Guests: Craig Rucker, president of CFACT, and John Charles, president & CEO of Cascade Policy
About This Episode
On Show 16-07 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 may be coming to an end.
What are we talking about? The Obama-era EPA rule, the endangerment finding, has been the regulatory backbone of so much of not just Global Warming regulations but the environmental movement’s cash cow, which funded Democrats’ broader operations.
Craig Rucker talks with us about this huge news and what dominoes may fall because the endangerment finding’s plug is pulled. And find out why, unlike other deregulations, this one is extremely likely to withstand the onslaught of leftist judges trying to resuscitate it.
Then John Charles takes us on a discussion about what the end of the federal EPA’s endangerment finding means on a state level. Oregon is determined to go “net zero” at all costs. Literally. Elected democrats don’t care what it costs the state and definitely do not care what it costs Oregon ratepayers or taxpayers. You always have more money to give to the state, don’t you? And why with the endangerment’s demise, Oregonians might finally say, “NO.”
Catch Live the Show or Podcast
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
Craig Rucker’s organization is CFACT (Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow). Visit them at CFACT.org.
“[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.
Why Republicans Winning Oregon Elections Just Got More Likely
Release Date: January 24, 2026
Duration: 47:55
Host: Mark Anderson
Guests: Rep. Ed Diehl, candidate for Oregon governor, and Eric Lee, senior attorney on Judicial Watch’s election integrity team
About This Episode
Election integrity laws are about to change — for the good. The timing could not be better. Right when a Republican candidate with a proven ability to draw independents and Democrats decided to run for Oregon’s governor. And at a time Oregon Democrats are doing their best to sabotage their own chances by punishing Oregonian to cling to power. Even more, the federal lawsuits to restore trust in our elections haven’t even really gotten started.
Show Notes
00:00 – Representative Ed Diehl announces his run for Oregon governor — what happened to change him from a no to a yes?
09:18 – The highly successful No Gas Tax referendum drew support from all political parties. So how to convert support for that issue into support for him as a governor candidate for Oregon?
16:31 – Oregon Democrats are committing political suicide more on how they are punishing Oregon businesses and the Oregonians who work at them.
24:39 – Eric Lee, senior attorney on Judicial Watch’s election integrity team discusses last week’s SCOTUS ruling and how Bost v. Illinois was so huge for election integrity. Why the rules have now changed.
31:45 – The avalanche of election integrity lawsuits about to come. Judicial Watch sued Oregon to clean up the voter rolls; Oregon surprised court watchers by suddenly announcing they would remove 800,000 inactive voters—about 20–25% of registered voters.
39:09 – Did Oregon’s Secretary of State just blab a little too much and admit Oregon is at fault? That 800,00? That’s just the start. Discovery is underway right now. And did the Secretary of State also open the door to another Judicial Watch lawsuit by violating another federal law?
Transcript
(Opener) There’s a buzz phrase in government that you probably heard. Evidence based. And they use that buzz phrase because what they really want is for you not to question their policies.
Evidence based refers, allegedly, making government policy and spending decisions based on evidence — like data and research (which govt pays someone to do), and so-called “proven results” rather than on ideology, intuition, or anecdote.
Now just to easily disprove the notion of evidence based — when’s the last time democrats push through government policy that supported (or, more to the point, funded) any ideology on the right.
There is overwhelming evidence for conservative, pro-growth economic policies — like lowering taxes and cutting government spending is good for economies and good for people. Instead, Democrats want to raise taxes and increase government spending — the exact opposite of what the evidence shows.
Instead, it’s about things like climate change, which they plan to fix through carbon credits, which fund Democrats. Or Green energy (which isn’t green — and funds Democrats). Or funding the homeless-industrial complex of non-profits, which happen to be Democrats.
Well, the real evidence is in. And it’s fraud and its government incompetence. And we’d planned to talk an awful lot about fraud on today’s show and then, well… the best-laid plans of mice and men, or politicians and radio hosts, sometimes go awry.
Because the last time we talked to representative Ed Diehl back in December, we wanted to get him on our calendar to continue our discussion about fraud, and to get some insights into legislative days at the capital, and what devious schemes those Democrats are up to now. So we threw around some dates and settled on today—we’re talking Wednesday afternoon, January 21st—and we were all set to continue that discussion but then a little something came up.
