACT, on judges ruling energy is somehow not a national security issue. Idiotic push for windmills exemplify Endangerment Finding. Trillions wasted. Clean Air Act original intention and why Endangerment Finding never should have happened.
  • 10:33 – The biggest dominoes that will fall as a result of ending the Endangerment Finding. Will other countries mirror our deregulation—and what happens if they don’t. Why this deregulation really is the end, why it’s different, and why it is so unlikely to be reborn via Democrat lawsuits, acts of Congress, or the Supreme Court.
  • 18:19 – The proof Obama used faked and falsified “science” to create the Endangerment Finding in the first place. The cascading damage caused by its bogus science. The biggest and most dangerous domino to fall with the end of the Endangerment Finding. Speculating on the Left’s next boogeyman to scare people.
  • 25:14 – John Charles, president and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, on one of their biggest free market wins. The  free market system compared to the Left’s socialism. The net zero madness—thanks to that Endangerment Finding—that will cost New England states 100s of billions to do nothing.
  • 33:39 – The impact of deregulating the federal Endangerment Finding on Oregon’s state-level regulations. Lawsuits and challenges to Governor Kotek’s Climate Protection Plan, since it doesn’t have a federal regulation to stand on. Implosion we’re seeing in other countries from net zero. It was all about imposing their political will. Not climate. Economic impact: How Oregon’s policies will drive out businesses and prevent new ones from coming. Is change on the way?
  • 39:57 – What is up with Oregon elected Democrats’ insane push for more tax and spending at all costs in an election year? And yet another new scam: how SB 1526 emulates the current Energy Trust of Oregon scam to hide more money from public scrutiny. Fraud in Oregon.

Transcript

(Opener) What if so much of what you currently believe turned out to be based on a lie? I don’t mean just “sort of based on the line,” I mean the entire foundation of what you believe. Just a lie. Last week we touched on that, talking about cognitive dissonance.

Because your psyche doesn’t like to be wrong, your brain sort of short circuits when it is confronted with new information that directly contradicts previously held beliefs—and throws up all sorts of defense mechanisms to stop you from believing the new information.

I mention this because there’s some big information that is happening that could radically change so much of the Left’s belief system. The Endangerment Finding has been the legal and regulatory backbone that the Left has used to push green energy climate change, net zero mandates and regulations, carbon credits, and so much else.

And, along the way, to steal trillions of dollars from US taxpayers. Which they then use to hire people—or at least, convince them—in the media to promote and defend climate change. And to attack anyone who dares question them. “Science denier” and all the rest.

Those stupid windmills that aren’t moving up in the [Columbia] gorge? Thank the endangerment finding. The push to windmills offshore in Oregon. That was based on the endangerment finding. Higher gas taxes because “oil is the enemy”? That’s thanks to the endangerment finding. Not cutting down trees—you know, which regrow — and the whole nonsense of carbon sequestration? Endangerment finding. Solar panels taking over what used to be farmland. Endangerment finding.

So you can kind of see here how this might be a bit of a danger to the Left’s mental well-being. And while this is being undone, the media continues its distraction, hoping that people won’t pay attention, hoping that people can be distracted long enough so that they don’t realize that the green gospel they’ve been hearing preached nonstop and forced to live under was all based on a lie.

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Show Notes, Research, Links Mentioned, and Related

  • Craig Rucker’s organization is CFACT (Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow). Visit them at CFACT.org.
    • The CFACT article mentioned was “Ending EPA’s ‘Endangerment Finding’ may be a fatal blow to regulatory climate overreach.”
      • “[The] 2009 Obama Administration climate rule has been the legal foundation for regulating the U.S. economy by placing restrictions on cars and electricity generation by bypassing Congress. The underlying basis for the Endangerment Finding is that CO2 and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and must be regulated under the Clean Air Act.”
  • John Charles is the president and CEO of Cascade Policy. Visit them at CascadePolicy.org. Get their newsletter!
    • The bill mentioned during the show is SB 1526. Read more about SB 1526 and the Democrats’ latest scheme to hide money in yet another slush fund.
  • Trump suffers major losses in his war on offshore wind (Politico, Jan 18, 2026)
    • “The administration’s arguments that offshore wind farms present a national security risk failed to convince judges in three separate courts.”
  • Trump Set to Repeal Obama-Era Climate Finding (Pro Trump News, Feb 10, 2026)
  • Will consumers pay for Oregon’s climate ambitions (OregonLive, Jan 18, 2025)
  • New England ratepayers may save up to $700 billion (Just the News, Jan 18, 2026)

Not mentioned but you might want to read…

 

Democrats and their policies are already burning down Oregon's economy. But now they're about to throwing gasoline on it with even more stupid decisions. The house is on fire. But this is fine.
Show 16-05 Oregon Democrats vs. Your Wallet: Blocking Trump’s Tax Cuts to “Protect” You?

Show 16-05 Oregon Democrats vs. Your Wallet: Blocking Trump’s Tax Cuts to “Protect” You?

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Oregon Democrats vs. Your Wallet: Blocking Trump’s Tax Cuts to “Protect” You?

Release Date: January 31, 2026

Episode Subtitle: Oregon’s economy burns under Democratic policies—now they’re sabotaging Trump’s tax cuts. Connect the dots before it’s too late.

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

Guests: Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist of American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation’s premier state policy organization dedicated to to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.


