Category: Oregon

Oregon Politics: What’s Growing, What Isn’t. And What Should Be

Oregon Politics: What’s Growing, What Isn’t. And What Should Be

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Show Summary: With Timber Unity rally coming up, a look at Oregon politics, including some devious attempts by Gov. Brown to undermine Timber Unity and weaken Republican resolve.

Original Air Dates: Jan. 25 & 26, 2020 | Jeff Kropf & Jayne Carroll

This week: a look at what’s growing in Oregon. We start with former state representative Jeff Kropf about Oregon’s hottest cash crop. Last year, tens of thousands of more acres transitioned from other crops to hemp as farmers jumped on the hemp band wagon. What were the results? Jeff, a fifth-generation Oregon farmer, gave it a go. Tune in to hear his experiences.

Oregon Politics: Undermining Timber Unity?

But of course, we can’t have Jeff on (he’s a fellow talk-radio show host on KSLM in Salem), and not talk politics. With Timber Unity coming up in less than two weeks, you’ll hear some shocking actions that Governor Kate Brown is taking to sabotage Timber Unity. And weaken senate Republicans’ resolve. Will she stop them from walking out this time?

2020. Is the Oregon Republican Party Up to the Task?

Then we talk to another talk-radio superstar, Jayne Carroll. Jayne was a radio host in Portland on KUIK and can now be heard anywhere there’s a computer or smart phone on TheJayneCarrollShow.net.

I Spy Radio show host, Mark Anderson, had a rather Stalin-like encounter with the Oregon Republican Party after asking a question on Twitter about candidate recruitment First one ORP member weighed in with the usual blame-game of why don’t you run? Then another jumped in with personal attacks. And he never did get a response from the person he’d asked the question of — unless you consider getting blocked an answer.

It’s classic organizational dysfunction. But it begs a bigger question, is the ORP up to the task in a critical election year? What can be done to improve things?

If anyone knows, it’s Jayne Carroll. She has been on all sides of Oregon politics. Commentator, strategist, party member, PCP, and campaign manager. Tune in to hear her assessment of the ORP and whether they can right the lifeboat when we need it most.

Want to Get Involved in Oregon Politics?

Plato said more than 2,300 years ago that, “”One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” Are you tired of being on the sidelines? Tired of being governed by your inferiors? Want to talk with Mark, Jeff, or Jayne? They can get you connected with the right people to get you off the sidelines and in the game. Drop us a line.

Podcast Version

Never Miss an I Spy Radio Show

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Links Mentioned

  • Jeff Kropf’s show is “Political Coffee with Jeff”, heard M–F at 6:00 a.m. on KSLM in Salem
  • His nonprofit, Oregon Capital Watch Foundation can be found at ocwf.org
  • Want to help fight bad legislation? Check out Oregon Citizen Lobby and Track their Vote
  • Jayne Carroll’s show can be heard Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and her Conservative Council is every other Tuesday. No special player needed, just head to The Jayne Carroll Show
Human Trafficking is Real and it’s Everywhere — Including Oregon

Human Trafficking is Real and it’s Everywhere — Including Oregon

Show Summary: January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking is real. And it happens right here in Oregon. Tune in to hear what you can do to help—and a conversation that could save someone’s life.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: Jan. 18 & 19, 2020 | Andi Buerger & Karen Kataline

This Week: January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month (see White House press release) and here at I Spy Radio, we are doing our part to raise awareness of this important issue.

The thing real Americans fight for is our right to individual rights, even if we don’t always agree what that looks like.  Freedom. Freedom is a God-given right.  And as Americans, we fight for those freedoms and against those who desire to change our country. And that includes socialist mindsets working against America.

The fight for freedom is expected of every generation. Especially as the next generation experiences its own pendulum swing as inexperienced youth try their hand at the world.  Sometimes, we take the idea of freedom for granted and it’s even shocking to learn others, right here among us, have been deprived of theirs.

Tragedy of Human Trafficking

While we enjoy our freedoms and celebrate our American liberties, beneath it all, there is a sinister reality: human trafficking.  And not just from the deranged stranger who wants to snatch a soul off the street to abuse for their own evil purposes.

Sometimes, it happens by the very people they put their faith in—parents and relatives.  Parents who sell their children, or turn their back on them, as others see an opening of twisting human trafficking into a commodity and servitude. Right here in America, the Land of the Free, human trafficking is not only a reality, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry.

