This week, Brian, Chris and Andy focused on discussing current political and economic challenges in Virginia, particularly around Virginia’s economy and the upcoming gubernatorial election. The hosts discussed the impacts of federal layoffs, tariffs and other economic issues before transitioning to Governor Glenn Youngkin and the race between Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears and Democratic nominee, Abigail Spanberger. They examined campaign strategies and polling data. The discussion concluded with broader conversations about the President's Executive Order on flag burning, a quick look at possible 2028 Presidential options, the need for political reform - including ballot access reform - and ended on a hopeful note about continuing efforts for a more free and prosperous Virginia and America.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Economic forecast says Virginia will lose jobs this year, have virtually no job growth in 2026
• Youngkin promised a ‘rip-roaring economy.’ Did he deliver? Here are the numbers.
• Virginia GOP grows cautiously optimistic in governor’s race
• Earle-Sears and Spanberger agree to debate, but Southwest Virginia’s 12-year hosting streak may end
• Both parties criticize as racist a sign targeting Winsome Earle-Sears

Virginia & Other News:

• ICE arrests in Virginia surge past 4,000, with most detainees lacking criminal charges
• Officials defend Virginia’s election system following Trump attacks on mail-in voting
• Joint commission hears roadmaps for Virginia’s retail cannabis rollout
• Richmond is suddenly America’s hottest data center hub
• Peters Releases New Report Detailing Trump Administration’s Unprecedented Constitutional Violations And Executive Overreach

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris’s blog: The Open Mode
• Andy’s blog: The Chair is Against the Wall

Brian, Chris and Andy focused on concerns about new age verification / internet censorship laws in the UK and their potential impact on internet freedom and free speech. The guys then touched on the National Guard deployment in Washington D.C., Northern Virginia schools pushing back on the Trump Administration’s pressure on transgender policy, and more.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• ⁠10 Examples of Absurd Fallout From the U.K.'s Online Safety Act⁠
• ⁠The Age-Gated Internet Is Here⁠
• ⁠The Anti-Porn Crusade Comes for Online Games⁠
• ⁠Why U.S. politicians are up in arms about new internet rules in Britain⁠
• ⁠Porn site traffic plummets as UK age verification rules enforced⁠
• ⁠Americans, Be Warned: Lessons From Reddit’s Chaotic UK Age Verification Rollout⁠
• ⁠West Virginia National Guard to deploy to DC to support Trump's federal takeover⁠
• ⁠Republican-led states to send hundreds more National Guard troops to D.C.⁠
• ⁠Republican Governors Send National Guard to D.C.⁠
• ⁠Education Dept. says it’ll pull funding from five Virginia districts over gender policies⁠
• ⁠Northern Virginia school districts defy Education Department request to change bathroom policies⁠
• ⁠‘The Breakfast Club’ To Return To Theaters For 40th Anniversary; The John Hughes teen-movie classic will be rereleased in September⁠
• ⁠Clue Will Return To Theaters, Each Screening Gets One Of Three Endings⁠

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: ⁠@clpvirginia.org⁠
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: ⁠@liberalpartyusa.bsky.social⁠
• Brian on Bluesky: ⁠@biodoss.bsky.social⁠
• Chris on Bluesky: ⁠@frashure.bsky.social⁠
• Andy on Bluesky: ⁠@andyjabbour.bsky.social⁠

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. ⁠https://clpvirginia.org⁠
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠Classical Liberal Party of Virginia⁠
• Instagram: ⁠classicalliberalpartyva⁠
• X, formerly Twitter: ⁠@clpvirginia⁠
• Chris Frashure: ⁠The Open Mode⁠
• ⁠Andy’s writing on Medium

This week, Brian, Chris and Andy discussed gerrymandering, particularly in response to President Trump's push for redistricting in Texas to secure more Republican seats. Brian and Chris highlighted the irony of both Democratic and Republican governors engaging in redistricting efforts to gain political advantage, despite the negative impact on fair representation. They proposed proportional representation and ranked choice voting as potential solutions to minimize the politicization of redistricting and shared information about Virginia's Redistricting Commission as an example of a state attempting to reduce political influence in the redistricting process. The discussion then shifted to President Trump's actions in Washington D.C., including the federalization of DC police, the deployment of the National Guard and both concern and skepticism about the motivations behind these measures. 

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Texas Democrats once again thwart GOP-led redistricting effort as standoff enters its second week
• Blue-state Republicans sound alarm on redistricting tit-for-tat 
• Mid-decade redistricting unlikely in Va., but Democrats are considering changes to the state’s map-drawing process 
• Virginia Redistricting Commission
• Fair Representation Act (United States)
• Trump to Deploy National Guard to D.C., Take Over City’s Police Department
• Mike Masnick on Bluesky
• Trump moves forward with plans to take control of DC police. Here's what we know
• Durbin slams Trump taking control of DC police as ‘political theater’
• Trump ups rhetoric on D.C. crime and homelessness amid federal crackdown
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares a Crime Emergency to Restore Safety in the District of Columbia
• Restoring Law And Order In The District Of Columbia
• Live Updates: Trump Orders National Guard to Washington and Takeover of Capital’s Police (includes the chart referenced in the podcast)
• Trump keeps threatening to federalize D.C. 
• Aaron Rupas on Bluesky: “Bowser: ‘If people are concerned about a president's ability have the MPD be responsive to the DOJ, the time to address that is when we're talking about statehood for DC.’”

