The forgotten economic foundation of America lies hidden in plain sight - tariffs. For over 150 years, these import taxes funded 90-95% of the federal government while simultaneously protecting American industry and workers. This eye-opening exploration of tariff history challenges everything we've been taught about international trade and taxation.

Bill Federer takes us on a constitutional journey beginning with George Washington's Tariff Act of 1789 and the creation of the Coast Guard specifically to enforce these vital revenue mechanisms. The narrative weaves through America's industrial revolution, where tariffs enabled northern factories to flourish, creating the fastest rise in living standards humanity had ever witnessed. Women were liberated from menial tasks as factory-made products transformed daily life with ready-made clothing, indoor plumbing, and modern conveniences.

The prosperity of America's Gilded Age stands as testament to the effectiveness of tariff policies, with ornate public buildings and infrastructure developments showcasing the nation's wealth. Everything changed with Woodrow Wilson's introduction of income tax on the wealthiest 1%, later expanded by FDR during World War II through paycheck withholding - a clever mechanism that obscured the true tax burden from workers.

Most surprising are John F. Kennedy's economic insights, which mirror today's tariff debates. Kennedy recognized that high taxation drove American capital overseas and advocated for tax cuts to stimulate economic activity. His assertion that "tax rates are too high, tax revenues are too low, and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut tax rates" offers a profound perspective on current economic policy discussions.

Ready to challenge your assumptions about tariffs and discover how they shaped American prosperity? Dive into this provocative historical journey that reveals how returning to constitutional funding mechanisms might address today's economic challenges.

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When a state legislator stands firm on principle, remarkable transformations become possible. Representative Barbara Ehardt from Idaho joins the WallBuilders Show to share the extraordinary legislative victories she's achieved defending families, women, and religious freedom.

The conversation begins with a powerful acknowledgment of President Trump's Easter message – a refreshingly bold proclamation of Christian faith rarely seen from national leaders. This sets the stage for Ehart's discussion of her own courageous stances in Idaho's legislature.

Ehart first rose to national prominence through her "Fairness in Women's Sports" legislation, which has now been replicated in 27 states. The movement gained tremendous momentum when female collegiate athletes began speaking out about the unfairness of competing against biological males. Most recently, Boise State women's volleyball team's refusal to compete against San Jose State (which had a male player) sparked similar stands from Utah State, University of Wyoming, and ultimately the entire Mountain West Conference.

The conversation reveals how seemingly impossible legislative victories became reality through persistence and divine timing. After years of effort, Barbara Ehardt secured passage of mandatory "opt-in" requirements for human sexuality education, campus free speech protections, and comprehensive safety measures preventing biological males from entering women's prisons, shelters, and restroom facilities. In what Ehart describes as miraculous timing, the Ninth Circuit unanimously upheld Idaho's K-12 bathroom protections just as debates were heating up over her new legislation.

Perhaps most compelling is Ehardt's passionate defense of these priorities against critics who dismiss them as mere "culture wars" distractions from "real issues." As she powerfully articulates, protecting children from inappropriate content and ensuring women's safety are precisely the issues families care most deeply about. When asked whether parents would prioritize infrastructure or their daughter's safety, there's simply no question.

Want to join the movement to restore common sense and protect families in your state? Contact your legislators today and urge them to follow Idaho's lead. Together, we can seize this moment of opportunity and rebuild a culture that honors timeless values.

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A masterclass in economic strategy unfolds as former Congressman Bob McEwen joins the WallBuilders Show to dissect President Trump's controversial tariff policies. McEwen cuts through the noise with clarity and historical perspective, revealing how these tariffs represent sophisticated negotiation tactics rather than permanent economic barriers.

"You can stand on any street corner in Europe and not see a single American car go by," McEwen observes, highlighting the 26% tariff European nations place on American vehicles while enjoying relatively unchallenged access to U.S. markets. This stark imbalance frames Trump's approach not as protectionism but as leverage to create genuine free trade through reciprocity.