Thankfully, there are those fighting against this and helping the victims.

To help a child or for more information:
The National Childrens Alliance operates Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) around the country with an interactive map to find a center near you.
The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children

Buelah’s Place: Helping Homeless and Trafficked Teens

This week, I Spy Radio once again takes on one of the most difficult-to-discuss topics as we look at this issue and to raise awareness of it during January, which has been designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

First up, we talk with Andi Buerger about her book, A Fragile Thread of Hope that discusses her rescue of four at-risk teens from life on the streets. She tells us about her powerful, personal story of lifting herself out of the life of abuse and trafficking.  An Oregonian, she talks about her life’s work to help others in trouble, including Buelah’s Place that has exciting news about helping more teens.

Recognize the signs of Human Trafficking
Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. See the list of signs and indicators of human trafficking via the Department of Homeland Security

How Did Society get Here?

Then we talk with Karen Kataline, an MSW and talk-show host (Spouting Off, which you can catch through her website, www.karenkataline.com). We discuss her recent article, The Culture War That Threatens To Upend America that really analyzes how we got here and why the culture seems almost accepting of abuse and sex trafficking.  Karen also discusses some of the telltale signs of abuse and how to start a conversation.

This week is a fascinating conversation that you don’t want to miss. And information you need to be aware of—your awareness and question might save a life.

Podcast Version

Links Mentioned

Related Links

NOTE: If you need help or want to help someone else, including emergency contact texts and hotlines, go to our Take Action against human trafficking page.

However, if you’re just looking for more information about trafficking or where else to look, the resources on this page can point you in the right direction.

  • Help is a text away. Text the words INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733)
  • National Child Abuse hotline is 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)

Additional Information & Resources on Human Trafficking

Resources on Human Trafficking via U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Dept. of Homeland Security is actively fighting trafficking and trying to raise awareness under the banner of The Blue Campaign. They have a tremendous amount of resources and places to get help.

Facts and Figures

  • According to some estimates, approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation, and 19% involves labor exploitation (Dosomething.org)
  • Human Trafficking Is an Epidemic in the U.S. It’s Also Big Business (via Fortune, April 14, 2019)
    • “…Trafficking is estimated to bring in global profits of about $150 billion a year—$99 billion from sexual exploitation, according to the International Labor Organization. Nearly 9,000 cases in the U.S. were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and BeFree Textline in 2017—a 13% increase from the prior year, according to the Polaris Project. But this data is incomplete, as cases are severely underreported.”
    • “Some of the biggest factors that lead vulnerable children to become vulnerable adults are poverty, homelessness, abuse at home, the foster system, and glamorization of the sex industry, what is essentially a “pipeline of vulnerability,” said Dr. Sharon Cooper, founder and CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics.”
    • “While prostitution is defined as the exchange of sex for money, drugs, or influence between two consenting adults—where consent can be given—human trafficking means there is third-party control.”

Human Trafficking: Further Reading

Oregon’s Disastrous Virtue Signalling: Carbon Tax

Oregon’s Disastrous Virtue Signalling: Carbon Tax

Download the podcast of this week's I Spy Radio Show
To download the show, right-click the mic, and then “Save Link As…” or use our handy player

Show Summary: Last year, Republican senators walked out. This year, Oregon’s Democrats are determined to push through a carbon tax. Timber Unity stands for what’s right It’s pretty simple—cap & trade? NO. Timber Unity? YES

Original Air Dates: Jan. 11 & 12, 2020 | Angelita Sanchez of Timber Unity & Dr. Bob Zybach

This Week: Here at I Spy, we are completely against any form of a carbon tax or a carbon cap & trade scheme.

A Carbon Tax: Wrong Thinking

Why is a carbon tax a bad idea? In the first segment of this weekend’s show, host Mark Anderson, thoroughly walks you through the problems of how and why a carbon cap & trade scheme damages an economy and how it violates normal free-market forces.

A carbon tax not only doesn’t work for what they claim it’s supposed to do, but it places an increasing financial burden on citizens. California is a prime example of what happens as its citizens and businesses flee the state. One report has shown tens of thousands of businesses fled California, directly because of California’s carbon tax, in a process known in political circles as “leakage.” Basically, leakage is “How many businesses will leave the state if we pass this bill?”