And I don’t know how we don’t start off with this huge news, even though this show won’t air until the weekend after the big reveal. So, Ed welcome back, and for those who don’t already know by now go ahead and tell ‘em.
Download the Show
Don’t use podcast platforms? No problem! Download Show 16-04. That link will open in a new tab where you can listen right in your browser or download it if you prefer.
Additional Show Notes
For research, links mentioned during the show, additional commentary, etc., head to this page.
If you enjoy our content, help others discover the show! Give us a like and subscribe or leave us a review. That really helps us get a bump up in the ol’ algorithms when platforms suggest shows to others.
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.
I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size.
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.
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
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.
Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info
Sites mentioned during the show you will want to go visit:
GoldCare.com – Break free from the Medical Industrial Complex. Only $10 a month for access to education and provider care to put you back in control of your health.
America’s Frontline Doctors – The organization that stood up to the pandemic fear peddlers — and continues to fight for medical freedom.
Children’s Health Defense Files CITIZEN PETITION Urging FDA to Revoke COVID Vaccine Licenses After Evidence Agency Violated Its Own Approval Rules (The Gateway Pundit, Dec 10, 2025)
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?
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: 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/.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Show 15-28 Summary: Not to sound too much like Nancy Pelosi but now that the One Big Beautiful Bill passed, we know what’s in it. It was making a lot of people lose their minds perhaps because they didn’t understand the bill and what could or could not be in it. It’s clear they didn’t read it and listened to the wrong analysts. Which is why it will make people like Elon Musk and his very public temper tantrum look very foolish.
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: July 12th & 13th, 2025 | Guest: Jonathan Williams
This Week – The Big Beautiful Bill Passed — Now What?
Nancy Pelosi famously said about Obamacare that “We have to pass it to find out what’s in it.” And now that we have the final version of the Big Beautiful Bill, we do know what’s in it.
But leading up to its final passage, it made a lot of people lose their minds. Legislators should know better but a lot of grassroots did not understand what a reconciliation bill was and how limited they are — just to budget items that affect federal spending or revenue. Which is why it could never be “the one bill” to accomplish everything America First that everyone wanted. So why didn’t the people who ought to have known better say that? Rather than try to sabotage it?
Perhaps they had their own agenda. And, as typical, they wanted something other than what they were saying.
Elon Musk — The Spoiled Kid in the Grocery Store
click for full size
By definition, a reconciliation is limited. Not only in terms of what can or can’t be in it but also what budgetary items it can cut. It doesn’t take much to understand that. So someone as smart as Elon had to know that. Which implies then that he wanted something else. And his public shrieking tantrum was calculated. He had to know they couldn’t make the massive cuts he said he wanted. So it’s clear he either didn’t read the bill or listened to the wrong analysts. Or made the calculated move to get attention, blame people, and offer the solution. A third party with the goal to selectively to pick off vulnerable Republicans to be the key swing votes in Congress.
But Elon Musk’s temper tantrum gambit will look pretty foolish when the Big Beautiful Bill succeeds. He’ll not only look like the spoiler but what he is. Spoiled.
How do we know? Hint: everyone was predicting the end of the economic world after Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. Now they’re admitting they were wrong.
The Big Beautiful Bill Reality
Now that the bill was passed and signed, the fury has died down—mostly—we welcome back Jonathan Williams, the president and chief economist at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to get some truth and reality about what was in it. No. It wasn’t perfect. Yes we would have liked more spending cuts.
But while the shrieking and tantruming was happening the detractors missed a key part of the bill. It codified 28 of Trump’s exectutive orders. They’re no longer executive orders, easily undone by the next president with a pen. Now they are law. And, even better, for those demanding more cuts, once the bill was passed and signed, President Trump used his executive power to rescind (cut) spending on key points. Like stopping the green energy credits and Global Warming spending.
But. And here’s the biggest and most overlooked aspect of the Big Beautiful Bill. It doesn’t end here. It’s the beginning.
Did you feel the political ground under you shift? Because unlike so many other big gigantic bills, this was about cutting spending, cutting taxes, and cutting the size and scope of government. And some actual entitlement reforms. When is the last time that happened? Maybe in the 1990s with Newt Gingrich?
