Tag: small business

12-43 Those “Down Ballot Races” Made Easy — With Superior Candidates

12-43 Those “Down Ballot Races” Made Easy — With Superior Candidates

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Show Summary: ALL races matter. No, not those races. All political races matter. This week we talk about two of the “down ballot” races: the commissioner for BOLI (I know—what the heck is that, right?) and Oregon’s new 6th congressional district. The Bureau of Labor and Industries (that’s what BOLI is), oversees Oregon’s trade school, civil rights issues, and housing. Find out why both of these races have superior candidates. Hint: They’re not the democrats.

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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: October 22nd & 23rd, 2022 | Guests: Cheri Helt & Mike Erickson

This Week – Those Down Ballot Races

This year, you cannot vote just the top of the ticket — governor — and ignore all those down ballot races. They are every bit as important as the governor’s race. In part, because the Republican governor will need all the republicans she can get. 

But it’s more than just house and senate races. There are other “down ballot races” you need to pay attention to. And one of them is the BOLI commissioner. A little-known race that helps set the tone for the rest of the state’s business environment.

Sometimes, these races are hard to figure out. But this year, it’s especially easy: vote Republican. In every race. Down ballot or otherwise. And it’s made even more easy with clearly superior candidates in the two down-ballot races we’re talking about on this week’s show.

Cheri Helt for BOLI Commissioner

The Bureau of Labor and Industries has had a democrat stranglehold on it for decades. Perhaps that’s why we’re short tens of thousands of trade jobs in this state as Kitzhaber and Brown wanted to shove everyone into university and practically shamed kids if the even thought of a job in the skilled trades. 

You can find Cheri’s campaign website at www.CheriHelt.com

The Bureau of Labor and Industries (that’s what BOLI is), oversees Oregon’s trade schools (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.), civil rights issues, fair housing practices and more. Oregon has a huge housing shortage and a shortage of workers Democrats have been in charge of BOLI for decades. And with their college-first, trades-bad mindset, it’s no surprise.

Cheri’s opponent, Christina Stephenson, is a lawyer who wants yet more authority for BOLI. Hmm. Oregon’s BOLI famously sued Melissa’s Sweet Cakes because Melissa didn’t want to bake a cake for a gay couple. Is that what Christina has in mind for more authority? We just went through Covid with no end of “more authority.” Do we really want a progressive lawyer in there who’d love nothing more than to sue even more businesses out of business because they don’t fit her politics?

That’s not what Oregon needs. More politics pushed on businesses. Oh. And Christina wants more funding for BOLI. Probably because hiring more attorneys gets expensive.

No thanks. We’ll take Cheri.

Mike Erickson for Oregon’s CD6

This week we welcome back actual businessman, Mike Erickson. Who, unlike his opponent, knows what supply chains are and how disrupting them can and does impact the economy. Which is more than we can say for Biden or anyone in his administration. Which seems to only want to blame oil companies.

Learn more about Mike Erickson by visiting his campaign website, www.MikeEricksonforCongress.org

The latest? Blaming Biden’s exploding gas prices on oil companies’ profits. What? Do they not know what profits are? Or how not spending on oil exploration or purchasing federal oil leases (which they wouldn’t be allowed to use under Biden) or any the other normal business expenses will make profits go up?

It’s embarrassing to think, but third-graders running a lemonade stand have more practical knowledge of basic economics principles and more hands-on understanding of supply and demand than Joe Biden. Or anyone in his administration, apparently.

And did the democrats’ gerrymandering catch up with them as they spread Portland’s potential influence too thin into four congressional districts, not just the two Portland actually deserved? Now, with so much of Portland angry at democrat Ted Wheeler and an astounding 82% (82!!) wanting MORE police, not less, democrats may have spread Portland’s influence all right.

Just not in the direction they intended. 

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Our guests’ websites are www.CheriHelt.com and www.MikeEricksonforCongress.org

Cheri Helt Segments (1–3)

Mike Erickson Segments (4–6)

Corona Virus Bailout Rescue Bill. Did they get it right? What next for states?
Corona Virus Bailout Rescue Plan | Will We Avoid Economic Disaster?

