Culture Wars, Food Production, and the Shift in Republican Voter Priorities

On October 4, 2023, Kim Monson examines the seismic shift in Republican voter priorities with Tristan Justice of The Federalist analyzing how culture war issues now outrank economic concerns, while sixth-generation farmer Trent Loos warns that Colorado’s pending wolf reintroduction threatens both livestock and the nation’s food supply. The broadcast also features Longmont City Council candidate Gary Hodges challenging wasteful RTD spending and mortgage expert Lorne Levy explaining reverse mortgage options for retirees.

Republican Voters Shift Priorities to Culture War Issues

Start listening at 27:50 – Hour 1

Tristan Justice, Western correspondent for The Federalist and author of Social Justice Redo, discusses a revealing survey from the conservative nonprofit American Compass. The survey of approximately 1,000 Republican midterm voters found that cultural issues now overwhelmingly top the priority list for conservative voters, representing a fundamental departure from the party’s traditional focus on taxes, deregulation, and globalization.

Justice argues that Republican consultants have lost touch with where the country stands on issues like transgenderism in schools and parental rights. He points to Glenn Youngkin’s 2021 victory in Virginia as proof that running on culture issues and parental rights can win elections, even in blue states. The Federalist correspondent notes that polling shows social conservatism at an all-time high since 2012, suggesting the cultural pendulum is swinging back toward the right.

The discussion turns to Colorado politics, where Justice criticizes the consultant class for advising candidates to stay moderate on cultural issues. He argues this strategy backfired spectacularly in 2022, when the Republican Senate candidate alienated the base by attacking Trump just before mail-in ballots went out. Justice also addresses abortion politics, arguing Republicans should go on offense rather than defense after the Dobbs decision, noting that Democrats have shifted to supporting unrestricted abortion up until birth while most Americans support reasonable restrictions.

“Culture issues were overwhelmingly the top priority for conservative Republican voters. And so it represents a remarkable shift from where we were even just 10 years ago when the Republican Party still prioritized things like taxes, deregulation, globalization.”

– Tristan Justice, Western Correspondent, The Federalist

Wolf Reintroduction Threatens Colorado Ranching and Food Security

Start listening at 71:07 – Hour 2

Trent Loos, a sixth-generation farmer and rancher, returns to discuss the imminent reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado, scheduled to occur within 30 days of the broadcast. Loos draws parallels to California’s chicken cage requirements, arguing both represent attacks on food production disguised as animal welfare measures. He explains that wolves create constant stress for cattle, which compromises their immune systems and reduces food production efficiency.

The rancher notes that Montana ranchers dealing with wolves report the problem extends far beyond direct kills. The constant state of fear keeps cattle from gaining weight and reproducing effectively. Loos connects this to a broader anti-human agenda, pointing out that the wolf ballot initiative passed because urban voters in Denver and Boulder imposed it on rural communities west of the Continental Divide who will bear the actual consequences.

Loos expands the discussion to include Oregon’s Initiative IP3, which would prohibit consuming any animal until it dies naturally, and a narrowly defeated Colorado initiative that would have criminalized normal animal husbandry practices including artificial insemination. He argues these efforts represent a coordinated attack on animal agriculture and food security, ultimately devaluing human life by placing animal welfare above human needs. The segment concludes with a warning about complacency, urging listeners to engage in educating others about the consequences of these policies.

“This is worshiping the creation instead of the creator. The creator gave us a cycle of life, and that’s where we grow plants. Animals eat the plants. We eat the animals.”

– Trent Loos, Sixth-Generation Farmer and Rancher

Reverse Mortgages as Retirement Planning Tools

Start listening at 63:19 – Hour 2

Mortgage expert Lorne Levy of Polygon Financial Group discusses how rising interest rates are making reverse mortgages increasingly attractive for homeowners 62 and older. With conventional mortgage rates potentially headed toward 8%, Levy explains that reverse mortgages can eliminate monthly payments and free up cash flow for retirement. He notes that the products are heavily regulated by the government and require notification of heirs, making them a legitimate financial planning tool rather than a last resort.

“A reverse mortgage is looking like an option for them, where we could come in and pay off their mortgage. And then that would save them, in their case, a couple thousand a month, which would be the difference between her having to work or not.”

– Lorne Levy, Mortgage Expert, Polygon Financial Group

Longmont Council Candidate Challenges RTD Fast Tracks Tax

Start listening at 16:32 – Hour 1

Gary Hodges, candidate for Longmont City Council Ward 3, discusses his platform centered on removing the 0.4% Fast Tracks tax that Longmont residents have paid since 2004. Hodges notes that residents have contributed over $60 million toward a Northwest commuter rail line that was promised nearly 20 years ago but appears unlikely to ever materialize. He proposes negotiating with RTD for increased bus service and direct airport routes in exchange for ending the tax.

The 25-year Longmont resident also addresses the affordable housing debate, warning that government subsidies create market distortions that trap residents in affordable units while driving up costs for market-rate housing. Hodges argues for bringing diversity of ideas to a city council that currently votes unanimously on most issues.

“And so to date we’ve paid over $60 million for that 0.4% tax for the Fast Tracks train that I don’t think is ever going to come.”

– Gary Hodges, Longmont City Council Candidate