Virginia & Other News:

• Spanberger leads Earle-Sears in Virginia: DDHQ average
• Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears Has Contentious Interview on CNN; Board Keeps GMU Prez as Supporters Turn Out at GMU
• ‘Which law should we break?’: School boards across N. Virginia told to comply or face ‘imminent consequences’ 
• Youngkin supports National Guardsmen assisting with ICE deportations 
• Miyares stands out amid talk of split-ticket potential 
• Virginia House in the balance: 5 key races to watch this fall 

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s writing on Medium

In this 75th episode, Brian, Chris and Andy explored ideas in liberalism, including a recent article arguing that liberalism is more than solely striving towards greater freedom but also stands as the bulwark against abusive behavior. They also touched on Virginia’s upcoming elections while looking at the recent stand by Maine’s Secretary of State as she resisted Department of Justice efforts for state voter information. That, and the guys had a little fun as Chris had to make a critical choice on who he would fire first: Jerry Jones or Donald Trump?

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Gradual Change is F***ing Awesome—And Liberalism Knows It; On Darwin, abuse, and Costanza politics.
• 'Go jump in the Gulf of Maine': Maine denies DOJ's request for list of state voters

VA elections:

• Virginia Republicans sound alarm over governor’s race: ‘It’s a disaster’
• Earle-Sears attacks media as campaign struggles in polls and fundraising

Virginia & Other News:

• Governor announces $40 million to prepare business sites across Virginia
• Northern Virginia wants to become an AI hub. From energy to education, here’s what that means for the rest of the state.
• Miyares offers no proof that 2,500 immigrants arrested by Virginia task force were violent offenders 
• Purcellville Vice Mayor, Town Manager Arrested on Bid Rigging, Conspiracy Charges 
• Virginia’s HIV/AIDS patients to lose services because of federal cuts 
• Rent Prices Are Falling Fast in America's Most Pro-Housing Cities
• Cameroon: 81 candidates apply to run in presidential elections

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

Virginia Politics: book bans and (lack of) election competition, plus reflections on Trump at six months. This week, Chris and Andy look at a recent report covered in the Cardinal News regarding book removals from Virginia school libraries and the broader issue of book bans in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of diverse literature and local decision-making. The report reveals that while most school systems in Virginia didn't remove any books, 223 different books were removed statewide over the past five years. Five counties, led by Hanover County with 125 removals, accounted for 75% of all book removals. In contrast, 63% of school systems, including Fairfax County, removed no books at all. They also examined the state of electoral competition in Virginia's upcoming elections, noting the lack of independent candidates and the need for ballot access reform to increase political choices. The discussion concluded with some thoughts on the Trump Presidency at six months and concerns about political division and partisanship, while maintaining hope for a better future. Hat tips to Cardinal News and VPAP.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Va. was the only state to see unemployment rise in June
• Cardinal News: Serving Southwest and Southside Virginia
• 223 book titles pulled from school library shelves in Virginia, but 75% were in just 5 places
• Election? What election? Most of our local offices are unopposed this year
• VPAP

VA elections:

• Spanberger has more than three times as much cash as Earle-Sears in what might be unprecedented financial advantage
• Youngkin: It’s not too late for Earle-Sears to win
• DNC pours large donation into Virginia’s high-stakes elections
• Reid breaks with Earle-Sears, would repeal Virginia gay marriage ban 
• Spanberger extends financial advantage over Earle-Sears
• Earle-Sears shakes up campaign for Virginia governor as fundraising, polls lag 

Virginia & Other News:

• Virginia to Use Agentic AI to Power Review of Regulations
• Democrats in Southeast Virginia Endorse “Pro-Trump, Pro-ICE” Sheriff

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

A More Attractive Alternative: Making the Economy Work for All of Us. Brian, Chris and Andy discussed a recent Charlotte Clymer article, which criticized the current economic system and expressed support for democratic socialist policies. The discussion explored alternative liberal approaches to address economic challenges facing young people and working-class individuals. They agreed that many people feel disconnected from traditional economic opportunities and debated the merits of free market solutions versus centralized planning, with particular focus on housing, healthcare, and regulatory barriers. They discussed the challenges of cronyism and proposed practical solutions verses utopian free market or socialist ideas. The discussion concluded with agreement on practical steps to improve economic opportunities through local initiatives and policy changes, emphasizing free market solutions and innovation to improve economic opportunities for all.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• This System Doesn't Work for Any of Us

Virginia & Other News:

• What is Liberalism? Why the Most Important Political Philosophy of the Last 300 Years Is the One Nobody Understands
• Virginia Has Become a Hotbed for Immigration Arrests; Lawyers and advocates have theories as to why immigration arrests have accelerated in Virginia at a rate more than that of almost any other state.
• Two Virginia districts would be good targets for Musk’s new party, but what he really needs is ranked choice voting
• America's Awesome, 08 July 2025. Want a Viable Third Party? Support Ranked Choice Voting.
• Virginia loses its CNBC ranking as the No. 1 state for business. Here’s why

