Episodi
-
Steve Cortes, founder and president of the League of American Workers (LAW), joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the results of a new poll of Arizona voters.
Among other findings, the poll results show:
Former President Donald Trump ( R) leads President Biden (D) by four points among Arizona voters in the 2024 race for the White House: https://grandcanyontimes.com/stories/657187403-trump-leads-biden-by-four-points-in-arizona-poll-shows
72% of Arizona voters think the federal government is weak at securing the U.S. borders: https://grandcanyontimes.com/stories/657316386-72-of-arizona-voters-think-federal-government-weak-at-securing-u-s-borders-says-new-poll
56% of Arizona voters think President Joe Bidenâs border policies are to blame for crimes like an illegal alienâs February 22 murder of University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley: https://grandcanyontimes.com/stories/657336942-56-of-arizona-voters-think-biden-border-policies-contribute-to-crimes-like-illegal-alien-s-murder-of-laken-riley-says-new-poll
The survey released by LAW was conducted among 600 likely Arizona voters on March 14-17, 2024 by North Star Public Opinion Research.
Cortes is a political advisor and commentator. He previously traded global currencies and interest rates for 25 years for large international hedge funds. He has been an on-air broadcaster for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN. He founded LAW in 2022 to conduct research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.
-
Naomi Lopez, Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the need for more transparency in the federal 340b program.
Established in 1992, the 340b program enables eligible hospitals and healthcare organizations to purchase outpatient medications at significantly discounted prices.
Hospitals participating in the 340B program can use the savings to fund for essential services and programs, such as free or low-cost medication assistance, expanded access to healthcare, and community outreach initiatives.
Participating hospitals, however, âoften extend their 340B discounts to clinics in well-off communities, where they can charge privately insured patients more than those on Medicaid,â reported the Wall Street Journal.
âIn some cases, the program appears to be bolstering profits in well-off areas more than it is underwriting services in less-privileged neighborhoods,â said the Journal article.
Naomi Lopez is a Senior Fellow at the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, specializing in health care issues. She previously was the Vice President for Healthcare Policy at Goldwater. She also has worked for the Illinois Policy Institute, Pacific Research Institute and the Cato Institute.
This episode can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
-
Episodi mancanti?
-
Since 2021, government records show 186 voter registrants were âinvoluntarily purgedâ for citizenship issues in Pima County, ArizonJ. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation and founder of the Election Law Center, joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss a new report from his organization which showed that, since 2021, 186 voter registrants were âinvoluntarily purgedâ for citizenship issues in Pima County, Arizona.
-
Kayla Van Soest, the Tucson Market Manager of Childrenâs Entrepreneurâs Market (C.E.M.), joins the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the organization. Founded in Utah, CEM helps organize markets in sixteen states, including Arizona, where children can sell their products and learn about entrepreneurship.
CEM operates in various locations, including farmers markets, movie nights, and concerts, partnering with events that attract significant foot traffic to provide kids with greater exposure and sales opportunities. The program allows kids aged 5 to 17 to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and creativity by selling a diverse range of products, from beverages and snacks to handmade accessories, dog treats, and even flowers.
-
U.S. Congressional candidate Blake Masters (R-AZ-8) joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss his race. Masters is one of four candidates currently running in the Republican primary to represent the 8th Congressional District.
The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R), who announced last year that she will be retiring at the end of the current term.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Trump Endorsement: Masters discussed his endorsement by former President Donald Trump in his 2022 Senate race. He said President Trump endorsed him because Masters was "strong on the border." Border Security: Masters advocated for stringent border security, criticizing what he said are the Biden Adminstrationâs âopen borderâ policies. He said he supports finishing the border wall, empowering border patrol, and deporting millions of illegal immigrants, saying that border security is the most crucial issue in his campaign and for the country. Economic Policies and Big Tech Regulation: Masters said we had economic growth and low inflation under President Trump, attributing it to the former presidentâs pro-business policies. Masters also said there is a need to regulate Big Tech companies to prevent them from manipulating elections and infringing on free speech, drawing from his experience in the tech industry. Chinese Ownership of U.S. Farmland: Masters said that Chinese ownership of Arizona farmland should not be allowed.Masters ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, losing to incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D) by a vote of 51.4% to 46.5%. Kelly reportedly outspent Masters by $66 million in that race.
