Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey

Ep 1265 | Is America Doomed? A Reality Check After the 2025 Elections

Guest Host: Ron Simmons
Guest: Congressman Craig Goldman (TX-12)
Date: November 10, 2025

Episode Overview

Ron Simmons guest-hosts for Allie Beth Stuckey, examining America’s political state after the 2025 elections and the ongoing government shutdown, with insights from Congressman Craig Goldman. Discussion covers the reality behind recent electoral results, the government funding impasse, the effectiveness of conservative messaging, and advice for listeners on personal and family matters. The episode’s tone is candid and optimistic, grounded in Christian conservative values and practical experience.

Featured Guest: Congressman Craig Goldman

• Background: Texas congressman, fifth-generation Texan, long-time friend of Ron Simmons, formerly in the Texas House.
• Notable: First freshman appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committee in 20+ years, background as former Texas House energy chair.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Post-Election Mood (02:17–04:46)

• Ron and Craig reminisce about their shared history and public service, setting a friendly, familiar tone.

• Goldman shares family immigration roots to Texas and connection to local Jewish heritage:

  "My great, great, great grandfather moved here in the 1800s from Canada. He actually was a Russian immigrant to Canada … ended up coming to Fort Worth... and we’ve been here ever since." —Congressman Goldman [03:00]

• Goldman’s district: Includes western Tarrant and northern Parker Counties; about 750,000 constituents.

2. Initial Congressional Experience (04:58–06:52)

• Goldman reflects on transition from Texas House to Congress.
• Emphasizes that most members are genuinely there “to fight for America.”
• Stresses unique honor of his committee assignment:

  "It’s the first time in over 20 years a freshman got put on Energy." —Craig Goldman [06:47]

3. Government Shutdown Explained (08:47–15:59)

• Background: The government is shut down over disagreements on the budget and continuing resolutions (CR).

• Key reason:

  • “We’re still working on the Biden budget ... we passed all appropriations out of committee, but the Senate hadn’t passed all theirs.” —Craig Goldman [11:50]

• House passed a “clean” CR to allow more time, but Senate Democrats blocked it (having previously supported the same measure).

• Main sticking point: Enhanced Obamacare tax credits & subsidies.

  • Goldman argues the extensions are proof Obamacare “is not working.” [15:59]

• Quote:

  "We have Obamacare thrust upon us… it’s not working. So, five years ago, Democrats ... voted for tax credits on Obamacare to last five years. So now their five years is up, and now they want to extend them." —Craig Goldman [15:25–15:59]

4. Senate Dynamics and the 60-Vote Rule (17:25–18:19)

• Goldman dismisses removing the 60-vote (filibuster) threshold for budget votes, noting majority/minority power shifts.

• Senate gridlock, not House, is the real obstacle. Republicans, he says, already passed funding.

• Quote:

  "We voted to keep the government open... it’s the Senate that needs 60 votes. That’s what some people don’t understand." —Craig Goldman [16:53]

5. Effects and Day-to-Day Impact of Shutdown (18:19–19:56)

• Lawmakers are in their districts more, not all staff/gov't workers are paid, but legislators can request withheld pay.
• Commitment to withhold legislator salaries during shutdown:

  "I submitted a letter. So, I didn’t get paid on the first like normally. ... I certainly would vote for [removing our salaries during shutdown]." —Craig Goldman [19:20]

6. How to Engage with Rep. Goldman (20:13)

• Sign up for his newsletter via craiggoldman.gov for district updates.

7. Election Outcomes: Why Conservatives Shouldn’t Lose Hope (21:58–36:00)

Virginia Gubernatorial Results

• Disappointment at the loss, but points out Virginia’s liberal tilt due to large numbers of federal employees.

• Ron dismisses "we must elect someone who looks like us" as a fallacy, noting Winsome Sears’ loss:

  “Don't come tell me that we want to elect someone that looks like us. That is hogwash. You want to elect someone that believes in the same policies you believe in, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just don't lie about it.” —Ron Simmons [23:16]

• Notes the economy dominated voters’ concerns, likely tied to federal employee pay disrupted by the shutdown.

