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News & Politics

GOP Leaders Condemn King, Emergency Declaration Downsides, Acosta’s Grandstanding

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Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are glad to see Republican leaders denounce the latest controversial comments from Iowa Rep. Steve King and argue that while it’s worth defending the greatness of Western Civilization, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.  While being perfectly fine with a wall at various points along our southern border, they offer multiple reasons why an emergency declaration to move it forward would be a bad idea now and an even worse precedent for when a Democrat eventually becomes president.  And they get a kick out of CNN’s Jim Acosta intending to make an argument against the need for a border wall but accidentally demonstrating why a wall works.  And Jim explains how Acosta has become the Hollywood caricature of an arrogant reporter.

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Green New Deal: What Would Our Future Be Like?

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Progressives like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are embracing a “Green New Deal,” aimed at saving the planet from the effects of climate change, but what does the plan really call for, is it realistic, and what would be the impact on the U.S. if we pursue it?

To begin, the Green New Deal calls for and to fossil fuels and cars that use them by 2030.

Power the Future Executive Director Daniel Turner says that’s where it starts but it gives the government power over many different areas of our lives.

“They call it the Green New Deal and it’s sort of under this guise of caring about the environment.  But the Green New Deal also talks about things like a guaranteed living wage for all Americans, a guaranteed job for all Americans, free education, free health care.

“This is what the left does a lot.  They take something like the earth and say everyone wants a clean earth.  We want a clean earth.  We want clean air and clean water, as do I.  But then they sneak in all these other provisions that have nothing to do with green.

“It sounds like the New Deal of FDR.  It is just an over-encroachment of government in the lives of Americans.  That’s why they try to hide some of those other details,” said Turner.

Listen to the full podcast as Turner explains why it is literally impossible to abandon fossil fuels by 2030, what would happen to our country and our economy if we could, and what the cost of all this would be on taxpayers.

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Gabbard Slams Dem Bigotry, Harris Ready to Run, America’s Savings Crisis

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While Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has come under deserved fire for defending Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are applauding Gabbard today for being the only Democrat willing to stand up to Senate Democrats who contend that being a member of the Knights of Columbus is disqualifying for service as a federal judge.  They also brace for the imminent presidential campaign of California Sen. Kamala Harris, who is very liberal but is one of only a few Democrats with a legitimate shot at the nomination.  And, as more stories emerge of the fiscal hardship of federal employees going without pay during the partial shutdown, they are staggered by statistics showing that nearly 80 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and over 60 percent don’t have enough money saved to cover six months of expenses.

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Health Care: NYC to Pay for Care, House Dems Pursue Single Payer

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Just days into 2019, Democrats are already making a their push for much more government involvement in health care.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio says his city will spend $100 million to cover the medical costs of 600,000 uninsured residents to primary care physicians and specialists.

De Blasio says his program is not insurance, so what is it? How much will it really cost, since even Democrats admit $100 million, won’t be enough? And what will the impact be a few years down the road?

Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner says New York City residents will encounter a very complicated system that will use a person’s income to determine what gets paid for by the city and what residents must take care of themselves.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Kent.) is asking the Congressional Budget Office to report on the impact of moving all healthcare costs onto the federal government.

Turner also says this move is proof that Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, is a failure and would add massive costs to taxpayers.

Listen to the full podcast to hear Turner’s full assessment of both endeavors and why more people are not really covered under Obamacare than had health insurance before that legislation took effect.

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Low Energy Trumps ‘American Gothic’, Radical Dem Agenda, Immigration Insanity

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Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America think President Trump did alright in his speech and agree that his presentation was better than the stiff stares of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.  They also shake their heads in wonder as more Democrats embrace huge tax increases and government-run health care and Jim breaks down the truly radical ideas contained in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal.  And speaking of the new congresswoman, Jim unleashes a fantastic rant after Ocasio-Cortez suggests on national television that the people trying to enter the U.S. illegally are more American than people who want a border wall.