About This Episode

Oregon’s economy is already smoldering under punitive taxes and regulations—now Democrats want to pour gasoline on the fire by decoupling from Trump’s tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Proven free-market policies work every time they’re tried. So why is Oregon—dead last in business environment—stubbornly choosing the opposite? Full Democratic control (super-majorities in both chambers, Governor’s office, all statewide positions, even the Supreme Court) prioritizes left-wing ideology over results, crushing businesses and citizens alike.

This episode connects the dots: How bad economic policies create bad economies—and why voters need to fill in the right ones on their ballots. You’ll gain more insight than most state legislators, just in time—because Oregon is running out of clock before the flames spread.

No math, just facts and real-world examples. Tune in to see how ideology is burning down the state… and what can still be done.

Show Notes

  • 00:00 – Intro to some basics, like the single-most important factor whether someone buys something—and why higher taxes don’t mean more money for the state.
  • 05:10 – Simple example why raising taxes doesn’t work that every legislator should learn
  • 09:14 – Other factors that people and especially businesses consider when relocating. Elections have consequences: a new state enters the race to the bottom and seems determined to beat Oregon to it.
  • 16:37 – Oregon as the example and warning for other states what not to do. Breaking the mindset of raising taxes every time a state feels pinched.
  • 21:24 – Why Oregon Democrat’s bad economic policies are so critical at a time like this. What is happening that could damage Oregon for decades.
  • 25:23 – Oregon media got excited that more moving trucks arrived in Oregon than left. But what those moving trucks surveys don’t mention.
  • 28:55 – Oregon Democrats are about to make a massive mistake. Those moving vans might be turning around.
  • 34:03 – The regulation Trump just repealed that will save U.S. businesses well over $1 trillion per year. Connecting the dots and why that’s so important. One Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts people will see this year.
  • 39:57 – It’s not just no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. Connecting the dots between a huge new tax rule for businesses that will grow economic activity. And why left-wing politicians will hate it and try to stop it.

Transcript

Opener:

Here’s a question for you. What is the single-most important determining factor whether or not someone buys something? The one reason that is generally more important than all of the others.

If you said price, you were correct. And you have a better sense of economics than the overwhelming majority of Oregon’s elected democrats.

This comes directly from a theory in microeconomics — although it’s not really theoretical, it’s a known fact — so we’ll say, a “principle” known as the law of demand. All things being equal, the price of a good or service is the main factor that determines how much consumers will buy of those goods or services.

I mention this because on today’s show we’re going to take a look at what Oregon Democrats’ recklessness is doing and will do to Oregon If they get their way to raise prices and worse to take money out of your pocket which is the same as raising prices.

Because they don’t seem to understand this basic concept.

Because here’s a related issue. The more money you have to spend, that you must spend, the less money you have available for other things. Again that’s pretty simple. If your rent goes up and your income doesn’t change, the less money you have for other things. Food, utilities, kids’ clothes, or like actually putting money aside or investing it so you’ll have more for the future.

And, also again, this simple economic principle is one that the overwhelming majority of Oregon’s elected Democrats can’t seem to grasp. If your taxes go up the less money you’ll have for normal economic activity. Paying for the things you need to and buying things you want.

Right now the only economic principle that Oregon’s Democrats seem to believe is that if you have money you are stealing it from the government. How dare you keep your own money?

Don’t believe me? We’ve said several times over the last few months that Oregon Democrats right now want to decouple Oregon’s tax code from the federal tax code. Previously it was just an idea — scheme, really — being talked about behind closed doors. Now they’re talking openly about it. Oregon Democrats want to block Oregonians from getting the tax cuts trump gave them in the one big beautiful bill. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime.

And how are Democrats trying to spin taking away more of your money by blocking Trump’s tax cuts? Speaker of the House, Democrat Julie Fahey said, they want to shield Oregon families from harmful federal policies.” And the democrat-friendly media is spinning it this way: quote, “The bill includes tax cuts that could mean more money in Oregonians’ pockets at the state’s expense.” There it is. Keeping your own money, that you earned, is at the state’s expense. That implies that money originates with the state. It belongs to the state.

Well this November Oregonians have a chance to send a giant goodbye to Democrats and remove that kind of thinking from Oregon.

Download the Show

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Additional Show Notes

  • Jonathan Williams 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 — 2026’s edition will b e released on tax day, April 15th.
  • Oregon taxpayers are getting hammered with the highest effective income tax burden in the nation (Ed Diehl, Facebook post, January 13, 2026)
  • Outrageous! What elected Democrats think of your money: “Oregon lawmakers return Feb. 2 facing budget hole, tax fight and transportation fallout” (Central Oregon Daily, Jan 25, 2026)
    • Democrat Speaker of the House Julie Fahey: “We’re focused on…shielding Oregon families from harmful federal policies.” Apparently, you need to be “shielded” from federal tax cuts that would let you keep more of the money you earned.
    • Also in that article: “The bill includes tax cuts that could mean more money in Oregonians’ pockets at the state’s expense.”
  • Many Virginia voters are developing buyer’s remorse after Democrats are pushing a TIDAL WAVE of tax surges on citizens following the most recent election (Eric Daugherty, X post, January 29, 2026)
  • Moving Company migration surveys
    • U-Haul’s 2025 survey shows Oregon had a net positive for trucks coming into Oregon vs leaving (50.3% inbound)

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If you enjoy our content, help others discover the show! Give us a like and subscribe or leave us a review below. That really helps us get a bump up in the ol’ algorithms when platforms suggest shows to others.