Macron Sells Out the West to China as Taiwan Tensions Rise

On this Friday, April 14, 2023 broadcast, Kim Monson welcomes China expert Helen Raleigh to analyze French President Macron’s controversial state visit to Beijing and its implications for Western unity on Taiwan. The second hour features the inaugural Open Line Friday with callers discussing Colorado legislation, taxes, and parental rights.

Western Unity Tested as Macron Courts Beijing

Start listening at 34:54 – Hour 1

In this segment, Helen Raleigh, senior contributor at The Federalist and author of Confucius Never Said and Backlash, joins Kim to discuss the fallout from French President Macron’s state visit to China. Raleigh explains how Macron allowed himself to be played by Chinese Communist Party hosts, making comments suggesting Europe should pursue foreign policy autonomy from the United States and avoid becoming a “vassal state” on Taiwan issues.

The timing proved particularly damaging as Macron’s visit coincided with Taiwan’s president visiting the United States. Raleigh notes that even Germany quickly distanced itself from Macron’s comments, clarifying that Europe needs to work closely with America. She expresses concern about the Biden administration’s confusing Taiwan policy, pointing out that President Biden has publicly stated three times that the U.S. would defend Taiwan, only to have his staff walk back those statements each time.

Raleigh emphasizes that Americans need to wake up to the serious domestic and international challenges facing the nation. She observes that China represents a formidable adversary with a massive economy and rapidly expanding military, while the United States struggles with national debt, deteriorating security, and declining patriotism among its citizens.

“I think we as Americans, we really need to wake up. We need to realize that we are at a crucial junction for our nation, as well as for our families, our communities.”

Helen Raleigh, Senior Contributor, The Federalist

Open Line Friday: Taxes, Housing, and Legislative Overreach

Start listening at 57:56 – Hour 2

The second hour launches the inaugural Open Line Friday segment. Former State Senator Kevin Lundberg calls in to discuss the tax burden on American families, estimating that when all taxes are combined, approximately 40% of household income goes to government. He criticizes Colorado’s long bill for growing the budget by nearly 10% while facing recession concerns, and expresses alarm at Senate Bill 213’s centralization of local zoning control at the state level.

Additional callers raise concerns about the homelessness industrial complex, with Johnny from Denver noting that city officials know how to clean up downtown for special events but lack incentive to solve the underlying problem due to the money flowing into homeless services. Nancy from Fort Collins provides an update on HB 23-1003, the school mental health screening bill that allows children 12 and older to opt themselves back into counseling without parental notification. Teacher Jolene from Greeley offers perspective on the challenges educators face while praising parental involvement in rural school districts.