Issues And Ideas: News Commentary & Analysis With Chris DeBello May 10 2026

Join us for expert discussions and analysis on today's politics, the Voting Rights Act, a House member who's MIA, prescription drug prices, car prices and the services of the Salvation Army along with a study of the Bible.
 
(00:00) The continued fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on redistricting, the importance of the Voting Rights Act and pending legislation which could restrengthen it.

(06:22) The latest about a member of Congress from New Jersey who has been absent from Congress for over two months and the political impact.

(13:02) Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham, who's now a spokesperson with the Pharmacuetical Reform Alliance, shares the findings of a recent poll of Americans on the high cost of prescription drugs, who's to blame and what solutions are best.

(25:17) Ray Shefska, Co-Founder of CarEdge, reveals the reasons why buying a preowned vehicle isn't always the best buy when it comes to price and what's creating this situation.

(35:47) Major Brett DeMichael, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army NJ, talks about the services the Salvation Army provides and how people in NJ can raise money for those programs in NJ via their 5-K.

(47:33) Chris DeBello looks at all the Bible teaches about motherhood and honoring our moms on Mother's Day and every day.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello, welcome to Issues and Ideas. I'm Chris Stabello. You may have noticed the continuing fallout from the Supreme Court ruling regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The ruling came down last month, April 29th. Case was Louisiana versus Callas, and it really narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, struck down a Louisiana congressional map, created a second majority black district, but the conservative majority ruling at the map relied too heavily on race, which made it unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Justice Samuel Alito, he wrote the majority opinion, argued that Section two does not require states to draw majority-minority districts unless strict conditions are met. He stressed that traditional redistricting principles like compactness, for example, have to take priority over racial targets. Immediate fallout from that, the ruling's really been the catalyst for Republican-led states across the nation to not just consider but redraw congressional maps, try to get them done ahead of the 2026 midterms, gain some kind of advantage that they are even themselves confessing they desperately need. And this ruling is really it's developed into a trend regarding the Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act and weakening it. Go back to 2013 Shelby County versus Holder, the court invalidated the coverage formula in Section 4B of the Voting Rights Act, which pretty much ended the pre-clearance requirement that was established in Section 5 that had forced certain states that had a history of discrimination to get federal approval before changing voting laws. Move forward to 2021 with the Brunovich versus DNC. Court established guideposts that made it harder to challenge state voting rules, like things like ballot collection limits under Section Two. Now here's the crazy part. In light of the more recent ruling of Section Two, Allen versus Milligan. The court previously upheld Section Two to require a second majority black district in Alabama. So did they not just go against themselves in the ruling last month regarding Louisiana? If not that, a lot of legal observers saying the Supreme Court went against what's called the Purcell Principle. That's a legal doctrine that said federal courts should generally not change election rules close to any election. Named after a 2006 Supreme Court case, Purcells versus Gonzales. It's based on the idea last-minute changes could cause voter confusion and make election administration more difficult than it's already becoming. Something that's been absent from the fallout, though, is any serious discussion of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021. It's formal legislation in the House HR 4, Senate S4, is aimed at restoring, strengthening the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which, in light of those rulings I mentioned, the most recent one, a lot of people say that is much needed strengthening. It's named in honor of former Congressman John Lewis. The bill was designed to address the Supreme Court rulings that weakened federal oversight of state voting laws. It passed the House in August of 2021, did not advance in the Senate. It's been reintroduced in subsequent sessions, most recently in March of 2025. Some of the key provisions of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act replaces the formula that was struck down by the Supreme Court in Shelby County versus Holder in the 2013 case. It were to require jurisdictions with a recent history of voting rights violations, measured within the last twenty-five years, to seek Department of Justice or Federal Court approval before changing voting laws. This would also impose nationwide preclearance for specific practices, historically used for things like discrimination like redistricting, adding stricter voter ID requirements or reducing polling locations. It would restore Section Two to full strength of the Voting Rights Act, make it easier for citizens to challenge discriminatory voting rules in court, and require public notice of voting changes and expand voting access on places like tribal lands. But yet the Senate turned their backs to to any of those ideas. I should say Senate Republicans, and I think we know who who was the catalyst for that either happening or not happening. As the the same person who called the Voting Rights Act reverse discrimination, that would be Donald Trump. People are confusing too with the with the redistricting that has been struck down by the Supreme Court. They're saying, well, that's just to give favorable voting opportunities for minorities, black and Hispanic people. And that's not the purpose of the Voting Rights Act. The goal of the Voting Rights Act was to give equal weight to all votes. We have those who say, well, they're a fraction of the population, so let their vote be a fraction of the results. Just give you a look too at what the impact of the Voting Rights Act had been. And again, let's go with that understanding of fact that just with the black population, for example, they're roughly 18% of the total U.S. population. Let's just look at what history and statistics display and place before us. You go back to the Voting Rights Act time 1965, you have to go all the way to 2024 before you find the percentage of black population in America matching the percentage of black Southern representatives in