Four Republican Senators KILL Save America Act

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Call 1-800GRANGER, clickgranger.com, or just stop by. Granger for the ones who get it done. Live from the Liberty University Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, it's America's favorite gun-toten, Bible-clinging, deplorable American. That's us! That's right!

Wow. I love this American Todd start. Hello, my peoples, peoples of the planet Earth. Welcome everybody to the Touchsterns Radio Program. Great to have you with us today.

Uh wow, it is Friday. And we are not, you know, a lot of radio shows. And Dylan, I know you're still relatively new to the Tonk Radio bidness. But a lot of talk radio programs, especially on Fridays, they like to they like to phone it in, right? They don't put a lot of elbow grease into the program.

But not here on the Todd Stearns Radio Program. We work you guys like yard dogs. Ironically, I really enjoy Fridays. One of my favorite days of the week. Look, it's a great show.

Look, I love Fridays. We've got a great show for everybody today. Also, it is Open Line Friday, which means you get to call in. You can talk about whatever is on your mind. If there's maybe a question you wanted to.

Ask earlier, or if you are in Jasmine Crocs' congressional district, ask me a question. You can do that. All you have to do is pick up the phone: 901-260-5926. That's 901-260-5926.

So, a lot of different stories we're going to be getting to. Gloria Romero is going to be joining us. She is right now leading the pack in the California lieutenant governor's race. Gloria, a former Democrat, she says she didn't leave the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party left her.

She became a Republican. And we've had her on before a time or two, and she'll be joining us a little bit later on to talk about what's happening in California with the slow-moving disaster. And it's really a slow-moving steel. If you haven't been following the numbers, and we have, because I know you folks are busy, you're starting to do the vacations, and so. We stay up on all of this stuff for you.

It's fascinating because, as the numbers are coming in, there's still about, gosh, 4 million ballots that have yet to be counted. They're saying it could be weeks until all the votes are counted there in California. But what I find very interesting is. For example, in the Spencer Pratt race specifically, Which is just one city, right? They should have already been able to count all of the votes by now.

We're talking about one city. The The Republican candidate, Spencer Pratt, I mean, it's a nonpartisan race, but Pratt's, you know, basically the de facto Republican in the mix. He hasn't gained a single vote.

However, his opponent, who was trailing by something like 10 percentage points, is now almost neck and neck with Spencer Prant.

So, do you see what's going on here? This is nothing more than a steal. They are stealing the votes away from the Republicans.

So we're going to talk to Gloria Romero about that. Also in Maine, new information coming out in Maine. About this, about Graham Plattner, who's the Democrat, probably going to be the nominee for the U.S. Senate. And here's what gets me.

So, yesterday the guy came out and said, You know, well, if a man stormed into my house and tried to rob me, I would rape that man. And I'm sorry, you're like, wait, what? Not in a gay way, but he would rape the man. That's what he said. And what's even more shocking, Dylan, that's not even the worst of it.

I mean, again, he's a Nazi, for God's sakes.

However, and this is what I find fascinating. Um We're going to be talking to Matthew Gagnon, who is the CEO of the Maine Policy Institute. He's been all over this story. What I find fascinating is there's new polling data out. And it turns out that in spite of all these allegations, and there have been some scandalous allegations, he mocked a Purple Heart recipient.

He mocked, I think, a handicapped person. He's accused of beating up and smacking around women. And then there was the sexting scandal on the Predators Paradise platform. And now the accusations that he once said that he would rape a man. In spite of all of the, oh, oh, oh, yes, and he's a Nazi.

And In spite of all of that, he is still leading Susan Collins by four points. What is going on in the state of Maine?

So This is our starting off point because I have a theory here. And the reason why Susan Cotton, Collins rather, is getting beaten by a wife-beating Nazi. Man raper is because She's not doing her job. People are so sick and tired of rhinos. Apparently in Maine they're so sick and tired of rhinos, Republicans in name only, they would rather vote for the man raper.

There's got to be a better term. Dylan, can you chat GPT that for me? We got to come up with a better name for this. Chat GPT genuinely might ban me from using it. Is there a better term than man rape for chat GPT?

I'll find out. But he's not gay. I he wants everybody to know that.

So and we appreciate the We appreciate the clarification. But again, this is how bad it is that in Maine, right now, Susan Collins is trailing this guy by four points. Can't make it up. By the way, stock market's looking great. Jobs numbers are looking incredible for Trump.

Trump is doing everything Trump is supposed to be doing. The problem here is Congress, and that's really the jumping off point. Because uh last night Well, many of you were settling down, and you were, I don't know what you were doing. I was watching another Clint Eastwood movie from the 1970s. Also, I watched, I don't know why, I watch everybody loves Raymond.

You know, I own the entire series now.

So I always enjoy going back.

So I like to decompress when I, you know, there's a lot of, look, when you're doing a show like this, hosting a show like this. It's really a 24-hour job. I mean, you're always on, you're always reading, researching, looking for stories. But every now and again, you got to step back and decompress and. That's why I like to watch Andy Griffiths show, The King of Queens.

Everybody loves Raymond. And Clain Eastwood movies. I like watching the bad guys get shot. What can I- it makes me happy.

So, anyway, last night, while many of you were probably doing other things, like yours truly. The Senate convened, and all I can tell you is God bless Senator Tommy Tuberville. And we've got all of the details, all of the information over at ToddSterns.com. And I would encourage you to go and check out our website and read my story about this. But last night the Republican-controlled Senate once again killed The Save America Act.

And I don't know what to tell you for those of you, and we're going to name the names, and they're not unfamiliar names to you. I mean, these are people who are rhinos. But I think wh what what we're going to try to do is is explain why. Explain why this is happening. And I said something yesterday, and I got a little bit of, I got a lot of heated mail from some of you.

About something I said about Donald Trump being a lame duck president. How dare you! How dare you call the president lame? No, I'm not calling the president lame, it's a lame duck, it's an expression. That means he can't run again.

It's an expression. Yeah You gotta do your homework, people.

So it's an expression. And these senators know that Trump's time in office is coming to a close, and it's going to happen very quickly. I mean, who would have thought we're at the midterms, two years, the halfway point here, and that's it. Trump cannot run again. That's it.

He's done. And a lot of people In the Senate right now, they see that. They know that. And they know that Trump does not have the numbers now. And they can stop his agenda.

And they want to stop his agenda because, hear me on this. Hear me on this, ladies and gentlemen. The Trump agenda is not the Republican Party's agenda. And it never has been. Donald Trump is a populist.

He's really a big tent populist, if you will. And Donald Trump brought together all of these coalitions of people. And it's these coalitions of people, and he's delivering on key promises to all of these coalitions of people.

So, what happens when Trump leaves? I think the coalition falls apart. I truly do. Because the establishment Republicans, they've got no interest in continuing the America First Movement. They just really don't.

So all of this is happening last night. And let me explain this.

So you've got Tom Tillis from North Carolina, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Mitch McConnell from, pardon me, I got a little in my throat there. Mitch McDonald. Mitch McConnell. Anyway. Ha ha.

Senator Turtle, and Susan Collins of Maine. Who is losing right now? to a Nazi man raper, allegedly. Dylan, any um update there on the um It just wants us to call it a rapist, not male. Oh, that's not good.

Can we maybe try Thesaurus? Maybe we can try the Thesaurus.

Okay. T-H, you know, thank you. Thanks, look it up. Just type in T-H-E, you'll get there. Google will Google will help you out.

So, anyway, these are the four. You've got Tillis, Murkowski, McConnell, and Collins. And they joined the Democrats and they killed the Save America Act. Again, God bless Tommy Tuberville. Because I did point out yesterday, this is sort of funny.

So I've got to share this with you.

So yesterday, I'm watching all this good, and I posted something on X that went super viral. And I just, all right.

Okay, fine. I tell it, I will read what I wrote. But it's on the X page. And people got. There were a lot of upset people up on Capitol Hill.

Here's what I wrote: Any Republican senators calling out Tillis, Murkowski, McConnell, or Collins? Any Republican senators calling out Majority Leader Thune? Nope, none. It's political cowardice. Hold them all accountable.

Every single Republican senator who refuses to call out and condemn Thune and the four rhinos should be primaried. And it's gotten a lot of attention, a lot of reactions.

So, anyway, about an hour later, I get a message from Tuberville's people, and they said, Hey, look, you know, our guy actually said something. And so, Tuberville is among one of the few. And there may be a couple out there. but not many who are willing to call out these these rhinos. And so that's why I say hold them all accountable.

I think every other Republican senator should have been taking personal time going up to the floor and issuing a speech condemning Tom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McCollin, Susan Collins. And here's my concern. as we move past the midterms here. Theoretically, say that the Republicans can maintain control of the Senate. They're really not because you're going to have Tillis and Murkowski and McConnell and Susan Collins until January stopping every single piece of Trump's agenda.

Because they're already doing it. And you can throw in Cassidy and Cornyn into the mix there as well.

So it's a tough situation for the White House right now, and the White House has nothing to do with it. The White House is doing what we elected them to do: it's the Republicans and the Senate. And by the way, the House, and I'll get to that in just a moment, they're the ones that are the problem here.

So last night, you had eighteen Republicans break with President Trump. They sided with Democrats to pass the massive Ukraine spending bill. You ready for this one? The legislation would provide more than a billion dollars in security for Ukraine.

Now that's your tax money, every single penny of it, ladies and gentlemen. And that money, by the way, could have been used. That billion dollars could have been used to make your neighborhood safe. I mean, we've seen all these, what, teen mobs out there pillaging and plundering, rampaging, looting. Could have done we could have used that money.

to protect our neighborhoods from these mobs of teens. But instead, the Republicans are giving your hard-earned money. to Zelensky. And then just a few days ago, you had another situation. Republicans colluded with the Democrats to pass the what symbolic measure to stop the President from taking military action in Iran.

So, are you? I know you're not going to be surprised by this, but you need to hear these numbers. And again, the polling is the polling is the polling. I get that.

