Why Does Every Crisis End in Spending?

Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this episode, Steve Palmer, Norm Murdock, and Brett Johnson return to the roundtable after a short break, diving straight into the latest headlines and debates shaking up Ohio and the nation.

They kick things off with reflections on Veterans Day, emphasizing the importance of community and personal responsibility. The team then unpacks the aftermath of the recent federal government shutdown—its impact on everything from air travel to military readiness—and scrutinizes how political maneuvering shaped the resolution.

From there, the conversation moves to big topics like SNAP benefits, healthcare subsidies, and the tension between government intervention and grassroots, local solutions. The hosts debate the merits (and pitfalls) of privatizing public services, weighing in on how government involvement—in everything from food assistance to health care—affects personal accountability and collective spirit.

On the political front, the rise of ideological factions within parties, controversial leadership in New York City, and Trump’s latest policy proposals all get the Common Sense Ohio treatment. Steve Palmer, Norm Murdock, and Brett Johnson share their candid takes on inflation, tariffs, and the ongoing power struggle between Congress and the executive branch.

The episode wraps up with their “Good and Bad” segment: a nod to acts of everyday kindness, technological innovation (hello, micro nuclear plants!), and some gripes about EV infrastructure woes.

A Big Thanks to our sponsor, Harper Plus Accounting. They provide more than just basic transactions, offering expert business consultation as well. They go beyond the basics, providing comprehensive advice on saving, planning, and optimizing taxes.

Moments

00:00 Federal Shutdown Nearing Its End

03:39 Military Training Budget Impact

08:04 "NYC Elects Controversial Leader"

12:26 Human Spirit and Accountability

13:07 "Teach to Fish Philosophy"

16:26 COVID Subsidies for Wealthy Households

22:25 "Debt, Bailouts, and Burdens"

24:04 "Confidence Declines with Big Government"

28:46 H1B Visas & Foreign Students Debate

32:20 Trump Inauguration Reflection

34:33 Reward Hard Work in Service

36:20 "Helping with Heavy Tile Disposal"

41:30 Presidential Tariff Powers Case

43:37 Tariff Challenge and White House Strategy

47:07 Congressional Corruption Linked to China

52:11 Indiana Governor's Visit

54:16 EV Rental Charging Struggles

56:11 Beyond the Holiday Season

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

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