Host Neal Asbury opened his nationally syndicated “Neal Asbury’s Made in America” show on Radio America (now on 70 stations) with a warning for Americans lulled by the drop in gas prices: any world crisis will cause oil prices to soar.
“People singing ‘happy days are here again’ and believe that our current lower gas prices will last, need to understand that we can’t take our emphasis off of domestic exploration and things like the XL Keystone Pipeline. We need to be thinking longer term,” proposed Neal.
Co-host Dr. Rich Roffman agreed, suggesting that taking a short-term look at cheaper energy costs is pure hucksterism, and that only a long-term energy strategy will ensure cheaper domestic energy supplies that strengthens the nation.
The first guest on Made in America was David Holt, President of Consumer Energy Alliance, who described the U.S. as an “arctic nation.”
“America is in the middle of an energy revolution. History books will look back at this time as one defined by technology and energy innovation. The U.S. is dictating world energy prices, and Alaska is at the heart of this energy revolution,” proposed Holt.
Holt warned that if we don’t include Alaska in our energy policies, it would be a profound mistake and will reverse our energy leadership. Using domestic energy supplies makes the U.S. stronger by reducing our reliance on foreign energy.
“Washington needs to follow the lead of Alaska, where they understand how to develop land for energy. We can’t operate on a “zero sum game.” Preserving our energy supplies while protecting the environment can co-exist,” according to Holt.
. The next guest on Made in America was John Daniel Davidson, writing for The Federalist, whose recent piece described Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s plan to expand Medicaid in a “conservative” way under Obamacare, as one that will create a poverty trap for Indiana citizens.
“A close look at Pence’s plan reveals what is perhaps the worst of all the Republican Medicaid expansion “alternatives” to date. The Pence plan is called HIP 2.0 because it ratchets up the Healthy Indiana Plan, a waiver program from 2008 that expanded Medicaid eligibility to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $44,000 a year for a family of four, at the time) and offered limited health benefits with a health savings account, much like the high-deductible, “consumer-driver” plans available on the private market. His new plan eliminates the original mandates and extends it to able bodied workers,” noted Davidson.
Davidson predicts that when workers understand that the basic plan essentially requires nothing of enrollees, workers will stop looking for jobs because it will take them out of coverage. Essentially, workers will be penalized for making more money, leading to more workers trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Neal and co-host Dr. Rich Roffman weighed in on the nomination hearing for Loretta Lynch, as the next Attorney General, and were alarmed about her stance on immigration.
“During questioning by Senator Jeff Sessions, Lynch bobbed and weaved over whether she would uphold the law regarding Obama’s immigration policy that essentially gives undocumented workers the same status as native-born Americans and immigrants who have received ‘green cards.’ Where is the cut-off on privileges given to immigrants? Does everyone get the same access to jobs when 90 million Americans aren’t working? If anyone can get any job without taking into consideration their immigration status, this country will be in deep trouble,” suggested Dr. Roffman. The real question for this nominee is, “Will you uphold the law? Period.” Apparently the answer is, “Maybe, depending on the law.”
Neal agreed, adding that it is a matter of fairness. Is it fair to Americans looking for work to let anyone compete for jobs just because they found a way to sneak into the U.S.?
Ryan James Girdusky was the final guest on Made in America, whose column in the Washington Times suggested that the fact that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker doesn’t hold a college diploma shouldn’t interfere with him holding a higher office since his life experiences are more valuable than a “sheepskin.”
“Walker didn’t finish college because he went out and landed a job—but that hasn’t hurt his performance. As the governor of a Blue state, it’s much harder for a Republican governor to be effective—and successful. But, he has become the boldest sitting governor in the U.S.” maintained Girdusky.
“Walker had to battle Democrats and unions, and won. Again. And again. And again. But somehow not having a college degree and demonstrating fiscal responsibility is less valuable than holding a college degree from Harvard—without “realtime” experience–in the eyes of most Democrats,” added Neal.
As part of his ongoing segment on the rise in the development of robots to replace human workers, Dr. Roffman noted that the Luna mattress company has created a robotic bed that monitors your sleep and turns off the lights and adjusts the temperature while you are sleeping. If it notices you are stirring awake, it will start brewing coffee.
And a Japanese theme park has opened a hotel fully staffed by robots. From the time you check in to the time you check out, almost all of a guest’s services will be met by robots.
On the cronyism front, EPA chief and Obama crony Gina McCarthy, couldn’t resist telling her hosts during a recent trip to Aspen that due to global warming, by the year 2100, Aspen’s temperatures will resemble those of Amarillo, Texas unless the community acts fast. What a prognosticator!
Each week Neal Asbury’ Made in America provides Neal’s insights into the week’s top news stories and their impact on the worlds of entrepreneurship, small business ownership and the overall economy. Neal’s analysis, together with co-host Dr. Richard Roffman, a veteran 30-year publisher with extensive domestic and international experience, takes a non-biased approach based on real life experience in business as an American manufacturer and exporter. Made in America airs nationally each Saturday from 7-8:00 PM on Radio America. Link to Made in America at http://www.nealasburysmadeinamerica.com
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