Raising Expectations, May 4, 2026

Raising Expectations with Pastor Joe Schofield, Dr. Paul Hall, Stefanie Thayer, Dr. Craig Thayer, Pastor Ron Greer California and Restoring Faith, Family and Common-Sense Governance Guest, Elizabeth Wong Ahlers Friends, Elizabeth Wong Ahlers joins us once again on Raising Expectations! Join us for an extraordinary encounter with Elizabeth Wong Ahlers. Elizabeth's unwavering values, profound wisdom, loving family, and strong faith are the catalysts for overcoming every challenge and bringing back the Golden State of California! Her visionary insights and innovative ideas are precisely what America and California need to thrive! Elizabeth possesses the message that can inspire a nation! Remember…YOU hold the power of the VOTE! Pastor Joe Schofield and the "Raising Expectations" team host Elizabeth Wong Ahlers, a candidate for the California State Assembly, to discuss the urgent need for "common sense" governance. The conversation focuses on leveraging faith, family values, and fiscal responsibility to address California's systemic challenges. The "Mama Bear" Candidate and the Call for Experience Elizabeth Wong Ahlers, a fifth-generation Californian and mother of six, positions herself as a "mama bear" fighting for the future of the state's children. With a PhD and experience as a councilwoman in La Crescenta, she argues that the current "one-party rule" in Sacramento has failed to address the basics: education, gas prices, and public safety. The team emphasizes that her background as a parent and community leader provides the "life experience" and "financial wisdom" often missing in career politicians who have never managed a household budget or run a business. Critique of Current Governance and Legislative "Noise" The discussion highlights a disconnect between current legislative priorities and the reality of California citizens. Dr. Paul Hall points to "absurd" bills, such as designating Bigfoot as a state cryptid (AB 666) or imposing rooster fines (AB 928), while the state suffers from the highest cost-adjusted poverty rate and the worst roads in the country. Elizabeth notes that many legislators do not own property or have children, leading to policies that ignore the burden of high taxes and unreliable energy and water supplies. She advocates for a return to "fiscal responsibility" modeled after how families manage their own finances. Education Reform and Constitutional Foundations A central pillar of Elizabeth’s platform is SCA1, a school choice initiative that would create flexible accounts for families, allowing them to choose between private, charter, or home schooling. Stephanie Thayer notes that this competition is vital for lower-income families stuck in failing districts. Elizabeth further grounds her mission in the California Constitution, specifically citing the Preamble’s gratitude to "Almighty God" and its protection of inalienable rights like liberty and property. She views her campaign not just as a political race, but as a spiritual effort to "let the light shine" in a dark political landscape. The episode serves as both a political endorsement and a spiritual call to action. By contrasting "ridiculous" current legislation with "common sense" solutions like school choice and fiscal transparency, Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and the "Raising Expectations" team aim to mobilize voters to reclaim California’s constitutional promise of liberty and prosperity.