The Middle American

Live and Lie in LA?

The Los Angeles race for Mayor has garnered unprecedented national media coverage with a script worthy of its Hollywood background.  An incumbent mayor who has overseen a bungled response to a catastrophic natural disaster.  A reality TV star with viral AI-generated campaign videos.  Drugs, deception and manipulation.  But this is no script.  Instead, we have seen a third candidate swoop in after Election Day to win a spot for the two-person race in November.  Allegations of fraud, rigged elections and illegal votes.  Let's take a look beyond the headlines.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/support]

The Affordability Crisis: Listener Conversation with Rebekah and Ryan Rose

Rebekah and Ryan are in their 30s.  Two young kids.  Listen to a wide-ranging discussion of living within your means, trying to save to buy a home, the rising costs impacting thin margins of running a small business, and how one voice can lead to community activism in local politics.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/support]

Rate Rage

Property taxes are going up in Wake County.  This is on top of a 2024 tax valuation that saw increases in tax assessed values of over 50%.  Homeowners insurance is up 15% over the past two years.  Auto insurance up 5%.  Duke Energy is seeking an 18% increase after only recently getting a 20% increase.  Increasing rates are decreasing consumer spending power as wages have not followed suit.  Individually, each rate increase may not seem significant, but collectively, they are pushing an already cash-strapped middle class to their breaking point.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/support]

The Affordability Crisis: Listener Conversation with Matt Johns

Matt is a college grad in his mid-40s living in Michigan.  He discusses his employment journey from Michigan State to his current job working with Hillsdale College.  Matt is now trying to make a living with a girlfriend, two kids and a full-time job while feeling the same constraints many Americans are feeling in terms of making ends meet in today's economy.  Here's his story.   Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/support]

The Affordability Crisis

The stock market is hitting all-time highs.  But while Wall Street is printing money, Main Street is pinching pennies.  90-day delinquencies on credit cards, student loans and auto loans are at all time highs.  Wages are being out-paced by housing/grocery/car costs.  The average American is feeling like they cannot afford things like they used to only a few years ago.  And they are not wrong.  Like the show? Shoot me a text with your thoughts [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2147089/support]