Also, don’t miss “all you need to know” about “global warming.” It’ll give you some ammunition to use in the coming fight against Oregon’s carbon tax, cap & trade bill.

Timber Unity

Government bureaucrats and far-left politicians who support cap & trade seem to believe they know better than the people they’re supposed to represent. Last year the people came together to put their foot down.

The Timber Unity rally on the capitol steps drew together people in rural areas who were tired of latte-sipping liberals looking down their noses at hicks from the country not knowing liberals are just saving the planet. (I wonder how they think the coffee they’d sipping got to their little coffee house?)

Timber Unity Rally Round 2: Timber Unity’s rally to again fight back against Oregon Democrats’ disastrous carbon tax will be on Thursday, February 6th, 2020. Tentative start time is 10:00. See below for more details, contact, info, and more.

 

Oregon’s Carbon Tax: New and Improved? Hardly.

Even though Salem’s Democrat legislators are trying to sell the “new and improved” carbon bill as something that would only impact people in the city (for now) it’s simply not true. Because more than 80% of all Oregonian communities have their only means of goods shipped, in or out, are only by truck.

Be sure to tune in to hear the mindset of how these politicians feel about rural areas and who they pretend to protect. What Senator President, Peter Courtney told Timber Unity rally participants right from the start will make your jaw drop.

Oh, and remember how Knute Buehler promised a carbon tax when he was running for governor of Oregon? Here he is suddenly for it now that he’s running for much more conservative CD 2

Good News for Oregon’s Forests?

Then we bring back our timber expert, Dr. Bob Zybach, who continues the conversation on the downfalls of a carbon tax and cap & trade schemes. We hear about how the law negatively impacts our forest management processes, a vital economic impact to Oregon. You’ll get a laugh over OSU’s latest scheme to save the planet. (Insert massive eye roll.)

And he discusses California’s dilemmas with its carbon cap and trade scheme (hint: it’s not working) along with the wildfire issue in Australia and the nonsense of some blaming global warming.

This week it’s all about stopping the nonsense of politicians attempting to fill their tax coffers while claiming it’s “for the environment.”

Podcast Version

Never Miss an I Spy Radio Show!

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Related I Spy Radio Shows

Links Mentioned

Timber Unity Contact Info

  • Timber Unity’s:
    • Facebook page
    • Twitter (@TimberUnity)
    • Questions? Press inquiries? Need info? Contact Angelita Sanchez – her email is arnrc.inc@gmail.com
  • Tweet from @PhRMA: “Did you know that CAR-T therapy was designed to defeat leukemia, but now it’s on the verge of defeating multiple myeloma? That’s the thing about breakthroughs: one can lead to many more.” (via Twitter, Jan. 3, 2020)
  • OSU “study”: We can stop climate change by not logging? “Preserving Forests Makes Perfect Sense, a Letter to the Editor” (via The Oregonian, Jan 5, 2020)
  • Opinion: Why California’s climate solution isn’t cutting it (L.A. Times, Jan. 2, 2020)
    • “The system is supposed to force a gradual decline in carbon dioxide emissions by issuing polluting companies an annually decreasing number of permits to pollute, but it has granted so many exceptions that the program is nearly toothless. … since the beginning of cap and trade in 2013, emissions from oil and gas sources — generated by production, refining and vehicle fuel consumption — have increased by 3.5%”
  • Letters to The Editor:  Is California’s Cap-and-Trade Program Making Climate Change Worse? (L.A. Times, Jan 4., 2020)

Additional Links & Related Info

Year in Review, Year in Preview

Year in Review, Year in Preview

Download the podcast of this week's I Spy Radio Show
To download the show, right-click the mic, and then “Save Link As…” or use our handy player

Show Summary: 2020 marks the beginning of I Spy Radio’s tenth year on the air. This week, something a little different: the producer speaks. Our 2019 year in review and a 2020 preview. Was 2019 the beginning of the end of socialism?

Original Air Dates: Jan. 4th & 5th, 2020 | Karla Davenport, I Spy Radio producer

This Week:  The end of 2019 and birth of 2020 marks the beginning of I Spy’s 10th year on air.  After a decade of airing shows that we hope have been informative and, at times, entertaining we are trying something different.  Having both Mark and me on air to discuss the issues.

So for this week’s show, we’re going to be doing a year in review AND a year in preview.

