Guest:

Assemblyman Carl DeMaio

Guest Bio: 

Carl DeMaio is a longtime political reformer, policy expert, and the Chairman of Reform California. Based in San Diego, he’s known for calling out corruption in both parties and spearheading grassroots campaigns around voter ID, tax reform, and ballot accountability. In this episode, Carl pulls no punches about the dysfunction in Sacramento — and what voters can do to take back control.

Show Summary

Why is California so broken — and what can actually fix it? Carl DeMaio joins the show to expose why the state’s political system is rigged against the people, and how bipartisan dysfunction has made both parties part of the problem. From redistricting to crime to school reform, Carl outlines why grassroots movements — not career politicians — are the only hope to restore democracy in the Golden State. Plus, he shares how a new Voter ID initiative could shake things up.

Chapters

00:00 – Why California’s Political System Is Broken

00:32 – The Real Problem Behind Homelessness, Crime & Cost of Living

01:19 – What Other States Are Doing Better

02:45 – Why Politicians Ignore 70% Consensus

04:30 – Prop 36, Crime Reform & Sacramento's Inaction

05:45 – Calling Out Republicans for Surrendering

06:30 – How the Lobbyist Culture Corrupts Both Parties

07:20 – What Real Republican Reform Should Look Like

08:00 – The Power of Grassroots Candidates

08:40 – His Case for Voter ID

09:40 – Who He Actually Sees as California’s Real Leaders

10:15 – There’s No White Knight — It’s Up to Us

11:00 – What We’ve Lost — And Can Regain

11:35 – Final Thoughts on Hope, Action & VoterIDpetition.org

Connect with Carl DeMaio

X: https://x.com/carldemaio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carldemaio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carldemaioca/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/carldemaioCA

Website: https://carldemaio.com/

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