This is a segment from The Kim Monson Show on Friday, January 24th 2025.The latest episode of the Kim Monson Show dives deep into the pressing issues surrounding immigration policies and refugee resettlement in the United States. Drawing from insights found in a State Department memo, Kim Munson and her producer unpack the complex system that has been evolving over decades, spotlighting the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in managing resettlement processes and the financial implications tied to government funds.The conversation between Kim and her producer Joe begins by exploring the historical context of refugee programs, particularly focusing on how NGOs have historically provided support and sponsorship for those seeking refuge. However, as Kim highlights, the dynamic shifted with increased government involvement in the 1990s, raising questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of current models.The episode takes a critical lens to the financial aspects of the refugee resettlement process, questioning the heavy reliance on government funding. Kim shares her concerns about the financial management within these NGOs, recalling her experiences serving on the board of Lutheran Family Services in Colorado. The narrative unfolds into a broader discussion on whether current practices align with the foundational principles of choice and free market values.
In parallel, the segment touches upon broader legislative challenges within Colorado, examining the latest legislative proposals and their potential impact on residents. Kim emphasizes the need for a shift back to classic free market principles, advocating for tax reductions to empower citizens to make their own charitable choices.
Another significant topic discussed in the episode is the State Department’s recent policy changes regarding flag displays at embassies and outposts. Kim argues the importance of national symbols and their representation, advocating for allegiance to American values over movements that might diversify national focus.
The dialogue further explores other legislative challenges, including the focus on inmate healthcare policy changes within Colorado. Kim critically examines the legislative details, calling for more thoughtful voter review instead of rapid implementation under ‘safety clauses.’
Throughout the episode, Kim and her guest, Joe, stress the importance of unity and the need to reignite the principles of liberty and justice across local and national platforms. The narratives shared in this episode aim to provoke thought and encourage engagement in the ongoing ‘battle of ideas’ that define America’s socio-political landscape today.
Kim Monson brings attention to the legislative developments in Colorado, emphasizing the influence these have on the community. From the repeal of co-payments for inmate health care to changes in flag policies at embassies, the discussion touches on the significance of these legislative actions. With a focus on promoting the free market and lowering taxes, Kim andProducer Joet advocate for a restoration of prosperity and unity under the guiding principles of liberty and justice for all.
And welcome back to the Kim Monson Show. Be sure and check out our website. That is Kim Monson, M-O-N-S-O-N.com. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter, and you can email me at Kim at KimMonson.com as well. Thank you to all of you who support us. We're an independent voice. We search for truth and clarity by looking at these issues through the lens of freedom versus force, force versus freedom. If something's a good idea, you should not have to force people to do it. And the show comes to you because of our sponsors, Hooters Restaurants. Great, just great lunch specials and great food. And those lunch specials are Monday through Friday. They have happy hour specials as well. And they have five locations, Loveland, Aurora, Lone Tree, Westminster, and Colorado Springs. And they have been great sponsors of both the Kim Monson Show and America's Veterans Stories for quite some time. And I mentioned the Center for American Values. That website is AmericanValuesCenter.org, so be sure and check that out regarding their event this afternoon. And for our legislative kickoff for the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, that website is ColoradoTaxpayer.org. Let's get into some of these headlines here. And the first one that I wanted to talk a little bit about, this was from CNN. And as I was really contemplating on this, the headline is flights canceled for refugees who were slated to travel to the United States. And it says these are refugees that were slated to come here after years long and often cumbersome process. had their flights canceled, according to a State Department memo, to resettlement partners obtained by CNN. Resettlement partners, that would be your NGOs, your non-governmental organizations that have been receiving tax money for this. Now, I served for Gosh, I think six years, a while, I'll just say a while, on the board of Lutheran Family Services back in the 90s. And I joined the board because I had watched their adoption programs. I loved that. And so loved that they were adopting kids out, that they were giving options over abortion. I loved that. And then also helping seniors. And I love that, too. and helping refugees. And with refugees, I had in my mind the refugees back in the 40s and 50s, people that were being persecuted because of their Christian or Jewish faith and that they would come to America they would get a sponsor, and it would be maybe another family member, maybe it was a church. And what morphed into this was then like a Lutheran Family Services, where they were the sponsor to bring people over. Again, I'm thinking of Christian and Jewish refugees. But then the government got involved. And this would have been in the 90s. So this whole immigration thing has not been new. This has been occurring quite often. And so people would claim refugee status to get into the United States. And then there was government money that was going into these non-governmental organizations. And what they were doing instead of getting, and again, government money was being used. Some of the first things they did was get them on government assistance. And I'm thinking, well, gosh, in the old days, you had a couple of months, a wrench, you had a little bit of help and people hit the ground running and they built their lives. So all of this, I was becoming more and more uncomfortable with how this was coming down. And then when I understood the financials, and I think it was, again, this is from memory, out of a $14 million budget at the time, this was just for Lutheran Family Services in Colorado, that like $12 million of it was coming from government money, which then that was going to this whole refugee resettlement. And then I asked the question, I said, well, how are we assimilating? And are we teaching the Christian faith? And they said, well, we can't really do that because government money's not involved with that. So this has been a pipeline for many, many years. So this memo from Donald Trump is suspending these refugee admissions and it, this is CNN again, marks another example of the swift impact his actions are already having. The move stands to affect thousands of refugees who had flights already scheduled. Now, I have to pay for my own flight when I fly someplace. And most Americans do. And our young people, I'm looking at Joe. These young people that are working and paying taxes and having to pay for their cell phones, having to pay for their rent, and yet we're having people that are coming here. Both refugees would be legally, but I think – using the system I guess that's the word I would want to use but then all those that we saw even at the southern border that wanted to come here illegally getting all this free stuff it's not free stuff you can't give free stuff something to somebody for free that you have taken you have to take it from somebody else Joe
Producer Joe (Host) :
You're absolutely right. And another thing that this immigration problem has shown me is you really can't sift through the bad actors from the good actors if they're acting well. And I think that is the biggest thing I have a problem with is like I do want to help the refugees. But at the end of the day, I can't even help my grandmother. So why do I need to help them first before my grandmother? My grandmother is my main concern.
