Scott Rasmussen - Is America ruled by an out of touch elite?

Scott Rasmussen - Is America ruled by an out of touch elite?

A new book argues the biggest divide in America is no longer Democrat versus Republican, but everyday citizens versus a small ruling class that holds growing influence over government, media, and culture. Have America’s elites become disconnected from the public they govern? Scott Rasmussen is an independent pollster, ESPN co-founder, and author of the new book “Out of Touch.” He joins the show to discuss new polling on public trust, the growing divide between voters and institutions, and concerns that political and cultural elites are becoming increasingly disconnected from core American values. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602482/fan_mail/new]

Matt McCaw - Should rural Oregon join Idaho?

Supporters of the Greater Idaho movement say years of frustration with Salem have pushed rural communities to consider leaving Oregon altogether. After one county voted to end relocation talks, is the movement losing momentum or proving its point about political division in the state? Matt McCaw is executive director of the Citizens for Greater Idaho movement. He joins the show to discuss the latest vote in Wallowa County, why some rural residents feel disconnected from Oregon’s leadership, and whether the push to move the Idaho border still has a future. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602482/fan_mail/new]

Dr. Douglas Frank - Can Oregon voters trust the election system?

Reports that some Oregon voters discovered unexpected changes to their party affiliation during the primary election are raising new questions about election administration and voter confidence. Are these isolated errors or signs of deeper problems with the system? Dr. Douglas Frank is a physicist, inventor, and elections analyst. He joins the show to discuss concerns about voter registration records in Oregon, claims involving party affiliation changes, and the broader debate over election security, transparency, and public trust in the voting process. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602482/fan_mail/new]

Rep. John Ley - Is TriMet heading toward financial collapse?

TriMet is cutting hundreds of positions as the agency struggles with a growing budget deficit, falling ridership, and declining fare revenue. Can Portland’s public transit system recover or is the financial situation becoming unsustainable? John Ley is a Washington state representative for District 18. He joins the show to discuss TriMet’s proposed layoffs, the broader challenges facing public transit systems in the Pacific Northwest, and whether rising costs, remote work, and declining ridership are pushing mass transit toward a breaking point. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602482/fan_mail/new]

Richard Stern - Should businesses get billions back from illegal tariffs?

The federal government is now refunding billions of dollars in tariffs after a Supreme Court ruling declared them unlawful. Could the decision reshape trade policy and cost taxpayers far more than expected? Richard Stern is Vice President of the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise at Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, the growing wave of refunds being paid to importers, and what the decision could mean for trade policy, government authority, and the American economy. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2602482/fan_mail/new]