the U.S. House. So the question becomes would that equality in those numbers continue to exist in light of the now GOP-led redistricting that's been opened up because of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling? He hasn't been seen for quite some time. In fact, he has not voted on a bill. He represents New Jersey in the U.S. House. He's not voted on a bill since March 5th. My count, he's missed 52 votes across 15 days of voting. His office has been kind of vague about why this is happening. It's the obvious belief is health issues. And any lack of detail is kind of out of the ordinary. He's already facing a tough election ahead. We'll get to those numbers in a second. He represents a swing district, as they say, includes parts of North and Central New Jersey. Previously served 19 years in the state Senate, 14 years as a Republican Party's leader. District he's in, Cain flipped it in 2022, defeating Democrat Representative Tom Molinowski by about three points, thanks to, of course, redistricting that pushed the seat toward the GOP. He won re-election by about five points in 2024. But things have changed quite a bit. Thanks to Donald Trump's falling approval ratings, high gas prices, a war that nobody wants. It's going to make it tough for any Republican to maintain any kind of razor-thin majority in their seat as well as in the House overall. Already Kane was seen as pretty much the most vulnerable incumbent in New Jersey. He has four Democrats who are going to be facing each other in the primary on June 2nd, decide who'll take on Kane in the fall. Kane's 7th Congressional District is made up of 101 counties, parts of Morris County, Somerset, as well as Sussex County. If you look at recent elections, a voted for Democrat Governor Mikey Sherrill by about two points last year. That was after voting for Donald Trump by just about a point back in 2024. And of course, we've talked about here on issues and ideas, Cain's district is also home to that planned ICE detention center in Roxbury, which is, of course, facing loud opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. And this might be an explanation of why Kane has really not been an active participant in the outrage regarding the ICE detention center. Gets even more strange, political reported a couple of weeks ago not even his Republican colleagues could say where Kane had been for the last month. I hadn't heard back from him when he reached out. His team is citing unspecified health issues. As a reason for this, Kane consulted Harrison Neal, he said Cain will be back to his regular schedule soon. Well, at least in say two weeks. That doesn't work anymore with people. Cain did break a silence of social media statements. This past Monday he posted to his campaign account instead of his official congressional one, which was kind of odd, saying I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patience. As I address a personal medical issue, my doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete, and I will be back on the job I love very soon. He also mentioned that his congressional staff continuing the constituent services and legislative work and his campaign has continued to quote unquote run strong, but still kind of cryptic and not really full of many details. And how Kane is handling this is disturbing when you compare it with other high profile examples in recent years, like John Fetterman, Senator Federman, his staff, for example, disclosed his stroke during the 2022 campaign, his treatment for depression the following year. More recently a fall that led to his hospitalization that was back in November. Both Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, they informed the public when they became sick with COVID-19. Two members of the New Jersey delegation died while serving in 2024 Donald Payne. New York Democrat, he died from a diabetes complication, and Bill Pascal, Passaic County Democrat, both oilmakers, their staffs informed reporters of the reason for their hospitalizations at the time. Add to that, Kane's absence, that's making life even tougher, with the narrow Republican majority in the U.S. House, and Speaker Mike Johnson tries to do what he can to keep the ship afloat. Johnson said to the New York Times recently in a statement he expected Kane to be back to 100% very soon. Kane's own campaign lawyer told the LA Times, Cain and his father made it very clear it's a personal matter, and he's recovering and will be back altogether now soon. If you look at the campaign, who Tom Caine might be facing in November, there's four Democrats, like I said, running in the June 2nd primary. They are Rebecca Bennett, former Navy helicopter pilot, Air National Guard officer and health care business leader. She's raised the most money in the primary. She's sitting on about$2.7 million. Tina Shaw, an ICU physician, who was appointed as a fellow in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under former President Obama in his administration in 2016, worked as a senior advisor for the U.S. Service in general during the Biden administration. Brian Varela, entrepreneur who worked in marketing and childcare, and Michael Roth, who served as an interim leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration during the Biden administration. Candidates have each raised more than a million dollars in the district, but no one's outraged Tom Kane, the closest being Rebecca Bennett, but Kane right now is has raised$4.4 million and is currently sitting on$3.4 million cash on hand. Creates an interesting curiosity too, with the race being a vulnerable one for the GOP with the National Party come on in? Or with that financial advantage Kane has? Will he be left to his own, especially in light of how he's handled his absence? Worth watching, I think. Now you don't need me to tell you the cost of prescription drugs are outrageous and nauseating. At the same time, how long do you have to go back in time to find when this wasn't the case? Though I know promises have been made over and over. Things would change, but they haven't, have they? Only thing outnumbering the promises have been the finger pointing done to shift the blame off of one to another and search for a true bipartisan consensus. My first guest is here for findings of a report which reveals that consensus, we the people, want what we desperately need for our health and well-being, and we want it to be affordable. This is found in a poll published by the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, who also released a report earlier this year, March, as a matter of fact, called the State of U.S. drug pricing unaffordable. He's a former U.S. House of Representatives member representing South Carolina. He's now a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, former Representative Joe Cunningham. How are you today, sir?

