The headlines over the past week have obsessed on Washington being balloon consumed and many politicians performative lee spewing an abundance of rhetorical hot air regarding items in the sky over America. But beyond the headlines is this political shiny balloon actually preventing a principled conversation about strategy and tactics regarding china. Let's begin.

The headlines over the past week have obsessed on Washington being balloon consumed and many politicians performative lee spewing an abundance of rhetorical hot air regarding items in the sky over America. But beyond the headlines is this political shiny balloon actually preventing a principled conversation about strategy and tactics regarding china. Let's begin.

I think, you know, the news of the day. Think again,

I think, you know, the news of the day. Think again,

Well, there has been a lot of talk about things in the skies and what should or should not be done how it relates to china. And in the midst of all of that, I think we're actually missing the bigger message and really pleased to have help us break all of that down and get to the right conversation.

Well, there has been a lot of talk about things in the skies and what should or should not be done how it relates to china. And in the midst of all of that, I think we're actually missing the bigger message and really pleased to have help us break all of that down and get to the right conversation.

Us Senator mitt Romney from the state of Utah joins us in studio today. Senator Thanks for joining us.

Us Senator mitt Romney from the state of Utah joins us in studio today. Senator Thanks for joining us.

Thank you Boyd. Happy to be here.

Thank you Boyd. Happy to be here.

And this has been one of those things that you have been working on in committee and the foreign Affairs committee, things that you were working on last year in that committee in terms of china, what the threat really is and a different kind of conversation that goes well beyond the shiny objects of balloons and things in the sky.

And this has been one of those things that you have been working on in committee and the foreign Affairs committee, things that you were working on last year in that committee in terms of china, what the threat really is and a different kind of conversation that goes well beyond the shiny objects of balloons and things in the sky.

Well, we typically as a nation get consumed with the little events that are happening and respond with something in an ad hoc basis as opposed to thinking in a comprehensive way and developing a strategy to deal with a major challenge. You know, back in the early days of the soviet union, our government came together and created a a strategy, a way of dealing with with Russia. The idea was that we would isolate Russia

Well, we typically as a nation get consumed with the little events that are happening and respond with something in an ad hoc basis as opposed to thinking in a comprehensive way and developing a strategy to deal with a major challenge. You know, back in the early days of the soviet union, our government came together and created a a strategy, a way of dealing with with Russia. The idea was that we would isolate Russia

uh and uh and and we would separate ourselves from them economically militarily. Well, in this case we need to develop a strategy relative to china. And uh, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a democrat bob Menendez and I put together a bill calling on the State Department to do just that, to develop a strategy with full tactics

uh and uh and and we would separate ourselves from them economically militarily. Well, in this case we need to develop a strategy relative to china. And uh, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, a democrat bob Menendez and I put together a bill calling on the State Department to do just that, to develop a strategy with full tactics

developed not just by the State Department, by by by people outside government as well. And we got that passed last year. I met with the Secretary of State this week for dinner and we spoke about that, among other things. And uh, yeah, china represents a well, probably the biggest single challenge our country faces over this century is the emergence of china as a nation as strong as if not stronger than us militarily

developed not just by the State Department, by by by people outside government as well. And we got that passed last year. I met with the Secretary of State this week for dinner and we spoke about that, among other things. And uh, yeah, china represents a well, probably the biggest single challenge our country faces over this century is the emergence of china as a nation as strong as if not stronger than us militarily

and economically.

and economically.

Yeah, and you've talked about the administration in terms of having more broad principles, things like competing or investing or aligning. Uh and that that's just not enough. Some of it. I know it's from your corporate experience that you know, that we always go to the art of war on this show that strategy without tactics is the slowest path to victory, but tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

Yeah, and you've talked about the administration in terms of having more broad principles, things like competing or investing or aligning. Uh and that that's just not enough. Some of it. I know it's from your corporate experience that you know, that we always go to the art of war on this show that strategy without tactics is the slowest path to victory, but tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

You talked about that in the committee hearing. You talked about some of your experience of look, we can talk about principles and we we can deal with tactics and we have to, but if you don't have a strategy to pull that together, it's really just a lot of noise.

