The Truth Quest Podcast

If you follow the financial markets to any extent you have likely heard the term “negative interest rates.” In this episode, we are going to examine this never-before-in-history phenomenon. We are going to discuss the three ways this ridiculous financial policy manifests itself: on individuals, on bank reserves and on bonds and examine merits of this policy. Hint: It ain't good!

You've likely heard all the critics complaints about Walmart: The company underpays its employees, does not offer employee benefits, squeezes its suppliers which, in turn, kills domestic manufacturing jobs and leads to sweatshop labor in less-developed countries. The list continues: Walmart kills Mom and Pop shops, resists the unionization of their workforce, and destroys rural America. Sounds like a horrible company but what is the truth about Walmart?

What would you say if I told you the federal income tax is unconstitutional? You most likely would say, "How can that be? I thought we have a constitutional amendment that covers the income tax?" In this episode we are going to examine a perspective that you’ve likely never heard before and look at the truth about the federal income tax and the Sixteenth Amendment. You may be surprised to know that the manner in which the federal income tax is levied may not be in compliance with the Sixteenth Amendment nor with Supreme Court opinions on income tax cases.

Most people are aware of inflation. They expect the cost of products and services to go up every year. What these same people may not be aware of is the fact that this perpetual inflation is completely unnecessary. If the United States had a sound money policy, meaning the U.S. Dollar was pegged to gold (on a gold standard) most of the angst around monetary policy, interest rates, the national debt, out of control government spending, inverted yield curve, negative interest rates, and cryptocurrencies would be nothing but noise. In this episode we examine the history of a gold standard. We scrutinize actions taken by FDR, Nixon, the Federal Reserve and their impact on the worldwide economy. The bottom line is, because the gold standard constrains the spending of our overlords in Washington, D.C., they will never willingly revert back to that standard. Unfortunately the United States is in for a rude awakening as other countries have started accumulating gold reserves as a way to diversify away from the U.S. Dollar's reserve currency status.

When I evaluated the wealth tax I found that, besides the fact that they have been proven to be ineffective, ignore the laws of economics, require us to ignore the track record of the federal government and besides the fact that they are immoral and unconstitutional and their implementation would be stupid, short-cited, punitive, impractical, unnecessary, and a violation of privacy, I see no problem with them.

China’s social credit score system has been in the news lately. The more I learned about it, the more I saw its implications in America. Is something like this the future of how all governments control their subjects? Who needs laws and courts and constitutional rights when you can be steered, jeered and cajoled by a social credit score?

Following the two most recent mass shootings, the usual cries of DO SOMETHING have resurfaced as they always do following attacks or a crisis. After the Las Vegas shooting, we heard cries for a ban on bump stocks; today it's calls for red flag legislation. These laws, also known as Gun-Violence Restraining Orders, or Extreme Risk Protection Orders allow family members and mental health professionals to petition a court for an order enabling legal authorities to temporarily remove guns from those who are deemed to be a significant danger to themselves or others. As is often the case with these DO SOMETHING solutions, it sounds good on the surface but what is the truth? Listen to find out.

I don't know about you but sometimes I get tired of discussing all the areas where we disagree politically or on public policy issues. In this episode I attempt to focus on things that most of us agree on such as government spending, right-to-try laws, the surveillance state, sound money, war, tort reform, term limits, the War on Drugs and the War on Poverty. Does it not make sense to first focus on the few things in which we agree and then circle back to the numerous head-butting issues that divide us?

I have to be honest, I am more than a little embarrassed that I felt compelled to publish this episode. How did we get to a place in America where people fall for the “free stuff” chant from politicians? It wasn't long ago that the majority of Americans would have laughed in the face of a politician that offered them something for nothing? Instead we are faced with an entire political party whose most persuasive argument for voting for them is, to some extent or another, to make promises to give voters free stuff. Free healthcare for you! Free college for you! Free abortions! Free eye glasses! Free hearing aids! Free dental coverage! These people are experts at two things: Pandering and spending other people’s money on other people. Buying votes with other people’s money is as low as it gets.

As I record this episode, we are living through the aftermath of two mass shootings – one at a Wal-Mart in El Paso, Texas and one in the entertainment district in Dayton, Ohio. The reaction from the Left is as expected. Blame the NRA, blame rhetoric, blame guns, blame a perceived bias in society, blame everyone and everything except the shooters. The Left has, yet again demonstrated themselves to be political opportunists disguised as compassionate onlookers. Their condemnation discrimination exposes their glaringly obvious double standard as they direct unfounded blame, condemnation and vitriol at their political opponents while ignoring the fact that many of these mass murderers are self-proclaimed liberals, socialists and communists. They ignore mass shootings in Chicago, death and destruction in wars all over the world, and glorify and celebrate the murder of innocent babies in the womb while laying the blame of these mass shootings at the foot of Trump, the NRA and/or anyone who supports the Second Amendment. Finding a solution is not their objective. Their objective is gun confiscation through liberty-limiting restrictions on gun ownership. The best long-term solution is a return of God to the public square. Short of that other solutions include law enforcement stepping up their game, reforming our mental health system, exploring red flag laws and eliminating gun-free zones. We discuss all of this and more in this episode.

