Ep. 87 - The Truth About Secession - Part I

The “S” word - secession - seems to be brought up with more and more frequency lately. Most recently we have seen counties in rural Virginia exploring the possibility of seceding from the state and joining West Virginia. We are seeing similar movements in Northern California and rural counties in Oregon. While those are wonderful developments, the larger question regarding secession is the idea of entire states seceding from the United States and essentially establish their own nation.
The idea of state secession picks up steam with every passing year as the federal government - the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches AND the federal bureaucracy - continues to enlarge its power base well beyond its enumerated powers in the Constitution.
In this episode, I will introduce you to the concept of secession, discuss some of the current and past secession movements and walk you through three reasons why secession is not only desirable but necessary. In Episode #88 we will discuss how secession is justified and rebut most of the arguments against it.
Show Notes:
American Secession: The Looming Threat of a National Breakup, F.H. Buckley
Mises Institute:
Secession in Virginia Would Defuse State's Conflict Over Guns
Why Governments Hate Secession
Three Reason Why More Secession Means More Freedom
Why Rothbard Wanted Radical Decentralization
Tom Woods Podcast:
Ep. 52 - Secede!
Ep. 82 - Walter Williams on Nullification, Secession, and More
Ep. 196 - Secession, the South, and the Modern State Donald Livingstone
Ep. 261 – Progressive Case for Secession
Ep. 326 – What Tom Told the Washington Post about Secession
Ep. 796 – Secession is moronic
Ep. 1332 – Should Libertarians Support Secession?
Ep. 1565 – Decentralization and Secession: Jeff Deist on the Only Way Forward
Ep. 1575 – American Secession: Potential of National Breakup?
The Brion McClanhan Show:
Episode 169 – Secession and Reconciliation
Episode 293 – How Would Secession Work?
Secession is for Morons
Secession is a Solution for Deep Political Division
Ron Paul: Thoughts on Secession
Credit Suisse: The Success of Small Countries
Greater Idaho Conservatives Oregon want 22 Rural Counties Secede and Become Part Idaho
Truth Quest Podcast:
Episode #19 - The Truth About Elections and Washington, D.C.
Episode #23 - The Truth About Nullification
Episode #88 - The Truth About Secession - Part II
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The video of this episode is available on Rumble, BitChute, Brighteon and Thinkspot. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.

Ep. 85 - The Truth About the State of the Union Address

What does the spectacle known as the State of the Union Address reveal?
In the first part of this episode, we examine President Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address through the eyes of someone who has been off the grid for several decades - an unbiased, casual observer. What did he notice? What were his impressions? What questions did he have?
The last part of the episode is an assessment of what the SOTU address reveals about the state of our nation, the state of our federal government and the state of the Constitution.
Show Notes:
President Trump's State of the Union Address
The 31 Times Republicans Applauded Obama During SOTU
All of the Things Paul Ryan Didn't Clap for at the State of the Union
Obama State of the Union: Republicans Enraged
Democrats refuse to stand for Trump at State of the Union
Resistance: Here's What Democrats Refused to Applaud During Trump's SOTU Address
Truth Quest Podcast Episodes:
Episode #4 – The Truth About Minimum Wage
Episode #7 – The Truth About Climate Change
Episode #14 – The Truth About Obamacare
Episode #18 – The Truth About Gun Control
Episode #20- The Truth About Birthright Citizenship
Episode #39 - The Truth About Student Loans and the Cost of College
Episode #41 - The Truth About the Gender Pay Gap
Episode #46 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - Sick and Twisted
Episode #47 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - Part II - What They Don't Tell You
Episode #73 - The Truth About Trump Derangement Syndrome
The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
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Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, BitChute, Brighteon and Thinkspot. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.

Ep. 83 - The Truth About Capitalism

You are likely familiar with the caricature of capitalism. You know the one - capitalism is some nefarious monster that does nothing but squash the little guy like bugs while the billionaires laugh, smoke cigars and sip the finest cognac.
The criticisms of capitalism are well-known. Capitalism is based on greed and selfishness. It is immoral. It exploits workers. It is a zero-sum game. Under capitalism, giant corporations have too much power and it is based on competition rather than cooperation.
But have you ever examined these claims in any detail? Have you ever considered the alternatives to capitalism?
Show Notes
Twitter | Rumble | BitChute | Spotify | Apple
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Only Capitalism Will Save Millenials
Freedom of Choice is What Sets Capitalism Apart, Not Competition 
Anti-Capitalism: Trendy But Wrong
Why Socialism Failed
Capitalism Wins
The Immorality of Socialism
PragerU
Capitalism vs. Socialism
Is Capitalism Moral
Why Capitalism Works
Why You Love Capitalism
Myth, Lies and Capitalism
Alexandria Ocasio Corte Does Not Understand Capitalism or Socialism
Truth Quest Podcast Episodes
Episode #12 - The Truth About Socialized Medicine
Episode #27 - The Truth About the Federal Reserve - An Introduction
Episode #28 - The Truth About the Federal Reserve - The Results
Episode #50 - The Truth About Party Over Principle
Episode #57 - The Truth About Free Stuff
Episode #65 - The Truth About Wal-Mart
 

