In this episode, we dive into the economic divide between “rich states” and “poor states” with Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist at ALEC. As Oregon falls to 40th in national economic outlook, we explore the data behind why tax-heavy, high-spending states are falling behind and the looming 300% natural gas price spike facing Oregonians. We also shift gears to election integrity with Dr. Douglas Frank and Judicial Watch to discuss the recent removal of 800,000 names from Oregon’s voter rolls. From the intent of our Founding Fathers to the transparency of our local ballots, this episode uncovers the numbers and policies shaping Oregon’s future.
Air Dates: May 2nd & 3rd, 2026 | Guests: Jonathan Williams & Dr Douglas Frank
About This Episode
On Show 16-18, is your state building wealth — or quietly destroying it? This week we sit down with Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist of ALEC and co-author of the just-released 19th edition of Rich States, Poor States. Nineteen years of data. One consistent lesson: the states that tax less, spend smarter, and keep government accountable consistently outperform the rest — and the gap is widening.
Click for full image
Oregon ranks 40th in Economic Outlook and shows how bleak our economic future is. Jonathan breaks down what that means, why it matters for your wallet right now, and what’s coming. Especially if Phase 2 of Oregon’s Climate Protection Program hits in 2028 — potentially spiking natural gas costs by 300%.
We also dig into what happens when state agencies become too disorganized to audit, what the labor market is actually signaling, and — on the eve of America’s 250th birthday — what the founders actually intended when they designed the relationship between states and the federal government.
This is the economic conversation Oregon needs to hear.
Dr. Frank is visiting every county in Oregon. Coming up May 4th through 6th: Portland, Salem, and Canby. Head to Secure Our Elections Now to find a Dr. Frank event near you.
Also this week, election integrity expert Dr. Douglas Frank joins us on Oregon’s elections integrity — who’s really controlling Oregon’s elections, and what’s the state of our rolls? Plus, Judicial Watch’s landmark settlement forced Oregon to address 800,000 names that shouldn’t have been on voter rolls. A step forward — but is it enough?
Tune in because what Oregonians don’t know about its own numbers is exactly what some are counting on.
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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info
Jonathan Williams is the president and chief economist organization at American Legislative Exchange Council. Find out more at ALEC.org.
Encourage your representatives to join ALEC! There are state and city memberships. Help elected officials understand economic problems and the real solutions available to get out of them. Send them this link: https://alec.org/membership/.
Show 14-02 Summary: You probably missed the big election integrity news this last week. But that could be a little understandable because there was a lot of news this week. If the weather predictions hold true for some of our listening areas, it is definitely a good weekend to stay inside and listen to I Spy Radio. And as it happens, we have a former weatherman on this week. Fan favorite and regular guest, Chuck Wiese, joins us to talk through a huge news week — and one that was filled with stories in which he has expertise as a scientist, commercial airline pilot, and election integrity activist. We talk weather prediction, global warming, election fraud, airplane doors, and other hot topics from this and last week’s news.
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, 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 out network of stations.
Original Air Dates: January 13th & 14th, 2024 | Guest: Chuck Wiese
This Week – Stories You Might Not have Heard
We welcome back fan favorite and regular gust, Chuck Wiese, to talk about some of the major news stories these last two weeks. And they all just happen line up well with Chuck’s expertise and experience. Chuck Wiese is an academically trained scientist with a degree in meteorology. (Which he obtained before the universities went woke and through science out in exchange for activism and big propaganda grants.) He spent years in the news business as a TV weatherman for a major Portland network before becoming a commercial airline pilot. After retiring from those, he has become a political activist — as we all should be —focusing especially on election integrity. And boy was there some election integrity news this week.
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Tune in to hear a wide-ranging interview covering why weather predictions, especially here in the Pacific Northwest, are so difficult to be accurate more than 48 hours out. We talk developments in election integrity, including the Georgia prosecutor Fanni Willis going after President Trump only to expose herself as being corrupt. She paid over $650,000 to her boyfriend who has never been a prosecutor. And was dumb enough to charge his visits to the Biden White House to her office leaving a paper trail of corruption.
Election Integrity News – Did You Miss It?