You talked about that in the committee hearing. You talked about some of your experience of look, we can talk about principles and we we can deal with tactics and we have to, but if you don't have a strategy to pull that together, it's really just a lot of noise.

Yeah. We, we look at what china is doing and we, we wring our hands as we see them investing aggressively in the caribbean in africa throughout Latin America. We get upset.

Yeah. We, we look at what china is doing and we, we wring our hands as we see them investing aggressively in the caribbean in africa throughout Latin America. We get upset.

We see them having Confucius institutes here in the United States. We see them steal our technology. Uh, just one thing after the other and we respond to each of those items, but we haven't said, okay, what's our, what's our, where are we going to push back against them? How are we going to deal with Latin America and africa? What are we going to do to promote our values inside china and in nations around china?

We see them having Confucius institutes here in the United States. We see them steal our technology. Uh, just one thing after the other and we respond to each of those items, but we haven't said, okay, what's our, what's our, where are we going to push back against them? How are we going to deal with Latin America and africa? What are we going to do to promote our values inside china and in nations around china?

Uh, and so that's something which really needs to be developed. It's not going to be made public, but we have to recognize that this is the great challenge of our century from a geopolitical standpoint. And uh, we got to deal with it the way you would, if you were planning a major invasion or if you were planning the growth of a company, you, you think through where you want to go and all the steps to get there.

Uh, and so that's something which really needs to be developed. It's not going to be made public, but we have to recognize that this is the great challenge of our century from a geopolitical standpoint. And uh, we got to deal with it the way you would, if you were planning a major invasion or if you were planning the growth of a company, you, you think through where you want to go and all the steps to get there.

I know that you and Senator Menendez in your amendment that passed late last year had kind of a 60 day window that it was really the time for

I know that you and Senator Menendez in your amendment that passed late last year had kind of a 60 day window that it was really the time for

All the key players, including some outside of government to come together. In terms of that plan. You said you, you had dinner with the Secretary of State. Uh, what was that conversation? I know we're a little over overdue. I would say on that 60 day plan. But what

All the key players, including some outside of government to come together. In terms of that plan. You said you, you had dinner with the Secretary of State. Uh, what was that conversation? I know we're a little over overdue. I would say on that 60 day plan. But what

does that look like? Well, it's not a surprise that the government gets requests that they don't immediately respond to. Uh, and so I was happy at this dinner. Senator Menendez was also there and he led off with the questioning being senior

does that look like? Well, it's not a surprise that the government gets requests that they don't immediately respond to. Uh, and so I was happy at this dinner. Senator Menendez was also there and he led off with the questioning being senior

And, and that was his first question, which is, hey, where are you? And are we coming along? And as you can imagine, the response is, well, we've got a strategy. It's invest and compete and it's like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Those are objectives. Uh, those are nice words that give to the public, but we want to see something far more comprehensive. And the secretary understands that the good news is that frankly beginning with President trump. He said, look, China is a real problem. They're stealing our technology and he put duties on their products.

And, and that was his first question, which is, hey, where are you? And are we coming along? And as you can imagine, the response is, well, we've got a strategy. It's invest and compete and it's like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Those are objectives. Uh, those are nice words that give to the public, but we want to see something far more comprehensive. And the secretary understands that the good news is that frankly beginning with President trump. He said, look, China is a real problem. They're stealing our technology and he put duties on their products.

Uh, that was something that really hadn't been done before. That president biden has continued those duties and likewise recognizes the threat of china and secretary Blinken is in the same boat. He says, yeah, this is the number one issue he deals with the number one issue he's concerned about as secretary of State is china.

Uh, that was something that really hadn't been done before. That president biden has continued those duties and likewise recognizes the threat of china and secretary Blinken is in the same boat. He says, yeah, this is the number one issue he deals with the number one issue he's concerned about as secretary of State is china.

And uh, that's good news and a recognition that we need to take um from just an overview of what kinds of objectives we have to actually developing a strategy. That's something he's got to take seriously and I believe you'll see that

And uh, that's good news and a recognition that we need to take um from just an overview of what kinds of objectives we have to actually developing a strategy. That's something he's got to take seriously and I believe you'll see that

happen. Yeah. And so what do you see as the kind of those next steps? Like what are, what are some of those strategic components that we should be hoping for? Obviously we've got to deal with china on a host of issues and some things we are just competing. Obviously the Taiwan issue is going to be a big one.

happen. Yeah. And so what do you see as the kind of those next steps? Like what are, what are some of those strategic components that we should be hoping for? Obviously we've got to deal with china on a host of issues and some things we are just competing. Obviously the Taiwan issue is going to be a big one.