Ep. 82 - The Truth About How the United States is Supposed to Conduct War

Following the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani (as discussed in the previous Episode #81), national Democrats insisted that Trump violated the War Powers Act of 1973 and passed a non-binding resolution in the House condemning the strike. 
In that episode I spent a lot of time examining America’s penchant for perpetual war. As discussed, the list of American intervention overseas is quite remarkable: Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Grenada, Panama, Yugoslavia, the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines, Vietnam, Chile, Egypt, Kosovo, Somalia, Congo, currently we are involved in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. 
In this episode, I want to turn our attention away from WHERE the U.S. military has been (or are currently) to focus on the HOW.  How is the United States war-making capabilities supposed to be carried out or applied?
You may be surprised (or not) to know that the Constitution's dictates around the involvement of our military has largely been ignored for the last 78 years.  
Show Notes:
Is the War Powers Act Constitutional 
David Rivkin and Lee Casey on the House War Powers Resolution
The Constitution - Article II
Is the Presidency too Attractive
Obama Admits Libya was his Worst Mistake but for all the Wrong Reasons
The Useless War Powers Act
Truth Quest Podcast - Episode #68 - The Truth About Impeachment
The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
Join the conversation at The Truth Quest Facebook Fan Page
Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, BitChute, Brighteon and Thinkspot. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.

Ep. 80 - The Truth About Democracies

Is it just me or is anyone else bothered when you hear politicians and talking heads refer to America as democracy? The “D-word” is thrown around so often by so many that I don’t think many people bat an eye when they hear it.  
What is the truth about democracy in America?
Show Notes
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A Republic If You Can Keep It
Why Americas Founders Didn't Want a Democracy
Why It Matters That the United States is Supposed to be a Republic Not a Democracy
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Ep. 76 - The Truth About Hate Speech

If you pay the slightest bit of attention to the news – nationally or locally – you’ve likely noticed a movement to squash free speech. Sometimes it’s subtle such as a gentle reminder from your spouse not to bring up a particular topic at the family gathering lest you offend Uncle Pete. However, what is happening with more frequency is mass censorship of speech under the guise of calling it “hate speech.” 
What is the truth about hate speech?
Show Notes
Why America Needs Hate Speech Law
UC Berkeley Students Try to Ban Hate Speech From Campus
Cornell Students Move to Ban Hate Speech
Europe Policies Hate Speech; Time for U.S. to do so, too
Freedom for the Speech We Hate
Howard Dean's Wrong Tweet
Hate Speech is Free Speech Governor Dean
Connecticut: Where Ridicule Is A Crime - Alan Dershowitz
Poll: Majority of College Students Support Punishment for Offensive Holloween Costumes
Hate Speech Doesn't Exist
Op-Ed: Actually, hate speech is protected speech
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With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. 
We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. 
Good luck! And thanks for supporting the Truth Quest Podcast!
Check out the "Disinformation is FREE SPEECH" shirt partially inspired by this episode.
The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
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Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, Thinkspot, BitChute and Brighteon. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.
 

Ep. 75 - The Truth About the Anti-Federalists

When you hear discussions about the Constitution and the Founding Fathers, you are likely hearing about the majority group who supported the new Constitution called the Federalists. However, there was another group of prophetic founders who opposed the Constitution as written for a variety of reasons who were equally important. They are called the Anti-Federalists. These forgotten founders warned about the inevitable growth in size, scope and power of the federal government - especially the judiciary - all at the expense of the individual states.
Evidence of their accurate predictions can be seen virtually everyday in the national news.
Show Notes
Twitter | Rumble | BitChute | Spotify | Apple
The Anti-Federalists Were Right
Prophetic Anti-Federalists
The Anti-Federalists Were Eerily Prophetic
The Letters of Centinel Attacks on the U.S. Constitution 1787-1788 by Samuel Brya
Brion McClanahan Podcast Episode 63
Anti-Federalists: Federalists and State Sovereignty
The Complete Anti-Federalist edited by Herbert J. Storing
Brion McClanahan Episode 281 - The Anti-Federalist
Truth Quest Episodes:
Episode #3 - The Truth About the Constitution
Episode #37 - The Truth About the Bill of Rights
Episode #43 -The Truth About the Federalist Papers - Part I
Episode #44 - The Truth About the Federalist Papers - Part II
Episode #45 - The Truth About the Federalist Papers - Part III
Episode #68 - The Truth About Impeachment
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Check out the shirt inspired by this episode: "The Anti-Federalists were Right About Everything!" 
With each shirt design there will be an explanation of what to expect from those inquisitive or brave enough to ask you about it. In most cases there are links to podcast episodes that will further deepen your understanding of the importance of each phrase. 
We hope you take the challenge of wearing these shirts in public and to family gatherings. Don't worry! You will be equipped with the rhetorical tools to engage in conversation and/or debate. 