After growing up and attending high school in Tucson, Masters graduated from Stanford University and received his J.D. from Stanford Law School. He then co-founded legal research startup Judicata.
He is co-author of the bestselling business book, âZero to One: Notes on a Startupâ with Peter Thiel, and served as president of the Thiel Foundation. Masters married his wife, Catherine, in 2012 and they have three sons.
-
Matt Roeske, founder of Cultivate Elevate, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the power of Electroculture which, he said, is, âthe ancient practice of increasing yields utilizing certain materials to harvest the earth's atmospheric energy.â
Learn more: https://cultivateelevate.com/blog/electroculture-gardening-techniques-for-beginners-elevate-your-garden/?ref=lngodh4rpmIntroduction of Electroculture: Roeske discussed the concept of electroculture, a method of enhancing plant growth by harnessing atmospheric energy. This practice dates back to 1835 and involves creating antennas from materials like wood and copper to stimulate plant development without the need for harmful pesticides or chemicals.
Historical Context and Decline: Roeske discussed the historical recognition of ether (aether) as a vital energy source for growth and its subsequent dismissal with the rise of modern scientific theories. He said shift led to a disconnection from natural energy sources and an increased reliance on industrial and chemical methods in agriculture.
Benefits of Electroculture: Roeske shared personal experiences and testimonials from others who have observed significant improvements in plant size, health, and yield through electroculture. This includes larger fruits and vegetables, increased pollinator activity, and a reduction in pests without the use of chemicals.
Impact on Biodiversity and Environment: Roeske said electroculture not only benefits plant growth but also contributes to a healthier ecosystem by attracting more wildlife and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Potential for Revitalizing Agriculture: Roeske said that electroculture offers a sustainable alternative to conventional farming methods, potentially addressing food shortages and environmental degradation.
-
Kyle Reyes is the president of Law Enforcement Today, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss border security and his recent trip to the Arizona-Mexico border.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Border Security and Immigration Legislation: Reyes discussed the current state of border security and immigration legislation, noting the inefficacy of proposed solutions and said enforcing borders is important to maintaining national integrity. He references his own experiences and observations from visiting the border, pointing out the inadequacies of current policies and the need for more robust measures.
Impact of Border Crisis on Local Communities: Reyes discussed the financial and social impact of the border crisis on local communities, highlighting the strain on resources and the increase in crime. Reyes mentions specific regions, like Texas and Arizona, where local authorities are struggling to manage the consequences of open borders and the influx of illegal immigrants.
Media Influence: Reyes discussed the role of bias in the mainstream media in shaping public perception and policy and the influence of big tech and funding sources on narrative control.
Future Projects and Initiatives: Reyes outlined his upcoming projects aimed at supporting law enforcement and raising awareness about the border crisis. These include a campaign to show the nationwide impact of border issues, initiatives to support law enforcement officers, and continued efforts to provide an alternative narrative to mainstream media coverage on law and order topics.
-
Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers (LAW), appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss a new poll conducted for his organization, which found that only 18% of Arizona voters say that the American Dream is âstill attainable.â
Founded in 2022 by Cortes, LAW conducts research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.
Cortes is a political advisor and commentator. He previously traded global currencies and interest rates for 25 years for large international hedge funds. He has been an on-air broadcaster for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
Why Cortes is Endorsing Donald Trump: Cortes, founder of the American League of Workers and former advisor to Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns, discusses his brief support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's presidential bid. He said he is now endorsing Trump, citing Trump's landslide victory in the Iowa caucus.
Internal GOP Dynamics: Cortes talks about the internal dynamics within the Republican Party, saying there is the need for unity and addition rather than division.
Midterm Elections: Cortes said he is disappointed in the 2022 midterm election results and said he believed the America First movement was ready to move on from Trump, but later realized that wasn't the case.