You mentioned some of the connections, the relationships they're fostering with brazil and others in South America. What are some of those components to the overarching strategy that we should at least be thinking about?

You mentioned some of the connections, the relationships they're fostering with brazil and others in South America. What are some of those components to the overarching strategy that we should at least be thinking about?

Well, certainly you mentioned military, we have to decide what are the types of military weapons that will communicate to china that you don't want to test us that you don't want to push against us that you don't want to go to war with the United States of America.

Well, certainly you mentioned military, we have to decide what are the types of military weapons that will communicate to china that you don't want to test us that you don't want to push against us that you don't want to go to war with the United States of America.

So we need to rethink whether the weapons that we've been creating to fight wars in the Middle East are the right weapons for for Asia. And uh, we the military knows some of that. But Congress doesn't want to give up on some of the old weapons programs because they're made in their home district. So some of this has got to be communicated. Second area would be economic, which is china's, uh, if you will, their juggernaut is fueled by,

So we need to rethink whether the weapons that we've been creating to fight wars in the Middle East are the right weapons for for Asia. And uh, we the military knows some of that. But Congress doesn't want to give up on some of the old weapons programs because they're made in their home district. So some of this has got to be communicated. Second area would be economic, which is china's, uh, if you will, their juggernaut is fueled by,

uh, noncompetitive behavior where they established monopolies and predatory pricing to take over industries. We have to decide what will we allow? What things we not allow and what are we going to get our allies around the world to agree with us? Hey, this is unacceptable. If china does the following, we won't let them into our markets.

uh, noncompetitive behavior where they established monopolies and predatory pricing to take over industries. We have to decide what will we allow? What things we not allow and what are we going to get our allies around the world to agree with us? Hey, this is unacceptable. If china does the following, we won't let them into our markets.

Uh, and then you move on to, let's say communications, uh, china is doing a very good job communicating their, their values and their principles and their propaganda throughout the world. Well, how are we doing? What are we doing in the Caribbean and the in africa and so forth. Um, those are some of the beginnings, uh, just another area. Um, when chinese nationals apply to go to university here in the United States,

Uh, and then you move on to, let's say communications, uh, china is doing a very good job communicating their, their values and their principles and their propaganda throughout the world. Well, how are we doing? What are we doing in the Caribbean and the in africa and so forth. Um, those are some of the beginnings, uh, just another area. Um, when chinese nationals apply to go to university here in the United States,

should we really be giving them visas to come go to our top educational institutions in our stem subjects, science and technology and computer science. Or should we say no. If you want to come over here and study history and english or political science fine. But we don't want to have you coming in again, stealing our technology and then going back to china afterwards. So we, it's element by element, we've got to say, what do we want to do to make sure

should we really be giving them visas to come go to our top educational institutions in our stem subjects, science and technology and computer science. Or should we say no. If you want to come over here and study history and english or political science fine. But we don't want to have you coming in again, stealing our technology and then going back to china afterwards. So we, it's element by element, we've got to say, what do we want to do to make sure

that in this century, America retains its lead. Uh freedom is preserved and the opportunity for our products to be sold around the world remains.

that in this century, America retains its lead. Uh freedom is preserved and the opportunity for our products to be sold around the world remains.

Yeah, I'm gonna go back to this idea of communication and I love that you brought that up because we often miss that in terms of the communication strategy around the world, I don't think we're doing near what china is doing in terms of saying, hey, these are our principles. This is what we believe in. This is what we're willing to fight for defend.

Yeah, I'm gonna go back to this idea of communication and I love that you brought that up because we often miss that in terms of the communication strategy around the world, I don't think we're doing near what china is doing in terms of saying, hey, these are our principles. This is what we believe in. This is what we're willing to fight for defend.

