Iowa: A Political Utopia? With Eileen Saylor

Kathy Barnette interviews Eileen Saylor, a long-time Republican party leader in rural Iowa, about the 2024 GOP presidential race, the polarization in America, and their hopes for the country's future. They discuss reasons to support candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, concerns over election integrity, big donor influence in politics, freedom of speech, refusing to be silenced or intimidated, and more. Despite labels like "domestic terrorist," they continue spreading their message because they believe in American values like life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and freedom of thought. They urge Americans to have respectful dialogues, focus on shared beliefs instead of differences, reject victimhood mentalities, and strive to be better. This episode is a thought-provoking discussion of conservatives' goals, fears, and determination to preserve the republic.

Chapters:

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:03:10] Domestic Terrorists or Patriots?
[00:06:00] The Real Cultural War in America
[00:09:20] Why Stay Republican After 20 Years?
[00:12:20] The Appeal of Vivek Ramaswamy [00:17:00] Winning vs Controlling Power
[00:21:00] Bold Leadership Needed
[00:25:20] Time to Pass the Torch
[00:28:40] Having Respectful Conversations
[00:32:40] Refusing the Slave Mindset
[00:35:20] Aspiring Towards Exceptionalism [00:38:40] Why We Keep Fighting

Notable Quotes:

"When I hear Threat to Democracy, I always wonder, What do they mean by that? Yeah. There is no way that I feel any threat on my part to democracy." - Eileen Saylor [00:03:38]

"Why should we, the majority, be ruled by the tyranny from the minority? We have to speak up. I don't want that anymore. They call us the party of the silent majority. I don't think we can be silent any longer." - Eileen Saylor [00:20:26]

"He speaks our values more clearly than I have ever heard a Republican candidate do." - Kathy Barnette on Vivek Ramaswamy [00:22:25]

"I appreciate that he listens to the voters. I've been so impressed with him. When he has gone to town meetings or meet and greet, whatever, and somebody does protest or speak against him, he is so kind to them. He listens to them and said, I hear what you're saying." - Eileen Saylor on Vivek Ramaswamy [00:27:19]

Timestamped Moments:

[00:04:10] Kathy Barnette explains being labeled a "threat to democracy"

[00:09:55] Eileen Saylor shares why she stays involved in politics after 20 years

[00:14:00] They discuss political corruption and candidates being "bought"

[00:18:20] Kathy Barnette on the Republican Party failing to accomplish goals when in power

[00:23:40] Eileen praises Vivek Ramaswamy's bold stances like shutting down the FBI

[00:28:10] Eileen shares an anecdote about kindly engaging a protestor

[00:31:10] They discuss the danger of conflating disagreement with hatred

[00:34:30] Kathy rejects notions that external factors determine your life outcomes

[00:37:50] Eileen emphasizes this election is about changing victimhood mentalities

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