However, Right now congressional approval rating is right around hovering around 13% to 27%. I think the guys that are standing in the streets with the squeegees wanting to clean your windshields, they're more popular right now than members of Congress. And the reality here, I think that America first Republicans are angry. And because again, the only reason we gave them control of Congress is not because we liked him. We just needed to get the president's agenda through.

That's it. They were necessary. But they're not doing it. And many of the president's executive orders are still waiting to be codified. And until that happens, this is all we're just sitting here watching political theater.

Let me give you an example. The executive orders on boys and girls and schools and sports, all that stuff promoting the LGBT agenda. Look, the executive orders clearly state any school refusing to obey would lose federal funding. But the schools are ignoring the President's order. Everybody's ignoring the President's orders.

And if you don't believe me, just do a Google search, check out the number of schools celebrating Pride Month, and they're all still being funded. By the federal government.

Now, the question here is, what are we going to do about it?

Well, they can still codify the President's executive orders. They can still pass the Save America Act and secure our elections. But I don't think it's going to happen. I really don't. The majority leader is not an America first guy.

He never has been. I don't think he's ever going to be. And this is a guy who craves power, and he is beholden to the snakes who are lurking about in these murky waters of the DC swamp. I mean, it really is a uniparty. And you know why?

Because the Democrats and the Republicans are more concerned about their bank accounts, their stock market portfolios, than they are yours. I mean, that's it. In a heartbeat. But they know that Trump is a lame duck president. They may be traitorous, these rhinos, but they.

are not stupid. They can read an expiration date. And they are taking some political, they're doing a political calculation here that they're going to be around a lot longer than Donald J. Trump is.

Now, look, for me, I'm voting Republican of the fall. And the only reason I'm doing that is not because of the Republicans. I'm doing it because of Donald Trump. I don't want this man dragged through another impeachment process. I don't.

That's going to happen if Republicans stay home. And I know Matt Towery, our good buddy, the pollster, he's been on with us a time or two. That is his big concern, is that Republicans are completely demoralized right now. But we still got to get out there and we've got to protect our president. Look, I got to take a break.

Here's so much more to say about this. Again, Open Live Friday, 901-260-5926. This is the Todd Stern Show. Hey guys, quick heads up. This is actually a big one.

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Hi, Sonny. What's on your mind? What's on my mind, Todd, is how anybody could be a Republican. I am definitely going independent because The Republicans are a disgrace. that one bill uh seventeen people in the senate went and voted with the Democrats.

They do this so often, it's unbelievable. why they don't represent the people that elected them. And to me, that is It's not just a disgrace, it's criminal. And American people expect who register as a Republican expect the their representatives that do the right thing. And for me, the right thing is that maybe Trump should if he wants to.

Run for a second term. He doesn't have any two consecutive terms anywhere.

So if he ran again, this would be his second conservative term. Although I I hope he doesn't simply because Uh he's had enough. problems with the Demarats and the Demorats and Republican clothing. We'll call them demon rats and republic craps. How's that, Sonny?

It's look, by the way, you're not wrong there, but it was 18 Republicans, not 17, and it's just unacceptable. It's a great point.

Sonny, I got to run. Thank you for that. We'll be right back, everybody. When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, You keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns. With Granger's vast selection of high-quality motors, sensors, belts, and hard-to-find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place.

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I know we've got a lot of folks wanting to weigh in on the show today. Hang tight. We're going to get to your calls. But right now, I want to go to the Patriot Mobile Newsmaker line. We're honored to have with us Gloria Romero back on the show again.

She has been the leading candidate to be the lieutenant governor in California. She's still leading, at least we think she's still leading in the polls as the votes are still being counted. Gloria, first of all, congratulations to your showing thus far in the California primary race. Thank you. Todd, it's an honor to be back with you again.

And if I can just say, I want people across the country to think of this: the number one candidate for governor in California today is a Republican. The number one candidate for lieutenant governor in California is a Republican.

So, has hell frozen over? No, but Californians are waking up and we are ready for change. Keep hope alive.

Well, look, I've been preaching that for all this week since Tuesday, and I think that is the big story here: that statewide, when you actually look at the maps and look at where you and Steve Hilton have done so well, it is an overwhelming majority of California.

Now, look, I get it. You've got Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego. I understand those are big population centers. But by and large, Gloria, you have to be really impressed that so many Republicans did come out and engage in the political process on Tuesday. Absolutely.

And I'm even going to say even more so, Todd. Certainly we motivated the Republican base, but we have to expand that base. There are numerous, the NPPs, the independent voters, and I will submit to you as well, disaffected Democrats living in San Francisco, living in Los Angeles, where Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom burn down half the city who are sick and tired. Maybe they won't change the party affiliation, but they recognize we need a change and they are voting different this year. Gloria, President Trump's already weighed in.

He is very alarmed that it's taking so long to count the votes there in California. He is suggesting, matter of factly, that a steal is underway. Are you concerned that might be happening right now? What the biggest issue I think really is looking at the rules, the way that the Democrats have engineered the rule counting. And I think ultimately this is what we need to change.

Number one in November will be us being able to implement voter ID. That's going to be on the ballot in November, and that will go a long way to curing and curbing that potential steal. But on top of it, I agree the concerns that have been raised where it takes, first of all, you get some 30 days to vote and then up to 35 days to count the vote. It is absolute craziness. We need to have monitors.

We need to have poll watchers. The whole system under Gavin Newsom has got to change. Just note as well, right before the election. Governor Newsome The Democrat legislature fast-tracked a bill that went through the legislature to his desk in the dark of night. He signed it, which basically raises questions about even being able to challenge a signature from somebody who might be contesting the election.

So it's just maddening, but this is what we have to do. In California, we've got to play under the rules that are here. But the major reason why we are running for office and trying to get elected is so that we can legally begin to change those rules.

So all eyes on California, all eyes on Governor Newsome, all eyes. I appreciate Bill Asali, who is again to our district, again, to our U.S. attorney here in California. He's done an incredible job on election integrity. We've got to keep monitoring it.

Otherwise, they will steal it. You know, Gloria, the other big story and the underreported story, I think, has been the five congressional seats. Again, there was the redistricting. Street thing, the Democrats did. I mean, you talk about criminal behavior.

But the reality is there was a concern that all five of those congressional seats would flip to the Democrats.

However, at least right now, that is certainly not the case. One of them, where you have, it's the, what is it, House District 40, you've got King Calvert and Young Kim. Those are the top two vote getters.

So, regardless of what happens, there will be a Republican in that congressional seat.

So, that takes that one off the table. And also, Kevin Kiley, who switched parties, he's an independent now running in his district. And the number two at the last numbers I saw was a Republican.

So, you're going to have now possibly two out of the five that will remain in Republican hands. What does that tell you?

Well, I think, first of all, it shows that the voters recognize the leadership of Calvert and Kiley, and we'll continue to hope that those numbers prevail. But I also think it shows that even Gavin Newsom, how incompetent he is, even when trying to rig the election and steal it in his Prop 50 that basically tried to invalidate and take away Republican seats. But we can't take it for granted. They're still counting all the ballots, including in mine and Steve's election. But I do think that the trends are very promising.

We're maintaining that. And congratulations to the Republican voters for just saying we're not going to take it. But we've got to be vigilant. Got to stand up. We cannot walk away.

Now is the time to really stand up, show up, speak up, and deliver the vote that is too big to rig, even for Gavin Newsom in November.

Well, you certainly sound pretty encouraged. I know that Steve Hilton has expressed some concerns about the way things are going right now. Let's just, and I don't want to go down this path too much, but let's just say at the end of the day, All the Republicans are booted out because of the votes, which we understand could be going on for days. Is that what you're hearing? It could go on for weeks.

It could go on for weeks. The Secretary of State, who, by the way, was appointed by Gavin Newsom, just for you to understand that a while back. But see, it's the way that the rules are written in California and the way that they are written, it basically... It facilitates, it makes it easier for fraud to occur. I'm not saying that it is occurring.

I want to be very careful on that, but it does facilitate that. I am looking forward to a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that basically, what does Election Day mean? And my hope is, and I wish that the court had ruled earlier. You know, what are they waiting for?

But Election Day should be Election Day. It doesn't mean 30 days ahead of time. It doesn't mean 35 days to count the ballots afterwards. We really have to look at this and establish the norms, the rules, the credibility, because otherwise. Whether or not there is fraud occurring, and there's every reason to be suspicious, the bottom line is that it really disincentivizes people, it alienates people, it really causes so much suspicion that what it may do is actually suppress the desire for Republicans to go out and vote.

And we can't let them dampen our spirit. We have to remain optimistic, we have to put up the fight, let's see where it goes, but we have to monitor. And come on, U.S. Supreme Court, let's rule election day should mean election day, not election month. I just find it fascinating, Gloria.

California's got a population of almost 40 million people.

Meanwhile, in India, they have 640 million people. They're able to count all of their votes in India in just one day, and it could be an entire month until California gets its vote totals in. Exactly. We have to end this whole mail-in balloting charade that they implemented during COVID. It basically means as well, too, that ballots go out.

Even if people are dead or it went to a dog or they moved, those ballots are out. It's susceptible to fraud. There's no voter ID. There's no verification of who you are. There's not even a signature affirmation.

Then you can put them in these drop boxes, which again, too, we saw in Los Angeles. One of these drop boxes was actually set on fire when the ballots were put in. It is maddening. But I want the nation to hear and to see this is California under Gavin Newsom. But we are, I am encouraged, I'm the eternal optimist here to say it does not need to be this way.

The people of California are waking up, not only statewide, but in Los Angeles with Spencer Pratt. We're so excited for him. And I think if we stand up, do not become disillusioned or discouraged. Stand up, speak up. Let's follow the ballot.

Let's keep our, let's be vigilant, but we cannot become disillusioned to the point that we just say, give up, it doesn't matter. That's what they want. And when we do that, that's when we will all lose.

