The podcast dedicated to making sense of the budget, spending, and tax issues facing the nation. Cut through the partisan rhetoric and talking points for the facts about what's being talked about, bandied about, and pushed in Washington. Budget Watchdog AF is brought to you by Taxpayers for Common Sense.
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Feature: Celebrating Women's Equality Day!
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In this LifeBeat feature, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, take a deep dive into the history of Women·s Equality Day, including prominent women who helped pioneer the women·s suffrage movement like Susan B. Anthony. Anna and Danny compare the original feminists…
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Fall is in the Air: Back-to-School and General Election
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, provide information on MiGen Leads to help students gear up for back-to-school. They also provide information on RLM·s Life Lessons, 13 lessons that teachers can use to instill the value of life. Anna a…
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We hear you! Hit play for the merits of the Elon Musk-style commission on government efficiency. TCS stalwarts Steve Ellis and Josh Sewell emphasize the need for bipartisan support, tackling both spending and revenue issues, and going beyond just eliminating waste.By Taxpayers For Common Sense
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Prolife Candidates Win BIG, New Poll Shows Alarming Support for Euthanasia
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27:39
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, highlight a new Gallup poll shows Americans support Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide at an alarming. They also discuss new stats that illustrate that 61% of women felt coerced into an abortion. The…
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, RLM Faith Outreach Coordinator, sits down with Ralph Rebandt II to chat about the role of Christian principles and the Scriptures in our Republic's founding and our country's founding documents. They also both emphasized the importance of getting out the vote. Ralph Rebandt II was the founding pas…
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2023 Michigan Abortion Report: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, welcome you to Right to Life of Michigan·s 300th episode where they discuss 10 alarming trends found within the 2023 Michigan abortion report. They also remind Michiganders to get out there and vote, starti…
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Pentagon's Unsustainable Spending: The Sentinel ICBM and Next-Gen Fighter Dilemma
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Pentagon spending plans are spiraling out of control. From ICBMs to next-gen fighters, costs are skyrocketing while strategic benefits remain unclear. Dive into the fiscal chaos as we unpack the Air Force's budget woes and question whether these ambitious projects truly serve national security interests.…
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Feature: All Things Elections with Emily Kroll
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In this month's feature, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, sit down with Emily Kroll, RLM Political Action Committee (PAC) Director to discuss all things elections. The Michigan Primary Election is in full swing with voting taking place through absentee ballots and …
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Vote for Common-Sense Leadership this Primary Election
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In this episode of LifeBeat, host Anna Pluymert, RLM Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, RLM Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, sit down to chat about a new, radical coalition created to push state abortion referendums and mobilize voters to vote proabortion. They also provide the next primary election voting dates, which…
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Elections Have Consequences: Informed Consent Halted, Taxpayer Dollars Threatened
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In this LifeBeat episode, hosts Anna Pluymert and Daniel Earl provide you with the latest up-to-date prolife news about Michigan laws and the abortion pill. We discuss the recent lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the safeguards using tax dollars to pay for other people·s abortions. We also discuss the recent injunction that was place…
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, RLM Faith Outreach Coordinator, sits down with Dr. Tom West from Hillsdale College. Dr. West is a Professor of Politics at Hillsdale and is an expert on the Founders of the US and the founding documents. A variety of topics were discussed including the understanding that our Founders had of the im…
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The Congressional Budget Office just released a bomb with their latest projections for the federal budget deficit. They're projecting a federal budget deficit of nearly $2 trillion for fiscal year 2024. That's about $400 billion more than what they projected just four months ago in February, marking a 27% increase. TCS President Steve Ellis is join…
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Celebrating the Two-Year Anniversary of Dobbs with Dr. Catherine Stark
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We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Catherine Stark to discuss the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade. Dr. Catherine Stark is a board-certified OB/GYN, who has been a practicing prolife physician for 30 years in Michigan. Throughout her career, she has worked with several prolife pregnancy medical centers …
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Join host Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, and policy analyst Gabe Murphy as they dive deep into the murky waters of Pentagon budgeting on the latest episode of Budget Watchdog All Federal. Steve and Gabe expose the partisan gridlock threatening to derail the NDAA and shine a light on the Senate's misguided $25 billion Pentagon…
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Feature: Facing the Reality of Life After an Abortion
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In this LifeBeat feature, we take a deep dive into a recent editorial written by comedian, Grace Campbell. Grace, a 29-year-old pro-choice woman from the UK, wrote an editorial in the Guardian describing the immense pain and guilt she felt after taking the abortion pill. She questions why the negative side effects of abortion aren't talked about en…
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2024 Primary Election Endorsements: Vote to Protect Parental Consent!