Drawing powerful parallels between the Carter administration of the 1970s and Biden's presidency (dubbing the latter "Carter 2.0"), McEwen reminds listeners how quickly economic fortunes can reverse under proper leadership. Just as Reagan's policies triggered an economic renaissance following Carter's malaise, Trump's America-first approach aims to restore manufacturing, energy production, and financial sovereignty.

Perhaps most illuminating is McEwen's explanation of market transitions. When policies shift to favor Main Street over multinational corporations, markets initially react with uncertainty. This temporary turbulence ultimately leads to more balanced growth—if leaders have the backbone to weather criticism. "You can count politicians willing to endure this transition on one hand," McEwen notes, "and virtually with one finger."

The conversation culminates with a sobering analysis of America's debt vulnerability. Having surged from a historically stable 30% of GDP to over 100% during COVID, this debt exposure invites exploitation from nations seeking alternatives to the dollar-based system. Trump's focus on eliminating waste and reducing debt emerges as essential to preserving American economic leadership.

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The American constitutional system is showing remarkable resilience as the judicial branch returns to its proper role within our system of government. This episode breaks down several significant Supreme Court decisions that aren't merely victories for any particular administration but represent the restoration of constitutional order.

We explore how lower courts have frequently overstepped their authority by issuing nationwide injunctions from district court benches, effectively making national policy decisions. The Supreme Court is now systematically reining in this judicial activism, sending a clear message about the importance of proper jurisdiction and constitutional boundaries.

The conversation dives deep into federal employment reform, examining how government jobs have too often become permanent entitlements rather than positions of public service. We analyze court decisions that now allow the executive branch to appropriately manage its workforce, just as private sector employers must do. This shift represents a fundamental return to constitutional principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility.

Perhaps most encouraging is the recent shuttering of USAID, a $40 billion agency that had strayed far from its original purpose. When taxpayer dollars fund transgender operas in Colombia and electric vehicles in Vietnam instead of genuine humanitarian needs, it's clear that bureaucratic mission creep has gone too far. The State Department's decision to close this agency while maintaining essential functions elsewhere exemplifies the kind of government reform many Americans have long demanded.

These developments point to a broader restoration of constitutional governance where each branch respects its limitations and where government serves the people rather than entrenched bureaucratic interests. Join us as we celebrate these victories for limited government and the rule of law, and consider what further reforms might strengthen our constitutional republic.

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What happens when constitutional principles collide with modern convenience? We dive deep into the controversial issue of proxy voting in Congress that recently divided Republican lawmakers. The Constitution never anticipated representatives would claim their job without showing up, yet a recent dispute over allowing proxy voting for personal circumstances threatened to change centuries of precedent.

The stark contrast is unmistakable—we prosecute citizens for voter fraud while considering letting representatives cast multiple votes. As one congressman noted, "proxy voting for regular citizens on Election Day would never be acceptable, so why change the rules for those with even greater responsibility?"

We also explore a fascinating historical parallel: only about 14% of Americans actively participated in the Revolutionary War. This small remnant, guided by biblical principles, managed to defeat the world's strongest military power against overwhelming odds. Could a similar minority influence American culture today? The cultural divide in modern America presents unique challenges compared to the relative consensus of the founding era, particularly on fundamental issues where worldviews have dramatically diverged.

For those struggling to understand our founding documents, we unpack John Locke's challenging Two Treatises of Government—a cornerstone text that profoundly influenced the Declaration of Independence. With sentences sometimes exceeding 200 words written at what would be considered a 78th-grade reading level today, Locke's work requires persistence. Yet understanding his biblical arguments against monarchical divine right reveals how thoroughly Scripture informed America's founding principles.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, reconnecting with these foundational texts and principles becomes increasingly vital for anyone who cherishes constitutional government and liberty.

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The political and cultural landscape in Washington D.C. has undergone remarkable transformation according to David and Tim Barton, who share their firsthand observations from a recent pastor's briefing in the nation's capital. Their conversations with congressional representatives reveal a refreshing shift in attitude and purpose among newly elected officials who arrive with clear intentions rather than simply occupying office space.