SPEAKER_02 13:59

I am excellent. I'm excellent. Thanks for having me on, Chris.

SPEAKER_00 14:02

Well, thanks for addressing what is a much needed issue that needs a lot more than just addressing, but solutions. Find out more too at PharmaReformAlliance.com. And obviously, Joe, we look at this financially where it's costing people tens of billion dollars a year annually. But again, according to the report I mentioned that your organization came out with one out of five people are not filling prescriptions due to cost, and one in seven are cutting pills or skipping doses because of the cost of their prescription medication. So this is a serious impact that it is is hitting a lot of people. Why has this been happening? What what's you know, why is why is pharma getting the red carpet treatment that creates the situation for so many people?

SPEAKER_03 14:50

I mean I mean, Chris, as you mentioned, this has been going on for quite some time, and the shortest answer is greed. Uh it's greed by big pharma and it's impacting uh millions of Americans, as you mentioned, uh, especially as the number one concern about uh voters has become affordability and uh prescription drugs uh and their costs. This is something that you know Americans see every single month when they go to get their prescriptions filled. That's as you mentioned, if they get them filled, because so many are foregoing that strictly because of price. Uh not to mention the the long-term impacts, how more and more people are being forced into bankruptcy because of the high cost of health care. And this isn't, you know, this isn't a a problem that other developed developed nations face like America does on the uh on to the extent that we do.

SPEAKER_00 15:48

And what adds to the the infuriation that comes about from all this is how when pharma executives come before, or you probably saw it firsthand and see it to this day, they try to play the victim in all this, yet they have so much protection or such monopoly, you think it was the mafia back in the 1950s running New York City.

SPEAKER_03 16:10

It definitely seems that way, and anytime it's brought up, obviously the big pharma has an army of lobbyists. And you know, I I've been there, I've been there in Congress, and I've seen their lobbyists work, and I've seen the you know the amount that they spend not only just on lobbying, but on TV commercials as well. And you know, they may make the case that uh you know these high prices help uh them with their research and development, but the facts tell quite a different story. It tells us that Americans are paying high prices and essentially subsidizing the lower cost of uh people who live in other countries.

SPEAKER_00 16:52

And when you look at the results of the study that your organization did, pharma wants to blame politicians, politicians want to blame pharma. We the people are blaming both of them.

SPEAKER_03 17:04

Well, and and and you know, you know, like I said, it comes back to the cost, and while big pharma keeps patting their own pockets and their profits, profits are increasing year after year, it's ordinary Americans who are paying the price.

SPEAKER_00 17:20

Looking here too, and 77% of voters say they're more likely to support a candidate for public office who fights against the pharma companies as a campaign issue. I'm looking at the political horizon right now, quite frankly, either party, I really don't see that happening too much. They're they're missing out on uh uh the the cry of the people, literally and figuratively, on this.

SPEAKER_03 17:45

I think the candidates who make this a top-tier issue uh and affordability is is gonna be on the ballot, not only in 2026, but 2028 as well. And I do think that the candidates who make some of these policies advocating for reform, like the most favored nation uh uh policies, which uh put the prices of Americans' prescription drugs in line with other countries. Uh and so Americans are infuriated, and it's it's no surprise that they're placing the blame at the feet of big pharma uh where it deserves to be placed.

SPEAKER_00 18:22

And the answer is resting with legislation, and not just at the at a federal level, it could be done at a at a state level as well. We'll get into some of the ideas here with Representative Joe Cunningham, former member of the U.S. House for South Carolina, now a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, Pharmareformalliance.com, their website, and you are listening to issues and ideas. And some of the solutions you have is, well, it sounds simple, but obviously it's more difficult than it is about making prescription drug prices more affordable. But if you make it a more competitive platform that they're dealt from, would that be a big step forward in achieving their goal?

SPEAKER_03 19:06

I I think there there are a lot of uh solutions that could be put on the table. Uh, you know, comprehensive, obviously, in my experience, you know, comprehensive uh reform can be difficult. It's not impossible. But there are a number of pieces of uh legislation or policies, and I always refer to them as like rifle shot policies, you know, like a single policy uh which could be passed and gained bipartisan support. One of those that I mentioned was um codifying the most favored nation drug pricing policy into into law that would lower the drug prices for all Americans by matching U.S. prices to lower the prices paid in other wealthy countries. Uh there's also the ideas of patent reform because as we've seen, you know, big pharma will make you know will essentially abuse the patent process to make certain adjustments to extend the life of their their own patent and uh block out or box box out uh generic drugs coming to market.