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In this LifeBeat episode, we review the resources available for the 2024 Primary Election, including the RLM-PAC endorsements that were announced this week. We also discuss how parental rights are still under attack, especially in Caledonia, Michigan where the school board is considering allowing teachers and staff to aid students with abortions. F…
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In this LifeBeat episode, we congratulate the four winners of Right to Life of Michigan's 35th Annual State Oratory Contest. We also provide an update on the Northland Family Planning Center v. Nessel lawsuit that threatens informed consent including the 24-hour waiting period. We end the episode with a shoutout to all the amazing pregnancy resourc…
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In this revealing episode of Budget Watchdog AF, Steve Ellis and Josh Sewell dive deep into the House Agriculture Committee's recently passed Farm Bill. With a $1.5 trillion price tag, the bill is loaded with loopholes and giveaways for special interests, while failing to prioritize those truly in need of taxpayer support.…
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Right to Life of Michigan's Faith Outreach Coordinator, Ken Stults, lays out where the prolife movement is heading and how the faith community can guide it in the right direction. Ken discusses the challenges that Michigan faces currently with protective laws getting repealed and he reminds prolifers that one election can impact generations to come…
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Showering Motor City with Love and Support
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In this episode of LifeBeat, we discuss a very exciting event, the Motor City Baby Shower, hosted by Right to Life of Michigan and the Reconciled Church this Saturday in Detroit. We also highlight Mental Health Awareness Month and how important it is to get the right resources and support to heal. We end the episode by discussing the increase in ou…
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National Defense Authorization Act Update
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The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) caps national security spending at $895 billion in 2025, but changes to the Pentagon's budget request may not hold as the budget process moves forward. TCS policy analyst Gabe Murphy joins host Steve Ellis with an analysis of the potential for Congress to exceed these caps, the Navy's shipbuilding budge…
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In this episode of LifeBeat, we introduce ·Life. The Other Choice.,· an organization-wide refresh built around our new multi-media ads that includes the ads, a new website and brand refresh. We also provide updates on the ·Death with Dignity Act,· a package of bills that were introduced in the Michigan Senate last November and are likely to be hear…
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What Physician Assisted Suicide Is and Isn’t with Wesley Smith
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Wesley Smith graciously spoke at our 45th Annual Legislative Day hosted just last week on May 1. He shared new developments and his insights on defending against physician-assisted suicide. We then had the privilege of continuing the conversation on our LifeBeat podcast. Lawyer and award-winning author, Wesley J. Smith, is the host of the Humanize …
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Lawmakers in the 118th Congress again have the power to “bringing home the bacon” with federal dollars to specific projects in their home states and districts. Has transparency worked to provide scrutiny and limit potential abuse? TCS Director of Research and Policy Josh Sewell and TCS Research Associate Chris Howe-Smith join host Steve Ellis for a…
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Parental Consent on the Chopping Block with Brian Cusack
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In this LifeBeat episode, Brian Cusack, RLM Development Director takes a deep into his family life and why parental consent is so important to him as a father and grandfather. We discuss the recent attacks on parental consent by Governor Whitmer and her allies even though 70% of Michigan voters are in favor of parental consent (Marketing Resource G…
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults sits down with Terri Marcroft to discuss adoption and supporting women in unplanned pregnancies. Terri Marcroft is the adoptive mom of a 23-year old young woman who is the love of her life. Terri·s all-time favorite action hero is her daughter·s birthmother, who made an adoption plan while she was …
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In this LifeBeat feature, we discuss how parental consent is on the chopping block. We take a deep dive into the history of Michigan's parental consent law, how proposal 3 impacted it and how it is currently being threatened by the governor and her allies. We also provide an overview on the ACLU's recent report "In Harm·s Way" which outlines why th…
