Category: Free Market

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

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

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

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

This Week – Republicans Winning Oregon’s Elections

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

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

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

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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?

 

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

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

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

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

This Week – Medical Marxism

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

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

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

Dr. Simone Gold

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

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

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Due to changes in Apple podcast, we now need to post the podcast separately. Find Show 15-50’s podcast here.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

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

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

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

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

This Week – Economics, Socialism, and Elections

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

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

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

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

What’s Happening with Trump?

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

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

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

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

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

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

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

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

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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.

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

This Week – Big Government Speeding toward Slavery

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

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

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

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

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

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

Real Socialism = Real Slavery

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

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

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

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

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

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

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

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

More info:

 

15-28 The Big Beautiful Bill is the Beginning Not the End

15-28 The Big Beautiful Bill is the Beginning Not the End

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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.

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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

Spoiled brat Elon Musk throws temper tantrum over the One Big Beautiful Bill
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/.
    • 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.
  • 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)
  • Supreme Court allows Trump to implement plans (Scotusblog, June 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

  • Social Security letter on taxes sends confusing message, some experts say (Washington Post, July 4, 2025)
  • Megabill does not eliminate taxes on Social Security — But it does increase the standard deduction for seniors.
    • Tax exemption for Social Security goes from 64 percent to 88 percent.
  • Does the “big, beautiful bill” eliminate taxes on Social Security? (CBS News, July 8, 2025)

The One Big Beautiful Bill is the Start, Not the End

Green Energy isn’t So Green Anymore

Funny how Global Warming believers suddenly change their beliefs when they aren’t paid to believe them any more.

Oregon’s Economic Outlook Not Looking Good

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15-25 Oregon’s HB2025 Tax Hike: Why Businesses Are Fleeing and How to Stop It

15-25 Oregon’s HB2025 Tax Hike: Why Businesses Are Fleeing and How to Stop It

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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.

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

Air Dates: 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.

House Republican Caucus press release: Democrats push largest tax increase in Oregon history
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)
  • Transportation tax: Amendments, cancelled work sessions (Oregon Catalyst, June 20, 2025)
  • Billion $$ transportation tax hike would be rejected by voters (Oregon catalyst, June 17, 2025)
    • Democrat Representative John Lively acknowledged that Democrats’ billion-dollar-per-year transportation tax package would likely fail if put to Oregon voters
  • Ski resorts scramble after major insurer leaves Oregon (OregonLive, June 17, 2025)
  • As Congress struggles to cut spending, states expose Medicaid fraud on steroids (Just the News, June 18, 2025)
  • 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)
  • Oregon Dumps KNOWiNK TotalVote System Four Years Into Contract (Gateway Pundit, June 3, 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
  • Can Any States Using KNOWiNK (Gateway Pundit, Jan 17, 2024)
  • President Trump Calls for Special Prosecutor to Investigate 2020 Election Fraud (The Gateway Pundit, June 20, 2025)

Related

  • Senate President Boots Dissident Senator Off Transportation Committee, Appoints Himself in Bid to Save Bill (Willamette Week, June 202, 2025)
  • ODOT Explains Billion-Dollar Budget Blunder (WWeek, Feb 26, 2025)
  • Controversial Cap and Trade Policy Reemerges (WWeek, May 22, 2025)
  • 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.
  • Oregon May revenue forecast warns “growth recession” ahead (Oregon Catalyst, May 14, 2025)
  • Who let the DOGE out? “Multnomah County Halts Funding for Housing Provider After Fight Over Billing Practices” (Willamette Week, June 17, 2025)
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15-24 Scams and Fraud: Superpowers of the Left

15-24 Scams and Fraud: Superpowers of the Left

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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.