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Lessons from the Shutdown: How to Budget and Save

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The partial government shutdown is ratcheting up political tensions in Washington and cranking up the financial tensions for federal workers going without a paycheck, but one personal finance expert says an important lesson from this impasse is to be financially prepared in case the income suddenly stops.

An increasing number of media stories highlight government employees struggling to make ends meet or even put food on the table.  But they’re more the rule than the exception.  Dave Ramsey Financial Expert Chris Hogan says millions of Americans are also facing dire straits if they miss a paycheck or two.\

“Almost 80 percent of people are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Hogan, who is also author of the new book “Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Wealth.  “You’ve got people who are running out of money before the end of the month.”

While empathizing with the uncertainty those employees face in awaiting their next paycheck, Hogan says careful planning and budgeting can better prepare people for any unforeseen income stoppages.

He says the first two steps are addressing any debt and stripping away frivolous expenses to focus on basics such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

Ramsey is well known for imploring people to avoid going into debt and Hogan is preaching the same message.  But he says there are smart ways to free yourself from those burdens, including eliminating your smallest debts first and building momentum to pay off student loans and other expensive obligation.

As for what to do once your head is above water, Hogan says there are proven methods to follow in order to build savings and wealth.

“You’ve got to learn to live on less.  Even with your budgeting and understanding what it requires for you to live on, we’ve got to figure out those things to stop doing immediately,” said Hogan.

Some of his suggestions include far less use of debit cards and eliminating unnecessary expenses like cable television.

He then suggests starting with a goal of saving $1,000 and eventually putting away three to six months worth of savings.  As the money builds, he recommends investing in retirement accounts, putting money away for higher education, and eventually being in a position to be a charitable donor.

Listen to the full podcast to hear Hogan offer much more detail on the steps to no longer living paycheck to paycheck and how to pull yourself out of debt.

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Prime Time Trump, Slowing the Shift in Syria, Corey Calls It Quits

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Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are glad to see President Trump making a detailed case for border wall funding in tonight’s televised address, a more effective strategy than tweets and sound bites.  They also like National Security Adviser John Bolton’s clarification that the Trump administration does want to get our troops out of Syria but we also have no intention of letting ISIS grow again or letting Turkey slaughter the Kurds.  They slam the door behind failed Virginia GOP Senate and gubernatorial candidate Corey Stewart, who says he will not run for re-election to his local office and is getting out of politics.  And Jim is in rare form as he and Greg discuss the fact that every year is an election year in Virginia.

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Virginia GOP vs. Dem Gov. in Tax Debate

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is excited because the recent federal tax reforms mean an extra $1.2 billion is headed to the commonwealth’s coffers, but Republicans say the apparent windfall is nothing more than a de facto tax increase that must be addressed.

At issue is the federal law reducing deductions taxpayers can take on state and local taxes.  Critics of the law frequently pointed to high-tax states like New York, California, and New Jersey.  It will also impact Virginia.

And while Northam is already drafting plans to use the extra revenue for higher teacher salaries and assist low-income families, Republicans say the responsible thing is to reform the state tax code and ease the burden on taxpayers.

GOP Delegate Nick Freitas says the $1.2 billion is not just some serendipitous discovery.

“If the governor gets what he wants, this is definitely a situation where Virginia taxpayers will be on the hook,” said Freitas.  “Gov. Northam is trying to make this into a situation where he has this sudden windfall, and that’s just really not the case.”

And who exactly will be paying higher taxes because of the change regarding state tax deductions?

“Your average home, where maybe you have someone in law enforcement or maybe you have someone in academia or a teacher, when you have a dual income like that a lot of those people fit neatly in those income brackets that would experience a tax increase as a result,” said Freitas.

While Northam describes the the money he would like to give back to low-income Virginians as tax relief, Freitas says it’s nothing more than redistribution and that creates a toxic atmosphere.

“When you punish people for producing, when you punish people for their success, you’re disincentivizing success.  (Late British Prime Minister) Margaret Thatcher said it best: ‘Sooner or later, you run out of other people’s money.'” said Freitas.