But I also want to get it really closer to home. There's been a lot of criticism about President biden and the lack of communication

But I also want to get it really closer to home. There's been a lot of criticism about President biden and the lack of communication

uh, with all of the flying things in the skies over the last 10 days again you've seen this both as a senator. You saw during the olympic games you thought in your business practice, crisis communication, leadership, communication in a crisis. Where is the president got it right where she got it wrong. What should we be looking at or expecting from our leaders in these kind of really tough situations?

uh, with all of the flying things in the skies over the last 10 days again you've seen this both as a senator. You saw during the olympic games you thought in your business practice, crisis communication, leadership, communication in a crisis. Where is the president got it right where she got it wrong. What should we be looking at or expecting from our leaders in these kind of really tough situations?

Well, part of the challenge that the current

Well, part of the challenge that the current

President has, which may not have existed 20 years ago. When, when the news cycle 20 years ago as you waited till the morning paper or the evening news with Walter Cronkite. But but now people want to know right now what was the shot of the sky? And the truth is they didn't know alright. These three things that got shot down in the last week or so. They did not know what those things were where they came from.

President has, which may not have existed 20 years ago. When, when the news cycle 20 years ago as you waited till the morning paper or the evening news with Walter Cronkite. But but now people want to know right now what was the shot of the sky? And the truth is they didn't know alright. These three things that got shot down in the last week or so. They did not know what those things were where they came from.

And they couldn't pick up the the remnants of it on the ground because it was blown to Smithereens. So they you know sign weather missile will do that exactly once in the water deep and others on an iceberg somewhere. So they didn't know what they shot down what they did know on the on the Chinese. Weather well not weather balloon. Chinese said it was a weather balloon. Their spy balloon they knew okay this thing is big. It's 200 ft tall. The balloon was it was carrying a substrate of some 90 ft in dimension.

And they couldn't pick up the the remnants of it on the ground because it was blown to Smithereens. So they you know sign weather missile will do that exactly once in the water deep and others on an iceberg somewhere. So they didn't know what they shot down what they did know on the on the Chinese. Weather well not weather balloon. Chinese said it was a weather balloon. Their spy balloon they knew okay this thing is big. It's 200 ft tall. The balloon was it was carrying a substrate of some 90 ft in dimension.

And it's clearly a spy device. Uh They know where it uh exactly where the track of it was. And they commuted a good deal of that. Some portion they didn't communicate is how we get the information we have. Uh And uh we don't want to let the chinese know exactly what we know about their products and what they're doing.

And it's clearly a spy device. Uh They know where it uh exactly where the track of it was. And they commuted a good deal of that. Some portion they didn't communicate is how we get the information we have. Uh And uh we don't want to let the chinese know exactly what we know about their products and what they're doing.

But in this case I think there was a lot of hype from the world of media which is oh my goodness are we under attack? It's like guys calm down here. I mean the Chinese have satellites that are flying above us at about 60 miles above the Earth. Alright. They do that every day, that they want to taking camera pictures of everything across our continent.

But in this case I think there was a lot of hype from the world of media which is oh my goodness are we under attack? It's like guys calm down here. I mean the Chinese have satellites that are flying above us at about 60 miles above the Earth. Alright. They do that every day, that they want to taking camera pictures of everything across our continent.

This was a balloon. That was what, 11 miles above. So we don't like that. Alright, that's too close. It takes better pictures. But order of magnitude. They're already spying on us. By the way. They're spying on us with our phone lines are spying on us with probably Tiktok.

This was a balloon. That was what, 11 miles above. So we don't like that. Alright, that's too close. It takes better pictures. But order of magnitude. They're already spying on us. By the way. They're spying on us with our phone lines are spying on us with probably Tiktok.

Um, every way they can, they're looking at what we're doing here because they see themselves as being the military power of this century eventually. And we got to recognize that they are a, at this stage, a competitors. A nice way of saying an

Um, every way they can, they're looking at what we're doing here because they see themselves as being the military power of this century eventually. And we got to recognize that they are a, at this stage, a competitors. A nice way of saying an

adversary. Absolutely. All right. We're gonna go and step aside for a quick commercial break. Much more to come with us. Senator mitt Romney here on KsL News radio. We'll be right back.

adversary. Absolutely. All right. We're gonna go and step aside for a quick commercial break. Much more to come with us. Senator mitt Romney here on KsL News radio. We'll be right back.

