Steven and Mady Bring You the Truth - Why the Government Has Shut Down

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Government pauses; life doesn’t. We open the mic on the shutdown standoff and follow the impact from Capitol Hill straight to kitchen tables: furloughed paychecks, closed parks, longer TSA lines, and the hidden costs that ripple through small towns and local businesses. With clear, no-spin commentary, we trace the last fifteen years of policy swings—health care mandates, stimulus bets, banking rules, tax reform, energy shifts—and explain how those choices keep setting the stage for last-minute funding brinkmanship.

Instead of playing team sports, we get specific. What do Democrats want right now, and what do Republicans refuse to move on? Where did spending deliver value, and where did it pile on debt without results? We talk inflation, interest costs, community banks, hiring incentives, and energy independence, always asking one thing: what works per taxpayer dollar. You’ll hear how shutdowns happen when leaders tie big policy to must-pass bills, how “regular order” could lower the temperature, and how better measurement—outcomes per dollar, not slogans—can create room to compromise.

We also keep it local. From upcoming town events to holiday bookings with Santa Stephen, we spotlight the community heartbeat that keeps families connected while Washington stalls. Expect practical takeaways: build a small buffer if your income touches federal flows, diversify where you can, and stay close to reliable local information. Most of all, use your voice. Pay attention, show up, and vote with a mandate for on-time budgets and measurable results. If this conversation helps, hit follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what’s the one thing you’d fix in the budget first?

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Order your copy today of "Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition," by Stefan McDermott.

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www.stefanmcdermott.com

Would you like Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to come to your home or office? Contact The Santa Steven at [e-mail] or book a party on https://www.gigsalad.com/the_santa_steven_aubrey or call 469-230-5956 for more information.

Episode Transcript

Steven (01:06):
Good morning, crossroads.
Welcome back to Stephen andMaddie Bring You the Truth.
I'm your host, Stephen.

Mady (01:15):
And I'm Maddie, your co-host, truth checker, and
occasional provider of sarcasticcommentary.

Steven (01:24):
Yes, and today we're diving into the big one, the
government shutdown.
Why is it happening?
And who's responsible and whatit means for you and me?
Spoiler alert, it's not becauseCongress ran out of free
coffee.
Although.

Mady (01:48):
Although, to be fair, that might actually get them moving
faster.

Steven (01:54):
Yeah.
So here's the nutshell.
The government is shut downbecause Democrats and
Republicans can't agree onpolicy changes.
Think of it as two toddlersfighting over who gets the
bigger cookie.
Neither one will budge, so thecookie crumbles, and the rest of

(02:15):
us are left up sweeping up thecrumbs.

Mady (02:19):
Exactly.
Democrats want to expandfunding for climate initiatives,
student debt forgiveness, andhealth care for illegals.
Republicans want tighterbudgets, border security, and to
cut down on spending.

Steven (02:36):
It's a classic standoff.
You move first.
And while they wait, federalworkers get furloughed, national
parks close, and TS line TSAlines get longer than a Black
Friday checkout line.

Mady (02:52):
Meanwhile, federal workers are wondering if their
paychecks are coming and parksare closing.
You know it's serious when eventhe squirrels are out of work.
Yeah.

Steven (03:05):
Okay.
So let's rewind the past 15years.
Democrats have championedpolicies that, while well
meaning, have cost taxpayers bigand frankly hurt the economy,
ballooning national debt andregulatory red tape that
strangled small businesses.

(03:26):
We'll talk about the AffordableCare Act of 2010, expanded
health care access, but it alsohit small businesses with heavy
coverage mandates.
Premiums rose, and manycompanies cut ours to avoid the
employer mandate.
Then there was the AmericanRecovery and Reinvestment Act of

(03:51):
2009, a $787 billion stimulusbill meant to kickstart the
economy after the financialcrisis.
Some of it helped, but a lot oftaxpayer dollars went to
shovel-ready projects thatweren't so ready.
And green energy companies likeCelandra went bankrupt.

