In this episode of Evergreen Perspective, we explore the truth about Medicaid, what it is, who it helps, and why it matters to every single American, whether you use it or not. Through personal stories, historical context, and current policy battles, we reveal how Medicaid has become a vital lifeline for millions of working-class families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

We walk through what healthcare looked like before Medicaid existed and how the program came to be. We examine how it’s managed today, who qualifies, and why some states have chosen to expand coverage while others have refused, often with devastating consequences. We also break down the latest budget proposals that aim to gut the program, and how misinformation and political spin are being used to justify cuts that would hurt the most vulnerable among us.

This episode isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about what kind of country we want to be. It’s about whether we believe in the idea of “We the People,” and whether we believe that access to care should be a human right, not a luxury. If you’ve ever had a job, a family, or a medical bill you weren’t sure you could pay, this episode is for you.

Hosted by Ben Christly, Evergreen Perspective offers clear, compassionate storytelling rooted in fact and focused on reform. Whether you're a healthcare worker, a policymaker, or just someone trying to understand the truth about America's healthcare safety net, you're in the right place.

Subscribe for deep dives, real conversations, and perspectives that matter.

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Share :  Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Klickitat County Republican Central Committee Meeting- https://wagop.org/wagop-events/

Indivisible Greater Vancouver Meeting - https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible-greater-vancouver/event/762367/

49th Legislative District Democrats Meeting - https://49thdemocrats.org/calendar

Lewis County Master Recycler Composter- https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/solid-waste/volunteer/wsu-lewis-county-master-recycler-composter-volunteers/

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Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Welcome to Evergreen Perspective, a podcast that takes a thoughtful, honest look at the systems shaping our lives and communities. In this episode, we dive deep into the American prison system - from its colonial roots to the rise of private prisons, and from sentencing disparities to the real human impact of mass incarceration.
We explore the harsh realities faced by non-violent offenders still serving time for cannabis-related crimes, the financial and ethical costs of privatized incarceration, and the systemic corruption that continues to plague our justice system. Through real stories like that of Edwin Rubis, we shed light on how outdated policies are still destroying lives, even as laws change around them.

Hosted by Ben Christly, Evergreen Perspective offers clear, compassionate storytelling rooted in fact and focused on reform. Whether you're an advocate, a student, or just curious about the truth behind America's prison-industrial complex, you're in the right place.

Subscribe for deep dives, real conversations, and perspectives that matter.

Like & Subscribe :  If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.
Share :  Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Washington State Democratic Party virtual meeting on Issue Advocacy -
https://secure.ngpvan.com/T-wyxJt7ekOTjru59sPo3Q2
Ridgefield City Council Meeting - https://ridgefieldwa.us/163/City-Council
Clark County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner - https://clarkrepublicans.org/event-
calendar/lincoln-day-dinner
Wahkiakum Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting -
https://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/257/Board-of-County-Commissioners
Pacific County Immigrant Support - https://www.pcisupport.org/get-involved/

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Welcome to Evergreen Perspective, a podcast that takes a thoughtful, honest look at the systems shaping our lives and communities. In this episode, we dive deep into the American prison system - from its colonial roots to the rise of private prisons, and from sentencing disparities to the real human impact of mass incarceration.
We explore the harsh realities faced by non-violent offenders still serving time for cannabis-related crimes, the financial and ethical costs of privatized incarceration, and the systemic corruption that continues to plague our justice system. Through real stories like that of Edwin Rubis, we shed light on how outdated policies are still destroying lives, even as laws change around them.

Hosted by Ben Christly, Evergreen Perspective offers clear, compassionate storytelling rooted in fact and focused on reform. Whether you're an advocate, a student, or just curious about the truth behind America's prison-industrial complex, you're in the right place.

Subscribe for deep dives, real conversations, and perspectives that matter.