So let's stay vigilant. Let's go forward and fight harder than ever. All right. Gloria, Ever the Optimist, good to hear from you. Good to see you.

And we wish you nothing but the very best. Look forward to being able to call you Lieutenant Governor very, very soon. Thanks, Gloria. Thank you so much. All right.

Great lady, right there, but unbelievable, right? India, 640 billion people. They count all of their votes in just one day. And you've got 40 million people living in California. And it could take at least a month.

What do you think is really going on there, ladies and gentlemen? 901-260-5926 is our telephone number. That's 901-260-5926.

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Text and data rates may apply. All right, let's go to the phones here. Charles in North Carolina, listening to us on WSIC. Hi, Charles. What's on your mind today?

Hey, Todd. Todd, I just want to say that I am just totally and completely livid at Tom Tillis. You know, it was my senator. Uh And I called him today. And of course, he doesn't take my call, And I had to leave a message.

And uh Cheese baker's cake. Oh. I had to leave a message and uh I just told him, I said, you know, Senator, you co-sponsored the SAVE Act. a while back, and now you're voting against it. And it kind of reminds me of what John McCain did.

You know, over Obamacare, hey, the thumbs down. But I but I just cannot believe that these senators are doing this. And so once again, Ty, I think that the President needs to call for that Emergency session of Congress that he's legally entitled to under Article two, Section three. Put them in a room and just tell them they're going to work all summer. And to put a little bit more heat on them, Todd, literally, I would turn the air conditioner off in the building so you guys can stay in here and swelter like they did 150 years ago.

Until you pass the save act. No no uh you know no uh No exceptions. And I I was listening to you about California, and it's just But it's like a third world with California and their voting. And uh, I'll tell you unless California changes their uh uh the way that they do elections You know, everybody knows that it's illegal for illegals and people who aren't supposed to vote to vote in elections. But there's no enforcement mechanism.

Um except the Save Act. But I would just help California if if I was a DOJ that look, You're going to adopt some measures to ensure that there's. No voter fraud. And until you do, guess what? You can have an election, but we're not going to speech your entire delegation.

That means there's going to be fifty some people in Cal Congressmen in California that will not be able to be seated in January. Uh I I think we we just need to play that kind of hardball. Do you think, though, that the Republicans would play that sort of hardball? I don't. Well, you might have Senator Tommy Coverville that would do that.

But for somebody to take the lead, I think that's going to have to be President Trump. And maybe he needs to call for the resignation of Jon Thune, you know, with a little bit of leverage. Um But I think President Trump needs to call for that session. And I think he needs to b uh bring that topic up. About not seating a delegation and, you know, I mean, taking a whole month to count votes.

I mean, that is ridiculous. You know, uh But, Todd, unless they do that, nothing's ever going to get done. You know? Yeah, no, nothing will get done. And that's the point.

I don't think they want anything to get done. I think ultimately that's the issue here: they don't, and they know they can get away with it because the president is not going to do what you said. Otherwise, he would have already done it.

So I. It's a source of great frustration because you have a lot of Republicans up there on Capitol Hill and they don't really care about the America First agenda. And as far as the situation in California goes, everybody knows what's going on here. Everybody knows that the steal is underway. And they're hoping that three weeks from now, the American people will have forgotten all about the election and the fact that you had Republicans leading in just about every single race out there until they started counting the so-called mail-in votes.

If exactly, just like they did in 2020. You know, you had the President ahead, Trump ahead in all six swing states. Uh, when we went to bed, and then the next morning, and over the next week and a half, uh, that changes things going on, yeah, exactly, exactly, which again is why we need now. Look, the Save America Act would not have much of an impact on what's happening right now in California, but it would help in the sense of making sure that people are legitimate voters, so you would have that component of it. But the Supreme Court is going to have to step in here.

We can't be having elections that drag on for you know a month or two months or three months. That's just insane. Charles, I've got to run, my friend. Good to hear from you. 901-260-5926 is our telephone number.

It's open line Friday. 901-260-5926. This is the Todd Starring Show. Granger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners.

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All right, I told you it was an action-packed show. We're just getting started, everybody. Open Line Friday. Let's go to the phones here: 901-260-5926. Joe from Ella J, Georgia, listening to us on WDUN.

Joe, what's going on? Todd, I'm down in Seattle. They love you down here. They love Trump, but I'll tell you something. They're really upset with people like Jon Thune.

They love people like Tubberville, but Thune needs to be replaced. I think he's the real, of course, you got some other rhinos up there too, but Thune's the leader, and I think he needs to go. And I'm hoping that Trump will call for him to resign because he's the problem. He's the leader, you know, and he's taking all these rhinos with him. you know, like Collins and you know who they are.

But anyway, that needs to be done because it's going to be tough unless they get rid of Thune because Thune is not going to cooperate. And so I think but anyway, they love you down here in Seon, they love Trump, and they love Tupperville. I tell you, Tupperville is really coming on strong. You know, I'm down here at Sea Island, and a lot of people from all over the country, and Cumberville's name comes up a lot, and also Newsmax. They like to see you on Newsmax.

So I'd say Tumberville, Newsmax, and Trump are the The big people, people like you at Sea Island. But anyway, appreciate all you're doing. Keep up the great work. We love you and we're proud of you.

Well, Joe, I appreciate that. And I hope you have a lot of fun down in Sea Island. It's never a dull moment down there, my friends.

Well, Todd, you keep up the great work. Proud on you. All right, Joe from LA J, broadcasting from Sea Island, Georgia. Beautiful area, by the way. Great folks down there.

Hey, folks, got to take a quick break. And I want to remind you: now is the time. It is Friday. You got a paycheck. Go and pre-order a copy of my brand new book.

I want you to read this: The Golden Age: How Trump Saved America. It is available at Walmart, Target, Barnes Noble, Books a Million. Amazon, wherever you get your books, go and get yourself a copy of the Golden Age. It'll be in bookstores August 11th. Wow, we got about a month or so away, two months away.

All right, hang tight, everybody. Hour two coming up next. Live from the Liberty University Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, it's common sense conservative commentary from Todd Starn. I love This American Well, hello, everybody. Happy Friday to you, America.

This is the Todd Stearns Radio Show broadcasting border to border, coast to coast across the fruited plain. Great to have you with us today. Open Line Friday, ladies and gentlemen. Your opportunity to call in and talk about whatever is on your mind. I want you to write down our number 901-260-5926.

Again, that number 901-260-5926.

Well, this headline coming out of the New York Post Just two hours ago is just incredibly shocking. Graham Plattner and Susan Collins tied in Maine Senate race post-sexting scandal. This is according to new polling data that's out there. Again, Susan Collins pulling into a tie with Plattner over the allegations that he was sexting up to a dozen women while he was still married to his wife on what they called the Predators Paradise app, known as KICK, K-I-K. The poll, and here's what's shocking about the poll.

It's conducted by our good friend Tony Fabrizio, who is President Trump's big pollster.

So, this is a Republican-leading poll. But the idea that they are, Susan Collins is now tied, unbelievable.

Well, to help us figure out what in the world is going on in the great state of Maine, just honored to have a great American patriot, Matthew Gagnon, who is the CEO of Maine's Policy Institute. Matthew, good to have you with us today. Thank you for joining us. You bet. It's a real pleasure to be here.

Okay. I don't mean to, I mean, they're great people in the state. We have a lot of listeners in the state of Maine, but dude, what the heck is going on there? Yeah, let me apologize on behalf of my state for having to be in the news like this almost every week, it seems. But the answer to your question is that we have an extraordinarily unproven, volatile candidate that's running as the de facto Democratic nominee for U.S.

Senate against Susan Collins, and he is imploding in front of our very eyes, as many of us predicted he would.

So I know there's a lot of frustration. The Washington Post today had a big piece out. Democrats are very frustrated. But the reality is, Democrats are also backing this guy. You have Elizabeth Warren, Pocahontas, over in Massachusetts.

Bernie Sanders just the other day was on CNN defending this guy. I don't know how you defend the Nazi tattoo and the sexting and all the allegations. This is just beyond me. Yeah, it is. Although we are getting to a point, I think, in this campaign where the.

I don't know, the aggregate effect of all of these scandals that keep piling up on him is likely to start having a major effect. I mean, you had mentioned that poll that was referencing the scandal on kick and him doing the sexting during his marriage and whatnot. The New York Times piece from yesterday and all the fallout from that directly refutes what Graham Plattner told those very people you just listed just a few days ago when he was in Washington, D.C. I mean, Bernie Sanders asked him directly, so did Elizabeth Warren, are there more things coming out? And he said to them, no, there's not.

And within 24 hours, we have this scandal that the New York Times obviously set off.

So he's, I think, taken on water on his ship for sure. And I don't know if it's fatal for him yet. But the former glow that he had around him is certainly very much diminished. I'm wondering if you can just help us understand the political landscape there. Of course, Susan Collins is clearly an establishment Republican.

She is not a big fan of the President. And yesterday, standing in the way of the Save America Act, one of those four votes right there. Is she reflecting her values? Do those values reflect those of the the voters, the good people of Maine? I think the thing that Susan Collins has reflected for the voters of Maine for a long time is generally politically independent thought.

She has never really fallen very much in line with the party. She votes with the Republicans, certainly more enough to justify being a member, but is very much willing to go against President Donald Trump, President George W. Bush when he was in office, and sometimes cooperate with Democratic presidents. It's just part of her brand, and it's one of the main reasons why she's survived. But I don't think it's because of the moderation or being on the left side of anything.

I think it's more because it demonstrates to the people of Maine that she's not beholden to a party or an ideology or a philosophy. She's basically working on their behalf. And that's been the key to her, I think, political success over the years. You know, what I find interesting, I know that Janet Mills was not a popular governor. She was doing a lot of things that really rub folks the wrong way.

