Providence, Elections, and the Fight for Honest Government

On July 30, 2024, Scott Powell, Jason Snead, and Mary Janssen joined the show. Explored George Washington’s documented experiences of divine protection during the French and Indian War and connected these historical precedents to contemporary political events, emphasizing the role of faith and courage in American leadership Exposed the deceptive marketing behind ranked choice voting initiatives, revealing how deep-pocketed special interests are pushing these.

Divine Providence in American Leadership

Start listening at 32:21 – Hour 1

Scott Powell, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and author of Rediscovering America, draws compelling parallels between George Washington’s documented experiences of divine protection and recent events in American politics. Powell recounts the remarkable story of the 22-year-old Washington during the French and Indian War in 1755, when serving under General Braddock in an ambush at the Monongahela Valley. Indian sharpshooters systematically targeted officers on horseback, killing or wounding every British officer except Washington, who had two horses shot from under him and four bullet holes through his coat without a single wound.

Powell emphasizes that Washington acknowledged God’s protection in a letter to his brother, and this experience shaped his extraordinary courage throughout the Revolutionary War. The historian connects this historical precedent to modern political events, suggesting America may be witnessing similar providential intervention. Powell argues that the current turmoil in American politics, including the challenges faced by political leaders and the apparent self-destruction of certain political factions, may reflect a spiritual dynamic at work in the nation.

“And so he had incredible courage that came from the protection of God that he knew deep in his heart. And so this enabled him to have great courage. And, you know, courage is one thing that is infectious. When people see courage, they gain courage.”

Scott Powell, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute

The Threat of Ranked Choice Voting

Start listening at 70:07 – Hour 2

Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project and co-author of The Case Against Ranked Choice Voting, exposes the deceptive marketing behind the push for ranked choice voting in Colorado and across the nation. Snead reveals that deep-pocketed special interests are financing ballot measures in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado, all aimed at fundamentally reshaping how Americans vote.

Snead systematically dismantles the claim that ranked choice voting produces moderate candidates or reduces political polarization. He points to the Boulder, Colorado mayoral election, where a moderate city council member who won a strong plurality in the first round lost to the liberal incumbent after ranked choice redistribution, directly contradicting the system’s supposed benefits. The Honest Elections Project director explains that ranked choice voting actually favors wealthy donors who can fill the power vacuum created when party structures are weakened.

The complexity of ranking up to 85 candidates across 17 races in a typical ballot creates voter exhaustion, Snead warns, effectively doubling voting time and leading many voters to randomly fill bubbles or leave races blank. He notes that Alaska voters are so dissatisfied after just one election cycle that they have placed a repeal measure on November’s ballot.

“Ranked choice voting is simply an idea that has been tried. It has been tested and it has failed to live up to any of its ambitions, any of its promises. Really, all that it has done is make it harder to vote at a time when we want to make it easier to vote.”

Jason Snead, Executive Director, Honest Elections Project

Defending TABOR in Jefferson County

Start listening at 21:10 – Hour 1

Mary Janssen, Colorado Union of Taxpayers board member, former Lakewood city councilor, and co-owner of Janssen Photography, sounds the alarm about Jefferson County’s use of $340,000 in taxpayer money to hire a firm to convince voters to eliminate TABOR protections. Janssen reveals that the consulting contract went to the husband of Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, calling the arrangement “super cozy.”

The longtime patriot explains that Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights protects citizens in three critical ways: requiring voter approval for tax increases, requiring approval for debt, and mandating refunds when revenue exceeds a generous formula of population plus inflation. Janssen emphasizes that Jefferson County is one of the few counties that still maintains these protections, and the current ballot measure would eliminate the refund requirement entirely.

“And people need to realize that Tabor is more than just refunds. It’s a protection for us, we the people.”

Mary Janssen, Colorado Union of Taxpayers Board Member