Think again with Boyd Matheson on KsL Newsradio.

Think again with Boyd Matheson on KsL Newsradio.

Boyd Matheson divides rage from reason on inside sources.

Boyd Matheson divides rage from reason on inside sources.

Welcome back to inside sources here on KsL News radio. It's great to be with you today. We're pleased to have Utah Senator

Welcome back to inside sources here on KsL News radio. It's great to be with you today. We're pleased to have Utah Senator

mitt Romney in the house with us today. And Senator. It's you've been busy today dealing with everything from wildfires to water and give us just a quick update. Where have you been during the day today?

mitt Romney in the house with us today. And Senator. It's you've been busy today dealing with everything from wildfires to water and give us just a quick update. Where have you been during the day today?

Well, we began by talking with the Commission on wildfires. We've got a commission, uh, we drafted legislation that got passed to create a commission of federal state, local and outside experts that

Well, we began by talking with the Commission on wildfires. We've got a commission, uh, we drafted legislation that got passed to create a commission of federal state, local and outside experts that

Reconsider how we got to fight wildfires because we're fighting them the way we did 20 years ago and now with drought and climate change, we've got to be serious about a much more aggressive approach to knock them down so that we don't have people getting killed as they did in California in particular, as well as structures being lost as as they have here.

Reconsider how we got to fight wildfires because we're fighting them the way we did 20 years ago and now with drought and climate change, we've got to be serious about a much more aggressive approach to knock them down so that we don't have people getting killed as they did in California in particular, as well as structures being lost as as they have here.

So that's one piece. Then we got together with a group that's working on the Colorado River and uh, and how we make sure that the various states that draw from the Colorado River, uh, reduce their usage of water, but do so in a fair way, California doesn't seem to want to play uh, in the same sandbox as the rest of us. They think they get all the water and the rest of us, You know, tough luck to all of you guys. Uh, and so we met with them and,

So that's one piece. Then we got together with a group that's working on the Colorado River and uh, and how we make sure that the various states that draw from the Colorado River, uh, reduce their usage of water, but do so in a fair way, California doesn't seem to want to play uh, in the same sandbox as the rest of us. They think they get all the water and the rest of us, You know, tough luck to all of you guys. Uh, and so we met with them and,

and uh, also had the chance to meet with some folks at the church that are doing a documentary of sorts on, on the history of the olympics and the response to 9 11. So, uh, you know, get bouncing around a big day. Let's

and uh, also had the chance to meet with some folks at the church that are doing a documentary of sorts on, on the history of the olympics and the response to 9 11. So, uh, you know, get bouncing around a big day. Let's

talk about wildfires for just a second because I think that is one of those areas where obviously the federal government is responsible for some of those, some of those forest lands that are controlled by the federal government

talk about wildfires for just a second because I think that is one of those areas where obviously the federal government is responsible for some of those, some of those forest lands that are controlled by the federal government

where there is overgrowth or where they're not able to keep up. How do we get to the conversation when it comes to that and water? I guess it would include that as well in terms of being careful stewards of the land and the environment and also making sure that, that we're taking care of the people in this at the same time.

where there is overgrowth or where they're not able to keep up. How do we get to the conversation when it comes to that and water? I guess it would include that as well in terms of being careful stewards of the land and the environment and also making sure that, that we're taking care of the people in this at the same time.

Uh, you know, in this commission that's looking at wild fires, they, they've broken up multiple study groups, but one group is looking in particular at the management of our forests

Uh, you know, in this commission that's looking at wild fires, they, they've broken up multiple study groups, but one group is looking in particular at the management of our forests

and recognizing that when the federal government runs the force, it's almost by definition can be so hamstrung with regulations and Nipah requirements that they can't get the job done. And so what's been most effective is when there's a joint management agreement where the state, as well as the federal government work together and the state is able to work more aggressively to get rid of debt,

and recognizing that when the federal government runs the force, it's almost by definition can be so hamstrung with regulations and Nipah requirements that they can't get the job done. And so what's been most effective is when there's a joint management agreement where the state, as well as the federal government work together and the state is able to work more aggressively to get rid of debt,

would to make sure that we're having controlled burns at the right time of the year. These are things that are beginning to happen. We'll probably need legislation to make sure this happens more and more. But the objective here is to find ways to prevent fires from becoming catastrophic and wiping out whole towns and killing people and structure

would to make sure that we're having controlled burns at the right time of the year. These are things that are beginning to happen. We'll probably need legislation to make sure this happens more and more. But the objective here is to find ways to prevent fires from becoming catastrophic and wiping out whole towns and killing people and structure

and, you know, there's some things we, as citizens need to do as well. We probably shouldn't have trees up in the mountains with branches from trees, uh, laying on top of our homes. All right, So we're gonna have to do a little better, better job than we've been doing as homeowners as well. Yeah.