Year in Review. 2019: The rise of anti-socialism

To do that we take a look at some of the more interesting trends that took place this year, global and national in nature.  Okay, there were a ton of topics to turn to with a highly active president in office.  In fact he makes news while we’re trying to report it—which happened with this show as President Trump took on Iran.

2020 Year in Preview: Unfinished Stories from 2019

For us, this was a very fast hour to try and cover as many topics as possible and having a lot of fun while we’re doing it.  I hope you have the time to take a listen and see if we’ve discussed the issues you felt were important.  And what about the possibilities for 2020?  Listen to find out our take.

And let us know what you thought. We’d love to get your feedback on this rather unique episode of I Spy Radio.

Happy New Year everyone, and hello 2020!

Podcast Version

 

Never Miss an I Spy Radio Show

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Links Mentioned

When it comes to Leftist Policies, Science and Reality don’t Matter

When it comes to Leftist Policies, Science and Reality don’t Matter

Show Summary: Oregon is the Petri Dish of Leftist policies. Find out how and why that when it comes to economics and environment, leftist policies leave reality behind.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of Nov 2018. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: Apr 27 & 28, 2019 | Ethan Blevins

This Week: It’s spring with farmers preparing fields, rains soaking our rich soils, and forests turning green.  Our skies are clear from heavy smoke and the air is fresh.  But August is coming when things are far more dry, brown, and dusty.

Oregon’s Forests: A Victim of Leftist Policies

Leftist policies - A product of the socialist brain of a liberalBelieve it or not, August in Oregon used to be free of major forest fires for decades but why isn’t it now?  Why have massive fires become a way of life for the summer landscape in Oregon, California, and the rest of the West?

We’ll talk about this with Dr. Bob Zybach, someone who studied Oregon’s history of forest fires for his dissertation and is an avid proponent for bringing back practical and realistic forest management policies to Oregon. A state that should be leading the way on setting proper forest management polices. Except we’re too concerned that environmentalists will froth at the mouth over policies that actually acknowledge mankind is part of the environment. But we digress.

Dr. Zybach is also a frequent guest on I Spy Radio. Dr. Bob is back on to take us through what should be happening with our forests during spring time as summer is fast approaching. We know that farmers and ranchers are busy during this time of year preparing for the growing season, so should foresters.

Are We Preparing Scientists or Activists?

We hear so much about preparing today’s youth for the challenges of tomorrow. So what exactly is the curriculum currently being taught in today’s forestry classes? And how well prepared are young foresters when they graduate?

Don’t miss the updates on the Elliott State Forest that is supposed to be making the state millions. Yes. The Elliott State Forest is supposed to generate money. Not cost money. Can it?  Yes.  Is it?  You’ll hear about that and what the future may bring for this vital state resource and how it could pave the way for other states. If they just listen.

Pacific Legal: Fighting Leftist Policies

But first up: Ethan Blevins. Mr. Blevins is an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. This is a group that we’ve been following for a long time. No, we’re not stalkers. But this our first time to have them on I Spy Radio.  Pacific Legal Foundation has been growing leaps and bounds and are now all across America, working to hold the government accountable. Just our kind of group.

Oregon’s New Rent Control: Ignoring Science AND Economics

Mr. Blevins litigates cases involving the First Amendment, property rights, school choice, and the separation of powers.  So we talk to him about the new rent control Oregon’s legislature just passed and why its policies will end up raising costs of living—the exact opposite of what they propose to do.

Why? Because the policy completely ignores one of the most basic elements of economics. Not one of those fancy a computer models that predict global cooling—wait, no, warming, er, no, change!—but from long-tested and proven economic science.  But what do we know?

And don’t miss our conversation with Mr. Blevin about Oregon’s supermajority and the potential abuse of powers that come with it. Yes, the Democrats have a 3/5ths supermajority in the House and Senate and yes they hold the governorship. But there’s still hope. And from a surprising source. And it’s why Republicans can’t and shouldn’t give up.

