Your tax dollars are supposed to help people who actually need it. Ken Buck says Medicaid fraud has cost taxpayers three trillion dollars since 2003. Last month the federal government suspended more than a billion dollars in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over it. Ken breaks down the numbers on the Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Ken Buck and Gary Abernathy discuss MLB's Pride initiatives, the growing frustration with political messaging in sports, and why many Americans believe major institutions have lost touch with the people they're supposed to serve.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck tackle the massive moral and financial fallout of pandemic-era government fraud. Highlighting the FBI's recently launched "Most Wanted Fraudsters" list, the hosts discuss its rapid first success: the international apprehension of a fugitive grocer who pocketed $4.2 million by fabricating thousands of fake meals meant for hungry children.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck break down a major regulatory shift out of Washington aimed at keeping taxpayer dollars out of partisan politics. The duo unpacks a sweeping new overhaul from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that fundamentally changes how federal grants are monitored. This new rule strictly mandates that public funds must be spent on their intended public functions—banning non-profits, universities, and local governments from diverting grant money toward lobbying, political advocacy, or voter registration drives.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck dive into how aggressive state tax policies are driving a massive exodus of wealth across the country. Prompted by a recent comment from NBA star Jalen Brunson about missing Texas's tax climate, the duo breaks down how high-tax jurisdictions like New York and California are alienating top earners, sports franchises, and everyday citizens alike. Breakdown 00:33 – Jalen Brunson and the Texas Tax Advantage 01:47 – The True Cost of High-Tax States 03:27 – The $2 Trillion Blue-to-Red State Wealth Exodus Join the Discussion With nearly $2 trillion in wealth shifting from high-tax blue states to low-tax red states over the last decade, do you think states like New York and California will be forced to lower their tax rates, or will they continue to raise taxes on the residents who stay behind? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Support the Mission Subscribe to our channel for weekly deep dives into the issues that matter. Visit Our Website: americans4goodgov.org Follow Us on X: @ForGoodGov #TaxMigration #HighTaxes #JalenBrunson #EconomicExodus #KenBuck

In episode 20 of the Balls & Strikes podcast, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck tackle what they call the "quiet taxpayer subsidy" of America’s most elite universities. With massive institutional wealth scaling to unprecedented heights, this episode breaks down how the average American taxpayer is left footing the bill for schools that don't need the help.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, host Ken Buck sits down with Arizona Congressman and fiscal hawk Andy Biggs for a candid discussion on the massive hurdles facing government spending reform. With the national debt eclipsing $39 trillion, the duo dives into the internal friction within the Republican caucus, the lingering economic impact of pandemic-era healthcare subsidies, and the rampant fraud undermining federal and state programs.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck expose a shocking case of government spending priorities. California recently poured $189 million into providing digital tablets for prisoners—even as working families across the state struggle to pay rent and cope with skyrocketing gas prices.

In Episode 17 of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck pull back the curtain on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly minted "COGE" (Commission on Government Efficiency) initiative. Stealing a popular phrase from the federal playbook, Mamdani claims he wants to streamline the Big Apple but Ken and Gary argue the reality is exactly the opposite. This episode breaks down how modern left-wing politicians use well-intentioned buzzwords to hide massive spending increases and add bureaucratic fat.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck break down the shocking news out of California, where Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang recently pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese Communist Party. Gary and Ken discuss how foreign adversaries weaponize local American politicians and social media to push propaganda, and how anyone who points out this reality is immediately dismissed as a "conspiracy theorist."

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take on a recent viral comment from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who claimed that it is "impossible" to earn a billion dollars without being corrupt or breaking the rules. Gary and Ken break down the reality of this socialist mindset, explaining how capitalism actually rewards hard work and innovation by providing products and services that improve people's lives.