Border Security and Economic Concerns: The podcast touches on border security and its economic implications. Cortes criticized President Biden's border policies, linking them to the decline in real wages and economic challenges for blue-collar workers. He said Texas for has taken independent action on border security and said there is a need for states like Texas to protect their citizens in the face of federal inaction.
-
Jenny Clark, a member of the Arizona Board of Education, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the stateâs Empowerment Scholarship (ESA) Program and the governorâs recently proposed regulations of the program.
Clark is also the founder of the âLove Your Schoolâ organization and a partner at First Day PR.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Gov. Katie Hobbsâ (D-Ariz.) Proposed Regulations: Hobbs last week proposed new regulations for the ESA program, including a requirement that ESA families spend 100 days in public school before using the scholarship.
Clark's Response to Hobbs' Proposal: Clark criticized the proposal, saying the there already is high scrutiny of ESA transactions and the transparency of the program compared to public schools.
Misconceptions Addressed: Clark refuted claims about misuse of ESA funds, explaining the stringent accountability measures in place. She also clarified the legal status of ESAs as scholarships for students, not direct funding to schools.
Impact of ESA on Families: Clark shared personal experiences and other stories highlighting the positive impact of ESAs, especially for children with special needs or those in unsuitable traditional educational settings.
Financial Aspects of ESA: Discussed the budget and expenditure of the ESA program, emphasizing its small percentage of Arizona's education budget and the cost-effectiveness compared to public school funding.
Love Your School Organization: Clark's organization offers free support to families in Arizona and West Virginia, helping them navigate school choice options, including ESAs, homeschooling, and special education evaluations.
Future of Education Advocacy: Clark discussed educating families about school choice and advocating for the protection of ESAs and other educational options.
-
Arizona-based Chris Buskirk is the publisher of American Greatness. He has founded, built, and successfully sold multiple finance businesses including in insurance, reinsurance, specialty lending, and tax-credit financing. For over 15 years he has been a successful investor in growth stages companies across the financial services space as well as in real estate, digital marketing, consumer brands, and media.
In this interview, Chris discusses why the United States of America is the best nation on the planet, and how to champion the middle class and the traditional family unit in the midst of the all the noise.
For more Arizona news visit www.GrandCanyonTimes.com.
-
Matt Beienburg, the director of education policy at the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the Biden Administrationâs $37.7 million fine on Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) said the fine was imposed because GCU allegedly âliedâ to students about the cost of the universityâs doctoral programs.
GCU President Brian Mueller called the fine âridiculousâ and said the university will appeal.
Beienburg said the Biden Administrationâs âmission to destroy institutions that do not subscribe to the prevailing orthodoxy at government-run schools,â and the Goldwater Institute has requested government records to see if any collusion happened in the targeting of GCU.
If the agency refuses to release the records, said Beienburg, the Goldwater Institute will sue to compel disclosure.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Fine Imposed on GCU: The U.S. Department of Education under the Biden administration imposed a $37.7 million fine on GCU, a large private Christian university in the country. This fine, unprecedented in its size, was levied for allegedly misrepresenting tuition rates and program details to students.
Comparison with Other Universities: Beienburg discussed how the fine imposed on GCU starkly contrasts with penalties given to other universities for more serious offenses, such as failing to report crimes related to sexual assault. For example, Michigan State and Penn State were fined significantly less for their infractions.
Allegations of Misrepresentation: The DOE accused GCU of not adequately disclosing the total costs of its programs, particularly for doctoral students. The department claimed that GCU did not clearly communicate the potential additional costs for extra credits related to dissertation work.
GCU's Response and Background: Beienburg said GCU has maintained its tuition rates for the past 15 years, focusing on providing affordable education. The university has a large online presence and has been successful in keeping operational costs low. Beienburg said that GCU's conservative Christian identity and its non-traditional approach to higher education might be factors in why it was targeted.