New Jersey Gubernatorial Results

• High electricity cost was #1 issue—yet majority still voted Democrat, reinforcing the power of the state's political machinery and “identity politics.”

New York City Mayoral

• Mandani wins with 50% but 41% support independent Cuomo.
• Younger voters (under 45) strongly backed Mandani.
• Trump comments on rise of "communist concept," predicting failure:

  “Communism or the concept of communism has not worked. I tend to doubt it’s going to work this time.” —Donald Trump [32:54]

8. The Silver Lining: Woke Overreach and Conservative Opportunity (36:00–40:22)

• Simmons argues these progressive wins create a “mandate” for far-left policies that will alienate moderates ahead of 2026:

  "I believe... what these elections will do is help people realize just how crazy some of these policies are that these new elected officials are gonna put in." [36:41]

• Calls for grassroots organization, party unity (“stop our infighting”), and a Reagan-esque attitude:

  “If you’re 80% with me, you are with me.” [37:26]

• Blames Obamacare for rising healthcare costs, urges GOP to “expose the fallacy.”

• On tariffs: Advocates for “reciprocal tariffs” but wants resolution for economic certainty.

9. Presidential Reflections: Trump’s First Year (40:22–40:59)

• Trump celebrates accomplishments and national mood:

  “America is back, and America is respected, perhaps like never before ... No president has ever come even close to doing what we’ve done in nine months.” —Donald Trump [40:22]

• Simmons describes Trump as “one of the most consequential presidents in history so far.” [40:59]

10. Listener Q&A: Personal, Parenting, and Financial Advice (42:46–51:15)

• Balancing work ‘passion’ and providing:
  • Providing for your family should trump “passion,” most people work at jobs they’re good at, not what they dreamed of. [43:10]
• What to do with $160k in the bank/debt-free:
  • Keep 90 days’ living expenses liquid, invest remainder in long-term equity index fund (e.g., S&P 500 ETF). [44:55]
• Young adults saving for a house:
  • Save 50% of pay if living at home, keep funds risk-free. [46:20]
• “Retirement culture”:
  • “Nothing biblical about retirement.” Instead, find significance post-career and plan for a purpose beyond success. [47:06]
• Parenting for Future Relationships:
  • Maintain parent/child boundary; don’t become only a “buddy”; don’t squelch kids’ personalities. [51:15]
• Raising ambitious/outspoken children ("How do you raise an Allie?")
  • Never tell children “they can’t do something”; let them explore possibilities and recover from stumbles with parental support. [52:52]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On party unity:

  “Let’s quit our infighting... focus on what we agree on... When it comes to election time, let’s put our disagreements behind us.” —Ron Simmons [37:26]

• On the future:

  “If you make the hard choices now when your family’s young, it’ll be much better for you in the long run. I promise you that.” —Ron Simmons [58:32]

Segment Timestamps for Key Topics

• [02:17] — Ron & Craig’s Introduction and History
• [04:58] — Goldman’s Congressional Experience
• [08:47] — Government Shutdown Deep Dive
• [15:25] — Obamacare Subsidy Debate
• [18:19] — Living Through the Shutdown & Congressional Pay
• [21:58] — Election Result Reactions: Virginia, NJ, NY
• [32:54] — Trump on Communism and New York
• [36:00] — Woke Mandate as Conservative Opportunity
• [40:22] — Trump: First Year Accomplishments
• [42:46] — Q&A (Financial, Parenting, Retirement, Family)
• [58:32] — “Wisdom from the Wagon” — On Life Choices

Final Thoughts

Ron Simmons delivers an upbeat, practical dose of conservative optimism, urging listeners not to panic over recent left-leaning electoral results. He believes policies from the “mandate”-feeling left will overreach, creating backlash and opportunity for conservatives in upcoming elections. He encourages personal responsibility, wise financial stewardship, engaged parenting, and unity among conservatives in preparation for 2026.

Useful Links:

• Craig Goldman: official site for newsletter/updates
• [Ron's book, “Life Lessons from the Little Red Wagon” — referenced parenting/legacy principles]

For more listener questions or to reach Ron Simmons, email via ronsimmons.com.