Speaking of Fanni Willis, there was election integrity news you almost certainly missed. Especially if your main news source is the mainstream news. Trump released a devastating report: “Summary of Election Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election in the Swing States.” (If you have not seen this, see the Links section below to download a copy.)
The true “big lie” from 2020 is from the media: there was no evidence of election interference or corruption. That’s the lie. The “big truth” is that there is massive amounts of election fraud. And we talk through just one county in one state: Fulton County, Georgia.
Now you know why Fanni Willis is desperate to attack Trump. Marxism/Leftism 101: accuse the other side of that which you yourself are guilty.
Dumb Things Dumb People Do
The push for green energy (it’s not green) is on a downward spiral. And if you’re in an area this weekend getting hit by all that cold and ice, you’re glad your only power is NOT solar or wind. But beyond the push for green energy (it’s not green), EVs have suddenly taken a dive. All across the U.S. and even in the green-energy-crazy (it’s not green) United Kingdom EVs are suddenly unpopular. Why?
And did you see the dumbest dumb thing thew globalists and global warmers have come up with now? Listen in and don’t miss it.
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Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info
Never miss a show! We send out a weekly “show promo” email letting you know what we have coming up. To be added to the list, just send a link to info@ispyradio.com and let us know you’d like to be added to our list. We never share your email address and you can decide to be removed at any time. Or added back.
“Competency is no longer the primary requirement considered for employment in the airline and commercial aircraft manufacturing industries”
Uncontrolled Frequency: Why Intermittent Wind & Solar Are Wrecking Stable Power Grids (Stop These Things, Dec 9, 2023)*A fascinating article about why “renewables” like solar and wind are dangerous to our power grid. And can cause cascading outages when they fluctuate.
Saskatchewan rebelled against the Fed and eliminated the Carbon Tax on Jan 1, 2024, saving the average house $400 in plant-food extortion bills. A great start to 2024. Carbon is one of the most important elements on the planet (if not the most important), and is a solution, not a pollution.
We ran out of time before getting to some other topics we know Chuck is passionate about. Like Ivermectin for one. And that little miracle drug just keeps giving and giving. No wonder Fauci and Big Pharma tried to ban it.
Ivermectin reduces inflammation throughout the body
Improves the gastrointestinal microbiome by boosting levels of the probiotic Bifidobacterium
May help with athletic and sports performance by boosting cellular energy output in the heart
And here’s the big one: Ivermectin has profound anti-cancer properties
Ivermectin is (or was originally) and an anti-parasitic drug. This class of drug seems to have strong anti-cancer effects as well. Check this out: “The Overlooked Miracle Drug for Cancer? Why Big Pharma Fears Fenbendazole” (Vigilant News Network, Nov 7, 2023)
Show Summary: This week, we welcome three guests, all candidates for office. Dr. Angela Plowhead (running for U.S. Congress in Oregon’s CD 6), Marc Thielman (running for Oregon’s governor), and Dr. John Di Paola (running for U.S. Congress in CD5). All three need your help to cross the finish line. Find out why they should be your candidate as we give each two full segments for you to get to know them, get some insights into who they are and how they think, and to make their case.
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, 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 out network of stations.
Original Air Dates: April 30th & May 1st, 2022 | Guests: Dr. Angela Plowhead, Marc Thielman, and Dr. John Di Paola
This Week – Oregon’s True Grassroots Candidates
For perhaps the first time ever, we have three guests on this week from around Oregon. Three grassroots candidates who are making their case why you should choose them over establishment candidates and “experienced” politicians.
Hey. And on that note. Be sure to check out the devastating (to democrats) poll that OPB just released. Get the OPB Poll and our analysis.
We welcome back Angela Plowhead to discuss psychological warfare, the state of psychology and whether more or less regulation is needed. We also talk with Marc Thielman about the Left filing harassment lawsuits against him (where have we seen that before…?), education, and dealing with opposition once inside the halls of government. And we talk again with Dr. John Di Paola on a damning GAO report that found the CDC, FDA, and NIH, all lied about covid and did so for political purposes.
If you want to find out more about the candidates, their websites are:
Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.