CNN had a story out, what, a couple of days ago, Matt, you may have seen this, where she dropped out of the race, but actually she didn't drop out of the race. She's reminding voters that she technically is still on the ballot. First of all, I'm just curious, what was it about her that just rubbed people the wrong way? And second, do you think that we might see her jump back into this race?

Well, as you pointed out, she doesn't even need to jump back into it because she's already in it. She just stopped campaigning. I think that the reason that she didn't really have the success that maybe Chuck Schumer thought she was going to have and that maybe she thought she was going to have is because I think, especially in Maine, but across the country right now, the Democratic Party is living through a little mini version of the Tea Party in reverse. They are done with establishment politicians. They are sick and tired of the status quo of the party and how they've operated.

They think that everybody in charge in Washington has failed them as they've tried to fight Trump.

So they're ready to throw out absolutely everyone who's in charge and replace them with people like Grant Platinum, right? Insurgent candidates who you know almost nothing about, who are just new and different and fresh. And Janet Mills has been around for a very, very long time, four decades in politics. She's obviously 78 years old, I believe, and I think represented everything that the Democrats are kind of done with. That explains a lot of what her problem was, I think.

Wow. Now, Matt Gagnon joins us. He is the CEO of Maine Policy Institute. And the website there, folks, want to go check out all things Maine, mainpolicy.org. That's mainpolicy.org.

You know, it's interesting, there is some new polling data out there talking about how President Trump is beginning to see some of his support in the rural parts of America begin to wane. What is the mood there in Maine when it comes to the President and his agenda? You know, it depends on the part of his agenda you're talking about. I think the explainer for that poll, in my opinion, certainly talking to people in this state. Is much less about the broad agenda that he campaigned on in 2024 and just the economic effects that we're seeing right now happening across the country.

You know, the situation with Iran obviously has not been resolved at this point. And I just filled up my truck for well over $100. And gas is extraordinarily expensive here. And those economic pressures have an effect on people. When stuff isn't going the way that you want it to, the people in charge tend to be blamed for it.

And right now in Washington, President Trump, the Republicans in the Senate, and the Republicans in the House are in charge.

So they're bearing the brunt of this. And I think that's really the only thing that's happening in these areas. If that can abate itself, You know, if the war comes to a conclusion, gas prices start to go down a little bit, I think you'll see a pretty significant recovery in those numbers.

Well, you know, the jobs numbers that came out today, they look really good, solid. I mean, everything's going according to the President's plan. Then this Iran situation, and clearly there was a lot of disagreement within the administration itself over how to proceed here. And now I think we're getting pretty darn close to not necessarily being in a quagmire, but I don't see this thing ending anytime soon. Do you?

Not to my knowledge. No, I'm obviously not in the inside of these negotiations, but it seems like the leverage that exists here is probably going to continue this thing going for quite some time because Iran is in a position that they like, honestly. And the president has to decide whether or not he wants to either break the salemate and actually go in with like ground troops and try to capture that nuclear material, or whether or not it's time to just say, all right, we're out of here and we're done. Either one of those things could change it, but I don't think Trump is willing to do that because he really does want to get that nuclear material dealt with. And so we might be sitting here like this for a while.

Yeah. And that could spell trouble, especially if those gas prices are that high. Matt, we appreciate you joining us today, and we'll check back in with you. What an insane story, but it certainly gives you guys a lot to talk about there in the state of Maine. It sure does.

And, you know, I'm sure there's going to be much more to talk about.

So I'm happy to do it anytime you want. All right. Matt Gagnon, everybody, CEO of Maine Policy Institute. And again, you can check out their website, mainpolicy.org, and follow Matthew on X and Facebook. That's Matthew, G-A-G-N-O-N.

Matthew Gagnon is his handle on both of those. Platforms. All right, we've got to take a quick break here, folks, and pay some bills. Our telephone number: 901-260-5926. That's 901-260-5926.

This is the Todd Stern Show. Bear. Dylan, I have a question for you. You know, a lot, have you started you and the missus? You know, you guys are starting out.

What is it? Have you guys been married two years now? Has it been two years? It'll be two years in September. All right, just right around the corner.

Yeah. Have you started working on things like a will? And, you know, preparing for the hereafter. Uh no, we haven't. We haven't started working on it.

We started thinking about it. I know it's still kind of early, you know, in the process. Yeah. You know, maybe 70 years from now or something. Yeah.

The reason I ask that, you know, a lot of people, you know, they do their plans, and some people don't want to do a will because they feel like it's like a jinx, right?

So you don't want to put it all down on paper and then kick the bucket. Exactly. So I get what you're saying. Yeah. So that's basically me.

You know, I don't want to I guess I better I better work on that. But anyway, people like do some serious planning, for example. You've got there are folks that will go out and they'll pick out where they want to be buried. Right.

So, whether they want to be cremated, you know, put in the microwave, or if they want to be in a mausoleum where they put you in a box, you kind of look like a giant filing cabinet. You know, the the Starnes plot over at Memphis Memorial Park, you know, which is really a stone's throw from our palatial studios, every morning I drive by and I say hello to our family members. It's good. I'm glad. It's a little weird.

No, it's it's uh you know, you're remembering them. Hey, Mima. Hey, Papa. Hope y'all are having a good day over there. Yeah, did they say anything back to you?

No, no, no. They say nothing back. But it's the thought that counts. And they had the beautiful grotto over there. It's a lovely place to go and walk if you want to walk dead people at night.

So, anyway, but people do that. They plan out everything, including the casket. Because a lot of times, you don't want your family. I mean, if you just kick the bucket and you got no plans, and then they're having to make all these decisions for you. And I'm wondering, especially when it comes to caskets, because you know that is a lot of money.

I mean, it's not like, you know, it's just not like a couple of hundred dollars. We're talking about thousands of dollars. That it costs to buy a casket and put you in the ground. By the way, have you seen this trend? There is a trend among certain people groups.

Where they actually, for the wake, you know, they don't put the body in the casket. They're actually posing the body, doing something that they love to do. Have you seen these? Yes. The ideas that people have come up with are.

Interesting, to say the least. I just I can't. I've seen like, you know.

Someone riding a motorcycle, like they put an entire motorcycle in a church and put the guy on a motorcycle. That was that's terrible if he was died in a motorcycle accident. Indeed. There was one person, she was a big New Orleans Saints fan, so they had her funeral. She was posed sitting at a table.

in a living room with a disco ball. And she they they had a menthol cigarette and and a and a can of beer. Yeah. I mean You know, my philosophy is I don't really care what you do with my body. The kids call her maw maw.

They called her ma maw. And they wanted to give her a, they said she was a vivacious woman and wanted to give her a good send-off. Another person who died at the age of 73 was. Was a flamboyant philanthropist, wore a pink feather boa and held a glass of champagne. That's how they dressed her up.

I hope it was a her. Oh, it was a no, it may have been a dude.

Okay, whatever. You're dead. It doesn't really matter. But they call it extreme embalming, is what they call it. There's actually a name for it.

That can't be cheap. I mean, it's already expensive enough. This can't be uh This has to be worse. It's almost like, and some of them are actually propped up, like they've got them standing like you're going into a wax museum. Yeah.

Unbelievable. That's a good way to describe it. No, absolutely unacceptable.

So, all that to say, by the way, would anybody in the audience do that? Maybe I should, you know, when I kick the bucket, I could just, you know, y'all could just pose me right here in front of the big, beautiful, huge microphone. Yeah, I don't know if I could walk back into the building if we if we attempted to do that.

Well, no, this would be like my casket. You know, this would be my maus mausoleum. Sure. Whatever you want. Put it in the will.

This headline for the New York Post today. Meet the funeral director offering wild hot pink caskets and cheetah printed urns to make death less serious. According to the New York Post, a doom and gloom Adams family-esque funeral service is not what Dan Madden. Strives for. mister Madden has been a funeral home director for 23 years in Ohio for the Stark Memorial Funeral Home.

Instead, when mourners step into his funeral parlor to plan their loved ones' services, are met with a striking hot pink casket. with of course the option to customize their interior, It's an effort to make death care less taboo. They have a name for it now, deaf care. Less taboo and more fun. Badden offers wild, pimped-out funeral goods both in-house and on his Fashums website.

where the bereaved can buy everything from butterfly oh, Ian's gonna love this from butterfly to Star Wars themed vessels.

So you could like, I don't know, I have an idea here. You could like be cremated and your remains could be poured inside like an E what an R2 D2, like little urn. I can hear Ian writing down his will right now. This is weird, man. Millions of people on social media are viewing all of these designer caskets.

Would that be you, ladies and gentlemen, People People keep asking if there are different options that were more unique, more colorful, not the same traditional choices. What do you mean, like traditional choices, like a wood? I mean, you're going in the dirt, right? But anyway, people are wanting to spend Thousands and thousands of dollars to make this happen. Is this like Pimp My Ride?

Pit my urn. Pit my urn. Pit my urn. They have everything from hot pink cheetah printed urns to biodegradable turtle shaped urns.

next to a brightly covered coffin for his Fashion Show series. Let's go to Richard in Murphy'sboro, Tennessee. Richard, what do you think about these crazy caskets? They stole all of that from Rod Searling because This was exactly the plot of one of the Twilight Zone episodes back in the 60s. Three American astronauts Had to land on what turned out to be a habitable planet.

And they started walking around him. They noticed that all of the buildings and structures and things looked like an American town from the 60s. Only difference was whenever they went into them, I mean, you know, they had people and stuff in it. None of the people were moving. And they were all posed.

And they finally came up to a house and they knocked on it. Nobody answered. They went in, and after a couple of minutes, A gentleman came out. introduced himself, said he was mister Wickwire. Um He maintained the proxy of So, you know, they had a little question and answer session back and forth, and he offered them something to drink.

Well, I don't want you to tell us the whole episode here so people can go and watch it, but that's creepy, man. Creepy. It it is. I I'll just say let's say He offered them something to drink, and it turned out to be eternifying fluid.

Okay. Eternifying fluid. Jeez a loose.

