22nd in Economic Freedom? What’s Holding America Back

Stay connected with us at americangroundradio.com, on Facebook, and Instagram. You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for March 9, 2026.  We dive into one of the biggest political fights brewing in Washington right now. Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet, saying he won’t sign any new legislation unless Congress passes the SAVE Act—a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. We break down the Senate math, the filibuster fight, and why more than 70% of Americans say they support the idea. Then we run through the Three Things You Need to Know Before Tomorrow. First, two suspects are arrested after allegedly throwing homemade bombs into a protest crowd outside the mayor’s mansion in New York. Second, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seizes election materials in Maricopa County as part of an investigation into the 2024 election. And third, oil prices surge amid tensions with Iran, raising concerns about supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and what it could mean for prices at the pump. We also talk about the growing questions surrounding Iran—especially reports that U.S. intelligence intercepted communications suggesting possible sleeper cells or covert assets abroad. American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burelson join us to talk about the controversy surrounding the funeral of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. Did political speeches from figures like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris turn a memorial service into a political rally—despite the family’s request to keep politics out of it? And in Digging Deep, we look at the latest economic freedom rankings from The Heritage Foundation. The United States still offers one of the fastest paths from poverty to prosperity—but it only ranks 22nd in the world. We explain why government spending and fiscal health are dragging America down the list. And we wrap things up with a Bright Spot—from surprising favorability numbers for Pop Leo XIV, Donald Trump, and JD Vance to an incredible finish at the Los Angeles Marathon that proves sometimes the race really does come down to the final step. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.