Broader Context and Implications: Beienburg discussed the broader issues in higher education, such as rising tuition costs nationwide and the increasing student loan debt. It questions the Department of Education's motives and highlights the potential political implications behind the fine, suggesting a possible bias against GCU's educational model and ideological stance.
The Goldwater Institute is a public policy think tank located in Phoenix. Established in 1988, it is named after former U.S. Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.). The institute focuses on a range of public policy issues, including education, constitutional law, regulation, and free-market principles. It advocates for limited government, individual rights, and economic freedom.
The Goldwater Institute is known for its involvement in policy formulation and litigation, particularly in the areas of school choice, healthcare, and government transparency. It has played a significant role in promoting and drafting model legislation in various states, aiming to influence public policy at both the state and national levels.
-
Katlie Ratlief, executive director of the Common Sense Institute Arizona (CSI-AZ) and Glenn Farley, CSIâs director of policy and research, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the recently-released 2023 edition of Arizonaâs Free Enterprise Report: https://commonsenseinstituteaz.org/2023-free-enterprise-report/
This report includes the âFree Enterprise Competitive Index,â which measures Arizonaâs alignment with CSI-AZâs policy areas on topics including: Education, Energy, Healthcare, Housing, Infrastructure, Public Safety, State Budget and Finances, and Taxes and Fees.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Arizona's Economic Health: Farley highlighted Arizona's economic growth over the past decade, leading to a healthier state budget. However, he notes the mixed outlook due to slowing national economy and depleted state cash reserves.
Fiscal Discipline and Economic Growth: Farley credited fiscal discipline and economic growth for Arizona's transition from a deficit to a surplus under former Governor Doug Ducey's (R) administration.
2023 Free Enterprise Report: Ratlief discussed the report, which assesses Arizona's economy across various policy areas. The report serves as a roadmap for policymakers and community leaders.
Education System: Ratlief and Farley said the state's education system faces challenges, particularly in high school graduation rates and learning loss due to the pandemic. However, they see policies like school choice and investment in education as positive steps.
Public Safety and Housing: Arizona ranks poorly in public safety and housing. The fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and border issues are major concerns. Housing affordability is at its worst, driven by rapid price appreciation and interest rate increases.
Healthcare System: The state's healthcare system faces challenges, including a shortage of healthcare providers and a low rate of private insurance participation.
Infrastructure: Arizona has made significant investments in infrastructure, which is seen as a positive development, especially with the state's population growth.
CSI-AZ is a affiliated with CSI Colorado, which was founded in 2010 as the Commonse Sense Policy Roundtable. CSI-AZâs mission is to examine and in inform Arizona citizens about the fiscal impacts of policies, initiatives, and proposed laws in the state.
-
Phoenix-area resident Ryan Hartwig, who gained national attention for "hidden camera" footage about Facebook, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast.In 2020, Hartwig released hidden camera footage from his work as a âcontent moderatorâ for Facebook while working at the Phoenix offices Cognizant.
That footage, released through Project Veritas, featured conversations with co-workers and âdocuments showing Facebookâs policies and patterns of bias,â said Hartwig.Hartwig also co-authored the 2021 book, âBehind the Mask of Facebook: A Whistleblowerâs Shocking Story of Big Tech Bias and Censorship.â
He recently starred in the movie âPolice State,â by filmmaker Dinesh DâSouza, in which Hartwig is interviewed about censorship by tech companies.
-
Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers (LAW), appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss a new poll conducted for his organization, which found that only 18% of Arizona voters say that the American Dream is âstill attainable.â
That poll, conducted for LAW by North Star Opinion Research, also found that 78% of Arizonans now say that the American Dream is âout of reach.â
Additional points discussed on this podcast:
Cortes Discusses âPatriotic Populismâ: Cortes discussed his advocacy for what he calls, âpatriotic populism,â focusing on national sovereignty, diffusion of power, and populist economics. He criticized the concentration of economic and political power in the U.S., particularly under the Obama and Biden administrations, and the dominance of âBig Techâ and large corporations.