SPEAKER_00 20:15

I think we sought that back with the with the uh the gun laws, and it was vague enough where a gun company could make a minor alteration to an automatic weapon and make it passable under the law. It's not that difficult unless you fine-tooth cone the law, which is again that's part of the blame of the of the legislative side of this issue. How much are pharma companies using the patent rules to their advantage and to what to what degree? I mean, it's it it it's it seems like they just want to limit, if not restrict, any kind of competition.

SPEAKER_03 20:53

Well, we've seen this with other drugs in the in the past, how you know modifications are made to the compound or to the dosage, and what that would do would be to extend the the life of the patent and again uh prevent generic drugs uh from coming onto the market because uh the their obvious goal is their bottom line. You know, it's not patient-centered, it's profit-centered. And we are literally talking about issues of life and death. As you mentioned, people breaking their pills in half to make it longer, people uh not not filling their prescriptions, um, is uh it's coming coming down to the health and safety of Americans. And this this should not be a a partisan issue. The health of Americans uh does not discriminate uh no matter what party affiliation you subscribe to. So and as you mentioned, this is this is gained, I mean, a few issues gain this level of support. I mean, ninety-four percent of Voters blame pharmaceutical companies for high health care costs. Um, and then and that's you know i i as a former candidate and former congressman, if I'm looking at poll numbers like this, this would be an issue that I would talk about incessantly because it crosses over with Democrats, Republicans, and independents. I mean, eighty-nine percent of voters support drug pricing reform. That includes ninety-one percent of Republicans, ninety percent of independents, and eighty-eight percent of Democrats. It's a it's a it's a winning issue.

SPEAKER_00 22:37

And certainly if I'm in a tight race, I'm looking for something to put me up above the my opponent. And as you said, with those statistics, this is the red carpet to an election win. But then you have to follow through with what you promised, which again we've seen that to be a problem. This is another great idea, too. A requirement that every dollar that pharma companies spend on drug advertising, they have to spend an equal amount on drug rebates for consumers. 88 percent total support for that idea. That would be that would actually be probably one of the more easy easier to mandate than all these other ideas because it's uh uh literally point A to point B. There's no there's no middle ground as far as having to negotiate and get uh consensus. Something an idea like that would certainly, if not n if nothing else, give the farmer companies the alert that uh those in decision-making seats are on to them and they need to clean up their house as well.

SPEAKER_03 23:37

Any as you mentioned, any uh legislation even narrowly tailored to one specific uh policy can gain broad bipartisan support. You know, I I remember I was a member of the problem solvers caucus, uh, which had half Democrats, half Republicans, oftentimes the more moderate ones. And this could very well be one of those issues that can gain members on both sides. And as you know, uh anybody who's paying attention to the House, with a razor thin margin like that, if you have support on both sides, no matter you know how how large or small, uh it has a real high chance of success.

SPEAKER_00 24:20

Learn more about this issue. Study the reports too because it's important information that I think first and foremost you'll find yourself in agreement with, and the ideas presented by the by the pharmaceutical reform alliance will be ideas that you can support. You can find out how you can give your support and add your voice to their work at pharma reformalliance.com. He's a former member of the U.S. House, Representative South Carolina, now spokes first and for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance. Representative Joe Cunningham, thank you for helping us realize there is a path to sanity in all this, and we don't have to make the sacrifice to our health, to have fairness and price. We just need a better cooperation from the decision makers in pharma and a lot more force coming from the legislative side. Thank you for bringing us that attention and that focus today, sir.

SPEAKER_03 25:09

Appreciate you having me on. Thank you so much, Chris.

SPEAKER_00 25:11

Uh, if you're listening to us on your favorite podcast platform, make sure you follow or subscribe. Uh current state of the economy has certainly changed what had been long relied on in a variety of ways. As more people have come, well, let's call it more price-aware and focused. Many traditional routes to the goal of saving money have changed. Vehicle shopping. Take that as an example. If you wanted or you needed a vehicle and wanted to save some money, you would right look for a used, or as I like to say, pre-owned vehicle. You'd get the vehicle you wanted, save some money at the same time. As my next guest is here to point out, that is not always going to be true today. Now, why is this happening and how can you as a consumer watch out for this? Tater explained, is the co-founder of Car Reg. Ray Shefka, how are you today, Ray?

SPEAKER_01 25:57

I am well, Chris. Uh glad to be back with you. And everything you just said there is a hundred percent true.

SPEAKER_00 26:05

And there were multiple reasons why this is happening, as Ray's going to explain. Carregge.com, learn more about how you could raise your vehicle shopping awareness and just be a better consumer when it comes to vehicles, CarReg.com, we have that link, over at our website. Did some searching around on Carvana and Carmax you could also include in this, but I just stuck with Carvana. 2025, Toyota RAF4 XLE Premium. The original MSRP was$37,000. I saw it on Carvana for$40,000. A 2021 Jeep Wrangler, the original MSRP$50,245. They had a list for$57,590. What's going on here, Ray?

