American Viewpoints

It's as predictable as can be in politics, right? Organized labor, especially the biggest unions, align with Democrats. Most of the time, that's the case but the Teamsters' national leadership surprised many political observers and operatives by declining to endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential race. In this discussion, the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Sean Higgins assesses that decision and explains how that could affect both the current and future races. For more information: https://cei.org/blog/teamsters-non-endorsement-outlier-or-sign-of-things-to-come/

Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Wilson Freeman explains why some broadcasters are going to court to fight an FCC proposal that would mandate the reporting of racial and gender demographics of their employees. Among the immediate concerns are the possibility of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), hiring-quota type of requirements. Among the long-term concerns is that the possibility of mandating hiring and workforce decisions could eventually affect broadcast content. For more information: https://pacificlegal.org/washington-examiner-the-fccs-public-dei-shaming-is-unconstitutional/

Before activist ideas take hold and grow in places of influence like business board rooms, governments, and even non profit groups, they are generated and grown somewhere - that's often on college and university campuses. In this discussion that originally aired on NewsTalk STL, Speech First's Cherise Trump explains why she belives the pushback against the leftist ideas has momentum and could win the battle of ideas at some point. For more information: https://speechfirst.org/

Paul Hutchinson, executive producer of Sound of Freedom - the film that spotlighted the horrors of the child sex trafficking trade, reacts to the shocking news & allegations we're now getting about sex-based parties in Hollywood. Those accusations are related to the parties hosted by "P Diddy" (aka Sean Combs). Hutchinson says the trafficking trade and sexual abuse is far more widespread than most people realize and is probably happening closer to your home than you realize. For more information: SoundOfFreedomBook.com For more information: LiberateChildren.org

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently issued an official advisory on mental health and parenting, saying government should offer more support and resources to parents because rearing children today is harder than it has been for previoius generations. In this discussion, Chris Bullivant from the Institute for Family Studies takes issue with the doctor's prescription of more government to be involved in the home. For more information: https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-surgeon-generals-dour-picture-of-parenthood-misses-the-mark

Inflation is coming back down to earth and it's rising at a lower rate than before. That's the good news. The bad newes is that today's inflation - while better - piles on top of the high inflation over the past few years. A new report says what most of us already feel: wages have not kept up with inflation. In other words, we've fallen behind and it could take years for many people to catch up financially. In this discussion, Bankrate.com's Sarah Foster explains what the new study found and what it means to our personal finances. For more information: https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/

Often relegated to an historical artifact, the US Constitution isn't often held in the same regard as in generations past. Former Virginia Deputy Attorney General Ken Davis, writing for Townhall.com, argues that last week's Constitution Day (it's a real thing, look it up) should be a reminder for our nation to recommit to the principles of the document and to the restraints it puts on government. For more information: https://townhall.com/columnists/j-kennerly-davis/2024/09/15/constitution-day-should-be-an-occasion-for-celebration-and-a-time-for-recommitment-n2644749

Former IDF paratrooper Uri Goldflam has fought Islamic terrorists first-hand. Now, he's making the case for the West to support Israel in its battle for survival at a time when antisemitic protests are far too common around the nation. In this discussion, Goldflam details the current war against Iran and her proxiesas well as why he believes all western nations, especially the US, should be on Israel's side. For more information: https://www.traveltrailerisrael.com/uri/

Can we be too connected? Maybe. New research indicates that the pressure of being connected online and on text could come at a cost to our mental and physical health. In this discussion, Dr Marschall Runge from the University of Michigan Medical School explains what we now know. He also discusses the debates over banning cell phones in schools, which is happening in some states and districts around the country. For more information: https://nypost.com/2024/08/25/us-news/cell-phones-stress-out-parents-just-like-kids-study-finds-constant-connectivity-comes-at-a-cost/ For more information: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/parents-who-frequently-pick-phones-due-device-notifications-may-be-more-stressed

Jordan Fischetti, immigration policy analyst for Americans For Prosperity, assesses both the debate about and the policies related to immigration in the US. This includes discussions of both legal and illegal immigration.