Corona Virus Bailout Rescue Plan | Will We Avoid Economic Disaster?

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Show Summary: Congress passed its Corona Virus bailout rescue bill. Will it be enough to avoid economic disaster? What’s next for all those states (like Oregon) that decided to shut down all those businesses? Plus, a little left wing myth busting.

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: March 28 & 29, 2020 | Jonathan Williams

This Week: It’s dicey in the US, no two ways to about it. And it’s hard to know what or whom to trust. Like recent reports came to light that the small group scientists behind the much-vaunted study—that the White House and governments all around the world relied on to make drastic, economy-altering decisions that they did—may have drastically overstated the numbers.

Corona Virus Numbers: Were they Way off?

British scientist Neil Ferguson, using a computer model, had predicted 2.2 million Americans and more than half a million Brits would be killed. Now he and his team are backtracking on their modeling numbers.

During testimony to the U.K’s parliament, he now predicts U.K. deaths from the disease will not exceed 20,000, and could be much lower. That means, their initial estimates were 25 times higher than they should have been.

This comes as Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, reportedly said the administration was particularly focused on his report.  The doctor now has walked back those predictions and clearly stated that the actual numbers of those infected by the virus do not match the computer models (because they’re much lower).

Corona Virus Bailout Passes

The economic and public health policies we’re seeing enacted now have been based recommendations from advisers who used those overstated numbers, which has shut the American economy down.

Did Donald Trump just use the Corona Virus Bailout to gain control of The Fed…? Check this out from Yahoo News

As the stocks tanked, Trump has pushed back with a stimulus package to get cash into the hands of American workers who have been laid off. Or have lost their jobs.  Small businesses will have loans and grants available to keep them afloat as Trump pushes to get new policies in place for Americans to go back to work.

Corona Virus Bailout: Did they Get it (Mostly) Right?

But will the Corona virus bailout bill work? To get Americans – and America – back to work?

We welcome back Chief Economist for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Jonathan Williams, to analyze what’s been happening, and what’s likely to happen.

Read Jonathan’s Op-Ed in The Hill that he mentioned on the show – “A Free-Market Approach to Reviving the Economy Amid COVID-19 Distress“

Jonathan—who, like ALEC, believes in smaller government and fewer regulations—walks us through the details and impacts of this massive aid package. You’ll come away with a broader understanding of what’s happening, why smaller government consistently works, and, we hope, we’ll soothe some nerves and calm some fear.  We discuss what the package will be doing, what it could do, and also some problems still on the horizon, especially for states that may have hastily sold their economic souls based on bad numbers.

Another very full show—including some myth busting of Leftist anti-business policies that you won’t want to miss.

Check it Out! President Trump Posts Inspiring Corona Virus Video: “Hope”

Podcast Version

Links Mentioned

  • Jonathan Williams’ organization is the American Legislative Exchange Council or ALEC. Their website is alec.org and Jonathan Williams’ websites:  www.alec.org &  www.RichStatesPoorStates.org
  • Creative Policy Ideas to Address COVID-19 (via ALEC)
  • Definition of a recession (via Investopedia)
  • Remember when: “Oregon lawmakers weigh odds of a recession, as reserves grow” (Oregonian, Jan 2019)
  • More on the “wisdom of the crowd” – Lorenz, J., Rauhut, H., Schweitzer, F., & Helbing, D. (2011). How social influence can undermine the wisdom of crowd effect. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(22), 9020–9025.
  • The Scientist Whose Doomsday Pandemic Model Predicted Armageddon Just Walked Back The Apocalyptic Predictions (The Federalist, Mar. 26, 2020)
  • Not mentioned but here’s a breakdown of the spending bill: “Here’s a breakdown of the $2T coronavirus bailout” (NY Post, March 27, 2020)

Related Links

Media corona virus panic misses the good news
As the Corona Virus War Battles On… Hope

As the Corona Virus War Battles On… Hope

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Show Summary: The media-induced panic-mongering over the corona virus reached new heights this week. Or maybe lows. In either case, with their focus on panic, it means they’re overlooking the good news. Also, Timber Unity takes action in Oregon to get leaders with common sense into office.