Kim Monson (Host) :
Right. And so, yes, we take care of ourselves. We take care of our own. And and I think all of us have a heart for refugees. However, the system has been figured out how to be used, and it's become really a refugee industrial complex. Just look at the numbers from the CNN report. Approximately 10,000 refugees had travel booked. 10,000, which is now canceled. And I think that this is pretty interesting, what is happening with the Trump administration on that. So any other comments on that, Joe? But in concept, it's a great idea. But then what happens is people get to a point where they use that system. They make money on it. That was the other thing is in these NGOs, these CEOs of these NGOs are making big bank.
Producer Joe (Host) :
I was actually just about to bring up that point, and the idea is great. I want to help my fellow people. That's what I care about. But at the end of the day, we got to help the people that are here for a reason. They were born in America. live the American lifestyle. That's the people I wanna help first. We gotta close down everything and make it smaller.
Kim Monson (Host) :
Yeah, we have to lower taxes. And if people have more money in their pocket, then they will make decisions on which charities to give to. And if they have a charity that is doing things that they don't agree with, then they won't give money to them. But if an NGO charity is doing things that you may not agree with, but yet they're getting your tax money via the government, that's a whole different thing. That's not a free market. So let's bring back the free market to all of that.
Producer Joe (Host) :
I absolutely agree. The free market was the thing that showed in the 60s to work and grow from there. That is what brought us back from the sad times after World War II. Literally, that is the thing that created prosperity for America.
Kim Monson (Host) :
And we're going to be getting that back, Joe. Here in Colorado, though, we've got our work cut out for us because this legislature and governor, when I say this legislature, those that are in control, That's not their goals for that, but let's lower property taxes. We have a lot of things to do. I didn't mention the bill of the day yet, and that was House Bill 25-1026. It's the repeal of copayment for Department of Corrections inmate health care. And the primary sponsors on this are both Democrats, Representative Michael Carter, Representative Lorena Garcia. And basically they're saying that if you are in – THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AS AN INMATE THAT IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AND YOU DON'T MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE FEE FOR NOT LETTING THEM KNOW. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY CO-PAYMENTS. AND THE COLORADO UNION OF TAXPAYERS HAS NO POSITION ON THIS. THIS IS OUR RECOMMENDATION AND THIS IS WHAT WE SAID. WE SAID, FIRST OF ALL, THE BILL USES THE SAFETY CLAUSE. WE TALK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME. IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY. that inmates would have to pay copayments and fees. So right off the bat, we don't like that. And so we said this is not an emergency, therefore should be made available for voter review. Second, copays are common. Much of the general public must pay them. Why should inmates receive better treatment than law abiding citizens? No special privileges for inmates that are paid for by taxpayers.
Producer Joe (Host) :
You're absolutely right. And I hate that safety clause. I understand the reason it's there is for the changing of times to compensate for that. But at the end of the day, it is such a sneaky way they use to just get around everything. I do not like it.
Kim Monson (Host) :
It is, and I'll probably talk about this other bill tomorrow on that. So join us, Colorado Union of Taxpayers. This is the kind of analysis and conversation that you can have, and you'll know what's going on. Let me just give you a quick rundown on the number of bills that have been— Now we're at 179 bills that have been introduced here in Colorado. So you want to know what's going on. Next headline that I wanted to hit here. And again, this is so important. This is from Fox News. The State Department blocks pride BLM flags from embassies and outposts with a one flag policy. This is also, I think, fantastic because the flag that you fly over Your business or your embassy shows who your allegiance is to, and the allegiance to the United States of America and for all that it stands. The transgender flag or the – what is it? The – Pride flag, the pride flag, all that is celebrating carnal instincts. It's not thinking about the things that we can do with our brains, the creativity and innovation. All it is celebrating is, first of all, carnal instincts and acts, and carnal instincts and acts that are against nature's laws.
Producer Joe (Host) :
Absolutely right. And I can get behind two flags, the state flag, like Colorado state flag, and the American flag. Those are the two main ones because that is our government. As soon as you're showing off these other flags, you're right. It shows an allegiance and then you got a question.
Kim Monson (Host) :
Yeah. The Colorado flag, people like that. Right now, I'm not sure I can get behind it because of what's happening down at the Statehouse, but this is interesting. They did have two notable exceptions, the prisoner of war missing an action flag and the wrongful detainees flag. And so those are the only exceptions to that. But I love the fact that we're going to be focusing on Old Glory and all that she stands for.
Producer Joe (Host) :
Absolutely. And, you know, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. There's a reason those words were used for the Pledge of Allegiance. It is an important piece. We're supposed to be united and not broken up like we are today.
Kim Monson (Host) :
And my friends, that is from the voices or the voice of a 26 year old who has great hope for this this country. And that is producer Joe.
Producer Joe (Host) :
Why, thank you. I see good things, but we've got to keep this battle up.
Kim Monson (Host) :
We've got to do it. That is for sure. And we are engaging in this battle of ideas, and we get to do that because we have great sponsors. And she's going to be in studio in the next hour. And that is award-winning realtor with Remax Alliance, Karen Levine.