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

Air Dates: 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
  • A simple exercise in the social cost of climate extremism (CFACT May 30, 2025)
  • Department of Interior emails reveal Biden’s offshore wind waivers (Just the News, May 28, 2025)
  • Offshore wind opponents file lawsuit to stop Empire Wind, arguing feds’ greenlighting violated law (Just the News, June 11, 2025)
  • Biden’s EPA hid comments from Dept. of Energy (Just the News, June 8, 2025)
    • “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)
  • Trump is about to kill California’s EV rules (Politico, June 10, 2025)

Eric Lee: Judicial Watch Lawsuit against Oregon

  • The Beginning of the End for KNOWiNK? Oregon Dumps KNOWiNK TotalVote System Four Years Into Contract (Gateway Pundit, June 3, 2025)
  • Can Any States Using KNOWink Software Applications Be Confident in Safe and Secure Elections?  (Gateway Pundit, Jan 17, 2024)
  • Justice Department Backs Judicial Watch (Gateway Pundit, June 7, 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.
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15-23 Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide – With Republican Help

15-23 Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide – With Republican Help

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Show 15-23 Summary: The Democrats’ latest scheme to steal money from Oregonians to solve imaginary problems will kill businesses and jobs. It’s like watching democrats unplug Oregon’s life support. But why are three Republicans helping to push through a carbon cap and trade scheme? It will, allegedly (maybe), replace the governor’s existing climate protection program currently being phased in. Tune in to hear how and why this will chase even more businesses from Oregon and definitely prevent new ones from moving in.

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Air Dates: June 7th & 8th, 2025 | Guest: Jennifer Hamaker 

This Week – Democrats Assisting Oregon’s Suicide — With Republican Help?

The Democrats are raising taxes on practically everything. And they are especially hitting hard its businesses and the factors that generate income and economic activity. In other words, they are harming what would normally help a business grow. And let businesses hire new employees. They are demanding businesses and Oregonians pay more when the State refuses to cut back any spending. While that’s no surprise, it is a surprise that three Republicans have decided to help.

It’s like elected democrats are Dr. Kevorkian. And republicans are his aides. Because what they are hatching will kill Oregon businesses.

Get involved! Don’t be silent! It’s easier than ever to let your voice be heard on bad legislation. Head to this page on Oregon Live for contact info for your legislators. Includes a search function if you’re not 100% sure.
Here’s info for the three republicans mentioned supporting carbon cap and trade: Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich.

Why the Democrats’ Plan will Kill Businesses

The Ivanpah solar plant was a massive $2.2 billion green energy boondoggle. But wait, it's even worse than it sounds.
WATCH: The Ivanpah solar plant was a massive $2.2 billion green energy boondoggle. But wait, it gets worse.

In our last show, we interviewed Jonathan Williams, the president and chief economist of the American Legislative Exchange Council. We talked about the coming economic boom for America, thanks to trillion dollar deals Trump brought back from the Middle East. Which could generate up to $10 trillion in economic activity. America is being reshaped into a manufacturing-based economy.

But Oregon is likely to see none of that.

In fact, a recent business survey showed one quarter of Oregon’s business had been approached by other states to relocate. And of those two-thirds said they had already relocated or were expanding their presence outside of Oregon.

But when new businesses are created from those trillions, how many will think of Oregon? Few. If any. Why? Because Oregon is increasing fees and taxes and adding punitive regulations. Not just on businesses but on the potential employees of those new businesses. Worse, Oregon democrats want to punish you if you use (in their mind) the wrong kind of energy.

How many businesses don’t use energy? How many farms don’t use fuels for their equipment? Or how many trucks make deliveries without using fuel?

Move to Oregon where you’ll get punished? Or build in another state where they will welcome you with open arms?

Poison Pills: Carbon Cap and Trade vs. Climate Protection Plan

The democrats’ poison has already been administered. Now it’s just a matter of how quickly the patient will die.

We welcome back Jennifer Hamaker, the president of Oregon Natural; Resource Industries, or ONRI, Because it’s not just the democrats. It’s republicans who are helping to unleash this on Oregonians.