Research & Additional Info
Links Mentioned
That devastating OPB poll: Oregonians prefer a republican for govern in head-to-head against a democrat—and prefer a republican even when an independent is added to the race
Anti-mask activist Thielman wins Dorchester straw poll (OregonLive, Apr 26, 2022) (“Anti-mask.” Don’t you just love the little digs the dinosaur media does against the candidates they fear most…?)
Show Summary: Cancel culture is the opposite of freedom. It is an organized attempt to create false images to mislead, dehumanize, and destroy your political opponent. And no better example of that President Trump, the target of the biggest cancel culture effort ever. We discuss cancel culture with someone who is a target of it and look deeper into what happened a year ago January 6th at the Capitol.
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, 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 out network of stations.
Original Air Dates: January 8th & 9th, 2022 | Guests: Rob Taylor & Scott McEwen
This week: Cancel Culture
Cancel culture is a fairly new weapon, most often employed by the political Left, to attack and destroy their opponents. In part, because their own political ideology doesn’t hold up under genuine scrutiny so the best attack is to destroy your opposition.
Cancel culture most often targets shows or public figures to get them removed from the public domain. Removed. Destroyed so only the Left’s viewpoints are allowed to be heard. They also target businesses who are themselves conservatives, or who dare to support or advertise on conservative shows.
God forbid there’s another viewpoint than the Left’s.
It is the opposite of freedom. Because rather than just changing the channel the Left wants to remove what they consider “wrong think”. Imagine being so threatened by people thinking. To the point you have to destroy people who don’t think like you.
A Cancel Culture Target: Rob Taylor
Fellow radio host, Rob Taylor, whose show airs on one of the stations that also airs I Spy Radio, has ticked off the Left to the point that they want him removed. You see, differing opinions are just not allowed. Which is an odd thing for Coos County Oregon, which is one of the more conservatives areas in the state.
Don’t disagree. Or cancel culture will come for you
Tune in to hear what set off the organized attempt to have Rob’s show, The Rob Taylor Report, removed from the air waves. And find out how he’s fighting back to cancel cancel culture.
What can you do to help fight cancel culture? Don’t wait. Show your support for the shows you enjoy. Contact the stations you listen to (internet search using their call letters, like, “KWRO”) and let them know you like the show. That way, when cancel culture comes calling, they already know that show has support.
The Biggest Cancel Culture Target of All: President Trump
It’s no secret that, to the Left, the mere mention of “President Trump” is like splashing holy water on a vampire. The Left has made every attempt to destroy and remove him from society.
We saw it even before he was President Trump. The Deep State worked in coordination to provide backup to Hillary Clinton’s false claim that Trump was “colluding with the Russians.” Thanks to John Brennan, the then-head of the CIA, we know this to be true. He was in the White House briefing James Comey, then-head of the FBI, President Obama, and Vice President Biden. They all knew it was a lie. But three days after that meeting, James Comey opened operation Crossfire Hurricane.
Why is this important? Because it shows the depth the Deep State and the political left will go to mislead, smear, dehumanize, and destroy their political opponents. Donald Trump stood in their way of bleeding taxpayers for billions even trillions of dollars.
Scott McEwen: January 6 was not an Insurrection
We welcome back fan favorite, bestselling author Scott McEwen, to discuss what happened a year ago on January 6 at the Capital. We talk about the obvious (which means democrats are ignoring it) reason it wasn’t an insurrection.
Remember: Just because a democrat calls it an insurrection, doesn’t make it one.
And that’s true for so much else about this cancel culture we’re in. Just because democrats say it, doesn’t make it so. It’s not build back better, it’s funding for democrats. Donald Trump and his supporters aren’t “anti-American”, terrorists, or white supremacists, or any of a thousand other names and insults. The vaccines aren’t safe and effective. And 2020 wasn’t a secure election.
In fact, judging from January 6, a good rule of thumb is that if a democrat says it, the opposite is likely true.
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“…the main goal of Cameron’s letter was to get The Rob Taylor Report removed from the air. He even started a petition and enlisted the support of the Waterfall Clinic in Coos Bay to try to take Rob down. … Ultimately, Cameron’s attempt went down like the Hindenburg because the radio station owner and Rob’s other advertisers basically said “piss off”. Better luck next time.”