Facebook’s recent congressional testimony before the House Financial Services Committee regarding their proposed cryptocurrency, Libra, caught my attention. It got me wondering: where in the Constitution does it grant the federal government the power to regulate a cryptocurrency or a social media platform? The truth is that cryptocurrencies in general and the Libra specifically pose a threat to many entities - central banks, power hungry government officials, and too-big-to-fail banks. In this episode I explain what Libra is and examine the threat posed by it and other cryptocurrencies. Along the way we discuss the benefits of cryptocurrencies, congressional overreach, sound money, central banks and the concept of private money.

I came across an article about a lawsuit brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation against an Ohio middle school over their display of the Ten Commandments, a gift from the Class of 1926. As I read through the FFRF's press release, I grew more and more confused and irritated. Among other things, they applauded "the district for taking action to remedy this violation." That word, "violation" struck my curiosity but it only took two sentences later to find out what they were referring to - the Supreme Court's propensity to find religious displays, such as the Ten Commandments, unconstitutional as violations of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This sent me on a quest for the truth about this anti-intuitive idea of freedom "from" religion.

Recently the Supreme Court issued an opinion regarding the Trump Administration’s effort to put a citizenship question on the 2020 census. We've been told by leading Democrats that the inclusion of the question is an effort to marginalize minorities, scare immigrants and, as Nancy Pelosi said, “making America white again.” But what is the truth (and history) of this question and the census?

Regular listeners know that, on occasion, I go off the beaten path of politics, public policy and Christian apologetics and cover seemingly random topics. This episode falls in that category. I have been watching English Premier League soccer for about four years now. During that time, I found myself intrigued by the colorful language used by the British play-by-play commentators as they described the flow of the game, its players, the fans, penalties, rivalries, and the nuances of the game of soccer. It’s like having a live Thesaurus on your TV! For the last year or so, I watched games while armed with a notebook and a pen documenting all of the creative references. This episode is a compilation of my notes and, where necessary, a translation of what the commentary means. By the way, you do not need to be a soccer fan to enjoy this episode. Everyone will get a kick out of the use of the Queen's English.

In Episode #41, I covered the truth about the gender pay gap and refuted the often-cited statistic that women earn $0.77 on the dollar that men earn for the same work. Suffice it to say, I thought I was done with this topic but over the last month, during the women’s World Cup soccer tournament, we have been inundated with news commentary, articles, and social justice sermons disguised as ESPN Sports Center episodes on earnings disparity in professional soccer. So now I am forced to jump back into the fray and expose another opportunistic faux outrage.

It seems like, in order to be a national Democrat in good standing, you must invoke the battle cry "Trump is keeping immigrant children in cages at the border!" In this episode, we examine the truth of this statement.

It bothers me immensely when politicians and talking heads propose intellectually lazy and dishonest policies that they know will do more harm than good. Then your friends, family and the faceless, and often nameless, folks on social media jump on the bandwagon. Their prescriptions are not based on principles (or so I thought) rather, they appear to be based on party (or group think). I am no longer willing to cut these folks any slack because they can easily spend a few minutes on an Internet search and read multiple sides of any argument or policy. They can easily spend a few minutes trying to determine what the truth is. Why then does this phenomenon exist? Why do those who subscribe to this form of public policy advocacy resort to low-ball tactics when it comes to the treatment of their ideological foes? You know: name-calling, violence, vilification, shutting down the speech of dissenters, mocking, de-platforming, boycotting, and censorship! After much reflection and study, I believe these people are, indeed, principle-driven. That principle is winning - - - winning at all costs. Nothing else explains this behavior.

In Episode 48, we covered most of the wisdom-related topics presented in the book of Proverbs including: seeking counsel and advice, constructive criticism, discernment, discipline, self-control, instruction, knowledge, planning, and prudence. In this episode, I walk you through King Solomon’s insightful explanation of how wisdom is applied, or better put NOT applied, by different types of people namely the fool, the mocker, and the simple.

