Rand Paul will answer any question except one

What's going on, everyone? It's Bluff here, and you know what's more American than America's 250th birthday? Supporting American-owned companies like SpinQuest, America's number one social casino with over 1,000 games like Live Dealer Blackjack and Craps. They're offering new users a $30 coin package for just $10. Go to SpinQuest.com and sign up today. SpinQuest is a free-to-play social casino. Avoid where prohibited. Visit spendquest.com for more details. And he's going to continue to grow into that. We need him to be great moving forward. We'll talk more about them in just a bit. Okay, Joe Lincoln, let's bring in Senator Rand Paul joining us now. Senator, welcome. Hey, Terry, thanks for having me. I know you know enough about Kentucky to know that you can't interrupt a story about the Kentucky Wildcats getting a victory. Heaven forbid would I ever try to get in front of UK news. That would be awful. And, you know, your Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are healthy, too. They're going to go. They're going to be fine. They're going to a bowl game. It's a big year. Yep, and we're excited for them. All right, good to have you back on. I know that you've introduced a health marketplace and savings account for all. This has to do, I'm sure, with the insurance companies who seem to be making some profits. Over the last 11 years, they've tripled revenues from $511 billion to $1.5 trillion. That seems to be something that stands out and catches our attention as we try to... pay medical bills. Yeah, I'm not against profit, but I don't like it when the government subsidizes billion-dollar, trillion-dollar companies. I mean, why would the government be giving money to these incredibly successful companies? But, you know, Obamacarets hasn't worked. We've been doing it for about 15 years, and President Obama said, if we do this, we'll drive prices down $2,500 a year. Instead, they've been going up $2,500 a year. I mean, the curve on health insurance premiums is almost straight upwards. Every time we give more subsidies, the premiums. go even higher. So it just isn't working. So what I've proposed, I've been talking about for a while, is to let people in the individual market. This is about 4% of the public is on Obamacare. So it isn't a huge amount, but 4% of the public, you know, they work for themselves, they have a small business, or they don't have insurance at work, they have to buy their own, and they don't have much leverage to get a good price because they're in the individual market. What I'd like to do is let every individual in America join a buying co-op or a buying collective and get a group plan. So what would happen is if you're an accountant and have three employees, instead of being a pool of four, you might join Costco that has 44 million members and one person would negotiate for all 44 million. So what would happen is instead of you getting from the insurance company, take it or leave it, here's your premium charge.

the man or woman in charge of the buying co-op would call up United and say, I've got 44 million. I want to talk to the CEO. The CEO would sit down with them, and I guarantee you'd get the best price in the land because you'd be bigger than UPS or Toyota or General Motors. You'd be bigger than the biggest corporations in our country, and you'd have the leverage to drive down prices. And this doesn't cost the taxpayer anything. All we have to is legalize this. We have to change part of some labor law called ERISA and allow any individual wants to to join a group to buy their insurance. That's pretty fascinating. How much friction do you think you're going to find trying to move this along? Well, the interesting thing is I talked to Donald Trump about this in his first term, and he created an executive order to try to do it. Now, the Democrats sued over it, and they stymied us in court. But I talked to the president again a week ago, and he says he's still for the idea. The House is putting together their package, and I think they're going to put a version of what I'm for in their package. We're trying to get them to put the best version in. But they will. The Senate haven't been as successful. All my colleagues say, great idea, great idea. Just sit down now and we'll think about it on another time. So they're going to do in the Senate, I think, a terrible choice. They're going to do, we can either extend the Obamacare stuff straight up for three years, which costs about $40 billion a year, or you can take your Obamacare subsidy and stick it in a health savings account. To me, that's sort of a distinction without a difference. I think the Republican plans Obamacare light and still cost the taxpayer money. My plan for the HSA's health savings accounts is to let everybody have one. Right now, only about 10% of the people have an insurance plan that lets them have an HSA. And I think HSA's used properly are amazing. Like, I've had three kids with braces. Orthodontics is expensive, and I've done them all with pre-tax money in my health savings account, but people who don't have that are at a big disadvantage, you know, for very expensive treatment. I would also let you use your health savings account for gym membership and dieting because I think those are two big problems we face. Yeah, yeah. And I would let you put your, buy your premiums out of your health savings account too. So my plan, once again, expands the law, lets you do more stuff, but doesn't have any direct taxpayer money in it. So mine is what I think is the free market. I'm trying to enable capitalism to work in health care the way it works for television sets, iPhones, and everything else. Capitalism is working. Why doesn't it work in health care? Because we have made it be illegal in many aspects of health care. Are these conversations going on that? You just referenced with the other people who are looking at other things. Is this the promise that was made to keep the government open? Yeah, the vote will be. The promise was to give them the vote. Okay. It wasn't to give them a result. So I think what's going to happen is all the Democrats will vote to just extend the subsidies, realizing that subsidies go to people making up to $600,000 a year.

