American Viewpoints with Mike Ferguson

09/05/2024

The Left says conservatives disenfranchise voters through suppression. The Right says the left compromises elections through vote fraud.

Which is true and why does it matter? (and, yes, confidence in the process of our elections matters).

In this segment, The Daily Signal White House correspondent Fred Lucas discusses that and what he found while writing his new book, The Myth Of Voter Suppression.

The Heritage Foundation

Elections should be about the confidence we have in candidates, be they incumbents or challengers. Increasingly, elections sre becoming about the confidence (or lack of) we have in the process of voting. Often, those on the Left say the Right is suppressing voter turnout and disenfranchising people....

08/05/2024

The Biden campaign is sending Vice president Kamala Harris out on the speaking tour of swing states to shore up votes from what's typically been the Democratic base.

Rick Manning from Americans for Limited Government says it's a bad sign when a Democratic incumbent needs to sell Bidenomics to black voters, which is what the Vice President's mission is.

Here's the discussion about that.

* this conversation originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis.

Americans for Limited Government's Rick Manning comments on the Biden reelection campaign using Vice President Kamala Harris as a spokesperson to promote the Administration's economic plan and results. Manning points out that, specifically, the campaign is trying to increase support among black male...

08/04/2024

Here's my conversation with Mark Miller from the Pacific Legal Foundation about the conflict between property rights and squatters' rights in America.

He argues (and I agree) that property rights are crucial to a free society and laws like the new one in Florida are a good first step to protecting those.

Do you agree?

After high-profile news stories of squatters taking over homes in New York and California, as well as the now-infamous social media video of an illegal immigrant influencer using TikTok to encourage o

05/10/2023

HOW many Americans think we have "too much freedom", especially too much ?

In this discussion, RedState's Mike Miller discusses a recent RealClearPolitics survey that shows a surprising percentage of voters who say they want government to do more to stop speech (especially online) that they find problematic.

Talk Media Network

RedState.com writer Mike Miller discusses a recent RealClearPolitics.com survey that asked voters about freedom of speech and, in some ways, personal freedom overall. The survey shows that a surprising percentage of Americans say there's too much freedom of speech, especially on social media. While....

04/10/2023

President Joe Biden recently announced the formation of an official Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Is that just another way of saying he's organized another gun control advocacy office?

In this segment, American Fi****ms Association's Chris Dorr assesses the new office and explains why he thinks everyone should be concerned about what we've been told about it and what we haven't.

Talk Media Network

American Fi****ms Association president Chris Dorr assesses the announcement that President Biden has established a Presidential Office of Gun Violence Prevention. In his view, the office is just another effort by the Administration to push gun control legislation that's unconstotutional. * this con...

28/09/2023

As cases (and the media coverage of them) rise during this season that typically has respiratory virus cases increases (like the flu), many fear politicians more than the actual virus.

Is that justified?

The Heartland Institute's Samantha Fillmore says yes and points out that the previous restrictions on personal freedom typically came after governors exercised emergency powers. That's why she argues for reforming the laws that allow emergency declarations and restrictions on freedoms.

In other words, call the doctor if you're really sick but, in the meantime, she suggests calling your local state lawmakers to push for more protections of your liberty.

Here's the conversation.

The Heartland Institute's Samantha Fillmore takes note of the rising number of Covid infections being reported and recalls the authoritarian reaction to the illness over the past few years. In many states, state law allows governors to act unilaterally - or allow local office holders - to restrict i...

27/09/2023

Most of the GOP presidential candidates face off in another debate tonight. What do you hope to hear from them?

In this discussion, Free the People's Dr. Aaron Pomerantz challenges the candidates and the party by asking what they will stand FOR, not just stand against.

27/09/2023

I'm excited that is joining the KTOE News lineup starting this weekend!

I'm looking forward to bringing our conversations to the entire Mankato, Minnesota region Sunday mornings at 11:00.

Talk Media Network

26/09/2023

Will Congress & President Biden work out a deal to keep all federal government functions operating?

Maybe, maybe not.

How did we get to this point - again - where a government that's in control of trillions of dollars may not be able to pay the bill?

In this discussion, R Street Institute's James Wallner explains why things are down to the wire again.

The R Street Institute's James Wallner explains how our national government has gotten to the point - again - where funding to run government operations could expire and cause a partial shutdown. He also discusses how a shutdown would affect most Americans.

25/09/2023

Remember the ? Congress didn't pass it but parts of it were included in the - including incentives for production.

In addition to those incentives, the Biden Administration is now pushing for mandates including fuel efficiency standards that would make gas combustion engines all but impossible to make.

In this discussion, American Commitment's Phil Kerpen discusses those mandates and the role they play in a bigger agenda. Phil says it's not just about the cars on the road.

Remnants of the Green New Deal ended up in the Inflation Reducation Act. Among those are incentives for electric vehicle production. The Biden Administration is adding to those incentives with a push for vehicle mandates that, eventually, will make it difficult to produce gas combustion engines in c...

