Open Borders Threaten National Security and Economic Stability

On January 8, 2024, Brian Joondeph and Kurt Gerwitz joined the show. Argues open borders combined with welfare state policies are incompatible and pose existential threats to national security, citing unvetted military-age men crossing by hundreds of thousands monthly Connects lessons from the Battle of New Orleans to modern fiscal challenges, warning that national debt exceeding GDP requires adult leadership to address.

The Incompatibility of Open Borders and the Welfare State

Start listening at 32:23 – Hour 1

Dr. Brian Joondeph sounds the alarm on the national security catastrophe unfolding at America’s southern border. With 300,000 to 400,000 migrants crossing monthly, the United States imports a city the size of Los Angeles every year. Sanctuary cities like Denver, which proudly proclaimed their status, now find themselves overwhelmed by the very policies they championed.

Joondeph details the public health risks accompanying unvetted migration, noting tuberculosis cases rising in Denver and other major cities. Unlike American travelers who faced COVID testing requirements, hundreds of thousands cross without medical screening. The columnist emphasizes that most migrants are military-age men, raising concerns about potential infiltration by hostile foreign actors.

The discussion exposes the hypocrisy of political elites who exempt themselves from rules imposed on ordinary citizens. Joondeph points to congressional insider trading, noting Nancy Pelosi’s portfolio achieved 60% returns while such activity would land regular Americans in prison.

“The idea of an open border and a welfare state are incompatible and will destroy the country.”

Dr. Brian Joondeph, American Thinker columnist

Battle of New Orleans and the Price of Eternal Vigilance

Start listening at 69:51 – Hour 2

Kurt Gerwitz, finance professor at Regis University, reflects on the 209th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans and its relevance to modern America. The British underestimated the Mississippi River’s current, delaying a flanking maneuver that could have changed history. Had Britain won, they might not have recognized the Louisiana Purchase, fundamentally altering America’s western expansion.

Gerwitz draws parallels between Andrew Jackson’s unifying leadership and the divisiveness plaguing contemporary politics. Jackson’s famous toast “to the Union” at his inauguration postponed the Civil War by 50 years. The professor argues America desperately needs leaders who can unite citizens around shared principles rather than exploit divisions for political advantage.

The conversation turns to America’s fiscal crisis, with national debt exceeding $30 trillion. Gerwitz warns that interest payments now surpass military spending, meaning Americans pay for past decisions of questionable value. He calls for adults in the room willing to address entitlement spending before inflation destroys the purchasing power of everyday citizens.

“We are currently, as I speak to you right now, we are spending more on interest than we are on the military.”

Kurt Gerwitz, Finance Professor, Regis University