Critique of the âGreen Agendaâ and Big Business: Cortes said that the so-called âgreen agendaâ is less about environmentalism and more about benefiting large corporations and special interests. He said that policies like California's electric vehicle mandates are âimpracticalâ and âserve the interests of a business-political alliance rather than the environment.â
Connection Between National Sovereignty and Economic Populism: Cortes said there is alignment between national sovereignty and economic populism, emphasizing the importance of protecting national borders and criticizing the Biden administration for its handling of immigration. Cortes said that illegal immigration and âglobalizationâ have led to declining real wages for American workers.
Impact of Lockdowns and Changing Work Culture: Cortes discussed the long-term effects of the âCOVID-19â lockdowns, including a shift in work culture and an increase in people relying on disability and other government benefits. Cortes said there is a declining respect for work and he said there is a need to encourage people to rejoin the workforce.
Cortes was a spokesman and advisor to President Donald Trumpâs 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He previously traded global currencies and interest rates for 25 years for large international hedge funds. He has been an on-air broadcaster for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
He founded LAW in 2022 with the mission of promoting "policies to protect the priorities of laborers."
-
Dr. Owen Anderson, professor at Arizona State University (ASU), joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss free speech and inquiry on Arizona college campuses.
Anderson is a professor in the ASU School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies. He has been with ASU for twenty one years, and previously was a fellow at Princeton University, a visiting scholar at Princeton Seminary, and a fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
A pastor at Historic Christian Church of Phoenix, Anderson has authored several books, including "Job: A Philosophical Commentary,â "The Declaration of Independence and God,â and "The Natural Moral Law" (2013).
He has a Ph.D. in philosophy from ASU, as well as masters degrees in both religious studies and philosophy from ASU. Anderson also graduated Magna Cum Laude with undergraduate degrees from ASU.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Free Speech Advocacy: Dr. Owen Anderson, a professor at Arizona State University, discusses his commitment to promoting free speech and inquiry on campus, particularly in response to what he perceives as restrictive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Critique of Curriculum "Decolonization": He criticizes efforts to "decolonize" the curriculum at ASU, arguing that these efforts are rooted in Marxist ideology and go beyond addressing historical issues of colonization, potentially limiting academic freedom.
ASU Faculty Protests of Conservative Speakers: Anderson addresses incidents at ASU involving conservative speakers Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk, who were labeled as âwhite supremacistsâ or âhate mongersâ by some faculty and students, a characterization Dr. Anderson disputes.
Role of Professors and Academic Freedom: Dr. Anderson emphasizes the importance of exploring a diversity of ideas in a secular university setting and expresses concern about the marginalization of certain viewpoints, including his own, in the academic environment.
Challenges to Free Speech in Academia: The discussion highlights broader issues related to free speech and academic freedom in higher education, reflecting on the challenges faced by faculty and students in navigating ideological diversity and expression on university campuses. -
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss several issues central to the state of education in Arizona, including Critical Race Theory, school "bathroom policies," sexualized content in schools, and Arizona school choice.
Horne, 78, was elected Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction in the November 2022 election, defeating incumbent Kathy Hoffman (D). Horne received 50.2% of the vote to Hoffmanâs 49.8%.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Horne is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
He has served in all three branches of Arizona government. Horne was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001, and had a first stint as Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2003 to 2011. He was elected as state Attorney General in 2010, but lost his re-election to fellow Republican Mark Brnovich in the 2014 Republican Primary.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Arizona's Education System: Horne talked about his efforts in the state's education system, including removing junk food from schools and eliminating ethnic studies in classrooms.
The âSave Womenâs Sports Actâ: Horne detailed his officeâs defense against a federal lawsuit challenging an Arizona state law that bans boys from competing in girls' school sports. Horne said he will take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.
School Bathroom Policies: Horne discussed prohibitions on boys using girlsâ bathrooms in Arizona schools. He said so-called âtranssexualâ students should have separate bathrooms or use faculty bathrooms.
Parental Involvement and School Boards: Horne said parental involvement in education is important, and said he would like to see more conservative or academically oriented individuals on school boards.