Ep. 72 - The Truth About Edward Snowden

If you ask the average American their impression of Edward Snowden, you are likely to hear him portrayed as a villain; he is a traitor to the country and should be tried for treason. A growing minority, however, view him as a hero for exposing the illegal and unconstitutional mass surveillance program which was implemented shortly after the terrorist attack on September 11.
In this episode, we examine the Snowden saga with an eye toward what it teaches us about the Constitution.
Show Notes:
My Life as a NewYork Times Reporter in the Shadow of the War on Terror
Presidents Surveillance Program Worked with Private Sector to Collect Data After Sept 11
Edward Snowden and Turnkey Tyranny
Edward Snowden on the Joe Rogan podcast
Permanent Record, by Edward Snowden
Truth Quest Podcast Episodes:
Episode #3 – The Truth About the Constitution
Episode #37 – The Truth About the Bill of Rights
Episode #42 - The Truth About Julian Assange
Episode #46 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - Sick and Twisted
Episode #47 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - What They Don't Tell You
The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
Join the conversation at The Truth Quest Facebook Fan Page
Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, Thinkspot, BitChute, and Brighteon. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.

Ep. 68 - The Truth About Impeachment

Impeachment is a constitutional tool whose responsibility is granted solely to the House of Representatives. As outlined in the Constitution, the rules of impeachment are both specific (treason and bribery) and general (high crimes and misdemeanors). Besides the president and vice president, all "civil officers" are subject to impeachment. That means all federal employees whether appointed or hired.
Contrary to popular belief, impeachment does not mean removal from office. It is essentially an indictment. The Constitution grants the Senate the responsibility of holding a trial based on the evidence presented by the House. If convicted, the defendant can be removed from office and banned from future service in the federal government.
The power of impeachment has been used sparingly with only 19 instances in the nation's history.
You may be surprised by what we uncover when we dive into the language from the Constitution about impeachment, read the words of the Founding Fathers on the topic and study the history of its practice. How many Presidents, Supreme Court Justices and federal employees should have been impeached if the Constitution was followed? 
Show Notes:
KrisAnne Show: Episode 281 - Impeachment Yesterday, Today and the Future
House.gov - Impeachment List
Founders Constitution
Legal Dictionary: High Crimes and Misdemeanors
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States
Brion McClanahan Episode 261
Truth Quest Podcast Episodes:
Episodes #16 - The Truth About the Supreme Court
Episode #23 - The Truth About Nullification
Episode #46 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - Sick and Twisted
Episode #47 - The Truth About Roe v. Wade - What They Don't Tell You
 The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
Join the conversation at The Truth Quest Facebook Fan Page
Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, Thinkspot, BitChute, and Brighteon. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.
 

Ep. 64 - The Truth About the Federal Income Tax and the Sixteenth Amendment

What would you say if I told you the federal income tax is unconstitutional? You most likely would say, "How can that be? I thought we have a constitutional amendment that covers the income tax?"
In this episode we are going to examine a perspective that you’ve likely never heard before and look at the truth about the federal income tax and the Sixteenth Amendment. You may be surprised to know that the manner in which the federal income tax is levied may not be in compliance with the Sixteenth Amendment nor with Supreme Court opinions on income tax cases.
Show Notes
The Great Income Tax Hoax – Irvin Schiff
Two Negative Consequences of the Income Tax – Daniel J. Mitchell
Is Today the Anniversary of the Income Tax the Worse Day in American History
Prior to 1913 No One Paid Income Tax - Why Now?
The Truth Quest Podcast Patron Page
Join the conversation at The Truth Quest Facebook Fan Page
Order a copy of Shawn's books, Pritical Thinking, The Proverbs Project, The Termite Effect.
The video of this episode is available on Rumble, Thinkspot, BitChute and Brighteon. Check out short highlight videos of each episode on Instagram.