(04:15):
Then there was the Dodd-FrankAct of 2010, added heavy
regulations on banks, meant tostop another financial collapse,
but ended up making it harderfor small community banks and
local lenders to survive.
And then, of course, Sleepy JoeBiden's American Rescue Plan of

(04:35):
2021.
Nearly two trillion dollars innew spending, much of it
borrowed.
Critics say it overheated theeconomy and contributed to the
highest inflation in 40 years.

Mady (04:52):
And don't forget student loan forgiveness.
Biden announced hundreds ofbillions to cancel loans.
Sounds great.
If you've got student debt, butthe money doesn't vanish, it
gets shifted onto taxpayers whonever took out those loans.
When you had the green energysubsidies that poured billions

(05:16):
into companies that didn'tsurvive, while uh traditional
energy got hamstrung.
And you know, you had studentloans, and we had to pay each
dime, and the way we had to payit with the interest, I think we
paid your loans like threethree times more than what you

(05:38):
had.
So uh uh no student uh loanforgiveness for anybody.

Steven (05:44):
Exactly.
I mean it's like like mepromising to pay your credit
card bill with Maddie's bankaccount.

Mady (05:51):
Oh no, sorry, that's a hard no, Stephen.

Steven (05:56):
Yeah.
Now let's compare that withwhat Republicans have done.
So you have the Tax Cuts andJobs Act of 2017, which reduced
corporate tax rates from 35% to21%, businesses expanded,
unemployment hit record lows,and wages rose.

(06:18):
Energy independence policiesfrom 2017 to 2019 rolled back
restrictions on oil and gas,making the U.S.
a net exporter of energy forthe first time in decades.
Gas was cheaper, America reliedless on foreign oil, and then

(06:40):
repealing regulations.
Republicans pushed back on theDodd-Frank rules of 2018, easing
pressure on community banks andopening up credit again for
small businesses.
Balanced budget pushes.
While not always successful,Republicans consistently
demanded spending caps and triedto attach them to debt ceiling

(07:03):
increases.

Mady (07:04):
In other words, Democrats spent like kids in a candy
store, and Republicans showed upwith a dental bill.

Steven (07:13):
Yeah, yeah.
That's one way to put it.
Republicans aren't perfect, butthey're generally the ones
trying to clean up the financialmess left after big Democratic
spending sprees.
All the time.
And this has historically goneon and on and on ever since I
was a kid.
I remember the Johnson years.

(07:34):
And I remember when JimmyCarter was in.
Every time a Democrat has beenpresident, our economy has
tanked.
It's history doesn't lie,people.
And all you have to do is lookback.
So I think Americans have wokenup now and they've seen the
truth.

(07:54):
So hopefully we'll get thisfixed.
Definitely.
So here we are.
Democrats say we need morefunding for social programs and
climate change.
Republicans say, not until wecut spending and secure the
border.
Neither side will blink.

Mady (08:15):
Which means government services pause, workers get
furloughed, and Americans shaketheir heads wondering why
Washington can't do what everyfamily in America has to do.
Balance a budget.
Why don't they put ourinterests first in front of what

(08:36):
they want?
It's not making any sense.
Put like Trump is puttingfirst.

Steven (08:45):
Yeah, exactly.
If I ran my household budgetlike Congress runs a federal
budget, Maddie, uh, we'd beliving under a bridge with
Wi-Fi.

Mady (08:54):
Yeah, right.
As long as the Wi-Fi works,we'll still podcast.

Steven (08:59):
Yeah.
So here's the bottom line.
Shutdowns happen becauseleaders won't compromise.
Both sides.
They're both equally bad andguilty at this time.
Yes.
I I'm sick and tired of playingthe blame game.
Look, Republicans and Democratsalike, they need to shut up,
buck up, and fix the mess thatthey've both created.

(09:21):
And do the work that we gotthem elected for.
Yep.
And over the last 15 years,Democrats push spending and
expansion.
Republicans have often steppedin with tax relief,
deregulation, and spending capsto recover.

Mady (09:37):
But while they fight, it's the regular people, the ones
listening right now, people likeus who deal with the fallout,
missed paychecks, stalledservices, and oh God, a lot of
frustration.