20/09/2023

Is another round of fearmongering on the way? If so, will health and elected officials try to impose more restrictions, shutdowns, and mandates?

In this discussion, Parkview Institute founder & president John Tamny argues that if/when that happens, our response should be "never again!".

RealClearMarkets

John Tamny, president of the Parkview Institute and editor or RealClearMarkets.com, discusses the possibility of health and/or elected officials trying to bring back Covid-era lockdowns, restrictions, and mandates. He argues for noncompliance with any orders, and there have been some issued in recen...

19/09/2023

What's the difference between an and an ? And should Congress move forward with one even though there's no chance President Joe Biden will be removed from office?

In this discussion, former Congressman Bob Barr gives us his answers to those questions. Bob's been there and done that as a House manager of the impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton.

Bob Barr's Liberty Guard

Former Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA) was a House manager in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. In this converstion, he assesses the decision to move forward with an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, explains why he feels is is justified, and offers advice to Congress on how to handle...

18/09/2023

A new video posted at the The Daily Caller tells the story of the Tambunga family in Texas. They lost Maria and Amelia, a grandmother and granddaughter, to the recklessness of a human trafficking smuggler who brought illegal immigrants into the US.

The trafficker was being pursued by police in Texas when he killed them.

In this discussion, The Heritage Foundation's Lora Ries discusses the video, the story, and the US immigration policies that contributed to the tragedy.

In a new short documentary, the Heritage Foundation - through their Daily Signal news outlet - tells the story of the Tambunga family in Texas. They lost Maria and Amelia, a grandmother and granddaughter, in a car wreck caused by a human trafficking smuggler. The smuggler had crossed the southern bo...

12/09/2023

On this week's , we revisited my conversation with Clifton Taulbert about business success, entrepreneurial thinking, and how the disciplines involved with those can lead to both personal success and to overcoming broader obstacles.

Gumption. Entrepreneurial thinking. Entrepreneur, business consultant, and author Clifton Taulbert (Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored, Who Owns The Icehouse?) offers a perspective on how the disciplines and mindsets of business and entrepreneurialsm can lead to personal success and the ability t...

08/09/2023

Before you can have an honest debate, you should have honest terms and definitions of whatever you're debating.

In this segment, The American Conservative writer Frank DeVito discusses his article, Not On Their Terms.

It's a how-to, from a conservative perspective, on engaging with those on the Left when discussing/debating political and cultural issues.

DeVito argues that accepting the Left's terms as a basis for the discussion is a mistake. Find out why and hear his advice on resetting the debate.

American Conservative magazine writer Frank DeVito discusses the key points of his recent article, Not On Their Terms. The op-ed focuses on how important terms and definitions are in the debates. For example: Devito argues that "gender affirming care" should not be accepted as a valid term. Instead,...

07/09/2023

What are "less lethal" weapons, why should police officers have them as options, and when are they NOT the right choice?

Here's the conversation with National Police Association's Dr Joel Shults, a former police chief.

Former police chief Joel Shults discusses his article written for the National Police Association's blog that promotes the use of "less lethal" weapons when possible. He explains what that means, why more options should be available, and why "less lethal" options aren't always the right choice for a...

05/09/2023

Two years after a su***de bomber killed 13 US servicemembers at the airpirt in , their say they still haven't been told the entire story of the decisions, actions, and failures of that day.

In this discussion, Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz's father, Mark Schmitz, explains why they are angry and what they still want from the Biden Administration.

Last week, Mark Schmitz testified before a US House committee hearing that's investigating the disastrous withdrawl.

Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, discusses his frustration with the lack of information he and other Gold Star Families are getting from the Biden Administration and the US military ragarding the 2021 bombing that claimed the lives of 13 US military personnel. Lace Corporal Jare...

05/09/2023

If (when?) mask-wearing mandates return, will you comply with the government orders?

If there's no order but a government entity like the CDC or your local health department issues a masking recommendation, will you follow that advice?

Former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci spoke out in defense of masking amid rising COVID cases, saying he is concerned people will not abide by recommendations.

30/08/2023

What's next?

Following the US Supreme Court's ruling that bans the use of race in higher education admissions, can colleges & universities still extend opportunities to those who need it without considering skin color?

In this discussion, the Center for Equal Opportunity's Devon Westhill says the answer is yes. Find out why.

The Center For Equal Opportunity's Devon Westhill looks ahead to how higher education can still work to provide opportunities for those in underserved communities without making race a factor. Westhill agrees with the recent US Supreme Court ruling that bans the use of race in the admissions process...

29/08/2023

Here's my (very brief) overview of the recent Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee.

Who do you think helped their campaign? Hurt their campaign?

Ron DeSantis Tim Scott Nikki Haley Mike Pence Vivek Ramaswamy Chris Christie Asa Hutchinson Doug Burgum

Host Mike Ferguson gives a brief overview of the recent Republican presidential debate held in Milwaukee.

28/08/2023

Thanks in large part to Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign, GOP voters are discussing the as part of the policy debates.