The Red State article tearing apart AG Merrick Garland: “AG Garland’s Remarks About Jan. 6 and ‘One Rule’ of Law Defy Belief” (RedState, January 5, 2022)
“More than a year after an individual was allegedly seen placing two devices that the FBI said were pipe bombs near the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees, the bureau is no closer to learning that individual’s identity.”
Show Summary: It’s the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Would you have believed on that day that America 20 years on would be less free? That our greatest enemies were right here? A look back. And a look at Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates. The fight is only just beginning.
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Original Air Dates: Sept 11 & 12, 2021 | Sen. Dennis Linthicum & Scott McEwen
This Week: 9/11 and an America Less Free
In memory of 9/11 we look back at the unity America showed in the days after. And even eight years on, groups like the 912 Project sprang up, formed by people who believed that how we behaved the day after the 9/11 attack was America’s defining moment. Coming together, accepting one another with one goal: stand together as Americans to protect America, her privileges, her people, and her freedoms.
But twenty years later we are faced with governmental actions that have become nightmares as the country is more divided than ever between the haves and have-nots. This time it’s not about money, but about our freedom to determine what is in, and isn’t in, our own body. A government fiercely picking apart the Constitutional freedoms we have relied on, and now telling us we must obey the whims of government to keep our careers. A government that wants to hold us down and force a syringe into our arm whether that person wants it or not.
It’s one thing to have a drug available, should one choose it. It’s quite another to mandate it and make it a condition for a normal life. Yellow Star, anyone?
At this point, does anyone actually believe that taking the vaccines, that it stops there?
But did you know there is no currently available FDA-approved vaccine? If you listen to the mainstream media, you probably think there is. Except there isn’t. And the “vaccine mandate” fail on two points of logic.
Dennis Linthicum: 9/11 Memories and Today’s Mandates
Our first guest, Senator Dennis Linthicum, takes us through where he was when he first learned of the attacks on the World Trade Center 20 years ago this weekend. And he notes that what we’re now facing today with our loss of rights and forced government mandates was nowhere on anybody’s horizon.
Be sure to get Dennis’s newsletter. It’s easy! Just send an email to dennis@electdennis.com
Dennis discusses some of the harsh realities of what Biden’s new vaccine mandate creates and how it compares to what Governor Kate has been pushing. We especially focus on the purposefully confusing language —“exceptions” rather than the legal term, “exemptions”—numbers that don’t add up, and lack of clarity within the mandates, that is twisting them into something that has given him and one other senator the necessary material they needed to request a grand jury investigation.
We will definitely be revisiting that grand jury with Sen. Linthicum—and soon.
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Scott McEwen: Legal Side of Vaccine Mandates
So much for “effective.”
Then we turn to bestselling author and recovering attorney, Scott McEwen, who takes us through a deep dive on the legal principles of lawsuits that have been or will be filed against these vaccine mandates. Scott talks to us about the one to watch, which will most likely wind its way to the Supreme Court. A professor is suing a university over a vaccine mandate.
Why? Because he’s already had contracted covid and has natural immunity.
This and others will be bringing to light many scientific facts that the government would not want proven in a court of law. You know. Real science, not the science-as-political-tool currently in use.
And don’t miss Scott’s take on the government forcing our military to take the vaccine and what it might mean for national security.
9/11 and the Loss of Afghanistan
We also get his take on what the loss of Afghanistan means to those who served there and his memories of 9/11.
Just like what happened the day after 9/11, Americans are fighting to preserve our liberties and constitutional rights. And these are the opening shots.
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Links Mentioned & Further Info
Subscribe to Dennis Linthicum’s newsletter. Just drop an email to dennis@electdennis.com and ask to be added
Check out all of Scott McEwen’s books on the I Spy Radio Store page. Or head to www.scottmcewen.com
Difference between exemption and exception (via Stack Exchange). The former is a legal recognition; the latter is a subjective choice. So why is the governor’s lawyers carefully avoiding the correct term?
The Republican Governors Association highlighted tweets from 19 governors in all who rejected Mr. Biden’s push — including South Dakota’s Kristi Noem, who told Mr. Biden: “See you in court.”