In this second episode on the Roe v. Wade opinion, we are going to walk through the second half of the opinion and expose you to parts that neither the pro-life nor the pro-abortion side of the debate ever mention. Namely the very clear language finding that the right to an abortion and the right to privacy is NOT absolute. The opinion clearly grants states the ability to regulate and ban abortions. It's right there in black in white! Why isn't this common knowledge? ----------------------------------------- Grab your Truth Quest Merchandise at The Truth Quest Shirt Factory: www.TruthQuestShirtFactory.com With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast! Check out the "WHAT ABOUT THE BABY?" or the "PRO-LIFE" shirts inspired by this episode. http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/what-about-the-baby-1 http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/pro-life

Several years ago I wrote the book, The Proverbs Project. My goal was to bring the content of the Old Testament book of Proverbs to life in a manner in which the average person could easily consume and apply to their life. I went through Proverbs verse-by-verse assigning a theme for each of the 900 verses. I identified 150 themes, which were then grouped into 9 general categories. These 9 categories became the chapters of the book. Authorship of the book of Proverbs is largely attributed to King Solomon who was the son of King David. Solomon is thought to have been the richest and wisest man to ever live. Wisdom, which is the major theme of the book of Proverbs, is the subject of Episodes 48 and 49. In this episode I cover most of the wisdom-related topics presented in Proverbs including: advice, correction, discernment, discipline, instruction, knowledge, planning, and prudence. In the next episode, I walk you through Solomon’s insightful explanation of how wisdom is applied by different types of people namely the fool, the mocker, and the simple.

I think it is safe to say that the Roe v. Wade opinion is the most controversial Supreme Court opinion of the last 50 years. If not, the consequences of it certainly are with over 50 million abortions being performed. But what is the truth about the opinion? How many people have actually taken the time to read it? Upon reading the opinion, I was struck by the intellectual dishonesty of the majority opinion and the lack of true constitutional analysis. I was also alarmed at the callous manner in which the life in the womb was characterized and the list of so-called valid reasons for ending an innocent life. In this episode, I introduce or reintroduce you to the Roe case and walk you through Justice Harry Blackmun's majority opinion. At times it is sick and twisted but, in the end, the court surprisingly leaves the door wide open for state regulation of abortion. Besides leading to the death of tens of millions of innocent lives, this opinion demonstrates just how far activist judges will go in pursuit of their policy preferences. I demonstrate this by dismantling their three primary citations - the right to privacy, the Ninth and the Fourteenth Amendment. ----------------------------------------- Grab your Truth Quest Merchandise at The Truth Quest Shirt Factory: www.TruthQuestShirtFactory.com With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast! Check out the "WHAT ABOUT THE BABY?" or the "PRO-LIFE" shirts inspired by this episode. http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/what-about-the-baby-1 http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/pro-life

In the last two episodes, I introduced or re-introduced you to The Federalist Papers and discussed some of the checks and balances in the Constitution - the legislative and executive branches of government. Today we are going to discuss, as Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story!” – the Judicial branch, States Rights, taxation, the military, and a brief look at the Necessary and Proper and Supremacy clauses of the Constitution. ----------------------------------------- Grab your Truth Quest Merchandise at The Truth Quest Shirt Factory: www.TruthQuestShirtFactory.com With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast! Check out the "Few and defined; Numerous and indefinite" shirt partially inspired by this episode. http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/few-and-defined -----------------------------------------

In Episode 43, The Truth About the Federalist Papers - Part I, I introduced (or re-introduced) you to the Federalist Papers. We discussed why the founders thought it was necessary to create a new document rather than amend the Articles of Confederation. In this episode, we look at two of the three branches of government created by this new Constitution - the legislative and executive branches. Along the way we have uncovered the progressive tearing down of the constitutional republic the founders bequeathed us. ----------------------------------------- Grab your Truth Quest Merchandise at The Truth Quest Shirt Factory: www.TruthQuestShirtFactory.com With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast! Check out the "Few and defined; Numerous and indefinite" shirt partially inspired by this episode. http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/few-and-defined -----------------------------------------

We've all heard the claim - women only make $0.77 on the dollar compared to men! The so-called gender pay gap is front and center of the national Democrats' agenda. Are their claims of a workforce infected with institutional discrimination true? Listen to find out.

The Federalist Papers were written and published in New York newspapers in 1787-1788 in order to sway public opinion to approve and ratify the newly devised United States Constitution. The essays were written by three prominent members of the founding generation - Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. I consider these essays the user’s guide for the Constitution and, therefore, deserve at least a perfunctory understanding. Short of reading the debates from the constitutional convention and the state ratification debates, the Federalist Papers provide some of the best insights into the United States Constitution. In this episode, we will cover 25-26 essays - those covering the topics of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the arguments for a stronger centralized government and the system of checks and balances devised by the Constitution. In the next episode we will cover the Executive and Legislative branches followed by an episode that covers everything else - the judiciary, taxation, states’ rights and a few important miscellaneous musings. ----------------------------------------- Grab your Truth Quest Merchandise at The Truth Quest Shirt Factory: www.TruthQuestShirtFactory.com With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast! Check out the "Few and defined; Numerous and indefinite" shirt partially inspired by this episode. http://www.truthquestshirtfactory.com/shop/p/few-and-defined -----------------------------------------