I'm not kidding. You can get a subsidy for your health insurance under Obamacare if you make 600 grand a year. Nobody in Kentucky thinks that you're a poor person if you make 600,000 a year. People making $100,000 a year, which is still a good living in Kentucky, making $100,000 a year, get $13,000 subsidy for their insurance. So it's just not right. Look, we can take care of the poorest among us, those who are disabled, those who can't work, those who have a bunch of kids and have to watch the kids. We can take care of those people. But we just can't take care of people making $100 grand a year. It's insane to offer that. So my plan doesn't offer money. It offers more plans, more choice, and the advantage of joining a big group so you could bid prices down. Makes sense. I know. A lot of things about you from over the years, but two things you are loyal to are festivus. Have you celebrated yet? Or is that coming up? That's coming up. You caught us. We're preparing for December 23rd. Okay. Famous for the celebration of the pagan holiday fest of us. Indeed. The other thing that you do is always release a port about the fireholes of money that we spray all around the world doing all kinds of crazy things. And you're always asking, why are we doing this? So I know you released a new report revealing hundreds of billions in taxpayer-funded payments to domestic and foreign banks. What is that about? Yeah, this is really insulting when you think about it. $188 billion last year was paid to the richest banks in the entire world. 40% of it went to foreign banks. About 30 or 40% of it went to just five banks in New York. These are all banks that the CEOs of these banks make hundreds of millions. which, you know, that's fine. That's their business of their own money. But the Federal Reserve should not be paying the money not to loan it. So basically, if they keep their money at the Federal Reserve and don't loan it, they get paid about four, four and a half percent. Well, that also means that if the Fed's going to pay you four and a four and a half, they're not going to loan it to anybody in America for less than that. Why would they loan it for less than the Fed will pay them? So it becomes a floor for interest rates. President Trump has wanted lower interest rates. One way to get lower interest rates is to quit paying banks to keep their cash idle at the Fed. So this is a double good plan in the sense that the interest money we're paying the banks won't be paid to them, and then there will be an incentive for interest rates to come down and an incentive for these big banks to loan the money to the private sector, not just to the government. We're speaking with Senator Rand Paul. I want to bring up this topic again because it's expanded. And that's the concept of blowing up these so-called drug boats offshore. And now we're talking about survivors that are taking out all this. So what is your latest impression from our government taking out what they're calling drug dealers? Other people are saying they're fishermen.

We've had this longstanding rule in our military, in our engagement, even in times of war. If someone is parachuting from a plane, if we shoot down an enemy plane and the pilot is parachuting down, we don't shoot them. If we blow up a ship and there are stragglers hanging to the wreckage, we don't go up with a 9mm pistol, put it against our head and shoot. These are laws of even of war. There is some civilized nature, even of war, when we're trying to kill each other. So now we have a situation where they've declared a war on people smuggling drugs who have been accused of smuggling drugs. But here's the deal. It's not exactly like most wars. These guys aren't even armed. I'm not saying they're innocent fishermen. Some of them might be. About one in four boats that the Coast Guard boards doesn't have drugs on. So there's a 20 to 25 percent error rate. And if you're okay with that, if you're okay with killing people, when you might be wrong, 25% of the time, that's one thing, really didn't allow these follow-on strikes even in times of war. I haven't yet seen the video, but I'm pushing for them to release the video. I think that a lot of minds will change when they see people clutching wreckage. The boat's blown in half. It's upside down. And for people to argue with a straight face that, oh, they're still attacking America. Look at them attacking America. They could call for help. There's a chance that you get here. They're drowning. Most of the other guys were blown to smithereens and drown. These guys are going to drown in the next 30 minutes, probably, if they're not eaten by sharks. Nobody in the right mind would like go up there with a pistol and shoot them in the head. We wouldn't think that was okay. So how can it be okay to just push a button thousands of miles away in an air-conditioned room and blow them up? I think it's immoral, but I think it is also illegal according to our own military law. And, you know, I think people need to think this through before making a quick decision that, well, they're bad people so they should be killed. Look, in Louisville, there are people who deal drugs and are bad people. We might even know that there's a crack house on a certain corner. But the police don't go with a grenade launcher and just blow it up. It's difficult work, but the police go over there and arrest them. Then we have trial. We even let them have an attorney. Even the worst among us get an attorney just because that's who we are, you know, as a people. But I don't know. I'm very disappointed in what they're doing with these blowing up with the boats. You have referenced President Trump a couple of times. Your friendship is obviously still solid. I'm guessing it's on solid ground. However, you are aligned with Thomas Massie, who seems to be the arch enemy of President Donald Trump. I know that your buddy, Jeff Yass, is now saying they're going to pump millions more into... boosting Thomas Massie's campaign against Donald Trump's handpicked candidate Ed Galrine. Is Thomas Massie on solid ground now, now that he's got enough capital behind him?