Sounds like somebody drank the Kool-Aid. Richard, thank you for that. That is a trip down memory lane. Ladies and gentlemen. Would you get buried in a hot pink casket and would you allow your remains to be.

inserted into a disposable uh turtle. 901-260-5926. This is the Todd Stern Show. All right, welcome back to the Todd Starge Radio Show. I want to bring into the conversation our good buddy Joe Messina, host of the nationally syndicated radio show, the Joe Messina Show, and hanging out with us in lovely Santa Clarita, California.

Joe, I've got to ask you, have you started planning for the hereafter? I I I heard that, Todd, and I prefer, you know, something more along a what do you want to what do you want to call like a turquoise is kind of more my color. A turquoise. You know, I am really intrigued by this because, you know, it's big business. And I will say this: gosh, last year, There's a lovely suburb of Memphis called Collierville, Tennessee, and it's like a quintessential southern town.

And uh somebody died. And I went to the funeral home, and the funeral, it was a brand new funeral home out there, and it was absolutely stunning because you felt like you were, I don't know, at some sort of a retreat in the countryside. And they had what fireplaces and couches. It was just so relaxing and so chill. It wasn't like, you know, some sort of a stoic, you know, funeral home.

And I thought, wow, you know, if I got to kick the bucket, which I'm going to one day, I wouldn't mind having a party here. You know, I've got two things I might want to do. One is not so Christian-like, and what I want to do is I want to be cremated, and I want somebody to grab a drone and drop maybe a tablespoon of my ashes On all these homes where people hated me over the years.

So they're stuck with a little part of me on their property. Number two, though, I don't know if they do this where you're at, but up in Northern California, they're doing eco-burials. they take your body and they cremate it and they take your ashes and they plant a tree. But they put your ashes down in the bottom where the tree is being planted so you'll regrow, get like reborn into the tree.

Sounds like a a wonderfully Democrat thing to do, don't you think? Yeah. Look, I'm still trying to get the visual of Joe Messina dropping his ash over people's homes in Southern California. This one's for you, buddy. Oh, by the way, so we're getting some messages on this.

One of our good buddies, Todd, over at our great affiliate in Winchester. Virginia says, do not believe the Trump casket will be huge, gold plated and adorned with 45 and 47, stamped with enclosed is the greatest president of all time. Ha ha ha. Oh no, that would be much, much too little for him. No, it's going to be mausoleum style, I'm sure.

No doubt about it. I'm doing pictures and all kinds of things. I do wonder, though, what about Costco? Do they sell caskets at Costco? Do we know they do sell caskets at Costco?

No, they do not. They do. I wonder if they let you try them on. I mean, wouldn't you want to know how comfortable you're going to be in the eternity? I am shocked by this.

Dylan, in the break, we're sending Ian, Ian the intern, down to Costco with the company Costco card. We need a casket and an urn. He's probably going to come back with much more, actually. Great deals over there. And one of the hot dogs.

Do they still have one of the hot dogs? Yeah, the hot dogs. You got to have the hot dogs. Joe, according to this, and again, this is a fascinating story. For those of you just joining us, the New York Post says there's a funeral director offering wild hot pink caskets.

and cheetah printed urns to make death less serious. And one of his clients, believe it or not, is Snookie from the Jersey Shore. and she said that she would love a hot pink cheetah printed urn. I got nothing either. Is that that's the best they can do?

What'd you call it? Did you call it death care earlier? Yeah, they call it death care. Yes. I'm gone.

What kind of care do I need? Seriously. Gotta ask. Paul Shanklin, texting Ed, says that he's going to be turned into a non-dairy coffee creamer, so he would be creameraried. Oh god.

Yeah. Cremora. Cremora is what he's calling it. That's disgusting.

Well, they're going to have to use my ashes for Sour Patch kids because, you know, they'll say I'm pretty sour. Hey, Joe Messina, we were going to talk about politics, but apparently this is a major story that we've stumbled upon. And I want to bring into the conversation Tom from Houston, Texas, listening to us on Patriot Talk 920. Tom, you're on the air with Joe Messina, and I understand that you were a funeral director. Is that right?

Yes, sir, that's right, almost twenty two years. I've got left business now. Oh my god. If you want to ask me a question or I can tell you some stories.

Well, I'm afraid of both, but you know what? Why don't you tell us a story here? I'm very intrigued, Tom.

Okay. The most expensive funeral. I ever was involved with. Are you know do you know a name Sand Richardson. I d I d I don't believe so.

Okay, he's He's a Texas oil man, made plenty of money.

Okay. At one point, uh, well, he was the original owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Lived in Fort Worth, Texas. And I was working at the funeral home that took care of him at his time of me.

Well uh The phone rang early that morning and spoke to our funeral director in charge. And it was John Connolly on the phone. Are you familiar with John Connolly? I am. Yes, I sir am.

All right. John Connolly was mister Richardson's financial man.

Well, I uh everything went through him.

So John tells the director whatever Miss Uh, I won't say the name once she gets her. I already did, Miss Richardson, excuse me, and uh.

So she gets it no matter what. Anyways, this was at a point in time when a really nice funeral was in the five to seven thousand dollar range.

Well, she tells arrangements that totaled upwards of $35,000. Whoa, $35,000! It was in fact a gold plated casket.

Okay. And we had multiple limousines all in. Anyways, No. Um We have the funeral. And Mr.

Connolly calls up and he says, I'll be down there. in the next week or so to settle the bill with you.

So him and the main pimple record go in the office and has his file in his hand. He's fixing to let him know it's. Thirty-five thousand dollars. And John Conley says. I don't care what you say.

This is what I'm paying for this funeral. And Well, Mr. Dunn, I hadn't even shown you the paperwork. How do you know? He says, I don't care.

This is what I'm paying. He pushes an envelope across the desk. It's for four point three million dollars. What?

Now What was going on here? Is that The funeral is considered a final expense. Therefore, Whatever you spend on that funeral. Fence down your assets. And Mr.

Conley informed Mr. Funeral Director. Then as long as this check is cashed by the funeral home, For the purposes of this funeral. the estate is going to save almost six hundred million dollars. Joe Messina, are you hearing this, Joe?

This is a wild story. I would grab the check and I would ask the other guy to sit there for a second while I shot to the bank and made sure it cleared. You'd be scrolling between wheels. In fact, our funeral director says there's no way I can accept this amount of money, blah, blah, blah. Mr.

Connolly said, I've been around you for a long time. I've seen you all the way back to a kid. You never leave town. You're always here. Your family doesn't hardly see you until 10 p.m.

at night. He says, You and your family, y'all go to Disney World. Y'all go to Europe, do whatever you want.

Well Go enjoy a little life.

So what did he do? Did did they cash the check? Oh, yes, it had to be in order for the. RF will be happy. Of course.

Of course. And Tom. Tom, I wish we could continue. I bet, you know, we should do an entire segment on funeral director stories because I know that Tom is probably loaded for bear. Tom, thank you for that call.

Joe Messina joining us from Santa Clarita, California. Joe. That's a story.

Okay. My mom was a hairdresser in Boston. And to make extra money on the weekends, she did the hair of dead people. And she tells a story that you've probably heard before where the body started to move. While she was doing the hair, she shot out of there, no coat, no purse, no tools, nothing, and never went back.

No, you're like, that can't be. No, the body moved. Yeah, I I guess I guess you could ask another funeral director. I guess when even when they're dead, they they have muscle contractions or things happen to the body. But she said it moved and she was off like a shot.

Yeah, that, yeah, I'm good. I'm good. Joe, I will say this though.

However, I will say that. There have been reports of dead people moving around in California voting. Yes. Real quick before we let you go, we had Gloria Romero on in the first hour of the show. She seems to be pretty optimistic.

I'm not all that optimistic. What about you? I'm not either, Todd. Look, we have they're telling us it's gonna be another three weeks before they uh shore this thing up. There's still ballots coming in.

They had ballot boxes that hadn't been picked up as of midnight or one o'clock in on election evening. And so, no, I mean, they had ten million ballots statewide that still hadn't been counted, I think, as of it was Thursday morning. That it was Spencer Pratt, the LA City they found 20,000 found, mind you, they said found. They found 20,000 ballots of which about 50% went to Bass and 50% went to the other woman. And Pratt got zero votes out of the 20,000.

That's statistically impossible. And so the percentages aren't working out right, Todd. They just don't look right. I'm wondering if the people will are they going to rise up here? I mean, again, this is I mean, we all know what's happening here.

I mean, we see it with our own eyes. It's a slow moving disaster. Are the people going to rise up over this? Dude, this is California, man. You know, whatever happens, it's karma.

No, I don't know what they're going to do. We do a lot of talk. We don't have a lot of action in California. We have a very extremely weak. California Republican Party at the state level.

And they they're not going to do much on any of this. If I was them, I'd be standing there. I'd be begging Trump to help us send some lawyers. To watch over these things and make all of them. Absolutely.

Look at the ballots. I'd be doing something. Absolutely. All right, Joe Messina. By the way, as you and I were chatting here, sure enough, Costco does have, you can go to their website, and they've got caskets going for about $1,300, almost $1,400.

There's one that looks nice. The Lord's Prayer Casket looks nice, and they have the Hampton Inn, no, the Hampton casket. I think the Hampton casket gets free breakfast in a bathroom and all that? How does that work? Yeah.

So anyway. But yeah, no exotic designs like the guy from Ohio. All right, Joe Messina, good to see you, my friend. YouTube, Todd. Stay healthy.

God bless. God bless. Jeez Lou. 901-260-5926 is our telephone number. That's 901-260-5926.

Hang tight. It is Open Line Friday going right to the phones, but we have to take a break. We'll be right back. All right, coming up, we're going to be checking in with Jason Raypert, who is the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, meeting at Liberty University. I was supposed to be, I was supposed to be emceeing that entire event.