“No politician has any idea of the various sacrifices that people make to get a business to a point where it’s finally turning a profit.  The politicians just show up with their hand out and then they convince other people that are maybe experiencing some difficult times that (if you) elect them, they’ll take from this person and give it to you.

“That just creates a society of greed and a society of envy.  That’s not what we want.  We want an aspirational society.  We want an opportunity-driven society,” said Freitas.

The Virginia legislature returns Jan. 9.  Freitas says the slim Republican majorities are planning to fix the tax code so Virginia families do not get socked by the changes in federal law.

“The Republican Caucus and our leadership have all been very adamant that we want to see a conformity bill that does not involve a tax increase of any kind,” said Freitas.

Del. Freitas would like to see sweeping tax reform in Virginia that reduces rates for everyone while also ending many tax credits and exemptions.

“Let’s not make our tax code a contest over whoever has the best lobbyist wins,” said Freitas.

Listen to the full interview to hear what Freitas sees as a much better way to help the poor than to redistribute money from wealthier people and what he sees as another major debate impacting the Virginia economy as Republicans and Democrats gear up for midterm elections in the Old Dominion in November.

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Dems Show Hand Early, Shutdown Mirage, Dancing Around the Truth

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Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America are grateful to see House Democrats revealing their real goals right from the start – impeachment, huge tax increases, abolishing the electoral college – and hope Americans see what they’d be getting if Democrats also controlled the Senate and the White House. As the partial government shutdown creeps towards three weeks, some conservatives are concluding that because their lives haven’t changed much, the impacted agencies aren’t really needed. Jim explains why that conclusion is badly misguided. And they throw up their hands as the mainstream media concoct the narrative that Republicans condemned Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for dancing in a video, when only one anonymous Twitter user lashed out and any conservative who weighed in on the matter defended the congresswoman.

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Walid Phares: How We Can Leave Behind A Stable Afghanistan

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For more than 18 years, American forces have beaten back the enemy in Afghanistan, but leaving behind a stable, reliable country is proving far more challenging.  However, terrorism expert Dr. Walid Phares says there is a way to a lasting victory there if only U.S. officials are willing to listen.

Phares says U.S. policy seems to embrace two options when dealing with enemies overseas.  He praises the U.S. and our allies for repeatedly crushing the Taliban and other radical groups but points out the military gains constantly slip away due to societal instability.  The other option is to declare the mission complete and leave, which runs the great risk of all gains being wiped out and extremists filling the vacuum.

Phares is tired of watching this debate.  In a recent post he said victory is achievable without committing American forces to Afghanistan indefinitely.

“There is a way to win the war in Afghanistan. It’s not the way we fought it for 18 years and not the alternative suggestion to talk to the Taliban and leave. Washington, Administration & Congress must challenge themselves to win and leave. It could have been won within a decade,” Phares wrote, later adding that his approach would wrap up the Afghanistan mission in three years.

And what is his plan?

“It’s to leave but always leave behind allies, forces, and, most importantly, a civil society that can resist.  We need to inject strength in civil society,” said Phares.

He says we need to make the Taliban’s allies our allies.

“Those forces who can help us – if we want to withdraw – will be the same forces that the Taliban has used for so many years, the tribes,” said Phares.

“The Taliban has used the Pashtun tribes for the the past 15 years.  We haven’t approached them strategically.  We haven’t included them in the government.  I wouldn’t vote to bring the Taliban to government, but I would vote to bring the Pashtun tribes…to government,” he added.

Phares says the other critical element towards a stable society is winning over the women of Afghanistan, especially the mothers and the teachers.

“(Mothers) are in contact with their children for so many hours.  This is where you begin counter-radicalization, not at age forty or thirty when the Taliban recruit them,” said Phares.

“There are 18,000-25,000 teachers in Afghanistan.  They are training the minds of the kids from age five or six until they leave the school,” said Phares.

Listen to the full podcast to hear how these ideas are being received in Afghanistan and here in Washington and why he thinks a similar approach would also work in Syria.

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