And this isn’t some deep red state doing it. This is Washington DC. And it’s just the beginning. There are already plans in the works for two more bills like it to make further cuts and to push more of the America First agenda.
And that’s why, with the Trump Train rolling, people like Elon Musk standing on the platform shrieking about what is not on the train will look pretty foolish as the train pulls away without them.
Rich States, Poor States. Poor Oregon.
We also talk with Jonathan about Oregon’s latest ranking in the 18th edition of Rich States, Poor States. Jonathan is one of its co-authors. For anyone who lives in Oregon, it will come as no surprise that we dropped one point from last year.
But Oregon made some recent economic bungles that have come to light? How bad would it have been for Oregon’s ranking if these had come to light before the latest edition had been released?
Related: Show 15-23 with Jennifer Hamaker – Oregon’s Climate Protection Plan’s planned devastation to Oregon’s economy — conveniently phased in after the 2026 election Show 15-25 with Ed Diehl Oregon’s HB2025, the ODOT tax bill, which would have been the biggest tax increase in Oregon’s history
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/.
See the list: Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill codifies 28 executive orders and actions
Steve Moore: Trump just scored the biggest conservative victory in three decades (Fox News, July 10, 2025)
“What isn’t well known is that this new law doesn’t just change tax policy. It includes dozens of other long-sought policy goals – what I call ‘hidden gems’.”
Conservatives say Trump won their megabill votes by promising crackdown on renewable energy credits (Politico, July 3, 2025)
“Hard-line House conservatives said President Donald Trump assured them his administration would take action to constrict wind or solar projects that qualify for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits — a pledge that ultimately persuaded them to back the party’s megabill.” → A promise kept with Trump’s rescission package.
Johnson says megabill will be ‘jet fuel’ for economy; teases 2 future bills within next year (Fox News, July 6, 2025)
Johnson said the BBB is just the first step in a three-tier strategy. Johnson expects a second reconciliation bill by fall and a third by spring before the end of the current Congress. “You’ll see more of us advancing these common-sense principles to deliver that American First agenda”
Trump says U.S. struck trade deal with Vietnam that imposes 20% tariff on its imports (CNBC, July 2, 2025)
U.S. Supreme Court Greenlights Trump’s Federal Government Purge (GWP, July 8, 2025)
In an 8 to 1 ruling the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Clinton-appointed judge’s ruling that temporarily stopped Trump to do mass layoffs. Now his administration can immediately move forward
Sorry Democrats. The BBB Does NOT End Social Security
Within Intel’s manufacturing division, known as Intel Foundry, the company plans to eliminate up to 20 percent of technician, engineer, and researcher positions in its Oregon facilities.
Show 15-25 Summary: While the federal government and other states are busy improving the business climate by cutting spending and taxes. Oregon Democrats are busy going the opposite direction. Oregon already has an unwelcome, punitive business environment. But elected Democrats are finding inventive new ways to make it even worse. They want to pass the largest tax increase in Oregon’s history, which will hit not just businesses everyday Oregonians and their families. You’ll be ready to vote after this 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: June 21st & 22nd, 2025 | Guest: State Representative Ed Diehl
This Week – Democrats Burning Oregon Down to Rule Over the Ashes
A general rule in life is, if you’re in a hole, stop digging. Not for Oregon’s democrats. Oregon has among the worst business environments in the nation. Ranking near the bottom in many key areas and near the top in things like tax burden and regulations. While other states are changing their taxes and cutting spending and regulations, Oregon Democrats are tripling down to chase businesses away.
And we’re talking major businesses, mid-size businesses, and mom-and-pop businesses. Dutch Bros (Oregon’s second most valuable company) is moving its headquarters out of Oregon. As is Tektronix — which had been one of Oregon’s best home-grown success stories. They simply cannot afford to stay in Oregon.
But it’s not just taxes and fees and regulations. It’s the overall climate. And we don’t mean the weather. Not only are businesses being punished for being here. Oregon ranks at or near the bottom in its schools. Dead last ion 4th grade reading and math scores. Second to dead last in 8th grade scores.
Given all that (and it’s just tip of the iceberg) what else could Oregon Democrats possibly do to make this situation worse?
