Rich in Programs, Poor in Purpose

Rich in Programs, Poor in Purpose

The Next Steps Show with Peter Vazquez
Featuring David Ridenour, Chairman of the National Center for Public Policy Research, and Terris E. Todd, Director of Coalitions & Outreach for Project 21

Peter Vazquez:
Mira la izquierda, mira la derecha—what do you see? Where are you?
In a world that seems to change daily, what will you do next?
Welcome to The Next Steps Show, where faith, politics, and entrepreneurship meet.

A nation that trades faith for comfort and family for government will soon find itself rich in programs, but poor in purpose. That is the heart of today’s discussion—because when people lose sight of purpose, they lose their direction.

Before we begin, I want to ask everyone to take ten seconds today to lift up my mother-in-law, Cheryl Paltz, in prayer. She’s in the hospital again, and I believe in the power of prayer—especially when we do it together. That’s true unity.

Today, we continue our conversation on faith, family, and perseverance with a phenomenal guest—David Ridenour, Chairman of the National Center for Public Policy Research. David is a husband, a father, and an advocate who’s lived the challenges faced by families navigating disabilities and government red tape. His experience gives heart to his policy work and purpose to his advocacy.

David Ridenour:
Thank you, Peter. It’s a blessing to be here. You know, a lot of people view those with disabilities as burdens, when in truth, they are blessings. They teach us patience, compassion, and gratitude. Without people with disabilities, we’d be focused only on ourselves instead of service.

Peter:
Exactly. And yet, in 2025, we’re still seeing companies like Uber having to be sued by the Department of Justice for discrimination against people with disabilities.

David:
Right. It’s astonishing. There’s still a cultural issue where some people see disability as something “wrong” or “inconvenient.” They charge extra fees because someone can’t walk fast enough or because their wheelchair takes time to load. Worse, some drivers simply see a wheelchair and drive away. That’s unconscionable.

Peter:
And it’s not isolated. We heard about a seven-year-old amputee in New York denied a ride because of his wheelchair. A Gulf War veteran had to drive sixteen hours home because his service dog made a driver “uncomfortable.” This is where purpose and policy collide.

Tell us about your work with Able Americans.

David:
Able Americans is designed to reform federal and state disability policies because they simply don’t work. When my autistic son needed serious help, I saw firsthand how broken the system is. Every year, I fill out mountains of paperwork for a young man who will never change—he will always need care. The government makes it harder for families who are already stretched thin.

The real challenge is shifting from dependency to independence. We should measure success not by how many people are enrolled in a program, but by how many grow more self-sufficient each year. That’s real progress.

Peter:
Exactly. The system punishes success. You work harder, earn a little more—and suddenly you lose everything.

David:
Right. Instead of rewarding progress, the system cuts people off completely. It kills self-worth. People need to contribute—to know their work has value. As I said before, we warehouse people in our disability system, and we need to change that.

Peter:
Amen to that. Let’s talk about corporate responsibility. The disability community represents a $200 billion annual spending market, yet businesses barely acknowledge it.

David:
Absolutely. Between people with disabilities and their family caretakers, that’s 100 million Americans—an enormous market. But under Medicaid rules, you can’t have more than $2,000 in assets or you lose your benefits. That number hasn’t changed since 1987. How can someone start a business with $2,000 to their name?

And yes, companies go all in on niche “woke” markets, ignoring the massive potential of this community. They don’t see the humanity—or the opportunity.

Peter:
Technology is another issue. Adults with disabilities are far less likely to own computers or smartphones. Everyone says, “Let’s give them more tech,” but it’s not that simple.

David:
Exactly. Many cannot access or use technology due to their disabilities. Websites often ignore accessibility standards, making the internet off-limits. Others can’t afford Wi-Fi or modern devices. The issue is layered—poverty, design, and neglect.

Peter:
It’s heartbreaking. One in five American children have special healthcare needs—14 million kids—and it’s worse in poorer or minority communities.

David:
That’s right. Poverty limits access to early intervention and quality care. Substance abuse and broken families add more weight. It’s a cycle we have to break with real community engagement, not more bureaucracy.

Peter:
Now, joining us in the second half is Terris E. Todd, Director of Coalitions & Outreach for Project 21. Terris, always good to have you back.

Terris Todd:
Thank you, Peter. I love being here.

Peter:
Let’s start with the NAACP. You’ve said it’s lost its mission—once fighting segregation, now perpetuating it.

Terris:
That’s right. I’m a former local NAACP president, and what I’ve seen is heartbreaking. If the mission is truly “advancement,” then why not focus on putting families back together? Why not restore fathers to their rightful place? Strong families once carried Black America through harsher times. Now, we’ve made an industry out of failure.

Peter:
Exactly. I see politicians mimicking Obama’s tone and mannerisms but offering no real solutions—just recycled rhetoric.

Terris:
It’s all image. They think to be successful, a Black politician must look and sound like Obama. But what’s missing is authenticity. You can’t build a movement on imitation.

Peter:
Fatherhood is at the core of this conversation. Eighteen million American children live without a father in the home.

Terris:
And it’s devastating. The father is the protector, the provider, the affirming voice. When he’s removed, the family becomes vulnerable. The Bible says, “If you smite the shepherd, the sheep will scatter.” That’s exactly what’s happening.

They call masculinity toxic, but they glorify confusion. We need to elevate the men who are engaged—coaching, teaching, parenting—because they are still out there.

Peter:
And government policy doesn’t help. Welfare still penalizes marriage and rewards absence.

Terris:
It’s intentional. They dismantled the family to control the vote and the income. If they can penalize fathers and fund dysfunction, they create lifelong dependence. We need to flip the script—incentivize family unity instead of division.

Peter:
Before we close, let’s talk homeownership. The rate of Black homeownership is falling, yet Governor Hochul says “affordable housing” is enough.

Terris:
That’s nonsense. Homeownership is the backbone of the American Dream. It builds wealth and stability. If she really cared, she’d remove property taxes that let the state reclaim your home even after it’s paid off. Affordable housing isn’t freedom—it’s managed poverty.

Peter:
Couldn’t agree more.

Terris:
And remember, this isn’t just about policy—it’s about restoring faith, family, and truth.

Peter:
Well said. As I always remind our listeners: A nation that trades faith for comfort and family for government will soon find itself rich in programs, but poor in purpose.

Be a leader. Be a voice for liberty. And never let a second go by where you are not standing for truth, faith, and freedom.