You know, I traveled with him in September. We made about eight or ten stops in his district. We had big turnouts everywhere we went, enthusiastic crowds. I think people really do like Thomas. I mean, the common thing we would hear is, well, I don't agree with him on everything, but he's principled, he's sincere. He grew up in a very small town in Kentucky. I mean, he's thoroughly, he's Kentucky through and through. But then was just the smartest kid in a little rural town and got a scholarship to MIT and was very successful. His wife went to MIT. And so, you know, I hope he does okay because, look, I like Donald Trump. I'm friends with him. I played golf a couple dozen times with him. He still communicates with me. We text back and forth. But I don't think that... either he or me or anybody else should be a monolith that everybody has to agree with me. Look, we got a big Republican party in Kentucky, but if you ask people in the state legislature, most people who are elected in Kentucky, whether I call them up and tell them what they need to believe, I'm very much hands off and actually very complimentary of our state legislature because I loved what they did on emergency powers to Andy Beshear. I loved the lowering of the income tax. And I love the fact they have a great rainy day fund. So, I mean, there are a lot of great successes, but I don't try to tell every Republican in Kentucky they have to believe everything I do. I try to do my best. I think Thomas Massie is a good representative, and I'm going to try to do everything I can to make sure he wins. Yeah, the reason I ask is because obviously you're going to become senior senator here in Kentucky, and it's important that the president, who's going to be in office for several more years. is friendly with us. I mean, it's just, it's just a better situation. So you and President Trump are still on friendly terms. It's like an elephant in the room you don't talk about this, this campaign. It's sort of like recognizing the president, you know, comes from, from New York, you know, and they're a little bit different in New York. They yell at each other, they scream at each other, and then they sit down, they break that again. So. You know, we're the South, and in the South, we don't. We're a little nicer, at least on the surface to each other. So we do have, we go around, and we don't always agree on policy. But, you know, none of it is dislike of the President. I like him personally. I like a lot of his ideas for not doing regime change. I'm trying to convince him that we still should not be for regime change. But, no, we have a lot of things in common. And, you know, the comparison between him and Biden or him and Harris, night and day, I'd support him all over again. But I think it's not, it's better not to demand 100% loyalty on every issue because then we don't have anybody thinking for themselves. And really not everybody's right on everything. I hear from Republicans sometimes who want to give me a piece of their mind and I listen to them. I listen to everybody and try to do what's best, you know, for Kentucky. Last thing for you, Senator Paul, it is two weeks to Christmas. Have you gotten your wife or present yet or presents? Do you think if I announce it on the air, she won't hear about it? It will. Tell me you've been thinking about it. Just say that anyway. I am nothing, if not an incredibly great husband. I have a great wife, great kids. Maybe the best wife in all of Kentucky. Do you think she'll hear that? I hope so. Great talking to you again, Senator.

Thanks, Terry. Merry Christmas. See you. And it's Senator Rand Paul live, and we're back in a few on News Radio 840 WHAS. Do you own a small business? A seismic shift is coming. It's time to get super short. Coming soon. There are moments in every life where only the best will do. Introducing. Davis Lux. I'm Hank Davis. Ashley and I are proud to introduce Davis Lux. Davis Lux is our curated collection of truly exceptional fine jewelry pieces, hand selected from the finest jewelry artisans, diamond cutters, and craftsmen in the world. Davis Lux pieces are created with only premier cut, color and clarity diamonds and the finest colored gemstones. Only using the highest quality precious metals, white, yellow, rose gold, and platinum. Exceptionly crafted to be the very best of the best. From diamond classics including tennis bracelets, riviera necklaces, and diamond studs. To exquisite colored gemstones and bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces. And jaw-dropping statement pieces from 2 to 20 carrots. Davis Lux is timeless, elegant, generational jewelry. Come get all you deserve. Davis Lux, this Christmas at Davis Jewelers. Where extraordinary care means extraordinary jewelry. WAMZH2, Louisville. Westbound on the Gene Snyder, it's an accident approaching Bill Town, a 15-minute delay back from 64. Eastbound on the Gene Snyder, another accident at New Cut Road that's got the right lane blocked off, right around the construction zone where the left lane shut down between National Turnpike and 65, that adding extra delays, and Lexington Road accident at Shelbyville Road. If you spot traffic problems, call the traffic tip line at 479-2337. Our next report in 10 minutes. Zalick News Radio 840 WHAS. Hi, folks, with the updated forecast. I'm W.LKY chief meteorologist Jay Cardosi. Well, the colder weather is now starting to spill back into the region. Temperatures will continue to fall back through the 30s the rest of the late afternoon. And there could still be a few very light rain, even snow showers drifting through. The outlook for tonight cloudy skies a few flurries every so often as we settle back to near 30. Tomorrow, a lot of clouds basically dry mid-30s. And then we'll get a chance for some light accumulating snow in here on your Thursday night. That's your forecast. I'm W.LKY chief meteorologist, Jay Cardo C. News Radio, 840, WHAS, Louisville, and IHeart Radio station, guaranteed human.

It's 4 o'clock, cloudy skies, 40 degrees. I'm Paul Miles. Authorities have identified a Kentucky State University student who was killed in a shooting on the Frankfurt campus. John Shannon with the latest. The Franklin County Coroner's Office has identified the victim killed after a shooting. Hey everybody, Lady Luck here, and we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now, all summer long, I'm going to be celebrating by playing on SpinQuest.com, which is an American-owned social casino. It obviously features over a thousand slot games and live blackjack, live craps, live bubble craps. Head on over to SpinQuest.com. Get yourself a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks. SpenQuest is a free-to-play social casino. Avoid where prohibited. Visit SpenQuest.com for more details.