In Episode 10 of The Republican Legacy Podcast, hosts Merrill Matthews, Lynn Schmidt, and Greg Wilson are joined by certified financial planner Paul Auslander, President of Seabridge Private Wealth, for a wide-ranging discussion about the economy, financial markets, and the importance of separating political noise from economic reality. Auslander discusses the independence of the Federal Reserve, inflation and interest rates, the national debt, the stock market's resilience, artificial intelligence, the growing dominance of major technology companies, and the balance between free enterprise and government intervention. The conversation also explores Americans moving from blue states to red states and what those demographic shifts could mean for future elections.
Later, Merrill and Greg are joined by former Congressman and Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett, a founding member of Our Republican Legacy and author of AH HA! The Power and Purpose: Family, Faith and a Life Well Lived. Bartlett reflects on his career in local government, Congress, and the financial services industry, and shares lessons about leadership, purpose, persistence, and public service.
The conversation turns to the decline of bipartisanship in Congress, the importance of character and constitutional principles in public life, and the challenges facing Republicans who put governing and principle ahead of partisan loyalty. Bartlett also discusses why he became involved with Our Republican Legacy and what it will take to rebuild a Republican Party grounded in the rule of law, fiscal responsibility, free enterprise, and effective governing.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and introduction of Paul Auslander
02:29 Investing through political and economic uncertainty
04:53 Lessons from Senators Moynihan and Danforth
06:31 Federal Reserve independence, inflation, and interest rates
09:48 What investors are watching in today’s market
12:01 AI, the Magnificent Seven, and market concentration
14:45 Free markets, industrial policy, and national security
17:11 Migration from blue states to red states
20:06 Florida, Texas, and the next elections
24:03 The biggest economic and geopolitical risks ahead
26:19 Introducing Steve Bartlett and The Power and Purpose
31:30 City politics and the changing political landscape
35:37 Why bipartisan governing has become so difficult
37:57 Rebuilding constitutional conservatism
43:52 Advice for future members of Congress
46:17 Banking regulation and the importance of enforcement
51:20 Is there reason for optimism about the country?
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