In this segment, The Heritage Foundation's James Bacon explains how bureaucrats became so powerful in government, why it's affecting policy decisions, and why the system should be reformed.

You can see James' recent oped on the topic at the Washington Examiner.

The Heritage Foundation's James Bacon argues that the "administrative state" - bureaucrats in government - have become so powerful that they can affect or even stop policy agendas of presidents. Bacon explains how these unelected positions have become so strong and why he says reforms have to be mad...

24/08/2023

What is Franklin Delano Roosevelt's real legacy when it comes to freedom, censorship, and individual liberty?

Did 's cause government to violate the civil rights of Americans?

In this conversation, the Independent Institute's David T. Beito discusses what he found while writing his new book, The New Deal's War On The Bill Of Rights.

Dr Devid Beito from the Independent Institute discusses the findings for his new book, The New Deal's War On The Bill Of Rights. Beito compares the reverence many, especially on today's Left, have for Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal with the immediate and long-lasting effect that law had/has on govern...

22/08/2023

The Native American advocacy group, Native American Guardians Association made national news recently by starting a petition to bring back the team name for Washington's NFL team. In fact, NAGA supports the use of Native American team names at all levels.

That renewed the conversation about the team names, political correctness, exploitation, and honoring ethnic heritage.

By the way, their petition has over 100,000 signatures so far.

Here's the discussion with NAGA's Bill Diekman.

Over 100,000 signatures support the Native American Guardians Association's effort to convince the owners of the Washington Commanders to returnt the football teams' name back to the Redskins. What surprised many people is that NAGA is a Native American advocacy group that says team names, like Reds...

24/07/2023

Is the Biden Administration limited access for conservative media outlets in the White House?

In this discussion, Daily Signal White House Correspondent Fred Lucas explains how some new press rules are affecting conservative media and could limit their ability to cover the news.

Daily Signal White House Correspondent Fred Lucas describes changes coming to the media covering the White House. The changes, Lucas says, affect conservative media more than other news sources. As a result of the new policies, Lucas' credentials are being downgraded, which could affect his ability....

19/07/2023

What's next for after the Supreme Court's ruling that bans the use of race as a factor in admissions?

In this discussion, Color Us United's Kenny Xu explains why he agrees with the ruling and how he hopes it changes the country both on and off campus.

Kenny Xu, president of Color Us United, reacts to the Supreme Court's ruling that bans the use of race in college and university admissions. Xu discusses why he agrees with the ruling and how he hopes the change affects the future of the nation. Xu's new book is School Of Woke.

18/07/2023

A Twitter dispute between two state lawmakers led to a bigger debate over how best to feed those in need.

In this discussion, Missouri State Rep Doug Richey, MO State Representative - HD 39 (R) reacts to the criticism he took from Democratic colleague Sarah Unsicker.

That criticism came after Richey tweeted about his church's youth group making and serving thousands of meals for those in need in their community.

In this discussion, Richey discusses the role he thinks government and private charity, especially faith-based work, should have in caring for others.

A Twitter dispute between two Missouri lawmakers led to a larger discussion over how those in need should be helped and what the role of government shou;d (and should not be). State Representative Doug Richey, who is also a pastor, was criticized by a Democratic colleague after he posted a complimen...

17/07/2023

What's next after the US Supreme Court struck down the Biden Administration's student loan forgiveness plan? That remains to be seen.

In this discussion, Pacific Legal Foundation's Caleb Kruckenberg assesses what the ruling did - and did not change.

Pacific Legal Foundation's Caleb Kruchknberg breaks down what the US Supreme Court decided - and didn't decide - in its ruling that stuck down the Biden Administration's program to forgive billions of dollards in student loan debt.

11/07/2023

Have you seen Sound of Freedom Movie yet?

In this discussion that was recorded right before the theatrical debut, Operation Underground Railroad's Matt Osborne describes the real events the film is based on and the work they do to combat around the world.

Recorded right before it debuted in theaters around the country, this conversation with Matt Osborne from Operation Underground Railroad (OUR Rescue) describes the work they do and how that resulted in creation of Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel. The film is based on true events and spotligh...

10/07/2023

The indictment of over the death of puts the debate over back in the public conversation.

In this discussion, National Police Association's Betsy Brantner Smith looks at the situation from a law enforcement perspective and offers advice on how to prepare in case you're ever in that split-second decision situation.

A fight in New York City reignites the debate over using force to protect yourself and others. Daniel Penny subdued Jordan Neeley in a subway after he and witnesses say Neeley was threatening people. Protesters and prosecutors say the maneuver Penny used to subdue Neeley was a choke hold and caused....

10/07/2023

In addition to public schools, government, media - including entertainment and news, and even medicine, some conservatives are warning that another institution is being "captured" by the Left: law schools.

Here's the recent conversation with The Heritage Foundation's Hans Von Spakovsky about the state of law schools and how this could affect you regardless of your political affiliation.

The Heritage Foundation's Hans Von Spakovsky discusses trends in law schools around the country that he says is promoting radical leftism in law schools. The conversation also examines the possible consequences that could lead to in society.