In 2019, Oregon made national news when republican senators walked out the capitol to deny quorum. And refused to come back until the democrats’ carbon tax bill was taken off the table. They had to go across state lines because democrat governor, Kate Brown, threatened to send the state troopers after them to arrest them and drag them back to the capitol.

But they held out. And time ran out. So instead, in 2020, Kate unleashed the Climate Protection Program, the same plan but through an executive order. But Oregon’s appeals court threw it out in 2023. Not to be told no when it comes to punishing people and businesses into submission, Oregon’s DEQ relaunched the same plan with a few changes in 2024. We’re in the “gentle phase” of three phases.

The next phase kicks in. And it’s punitive. But not until 2028. Conveniently after the 2026 election. How bad? The fees to use natural gas will be more than the gas itself. And how bad will that be? According to Jen, if you pay $100 a month for your gas bill, it will skyrocket to $300 per month. Just from the fees. For using the “wrong” fuel for energy. You can imagine what they’ll do to gasoline and diesel.

Stupid Republicans Assisting Assisted Suicide

Tune in to hear why Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich are considering helping the democrats pass the slightly less poisonous of the two poison pills. Where the Climate Protection Plan will kill businesses quickly, Republicans are willing to swallow the less poisonous (for now) pill of the carbon cap and trade.

It’s a trap.

Don’t take either pill. Oregonians need to feel the full weight of democrat oppression. Let the democrats take the blame. And Republicans should spend the next year talking about what’s coming in 2028. Unless Oregon finally votes for Republicans.

Don’t miss this show. Because if think paying democrats to pretend to solve imaginary problems is bad enough, you haven’t heard where the money will go.

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

  • Jennifer’s organization is Oregon Natural Resource Industries. Their website is ONRI.us
  • Don’t be silent! Let the three republicans (and your own legislators!) know what you think about the Climate Protection Plan and the carbon cap and trade legislation. Here’s info for the three republicans mentioned: Senator Bruce Starr and representatives Kevin Mannix and Jeff Helfrich.
  • Watch that video on Ivanpah. California’s extreme green solar plant that failed. After wasting 2.2 billion. And share that! It’s a prime example of a green energy boondoggle coming soon to Oregon. Here’s the link to copy and share: https://way.lop.temporary.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ivanpah-Stupid-Idea-and-Waste.mp4
  • Solar Plant Wants to Pay Off Massive Government Loan with Massive Government Grant (Reason, Nov 11, 2014)

Not mentioned but related

Also also related

  • Fury as Republicans go ‘nuclear’ in fight over California car emissions (Guardian,. May 22, 2025)
    • “Senate votes to reverse EPA waiver and prevent state setting own rules”*Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and updates its own federal standards for all states on smog and emissions from cars and trucks … But for decades, California has been granted the ability to make those rules even stricter”
  • Senate nullifies California’s electric vehicle mandate, using fast-track authority to bypass filibuster (CNN, May 22, 2025)
    • “Republicans were livid when at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term, the Environmental Protection Agency greenlit California’s plan to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, shifting the state towards electric vehicles.”
  • Kash Patel Announces Charges Against Chinese Nationals In Agroterrorism Case (Trending Politics, June 3, 2025)
  • “A Better Way Than Cap and Trade” (Bjorn Lomborgh, Dec 16, 2008).
  • The End of the EU’s Cap-and-Trade Affair (Bjorn Lomborg, Apr 24, 2013)
  • From the true believers: Carbon Markets 101
15-21 Bigger than the Big Beautiful Bill

15-21 Bigger than the Big Beautiful Bill

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Show 15-21 Summary: Trump knows what he’s doing long-term with America’s economy and has a strategy to get there. The Big Beautiful Bill is one step toward it. He has other strategies outside of Congress. We discuss the “BBB” and the bigger picture of how Trump is reshaping the whole of America’s economy.  Moody’s downgrade, the not-serious-enough spending cuts, and whether DOGE’s work has all been for nothing. We’ll help fill in the gaps of what you’re not hearing in the left-stream media — and help you better understand what you’re hearing in more reliable media.  Like, why did so many on the right completely miss what Trump was doing with tariffs? Plus some truly worrisome responses to a recent survey of Oregon’s businesses. Hint: everything Oregon’s Democrats are doing will make it worse.

