This episode hits on everything from Supreme Court smackdowns to Ohio’s latest budget wrangling. Some fascinating historical context, legal insight, and yes, even a bit of humor about how our government actually works.

Here are 3 key takeaways that resonated with me:

• Judicial Power & Nationwide Injunctions: The Supreme Court’s recent decision hammered home a crucial point—allowing a single district judge to halt federal policy nationwide is a bad idea, no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion (and the fiery back-and-forth with Ketanji Brown Jackson) is a reminder of just how critical it is to keep checks and balances intact.
• Budget Battles & Political Theater: Ohio’s “big and beautiful” budget bill is full of political give-and-take. Whether it’s debate over taxing H1B remittances, property tax relief, or flat tax reforms, the hosts highlighted how government spending (and the process to pass it) is often more about showmanship than substance.
• Understanding Our History—with Nuance: The episode underscored the importance of studying our country’s past honestly, including the complexities of the Founding Fathers and the long, painful arc of issues like slavery. Our modern debates about policy and social justice are richer (and fairer) when we confront history head-on, not through simplistic narratives.

Common Sense Moments

00:00 Reflecting on July 4th

08:17 Short-Sighted Statutes and Grant's Legacy

12:59 Injunctions as Legal Tools

20:04 Politicization of Supreme Court Nominations

23:57 Speech Restrictions and Content Discrimination

27:15 Defending Unpopular Cases and Challenges

34:15 Misleading Goods and Political Frustrations

41:10 Debt Compromise: A Necessary Choice

44:32 Ohio Budget: DeWine's 67 Vetoes

48:25 Ohio Property Tax Controversy

54:45 Ohio Property Tax Controversy

01:00:21 Tragic Crash: Truck Driver Sentenced

01:07:06 US Debt Crisis: Real Cuts Needed

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

A Big Thanks to our sponsor, Harper Plus Accounting. They provide more than just basic transactions, offering expert business consultation as well. They go beyond the basics, providing comprehensive advice on saving, planning, and optimizing taxes.

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio, where "right from the middle" means no topic is too hot to handle—especially when it comes to F bombs and bunker bombs. In this episode, co-host Brett returns from a month-long hiatus to join Norm as they tackle a packed agenda covering both global and local headlines.

Get ready for an unfiltered dive into international diplomacy as the hosts unpack recent U.S. military actions in Iran, including a discussion on the controversial use of bunker buster bombs and America’s ongoing approach to global regime change. Brett and Norm draw parallels from history, weighing the impact of American intervention abroad, with plenty of opinions on what actually works.

Back on the home front, they break down the ins and outs of Congress’s “big beautiful bill”, the pivotal legislation working its way through Washington. The guys debate the ever-climbing national debt, question why non-budgetary riders are buried in the bill, and challenge politicians to grow a backbone and make tough decisions, finally.

Ohio issues get their share of airtime, too. Find out why a local lawmaker wants to tie funding for pro sports teams to winning records, and get the latest scoop on Supreme Court decisions affecting immigration and local communities. From electric vehicle mandates to the wild idea of government-run grocery stores, nothing is off the table.

Whether you’re a political junkie, a sports fan, or just someone trying to make sense of today’s headlines, this episode delivers sharp insight and classic Midwestern no-nonsense. So buckle up and enjoy another week of Common Sense Ohio!

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Moments

00:00 Diplomatic Struggles Before Ceasefire

06:45 Embassy Sovereignty and International Relations

14:47 Tax Deduction Disagreement in Congress

16:04 Debt Crisis and Legislative Challenges

24:14 Efficient Mass Transit Advocacy

28:58 Conditional Funding for Accountability

34:31 "Immigration Policy and Deportation Debate"

40:29 EV Mandate Reversal Spurs V8 Revival

46:57 EV Tax Registration Confusion

50:31 Grocery Prices Debate

57:32 Farewell: Brian, Bobby, Rick Remembered

01:00:15 "Strikes on Iran Nuclear Facilities"

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.

info@commonsenseohioshow.com

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Mentioned in this episode:

Harper CPA Plus

Welcome back to Common Sense Ohio! In this episode, Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock tackle some of the hottest issues making headlines—both at home and abroad. The conversation kicks off with a dive into history, reflecting on America’s ongoing struggle to balance free speech and government power, from the Alien and Sedition Acts of the 18th century to present-day campus protests and debates over censorship on social media.

The guys get into the nitty-gritty of the legal showdown between California Governor Gavin Newsom and President Trump over the federalization of the National Guard during civil unrest. This is a topic with far-reaching implications for states’ rights and executive power. They relate this modern drama to past events, like Eisenhower’s historic call to federalize the Guard in Alabama during the civil rights era.

The discussion then shifts to today’s border and immigration challenges in Ohio and nationwide, exploring ICE enforcement, due process for asylum seekers, and the real-world impacts of shifting federal policies. Internationally, Steve and Norm dig into the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, the role of U.S. foreign policy, and what it could mean for global stability.

As always, our hosts wrap things up with some common sense—sharing their takes on local happenings, the importance of cultural mainstays like baseball, and a touching tribute to the late Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Harper CPA Plus on website

Common Sense Moments

00:00 Adams-Jefferson Rivalry and French Tensions

09:00 History Repeats: Rights Contested

10:52 US National Guard Federal Activation

19:31 Private Security Mistake Leads to Fatality

22:17 Media Misunderstandings on Deportation

26:39 Trump's Middle East Strategy Unveiled

36:42 Shifting Perspectives on Border Control

37:43 "Border Control Failures Echo 9/11"

44:09 Impact of Arrest on Family

48:37 Trump-Era Tariffs & Market Impact

56:13 "Brian Wilson: Good vs. Evil"

Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.

Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Copyright 2025 Common Sense Ohio

Mentioned in this episode:

Harper CPA Plus