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: Mar. 21 & 22, 2020 | James Hirsen & Angelita Sanchez

This Week: As much of America starts slowing down, self-quarantining, or through social distancing, we’ve had to rely on the very media that many have wondered if they will ever be truthful, as we assess our way through this challenge. Difficult times for sure.

Challenges that we never imagined a few weeks ago, after a big win to stop Oregon’s cap and trade bill. Only to end up faced with corona virus, which many states’ governors have used to shut down the economy in their states.

To get a handle on these issues we talk to two people: attorney, James Hirsen, who specializes in media psychology, and Timber Unity’s spokesperson, and small business owner, Angelita Sanchez.

Media’s Corona Virus Panic-Mongering

To help the media, here's a handy visual aid, showing where corona virus didn't start
To help the media, here’s a handy visual aid, showing where corona virus didn’t start

First up is James Hirsen, offering his insights on the media’s irresponsibility on their reporting—or misreporting. And what a shame that truly is. President Trump fights to correct problems that Americans are facing—while having to fight off both media and Democrats attacks every step of the way. Apparently, the constant fight the last three years has given him the experience he needed to deal with Corona Virus.

It’s bad enough when the media lies or pushes outright hoaxes, but its perhaps even worse when many times the good news from the president, goes completely unreported.  Instead the, media spends their energy sensationalizing the news, the very information we try to depend on to try to make good decisions for our businesses and families.

 

Timber Unity: How are Truckers Dealing with Corona Virus?

Then up next, Angelita Sanchez who takes a more personalized approach as she helps us to understand what our nation’s truckers are experiencing; many of whom are small-businesses owners.

Tune in to hear what this vital industry is faced with, as vendors they depend on for work are shut down by government.  She not only gives us insights into the big challenges, and her own personal struggles. Angelita was fortunate enough to join a select number of small business owners for a group telephone call with the President and White House staff to hear how he’s going to help keep small businesses whole.  The aid package includes cash help and some loans for disaster help.  She says it gave her hope. What she shares will give you hope too.

Lots of information packed into an hour that you don’t want to miss.

Podcast Version

Links Mentioned

Related Links, Corona Virus, etc.

 

How Oregon is about to crush small business. Democrat Governor Kate Brown targets small business
How Oregon will Crush Small Business Thanks to Governor Kate Brown

How Oregon will Crush Small Business Thanks to Governor Kate Brown

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Show Summary: Tune in to hear how small business is about to be crushed in Oregon. If you are running for office you need to listen to this show. If you plan to vote for someone running for office you need to listen to this show. If you own a small business or work for one, you really need to listen to this show. You need to know the storm that’s about to be unleashed on small business, thanks to Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown.

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Original Air Dates: April 14 & 15, 2018 | Guest: Jonathan Williams of ALEC

Some states are scrambling for money as big debts are coming due. And Oregon is leading the way—just not in finding the right answers that would promote economic health.

Instead, Democrat Governor Kate Brown seems to be almost working overtime to crush our state’s innovative spirit. So she’s not only killing our ability to not only pay our bills but taking an axe to what could be (with better management) a positive economic environment for small businesses. Or even attract them from other states.

But not in Oregon. Instead, there is a real storm coming for small businesses here in Oregon.

Crushing Small Business. Oregon Style

One of the things you’ll hear in the show this week is how Oregon is targeting small business by divorcing them from the Trump tax break. But then there’s a coming sales tax.

Yes. A sales tax in Oregon.

This is the internet sales tax that is being heard next week in front of the Supreme Court. Oregon small businesses would be forced to collect taxes for states like New York and Washington that have their own sales tax.

Regulations and taxes crush small businesses. Oregon is the example of what NOT to do.But unbeknownst to many, Oregon’s own State Attorney General has signed onto an Amicus Brief to allow a national sales tax on internet purchases.  This will be crushing to Oregon’s small businesses with the increased costs of processing this sales tax. For other states.