Funny you should ask.
Democrats: We’ve Reached Bottom, Let’s Dig Deeper
Yes. If there’s a way to make the situation worse, Oregon’s elected Democrats will find a way. And it’s the largest tax increase in state history. Even larger than the horrid Corporate Activity Tax in 2021. Which punishes business’s sales, not its profits. You can lose money in Oregon and still be taxed. For the “privilege” of doing business here.
Don’t be silent! Visit NoTaxOR.com to easily send a letter to your representative and senator and demand they stop the insanity of HB2025.
Press release: largest tax increase ever (click for full size)
We welcome back Representative Ed Diehl (HD-17) to talk about what’s been happening in Oregon’s disastrous 2025 legislative session. The worst being HB2025, the transportation bill. It will raise at least $15.5 billion over 10 years. Unless every Oregonian family and business just packs up and leaves.
Maybe that’s Democrats’ goal?
There is some good news. The carbon cap and trade scheme we discussed two weeks ago (Show 15-23, Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide — with Republicans’ Help) is not in HB2025. The three republicans found some common sense again—thank you, I Spy Radio listeners for applying the heat!—and pulled their support. Make no mistake. That is a major victory.
We also talk with Ed about what will it finally take for everyday Democrats to connect their vote to the ruin that elected Democrats are causing. Can anything? Or are they too willing to die on Woke Hill? Is this a step too far, even for Oregon Democrat voters? Finally?
Maybe. But with Judicial Watch’s voter roll lawsuit against the State of Oregon, along with additional federal scrutiny, that might be changing.
Tune in. You’ll be ready to vote after this show.
Want to know what really happened at the Judicial Watch hearing in Eugene? You can read Mark Anderson’s take on the hearing on this Facebook post. And you can read how the Oregonian got it wrong and mischaracterized what happened on this Facebook post.
Show 15-25 Addendum
Note 1: After our show, Democrat leadership pulled a dirty trick. Senate President, Rob Wagner, yanked Senator Mark Meeks, off his committee because he was against HB2025, and claimed Meek’s seat for himself to pass the bill out of committee. Democrats hate democracy. Here’s one of their leaders not liking how a Democrat would vote so he yanked him to prevent him from voting. Really? That’s how desperate Oregon Democrats are to raise taxes on Oregonians.
Note 2: during the show, host Mark Anderson got his elected positions flipped, referring to Meeks as a representative and Paul Evans as a senator. Those should be vice versa. (He hangs his head in shame.)
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
Links/Articles Mentioned
Visit NoTaxOregon.com (aka NoTaxOR.com) to easily send a letter to your representative and senator to demand they stop the insanity of HB2025.
Democratic Oregon House members celebrate Black drag performers, as nearly all Republicans boycott (OregonLive, June 19, 2025)
Democrat Representative John Lively acknowledged that Democrats’ billion-dollar-per-year transportation tax package would likely fail if put to Oregon voters
That Business Survey: Other states are trying to lure Oregon businesses away. A recent study says it’s working (KGW, May 13, 2025)
California’s Medicaid shell game steals from U.S. taxpayers and spends proceeds on illegal aliens. Laundering $4 billion/year for free healthcare for Illegals. (Citizen Free Press, May 18, 2025)
KNOWiNK, now two years behind schedule to update Oregon’s voting system, ORVIS, and nearly $1 Million dollars over budget, forced Oregon to revert to using its highly unreliable and out of date voter registration system for the 2024 elections, when Oregon’s democrats won super majority
Oregon moves closer to law requiring carbon neutral public retirement plan (Capital Chronicle, June 16, 2025)* House Bill 2081, a bill to codify Oregon State Treasury’s 2023 “Net-Zero” plan into law, passed the Oregon Senate on Monday June 16th in an 18 to 10 vote with Republican Dick Anderson, voting with Democrats.
