The Schumer Shutdown: Why Democrats Boxed Themselves In
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
Release Date: 10/09/2025
The Real Political Divide in America Today
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
The real political divide in America is not left versus right. It is the Leave Us Alone Coalition versus the Takings Coalition. In this episode of Leave Us Alone, Grover Norquist explains how these two coalitions compete over tax policy, spending, and the size of government. The discussion breaks down who belongs to each coalition, why the Takings Coalition constantly pushes for higher taxes, and why the Leave Us Alone Coalition must stay united to protect taxpayers. This episode explains politics the way it actually works, through incentives, not slogans.
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What Does the Republican Whip Actually Do? Rep. Tom Emmer Explains
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
This week on Leave Us Alone, Grover Norquist is joined by Mike Palicz and James Erwin for a brief discussion on rising healthcare costs, Obamacare affordability, and end-of-year battles in Washington. The episode then features a special guest interview with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN), who explains what the Republican Whip actually does. Emmer breaks down his role counting votes, communicating with House members, and helping move legislation across the House floor in today’s political environment. The conversation also covers the failures of the Affordable Care Act, including...
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Reconciliation, Obamacare Fraud, and Steve Moore on Ending the Tax on Inflation
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
Grover Norquist and Mike Palicz break down how the next reconciliation package is being shaped by the failures of Obamacare, including a new GAO report exposing widespread fraud and improper subsidies. They outline why expanding Obamacare subsidies would be a mistake, what Republicans should prioritize in reconciliation, and why tariffs must stay out. The episode also features a special interview with economist Steve Moore, who explains how ending the taxation of inflation through capital gains indexing could be one of the biggest pro-growth moves available today.
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Shutdown Politics, Obamacare Subsidies, and the Cost of Big Government with AFP's Brent Gardner
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
As the shutdown drags on, Grover Norquist and Brent Gardner of Americans for Prosperity break down how Democrats are holding taxpayers hostage in a political fight over Obamacare subsidies. Gardner explains how Democrats have tied reopening the government to extending Obamacare subsidies, the ongoing fight over spending and healthcare costs, and what it all means for taxpayers. Brent shares insights on AFP’s work in every state, the grassroots movement for limited government, and how Americans can push back against Washington’s overspending and overreach. Listen in for a conversation...
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The Obamacare Ransom: Why Democrats Are Holding the Government Hostage
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
The Leave Us Alone team examines how the latest government shutdown fight centers on Obamacare. Grover Norquist, Mike Palicz, James Erwin, and Jack Baum explain how Democrats are using the shutdown as leverage to push for another extension of Obamacare’s temporary subsidies, which were meant to expire after the pandemic. They discuss how this political strategy hides the real cost of the program and why conservatives are rejecting another taxpayer-funded bailout. The team also looks at key state elections in New Jersey and Maine, where affordability, energy costs, and taxes are defining the...
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The Schumer Shutdown: What’s the Democrats’ Endgame?
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
Sixteen days into the government shutdown, the American people aren’t feeling the effects. Should Democrats be worried? Is their strategy working? What’s their exit strategy? Grover Norquist is joined by political strategist Liam Donovan and ATR’s Mike Palicz to break down how Democrats’ $1.5 trillion in new spending demands have fallen flat, how the media landscape has changed shutdown politics, and what redistricting could mean for control of Congress in the years ahead. About Liam Donovan: Liam joins Targeted Victory as the head of the firm’s Risk & Reputation practice. Over...
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The Schumer Shutdown: Why Democrats Boxed Themselves In
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
In this episode, Grover Norquist and guest co-host Mike discuss the ongoing government shutdown and why Democrats have painted themselves into a political corner. They break down how the left’s demand for $1.5 trillion in new spending, the permanent extension of Obamacare subsidies, and a repeal of Trump-era reforms have stalled negotiations. Grover traces the history of shutdowns back to 1980 and shows how Democrats have used the process as a political weapon since the Clinton years. This time, the media narrative is not sticking. The conversation exposes the real cost of COVID-era...
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The Schumer Shutdown: Spending Demands, Permanent Biden COVID Credits, and the Fight for Fiscal Sanity
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
Grover Norquist, Mike Palicz, and James Erwin break down the government shutdown standoff. Democrats are blocking a clean continuing resolution and demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending, a permanent expansion of Biden COVID credits, and taxpayer funding for NPR. The hosts explain why Republicans must hold firm, why temporary COVID-era subsidies should expire, and how the shutdown is exposing cracks inside the Democratic caucus. Later in the episode, Grover sits down with former Congressman Jeb Hensarling to discuss how new Trump administration reforms could empower workers to invest more...
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Shutdown Showdown: Schumer’s Gamble and Obamacare Subsidies
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
Grover Norquist, Mike Palicz, and James Erwin return from summer break to unpack the looming government funding fight. House Republicans have passed a clean continuing resolution, but Democrats are demanding trillions in new spending and a permanent extension of Biden COVID credits. What’s really behind Chuck Schumer’s push for a shutdown? How will the Obamacare subsidy battle shape the GOP coalition? And what lessons should Republicans draw from the left’s endless spending demands? The hosts also reflect on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, honoring his legacy and the movement...
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Teamsters, Taxes, and the Fight for Free Markets
Leave Us Alone with Grover Norquist
The headlines say the Teamsters are suddenly flooding Republicans with cash — but the numbers tell a very different story. Grover Norquist, James Erwin, and Mike Palicz dig into the union’s decades-long role as part of the Democratic Party’s political machine and explain why this new “GOP-friendly” image is mostly smoke and mirrors. They also unpack how federal regulators are twisting market definitions to attack America’s most successful tech companies, why a proposed patent value tax would cripple innovation, and what a second reconciliation bill could mean for pro-growth tax...
info_outlineIn this episode, Grover Norquist and guest co-host Mike discuss the ongoing government shutdown and why Democrats have painted themselves into a political corner. They break down how the left’s demand for $1.5 trillion in new spending, the permanent extension of Obamacare subsidies, and a repeal of Trump-era reforms have stalled negotiations.
Grover traces the history of shutdowns back to 1980 and shows how Democrats have used the process as a political weapon since the Clinton years. This time, the media narrative is not sticking. The conversation exposes the real cost of COVID-era policies, including how boosted Obamacare subsidies are driving up premiums and taxpayer costs. Grover and Mike explain how Republican discipline, reinforced by President Trump’s direct messaging, has strengthened opposition to more government expansion.
The hosts also highlight Congressman Mike Lawler’s viral exchange with Hakeem Jeffries and explain why the 2017 tax cuts remain a defining victory for taxpayers at every income level.