This weekend, I was supposed to be at the National Talkers Convention in New York, but the cardiologist has me grounded right now. Anyway, what are you going to do? Coming up at the next hour, though, we're going to take you to the trial of Carmelo Anthony. He's the black guy who stabbed a white teenager. This all happened at a track and field meet in Texas.

And you've got some pretty horrible things.

Well, I just want you to hear what they're having to deal with. A lot of these blacks are out in front of the courthouse, and let's play Cut 40 for folks. Crackers. Dead crackers. Always good drugs of the air trap.

Only good cracker is a dick. Right outcracker. Only good practice is a bad practice. A good cracker is a good cracker. All right, enough of that.

Enough of that. We're salty Americans, sir. You disgusting piece of excrement. Anyway. Let's go to the phones.

901-260-5926. Let's say hello to Lamar in Gainesville, Georgia. Lamar, I understand you want to talk about the Oscar Meyer Wiener race. What's going on? I was just wondering if you had seen it.

I know that I heard you talking about the wiener mobile. No. What so yeah, Lamar, a couple of months ago, we had the Oskarmeyer Wiener Mobile come into town. We sent Ian the intern to go down to observe it. He said the wiener is much larger in person.

Yes, sir. Yeah. Wow, so you've seen it. I watched uh NASCAR rate does week. That two weeks ago.

And As it come on, they had the Oscar Meyer Wiener. Right at Indianapolis, Indiana. And I just I didn't know if you'd seen that. And if you hadn't I was going to have one of your efforts and look it up before you'll see a good write.

Well, you know what, Lamar, thank you for that. I did not catch the race. I wish I would have known about it. I would have been all over that.

Well, you need to look at it and check it out. They'll uh Now get a kick out of UFA. All right, Lamar, thank you for that. And that's really thoughtful that you remembered us talking about the Oskarmeier Wiener Mobile. Look, you can't help but not like the Oskarmeier Wiener Mobile, right?

It makes you smile driving down the road and all of a sudden you see a great big wiener past you. I mean, come on, man. That's America. Night is true. It's true, he was not lying.

It's a bunch of Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobiles racing like a NASCAR race, like the Indianapolis 500. How many of the are there a lot of no? I believe him. I had seen a report or something, and so they're literally Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobiles. It looks like at least 12 of them all line up and they actually race.

I had no idea this was a thing. Was there a winner? A wiener? Probably. It was a wiener, for sure.

There's probably a winner. I don't know. No, no, no. Hold on, just well, just think about this for a moment, though. I mean, what happens?

Do we know if the race was fixed? I mean, what happens if one of the wiener mobiles is actually a foot long? You know? I mean, you have the bun-length wieners, and then you have the foot-long wieners. I think they're all the same.

I think it was fair game here. And then the red hots. Yeah. Let's go. I'm not sure wha why are we laughing?

Because it's funny. Would you be Would you be buried in an Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile? I would, yeah, for sure. I mean, that's the, yeah. I wouldn't mind.

Or like a themed casket. Like, it doesn't have to be the actual thing. You know, I've got it.

So back in the day, back in the day, we used to have, when you go to McDonald's, you would get like a styrofoam. Your Big Mac would come in a big styrofoam box. What if you can be buried in like a McDonald's Big Mac box?

Sounds delightful. Would you do that? I don't know. I don't know. It's I I mean I get it.

You know, it's a celebration, you know, but still you've got to have some formality about it. You're you know, you're kicking the bucket for crying out loud. I guess. I don't really care. I don't care what they do because I'm not going to be alive.

You're not going to be there. You're not going to that you don't so so you're you're not going to care if your hair's not done, your makeup. No, my hair is never done when I'm alive, so I don't know why I would care when I'm dead. All right, gotta take a break here, folks. It is Open Live Friday.

We're getting to your calls. Hang tight. 901260-5926 is our telephone number. That's 9012-60-5926. This is the Todd Strange.

Live from the Liberty University Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, it's America's conservative blowtorch. That's us! That's Right. Yeah. I love This American Feel right.

Time. Stars. Oh, yeah.

Well, hello, everybody. Welcome to hour three of the big show. Great to have you with us today. It is Open Line Friday here on the Todd Stearns Radio program. That means you can call in and you can really talk about whatever is on your mind.

So our telephone number, write this down, 901-260-5926. Again, that number, 901-260-5926. We're going to be getting to your calls momentarily.

Well, I told you that my cardiologist grounded me, so I haven't been able to do a lot of events. And we've had to cancel like five or six events, and there's really nothing we can do about it. Because the only thing worse than getting sick at you know, you're out of town and you get a little under the weather, the only thing worse than that is like keeling over in the middle of a speech, and nobody wants to have to drag a dead body off the stage. That's just kind of a Debbie Downer. You know what I mean, Dylan?

Yeah, yeah, I can imagine. Yeah, that wouldn't be good. Yeah, it's never good.

So anyway, this weekend I was supposed to be emceeing the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, of which I am proud to be a part of. And they're having their big, big meeting at Liberty University right now. And I want to go right away to the Patriot Mobile Newsmaker line, say hello to my good friend. He is the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, Jason Raypert. Jason, hope you're doing good, and hope you guys are doing well there at Liberty University.

Well, we're doing great, but we would be doing better if you were actually here. I've heard that actually. No, I'm just kidding. No, Jason, I wish I was I was there and I just hate that I missed it, but I understand you guys are just really having an incredible couple of days of meetings.

Well, it is. And as I say, we really wish you were here. We're praying for you, Todd, and so grateful that God is restoring you to health. And I guess you could say I'm in Studio B of the Liberty University programming here for you today. I'm literally in one of the workrooms because there's so much activity going on that we couldn't hear out there.

But we actually have another record crowd. This is the 11th national in-person gathering of the NACLs in six years. And last night we had Attorney General Tim Griffin of Arkansas spoke to us and did a wonderful job receiving an award. And then really a man's man, a legendary military leader in our nation, General Boykin, received a lifetime leadership award. And I could go on and on.

We had the governor of Samaria, Yossi Degan. And today already, a really exciting part of this proceedings today is that Ambassador Sam Brownback and John Ashcroft, former U.S. Attorney General, have announced the Brownback Ashcroft Fellowship to really get into building men and women who cannot be destroyed. And this is a actually, you can go online to ChristianLawmakers.com if you're an elected official and apply for this programming that is going to go on for the next year. And so they are in the midst right now, as you know how these work, they are in the midst of policy.

So they're discussing model policies, whether that is dealing with the abortion pill issue right now. There are also updates on the Ten Commandments. And, Todd, I got to tell you. I love this. I sponsored that Arkansas monument in 2015.

I literally just helped. Two counties in the state of Texas put up brand new Ten Commandments monuments in Rockwall County, Texas, and Tarrant County, Texas. And tonight, Senator Ted Cruz is here in person. And I'm just jumping, wanting to tell you some more things. But Senator Cruz is going to be here in what will probably be a tough for us to see to everybody because it is a sold-out crowd here.

People from 40 states, nearly 100 current, we got 72 current elected officials. When you count the former, we're nearly 100 former and current together. And it really is awesome to see what these men and women have been able to do standing up for God and country. Ambassador Brownback said today that he believes what the NACL is doing is important to saving not only the United States, but the entire Western civilization. And Todd, you'd be so proud.

We have invitations to come, literally, to do so many interesting things. We literally have the Israeli government authority has invited us. Put a Life of Jesus program right on the Sea of Galilee, next to the Jesus boat exhibit that you've seen. They're inviting us to tell the story of Jesus in the Sea of Galilee.

Now, who would have thought of that 20 years ago? In addition to that, Todd, we're about to go to Europe because Europe has asked us to help them save their civilization as well.

So God's doing great things, not only the United States, and just like Matthew 28, we're to go out and disciple nations. And so we're happy to be doing that. Jason, I've got a lot of questions, so we'll try to scoot through these in the very little time we have together. And again, Jason Raypert is the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers. And Jason, you know, first of all, you know, there may be a lot of Christian lawmakers out there who are not members.

How can they join? And give us a little bit of background about what you guys are doing this weekend at Liberty University.

So, you can become a member very, very easily. And I also have the question, Todd: not only lawmakers, but somebody says, Hey, I want to support what you're doing. You could literally go out to ChristianLawmakers.com and there is a member page. And you could simply choose whether you're a current elected official or a former elected official. And those members serve in what we call the National Legislative Council.

They have eight standing committees. They're covering life issues this week. They're covering human trafficking issues here this week. They're covering some educational school choice type issues here this week. You'll find people that's talking about standing up for the Second Amendment, et cetera, et cetera.

And they create model policy to run back in their home states to try to make a difference. And actually, on that website, there is a model policy page there where you can go learn about the different models that we've sponsored over the last six years and actually take that and give it to Legislator says, We want to see you run this bill to try to do this in our state. And so, in terms of how to become a member, they go on the website. In terms of what we're doing, it literally runs the gamut from A to Z into the policy issues. And really, why?

It's because we want these lawmakers to address the most important issues facing the country from a biblical world view, because without God, America does not exist. And we need to resurrect in this America 250 that we're celebrating this year, those fundamental founding principles. And many say that NACL is absolutely a part of what we believe will be saving the nation.

Well, again, I think it goes back to a fundamental truth that the state legislatures are so vitally important to a lot of these issues, especially on issues regarding abortion because of the Supreme Court rulings. A lot of things moving back to the state. If the Department of Education is ever abolished, a lot of those responsibilities are going to go back to the states as well, which is why it's so vitally important that we have Christian lawmakers in our state houses in all 50 states. Absolutely. Well, you know, it was the colonies, the states, that actually created what we now have in this federal system that we have.

We started with the Articles of Confederation originally, as we all know, and later they adopted the U.S. Constitution. And this idea of federalism is inherent. You know, the Tenth Amendment says that all powers that aren't delegated to the federal government remain with the states. And what a lot of policymakers know, and this is why the NACO keeps growing leaps and bounds.

Washington hardly gets anything done. I've seen you talk about this, Todd. I'm with you on this. They literally, even when we have majorities many times, they fail to get things done. But in the States, the States are where it's at, where you want to save life.