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

Air Dates: May 24th & 25th, 2025 | Guest: Jonathan Williams

This Week – Bigger than the Big Beautiful Bill 

What’s bigger than the Big Beautiful Bill? Fixing America’s economy itself.

But there are a lot of hurdles to get there. Not least of which is dealing with Republicans in the House and Senate. Not to mention Democrats (and a few Republicans) who would and will do anything to sabotage Trump’s attempts to fix America’s problems.

At the top of the list is America’s massive spending problem. Both parties got us here. And Moody’s recently downgraded America’s credit rating because of the exploding debt. In 2019, In 2019 we spent $4.5 trillion—the last year we had some fiscal common sense. That blew up in 2020 with covid. By 2024 that exploded even more to $6.9 trillion. An increase of over 50%.  In just five years. Worse, we borrowed $2 trillion to spend that $6.9 trillion.

Right now, we borrow every dollar that we use to pay just the interest on our $36.8 trillion national debt. Interest payments alone eat up 20% of all federal income and by 2030 that will rise to 30% of all revenue. Thirty percent. Right off the top of our income. Just to pay interest.

Washington, DC? We have a problem.

And you’re not serious about fixing it.

Fixing the Bigger Problem

While it is true that the Big Beautiful Bill does not go nearly far enough to cut (slash) spending, it is just one step of many to get us to the Big Win. We’re getting there.

We have to remember that this will take time. There are no magic silver bullets. Four years of Biden left the US economy on the brink until Trump was elected, and his approach is backing us away from the economic cliff we were about to go over.

I mean, can you imagine if Kamala and the Democrats would be doing to us right now?

We’ll fill in the gaps of what you’re not hearing in the left-stream media and help you better understand what you’re probably hearing in more reliable media. Trump knows what he’s doing long-term with America’s economy and has a strategy to get there. The BBB is one step toward Trump reshaping the whole of America’s economy.

We welcome back Jonathan Williams, the president and chief economist of the American Legislative Exchange Council. We discuss Moody’s downgrade, the not-serious-enough spending cuts, and whether DOGE’s work has all been for nothing. We’ll fill in the gaps of what you’re not hearing in the left-stream media — and help you better understand what you’re hearing in more reliable media.  Like, why did so many on the right completely miss what Trump was doing with tariffs?

And we can’t have Jonathan on without at least one segment about Oregon. The business image Oregon is projecting to the nation is not good. Plus, you’ll hear some truly worrisome responses to a recent survey of Oregon’s businesses. Hint: everything Oregon’s Democrats are doing will make it worse. Far worse with Far Left policies.

Democrats never learn. Perhaps that’s why Oregon ranks so low in education outcomes.

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

Note: Articles/videos/sites/etc. specifically mentioned during the show are marked with a red flag ????

  • ???? Jonathan’s organization is the American Legislative Exchange Council, Visit them at ALEC.org. He is also the co-author of ALEC’s , Rich States, Poor States, an annual report on the 50 states’ economic competitiveness and outlook.
  • ???? A great website to find the brutal truth on our nation’s spending, yearly deficit, and total debt is: USA Debt. Look, if you dare.

Our Ballooning Debt and Moody’s Downgrade of America’s Credit Rating

  • ???? Moody’s downgrades United States credit rating, citing growth in government debt (CNBC, May 17, 2025). See paragraph 9. Yikes!
  • ???? Watch this: 4 stunning (and painful) charts from Dave Brat. Interest on the U.S. national debt is now 20% of total federal revenue and rising. We borrow every dollar just to pay interest. (Citizen Free Press, May 17, 2025)
  • Explaining the national debt and deficit: “What is the national debt?” (Fiscal Data, No Date)

DOGE and Spending

The Fight for Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill

Oregon

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