Newt's World

The 2024 World Happiness Report, released by Gallup, ranks the United States 23rd, a drop from 15th place the previous year. The top four happiest countries are Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. The report suggests that the U.S. ranking has fallen due to the perspectives of people under 30. The report measures happiness based on life evaluations, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Newt’s guest is John Helliwell, one of the chief editors of the World Happiness Report, a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Distinguished Fellow, and Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of British Columbia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the $1.2 trillion spending package signed by President Joe Biden on March 23, 2024. The bill, which will fund the government through October 1st, contains numerous earmarks or pork barrel spending. Newt’s guest, David Ditch, Senior Policy Analyst at The Heritage Foundation, explains the process of funding the federal government and the issues with the current system. Ditch criticizes the increasing reliance on mandatory programs like Social Security and Medicare, which operate on autopilot and consume a growing share of the federal budget. He also criticizes the return of earmarks, which he says are often used to fund left-wing ideologies. Ditch suggests that budget reform is necessary to reduce wasteful spending.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt’s guest is historian and author Allen C. Guelzo. He discusses his new book, "Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment." Guelzo explores Abraham Lincoln's deep commitment to democracy and how it guided him through the Civil War. He also discusses Lincoln's belief that democracy was the greatest political achievement in human history. Guelzo argues that Lincoln's understanding of democracy, including the balance between majority and minority rule, allowed him to stand firm against secession and commit the Union to reconciliation after the war. Guelzo also discusses the challenges Lincoln faced in preserving liberty and the American Republic as the nation drifted into a crisis between the North and South.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses a range of issues with members of his Inner Circle. He talks about the current political situation in America, including the lack of a majority in the U.S. House and the challenges that presents. He also discusses the resignations of several Republican congressmen and the potential implications for the Republican majority. Gingrich also addresses the issue of illegal immigration, suggesting that a constitutional amendment on naturalization could help address the problem. He also discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the legal system and the potential for repatriation of illegal immigrants. You can become a member of Newt’s Inner Circle by going to newtsinnercircle.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Brenda Hafera from The Heritage Foundation about her new report detailing the crisis facing boys and men in America, titled “Men Without Meaning: The Harmful Effects of Expressive Individualism.” The report highlights the struggles faced by boys and men in the U.S., including mental, physical, economic, academic, and spiritual challenges. For instance, suicide is the second leading cause of death for men under 45, and the IQ of boys is dropping. The report also points out that only 25% of men aged 17 to 24 qualified for military service in 2020 due to mental, physical, and drug abuse issues. The report suggests that the absence of fathers is a significant factor contributing to these issues. The report recommends revitalizing marriage and fatherhood, promoting school choice, and encouraging vocational schools and apprenticeship programs as potential solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haiti, a nation that began with liberation and resistance, is now on the brink of collapse due to political chaos, economic devastation, and foreign intervention. The assassination of President Moïse in 2021 has led to government officials fleeing the country and refugees seeking safety in the United States and Latin America. The country's infrastructure and economy have been crippled by both natural and manmade disasters. Jake Johnston, a Senior Research Associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, discusses Haiti's tumultuous history and current crisis in his new book “Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and The Battle To Control Haiti”. He argues that the country's problems are not solely due to internal corruption, but also the influence of powerful foreign countries. Johnson suggests that a change in U.S. policy and greater involvement of the Haitian diaspora could help the country move towards a more sustainable future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their new book, "We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War," authors Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea argue that a GOP foreign policy consensus is emerging, which they call the Trump-Reagan Fusion. They believe that any viable GOP foreign policy must build on the legacies of Trump and Reagan. The authors argue that the Trump-Reagan fusion is superior to progressive alternatives and can guide the GOP, the United States, and the American people to greater levels of peace, prosperity, and freedom. They also discuss the challenges posed by China and Russia, and the need for a strategic approach to these threats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Peter Schweizer, author of the book Blood Money. Schweizer discusses his two-year investigation into restricted Chinese military documents and American financial records, revealing the Chinese Communist Party's covert operations in social media, the American drug trade, social justice movements, and the medical establishment. He also discusses the popularity of TikTok among young Americans and the potential threat it poses as a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to manipulate public opinion. Schweizer argues that the US is already engaged in a non-kinetic war with China, with the latter using various means, including cultural products and the drug trade, to undermine and destabilize the U.S. He also criticizes the Biden administration and Wall Street for turning a blind eye to China's activities due to financial entanglements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open the Books, a transparency organization, released a report revealing that the University of Virginia spends $20 million on 235 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) employees, with some earning up to $587,340 per year. The report has sparked debate about the use of taxpayer money for DEI positions and programs. Open the Books' mission is to provide radical transparency so people can track government spending and hold politicians accountable for their decisions. The organization has captured nearly every dime taxed and spent at every level of government, federal, state, and local. Open the Books also revealed that elite universities have received about $45 billion in federal taxpayer subsidies since 2018. Newt’s guest is Adam Andrzejewski, CEO and Founder of Open the Books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini, who arrived in America in 1889, is celebrated in the new film Cabrini. Despite facing disease, crime, and impoverished children in New York slums, Cabrini convinced the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for orphan children. The film is directed by Alejandro Monteverde and produced and distributed by Angel Studios. Jeff Harmon, co-founder and chief content officer of Angel Studios, and Eduardo Verástegui, executive producer for the film, discuss the making of the film and the impact of Mother Cabrini's life. The film is now showing in theaters nationwide. Buy tickets at Angel.com/CabriniSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.