World Ablaze with George Fontes delivers unfiltered, no-bullshit conversations and hard-hitting unfiltered commentary on politics, news, and geopolitics.
Rhonda Shader, California Senate Candidate, District 34, joins the show to discuss why she chose to run for CA State Senate and how she is working toward a better California for everyone.
Rhonda is an entrepreneur and former 2-time Mayor of Placentia, California.
Rhonda brings a real-world common-sense approach for a better California, and to add balance to the government.
Support Rhonda Here 👇
https://shaderforsenate.com/
Support our Sponsors!!!
🛒 Afuera Coffee Co. - Sustainable Coffee
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: WORLDABLAZE
https://promocode.to/afuera-coffee-co...
🛒 Ground News - Get The Whole Story
💰 Get 40% OFF | Promo Code: WORLDABLAZE
https://ground.news/checkout/all?fpr=...
Web: https://www.worldablazepodcast.com/
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
• Host George Fontes introduces guest Rhonda Shader, candidate for California Senate District 34.
• Background on how George reached out after hearing Rhonda speak on the Shades of Jade podcast.
02:15 - Rhonda Shader’s Journey: From Entrepreneur to Placentia Mayor
• Rhonda outlines her background as a small business owner running an insurance agency.
• Her entry into local politics in 2016 after Placentia's finance director stole \$5 million, leaving the city on the brink of bankruptcy with only \$49 in reserve funds.
• Serving eight years on city council (including two terms as mayor) to rebuild reserves to \$15 million, pave roads, and restore crumbling infrastructure.
06:30 - Why Run for State Senate? Overcoming Sacramento Obstacles
• Explaining how state mandates constantly impeded local municipal governance.
• Withdrawing Placentia from bloated county fire services to re-establish an independent city fire department, saving \$28 million over 10 years.
• Replacing CalPERS pension obligations for new firefighters with a 403(b) retirement match—prompting state legislators to close the loophole for other cities.
11:00 - Overburdensome State Regulations & The Forgotten Working Class
• How state legislation stripped tools from local law enforcement, complicated homeless cleanups, and drove up housing and utility costs.
• Highlighting how heavy regulatory burdens disproportionately impact working-class families earning between \$40,000 and \$100,000.
15:30 - Housing Quotas, Traffic & Mobilizing Independent Voters
• Critiquing state-mandated housing quotas that turn small cities into high-traffic "bedroom communities".
• Addressing California's low election turnout, Prop 50, and strategies to educate and mobilize conservative and independent voters.
21:00 - Strategy to Break the Democratic Supermajority
• Breaking down the numbers in the California State Senate (10 Republicans out of 40 seats) and needing four seat pickups to end the supermajority.
• Rhonda's target open-seat race in District 34 and aligning with gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton's policy agenda.
24:30 - State Commissions & The Net-Zero Tire Regulation Controversy
• Examining how ~99% of California regulations pass through 400+ state boards and commissions without direct public votes.
• Case study of state environmental board net-zero mandates phasing out affordable tires, creating scarcity and raising prices for working families and tire shops.
33:15 - Supporting Small Businesses & Post-Pandemic Recovery
• Key insights from Rhonda’s tour meeting 100 small business owners across District 34.
• The ongoing debt burden of COVID-era loans, loss of legacy family businesses, and proposals to introduce targeted rollback bills to ease commercial burdens.
40:00 - Resolving California’s Commercial & Property Insurance Crisis
• Analyzing why insurance carriers are halting policies in California due to employment lawsuits, wildfire risks, and state price controls.
• Advocating for free-market competition and welcoming insurers back to lower rates.
45:15 - Rising Grocery Costs, Union Mandates & Store Plastic Bans
• Discussing factors driving up everyday living costs, including union resistance to self-checkout tools and state bans on store plastics.
• Automatic voter registration trends at the DMV and Rhonda securing the endorsement of the American Independent Party.
55:00 - Restoring Government Accountability & Auditing State Fraud
• Addressing unchecked state spending, unaccounted homelessness funding, and high-speed rail cost overruns.
• The legislative pushback against independent fraud investigations in Medi-Cal and the need for legislative audits and fiscal checks.
01:01:00 - Campaign Outreach, Grassroots Support & Outro
• Where to find Rhonda’s campaign online (shaderforsenate.com) and on social media (@shaderforsenate).
• Breaking down the real costs of state Senate campaigns (slate mailers, ballot statements, voter contact) and grassroots donation options.