Back in 2014, Obama exchanged five Gitmo detainees for American military deserter Bowe Bergdahl. Now that the Taliban has retaken control of Afghanistan, four of these men are in senior positions in the Taliban.
US Vet Warns He’s “in very dark place” After Biden’s Disastrous Pullout…Another Vet Blasts Biden For Asking Congress For $86K per Afghan Refugee: That’s “More than my yearly salary!” (100percentFedUp.com, Sept 8, 2021)
Vaccines: They’re not Safe, They’re not Effective
80% of Covid-19 deaths in August [in the UK] were people who had been vaccinated according to Public Health data (The Expose, Sept 7, 2021)
“[Isn’t it] extremely strange that the UK is in the middle of a third wave in the middle of summer? Especially when you consider that in summer 2020 Covid-19 deaths flat-lined to zero even though a Covid-19 injection was not available.
[Data] shows that the majority of confirmed cases are now among the vaccinated population. In the most recent week from 28th August to 3rd September 2021 the report shows that there were 20,744 confirmed cases among the unvaccinated population, who are more likely to be tested for the simple reason they have not been vaccinated.
But it also shows that there were 5,508 confirmed cases among the partly vaccinated population, and 16,810 cases among the fully vaccinated population – two populations who are least likely to be tested due to be being vaccinated.
New Study Finds Mask Mandate Failed to Reduce COVID Deaths, Hospitalizations, or Cases (Think Civics, Sept 9, 2021)
The Fight for 2022 is Right Now | Burgess Owens & Alek Skarlatos
Show Summary: This week, it’s a look ahead at 2022 with two fighters willing to stand up against a massive expansion of government — over $10 trillion spending commitments in six months time if Congressional democrats get everything they want. And if they lose in 2022, they don’t care because so much of those trillions goes to democrat support groups. How long could you make $4 trillion last? Congressman Burgess Owens on spending, govt expansion, and Critical Race Theory, plus Oregon’s Alek Skarlatos, once more into the fray, running in Oregon’s 4th.
When, Where, and How to Listen to I Spy Radio
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Original Air Dates: July 24 & 25, 2021 | Burgess Owens & Alek Skarlatos
DEMOCRATS COMMITTING SUICIDE – AND WHY THEY DON’T CARE
This week: You’ve probably heard one of our favorite political sayings, which was first said by Plato some four centuries before the birth of Christ: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
The Fight for 2022 is Now
Likewise, ignoring politics until two months before an election, leads to you paying for what your inferiors have been doing for the last 22 months. Yes, 2022 is coming up fast. And there’s a lot of hope, and reason to believe, that 2022 will see the democrats lose. Why? Because democrats are committing suicide in 2021. Doing what they always do when they get power: spend like there’s no tomorrow.
Fighting Big Government: Burgess Owens
Burgess Owens, a long-time guest on I Spy Radio, was elected to Congress in 2020 — taking back the seat in Utah’s 4th Congressional district that “conservative” turned anti-Trump Mia Love lost. Burgess is definitely a Trump supporter and a genuine conservative, which is why we look forward to a long career for him.
He is also an anti Big Government conservative. And he’s watching as the democrats ram massive spending bills through, a lot of which will go fund Leftist organizations. Which is standard operating procedure for the Left. Steal public money and give it to themselves or their organizations. But I digress.
Burgess Owens: Huge Critic of Critical Race Theory
Congressman Owens has great hope in what he’s seeing happening in Congress these days. Many of his democrat colleagues are terrified of the swing that will happen during midterms this year that will take the gavel out of Nancy’s hands. That fear is slowing down some of the House bills just because there are those who are politically far left but still want to appear more moderate.
But even those policies, like Critical Race Theory, won’t be going away as the far-left are working overtime to forcefully inject it into local school districts. Congressman Owens has spoken at length of why it’s wrong, and continues that conversation on I Spy. He talks about his childhood and what it was like to be around those who believed then in the principles of CRT. And the pushback is large within the black community. Tune in to hear Burgess’s thoughts on why this Marxist ideology needs to be, like slavery, abolished.