SPEAKER_01 27:01

And the reason for that is if you remember back to COVID, there was a chip shortage that the manufacturers needed for the cars that they were building. And the result of that chip shortage is there were 10 to 15 million new cars globally that were scheduled to have been built that were never built. And since they were never built, they were never sold, so there were never trade-ins on those cars. And hence we have a shortage of used car availability. Um I believe at the beginning of May there was 1.95 million used cars in inventory, which is a seven or an eight-year low for this time of year.

SPEAKER_00 27:47

And in a way, you can look at the several reasons for the economy. People are holding on to their cars longer because they can't or don't want to invest in a new vehicle. I just saw a report that Americans now owe$1.6 tr$1.68 trillion for auto loans, and a growing number of those outstanding loans are more than 60 days behind. But that in a way can explain for a lack of inventory, too, because not in doing an indictment of car dealers, either Carvana, CarMax or the local car dealership, but for them to exist, they need inventory.

SPEAKER_01 28:21

Absolutely. And, you know, what we've seen is longer terms in order to make payments seem more affordable for people. But for instance, that Toyota you talked about. Well, Toyota's in very, very short supply. They have a huge demand and a limited amount of supply. And so if someone's looking for a used RAM4 that's say one year old, they can't find it at a reasonable price. But they are willing to spend extra to get it because they can't buy a comparable new one because they're all pre-sold. So there's that fear of missing out, and when there's that fear of missing out, people tend to pay more for things than they should, unfortunately.

SPEAKER_00 29:08

And from personal experience, you can't kill a Toyota. They last forever.

SPEAKER_01 29:13

Exactly. And that's why people are willing to pay more than they should.

SPEAKER_00 29:18

Is this a you know, turn it around? It's a it's a wait for those looking to buy, but if you are a car or vehicle owner and looking to sell, this sounds like an opportune time.

SPEAKER_01 29:31

Well, if you have an extra used car that you don't need, yes, you can get top dollar for today. Dealerships are clamoring for good quality used cars, and they'll pay uh the moon and the stars to get them at the moment.

SPEAKER_00 29:47

No doubt about that. So as a consumer, what what information is available so that you have at least an idea that, okay, I really want or I really need vehicle A, but how much more am I going to wind up paying for versus what I should be?

SPEAKER_01 30:04

Well, there are there's enough information available on the internet today to be able to look at various markets. Your market where you live, there might be a greater demand for that Toyota where you are, as opposed to say, I don't know, St. Louis, Missouri. So maybe instead of shopping in North Jersey, you need to shop in in Missouri and where you can work out and have the vehicle shipped to you.

SPEAKER_00 30:30

You you have to look at the pockets in the country where things aren't selling quite as rapidly as they are where you might be.com, their website, and you are listening to issues and ideas. Mentioned financing before. That's something you have to consider really seriously. If you're going to pay more, you're going to finance more. How flexible is that financing these days? Does it depend on make um make a model to make a model, dealer to dealer, or is it again a seller's market more than a buyer's market?

SPEAKER_01 31:05

Well, once again, it's more of a seller's market, but the the sad reality is 85% of all car buyers are what's referred to in the industry as payment buyers. All they're focused on is what their monthly payment is. They have no idea what they're actually paying for the vehicle. And that's the mistake that's made. You need to understand what your monthly budget allows you to look at as far as a total price of a vehicle and not just concentrate on that payment. And the reason I say that is dealers will keep extending the length of the loan in order to make you feel as if you have a comfortable payment. 72 months, 84 months, 96 months loans are becoming more popular today. And well, the sad reality is you're paying an extra five, six, maybe ten thousand dollars in interest in order to have what appears to be an affordable payment.

SPEAKER_00 32:01

In a lot of cases, too. Again, this is going to depend on insurance companies, but the more you pay for a vehicle, the more it's determined to have a value, the more insurance is going to cost you.

SPEAKER_01 32:11

Well, that you also need to make sure that you have guaranteed asset protection or gap coverage, uh, because if, God forbid, you total that vehicle, your insurance company, your primary insurance company will only tell you what its wholesale value is, and then you need a secondary insurance to cover the gap between what that value is and what you still owe. The average amount of negative equity on a trade-in today, Chris, is$7,138.

SPEAKER_00 32:42

Yes, I mean, with a rare exception, buying a vehicle is not an investment. Like the old axiom goes, as soon as it rolls off the light, your depreciation clock is started.

SPEAKER_01 32:53

Oh, absolutely. I I always told people when I was selling cars and they said to me, Well, you know, I this is an investment. It is not an investment, it's an expense. If I was your stock broker and I called you up and I said, Chris, give me$50,000 a day and I'll show you how to turn that into$25,000 in three years, I don't think you'd look at that as a good investment. And that is what a car is.