The states are where it's at when you're looking for school choice and education opportunities, and so it's important that the 7,383 state legislators in America Absolutely are grounded and rooted in truth. And we believe that the foundation should be biblical truth. And let me say this: and the states are also responsible for making sure that we have secure elections. And I know here in Tennessee, we have a supermajority of Republicans in our legislature, and we have to show ID every time we show up to vote. Again, to your point, there is a major role for state legislatures to play in what's happening in our towns and our communities.

Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, since you mentioned Tennessee, State Representative Chris Todd is our state chair for the great state of Tennessee, and he's here in person working on these issues. He actually received last night one of our inaugural America Israel Leadership Awards for his sincere work in that regard. And we want to thank Chris Todd for his leadership in that state.

And so, what we have seen is that over the last six years, people have come here. because they like dealing with a legislative led entity. You know, Todd, you've been to a lot of chicken dinners, right? And people get up and claim a lot of responsibility for all these things they've done. What you love about NACL?

The men and women that are literally on the front line. Proposing bills and passing the bills. They lead the programming here. And so you're literally rubbing shoulders with folks that are out there on the front line. And I'm so proud of what they've done.

I'm very glad that the Lord gave us this vision and has now brought it to fruition. Jason, we're going to have to leave it there. I know you've been very busy, and we appreciate you carving out just a few minutes to visit with us here on the National Radio Show. And folks, if you would like information on becoming a member, joining the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, go to ChristianLawmakers.com. I have endorsed this organization, this group, 100%.

I'm proud to be a member, and you need to go and check out the great work they're doing, ChristianLawmakers.com.

So, Jason, here's the problem. The problem is you hold these meetings in some really great areas that have great food. For example, College of the Ozarks.

So unfortunately, you're going to have to make sure there's something grilled and green the next time I'm there, my friend.

Well, we will do that. And, you know, they've been getting after me too, Todd. And I want to tell you, as a friend, what you've shared about your health experience, I'm paying close attention. You know what? We've got to stay healthy to finish the race.

And you and I run pretty hard. And so I'm so grateful that God is taking care of this. And I look forward to seeing you at the next opportunity. All right. Jason Raypert, everybody, founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers here on the program.

And they're doing some really, really great work. All right. Here's what we're going to do: the rest of the show, your phone calls.

So, a number of people already waiting on deck to chime in, and you can as well. Our telephone number: 901-260-5926. That's 901-260-5926.

This is Open Line Friday on the Todd Stern Show. All right, welcome back, everybody. This is the Todd Stearns Radio Show. Great to have you with us and want to say hello to all of our great viewers as well. We broadcast the show.

You can actually watch our guests as well as listen to them on our Facebook, YouTube, and Rumble channels.

So we'd love to see all of you folks weighing in on those comments. By the way, Greg writing in now on our reading from our YouTube channel: Republicans will not vote. To not seat California reps talking about something Charles had said earlier in the show, one of our callers from North Carolina, they're just too weak. And it's true. They are just too weak.

So, all right. Let's go to the phones and we will say hello to let's try Mike in Clear Lake City, Texas, Patriot Talk 920. Mike, what's on your mind today? Oh, hello, hello.

Well I don't want to see any more Republicans go before the cameras and complain about a two tier justice system. not after John Bolt and all what he's done instead, just getting a slap on the wrist. or the California elections with Jon Thune not getting the Save Act passed. Or The Epstein files when the redacted versions that were released under Trump spent twenty years as FBI evidence that was used against no one. The Republican Party is about as useful as tits on a bull.

Yes, sir. We're not dumping that. You're allowed to say that because bulls do have those.

Well, they don't have those parts. But I get your point there, Mike, and you're right. Look, this is a big problem. And the reality is the Republicans do not have the man parts necessary to do what needs to be done. I will say this, and this is a bit of news coming in from California, where a U.S.

attorney, an assistant U.S. attorney, now inside a ballot processing center, they are announcing multiple, get this, multiple federal investigations into voter fraud in California.

Well, good. Let's get right to it. Mike, thank you for that call. Let's go to John in Pendleton, Oregon. John, what's on your mind today?

Oh, good afternoon, my friend. Love your show. Thank you. I appreciate that, John. Hey, you were talking yesterday about.

the federal government does that about how we may lose the House and the Senate, which I don't see any reason why we why we wouldn't now at this point. But um It was interesting, I was listening to Lars Larson a couple about a week ago. And he looked in, you can look online, you can look in into the amount of days they have left available to work between now and November. And I don't know how they get this, but they're only going to be in session for forty five days. for the next five, six months.

They're going to be on vacation. You've got October coming, which they'll all be out pushing their. Constituents for a re-election. You've got the 4th of July break, you've got summer break, all of August, they're gone. And then you have they come back for a couple of weeks in September and they're gone from that point on for the election.

There's not enough time to do what they need to get done. I just don't see us winning. this next election. And boy. pray for our country because The first thing they're going to do if they get power back is they're going to impeach Trump.

No doubt about it. That'll be day one, John. Day one. You know, it's interesting. We did run those numbers 165 days a year.

That's how many days members of Congress allegedly work. 165 days a year. But, John, here's the problem. All right, I can understand if the Senate's going to be in recess, but the reality is John Thun is not putting the Senate in recess, which prevents President Trump from making any recess appointments.

So they are, the Republicans are deliberately sabotaging President Trump. That's a huge problem. Absolutely agree. I think Thun has no business being in that position. And of course, neither did McConnell, but I don't understand why Ted Cruz.

Have you had Ted Cruz on your show lately? We haven't had him on lately, but Cruz is just sort of, you know, he talks the big talk, but he has not come out to condemn Jon Thuna. The only person who's condemned these folks is Tommy Tuberville. That's it. Yeah, I don't I don't get it because Ted Cruz is usually a bully when it comes to it.

I mean, when it comes to doing the fight, he's not afraid at all, putting his foot down. But like you said, yeah I haven't heard much of him talk about it either. Nobody yeah, same with Mike Lee. No excuse. No.

No, not at not at all. John, hey, we appreciate you calling in, and you give us a holler back. Lars Larson is a good buddy of mine, and we love Lars. He's good people. I know he's right in the thick of things there in the great in the great Pacific Northwest.

Yes, he is. All right, John, thank you for that call. 901-260-5926, our telephone. And we're going to take a quick break here, folks. We're going to get right back to your calls for the next half hour.

So if you want to weigh in, now is the time to call 901-260-5926. Also, now is the time to head over to Amazon and pre-order a copy of The Golden Age: How Trump Saved America. You can pre-order at Amazon, Barnes Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart, wherever you want to get your books. You can actually order online right now. The Golden Age.

How Trump Saved America. We'll be right back, everybody. Dylan, are you still on the Costco website? Uh yeah, I'm perusing right now. What are you perusing?

Well, you know, we talked about the fact that they actually do carry caskets on their website.

So now I'm just, you know, purely interested in what they have to offer. Find anything that catches your eye?

Well, you know. I guess so, you could say. I mean, they could work on the names a little bit better. They have the mother's casket and the president casket. They don't have anything like.

The board ops casket or the producer casket. Like, they need to. That's unfortunate. They have some reviews on the caskets, which I was surprised by, but mostly positive. Oh, by the way, do you know?

I'm changing the topic. You know what's happening this way? This is like the big pride weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. You can't escape the marketing that's going on right now. It's unbelievable.

This is one of the weird, by the way, the Episcopal Diocese of Memphis, of West Tennessee, they're decorating all their Episcopal churches with rainbow colors. And they have a huge sign out in front of the Episcopal diocese. And it's the colors of the rainbow. And here's what the Episcopali, I'm just going to do my best to read this, if that's all right. This is what the Episcopalians in Memphis are saying: God made you fabulous.

Just fabulous! In all camps, by the way. Fabulous! Uh oh. Uh It's the Episcopalians.

Is that the same as in his own image, or is that uh That's different. We're made in RuPaul's image. Go curl.

So, um, this is the one time out of the year in Memphis where people are no longer smoking pork butts, they're spanking the pork butts.

So. Just be careful if you're down on Beale Street. Yes, please. Just be careful.

Okay, let's go to the phones. 901-260-5926. John in Dawsonville, Georgia, listening to us on WDUN. Hi, John. What's on your mind today?

Todd, this is your old friend and dietary advisor, John, from Dawsonville. John, how are you, sir? I'm good. Before I get to my point, I got to tell Dylan two movies he's got to watch, Clint Eastwood movies. He needs to watch every which way but lose, And if he's going to watch any of the Westerns, he's got to watch the outlaw Josie Wales.

Oh, that's a good one. That's a good one. That's his best question, I think.

Now, help me. Is the Clinice would the Every Which Way But Loose? Was that the one with the orangutan or the monkey or something? Right, and it's got action, it's got comedy, it's really good. I think he'd really enjoy it.

Yeah, I was you know, that's right, the orangutan. That's I forgot about that. Yeah, so um Clenny Sw I'm wondering, is that the movie that led to there was a T V series called BJ and the Bear, if you remember that back in the day. I remember that. I don't think that that.

Maybe not. All right, I'm getting off on a tangent now. My apologies. John, excellent choices. And again, it just shows you the range of talent that Clinice Wood has.

Anyway, acting with oregotans. My my main point, Todd, was Um I've always voted. I'm going to vote next week in the runoff elections here in Georgia. I'm going to vote in November. But if they don't pass the SAVE Act, After November, I'm done.

I'm not even I'm seventy years old, I'm not even going to bother voting anymore. It's just It's gotten so ridiculous that I'm just disgusted. John, I am very sympathetic. I am not trying to talk you out of anything. And I'm with you.

I will be voting in November. I will do my part. Uh but this Save America Act is It's this is the hill to die on for Republicans. I believe it is because If they don't pass that, make it law. Then we're done for.

We might as well. you know, there might as not well not even be a Republican Party.

