Common Sense Ohio

We open with reflections on D-Day, the hidden costs of war, and how history is portrayed on screen, before connecting those lessons to today’s cultural and political divides.
The conversation winds through America’s founding ideals, examining patriotism’s place in our divided culture, and why the principles of the Declaration of Independence still matter. We tackle hot-button topics, including the role of government in housing and business, rising frustration with policy interventions, and the push for election integrity in Ohio. The show spotlights local and national politics, California’s shifting landscape, controversial legislation, and the ongoing effects of major social movements.
We also explore the intersection of faith, morality, and public life, tying it back to the founding of the country and the ongoing challenges of leadership, forgiveness, and redemption in politics—all while sharing some pop culture recommendations and real-world stories. It’s a thought-provoking episode packed with history, sharp opinions, and a dose of common sense you won’t want to miss.
Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
[email protected]
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio

We’re back with a fresh episode packed with real Ohio news, sharp perspectives, and—of course—the common sense you count on. Here’s your quick rundown of what Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock brought to the table this week:
On the Show This Week
Smart Money Moves & A Dose of Realism
Steve Palmer opened with lessons in good accounting: don’t settle for a “transactional” tax preparer—get a pro who helps you plan and save.
Norm Murdock echoed, stressing how DIY tax moves or advice from social media can be risky.
Harper CPA Plus

History Corner
The sinking of the Bismarck in 1941 and thoughts on World War II’s impact, including Norm Murdock's stories about the fierce chase and battle.
A look back at Benedict Arnold: capable general and legendary traitor—plus a reflection on the human flaws that can lead to historic downfalls.

Politics: Election Shake-Ups & Redistricting Drama
The defeat of John Cornyn in the Texas Senate runoff sends shockwaves through the GOP establishment.
South Carolina Republicans rejected Trump’s push for more aggressive redistricting, with Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock discussing the importance of fair representation and how unchecked power can breed corruption—even here in Ohio.

Ohio Spotlight
Dave Yost, Attorney General, is resigning and moving to the Alliance Defending Freedom. Both hosts praised Yost’s integrity and independence—even when it meant clashing with his own party over transparency in JobsOhio.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s struggles with rural Ohio voters, especially over AI data center expansion, show the tension between high-tech growth and local quality-of-life concerns.

Culture & Welfare: Tough Questions
Steve Palmer and Norm Murdock dig deep into how America’s high trust system is vulnerable to fraud—and how our growing “dependency culture” could be eroding American work ethic and pride.
Covid relief, welfare, and disability programs: What are the unintended consequences when help turns into dependency?

Racing Through Ohio
Celebration for Meyer Shank Racing’s second Indy 500 win—proving once again Ohio’s role as an automotive and racing powerhouse.
Why do Ohioans love cars and football so much? It’s in our blood, say the hosts.

Around the World
Norm Murdock critiques President Trump’s handling of Iran, stressing the limits of deal-based diplomacy and the urgency of decisive action.

Winners & Losers
Winner: Remembering NASCAR great Kyle Busch for his racing—not his personality.
Loser: The DNC and MN Gov. Tim Walz, for politicizing Memorial Day and overshadowing the sacrifice of military service members.

Listener Takeaway
This episode is a reminder:
Good government is transparent—no matter whose party is in charge.
Real solutions require more than slogans, whether it’s taxes, redistricting, welfare, or foreign policy.
And above all, Ohioans don’t shy away from a tough conversation or two.

What’s on your mind, Ohio?
Send us your questions and comments at commonsenseohioshow.com, and we may feature your thoughts on a future episode!
See you next week with more news, humor, and honest debate, from the heart of the Midwest.
— The Common Sense Ohio Team
Chock full of common sense since… well, since always.
Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
[email protected]
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