SPEAKER_00 33:20

As a result of all this, is this in turn going to, or maybe it has already increased interest in buying new because you can actually save money buying new, or even is leasing going to become more of a go-to for a lot of people?

SPEAKER_01 33:34

Well, I think a lot of the manufacturers are going to look at the situation and realize that sticking customers into 72, 84, 96-month loans ultimately is bad for business in the long term, because those people can't get back into the market for five or six or seven years. If we continue to sell payments, and most people are payment shoppers, uh then leasing could and does make more sense for most people, where they can end up with a lower payment for a 36-month term and they can be looking at getting a new car every three years. The difference is you have to accept the premise that you're always going to have a car payment. And if that premise holds true for you, then leasing does make the most sense.

SPEAKER_00 34:22

As I mentioned, I'll repeat these numbers again. Americans now owe$1.68 trillion for auto loans, with a record number of those more than 60 days behind. So as far as economy and business security goes, those aren't positive numbers in any way, shape, or form. Talk about Car Edge and what you make available to make the car consumer a lot more wiser and informed.

SPEAKER_01 34:44

Well, you know, we we offer uh videos and uh we have guides and and blogs that really help level the playing field for customers when it comes to navigating the car buying process. Um we we believe uh entirely in transparency, and we're doing our best to convince more dealers out there that they should operate in a transparent manner.

SPEAKER_00 35:08

So as you go shopping for a vehicle, don't let these ideas deter you because a need is still going to be a need. Ask questions, ask for clarity, and look for the best opportunity. Don't go to local because it might not always be the best. Look around, shop around. And it's again, it's an old saying, but it's old because it's true. Buy or beware. Find out more about CarRedge at CarRedge.com. He is their co-founder, Ray Shevska. Ray, thanks for the enlightenment explanation for what's happening and giving people better direction on how to respond to it. Thanks for being here today.

SPEAKER_01 35:44

Thank you, Chris. Always a pleasure.

SPEAKER_00 35:47

This coming week is National Salvation Army week. It's important to have this week of recognition for the organization for several reasons. First, it reminds us that the Salvation Army is a 24-7, 365-day operation, as well as presents. Their activity isn't limited to the Christmas season and their annual kettle campaign, which by the way, last year's campaign raised over$100 million for the organization. It's also important to remember that the need for the many services the Salvation Army provides is a need that exists all throughout the year. The next guest joins us to discuss those services that the Salvation Army provides, the importance of your financial support, and if you're listening to us in New Jersey, one of the fun and really easy ways that you can give that support is divisional commander of the New Jersey Salvation Army, Major Britt DeMarcle. How are you today, Major?

SPEAKER_04 36:46

I'm good, Chris. How are you today?

SPEAKER_00 36:47

Good to have you back to keep the organization that does so much for so many in the forefront of people's minds. And we have these links at our homepage, but it's SalvationArmyUSA.org is forward slash NJ, if you're listening on the stream of a podcast to find the uh organization in your state, SalvationArmyUSA.org, the starting point. I'm also talking about, as I said, for New Jersey, a really fun, interesting way that is gaining not just attention but needed funding for the Salvation Army here in New Jersey. But what do you think when it comes to the Salvation Army major that people know the least about that you hope that the event and doing anything you can can can can change and raise that level of knowledge?

SPEAKER_04 37:36

Yeah, it's a really interesting question, Chris, because as you say, there are things and that people definitely know us for, and and that usually that list usually includes the red kettle um at Christmas time and the thrift stores that people uh people visit. I don't think people are fully aware um of the kind of the holistic service that we offer in communities and the idea of being creative based on what the community uh needs are. Um like I said, traditional Salvation Army service you're gonna find in most places, and that would be, you know, addressing food insecurity and homelessness and um and things like that. But you know, w there are many communities in New Jersey where the Salvation Army offers ESL English as a second language classes, uh, which is a really unique opportunity. The Salvation Army is, I think, the country's largest uh provider of free music instruction for children. Um so we have kids programs that kind of fly under the radar to a degree unless you're a family that takes advantage of those opportunities. Um so you know, I like to say that while we we serve in every zip code in the state of New Jersey, but what that specifically looks like is only limited by the imagination of the people running the show in that community and what the community needs. We try to cater our service to what that community specifically needs. Uh so it's going to look a little different in uh anywhere you go just based on what those needs are. And I I think people kind of earmark us for what we are traditionally known for, but there's a there's a lot more to it than that.

SPEAKER_00 39:03

Which is living up to the slogan doing the most good and doing it for all, by the way. And I think the what you just explained helps uh add another level of respect for the organization. It's not a cookie-cutter operation. You're not given a handbook and say, here's the beginning, the middle, or the end. It's not the organization that dictates to the people, it's the needs of the people directing the organization.

