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New Podcast Episode: Tariffs and the Price of Uncertainty The April 4th tariff announcement is shaking up global trade—and pricing strategy. In this episode, I break down how tariffs really work, how they’re calculated, and what they mean for pricing professionals and business leaders alike.
If you're grappling with uncertainty in your su…
Everyone interested in Encounter Ministries and other neo-gnostic charismatic movements needs to follow Father Buffer's research.
excellent discussion of the many complications around most claims of pretty much anything being “the first” of anything
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Went to my first meet-up last night. I expected lots of conversation about old characters, favorite episodes, why everyone likes Katie better than Jesse, etc but people most talked about normal stuff.
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Want Limited Government? Control the Spending! By Fred Birnbaum (12/31/24)
Congress recently funded the federal government for several months and averted a shutdown, but many Republicans, including Chip Roy and Russ Fulcher, opposed this kick the can down the road while adding more pork move.
As U.S. Representative Chip Roy thundered, “I am absolutely sickened by a party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility and has the temerity to go forward to the American people and say you think this is fiscally responsible. It is absolutely ridiculous.”
Author Birnbaum explains that while Idahoans might think the state’s budget is balanced and not growing exponentially, that would be wrong. He says our state spending still grows just as federal spending grows in D.C., and he provides charts showing that state spending has increased more than 50% over the past five years.
So, what solutions does he offer?
Legislative leadership must set state and federal (all funds) spending limits to a 0% increase in all funds appropriations from Fiscal Year 2025 to Fiscal Year 2026.
The plan will require tackling Medicaid’s massive growth and reducing the $551 million Medicaid increase request, for starters.
Continue separating spending into agency maintenance budgets and separate budgets for the enhancements. This improves the process, but spending discipline still is needed.
Set a “hard stop” spending cap, and then decide how to distribute the money across agencies.
Oppose the 22% pay raise for legislators. (Accepting a pay raise will make legislators less likely to restrain state spending because they won’t be leading by example.)
ED NOTE
Citizens also must start demanding fewer services from government and stop looking to the federal government as Idaho's piggy bank.
When citizens insist on LESS government and fewer frills, legislators will have fewer "customers" and (possibly) consider scaling back.
Wishful thinking? Perhaps. But all citizens must be careful what we wish for. Every wish costs MONEY, OUR MONEY!