250 Years of the Declaration
Norm Murdock and Steve Palmer led off this week, reflecting on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with a timely reminder about where Americans’ rights derive. As Norm Murdock noted at 02:04:
“A lot of people think the US really began with our Constitution. It did not. The 250th anniversary of the United States is keyed off the Declaration of Independence.”Steve Palmer emphasized the critical difference between rights that come from government (which can be taken away) and rights that come from the Creator (which government exists only to protect) at 04:16:
“If the government created your rights, then the government can take them away.”Cuba’s Independence Day
On May 20th, Cubans (especially those in the U.S.) honor their independence from Spain, a moment rooted in U.S. history following the Spanish-American War.
But, as Norm Murdock explained at 01:30, Cuba’s current government does not officially recognize this date—reminding us how history’s meaning can shift with political tides.
Mangione, Free Speech & Modern Dangers
A major segment focused on the Mangione assassination case and the disturbing trend of justifying violence for political or moral causes.
Steve Palmer broke down the legal technicalities at 25:17, including why crucial evidence was excluded due to police search procedures—a real-world lesson in the powers and limits of the exclusionary rule:
“If the police conduct an unlawful search or seizure... the penalty for that is that the state cannot use the evidence seized in a case against the suspect.”They connected these legal questions to broader concerns about political violence, groupthink, and historical amnesia regarding free speech and individual rights.
True Crime: The Mackenzie Shurilla Case
Norm Murdock spotlighted the Netflix documentary “The Crash” about Ohio’s own Mackenzie Shurilla case:
A 17-year-old who drove into a building at 100mph, killing two friends, was tried as an adult. Was it murder… or a failed suicide?
Steve Palmer cautioned at 45:47 against quick judgments and reminded listeners of the reason juvenile protections exist in law:
“It is an enormous decision to take a kid from juvenile court and move them to adult court and treat them with adult penalties.”Winners, Losers & Local Gripe
Winners:
D.C. residents and visitors, with beautification projects, fountain repairs, and even a free IndyCar race coming up!
Steve Palmer honored his colleague Troy’s graduation from Capital University Law School.

Losers:
Politicians opposing Trump in primaries—feeling the power of endorsements firsthand.
The "Mangionettes," protesters justifying political violence.

Harper CPA Plus
Moments
00:00 Discussing the origin of rights
06:18 Advancement of human rights
10:55 Discussing radical protest movements
16:01 Free speech concerns in England
24:31 Exceptions to the Fourth Amendment
27:37 Police arrest and wingspan search
34:40 Judicial perspective on search warrants
37:38 Challenges faced by police officers
42:46 Judge sentences woman for deaths
47:59 Parental influences and mistakes
54:49 Discussion on trial strategy
01:00:24 Discussion on Trump's Influence
01:06:04 Building a White House bunker
01:08:21 Acknowledging those who came before
Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
[email protected]
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio

This Day in Ohio History
Did you know the first-ever U.S. train robbery happened right here in North Bend, Ohio, on May 5, 1865? Steve digs into the story: 15-20 former Civil War bandits reportedly used an ax and gunpowder to rob passengers and safes, kicking off a Wild West tradition in the Buckeye state. 01:16
News & Culture: What’s Going On?
White House Correspondents Dinner Incident: Norm breaks down the recent security event in D.C., involving a gunman and the Secret Service, with reminders of the violent rhetoric and normalization of violence in today’s discourse. 03:49
The Culture of Violence: Both Steve and Norm reflect on the disturbing trend of justifying violence for political or social causes, warning about chilling free speech and the dangers of becoming numb to basic moral boundaries. 05:40

Harper CPA Plus
Supreme Court & Redistricting: A Turning Point
New Direction in Gerrymandering: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against forming voting districts based expressly on race, saying it’s unconstitutional. Steve and Norm discuss potential impacts—noting that race-based gerrymandering is out, but clever political maneuvering isn’t going away any time soon. 18:30
Merit Over Identity: The hosts debate affirmative action, policies, and the importance of judging people on accomplishment, not gender or skin color—sharing anecdotes from the military, law, and real life.

Ohio Primary Day: Did You Vote?
Big offices are at stake: Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Supreme Court justices, and more. Don’t let other people make your choices for you!

“If you complain on social media about lousy government, you gotta go vote!” 49:13
The Good, The Bad, The Ohioan
Personal Milestones: Graduation season is on! Congratulations to Steve’s son, all new graduates, and Norm for finishing law school and prepping for the Ohio Bar. 01:00:25

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
[email protected]
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio
🎙️ Full transcript & key moments:
https://app.castmagic.io/share/8hd0SIDgCyHpgQih

1. Introduction and Operation Eagle Claw
Reference to current events and news
Discussion of "Operation Eagle Claw" (Iran Hostage Rescue Attempt) 00:27
Context: Iran hostage crisis, failed Carter rescue, and related mishaps (planes blowing up, helicopters crashing) 00:55
Mention of Delta Force's first use 01:14