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What is the role of the federal government in responding to disaster, particularly when the tragedy is manmade? TCS President Steve Ellis is joined by Michael Surrusco and Chris Howe-Smith for a discussion about the Baltimore bridge collapse and the financial impact on taxpayers.By Taxpayers For Common Sense
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Faith in Life: Unplanned Leads to Unconditional Support
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, our Faith Outreach Coordinator, joins Tina, a mother who experienced unconditional love and support from her family, church community and Bethany Christian Services after an unplanned pregnancy. Tina describes how her church rallied around her and how God spoke to her, leading her to release her b…
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In this LifeBeat episode, we sit down with Emily Kroll for a get-to-know Emily Kroll, our PAC director. Emily discusses why it's important for Michigan voters to get involved in this year's election and how prolife votes could make a difference in the laws that are passed/protected. For more information on voting in Michigan and volunteering for ge…
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Budget Watchdog AF considers President Biden’s $7.3 Trillion Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request. A budget that proposes a 4.5% cut in discretionary spending from the previous fiscal year and a reduction in budget deficits by nearly $3 trillion over the next decade. But how rosy are the economic growth projections upon which this budget request is buil…
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(REPOST) Feature: The Reality of Unregulated Abortion
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*This is a repost of a previous episode recorded in 2022. The information provided in the episode is relevant for Michigan voters today due to the repeal of several longstanding protections for women including health and safety regulations for abortion facilities. Informed consent and parental consent for abortions are also in jeopardy and are curr…
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Women's History Month: Celebrating the Past, Present and Future
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In this month's LifeBeat feature, host, Anna Pluymert, and guest co-host, Jazlyn Bailey, take a deep dive into Women's History Month by highlighting two prolife women from history that have and will continue to inspire the prolife movement for generations to come. We highlight Mildred Jefferson and Ellen McCormack who were both influential in the 1…
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Faith in Life: Making the Difference with Monica Sparks
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In this month's Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Right to Life of Michigan Faith Outreach Coordinator, Ken Stults, sits down with Monica Sparks to discuss what it's like being a prolife Democrat. Ken and Monica also touched on why it·s so important for the faith community to be involved in the prolife movement. Monica Sparks is an elected prolife De…
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The impasse in the divided and chaotic U.S. Congress over funding of the federal government has reached another inflection point. Join TCS President Steve Ellis and Director of Research and Policy Josh Sewell for a look at the costs and implications for taxpayers.By Taxpayers For Common Sense
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REPOST: What You Need to Know About the Abortion Pill
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*This is a repost of a previous episode recorded last year. The information provided in the episode is relevant today as the U.S. Supreme Court will be ruling on the future of abortion pill in March of this year (2024). For a refresher on this topic and previous relating court cases from 2023, listen to this feature. In this month's feature, we tak…
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Celebrating Black History Month with Pastor Stan Parker
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To honor Black History Month, we sit down with Pastor Stan Parker on our podcast, LifeBeat. Pastor Stan Parker is the senior pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan. He is the Executive Director of the Eastside Community Action Center and is the campus minister for Just for Chris Ministry at Michigan State University. Pastor …
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Are farm subsidies wasteful spending? What impact will new economic data have on the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization? TCS Director of Research Josh Sewell and Senior Policy Analyst Sheila Korth get their hands dirty coming up with answers.By Taxpayers For Common Sense
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The 411 on Michigan Lawsuits and Legislation