It’s the foot in the door to finally create the sales tax Oregon’s Democrats and Big Government Republicans have been longing for.

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See below for an excerpt from the brief that includes not only more taxes but more prying into your personal lives. Have our elected leaders gone insane? Has no one heard of cutting spending?

Oregon Democrats hate cutting spending almost as much as they hate cutting trees.

Show Flow

We start by discussing Congress’s Omnibus bill, which sets the stage for the rest of the discussion.

Then we move to the Left’s “boogeyman”: Kansas and their ill-advised massive tax cut and spending increase. Why? Because the Left uses Kansas to try to scare other states away from cutting taxes. We debunk the myth because what happened in Kansas can help other states learn what not to do (hint, hint Oregon!).

Next, we talk about what Oregon is doing to crush small business, including taking away tax cuts. It’s a punishment that falls on small businesses and only small businesses. Then, it’s the internet sales tax and the grand daddy of spending boondoggles, PERS.

But there is good news (just not in Oregon). Don’t miss what nearby state to watch as the primary example of how smart policies really can create economic health.

Oregon’s Attorney General Rosenblum’s Amicus Brief

“Their [businesses] advanced online platforms boast impressive technology that enables them to not only comply (easily) with State [tax] collection laws, but also capture extensive data about their customers. According to one commentator, an online retailer can effortlessly track demographic information that includes “‘your age, whether you are married and have kids, which part of town you live in, how long it takes you to drive to the store, your estimated salary, whether you’ve moved recently, what credit cards you carry in your wallet and what Websites you visit … data about your ethnicity, job history, the magazines you read, if you’ve ever declared bankruptcy or got divorced, the year you bought (or lost) your house, where you went to college, what kinds of topics you talk about online, whether you prefer certain brands of coffee, paper towels, cereal or applesauce, your political leanings, reading habits, charitable giving and the number of cars you own.’”

The full Amicus brief can be read here (PDF)

Podcast Version

Links and Related Information

Oregon Governor Kate Brown to Crush Small Business

PERS

  • Editorial: Lawmakers can’t duck Oregon’s PERS burden (The Bulletin, Mar 17, 2018)
  • Huge Bill Is Coming Due For Oregon’s Past Pension System Mistakes (OPB, Feb 2, 2018)
  • Once again, Oregon makes national news. Except, as usual, it’s not for good reasons: “A $76,000 Monthly Pension: Why States and Cities Are Short on Cash” (New York Times, April 14, 2018)
  • PERS task force suggests ways to pay down system’s debt (OSBA, November 1, 2017)
  • PERS: Panel delivers ideas to cut pension deficit by $5 billion (Oregon Live, November 1, 2017)
    • “The panel’s mandate was to leave no stone unturned. But the governor, who is up for reelection in 2018, specifically directed members not to consider changes to pension benefits. Any such changes would be deeply unpopular with public employee unions, who typically back Democrats. Brown also said upfront that she wasn’t interested in selling state parks or forests, which would have proven deeply unpopular with environmental and conservation groups.”
  • If you thought what you read before was bad, read this: Time Bomb: PERS (via Senate Republicans, 2017)

Kansas: the Left’s Anti-Tax-cut Boogeyman

  • VIDEO: Jonathan on a panel at Heritage Foundation, discussing Kansas as the example Leftists point to about tax cuts hurting the government. “What Was Really the Matter with the Kansas Tax Plan: The Undoing of a Good Idea” (Heritage Foundation, Apr 10, 2018) The three key takeaways: don’t cut taxes and increase spending; have a plan to balance the budget, and have the right systems in place.

Here’s some Leftist spin on what happened in Kansas

The Coming Storm for Small Businesses: the Internet Sales Tax

  • Video – Online Sales Tax: Crushing Small Business (ALEC, March 2018)
  • See how the Internet sales tax (and taxes in general) pushes businesses out of state: Internet Sales Tax Hurts Businesses and the States that Pass Them (ALEC, Jan 2014)