SPEAKER_04 39:25

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, like I said, we you yeah, we serve unconditionally. Our you know, it says right in our mission statement that our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination. Uh whatever whoever is in need, we don't ask those questions. We provide uh the need that's needed in that moment as best we're able to, depending on the on the community. But you're right. Um, you know, it really can take the the mission of the Salvation Army in a community can take the form of the community. And it is one of the beautiful things um about us. We are known as kind of an administrative heavy organization, but what people don't know is that their local Salvation Army is given a lot of freedom to address needs in that community that may be specific to that community.

SPEAKER_00 40:07

To the tune of five million meals, ten thousand nights of shelter, over a hundred thousand toys to kids and family just the past year alone.

unknown 40:16

Right.

SPEAKER_00 40:17

Given the economic times that we're in, how much heavier has the demand become for the Salvation Army here in New Jersey?

SPEAKER_04 40:25

Yeah, it feels like every day there's more people in need. Um, and there were there's more people at least under s expressing need um to us, and it is it's an up and down economy. Um there are multiple reasons for that, which only means that it impacts different people in different ways. And um and I think Chris, you and I have talked about this before, but it's interesting to see when people find themselves in a position of need um that have never been in that situation before, and they don't know exactly where to go and and who is available to meet that need. But people tend to know that the Salvation Army is an organization that helps. You know, I you know, Mr. Rogers, that he's kind of lost on a newer generation, but when I was a kid, Mr. Rogers was well known and and he used to say that his mom told him that whenever there was um disaster or whenever there is uh difficulty, look for the helpers. There are always people that are that are helping. And he he used that once to describe the Salvation Army as well. And um and so I I think w our reputation has become that we are people that help and that meet need. And um, even if you don't know where else to go, um we hope people know that they can come to the Salvation Army.

SPEAKER_00 41:34

Governor Major Brett DeMichael, who is divisional commander of the New Jersey Salvation Army on the web salvationarmyusa.org forward slash New Jersey. And if you are elsewhere besides New Jersey, you could find your local organization of Salvation ArmyUSA.org and you are listening to issues and ideas. You mentioned all the people and the increasing need. Has that made the receiving of help more challenging where due to more people in need who had previously been the people who were doing the giving?

SPEAKER_04 42:06

Yeah. That's interesting too. Um you you would think that, and that is true to a degree, but what we also find, which is really interesting, and we've seen this in times of economic downturn in our country, is that um that's when people become most generous. Um and even y you know, if you if if someone did an analysis, and they probably have, um, you would find that a good portion of the people that donate to the Salvation Army are people that at one point or another have been supported by the Salvation Army, have been served by the Salvation Army. And uh we don't ask for anything in return, but certainly I think people find it in their heart um to give. So even those that we support are still willing to support and help us help others as well. It's a really fascinating thing. So the need is always there, and uh, and we always accept gifts, you know, thankfully and graciously. Um at the same time, we're always stunned by how generous people can be. Even people in difficult circumstances um have a desire to help help their neighbors, and uh and we love seeing that, and we love being a conduit to that.

SPEAKER_00 43:10

Well, it's also uh a testimony to what the organization is all about is all about. It's it's about community. Uh you bring about for you know, for senior services, seniors who lose a spouse and they're cat they feel like they're cast adrift. There's a place where they can go to be with others of their age and even younger. There's if you can't give financially, I'm I'm sure donation of time at the Salvation Army store, for example, or special events, one of which we'll get to in a moment here. There there are so many ways to become a part of the Salvation Army community.

SPEAKER_04 43:41

Yeah, absolutely. And um yeah, we and we love that as well. There they're the idea that um that it's people helping their neighbors. It's it's we people come alongside and we come alongside a community so that we can all work together uh to improve our our neighborhood. I mean, we are a worldwide organization. But at our heart, we are based in communities. We are based in towns and cities just like your listen your listeners live in. And uh and hopefully that's you know something that really draws people to the mission of the Salvation Army as well, that they feel like they're connecting in their community.

SPEAKER_00 44:14

And I always say, too, that people unnecessarily eliminate themselves from being able to make a difference because they think, you know, they'll they'll hear about this five-figure donation, nine-figure donation to an organization, they'll go, what difference can I make? But it's those five and ten and twenty-five and fifty dollar donations that are really the true foundation of what uh the Salvation Army is able to put to use for the community in one of those ways is the running for the most good, which is happening this coming week, the 11th through the 17th, where it's sort of a DIY 5K run, I guess would be a good way to explain it.