and, you know, there's some things we, as citizens need to do as well. We probably shouldn't have trees up in the mountains with branches from trees, uh, laying on top of our homes. All right, So we're gonna have to do a little better, better job than we've been doing as homeowners as well. Yeah.

Uh, so important. And all of those obviously are things that impact the state of Utah, the west. Uh, and, uh, and beyond. I want to get to one that's impacting everybody and it's become another one of those places where it's getting harder to divide the rage from the reason

Uh, so important. And all of those obviously are things that impact the state of Utah, the west. Uh, and, uh, and beyond. I want to get to one that's impacting everybody and it's become another one of those places where it's getting harder to divide the rage from the reason

President biden, you know, called out republicans, uh, some republicans a republican, uh, for wanting to throw grandma over the cliff and getting rid of Social Security and Medicare.

President biden, you know, called out republicans, uh, some republicans a republican, uh, for wanting to throw grandma over the cliff and getting rid of Social Security and Medicare.

Uh, so let's get to the rational, reasonable conversation. We know the CBO came out and they're kind of the congressional budget office there. They call balls and strikes. Make lawmakers in the White House show their math kind of 1/5 grade math teacher style. So we know that these programs are, are doomed to run out of money eventually.

Uh, so let's get to the rational, reasonable conversation. We know the CBO came out and they're kind of the congressional budget office there. They call balls and strikes. Make lawmakers in the White House show their math kind of 1/5 grade math teacher style. So we know that these programs are, are doomed to run out of money eventually.

Uh, but it seems to me that we're missing a real conversation about this? Obviously something has to give or they both go bankrupt. And then that really hurts older folks, especially the poor and the most vulnerable. So how do we begin that conversation outside of the rage and all the political point scoring?

Uh, but it seems to me that we're missing a real conversation about this? Obviously something has to give or they both go bankrupt. And then that really hurts older folks, especially the poor and the most vulnerable. So how do we begin that conversation outside of the rage and all the political point scoring?

Well, President biden's running for re election apparently. And, uh, he's going to the old playbook, which has worked for democrats for decades, which is accused republicans of getting rid of Social Security and Medicare.

Well, President biden's running for re election apparently. And, uh, he's going to the old playbook, which has worked for democrats for decades, which is accused republicans of getting rid of Social Security and Medicare.

So you scared the elderly? Uh you have people run to the polls to keep that from happening and it's obviously disingenuous and dishonest. The president should be ashamed for doing it, but he was able to point to a couple of things that have been said by one or two senators that could be interpreted

So you scared the elderly? Uh you have people run to the polls to keep that from happening and it's obviously disingenuous and dishonest. The president should be ashamed for doing it, but he was able to point to a couple of things that have been said by one or two senators that could be interpreted

as as saying we're going to cut Medicare or Social Security, which frankly we're not gonna do. No one is proposing cutting Social Security or Medicare. Have

as as saying we're going to cut Medicare or Social Security, which frankly we're not gonna do. No one is proposing cutting Social Security or Medicare. Have

you ever seen that in legislative texts? Like, like is there anywhere,

you ever seen that in legislative texts? Like, like is there anywhere,

there's no there's no bill that's been introduced that I know

there's no there's no bill that's been introduced that I know

that said, hey, let's cut these these programs, it's just not gonna happen. Uh but the reality is that we probably need to rethink what the programs look like 20 years from now. So envisioning Social Security and Medicare 20 years from now is important. I want to make sure it's there for, you know, people coming in the next generations and that we can afford the programs that we have

that said, hey, let's cut these these programs, it's just not gonna happen. Uh but the reality is that we probably need to rethink what the programs look like 20 years from now. So envisioning Social Security and Medicare 20 years from now is important. I want to make sure it's there for, you know, people coming in the next generations and that we can afford the programs that we have

and I along with a number of democrats and republicans have a proposal to do just that we're not talking about cutting anything or taxing something in a new way, but sitting down and talking about

and I along with a number of democrats and republicans have a proposal to do just that we're not talking about cutting anything or taxing something in a new way, but sitting down and talking about

