Democrats and their policies are already burning down Oregon's economy. But now they're about to throwing gasoline on it with even more stupid decisions. The house is on fire. But this is fine.

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

By Dr Mark | February 28, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

Exposing Oregon Democrats’ Damage | The Problem Lovers

Release Date: February 28, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

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

About This Episode

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

Show Notes

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

Transcript

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes, Research, Links Mentioned, and Related

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

The Insanity of IP 28

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

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

By Dr Mark | February 14, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

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

Release Date: February 14th & 15th, 2026

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

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

About This Episode

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

Show Notes

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

Transcript

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show Notes, Research, Links Mentioned, and Related

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

Not mentioned but you might want to read…

More businesses demand pause on Oregon’s new recycling fees (OPB, Feb 10, 2026)
Washington State admits massive climate data error in 2026, raising taxpayer concerns over costs and credibility (Seattle Red, Jan 8, 2026). Whoopsie!
Other Climate Change Whoopsies! (via Brave AI, asked Feb 10, 2026)

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

By Dr Mark | February 2, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

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

Release Date: January 31, 2026

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

Duration: 47:55

Host: Mark Anderson

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

About This Episode

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

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

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

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

Show Notes

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

Transcript

Opener:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Download the Show

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Additional Show Notes

Jonathan Williams is the president and chief economist organization at American Legislative Exchange Council. Find out more at ALEC.org.
- Encourage your representatives to join ALEC! There are state and city memberships. Help elected officials understand economic problems and the real solutions available to get out of them. Send them this link: https://alec.org/membership/.
- And you too can join as a private-sector member!
- Follow Jonathan on Twitter at @TaxEconomist.
Head to Rich States, Poor States to see how your state is doing — 2026’s edition will b e released on tax day, April 15th.
Oregon taxpayers are getting hammered with the highest effective income tax burden in the nation (Ed Diehl, Facebook post, January 13, 2026)
Outrageous! What elected Democrats think of your money: “Oregon lawmakers return Feb. 2 facing budget hole, tax fight and transportation fallout” (Central Oregon Daily, Jan 25, 2026)
- Democrat Speaker of the House Julie Fahey: “We’re focused on…shielding Oregon families from harmful federal policies.” Apparently, you need to be “shielded” from federal tax cuts that would let you keep more of the money you earned.
- Also in that article: “The bill includes tax cuts that could mean more money in Oregonians’ pockets at the state’s expense.”
Many Virginia voters are developing buyer’s remorse after Democrats are pushing a TIDAL WAVE of tax surges on citizens following the most recent election (Eric Daugherty, X post, January 29, 2026)
Moving Company migration surveys
- U-Haul’s 2025 survey shows Oregon had a net positive for trucks coming into Oregon vs leaving (50.3% inbound)

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

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

By Dr Mark | January 26, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

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

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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

By Dr Mark | January 24, 2026 | Comments 1 comment

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.

Map showing the radio stations broadcast areas and air time for the I Spy Radio Show. — 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.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Oregon Quietly Loosens Voter Registration Rules Days Before Christmas: State Rep (Seattle Red, Dec 29, 2025)
Political Prisoner Tina Peters Put in Solitary Confinement; Reportedly to be Charged With Felony Assault (The Gateway Pundit, Jan 19, 2026)
DOJ serves subpoenas to Walz, Frey and other Minnesota officials amid immigration crackdown (NBC News, Jan 20, 2026)
Oregon Election Officials to Begin Purging Rolls of Inactive Voters (Willamette Week, January 9, 2026)
SoS Press Release: Oregon to Resume Routine Cleanup of Outdated, Inactive Voter Registration Records with New Directives from Secretary of State Tobias Read (Oregon Secretary of State Press Release, January 8, 2026)

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

By Dr Mark | January 12, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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

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

By Dr Mark | January 10, 2026 | Comments 0 Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tune in to find out what.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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

By Dr Mark | December 22, 2025 | Comments 1 comment

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

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

By Dr Mark | December 5, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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