Alek Skarlatos: Fighting for Oregon’s 4th in 2022
To many, including everyone here at I Spy Radio, it was a real shock that Alek Skarlatos did not win Oregon’s 4th Congressional district in 2020. Peter DeFazio, is an unspectacular congressman. And boring. While Alek is a genuine American hero who actually saved lives when he and his friends stopped a terrorist on a Paris-bound train.
Perhaps it had to do with all that public money democrats spend on themselves and their friends…?
Did you know? Small-dollar donors drive big dollar donors? The million-dollar donors wait to see where you put your money so they know where to put theirs. Donate to Alek so the big money will get behind him.
Alek has been watching the problems Oregonians are faced with — shut down orders and increased taxes as business owners have a difficult time finding new employees. Alek discusses DeFazio’s approach and how it misses what’s needed for Oregonians. Don’t miss Alek’s return to politics and how he thinks this time, election outcomes could be much different.
2022 is not too far away.
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The only thing “green” about green energy is the color of the toxic lakes in China
The truth about “green” windmills:
Every 1 ton of mined, refined, and processed rare earth minerals produces 2,000 tons of toxic waste (The UK Guardian, March 20, 2014)
Each industrial windmill uses about 2.5 tons or rare earth minerals (Lynas Rare Earths), therefore generating 5,000 tons of toxic waste before it goes online and deemed “green”
The wind industry generates more toxic waste than the nuclear industry, despite only generating about 4% of US energy, vs ~20% that nuclear does (Institute for Energy Research, Oct 2013)
The only thing truly “green” about “green energy” is the color of the toxic lakes in China (Wind Turbine Syndrome, 2011)
This toxic lake poisons Chinese farmers, their children and their land. It is what’s left behind after making the magnets for [the world’s] latest wind turbines, and is merely one of a multitude of environmental sins committed in the name of our new green Jerusalem
Show Summary: Politics, not “science” drove Oregon’s shut down. And its reopening. As restaurants and lodging businesses struggle back in Oregon, there is a twisted road ahead through a minefield of politics. Worse, business’s usual ally, Republicans, aren’t up for the fight.
Yet.
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Original Air Dates: July 10, 2021 | Jason Brandt & Mike Nearman
We just finished celebrating Independence Day. But we’re not free from tyranny in Oregon. Not as long as there are big-government types who want to—and believe it is their right to—control every facet of your life. And businesses. All must be in line with the great gods of government.
While it’s nice of the Dear Leader to give us our God-given rights back, there’s the aftermath of all that destruction. And there is no light switch to just switch things back on again.
Oregon Restaurants and Lodging
That’s perhaps nowhere more true than in Oregon’s hospitality industry. Apart from churches, these were among the first to bear the brunt of Oregon’s abuse of power. Churches can (mostly) reopen and pick things up again. (Hopefully wiser and less trusting of Big Government.)
But that’s not true for small businesses that have now complicated supply chains. Or hiring part- and full-time workers. Or back rents and leases to pay. Not to mention paying taxes on the little money they did earn. Talk about rubbing salt in their wounds.
Jason Brandt on the Getting Back to Normal
Let’s be clear. There is no “normal” any more. Not when the governor of Oregon (or any other state) retains ultimate power that is unchallenged by a weak legislature. One held for decades by democrats who were all too happy to play along with the power grab. And be their own little dictator, shutting down access to the People’s House. So much for democracy, eh democrats?
But Jason Brandt is the President and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association. And despite the wreckage caused by the governor’s abuse of power, his job is to help his members try to pick up the pieces of their lives and businesses.
We talk with Jason about the complications and navigating the minefield in the road ahead. Faced with labor shortages and rehiring in the face of ongoing uncertainty, how do restaurants and hotels pick up and move forward. All that and more in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
Because here’s the thing. What happens if she just shuts it all down again?
Mike Nearman: Et tu Brute?
With the democrats power grab, you would think that republicans would stand up to it. But, sadly, this current crop of republicans did their best doormat impression. Sure, they talked. But did very little. And most of what they did do appeared to be cowering in the corner or make backroom deals for cash that bypassed the normal budget oversight.
Basically, they were the camp guards at the concentration camps. Hey. Don’t blame them for just doing their jobs, right?
