Former Governor Jim Douglas on War, Trade, Affordability and the 2026 Midterm Elections
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, on Common Sense Radio with Bill Sayre, weekdays, 11 o’clock till Noon.
Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss how we can apply the lessons of history, economics, and politics to help us understand and address current issues in public policy — Vermont, National, and International — with special emphasis of the effect of economic issues on political elections.
Potential Questions and Issues
As so often happens, so many public policy are connected to one another, and to upcoming elections. This year is no exception. The War with Iran, it is fair to say, has extended much longer than the President expected., and seems, at least on the surface, to put his policies in contraction to what he had criticized in previous Presidents, namely, “forever wars.” Why does securing peace in the Middle East seem to be such an alluring temptation — almost like the Sirens that attracted sailors in the day of Odysseus, only to be destroyed as they sailed into rocky shoals? For so many Presidents — From Nixon to Carter to Reagan to Clinton to Bush, Obama, and now Trump. In the case of President Trump, his favorability ratings have dropped steadily as the war has continued. Will this change if the President can demonstrate, convincingly, that the risk of nuclear armament in Iran has been contained? Is this an example of the classic difference between long term and short term wellbeing, and thereby support for the Administration?
Tariff policy is another issue that has once again rise n to, or near to, the top of the list of public policy issues in America. And it comes with disparaging comments from the White House, including a proposal to make Canada the 51st State, referring to the Premier as Governor, and renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. Perhaps as much as any example, tariffs exemplify the damage resulting when two economies are so closely connected — in many cases integrated. Aluminum, Steel, Automobiles. We already have a Free Trade Agreement with Canada. And our new tariffs on Canadian products are being met with Retaliatory tariffs from Canada. This is indeed similar to pthe effects of the Smoot Hawley tariffs in the early 1930s.
Canada is the number one trading partner with 26 of our States, and in the top 3 trading partners for 46 of our States.
How is travel and tourism affected by tariff policy? How is the connection between the American people, especially the Vermont people, and the Canadian people, despite differences between the governments, helpful in understanding how the Iranian people feel about the American people, and Western values?
The new tariffs come at a time as we approach the midterms, and the balance of power in the US Senate hangs in the balance — with close elections in Michigan, Maine, Minnesota Ohio, and Iowa. As well as in Texas and Georgia.
On average, in the past Century, in midterm elections, the President’s part has lost about 25 Seats in the House, and 4 Seats in the Senate. Why is that? A natural reaction to the swing in the previous Presidential election? A referendum on the President, and the Congress? What happens when the Congress is divided, or is of the Party opposite to the President?
Where is the energy — intensity of support, or opposition?
What can we learn from previous elections, particularly following two years when the Congressional majorities were of the same party as the President? 2010. 2018. 2022.
Are there parallels in Vermont? For example when one party has a supermajority in the Legislature? 2022. How are Vermont elections affected by National elections?
Economic issues that have profound effect on elections — one that significantly effect the middle class. Gasoline prices, nationally. Property taxes in Vermont.
How should interpret the use of the term affordability in by Candidates from both Parties in many political contests this year?
Why is it important to have balance in the composition of our Legislature and of our State government? How has it affected legislation on taxes, land use regulation, energy, education, health care, and housing?
Why it is importanct for government, like families and businesses to live within its means, and to keep tax rates competitive. And to growing government revenue not by raising tax rates, but by growing the economy.
What difference will a midterm National Convention make? Is this the first time when such a connection has been held?
What should we consider about the apparent appal Socialism to our young people, in particular? Idealism vs. Reality. Seeing the world as you might hope it would be, rather than as it is. Paying taxes. Questions for young people — do you want, eventually, to own your own home? Should someone who doesn’t work as hard as you in school, get the same grade as you? What happens to incentives to work hard, to save, and to invest. A government big enough to give you everything you want, also will big enough to take everything you have. What can we learn from history? And what can we learn from the experience of other nations?
What have we learned about the causes of the high cost in Vermont of health care and Vermont health insurance. And the implications for policy? What reforms proposed in the Governor’s Executive Order may be helpful? Higher deductibles. Health Savings Accounts. Association Plans.
What factors should we consider in evaluating the benefits and burdens of Data Centers?
Why is it difficult for a self-governing republic, such as we have in America, to sustain a lengthy foreign war, psrticularly against guerrilla warfare? How did this principle affect the British government in the war with the Colonies in America’s war for Independence? And the American government, in the Civil War? Does this help explain the reasons for Sherman’s March to the Sea? And by contrast, Russia’s war in the Ukraine? How does Russia sustain 30,000 casualties, likely deaths, per month.
What should know about the birthright citizenship controversy? Tourist births — what proportion of total births? Are there ways to create a more tolerant work permits, that, after a period of time, could be converted into citizenship? How have native Americans been affected by the birthright citizenship issue?
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