Well, when you see what's happening in California right now, I mean, this is why we need something like the Save America Act. We have got to get a handle on this. There is absolutely no reason why they can't be counting all of those ballots in one night. They do it in India. They've got 640 million people.

California, 40 million people.

Well, like you say. Everyone knows why it takes them so long. Oh, yeah.

'Cause they're trying to manipulate the votes. I mean Anybody with a brain knows that.

Well, exactly. Yeah. Exactly. Look, it's like John it's like, you know, ev nobody wants to address the issue. It's like, you know, you're in church and you've got that you've got the one nephew that has the track lighting.

Everybody knows, but nobody wants to talk about it. Everybody knows. John, thank you for the call. Mm-hmm. If you've seen the movie Steal Magnolia, you know what I'm talking about.

So I think all the ladies of the Todd Starnes listening show audience got that. If not, you can Google it. I'm going to play some audio here. This is CNN, Harry Enton. He's the guy that just guzzles Red Bull before every TV appearance.

Cut 41, please. Chief data analyst Harry Etten. Iowa, one of the things we know about Iowa, farm country, pretty rural. Field of dreams. How do rural voters feel about the president?

Yeah, you know, Iowa has been traditionally a field of dreams for the president of the United States, but it's quickly turning into potentially a field of nightmares. There seems to be a rural revolt going on in this country against Donald Trump. Take a look here. Rural voters on Trump. Look, according to Fox News, he was easily winning them back in October of 2024 versus Kamala Harris.

18 points ahead. The exit poll even had it a bigger margin. But look at where he is now. Woo! Down there, underwater, underneath the cornfields.

He's now 14 points underwater. That's an over 30-point switcheroo against the president of the United States. As I said, there appears to be a rural vote going against Donald Trump. What could one of those reasons be? You know, one of the big reasons that there seems to be a rural vote against Donald Trump, simply put, it's the economy.

It's inflation. Take a look at this. You thought that that switcheroo was big. How about this one? Rural voters on Trump and inflation versus Kamala Harris.

He was more trusted by 37 points.

Now he is 19 points underwater with rural voters on inflation. That is an over 50-point switcheroo against the president of the United States. Rural voters, like the rest of the country, turning against Trump on the key issue that got him elected to a second term back in 2024. He's underwater. He's underwater.

The rules. The rules, people. You know, Dylan, all honesty, when I lived in New York City, this is the honest to goodness truth. In New York City, everybody thinks that the land west of the Hudson River, all right, is a vast wilderness. That that has no electricity.

The people don't wear shoes. Yeah. That's what they think about us. Yeah, well. If you stay there long enough, I'm sure that's what you'll that's what you'll get.

You just have to come down here. They're not wrong. I mean, if you go to Alabama or something, there are certain parts of the world. Just kidding. We love Alabama, except Dairy Football season.

Let's go to the phone lines: 901-260-5926. Let's say hello to Mike in Memphis, Tennessee, listening to us on KWAM. Hi, Mike. What's on your mind? A lot of things.

I got an audible kid taken for my main issue.

Okay, I think we've got a bad phone connection here with Mike. Mike, you might want to call us back here. We'll get that worked out. Let's go to Wayne in Newburn, North Carolina. Wayne, what's on your mind?

Yeah. Well, um your last Um Wayne, do me a favor. Can you do me a favor? Are you on a speaker phone by any chance? Yeah.

All right, if you could just pick up that phone so we'll be able to hear you loud and clear. Are we okay now? You're great. Go ahead.

Okay. Your last colour on all that information on the economy. That actually fits in good because that's what I was calling. Um I have a problem lately with Why Uh Yeah, you know, Republicans And our leaders cannot defend our economy. And we take these hits from the Democrats in telling us how this is the worst economy, this is this, this is that.

And there's a Um people There's a fact that says that people In the uh media and social platforms what they share seventeen times what they share is negative vice Positive. And so what I want to do is just kind of Go through a little positive. And wish that this would be expanded and get out to more people Because Right. With all the three major indexes, the Dow, the NASDAQ, and the SP. Oh.

I actually wrote down when Trump took office I wrote down those numbers the Friday before he was inaugurated. I wrote down those numbers. And I've tracked them ever since. And from the Dow standpoint, As of yesterday. It was up 18.6%.

Now this is in 16 months. The NASDAQ was up thirty six point seven percent, And the S and P was up twenty six point five percent in sixteen months And these are never, you know, they're never repeated. I called you a while back, and there was, and we talked a little bit about the panic that sent in. About when the market went down ten percent. And everybody was screaming And About their retirement funds were down this much and that much.

You know, there's things that we see, we can observe, clues that are left. That's one of them. We aren't fearing any of that anymore. As far as the economy, we don't Well, let me jump in. First of all, I remember when the stock market was all over the place, and our advice that we give every time something like that happens is pretty much the same: don't do anything.

Just leave everything be because the stock market works these things out. I mean, that's the way that goes.

However, and you're right, I mean, the stock market is doing great. The jobs numbers today were tremendous. But, Wayne, there is a difference between how things are going on Wall Street compared to how things are going on Main Street, which is really the economy of the mom-and-pop stores and middle-class America. And right now, People are struggling, and a lot of that has to do with what's happening with the war, the high gas prices. Prices are still high at the supermarket, and those are the issues that are concerning people.

Not so much Wall Street, it's just the average, you know, what's happening in their own communities. Can I disagree with you on that? Yeah, go ahead.

Okay, there is, and I've checked this out before, There is over 60 some percent. Of Americans that are somehow involved in the stock market in some way. Right, but it's not everyday. I'm talking about everyday living. I'm okay, I'm with you on there, but I've still got some disagreements and stuff like this.

The other thing is We talked about the gas height gas prices being higher. But we have had this year record-breaking forty-five million Americans. travel during Memorial Day. 3.66 million or more by air. people have money.

We go to the food prices, they're high. Yet we've got tons of people overweight and obese. You know? Democrats could complain about all of this. But they can't even imagine manage their own state.

And if they could control their fraud and their policies. All residents would be better off. All right. So, Wayne, I've given you four minutes and 45 seconds, which is about the amount of time I would give a sitting member of Congress. And again, I go back to this issue.

There is a difference here between Wall Street and what's happening on Main Street, two different issues.

Now, the reality is that I think when people call in and they talk on this radio program, they do talk about the gas prices. They do talk about the fact that their kids are not able to get into their first starter home. I mean, those are legitimate issues. And even the White House has been talking about affordability issues. Speaker Mike Johnson talked about affordability issues.

So it is an issue. But one that's not insurmountable. We've just got to figure it all out. And that sort of language needs to be coming out of the White House. Got to run.

Wayne, thank you for the call. I think we've got Mike back on. All right, Mike, what's on your mind? Greetings, Todd. I just real quick, I wanted to reemphasize that when President Trump classified the number of people dying and injured in the Middle East, and then You know, doubled down with his, you know, barring his executive order, barring employees from releasing that.

There was a thing in Millington called the Bureau of Personnel. Anytime someone dies in the military, There's a lot of notifications that go out that are not classified. And the numbers are uh getting near a thousand that include deaths and injuries. And they're releasing information now. It's gone all over the country.

People are being deployed. They're getting notices of preparation for deployment to the Middle East. And this could be turned around instantly. Shut the operation down. the straight will open itself.

The gas prices will drop. And he will get credit, and things will go back to normal. But the Greater Israel Project. Is going to be his Achilles heel that's going to destroy his whole where are you getting your numbers here? Because the official totals are 13 U.S.

service members have died in the Iran in Operation Epic Fury. Where are you getting the thousand from? That's including is about eight hundred I'm sorry. sevens it's in the seven hundreds that are actually dead and the rest are Listed as injured, but to the Bureau of Personnel in Millington, Tennessee, right up the road, there's people that work there and they live locally and they send out the notices of people that die. When they die, their family gets a notification and it comes out of that office.

So, why isn't this in the national news? I mean, 700 people have died. Again, the official number is 13 U.S. service members. Um where are the plane I mean, where's if if if that many people were dying, there would be flights coming back, there would be ceremonies uh to receive the remains of the and I haven't seen any of that on the news.

It's not on the news because it's classified.

So all the d so you're telling me that hundreds and hundreds of people have been killed, American service members, and nobody's allowed to know about it, not even, I guess, their family members, because it's classified. Oh no, the family members know about it. They're getting the notice at that point. They're getting the notice. All right, where's your evidence of that, though?

Seriously, where is your evidence? I mean, this is a shocking thing if it's true. Again, I'm just trying to find out where we're getting this information from. The Bureau of Personnel in Millington, Tennessee. Have you physically been there and you have seen all 700-800 names and the fact that they were killed in action in Iran?

Well, I can't say. I have sources, but if you give me an email, I'll send you a sentence Facebook information. All right. Well, we'll look at we'll look into it. But again, the official numbers Are 13.

I mean, that's what we're working on. And look, this administration has been pretty open and transparent about everything.

So, again, if there are 800 dead service members, I would like to think we would know that information. Mike, I've got a run here. We are super late for a break. 901-260-5926. This is the Todd Stern Show.

All right. Dylan, apparently we have some angry customers, callers. Look, here's the deal: we need you to get to your point. And it's not that we're cutting you off. I mean, we have to take hard breaks on the program.

And again, even with our lawmakers, we don't keep them on the phone for more than five minutes. This is true. We are on a tight ship here. We do. Otherwise, people, so we just encourage folks to get to your point.

You know, people are now feeling disrespected. They're not going to go, okay, well, I'm sorry you feel disrespected, but get to your point. This isn't a podcast with one person. Exactly. Several people.

Yeah. It's a front porch. And we want to try to get as many callers in as possible, and we're not able to do that.

So. Don't be a glory hog. Yeah. I'm just saying, it is what it is. All right.

Speaking of it, is what it is. It is the end of the show for today. We're going to be back at it on Monday. Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a great broadcast week. If you missed any of the episodes, go back and listen to our podcast.

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