A significant revelation emerged from multiple congressional sources: America has dramatically altered its approach to international relations. Previous administrations had effectively coerced foreign nations into adopting controversial positions on gender, sexuality, and abortion by threatening to withhold financial aid—essentially exporting values that many Americans themselves find troubling. The current administration has halted this practice, no longer using American power to force ideological compliance from countries that often maintain stronger moral positions than our own.

The administration's targeted immigration enforcement strategy showcases another area of meaningful change. Recent deportation efforts have focused specifically on removing violent criminals and gang members from American communities. In just 50 days, immigration authorities have made arrests equivalent to the previous administration's entire final year, with over 14,000 convicted criminals and more than 1,100 gang members among those detained. This strategic prioritization has received judicial support from the Supreme Court, which recently rejected attempts by lower courts to halt deportations.

Equally noteworthy is the administration's approach to international trade. Facing a monthly trade deficit of approximately $130 billion, the president has implemented a straightforward strategy of matching tariffs imposed by other nations. Despite criticism, this approach has already prompted over 50 countries to initiate negotiations, with several immediately dropping all tariffs on American goods—potentially opening markets for U.S. products and creating domestic jobs.

Ready to dive deeper into these issues? Join us for more insights on faith, culture, and the policies shaping America's future. Visit wallbuilders.com to learn how you can participate in upcoming events.

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Two pressing questions converge in this thought-provoking episode: What role did faith actually play in America's founding, and is there really gold in Fort Knox? David and Tim Barton call in from Washington DC, where they're conducting a pastor's briefing that reveals the forgotten Christian foundations woven throughout our Capitol's history, from the first English Bible printed in America with Congressional approval to church services held in the Capitol building itself.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when we explore President Trump and Elon Musk's recent statements about verifying the gold reserves at Fort Knox. Financial journalist Andrew Moran joins to explain why this isn't just idle curiosity—if the reported $500 billion in gold reserves aren't actually there, the economic consequences could be catastrophic for every American. Moran traces the controversial history of Fort Knox's gold, much of which came from FDR's confiscation of citizens' private gold holdings in the 1930s, and explains why even Kentucky's own Senator Rand Paul hasn't been allowed to tour the facility.

This episode illuminates how government transparency (or lack thereof) affects both our spiritual and economic foundations. When institutions hide truth and manipulate history—whether about America's Christian heritage or its gold reserves—public trust erodes and conspiracy theories flourish. The solution? Leaders committed to transparency and truth-telling, even when the news isn't what we want to hear. As the team points out, this aligns perfectly with biblical principles of leadership: "able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness."

Subscribe now to join us at the intersection of faith, culture, and current events as we work to restore America's constitutional foundations.

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A quiet revolution in higher education is underway, and Stanley Kurtz has been at the forefront of making it happen. On this episode, we dive deep into Utah's groundbreaking Senate Bill 334 – legislation that requires university students to complete three semesters studying Western civilization and one semester on American civics. But this isn't just another curriculum mandate.

What makes this bill revolutionary is how it ensures implementation. Rather than allowing faculty to subvert legislative intent (as has happened countless times before), these courses will be taught under the supervision of an independent academic unit led by educators who genuinely value traditional education. The bill also mandates full transparency – syllabi, required reading, lecture topics, and discussion themes must all be posted online for public viewing.

Stanley explains why this represents "as big a breakthrough in higher education reform as we've ever seen." We explore how universities have drifted from teaching the origins of ideas to promoting ideologies divorced from their historical consequences. This approach leaves students without the context needed to evaluate contemporary proposals against historical precedent.

David Barton describes this educational reform as "the antidote to wokeness," while Tim Barton highlights how transparency creates accountability that's been missing in academia. We discuss examples of previous educational requirements being undermined by faculty who taught courses like "LGBTQ American History" to fulfill basic civics requirements – something this new approach specifically prevents.

The implications extend far beyond Utah. This legislative model could spread nationwide, potentially transforming how universities approach education. While college isn't necessary for everyone, ensuring quality education for those who attend remains crucial. Whether you're a parent, educator, legislator, or concerned citizen, this conversation will change how you think about higher education reform. Share this episode with someone who cares about the future of education in America.

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