Did they use the one power they had—walkout and deny quorum—to stop a single bill? No. But they did manage to negotiate a deal with democrats to get millions of taxpayer dollars for their districts in exchange for not stopping bills or even slowing them down. They also got a token “equal” seat at the table on redistricting.
Sure. Because the democrats actually gave up the final say on redistricting, right? Do these self-proclaimed “strategic thinkers” honestly believe they’ll have the final say on a sixth congressional seat?
The Current Crop of Republicans
Perhaps all one needs to see the level of thinking of the current crop of republicans is to see how they managed Representative Mike Nearman.
Let’s review. The democrats shut down the capitol building and protesters showed up, not liking it. They were locked out. And Oregon and Salem police surrounded the building — straight out of Cold War era Soviet Bloc.
Video captured Mike Nearman opening a side door, and walking out, which allowed protesters to enter the building. Democrats then acted horrified that protesters (compare Antifa’s and BLM’s 100+ days of violent rioting against the Federal Building in Portland) had entered their building. And so they demanded Mike be shot. Politically speaking.
And the republicans went along with it. The House resolution to expel Mike needed two-thirds. Which meant at least 3 republicans needed to vote with democrats.
Except they all did.
Political Fallout? In Oregon?
Rep Bill Post, claimed they had no choice. Imagine if the democrats had let Antifa into the building. What then.
Yeah, that’s good excuse making for voting like a democrat. They could have voted to sanction. They could have done all sorts of things. But expelling a sitting member over a misdemeanor in an acting “uniting” with democrats (who let slide misdemeanors and even sexual assault slide by with nary a whisper) was a stupid move.
The problem with politics in Oregon, or any state for that matter, is voters as a group have short memories.
It’s why bread and circuses have such power. Voters will forget that the democrat governor destroyed their businesses. Or their friends’ businesses. As long as voters get a few tidbits (that they’re paying for), they’re fine with status quo.
Will republicans who voted against Mike pay a price? It would be nice if they did. No incumbent is SO vital that they can’t or shouldn’t be replaced.
None.
The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version
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Links Mentioned
Jason Brant (Segments 1–3)
Find out more at Oregon Restaurants and Lodging Association (ORLA): OregonRLA.org
The June 26th news release, “Oregon Hospitality Freed from Restrictions No Later than June 30: There is no light switch. It will take years to build back what was lost.” (ORLA Blog, Jun 25, 2021)
“Simply put, are there tasks that technology can do (perhaps better than humans) that can be easily and inexpensively implemented? The answer is a resounding yes – with machine learning and artificial intelligence.”
“In the end, what I believe will come out of the pandemic is not necessarily higher wages, but a greater reliance on technology as an interface between management and staff as well as restaurants and their customers.”
Oregon restaurants push for fewer COVID-19 restrictions (KVDR, Jan 28, 2021)
Jason Brandt, the CEO of ORLA says the group is calling on the state to ease restrictions adding the science isn’t there to keep restaurants restricted to take out and delivery only.
“The vast majority of the states in our country have indoor dining open right now and they are finding ways to really manage the virus in a multifaceted way,” Brandt said.
He says the Oregon food service industry accounts for less than 1% of all workplace outbreaks in the state and 4.7% of Oregon’s overall outbreaks, but operations remain shut down.
The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Is Suing the State Over the Recent Dining Room Shutdown (Eater, November 20, 2020)
“Ousting Nearman via House Resolution 3 would require two-thirds support. Democrats hold a majority with 37 seats, meaning three Republicans would have to join them in voting in support of the resolution.”
One republican’s explanation for voting against fellow republican Mike Nearman (Facebook, June 10)
“How would you vote? What if a House Democrat had allowed Antifa into the Capitol? Would you vote to expel him or her? That is what we face. That is why we call for Mike to resign.”
Mike Nearman got the most votes from the PCPs who voted for his successor
SB 865: Prohibits person from simultaneously serving as holder of state office and as officer of state central committee of political party. Had it passed, recently elected to the ORP chair and treasurer, Senators Heard and Linthicum, would have had to step down.
