Court Complacency and the Erosion of Constitutional Guardrails

On this January 21, 2022 broadcast, columnist Allen Thomas challenges the celebration of Supreme Court victories, arguing that each ruling represents an attack on constitutional guardrails that barely held. Steve Cruz of Three Points Financial untangles the complicated tax implications of the 2021 child tax credit, and Hal Van Hercke reports from the SHOT Show in Las Vegas on American knife manufacturers expanding domestic production.

Tax Credits and the Complication of Government Intervention

Start listening at 10:17 – Hour 1

Steve Cruz of Three Points Financial breaks down the labyrinthine 2021 child tax credit changes that will catch many Americans off guard at tax time. The credit increased from $2,000 to $3,000 for children ages 6-17 and $3,600 for children under 6, but half was prepaid monthly from July to December 2021.

Cruz warns that taxpayers who typically broke even or received small refunds may owe money this year because they have already received half their credit. The complexity underscores how government intervention creates confusion even when attempting to provide relief.

“Yeah, the three points, tax planning and taxes, investments, and then retirement and financial planning. And we believe that, you know, all those three things need to be addressed cohesively to make best progress financially.”

Steve Cruz, Three Points Financial

American Manufacturing Resilience at the SHOT Show

Start listening at 30:49 – Hour 1

Hal Van Hercke of Castlegate Knife and Tool reports live from the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the largest firearms industry trade show in the world. Despite pandemic disruptions that kept 75% of Consumer Electronics Show attendees away, the firearms and knife industry showed up at 70% capacity.

Benchmade out of Oregon has invested heavily in expanding U.S.-based knife production, announcing nearly two dozen new models. Microtech debuted its largest booth ever, signaling doubled manufacturing capacity. Van Hercke notes the contrast between tech companies still fearful of COVID and an industry eager to move forward with business.

“Benchmade out of Oregon, obviously, has also really invested heavily and expanding their capacity of U.S.-based knives. And they probably came out with almost two dozen new models this year that they announced at the show, which is incredible.”

Hal Van Hercke, Castlegate Knife and Tool

Court Complacency and the Illusion of Constitutional Victory

Start listening at 36:24 – Hour 1

Allen Thomas delivers a sobering analysis of recent Supreme Court rulings on vaccine mandates. While conservatives celebrated the Court striking down the OSHA employer mandate, Thomas points out that the Health and Human Services mandate for medical workers was upheld, giving the federal government control over an estimated 85% of all health facilities.

Drawing from Federalist Paper 78, Thomas describes the Supreme Court as a “bulwark,” a defensive wall meant to protect constitutional positions. When you are celebrating that a defensive wall held, he argues, you are not winning. You are acknowledging that the enemy reached your doorstep. Jack Phillips won at the Supreme Court yet continues to face lawsuits in state courts, demonstrating that judicial victories are not final.

Thomas calls for legislators to stop relying on courts and instead go on offense by repealing bad laws and stripping unconstitutional powers from regulatory agencies. The Constitution provides a mechanism for change through amendment, not through activist judges treating it as a living document.

“They really described the Supreme Court as this bulwark. And that’s a little bit of older language. A bulwark is a defensive wall that you construct around positions that you want to defend. And it made me think, when you’re in battle and you’re defending against an attack, you’re thankful that the defensive wall is there.”

Allen Thomas, Columnist