How big are these programs, how can they be changed to make sure they survive over the next 75 years. And actually there's one senator bill Cassidy along with Angus King who come up with a proposal on social security, which is really remarkable piece of work. It doesn't cut benefits. Alright. And it lasts for 75 years of solvency. We'll see if that is able to get some

How big are these programs, how can they be changed to make sure they survive over the next 75 years. And actually there's one senator bill Cassidy along with Angus King who come up with a proposal on social security, which is really remarkable piece of work. It doesn't cut benefits. Alright. And it lasts for 75 years of solvency. We'll see if that is able to get some

uh some legs or not. But this has to happen. And what's embarrassing is you have both on the right and on the left. People say we won't touch Social Security, we won't touch touch Medicare. We're not going to touch entitlements, we're not going to touch the military. Well, you know how much of those things combined of our spending,

uh some legs or not. But this has to happen. And what's embarrassing is you have both on the right and on the left. People say we won't touch Social Security, we won't touch touch Medicare. We're not going to touch entitlements, we're not going to touch the military. Well, you know how much of those things combined of our spending,

They they happen they happen to be 9/10 of our spending. So if you want to cut trillions of dollars that are spending, you have to talk about those programs. Yeah.

They they happen they happen to be 9/10 of our spending. So if you want to cut trillions of dollars that are spending, you have to talk about those programs. Yeah.

Absolutely. And that to me that's the that's the crucial conversation that we just keep missing amidst all the other things that are going on. Talk to us in terms of what that means. I know CB also said that we have record revenue coming in

Absolutely. And that to me that's the that's the crucial conversation that we just keep missing amidst all the other things that are going on. Talk to us in terms of what that means. I know CB also said that we have record revenue coming in

Uh and not just because of inflation but as percentage we're collecting more. I think it was 19.6% of GDP in taxes were collected. So that's a high, not a all time high at least back 40 or 50 years. Uh so we do know there is income coming in for the government to function. And yet we keep having deficit spending after deficit spending. Some are projecting will add another 20 trillion

Uh and not just because of inflation but as percentage we're collecting more. I think it was 19.6% of GDP in taxes were collected. So that's a high, not a all time high at least back 40 or 50 years. Uh so we do know there is income coming in for the government to function. And yet we keep having deficit spending after deficit spending. Some are projecting will add another 20 trillion

Uh, two are already 30 trillion in debt. How do we get a real conversation about that? And the threat that it is to our economy and, and way alive.

Uh, two are already 30 trillion in debt. How do we get a real conversation about that? And the threat that it is to our economy and, and way alive.

Yeah. The threat is really that at some point people will stop lending us money. Um, and the reality is even if they keep lending us money, who's going to pay the interest on this debt is now hundreds of billions of dollars a year. It will be larger than our defense budget in the next couple of decades. The interest just the interest payments.

Yeah. The threat is really that at some point people will stop lending us money. Um, and the reality is even if they keep lending us money, who's going to pay the interest on this debt is now hundreds of billions of dollars a year. It will be larger than our defense budget in the next couple of decades. The interest just the interest payments.

And so we will be saddling our grandchildren and their grandchildren with interest the rest of their lives for things we gave to ourselves, not things we invested in for them. No, no things we gave ourselves.

And so we will be saddling our grandchildren and their grandchildren with interest the rest of their lives for things we gave to ourselves, not things we invested in for them. No, no things we gave ourselves.