To download the show, right-click the mic, and then “Save Link As…” or use our handy player
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
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Five Different Times, on Seven Different Stations. Listen anywhere! All stations stream live!
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
Hope in Darkness – Hidden Election Victories and Veterans Day
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.
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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.
Podcast Version
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The article about their victory in Douglas and 7 other counties in Oregon to pass the Gun Rights Sanctuary Ordinance: “Gun Rights Sanctuary Counties: Voters in Oregon Set Foundation for Eight” (Tenth Amendment Center, Nov 6, 2018)
Show Summary: Good leaders don’t lead people off cliffs. As we learned last week, Oregon’s current leaders are leading Oregon off a financial cliff. And small businesses are about to get crushed. This week, we talk about good leadership: Trump’s successes and a Republican candidate for Oregon governor who hopes to make Oregon great again.
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11:00AM Saturday: KBKR (Baker City) | KLBM (La Grande) | Live Feed
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7:00PM Sunday: KAJO (Grants Pass) | KAJO’s Live Feed
Original Air Dates: April 21 & 22, 2018 | Sam Carpenter & Ron Kessler
I Spy Radio Welcomes Wallowa County!
Before we get to this week’s show, a special shout-out to listeners in Wallowa County! We’re pleased to now be airing on KWVR in Enterprise OR, our newest addition to the I Spy Radio network. We’ll be airing on KWVR from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sundays.
For those of you who aren’t in Wallowa County, but who listen to our show via the internet, note that KWVR streams live, which gives you another option of when to listen.
This Week: we will be following up on last week’s conversation about Oregon’s economic woes with Jonathan Williams of ALEC. Our conversation with Jonathan was a real eye opener on how Oregon’s current leadership is about to punish small businesses. We move from last week’s diagnostics to some actual remedies this week with guest, business owner and consultant, Sam Carpenter.
I Spy Radio interviews Sam Carpenter who is running for Oregon’s governor
Sam is one of the Republican candidates for Oregon governor. A successful businessman himself, he is also a consultant and turnaround specialist. He has helped over 200 companies find their own path to prosperity. Sam is hired to identify the problems and then design the way for the company to correct them and get back to prosperity. And that’s just what he wants to do for Oregon—fix the economic problems.
And with Kate Brown’s “leadership,” we have a ton of problems.
Oregon governor Kate Brown and the Salem Democrats made Oregon a sanctuary state. Have you signed the petition yet? Your signature can help get it on the ballot so voters can decide. Head to StopOregonSanctuaries.org. Just print, sign, mail. Do it today!
Oregon Democrat’s Punish Small Business Tax becomes law
We talk to Sam about three major problems that he would face from Day One of taking the reins in Oregon and start to immediately change our direction. Sam talks to us about what we’ve termed The Punish Small Business Tax (SB 1528) that Kate already signed into law and how devastating it will be for small business.
And we talk about PERS. Especially the lack of good information to even know how much in debt we truly are, with some saying $25 billion, others say $50 billion, and still other reliable estimates that put it up to $100 and even as high as $200 billion. Who’s right?
Crush Small Businesses Part II: The Internet Sales Tax
We also talk with Sam about the little known Internet Sales Tax that the Supreme Court heard this week. Governor Kate Brown’s Attorney General signed an Amicus Brief in support of yet another punishing blow to Oregon’s small businesses. If it stands, it will mean that business owners in Oregon, which has no sales tax of its own (yet), will be forced to collect tax for over 12,000 taxing jurisdictions—in other states.
Why exactly did Oregon’s Attorney General sign onto this idea…?
Ron Kessler on the Trump White House
Next, we turn to NY Times bestselling author, Ronald Kessler, with his new book The Trump White House: Changing the Rules of the Game. Ron has authored over 20 books investigating life in Washington D. C., from Presidents to the CIA and the FBI Ron has also been a friend of President Trump for years and gives us insights into the personality, mindset, and life of our President. Including the surprising role of Melania.
Tune in to hear how Trump looks at people, and how he determines whom to hire and why. We also talk to him about the FBI and the Deep State, Jeff Sessions’ and Rod Rosenstein’s job security, and how President Trump finds the energy to keep fighting the good fight.