Host Mike Ferguson assesses the ABC Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. * thumbnail image courtesy of ABC News via Youtube

The Conservative Partnership Institute's Hugh Fike discusses the current debate over keeping the federal government from "shutting down". Basically, the current spending authorization to keep the government running expires at the end of this month. The continuing resolution to extend government funding isn't generally controversial but the GOP addition of the SAVE Act has Democrats (and a few Republicans) opposing the plan. The SAVE Act requires proof of US citizenship in order to register to vote. For more information: https://www.cpi.org/2024/09/compass-the-save-act-is-a-fight-worth-having/

Depending on who you ask, Donald Trump is either the most pro life president in US history or he's unprincipled on the issue. Or somewhere in between. Suzanne Bowdey from the Washington Stand's recent article on his mixed messaging regarding abortion looks at the conflict between pro life advocates, conservatives, and Trump's MAGA movement. She discusses that in this segment. For more information: https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/trumps-abortion-pivot-sparks-outcry-this-is-wrong--and-we-cannot-be-silent-about-it

Chris Dorr from the American Firearms Association reacts to the news of the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia and the immediate call by some on the Left to enact more gun control laws. This discussion took place on NewsTalk STL and happened before the 14-year-old suspect's father was also charged in connection with the four deaths.

It's playing in theaters across the nation now: Reagan, the biopic about our 40th President. Marshall R. Teague plays Eduard Shevardnadze (USSR Foreign Minister under Mikhail Gorbachev) in the film and discusses his role, the effort to make a movie about Reagan that's fair, and the need for history to reflect Ronald Reagan's legacy - good, bad, and otherwise, accurately. For more information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1723808/

Is there a stealth lobbying campaign designed to bolster climate activism within the courts? In this discussion, OH Skinner from the Alliance for Consumers details the work some environmental interest groups are doing under the guise of education and training for judges. For more information (National Review article): https://allianceforconsumers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Climate_Activism_Coming_to_a_Courtroom_Near_You___National_Review.pdf

Congress is debating two (related) ideas for regulating what happens online. Specifically, the question is how to best protect children from the ills of social media. That includes everything from blocking ads targeting children to the dangers of groomers and traffickers. Some of the complexity lies in the need to protect freedom of speech and as open of a marketplace as possible. In this discussion, the American Consumer Institute's Logan Kolas explains the proposals and what lawmakers should keep in mind before imposing new regulations. For more information: https://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2024/08/dc-journal-kosa-and-coppa-2-0-miss-the-mark-on-protecting-kids/

Academic freedom is important but can it be abused to the point of making taxpayers fund political activism? According to Rick Hess from the American Enterprise Institute, the answer is yes. Where is the line between respecting the right to free speech and making the public pay for specific opinioins and activism? That's the focus of this discussion. For more information: https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/scholarly-associations-gone-wild-stop-publicly-funding-scholarly-groups-that-trade-academics-for-advocacy/?mkt_tok=NDc1LVBCUS05NzEAAAGVMkC6wuPTheUgtt54HmBgxRLQLBex24qy1DJF8GvOagXLMOErmbUFatIkyy6qbF1ubyh1ZPgW1yQXl8dAUQhUXsoZJU7XyznGRKIJgOGd2szeBC5H

To some degree, there's one area of economic policy that find agreement with some Republicans and some Democrats. The problem is that area of agreement pushes prices up on things most people need to buy. In this discussion, the National Taxpayer Union's Bryan Riley discusses the effort to use tariffs (and other costs added to imports) and how that affects our cost of living. For more information: https://www.ntu.org/publications/detail/import-taxes-inflate-back-to-school-prices-2

It's one thing to understand the issues. It's another to understand how to debate those issues, which cam be divisive. In this discussion, Mercatus Center Executive Director Ben Klutsey discusses the campaign to teach civil discourse in America. Is there a place for that in our classrooms? For more information: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/teaching-civil-discourse-a-classroom-blueprint-for-all-america/ For More information: Mercatus.org

