The Affordability Crisis: Listener Conversation with Matt Johns

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]

Raleigh Attorney Shootings

Yesterday, two attorneys were shot outside the Wake County Courthouse in Raleigh, NC, by a pro se Plaintiff.  The parties had just been in court on a civil case involving a local police department and production of body cam footage dating back to an incident in 2021.  Both attorneys seemingly will survive, but online supporters of the shooter are calling for her release, justifying the attorneys being shot, and asking people to look further into the case.  So I did.  Here is what I found.   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]

Duggan Drops Out

Mike Duggan, the former Mayor of Detroit, has been running for Governor in Michigan as an independent candidate since December 2024.  In January 2026, he was polling within single digits of the lead.  Today, he announced his departure from the race.  How this race may impact other independents in terms of making a decision to run for office and why we need more people like Mike to not just run, but take it to the finish line.   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]