The Middle American

In the midst of celebrating Hanukkah, America is grappling with increasing anti-Semitism - most notably on display on Capitol Hill where three presidents from Harvard, MIT and Penn could not answer a simple question as to whether a threat of genocide of the Jews would violate its universities' codes of conduct.  "RINO" Senator Thom Tillis opted to endorse Bill Graham over Mark Robin...

The Final Four.  DeSantis, Haley, Ramaswamy and Christie all took the stage in Alabama to debate why they should be the Republican nominee.  Donald Trump again did not.  Did any of the four actually set themselves apart from the others?  Did anyone set their sights on taking down Trump?  Yes and no.  As to the latter, it is becomingly increasingly clear that nobody wants to actually take the nomin...

Democrats have ignited the "Trump will be a dictator" tactic to coincide with the "end of democracy" tactic employed in the 2022 midterms.  It worked then, will it work again in 2024?  North Carolina has expanded Medicaid to roughly 600,000 residents through bipartisan agreement.  And Florida State gets left out of the playoffs based on bad lobbying efforts by Ron DeSantis - at...

An ongoing pause in the Israeli-Hamas conflict is resulting in one hostage released for every three prisoners.  Is that an ideal deal?  And what about all the Americans who remain captive?  A lawsuit filed Monday is seeking to negate the lines recently drawn for the 2024 election.  And fake articles written by fake authors at Sports Illustrated.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts...

This week there is an age theme.  POTUS just turned 81 and the electorate is increasingly demanding someone younger, a youthful 23-year-old just one a national championship coaching at a premier college program, and kids go viral in their support for Bin Laden and his views on America.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

We've had another candidate drop out of the Republican Presidential race.  How does that impact the race going forward?  The Lieutenant Governor in North Carolina is visiting Israel.  Will that sway Jewish voters?  And the mob is out to cancel Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh.  Is that a good thing (for non-Buckeye fans) or is it a microcosm of a bigger issue in our society? Like the show...

Missed the 3rd GOP Presidential Debate?  I've got you covered.  In the most substantive of the three debates so far, I'll go over all of the topics addressed by the remaining five candidates, DeSantis, Haley, Scott, Ramaswamy and Christie.   I'll also give my view on each topic and how still none of these five have sufficiently gone after the man who remains conspicuously absent, fo...

Election Day 2023 is here.  I discuss a new poll out from the New York Times a year away from the 2024 election that shows a rather significant lead for Trump in 5 of 6 swing states.  But is there more behind the numbers?  There are notable influences with the economy and a certain independent candidate.  For North Carolinians, voter ID is required at the polls in a dry run for next year's cy...

Back to our regular format, I discuss the growing divide amongst the Republican Party as evidenced by the 3-week Speaker nomination fiasco, the adoption of a new legislative district map in North Carolina, and the untimely passing of everyone's Friend, Matthew Perry.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Staci obtained a variety of degrees and developed a diverse professional background while living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  But the pandemic caused her to start looking south to a more affordable and warmer area to live.  She landed in Holly Springs and is now seeking a seat on Town Council.  Listen to her vision for the town.    Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the...

Annie has a background in engineering while also working with non-profits since moving to Holly Springs.  She has also been on her HOA Board.  Now, she's decided to dedicate her energy towards improving not just her neighborhood, but her town.  Hear her discuss her vision for the Holly Springs Town Council.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Brian is a pastor who arrived in Holly Springs in 2013.  Now he is looking to lead an electorate over a congregation.  Hear him discuss his values and how they impact his vision for Holly Springs and his run for Town Council.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Danielle is the only candidate who is currently on Town Council.  Previously, she worked on the Hear her discuss her experience on the Council, the issues she has already addressed, and why she is seeking a second term.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

Chris is currently the Chair of the Planning Board in Holly Springs where he has dealt first-hand with the growth being experienced in the area.  But he also has coached many kids in town on the baseball field and believes that both experiences can translate into a successful run for the Town Council.  Hear him discuss his vision for the town and the issues he would address if elected.   Like the...

Brian Dennis has his mother to thank for pushing him towards getting involved in public life.  He felt that pull earlier this year and has acted on it by throwing his hat into the ring for the Town Council race.  Hear him discuss how his business-based background in finances and sales has shaped him for public office and his vision for Holly Springs.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thou...

Google Jack Turwald's name and the controversy surrounding the Holly Springs Town Council's refusal to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance fills the initial results.  But Jack's campaign for Town Council goes far beyond an ordinance.   Our conversation focuses largely on a five-pronged platform and Jack's vision for Holly Springs - ranging from housing affordability to equity...

Travis Groo is the Chair of the Wake Libertarian Party and a recent resident of Holly Springs.  He believes that all politics is local and abides by the Non-Aggression Principle in both his personal and public life.  Hear how his experience and fresh look at the growing community translates to a run for Town Council Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

This episode is the first in a series of conversations with candidates running for Town Council in my town of Holly Springs, North Carolina.  This series will explore why the candidates are running and their visions for one of the fastest growing towns in the state.  Scoop has lived in Holly Springs for 20 years so he's witnessed that growth first hand.  Here him discuss how he plans to handl...

It's been a difficult week seeing the news unfold out of Israel and Gaza and is a time when we look to our own political leaders for guidance.  Yet, in the House, we have no leadership thanks to infighting amongst Republicans.  In North Carolina, we had 12 Democrats opt to walk out on a vote for a bi-partisan and unopposed Resolution supporting Israel in the face of the terror attack on its c...

The worst attack on Israeli soil in 50 years occurred over the weekend.  Israel is threatening to wipe out Hamas.  Per the WSJ, Iran funded the attack.  This has the potential to be a major turning point in global politics.  How does America respond?  Before you answer, it's important to understand the contextual history of the conflict in the region.  This episode attempts a brief deep dive...

The US House and NC House both had budget issues with accusations of secret meetings and dealings by Republican leadership.  One resulted in the Speaker being challenged with a Motion to Vacate his position.  The other in having plans for four casinos in North Carolina scrapped.  Oh, and Swifties are apparently into the NFL now as they have placed Travis Kelce on the map.  :)  Like the show? Shoot...

Seven candidates took the stage in the Second Republican National Debate in what can be described as "a circus."  The stage needs to be narrowed to three for real substance and differentiation between the candidates to occur.  And someone has to take a stand against Trump.  If not, Trump is going to run away with the nomination.  And if he does, the Republicans will lose again just like...

This week I talk about the family values hypocrisy amongst leading GOP women, Raleigh canceling its annual Christmas parade and the phenomenon of Prime Time in Boulder, Colorado.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts Support the show

22 years ago today, two planes struck the heart of Manhattan, one struck the Pentagon, and another went down in a field due to brave Americans saying "Let's Roll" and protecting the rest of us from further carnage.  2,977 victims died that day - including 343 firefighters, 71 police and 55 active military.  We post "Never Forget" on social media but our lives tell another...

Have a kid in high school or middle school?  Do they talk much about life and how they see things?  This episode gives them a voice.  I have a conversation with two high school seniors regarding a range of topics, including how COVID impacted their schooling, their job prospects, views on politicians, the links between social media and mental health, and whether their peers are proud to be America...