Since the fatal confrontation between Michael Brown and a Ferguson, Missouri Police officer, the start of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the resulting growth in anti-police activism, many communities are finding it more difficult to keep their officers and recruit new additions to their police departments. Logan Seacrest a Resident Fellow at the R Street Institute looked into ways departments and cities overall can entice good officers to stay on the job while recruiting the best candidates to apply for the jobs that have become far less attractive since Ferguson. For more information: https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/top-five-real-solutions-to-the-police-recruitment-and-retention-crisis/

Ten years ago, Ferguson, Missouri was in chaos and what we now know as the Black Lives Matter movement was born following the death of Michael Brown. Brown, multiple investigations showed, assaulted a police officer and was shot during the confrontation. Still, narratives about police brutality and years of sometimes-violent protests resulted in significant changes to law enforcement, academia, and even business practices. In this discussion, Project 21's Melanie Collette conpares the facts with the narratives and assesses the state of race relations in America ten years later.

Elaine Parker from the Job Creators Network assesses the latest Consumer Price Index (inflation) report. She also differentiates between the current inflation rate, which is within the target range of a healthy economy, and the effect of multi-year inflation increases that have pushed up the prices of most essentials over the last three years. For more information: https://www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com/press_releases/job-creators-network-responds-to-july-consumer-price-index/

RedState.com writer Joe Cunningham assesses the race for president as the Democrats head into their national convention. He focuses on the importance of Donald Trump staying disciplined and on-message when it comes to his abilituy to win the election. For more information: https://redstate.com/joesquire/2024/08/14/trump-on-the-campaign-trail-today-can-he-stick-to-his-economic-message-n2178090

What is "abusive dance"? That may seem like a strange question but for Mary Bawden, it's one she wants parents of all young dancers to be able to answer. Through DA:NCE (Dance Awareness No Child Exploited), Bawden is working to end what she calls the hypersexualization of girls in dance. In addition to being inappropriate, especailly for very young students, Bawden also says an oversexualized dance environment could invite groomers and traffickers. For more information: https://www.danceawareness.com/

Just over a week ago, the stock markets had a rough day overall. It turned out to be no big deal as some of the losses were regained by the end of the day and most of the losses were regained the next day. Still, it was headline news and many people became scared of a bigger economic loss. Why did one bad day have such an impact? In this discussion, BankRate.com's Greg McBride explains what happened and what we should learn from it when it comes to our own saving and investing.

American Culture Project President John Tillman assesses the selection of Gov Tim Walz to be the Democrats' nominee for Vice President of the United States. Does this pick say anything about the overall direction of the Party and/or the political Left in America? Tillman discusses that and elements of his recent NY Post article in this segment. For more information: https://nypost.com/2024/08/05/opinion/harris-divisive-campaign-aims-to-rev-up-fractured-coalition/ * sound bites/actualities for this segment came from a conversation originally aired on KCMO Talk Radio in Kansas City

Pete Sepp from the National Taxpayers' Union reviews the Congressional voting record of now-Governor and Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz. The focus of their ratings is on how taxpayer-friendly his spending, taxing, and regulatory votes were while in theUS House. For more minformation: https://www.ntu.org/ratecongress/legislator/timothy-walz

Like it or not, K-12 schools teach values of some kind. As of late, those taught in most public schools have been "social justice" and critical theory-based values. The approach that teaches students that our nation is one of oppression and that demographics fall somewhere on an oppressor-victim chart. In this discussion, Campus Reform's Prof. Nicholas Giordano argues that bringing back accurate civis education can help rebuild at least some of the damage sone to our social foundations. For more information: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/3070741/america-desperately-needs-to-bring-back-civics-in-education/ For information on Campus Reform: https://www.campusreform.org/

It's one thing to worry about "misinformation" in an election year - politicians and activists lying, biased media, and censorship are among those concerns. New technology adds deepfake audio and video as well as artificial intelligence to the mix of things to beware of when deciding what to believe. In this discussion, Phil Siegle from CAPTRS assesses where the technology is and how you can better filter what you are seeing and hearing. For more information: https://captrs.org/