Welcome to another episode of Balls & Strikes, brought to you by Americans for Good Government! This week, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Colorado Congressman Ken Buck sit down with U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (TX-17) to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing American taxpayers today: massive government waste, fraud, and abuse. Rep. Sessions breaks down his new legislation, the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act, which aims to fundamentally change how the federal government handles benefits and misdirected funds.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck tackle the mainstream media's glaring double standards and the danger of modern news silos. They kick off the conversation by discussing the potential Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and the left's panic over CNN possibly moving back toward the political center. Gary and Ken pull no punches as they break down how the media uses the word "debunked" to silence conservative viewpoints without evidence.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck tackle two alarming trends threatening the American system: the creeping rise of socialism in wealthy suburbs and massive, unchecked government fraud. First, they break down Analilia Mejia's shocking 20-point victory in New Jersey's 11th district and discuss why the conservative movement is losing the messaging battle to the progressive "free stuff" playbook. Then, the guys dig into a staggering new GAO report revealing that the federal government loses up to $521 billion to fraud every single year.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck tackle the growing push for "Democratic Socialism" in America. They focus on a recent proposal from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to spend $30 million in taxpayer money to build a publicly owned grocery store in East Harlem. Gary and Ken discuss why government-run retail is a recipe for disaster, how the education system has failed to teach younger generations about the realities of communism, and why states like Florida are now legally mandating that history be taught. Plus, Gary shares a classic story from his youth about the true value of the American capitalist system.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take aim at a controversial legislative push in California. Assemblymember Mia Bonta recently introduced a bill, unofficially dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act", that would effectively criminalize citizen journalists for filming and exposing fraud at immigration service providers.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck break down a bombshell Fox News Digital investigation exposing the dark money behind America's "grassroots" protests. They reveal how Neville Roy Singham, a self-described communist living in Shanghai, funneled $278 million into a network of left-wing organizations to drive division in the United States.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, journalist Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck discuss a bold new structural change to how Washington handles your money. After years of failed "gimmick" commissions, Ken introduces his proposal for a grassroots-led Budget Commission chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States. Gary and Ken dive into why D.C. bureaucrats lose their spines once they enter the swamp and how an enforcement mechanism—tied directly to members' pay—could finally force fiscal restraint. Join us for a common-sense conversation about saving the next generation from an economic catastrophe.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck expose the breathtaking waste and lack of accountability in state-run programs. They dive into a shocking investigation into California’s hospice industry, where "ghost" offices are billing Medicare for millions while providing zero care. Gary and Ken also discuss the Wallace Annenberg Wildlife Crossing—a delayed project that has ballooned to $114 million—and why Ken believes government services are almost always delivered better by the private sector. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the "open secret" of Medicare fraud that Washington refuses to address.

What defines success in a conflict like this? Ken Buck joins Laura Coates on CNN to lay it out simply: Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. As debates continue over strategy, authority, and political consequences, one outcome matters most—ensuring a nuclear-armed Iran never becomes reality. That’s the standard. That’s the goal.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck examine a shocking report from the New York State Comptroller. NYC is now spending over $81,000 per unsheltered homeless person—nearly triple what it spent just six years ago. Despite the massive increase in funding, the homeless population has surged by 26%.

In this episode of Balls & Strikes, Gary Abernathy and Ken Buck take a hard look at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite the star power of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, federal spending actually increased during the DOGE program. Why did a project aimed at cutting $2 trillion in waste fall short?

The national debt is spiraling, and Washington has known about the waste for years. In this episode of Balls & Strikes, hosts Gary Abernathy and former Congressman Ken Buck take a hard look at DOGE and whether Elon Musk's government efficiency push is really uncovering anything new or just shining a light on what insiders have ignored for decades. From 47,000 vacant federal buildings to a Pentagon that hasn't passed its own audit in years, Buck breaks down why DOGE is a necessary idea but not a complete solution. What structural reforms would actually move the needle? Buck makes the case for hard spending caps, empowered inspector generals, and tying term limits directly to debt reduction.

The national debt has grown to more than $37 trillion. There is mounting concern in some quarters over how soon the ballooning debt will impact the lives of everyday Americans. As Paul Solman explains, simply paying the interest on that debt is already swallowing a larger portion of the federal budget.