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In this week's LifeBeat podcast, we share some details on upcoming events that Right to Life of Michigan is hosting and we also provide a reminder to vote in the presidential primary on February 27. We give a deep dive explanation into the newly filed lawsuit that threatens women by attempting to remove informed consent for abortions in Michigan. W…
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Faith in Life: Get out the Vote With Amber Roseboom
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In this month's Faith in Life feature, Ken Stults, Right to Life of Michigan Faith Outreach Coordinator, and Amber Roseboom, Right to Life of Michigan President, sit down to discuss Amber's new role as RLM president and how she plans to continue the mission of encouraging women to make a choice for life. Ken and Amber also discuss why churches shou…
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War Footing: National Defense Industrial Strategy
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The Biden administration's National Defense Industrial Strategy will significantly impact taxpayers. Is the aim to strengthen US defense capabilities or put America on a permanent war footing? The NDIS contains contradictions, especially considering taxpayers will soon pay more each year to service the nation's debt than on the military. Hit play t…
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In this episode of LifeBeat, Jazlyn Bailey, MiGen Leads Coordinator, joins host, Anna Pluymert, to discuss MiGen Leads recent activities and outreach with Michigan youth and young adults. Jazlyn provides encouragement to young adults and right to life affiliates who are looking to get involved with Right to Life of Michigan young adult program. Inf…
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In this LifeBeat episode, we discuss why it's important that you vote and where you can find resources that explain where, when, how and who. We also discussed the importance of the National March for Life and how our fight on the national is not done yet.By Right to Life of Michigan
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What is the Prolife Approach to End-of-Life Care?
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In this LifeBeat feature, Ed Rivet, previous Right to Life of Michigan Legislative Director and expert in battling physician-assisted suicide joins us to discuss the history of assisted suicide in Michigan and how we can combat this dangerous practice by promoting prolife approaches to end-of-the-life care.…
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On Jan. 19th, 2024, funding runs out for roughly 20 percent of the U.S. Government — including essential programs like some veterans assistance and food and drug safety services. The funding for the rest of the government runs out on Feb. 2. Hit play to get up to speed on the state of play in Congress with Host Steve Ellis and special guests Josh S…
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In this week's episode of LifeBeat, Genevieve Marnon, our Legislative Director, joins us to discuss assisted suicide. In December of 2023, a package of bills was introduced in the Michigan Senate that would legalize assisted suicide if passed. We discuss why Michiganders should oppose this dangerous practice and how it could impact people of color,…
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Faith in Life: Celebrating 43 Years with Barbara Listing
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In this month's Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults sits down with RLM President, Barbara Listing to discuss her retirement after 43 years of serving. During her time as President, Mrs. Listing directed RLM·s educational, legal and political priorities. As such, she has co-managed three successful statewide legislative initiative drives and …
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Celebrating Christmas, Barbara Listing and Courageous Families
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In this LifeBeat episode, we discuss prolife news from Michigan, all the way to Texas. On December 11, Governor Whitmer signed the last bill in the Reproductive Health Act. Katie Cox, a lady from Texas sued her state so she could get an abortion at 20 weeks. Her baby was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Thank you to the families who have chosen life when…
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Feature: Get Out There and Vote in 2024 with Emily Kroll
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In this month's LifeBeat feature, we sit down with Right to Life of Michigan PAC Director, Emily Kroll to discuss what voters need to know about 2024 election dates, endorsements and why it's so important to vote this coming year. Emily explains what voting laws have changed in the last year and what races we will see up for election in 2024.…
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It’s never too late to harvest savings for taxpayers. On this episode of Budget Watchdog AF, we dig deep and root out the egregious taxpayer subsidies being sent to foreign insurers and large mega-farms.By Taxpayers For Common Sense
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