Podcast Version

Links & Further Info

Ethan Blevins (Segments 1–3)

  • Unelected bureaucrats must follow the law, too (Pacific Legal Foundation, Dec 19, 2018)
  • Supreme Court vacates 9th Circuit ruling against EPA victim, Joe Robertson (Free Range Report, April 23, 2019) This is a Pacific Legal Foundation case
  • The Hill: Environmental regulations have become impossible to follow (The Hill, March 18, 2019) found on PLF’s newsroom webpage
  • Ethan Blevins article: Beware the false promise of rent control (Fox News, March 30, 2019)
  • OVERVIEW: How Rent Control Works in New York City (via Oh My Apartment)
    • “People in New York City who have the advantage of renting a rent stabilized apartment, have a very hard time parting with them. Monthly rent under $2000 in New York City is very, very cheap – even for a studio or small one bedroom.” = lack of mobility; prevents people from moving to a better job or moving closer to their current job, thereby increasing commuting distance, time, and expense.
  • Some basic history of Rent Control (via Wikipedia): “In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Emergency Price Control Act into law. The goal of the act was to prevent inflation in the booming, fully employed wartime economy by setting price controls nationwide. ”
    • (Don’t forget: long-time listeners of I Spy Radio know that this is about the time the IRS screwed up the health care system forever. Due to World War II and wage controls in effect, the IRS decided to allow employers to offer health care as a means around wage restriction policies in order to entice workers.

Bob Zybach (Segments 4–6)

Oregon Democrats: It’s Not Your Money

Oregon Democrats: It’s Not Your Money

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Show Summary: Oregon Democrats appear to have taken the position that no matter how much or how little you make, it really all belongs to the state. A look at the taxes they have in store for 2019.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of Nov 2018. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, on Six Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: Jan. 19 & 20, 2019 | Jonathan Williams

Oregon Democrats appear to think that if you earn money, it’s really not your money. It belongs to the state. You can tell because Oregon Democrats—who have super-majorities in Oregon’s house and senate plus the governorship—have billions in new taxes they want to unleash. Billions to extract from the 3.3 million Oregonians.

The Short List of Oregon Democrats New Taxes

Doubling the gas tax. Tripling taxes on beer and cigarettes. Fees (i.e. taxes) on restaurants. Vending machines. First in the nation carbon tax — plus a California-style cap-and-trade. (Hello $5 per gallon gasoline.) Fees (taxes) on bed and breakfasts. Spa visits. Fees (taxes) on tourism. Fees on small business. Middle business. Big business. Mining permit fee increases. Fees on timber lands. Fees on public utilities. Fees on home heating oil. Fees on

And if that isn’t enough, Oregon Democrats even want to remove property tax exemptions for non-profits and churches.

Yes, even God doesn’t pay enough in taxes.

At this rate, pretty soon, the State and Oregon Democrats will want to tax money you didn’t earn.

Oregon Democrats 2019 Tax Plans

We talk this week to Jonathan Williams, the Vice President for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC.org) to get some insight into what all these taxes the Oregon Democrats have planned will do to the state’s economy.

Some of what we talk about includes Oregon’s cap-and-trade scheme, the fees, and the endless taxes.

Don’t worry. There’s hope. But you’ll have to listen.

Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—the podcast version will be right here after the show airs.

Links Mentioned

Oregon: There’s Hope for Tiny Tim

Oregon: There’s Hope for Tiny Tim

PlayPlay

Show Summary: Christmas is a good time to remember that even in Oregon, there’s hope for Republicans. There were some great things in 2018 and now 2019 awaits. With former NFL superstar Burgess Owens & NY Times bestselling author, Scott McEwen.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of Nov 2018. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, Six Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: Dec. 15 & 16, 2018 | Burgess Owens & Scott McEwen

This Week:  This year has seen some lows and some highs. Mostly, the lows are here in Oregon. Or at least it feels that way some times. We’re the kids in the Christmas Carol looking out the window at other kids having fun in the snow. But we can’t go out and play with the other kids. And of course, there’s that carbon tax that might be coming—which will really handicap Oregon’s businesses and farmers—if Oregon’s Republicans can’t get their act together.

But let’s not be Scrooge here. There have been a lot of good things that happened this year. And it’s with that in mind that we bring you this week’s show.

Christmas Time

It being the Christmas Season, we’re taking a lighter approach to this week’s show. Sure, there’ll be some politics but we won’t be focusing on things we need to warn you about. (See pretty much the entire rest of the year for that.)

Instead, we want to bring you two authors and frequent guests of I Spy Radio, who have terrific new books out that would be perfect Christmas gifts this year. (Plus, you can find other great books for gifts in our store page.)