Show 15-24 Summary: The Left lives off scams and fraud. You don’t have 1,500 staged Defy Democracy protests “spring up” organically. It costs money. Lots of it. Craig Rucker from CFACT discusses the continuing, multi-billion-dollar scams of climate change and green energy that fund the Far Left. So why do people inside the Trump administration want to keep the green spigot open? What you haven’t heard about windmills. And what Biden tried to keep hidden. And then Eric Lee, a senior attorney with Judicial Watch, discusses their upcoming hearing as the state of Oregon seeks to dismiss. Judicial Watch’s case would pry open Oregon’s voter rolls and force them to clean them up. As required by law. Because fraud is how Democrats get elected.
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: June 14th & 15th, 2025 | Guests: Craig Rucker & Eric Lee
This Week – Scams and Fraud
Scams and fraud are how the Left funds itself—and get elected. They are the Left’s true superpowers. Staging 1,000+ protests to Defy Democracy don’t happen in less than a week. With no planning. And no money. Quite the opposite. Do you ever see these massive, widespread protests from the Rigth? No. Because the Right doesn’t get 100s of billions of taxpayer dollars to fund their ideology. But the Left sure does.
It’s time for that to end. And the the Trump administration is working hard to correct these scams and fraud. But is he once again being undermined by people in his own administration?
Craig Rucker: Climate Change and “Green” Energy Scams
First up, we talk with Craig Rucker, President of Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow or CFACT, about some recent revelations that the Biden administration quietly gave waivers to wind farms special waivers, passing along disposal costs to taxpayers. They also removed comments they didn’t like to force an expensive and useless rule change onto natural gas and coal power plants.
And there are more instances of changing data, including outright fraud. Which probably explains why the defendant in a current RICO case in California fled the state. Wait until you hear what else he did besides jimmy the numbers. Craig also discusses the Department of Interior and how Trump’s team may not be in alignment with Trump when it comes to global warming.
Did you catch last week’s show with Jen Hamaker exposing Oregon’s Climate Protection Plan and the latest, it’s carbon cap and trade scheme? It’s Oregon’s democrat-assisted suicide. And with three republicans’ help.
Eric Lee: Dirty Voter Rolls — the Pathway to Election Fraud
Next up is first-time guest, Eric Lee, a senior attorney on Judicial Watch’s election integrity team and a specialist on the National Voting Registration Act. In a much-anticipated lawsuit against Oregon and Oregon’s Secretary of State, oral arguments start Wednesday, June 18th in Eugene’s federal district court as Oregon hopes to get the case dismissed on procedural grounds.
But has Oregon accidentally undermined the credibility of their own case with some public statements? Including admitting just how messy Oregon’s voter database truly is? You’ll hear what Judicial Watch alleges that Oregon’s done and not done, in direct violation of the National Voting Registration Act. And Judicial Watch’s surprise that Oregon hasn’t entered any filings against the merit of the case. You’ll hear why they’re here in Oregon fighting the good fight for election integrity — and the reasons why Oregon must clean up its voter rolls.
Sorry Oregon, “trust us” and not letting anyone look isn’t going to fly any longer.
If you want to better understand the Far Left’s operational methods, don’t miss this show!
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: Climate Change & Green Energy Scams
Craig’s organization is the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow. Visit them at CFACT.org
Check out some of these terrific articles from CFACT
“Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed in March, that when a study on liquefied natural gas was completed, the Biden administration didn’t like what the study said, so they set out to produce one that would support the climate policies they wanted.”
“Politico reports that Trump plans to sign a trio of resolutions Thursday, June 12th to revoke California’s nation-leading vehicle emissions standards and also impacts a dozen other blue states, including Oregon, who’ve adopted the rules.”
RICO defendant flees the state. Press release from Suisun News (via Facebook, June 9, 2025)
Fury as Republicans go ‘nuclear’ in fight over California car emissions (Guardian,. May 22, 2025)
Senate nullifies California’s electric vehicle mandate, using fast-track authority to bypass filibuster (CNN, May 22, 2025)
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Oregon Elections Case Concerning States’ Obligations Under the National Voter Registration Act (DOJ, June 6, 2025)
Wow! In Washington DC? Democrats voted against illegals voting in U.S. elections? “House Passes Bill to Repeal D.C. Law Allowing Non-Citizens to Vote” (Gateway Pundit, June 11, 2025)
“Washington DC Local Resident Voting Rights of 2022” allowed non‑U.S. citizens, including potentially illegal immigrants and foreign agents, to cast ballots in local elections.