It's uh, it's irresponsible and frankly immoral in my view for us to spend massive amounts of money and then pass on the cost to the coming generations. And that's what we're doing right now. So in my opinion, we need to sit down and confront that and deal with it. Uh, and, and I'm, look, I'm, for me, all things are on the table. I mean, I'm, I'm honest with you on that. Uh, we can be creative in the way we finance it. We can find ways to,

It's uh, it's irresponsible and frankly immoral in my view for us to spend massive amounts of money and then pass on the cost to the coming generations. And that's what we're doing right now. So in my opinion, we need to sit down and confront that and deal with it. Uh, and, and I'm, look, I'm, for me, all things are on the table. I mean, I'm, I'm honest with you on that. Uh, we can be creative in the way we finance it. We can find ways to,

uh, increased revenue or to reduce cost, but we're gonna have to find ways to balance that we're spending. Or we could put our country in peril. And we're certainly putting our descendants in peril already. Uh

uh, increased revenue or to reduce cost, but we're gonna have to find ways to balance that we're spending. Or we could put our country in peril. And we're certainly putting our descendants in peril already. Uh

Last thing for you, senator. What what's something that's on your radar? Something that you're thinking about that you wish more of your colleagues or the american people were thinking about in terms of our future.

Last thing for you, senator. What what's something that's on your radar? Something that you're thinking about that you wish more of your colleagues or the american people were thinking about in terms of our future.

Well you've hit the two big ones today. Alright china's number one china emerging as the most powerful nation on the earth more than ourselves. That is an enormous threat. We can't allow that to happen. Number two is the amount of debt we have and and being able to discuss it

Well you've hit the two big ones today. Alright china's number one china emerging as the most powerful nation on the earth more than ourselves. That is an enormous threat. We can't allow that to happen. Number two is the amount of debt we have and and being able to discuss it

and to put in place programs that get us to a balanced budget is absolutely essential for me. Number three is how to help families. Alright. So that that's my next item. And you know, I propose something called the Family Security Act. It provides help to people who are having kids. It's $2000 per child.

and to put in place programs that get us to a balanced budget is absolutely essential for me. Number three is how to help families. Alright. So that that's my next item. And you know, I propose something called the Family Security Act. It provides help to people who are having kids. It's $2000 per child.

Uh and uh it comes in a monthly payment. It costs no additional money because we eliminate some programs we currently have that are not very effective. So for me any, any time we're going to come up with a program that's helpful and it's gonna make things better. You have to pay for it. And as opposed to just go out and borrow more money for it. And uh and for me we're going to eliminate some programs that are not effective and and invest instead on the

Uh and uh it comes in a monthly payment. It costs no additional money because we eliminate some programs we currently have that are not very effective. So for me any, any time we're going to come up with a program that's helpful and it's gonna make things better. You have to pay for it. And as opposed to just go out and borrow more money for it. And uh and for me we're going to eliminate some programs that are not effective and and invest instead on the

coming generations by helping people that want to have kids be able to afford them

coming generations by helping people that want to have kids be able to afford them

so important. And I love you to bring up that idea of just programs that aren't working. I think one of the best things President Obama did was coming to Congress with a list of $17 billion of programs that he didn't think were effective or productive or producing the right result. I'd love to see that kind of conversation, both coming from the White House and from Congress to say if we're going to have government, let's make sure it's doing whatever it's doing really

so important. And I love you to bring up that idea of just programs that aren't working. I think one of the best things President Obama did was coming to Congress with a list of $17 billion of programs that he didn't think were effective or productive or producing the right result. I'd love to see that kind of conversation, both coming from the White House and from Congress to say if we're going to have government, let's make sure it's doing whatever it's doing really

well.

well.

Just to say that we blame the democrats and they largely deserve credit for spending too much. But then we have our sacred cows as well that we want to spend money on because they're for states that are important to us to keep our majority. Look, we gotta put this aside and do what's right for the american people.

Just to say that we blame the democrats and they largely deserve credit for spending too much. But then we have our sacred cows as well that we want to spend money on because they're for states that are important to us to keep our majority. Look, we gotta put this aside and do what's right for the american people.

Absolutely. Senator mitt Romney, thanks so much for stopping in on a very busy day here in KSL Newsradio. We'll go ahead and step aside for some bottom of the hour News. Thanks again to the senator for joining us today. We'll be right back more inside sources on KSL Newsradio

Absolutely. Senator mitt Romney, thanks so much for stopping in on a very busy day here in KSL Newsradio. We'll go ahead and step aside for some bottom of the hour News. Thanks again to the senator for joining us today. We'll be right back more inside sources on KSL Newsradio