Burgess Owens: Why I Stand

First up, we talk with Burgess Owens, former NFL superstar, about his latest book, Why I Stand. This is a terrific book just in time for the holidays about a man who came up from the Deep South and is committed to standing up for the Black community that has been duped by its leader. It is filled with inspiration about the core beliefs that make America great, filled with insights from a lifetime of seeing too many people fall into the trap of socialist mindsets. This is a great gift to give yourself or the younger generation in your life to wake up from the growing lure of socialism.

Scott McEwen

We also talk with Scott McEwen, co-author of the NY Times bestselling American Sniper., about some of the feel-good stories this year, like Trump’s victory to get Kavanaugh appointed, expanding the Republicans’ lead in the Senate (which will make more Kavanaughs possible), and even the Clinton’s discounted “stadium tour.” Could 2019 be the year of the Clintons finally facing justice?

Scott has two new books out (in addition to his other seven books): City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle for Mosul, which Scott co-wrote with Ephraim Mattos, and Camp ValorCity of Death, which would be an excellent book for anyone who likes real-life military stories as you’re put right there on the scene with one of the Free Burma Rangers as they helped provide humanitarian relief for the fight to retake Mosul from ISIS. It would also be an excellent book for any vets in your life — or buy a few copies to take to your local VFW.

Camp Valor is intended for teens and young adults but, let’s face it, it’s great fun for adults too. It’s about a troubled youth who’s given a chance to redeem himself if he agrees to join a secret training camp for teenage government agents. Except America’s enemies find out about it and they find themselves in a real battle for their lives.

Tune in this week for a bit of a lighter show than our usual fare. We’ll need the break as we all rest, then gear up for 2019.

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Links Mentioned

Oregon Republicans suffer huge losses in 2018. But is there hope?

Oregon Republicans suffer huge losses in 2018. But is there hope?

Show Summary: After 30 years of losing the governorship, and huge losses in 2018, Oregon Republicans are starting to feel like the Charlie Browns of the political world. But there’s hope to turn their luck around. Find out why.

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Original Air Dates: Nov. 17 & 18, 2018 |  Jayne Carroll & Sam Carpenter

This Week:  There’s the famous 1969 TV commercial, where a boy asks Mr. Owl, “How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” You know the answer. One… two… three.

How many losses, how many lickings, will it take before the Oregon Republican Party makes the changes needed to finally win in Oregon?

It’s been 30 years (thirty!) since the last time Republicans won. 2018 was no different. Oregon Republicans lost the governor’s race again. But Knute Buehler’s race hurt down-ballot races as well. Oregon Republicans lost so badly to the Democrats that the Democrats have a super-majority in both the Oregon house and senate.

How many more losses will it take before something changes? That’s what we’d like to know.

Oregon Republicans: Aftermath of 2018 Midterms

On last week’s I Spy Radio Show, we talked about some bright spots in the 2018 midterms. Namely, some 2nd Amendment ballot initiatives that passed in eight counties. Eight. But we also talked about how Knute Buehler, the Republican candidate for governor, kept shooting himself in the foot by turning his back on his Republican base.

But we didn’t talk about the party itself.  That’s this week.

Fixing the Oregon Republican Party

Oregon Republicans - after huge 2018 losses, can they finally turn their luck around?
Oregon Republicans. The Charlie Brown of Republican politics?

Maybe “fixing the Oregon Republicans” is the wrong way to put it (given the 2018 results, they’re already pretty neutered). But something has to be done.

What has happened to Oregon’s Republican party that led to the smacking we saw it take this last election?  Does nothing need to change? If nothing needs changed, then why do R’s keep losing? If something needs to change, then what needs fixed to turn Republicans into winners?

Without asking those question we can’t move forward. Clearly, something needs to change because it’s blatantly obvious that how the party has always handled its business is just not working anymore. It’s not just a matter of “get better candidates.”

Make Oregon Republicans Successful Again

So we call upon two people who have different insights from two different perspectives.  One who has observed and reported on politics but has also managed campaigns and ballot initiatives.  And the other who has been a candidate and saw the dysfunction up close and personal—not only as a candidate but as a businessman who was a highly successful business  consultant, specializing in turning around failing businesses.