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

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

No Gas Tax Signatures Explode Beyond Wildest Expectations

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

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

Haven’t signed yet? Visit NoTaxOR.com

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

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

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

The No Gas Tax petition website is NoTaxOR.com. Haven’t signed? There is still time to do so. Find signature-gathering locations near you.
The Lies democrats tell. Remember the “fake electors” scandal — and the lawsuits that followed? Including Fani Willis’s prosecution? Yeah. It was based on a lie. “Requiem for a scandal” (Washington Examiner, December 1, 2025)
The fraud gateway: “Elon Musk Details DOGE’s Most Shocking Discoveries — and Why AI Is Key to Solving the Debt Crisis” (Joe Rogan Experience Clips, YT Channel, Nov 1, 2025)
Kotek Strikes Back as Gas Tax Petition Hits 150,000 (KDOV, FB post, Dec 1, 2025)
Explosive signature gathering weekend (Oregon Catalyst, Nov 24, 2025)
3 big ODOT resignations this month (Stop the Gas Tax, Nov 24, 2025)
Over 150K signatures collected to put Oregon transportation bill up for vote, group says (KPTV Fox 12, Nov 25, 2025)

15-44 How to Win (and NOT to Win) Oregon

By Dr Mark | November 1, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

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Show 15-44 Summary: .When it comes to Republicans’ chances in Oregon for statewide races, they don’t need Democrats to defeat them. Because Republicans can, and all too often are, their own worst enemies. After Christine Drazan’s announcement this week that she is officially running once again for governor, there is already a slew of social media posts by Republicans saying they will never vote for her. Which is a great way not to win. So how do Republicans win? We talk with a long-time Republican consultant and a a recent “outsider” Oregon political activist to get their thoughts.

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 1st & 2nd, 2025 | Guests: Greg Leo & Chuck Wiese

This Week – Can Oregon Republicans Not Kill Their Chances?

Republicans can save Oregon but they have to save each other first. And that means stop savaging each other in the primaries.

Primaries are different than general elections. In general elections, you are voting for who wins. In primaries, you are voting for who competes. You are selecting your team while the other parties select their team.

But all too often, Republicans—more so than the sheep-like Democrats who will vote for anyone (or anything) with a “D” in front of their name—savage and tear down the other Republican candidates in favor of their choice. They announce they will never vote for “the other guy” that their Republican teammates chose. And proceed to savage the other candidates, tearing them down. And inadvertently planting seeds why no one should vote for them in the general.

Is it more important to win the election? Or that your candidate wins?

Don’t discourage. Encourage.

Republican “Insider” and “Outsider” Views

Christine Drazan officially entered the race for Oregon’s governor this week. (Which as no surprise. No serious person thought she wouldn’t.) Up until then, Danielle Bethell, a Marion County Commissioner, was the only legitimate candidate. But what immediately obvious was the hateful comments — not by Democrats. But by Republicans.

Danielle Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com

We talk first to Greg Leo, a long-time political communications expert who got his start in the Reagan White House. He also spent a lot of time working within and for in the Oregon Republican Party as their communications director. Now, he’s a political consultant. We get his take on Christine Drazan entering the race, how to stop Republicans from spoiling their fellow Republicans’ chances, and what Republicans can do to actual win. That means wooing Democrats and non-affiliated voters. Could an actual conservative Republican do that?

Then we talk with Chuck Wiese, a conservative Republican. But someone who is not involved in Republican party politics. But Chuck is becoming more and more of a political activists, having supported and been part of multiple lawsuits against Oregon, focusing especially on election integrity.

We know Chuck is no fan of Drazan, base don how she ran last time. To get his vote, what does she have to do different this time? How can she prove herself to him—one of her biggest doubters? And can Republicans put aside their differences and preferences to focus on winning the general election?

Because Oregon really and literally cannot afford another Democrat governor.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Greg will be speaking at the Capital City Republican Women’s luncheon on Nov. 13th. Meeting runs from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Lunch is optional but is $14.00 if you’d like to eat. To attend, please RSVP by sending an email to ccrwsalem@reagon.com.
Learn more about America’s 250th! Head to America250.org for events, state pages, and how you can get involved!
Danielle Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com