Landmark Legal FOundation's Mike O'Neill assesses the proposals President Biden is pushing to "reform" the US Supreme Court. * This discussion originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis

For Herman Lindsey, the debate over the death penalty is personal. Very, very personal. That's because he was on Death Row, convicted of a crime for which he was eventually exonerated. In other words, he was scheduled to die for a crime he did not commit. Now Lindsey works to end the death penalty and currently-scheduled executions across the country, arguing that there are many others in the same situation he experienced. His work is through Witness To Innocence, which is profiled in this discussion. For more information: https://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/ * thumbnail image courtesy of Witness To Innocence, as posted on their Facebook page

Professor Wilfred Reilly (Kentucky State University) discusses his new book, Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me, in this segment. Dr. Reilly says false leftist narratives have come to dominate American academia and education. In his book, Reilly "...demolishes the scholastic myths propagated by the left, uncovers fresh angles on 'established' events, and turns what we think we know about history upside down." For more information about the book: https://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Liberal-Teacher-Told/dp/B0BHKSKC6R/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1333708176627395&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FpHNW0PG0xWR5roeQGW-TZt-1QOAO9DGaQHx7LCNttS_zm6NFVYK4SASFM6h8kA8ZaepzwsIPNeFsEglV3bcx3WHJ9EuspVgjLyT0u0tM5baL8caYYq1Ip668B7PnJvh3MshhRdtW1zpXNrNMoVGUA.e4eC5mHE5FJXN9iwYPEYrBhDA4VDWq9yHsD7CpwdD4g&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83357103725945&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=90153&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83357121708643%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=26053_13567025&keywords=wilfred+reilly+books&msclkid=a519aa80b68d162f15fecc2adcd211c8&qid=1722444446&sr=8-1

* this discussion was recorded before Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee and before President Biden announced his proposl to reform the US Supreme Court with term limits and a new ethics code. First Liberty Institute's Kelly Shackelford reacts to comments made by multiple Democrats in support of adding more justices to the US Supreme Court. In the short term, that could (in theory) allow any party in control of the White House and US Senate to simply add justices if they don't like the ideological majority. The conversation also covers the proposal to add a code of ethics on to the Justices that's enforced by another branch of government. For more information: SupremeCoup.com and FirstLiberty.org

Protecting access to affordable housing or a dangerous intrusion into the private market? President Biden announces a plan to cap rent increases through federal policy. In this discussion, Economist Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute explains what the President is proposing and why there's opposition to it. For more information: https://cei.org/news_releases/biden-rent-control-idea-is-bad-housing-policy/

Pastor Corey Brooks accepted the invitation to give one of the benedictions at the Republican National Convention this month and that, he says, resulted in some basklash. In this discussion, Rev Brooks discusses why some activists in deep-blue Chicago objected to his participating in a GOP event and to his speaking out in favor of conservative solutions to the problems facing cities like his. * This version of the discussion aired on NewsTalk STL in order to include part of Rev Brooks' prayer in the segment. Rev Brooks' RNC Prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpmOBiC29EI&t=49s For moreinformation about Project HOOD: https://www.projecthood.org/

Project 21's Craig DeLuz critiques media coverage both before and after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and before President Joe Biden's cognitive state became a national topic outside of conservative media. The discussion covers media bias and also addresses ways to overcome the challenges to being fully-informed in an age of "fake news". For more information about Craig DeLuz: https://www.craigdeluz.com/ For more information about Project 21: https://nationalcenter.org/project-21/

David Williams from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance assesses the 2024 Republican national platform, as adopted at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The discussion covers energy policy, tax policy, and protectionist trade policies. For more information: https://www.protectingtaxpayers.org/debt/grading-the-2024-gop-platform/

Host Mike Ferguson assesses the speeches and overall effectiveness of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

American Culture Project Chairman John Tillman reacts to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13th, 2024. While affirming that the ultimate blame is on the young man who pulled the trigger, Tillman also argues that political violence is also a synptom of a "sick culture". For more information: https://amculture.org/ * This conversation originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis

A small non profit in Missouri decided to rethink the way it helps those in need. What they discovered has now led to organizations across the country taking a different approach to charitable work. In this discussion, James Whitford from True Charity explains why much of the assistance (government and private) offered to those in need creates dependence and, as a result, builds obstacles to a better, self-sufficient life. For more information: https://www.truecharity.us/

The SAVE Act (Safeguarding American Voters' Eligibility Act) has now passed the Republican-controlled, US House and will lilkely not get through the Democratic-controlled US Senate. Basically, the law would require states to both purge non-citizens from voter registrations and get proof of US citizenship when registering voters. Almost 200 Democrats in the House voted against the bill and President Biden already announced that he will veto it should it pass the Senate, which is unlikely. In this discussion, Tea Party Patriots Action co-founder Jenny Beth Martin explains why her organization supports the proposal. For more information: https://townhall.com/columnists/jennybethmartin/2024/07/10/house-must-pass-save-act-to-ensure-election-integrity-n2641613

After President Biden joined the pushback against Project 2025, interest in the controversy over the agenda increased in recetn weeks. In this discussion, Brian Phillips from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which is part of the coalition in support of Project 2025, addresses the accusations against the proposals and operations that both seek to move the Executive Branch in a conservative direction and suggest employees who support the conservative goals. This discussion originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis

Prof Hunter Baker (North Greenville University) examines the debate over the US Supreme Court and its ideological leanings right now. Specifically, he assesses the argument that, because of Donald Trump's nominees, the Court has become "MAGA" and beholden to him and his agenda. For more information: https://wng.org/opinions/is-the-supreme-court-a-maga-court-1720171900?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2QKZ4I5FylbOZ34-clAhuK3A89lCpqmhIfIvCe99S3jPqW5g_2z2C8aiw_aem_t5pKEHyuritNA3ETirMYkg

Tractor Supply Founation president Marti Skold-Jordan is joined by Thomas Miller from the K9s for Warriors non profit to discuss the Foundation's investment in multiple nonprofit groups, including K9s For Warriors. The Foundation is the charitable branch of the Tractor Supply Company. For more information (Tractor Supply Foundation): https://corporate.tractorsupply.com/community/foundation/default.aspx For more information (K9s For Warriors): https://k9sforwarriors.org/

John Veccione from the New Civil Liberties Alliance reacts to the US Supreme Court's ruling in the Chevron Deference/Doctrine case. The ruling significantly limits the authority of administrative agencies to fine or otherwise penalize people or businesses outside of the standard judicial process. For more information: https://nclalegal.org/press_release/in-landmark-victory-for-civil-liberties-ncla-persuades-supreme-court-to-overturn-chevron-deference/

** This segment is a replay from a previous show for the Independence Day weekend program** NewsMax TV host Carl Higbie discusses his book, Profiles In Freedom. The book profiles the stories of 19 people Higbie says exemplifies some of the best characteristics of America. * This conversation originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis

Mike O'Neill from the Landmark Legal Foundation assesses the US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. * This discussion originally aired on NewsTalk STL

Maria Baer discusses her recent World Magazine column, The Gaslighting Has Begun, which examines the changing use of terms in the debate over gender ideology and so-called "transgender" issues. In the article, Baer spotlights how some media outlets and medical institutions are reverting back to fact-based gender references as opposed to "affirming" ones that accept the claims of gender dysforic patients. The discussion also covers why the language used to cover and discuss gender-based issues matters if you are pursuing truth. For more information: https://wng.org/opinions/the-gaslighting-has-begun-1717546264

Washington University (St Louis, MO) Professor Tim Bono, author of When Likes Aren't Enough, reacts to the US Surgeon General's statement that social media should have a warning label. This discussion addresses that but also focuses on ways we can use social media while keeping the toxic aspects of the platforms from affecting emotional/mental health. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/When-Likes-Arent-Enough-Happiness/dp/1538743418