Like & Subscribe :  If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.
Share :  Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Washington State Democratic Party virtual meeting on Issue Advocacy -
https://secure.ngpvan.com/T-wyxJt7ekOTjru59sPo3Q2
Ridgefield City Council Meeting - https://ridgefieldwa.us/163/City-Council
Clark County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner - https://clarkrepublicans.org/event-
calendar/lincoln-day-dinner
Wahkiakum Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting -
https://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/257/Board-of-County-Commissioners
Pacific County Immigrant Support - https://www.pcisupport.org/get-involved/

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Tariffs are more than just a policy debate. They have real consequences for industries, businesses, and families. In this episode of Evergreen Perspective, we take a deep dive into how tariffs impact Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, focusing on the timber industry and its ripple effects on the local economy.

We start with the journey of a single piece of lumber, following it from the forest to the marketplace, revealing how tariffs drive up costs at every stage. We’ll hear from a local construction company struggling with higher material expenses and a couple facing the reality of rising home prices, all while breaking down the broader economic forces at play.

By blending expert insights, real-world stories, and hard facts, we explore the winners and losers of tariff policies, how they shape industries and communities, and what potential solutions exist. Whether you’re a business owner, homeowner, or voter, this episode sheds light on a critical issue that affects us all.

What Can We Do?
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of billionaire dominance, but history shows that real change happens when we demand accountability. From labor unions to tax reform to campaign finance transparency, there are concrete steps we can take to challenge the wealth gap and level the playing field.
Get Involved!
Like & Subscribe :  If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.
Share :  Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.
Join the Conversation : What are your thoughts on billionaires and economic inequality? Drop a comment below; we read and respond!

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media:  Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.
 Find Us On:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvergreenPerspective
 Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts 
 Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
 Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
 Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social
 Evergreen Perspective is about cutting through the noise, staying grounded in facts, and fostering real conversations. This isn’t about left vs. right , it’s about people vs. power. Let’s reclaim the conversation. 

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Welcome to the very first episode of Evergreen Perspective, where we break down complex economic and political issues in a way that's engaging, factual, and rooted in real-world impact. I’m Ben Christly, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic that affects all of us, whether we realize it or not: billionaires, their outsized influence, and why so many people defend them.
In this premiere episode, we’ll explore:

-  The rise of extreme wealth inequality and how today’s billionaires compare to historical industrial tycoons like Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt.

- The psychological and societal reasons why people often defend the ultra-rich, even when their economic policies work against everyday Americans.

- How billionaire-backed corporations are shaping markets, crushing small businesses, and controlling wages in ways that keep wealth concentrated at the top.

- A storytelling deep dive into the journey of Jake, a small business owner who gets caught in the web of billionaire-driven corporate dominance.

- The role of political lobbying, tax loopholes, and media influence in maintaining the billionaire class’s grip on policy and public perception.

- What history tells us about wealth accumulation and how we can push for a fairer system that benefits hard-working Americans.
 
Why This Episode Matters:
We’ve been sold a narrative that billionaires are self-made visionaries who "earned" their success, but when we follow the money, we uncover a different reality—one of monopolistic control, tax avoidance, wage suppression, and the rewriting of laws to benefit the wealthiest few. If you’ve ever wondered why it feels like the American Dream is slipping further away for the working and middle class, this episode will help connect the dots.

Key Stats & Facts Discussed in This Episode:
 -The top 1% of Americans now hold more wealth than the entire middle class combined.
 -CEO pay has skyrocketed from 20-30x the average worker’s salary in the 1970s to over 350x today.
- Some of the richest Americans, including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, have paid $0 in federal income taxes in certain years.
 -Corporate tax rates have fallen from 52% in the 1950s to just 21% today, while billionaire fortunes have soared.
- The estate tax, originally meant to prevent unchecked generational wealth, has been gutted allowing billionaires to pass down fortunes tax-free.
 
What Can We Do?
It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of billionaire dominance, but history shows that real change happens when we demand accountability. From labor unions to tax reform to campaign finance transparency, there are concrete steps we can take to challenge the wealth gap and level the playing field.
Get Involved!
Like & Subscribe :  If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.
Share :  Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.
Join the Conversation : What are your thoughts on billionaires and economic inequality? Drop a comment below; we read and respond!

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media:  Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.
 Find Us On:
 Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts 
 Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
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Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social