Idaho Freedom Foundation President Ron Nate joins Bob to discuss their Pride in America series, which celebrates American heroes like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Sowell during June. The Idaho Statesman criticized their hero selections, calling them bigots, but the response energized conservative Idahoans who increased donations and support for the Freedom Foundation’s mission.

The conversation explores pride as one of the seven deadly sins, contrasting it with the current Pride Month celebrations. Nate outlines seven characteristics of pride including fault-finding, defensiveness, and neglecting others, arguing that these traits manifest in woke culture movements that claim to fight for equality while showing contempt for traditional family values and Christian beliefs.

Rising costs dominate the discussion as Idaho Power seeks 17% rate increases for households while giving corporations and agriculture only 7% increases. This follows the economic principle of concentrated benefits and dispersed costs, where corporations have resources to fight rate hikes while individual families absorb the financial burden. The hosts connect this to broader taxation issues affecting Idaho families.

Property taxes emerge as a critical concern, with Nate calling them immoral since families who pay off mortgages still face government liens on their homes. The discussion reveals how local elections with 13% turnout allow motivated minorities to pass levies and bonds that increase property taxes, while most taxpayers stay home. Solutions include exempting primary residences from property taxes and using natural revenue growth to eliminate property taxes within seven years.

Chapters

02:16 Introduction and Pride in America Series

Bob welcomes Ron Nate to discuss Idaho Freedom Foundation’s current initiatives. Nate introduces their Pride in America series celebrating American heroes like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Sowell during June, contrasting it with traditional Pride Month celebrations.

03:32 Idaho Statesman Criticism and Conservative Response

The Idaho Statesman wrote an op-ed criticizing the Freedom Foundation’s hero selections as bigots, including figures like George Washington and Frederick Douglass. This criticism generated significant donations and support from Idahoans, demonstrating growing conservative mobilization against mainstream media bias.

10:02 Pride as a Deadly Sin

Nate examines pride as one of the seven deadly sins, outlining characteristics including fault-finding, harsh spirit, superficiality, defensiveness, presumption before God, attention-seeking, and neglecting others. He argues these traits manifest in woke culture movements that claim tolerance while showing contempt for conservative and Christian values.

17:08 Idaho Power Rate Increases and Corporate Favoritism

Discussion of Idaho Power’s proposed 17% rate increases for households versus 7% for corporations and agriculture. This reflects economic principles where corporations have resources to fight rate hikes while individual families absorb dispersed costs, demonstrating how utility companies favor powerful interests over ordinary citizens.

23:37 Property Tax Reform and Government Overreach

Nate calls property taxes immoral since homeowners never truly own their homes due to government liens. Even after paying off mortgages, families must continue paying property taxes or face seizure. Solutions include exempting primary residences and using natural revenue growth to eliminate property taxes within seven years.

29:04 Local Government Accountability Crisis

Analysis of low voter turnout in local elections where only 13% participate, allowing motivated minorities to pass costly levies and bonds. The hosts discuss the need for accountability systems for local governments, similar to the Freedom Foundation’s legislative scorecards, to combat municipal overreach and spending.

34:12 Vision for a Free Idaho

Nate concludes with optimism about Idaho’s potential as a freedom beacon, emphasizing school choice, limited government, and Christian conservative principles. He encourages celebrating America’s founding principles leading up to July 4th while working to make Idaho’s reputation for freedom match reality.