Jayne Carroll: A Political Observer’s View

Jayne Carroll kicks off the show. We talk about Knute, his strategy to woo Democrats, what we can expect from two years of Democrat stranglehold, and the unfair and confusing ballot measures that have led to some people still thinking that “at least the grocery tax was defeated.” (No. It wasn’t.) Tune in to where the 2018 ballot measures are leading us and her thoughts on how the Oregon Republicans can start making inroads into the heart of the Blue Swamp, Portland and Eugene.

Sam Carpenter: Candidate & Businessman’s Solutions

Then we turn to gubernatorial candidate Sam Carpenter, who discusses what happened during the primary. You may be surprised (shocked) at the supports the Oregon Republicans offer to candidates. Or doesn’t.

We also ask him if he was a business turnaround consultant coming in to the ORP to fix its problems what would he do. It turns out, not only does he give specific examples of what needs to be fixed, Sam has decided to put action to his words and has announced he’ll be running for the Chair of the ORP.  Leadership means everything and Sam wants to apply his skills of correcting an organization that continues its downward spiral that he wants to stop.

Are You Satisfied with the Oregon Republicans?

Are you satisfied with the Oregon Republican Party? Do we keep doing what we’ve been doing? Or is it time for something to change? Tune in to hear our guests to hear their suggested fixes — and then let us know what you think needs to happen to Make Oregon Red Again.

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Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of November, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of Nov 2018. Click for full-size map.

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Five Different Times, Six Different Stations. Listen anywhere — All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM or 99.7 FM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

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Links Mentioned

Hope in Darkness – Hidden Election Victories and Veterans Day

Hope in Darkness – Hidden Election Victories and Veterans Day

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Show Summary: So Oregon’s Midterm Elections didn’t go the way we wanted but there were some overlooked victories that give some hope for the next one. Yes, even here in solid blue Oregon. Election wrap-up coverage plus some hope for recovering veterans on Veterans Day.

Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, starting May 5, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of July 2018. Click for full-size map.

Five Different Times, Six Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream

Air Dates: November 10 & 11, 2018 | Rob Taylor & Scott McEwen

Okay, so things didn’t go quite as well as we would have liked to see in Oregon politics. Knute, kept shooting himself in the foot as the Republican candidate, who seemed to not like Republicans. His opponent was not a well–liked Democrat candidate—and had Knute not attacked Republicans and their policies he may have a had a chance. But we’ll get into that next week. For this show we’re going to focus on the positive of what did happen Tuesday.

Hidden Victories in Oregon’s Midterm Elections

There was a little-discussed win in Oregon’s midterm elections, victories which happened in eight Oregon counties. Eight. Wins that were led by Rob Taylor, who saw eight counties pass ordinances to protect our 2nd Amendment rights as these counties voted to become “Gun Rights Sanctuary Counties.” Rob will explain how they used, of all things, the Constitution and the 10th Amendment. (What a novel idea.) Don’t miss out on hearing about some good news and where these activists will be going next to keep fighting for our 2nd Amendment rights.

Scott McEwen on the Midterms

Then we welcome back to our show Scott McEwen, who co-authored the huge hit, American Sniper. Of course, there’s never a show with Scott that we don’t talk about what’s going on in the world of politics. So naturally, we get his thoughts on the national midterms, Oregon’s midterm elections, and on the firing of Jeff Sessions.

Scott is also back to talk about his amazing new book City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul that he co-authored with Ephraim Mattos. Little has been discussed about the efforts our soldiers have made to fight back ISIS. Author and US Navy Seal, Ephraim Mattos not only fought against ISIS alongside his fellow soldiers, but after he left the SEALs he flew back to Iraq to join a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers. With Veterans Day upon us this is a great book to read that will give you a look inside the work of these humanitarians and the courage and sacrifice they’ve witnessed and endured.

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Knever Knute?

Knever Knute?

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Show Summary: In a followup from last week’s show, we talk with Portland Radio Superstar, Jayne Carroll, about the difficulty facing Oregon Republicans this year. Can Republicans trust Knute Buehler? Should they? Should they vote for him? Plus, more on government corruption and leftist billionaires and their secret operatives implanted in Oregon’s Attorney General office. The Kavanaugh hearings. And O’Keefe’s latest uncovering the Deep State’s sabotage of the Trump administration.

Original Air Dates: September 22 & 23, 2018 | Guest: Jayne Carroll

Last week, we asked whether Oregon Republicans can trust their own candidate, Knute Buehler. Why? Because during the primary, while running against two conservatives, Knute said he opposed a carbon tax. He even called such a scheme Kate Brown’s “honey pot.”