Critical Race Theory: Horne said he is opposed to critical race theory being taught in schools, saying it divides students by race and is contrary to the principles of civilization.
Sexualized Content in Schools: Horne said he is concerned about sexualized content in school libraries and said there is a need for age-appropriate literature.
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs): Horne discusses the ESA program in Arizona, which allows parents more choice in their children's education, especially if their needs are not being met in public schools.
-
Former Congressman Lt. Col. Allen West (ret.), executive director of the American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU), joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss Arizonaâs political climate and efforts to enact âRanked Choice Votingâ (RCV) in the state.
West represented Floridaâs 22nd Congressional District from 2011 to 2013. He served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, during which time he received a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, one with valor device, and a Valorous Unit Award.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Arizonaâs Political Climate:
State's Political Shift: Allen West mentions that Arizona, traditionally a red state, has been shifting politically. He attributes this shift to the influx of people from California and other states who bring their political ideologies with them. He believes that these individuals are leaving their states due to failed policies but are inadvertently turning Arizona purple by voting for similar policies in their new state.
Republican Party's Response: West criticizes the Republican Party in Arizona for not being proactive in addressing this shift. He feels that the party has been complacent and hasn't effectively communicated its message to the new residents about why they should support conservative values and policies.
2020 Election: West briefly touches upon the 2020 election, suggesting that there were concerns about the integrity of the election process in Arizona. He believes that these concerns need to be addressed to ensure the trust of the electorate in future elections.
Importance of Grassroots Movements: West emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements in Arizona to educate and inform the public about âconservative values.â
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Proposals in Arizona:
Definition: West describes RCV as a system that undermines representative democracy. In RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a clear majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next preferences indicated by voters. This process continues until a candidate receives a majority.
Comparison: West likens RCV to filling out a March Madness bracket, where once you make an initial selection, you have no further control over it.
Concerns:
West expresses concerns about being forced to rank candidates you might not support at all. He gives an example where if you had to rank candidates like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, and Abraham Lincoln, you'd be forced to give some form of support to all, even if you didn't want to rank certain individuals.
He also mentions that with RCV, you don't have individual control over subsequent ballots, making it difficult to audit the system.
Current Usage: West notes that Alaska and Maine currently use RCV, but Alaska is trying to retract its use.
Opposition's Argument: Some proponents of RCV argue that it reduces partisanship, but West counters by saying that if he knows who he wants to vote for, he shouldn't be forced to cast any type of electoral support for someone else he doesn't want to vote for.
Identity Politics Connection: West believes that RCV is a form of âmasquerading as a popular vote,â which is not what the founding fathers intended. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the intentions of the founding fathers and the balance they sought to achieve in the electoral system.
-
Hayden Ludwig, director of research at Restoration for America, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to to discuss his recent column, âHigh Election Worker Turnoverâ is the Leftâs Newest Ploy to Federalize Elections.â
âDemocrats fired the latest salvo in a long war to radically transform American elections by eroding state and local control, replacing ballot-counters with a centralized, D.C.-run bureaucracy,â wrote Ludwig in the column. âTheir leader: Arizonaâs famously level-headed secretary of state, Adrian Fontes (D), who believes anyone who dares question the questionable 2020 election is a âMAGA fascistâ and âauthoritarianâ âelection denierâ spewing âliesâ in order to âdestroy our democracy.ââ
Following is a summary of this episode:
Zuck Bucks:
Ludwig discusses Mark Zuckerberg's donation of $400 million to two nonprofits, primarily the Center for Tech in Civic Life (CTCL) based in Chicago.
This money was used to aid county election officials in running their elections.
Ludwig's research suggests that this money favored Democratic cities, potentially influencing the election results.
Louisiana recently passed an initiative to ban "Zuck bucks," becoming the 26th state to do so.
Dark Money in Politics:
Ludwig explains that billions of dollars are tied up in thousands of nonprofit organizations that influence politics.
The left has been more effective at using these nonprofits for political purposes, bypassing traditional party committees.