SPEAKER_04 44:53

That's a great way to explain it. I hadn't I hadn't heard that, but that's exactly what it is. It's we call it a virtual 5K, which means that you know you register and uh and you sign up and you can find that uh registration opportunity at salvationarmynj.org or the website, the national website, then direct it to the state one as well that you mentioned earlier, Chris. But yeah, you do it on your own time in your own place. Um, you know, we joked about you know the idea that you could do it, you could do it on a treadmill, you could do it walking in circles in your living room if you want if the web report. Um, you know, but if you have a tracker and you can find out what 5K is, uh you do it whenever you want during Salvation Army week. But the registration then will support the Salvation Army. And the unique thing about it is it's not necessarily meant to be just an generic support of the Salvation Army in the state, but when you register, there's a drop-down menu and you can find a local Salvation Army unit that's closest to you, and the benefit of your registration will benefit that local Salvation Army unit. It can be designated to the state as well. Um but certainly if you live in a community and you're nearby where the Salvation Army is, you can choose that place, that location from the drop-down menu, and it will benefit that local Salvation Army. So uh yeah, we're excited about it. It's gotten really good some traction and and uh and hopefully next week during Salvation Army week, people will be out there running, walking, crawling, whatever they need to do to get that 5k done, and uh and they'll get their certificate uh digitally and and and they'll just have an opportunity to participate in that way. We're excited about it.

SPEAKER_00 46:19

No, for you listening, here's a here's a great and easy way to mount up that 3.1 miles walking anywhere. Don't look for the closest parking space at the shopping mall, the Walmart. Take the furthest one away. And with the number of times you go to those stores and the shopping malls, you'll nail that 3.1 miles in no time. Maybe just walking your dog will cover that in a couple of days, maybe.

SPEAKER_04 46:38

Most likely people do five, they they do 5K already, they just aren't aware of it. So you're absolutely right. Yeah, the some of those lots could be pretty big. So you find the far spot and take a walk to the front door and and you're part of the way there. That's a great idea.

SPEAKER_00 46:51

There you go. Find out more on salvationarminj.org. If you're listening on the stream, salvationarmyusa.org. And for here in New Jersey, I'll put a I have a direct link to the signup page, 25 for basic entry,$50. If you want to do a little extra, you can find more details at that link as well. We'll put it all on the homepage. He is the divisional commander of the New Jersey Salvation Army, Major Brett DeMichael. Major, always a pleasure to promote the work of the Salvation Army and keep the awareness in front of people that you're just more than those red kettles. So much more for every community that you serve. Thanks for being here today.

SPEAKER_04 47:28

Chris, you're a great supporter, and I always appreciate the opportunity to talk to you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 47:32

Today is Mother's Day. You're welcome. Bible contains many lessons about mothers and motherhood. These lessons share God's wisdom about motherhood, and they also provide guidance for mothers, their husbands, and their children. Mothers are obviously very precious to God because they carry and give birth to his creations. We learn this from the very beginning in Genesis chapter 3, verse 20. And Adam called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all living. While many claim that the Bible excludes, stifles women, the truth of God's word, in fact, empowers them and recognizes them. This is especially true of mothers. Let's read Proverbs chapter 1, verse 8. My son, hear the instruction of your father and do not forsake the law of your mother. Then there's this from Proverbs chapter 14, verse 1. The wise woman builds her house. How valuable is a mother's love? It's seen actually as being equal to the love of God. There are many examples of this. Let's go to Isaiah chapter 66, verse 13, with God speaking, as one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Our mothers have always been seen as highly valued by God, as evidenced by their inclusion in his Ten Commandments. Now, quiz time, do you remember which one of the ten? It's number four. It's found in Exodus chapter twenty, verse twelve. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God has given you. It's also vital to note how honoring your mother and father is the fourth commandment of the ten. The first four place focus on the relationship between God and humanity, and how we're called on to display reverence. Word of God is also a means for mothers to learn about how they should embrace faith in God and belief in his word. Of course the most obvious example is when the angel came to Mary to clue her into what was about to happen. Remember how Mary reacted? Well, she asked for clarification, but then her words of conclusion are there to teach mothers today in Luke chapter one, verse thirty-eight, then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. The Bible gives instruction to husbands, who are fathers as well. Let's go to Ephesians chapter 5, verse 25. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her. That means, by the way, total love, not just occasional part-time love. There's also this instruction in 1 Timothy 5, verse 8. But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Now we turn to the children on this Mother's Day. Bunch of flowers in the supermarket that is not going to cut it. Not even close. This one day is here to remind you of what you are expected by God to do each and every day. These instructions come to you courtesy of Ephesians chapter six, verses one through three. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right on your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Children are to live a life and walk a path which will lead their mother to say these words from 3 John 1, verse 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. A righteous mother is one who is filled with the Holy Spirit. One and the only way to honor a mother is to live the words of Galatians chapter 5, verses 22 and 23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such there is no law. So don't just be there with your mom on this one day. Be there for your mom each and every day in total, complete, faithful obedience to what we're told in Proverbs chapter thirty one, verses twenty five through twenty nine. Strength and honor are her clothing, she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness, she watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Be sure to check out our website, issues and ideas radio.com. That's where we have more information by the guests who joined us here on the show today. And if you've been listening via your favorite podcast platform, make sure you follow and subscribe. Always glad to have you along for the ride. Look forward to being with you right here this time next week for our next edition of Issues and Ideas.