Can Republicans trust Knute Buehler? Plus, Leftist billionaires' secret army planted in states' attorneys general offices
Can Oregon Republicans trust Knute Buehler? Should they?

And then, within weeks of winning the Republican primary, Knute flipped. And now he says he wants a carbon tax.

So which version of Knute do you trust? Primary Knute? Or general election Knute? (Funny how he hasn’t changed his stance on abortion though.)

Our guest last week, Chuck Wiese, a meteorologist and fierce global warming debunker, knows that global warming—now “climate change” (because people are stupid, apparently)— is a scam. Chuck looks at the devastation a carbon tax did to both California and its once proud Republican Party. California’s carbon tax, passed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, a “republican” governor, with the aid of California Republicans, destroyed both the state and the Republicans. As a result, some 10,000 businesses have been forced out of California by the carbon tax.

And now Knute Buehler says he wants a carbon tax. Is Knute trying to destroy Oregon? Or the Oregon Republican Party? Or both?

The Don’t Vote Knute Buehler Strategy

Chuck believes that if Kate Brown gets elected, she won’t be able to pass a carbon tax. Why? Because Republicans in the house and senate will oppose her simply because she’s a Democrat trying to pass (in Knute’s words) a honey pot for Democrats and their Democrat allies.

But if “republican” Knute Buehler gets elected, it’s a different story. Knute will get a carbon tax passed, where Kate Brown will fail if she gets elected. Why? Because in the Knute scenario, Republicans will actually want (or feel obligated to) to support their newly elected “republican” governor.

Imagine that. Republicans passing an anti-business carbon tax. A tax that could punish businesses to the tune of some $17 billion. A tax that will raise prices on every thing. And worse, a tax that will send tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars to… wait for it…Democrats.

If Oregon Republicans pass a carbon tax, it will be like writing checks to the political opponents.

Perhaps this kindergarten-level of “strategic thinking” is why the Oregon Republican Party are in the hole to the tune of –$13,000. Meanwhile, the Oregon Democrat Party is  sitting on a cool half-million in cash in the bank.

So you can see why Chuck Wiese believes it would be better for Oregon Republicans not to elect their own candidate. And it does make a lot of sense—as horrible as it sounds. Sometimes, strategy is very messy. So what are Republicans to do?

That’s why we call in talk show host and long-time political strategist, Jayne Carroll.

This Week’s Show: Jayne Carroll

In the Portland area, Jayne Carroll is a radio superstar. The First Lady of Radio. Last week’s show (The Impossible Choice Facing Oregon Republican Voters This Year) featured Chris Horner, who revealed that Leftist billionaires are secretly embedding global-warming operatives right into states’ attorney general offices. We also talked with Chuck Wiese about his strategy and reasons not to vote for Knute Buehler. Knever Knute. Because Jayne has over 30 years experience in Oregon politics, we want to get her take on things.

While you’ll have to listen, here’s a hint. She’s not thrilled with Knute Buehler. But should Republicans sit this one out? What about the other issues? Will Knute do to the Oregon Republican Party what Schwarzenegger did to California Republicans?

Or what about this: is Knute a Deep State or at least a Democrat plant?

You’ll have to tune in to find out.

We also get her take on the Kavanaugh hearings, the accusations of Christine Ford and the games Democrats play. the latest from Project Veritas exposing the Deep State, and lots more.

Don’t miss this terrific show with one of the best talk show hosts in Portland.

Podcast Version

Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, starting May 5, 2018
I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of July 2018. Click for full-size map.

Never miss a show! Five Different Times, Six Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!

Saturdays
10a – 11a: KFIR 720AM (entire Willamette Valley) | Direct Link to KFIR Live Stream
11a – noon: KLBM 1450AM (Union County) | Direct Link to KLBM Live Stream
11a – noon: KBKR 1490AM (Baker County) | Direct Link to SuperTalk Live Stream
7p – 8p: KWRO 630AM (Oregon Coast & Southeastern Oregon) | Direct Link to KWRO Live Stream

 Sundays
8a – 9a: KWVR 1340AM (Wallowa County) | Direct Link: KWVR Live Stream
7p – 8p: KAJO 1270AM (Grants Pass/Medford) | Direct Link: KAJO Live Stream