This strategy involves registering new voters who are likely to vote Democrat based on demographics.
Despite the left's significant financial advantage in this area, Ludwig is optimistic about the right's chances due to the Democratic Party's shift from a national to a regional focus.
Election Dynamics:
Ludwig believes that the Democratic Party's reliance on specific demographics and neglect of broader outreach will be its downfall.
He predicts that the Democratic Party is locking itself out of a majority for the next generation.
However, he acknowledges that states with large cities like California, Illinois, and New York still predominantly vote Democrat due to the influence of those cities.
Conclusion:
Ludwig believes that while immediate changes might not be visible, there will be significant shifts in the political landscape in the coming years.
-
Gina Swoboda, director of the Voter Reference Foundation, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss election integrity in Arizona and throughout the country.
Headquartered in Phoenix, the Voter Reference Foundation is a national non-profit foundation dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in the United States.
Swoboda also is the Chief Elections Policy Officer of Restoration of America, a principal at Agrippa Consulting Group, LLC, and the Senior Policy Advisor to the Arizona State Senate Committee on Elections. An experienced elections officer, Swoboda previously served in the Arizona Secretary of Stateâs office under two administrations.
She is an alumnus of Arizona State University (ASU, having graduated Magna Cum Laude, and is currently a grad student at ASU pursuing her master's degree in political psychology.
Following is a summary of this episode:
Election Integrity:Gina emphasizes the importance of accurate voter lists for ensuring the integrity of elections.
She mentions issues in Maricopa County during the 2022 elections, including long wait times and problems with the vote center model.Vote Center Model:Maricopa County moved to a vote center model in 2020, which allows any resident of the county to vote at any location. This model relies on ballot-on-demand printers, which have been problematic.Gina criticizes the ballot-on-demand printer model, noting that it failed to produce accurate ballots in several instances.
Election Day Issues:Gina highlights the challenges faced during the 2022 elections in Maricopa County, including record in-person turnout and issues with ballot-on-demand printers.She expresses concern that Maricopa County plans to continue using this model, which she believes will lead to further issues in future elections.
Mail-In Voting:Gina discusses the push for mail-in voting and the challenges associated with it. She mentions that many countries in the EU and Europe have banned mail-in voting due to concerns about fraud.
Recommendations:Gina advocates for precinct or ward-based voting with pre-ordered, preprinted paper ballots. She also supports on-site tabulation and believes that absentee ballots should be reserved for those with valid excuses.
Public Oversight:Gina encourages the public to oversee voter lists to ensure their accuracy. She mentions the National Voter Registration Act, which allows the public to oversee the voter list.Gina Swoboda's insights provide a detailed perspective on the challenges and potential solutions related to election integrity and the voting process, especially in Maricopa County.
-
Merissa Hamilton is the executive director of the Save Arizona Fund and co-founder and CEO of EZAZ.org ,which seeks to make civic action âEasy as Pie. She previously ran for Phoenix mayor in 202 and serves as Member at Large of the Republican Party for Congressional District 1.
EasyAZ.org and Civic Action:
The platform tracks government agenda items at various levels, focusing on policies related to energy, transportation, and climate, which Hamilton argues are designed to incrementally erode freedoms. The mission of their project, "Stop the Arizona Deep State," is to ensure that the public remains the chief stakeholders of the government.Police and Public Safety:
Hamilton discusses her experiences and findings that contradict the narrative of wanting to defund the police, citing instances where communities, even in Democrat-heavy areas, expressed a desire for more police presence and safety during her campaign for Phoenix mayor.Political Challenges and Public Comment:
Hamilton expresses concerns about elected officials limiting public comment and transparency, arguing that they view themselves as rulers rather than public servants. She emphasizes the importance of public comment as a tool for accountability and transparency in governance.Election Integrity and Voter Education:
Hamilton raises concerns about the legitimacy of certain election outcomes and emphasizes the need for voter education and transparency. She describes efforts through her organizations to inform voters and help them align their voting choices with their values, despite challenges in reaching a populace that is often disengaged or distracted. - Mostra di più