Steven (09:52):
Yep.
That's why paying attentionmatters.
Watch what they're doing withyour money.
Get involved and remember tovote.

Mady (10:06):
Yes, well said, Steven.
Uh the Americans have to stoptaking this privilege of voting
for granted.
I had to wait to become a proudAmerican citizen in 2010 to be
able to vote.
And I am making sure everysingle time that I am taking

(10:29):
advantage of this.
So please stop taking it forgranted.
You need to go and you need tovote because even one vote can
make a difference.
Okay?
And speaking of payingattention, let's switch gears to
some local news andannouncements.

(10:50):
Don't forget to mark yourcalendars for Saturday, October
the 25th, for the full market inthe park and crossroads from 9
a.m.
to 2 p.m.
Town Council canceled theirmeeting for today.
Check the town calendar for allmeeting and event times for
crossroads so you will be up todate.
Saturday, October the 11th, upin Pilot Point, Bonnie and Clyde

(11:14):
days from 11 a.m.
to 8 p.m.
in the town square.
A lot of fun.
If you haven't been there, justgo.
It's a lot of fun.
Wow, just 79 more days untilChristmas.
Can you believe this?

Steven (11:29):
No.

Mady (11:30):
Hire the Santa Steven and Mrs.
Claus to come over and playwith the kiddos.

Steven (11:36):
And now for a commercial announcement from our man from
the North Pole, the SantaStephen.
He's coming soon.
You better watch out.

(11:57):
You better not cry.
You better not put.
I'm telling you why.
Why?
Santa Claus is coming to time.
Gather up.
He's making a list.
Checking it twice.
He's gonna find out who'snaughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to time.

(12:17):
This holiday season, bring themagic of Christmas right to your
doorstep with the SantaStephen.
Imagine the joy on your child'sface when Santa and Mrs.
Claus step into your home for apersonal visit, stories,
laughters, photos, and memoriesto last a lifetime.

(12:41):
Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

Mady (12:47):
And don't forget, we even bring sweet holidays cheer for
parents too.

Steven (12:52):
Hosting a party?
Big or small, the Santa Stephenbrings the holiday sparkle.
From the family gatherings tocorporate events, we spread joy
in every setting.
One-on-one with your little oneor a crowd of excited children,
the Santa Stephen makes everymoment magical.

(13:14):
Bring holiday spirit to yourcommunity.
Parades, festivals, and treelighting ceremonies grow
brighter with the Santa Stephen.
And for the sweetened surprise,your child can receive a

(13:39):
personalized letter straightfrom Santa's desk, signed,
sealed, and delivered with atouch of Christmas magic.

Mady (13:47):
Every letter is filled with love, joy, and just the
sprinkle of North Pole sparkle.

Steven (13:56):
Whether it's your home, your office, your school, or
your town, let the Santa Stephenmake this holiday
unforgettable.
Ho ho ho! We'll see you thisChristmas.

Mady (14:12):
Because every family and every business deserves a little
extra holiday magic.

Steven (14:19):
The Santa Steven, where Christmas comes to life.
You better watch out.
You better not cry.
You better not pop.
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to time.
A big fat man with a long whitebeard.

(14:44):
He's coming to town.
To book an event, party, or someone on one time with the Santa
Steven, call 469-230-5956 s oremail steven@

(15:05):
thesantasteven.com.
That's S T E V E N @thesantasteven.
com.
And we hope you have a verywonderful holiday season.
And don't forget to go toAmazon and look up for your

(15:26):
copy, Achieve Optimal BrainHealth with Nutrition by Stefan
McDermott.
An excellent easy to followguideline on how to really make
your brain happy.
Get that book.

Mady (15:40):
Yes, definitely.
From upcoming town events towhat's happening in our schools
and businesses will keep you inthe loop.

Steven (15:48):
Stick around because the truth isn't just in Washington,
it's right here at home too.
Stay tuned in next week as webring you more news and amazing
guests.
We'll see you at the top.
Bye bye.
Bye bye.

(16:18):
Crossroads Podcast.