2. Historical Context of Iran
U.S. relationship with Iran since the 1979 revolution 01:39
Changes in Iranian society post-revolution (role of women, implementation of Sharia law) 01:57
Recent human rights abuses (executions, rape of female protesters) 02:19
Critique of lack of response from Western women's groups and liberals 03:24

3. Western Values and Moral Concepts
Moral foundation of Western society: Ten Commandments 04:19
Comparison of Western criminal law and its protections (due process, executions) 04:38
Explanation of "malum in se" vs. "malum prohibitum" crimes 05:13
The universality of certain moral taboos (rape, murder) 06:08

4. Revolutionary War Reflections: George Washington’s Leadership
Historical struggles of the American revolutionaries 06:21
Washington's strategic retreats during the war 07:57
Washington’s early military experience and later presidency 08:17
Analysis of Washington's humility and ego (refusal to seize or retain power) 09:46
Importance of command decisions and the ability to retreat 10:16
Baron von Steuben’s impact at Valley Forge 10:29

5. Delta Force, Special Forces, and Military Training
Discussion of Delta Force origins and movie pop-culture portrayals 11:33
Recruitment and training of Special Forces (Green Berets, Rangers) 12:23
Language training, regional assignments for Special Forces 12:46
Specifics of Ranger school, Rasp, and misconceptions from Hollywood movies 13:14

6. Hangar 18 and Recent Legal/Political Controversies
Mention of Hangar 18 (not deeply explored) and move to politics 15:18
Southern Poverty Law Center accused of funding hate groups to stoke racial tensions during Charlottesville riots 15:34
Issues of donor disclosure and possible fraud 17:08
Historic context of anti-racism and criticisms of "inventing" racial hatred for fundraising 19:52
Description of the self-preserving nature of advocacy organizations and government agencies 22:20

7. Philosophical Underpinnings: Hobbes vs. Locke
Human self-interest as foundational to Western economic and political thought 23:11
Hobbes’ and Locke’s perspectives on government and human nature 23:37
Locke’s influence on American government as opposed to Hobbes’ authoritarianism 24:49

8. Ilhan Omar’s Financial Disclosures and Media Bias
Discrepancies in Rep. Ilhan Omar’s financial filings ($30M to $100k) 25:09
Observations about media reluctance to investigate "protected" politicians 26:01
Comparison with average Americans’ tax errors 26:41

9. Government Involvement in Private Business
Trump’s proposal to bail out Spirit Airlines, government ownership 27:53
Biden’s earlier block of Spirit-Southwest merger 29:02
Debate on government’s role in private market interventions (Honda incentives, Tesla/government subsidies) 31:26

10. Ohio Supreme Court: Submetering Decision
Submetering of utilities in apartment buildings and Public Utilities Commission’s regulatory powers 34:03
Implications for tenants/landlords and discussion of accountability in utilities consumption 36:07

11. Ohio Property Tax Abolishment Effort
Axe Ohio Tax group’s petition and property tax ballot initiative 38:19
Anticipated impacts on schools, police, fire departments, and budgetary shifts 39:18
Comparisons with Florida’s tax structure 40:08
Personal experiences with property tax assessment disputes 41:09

12. Ohio Gubernatorial Election Ballot Issue
Unique Ohio law: loss of candidacy if the running mate leaves ticket 42:11
Example: Heather Hill’s votes disqualified due to running mate’s resignation 43:00

13. Virginia Redistricting Controversy
Redistricting process, court challenge, partisan implications 44:15
Potential for the Supreme Court to reverse and impacts on congressional representation 46:05
Commentary on political hypocrisy in redistricting stance 48:03

14. Winners and Losers of the Week
"Loser": Army soldier arrested for illegal betting using inside info 49:05
"Winner": Trump’s Most Favored Nation policy lowering U.S. drug prices 50:23
Anecdotes about prescription drug tourism 51:52
"Winner": Podcast contributor Troy passes law school and MPRE 53:05
Recognition of human redemption through expungement work 54:06
Difficulties of professional license restoration after convictions 55:09

15. Concerns about Marxism and Political Extremism
Critique of social media influencers promoting Marxism and radical ideas 56:51
Warnings about the direction of the Democratic Party and rise of extreme left-wing thought 57:51
Analogies to historic extremists and the dangers of legitimizing radical voices 58:22

Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
[email protected]
Copyright 2026 Common Sense Ohio
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.