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

Virginia’s New 2025 Laws: more age restrictions, more tiny homes, cocktails-to-go and more! Brian and Andy discussed new laws in Virginia that took effect on July 1st. They started with new age restrictions and discussion on responsibility thresholds before looking at new rules in housing policies, social media regulations for child influencers, cell phone bans, cocktails-to-go, and pedestrian safety, while also examining unintended privacy implications of well-intentioned health data protection laws. T

• Age of Responsibility:
• HB 1946/SB 1060. Vaping ban for those under 21: People under the age of 21 can’t have products intended for smoking tobacco or hemp; 
• HB 2493. Gaming; fantasy contests; age restrictions. The law increases from 18 years of age to 21 years of age the minimum age an individual must be to participate in fantasy contests.
• Child influencers: Parents or guardians who are making money off content online that involves kids will have to set earnings aside for those children in a trust account. Those child influencers will get access to the money when they turn 18.
• HB 2533. Local comprehensive plan; tiny homes; accessory dwelling units. 
• Cocktails-to-go: The law makes a previous policy permanent that allows restaurants and other licensed businesses to deliver wine, beer and cocktails to-go through third-party deliver providers.
• SB 1416. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; vulnerable road users; penalties. The law makes it a traffic infraction if a driver operating a motor vehicle fails to stop for pedestrians and makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor if such traffic infraction results in the serious bodily injury or death of a vulnerable road user lawfully crossing a highway.
• Protection of reproductive or sexual health information: A new law will give people stronger privacy protections for consumers' reproductive and sexual health information. Businesses operating in Virginia may not obtain, sell or share "personally identifiable reproductive or sexual health information" without that person's consent, according to the Virginia State Legislative Information System.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• In Due Course: 2025 Changes to Virginia's Laws
• New laws in DC, Maryland and Virginia go into effect July 1
• What laws go into effect in Virginia, Maryland and DC on July 1?
• State Democrats celebrate new maternal health care laws
• Virginia emerges as key bellwether ahead of midterms

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

“Populism is a Cancer.”  Due Process & the Big Budget Bill, with special guest, Jason Pye. This week, Brian, Chris and Andy welcomed special guest, Jason Pye, Vice President of the Due Process Institute. They discussed the erosion of due process rights and Constitutional protections under the Trump administration and covered hyper-partisanship, the current budget bill, concerns about authoritarian measures in legislation and more. The group emphasized the importance of fighting for civil liberties and fiscal responsibility while warning against the gradual erosion of rights by successive administrations.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Senate's OBBBA Has a Larger Impact on the Deficit Than the House Version; Senate bill increases deficits by $755 compared to the House bill
• Fifth Amendment. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
• Holocaust Encyclopedia: “First They Came For”: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” - Martin Niemöller
• Exiled Policy
• Due Process Institute
• Jason Pye, Vice President, Due Process Institute
• Star witness against Kilmar Abrego García was due to be deported. Now he’s being freed
• The Supreme Court Just Discovered Nationwide Injunctions Are Bad—Right As Trump Trump Needs Them Gone
• Sotomayor Is Right. Trump's 'Third Country Removals' Raise Serious Due Process Worries

Virginia & Other News:

• Cuban man who lived in the U.S for 60 years dies in ICE detention in Miami
• Cuban national dies in ICE custody
• Notes on the State of Politics: The Mamdani Upset and a Deeper Look at Virginia
• National Democrats pour $1M into Jay Jones’ bid to flip Virginia AG seat

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Jason on Bluesky: @jasonpye.bsky.social‬
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

“Principles Matter.” Iran Strikes and the Virginia and NYC Primaries. The CLPVA team discuss recent US military actions against Iran, expressing concerns about constitutional legality and the lack of congressional oversight, while emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional principles and maintaining checks and balances - chastising Congress for a lack of Congressional oversight. The conversation then shifted to examining how a liberal government might approach international threats and conflicts, with emphasis on diplomacy, strategic sanctions, and cooperation with allies rather than unilateral military action. In closing, they shared some thoughts on recent primary elections in Virginia and New York City.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Warner, 21 other senators call for limits on Insurrection Act
• Hashmi, Jones join Spanberger on statewide Democratic ticket 
• Jones edges Taylor in Democratic attorney general primary
• Hashmi declares victory in race for lieutenant governor; Stoney has not conceded.
• Virginia Democratic Primary Election results
• 5 takeaways from Virginia’s primary election results
• The Republican statewide ticket announces plans to appear together for the first time 
• Democratic power struggle fuels NYC mayor's race

Virginia & Other News:

• Loudoun County supervisor says 25 people have been taken from Sterling Immigration Court in past month
• ICE arrests 10 people in Sterling Immigration Court
• ICE agents are detaining individuals in the Chesterfield County Courthouse
• Caroline man pleads guilty to shooting Latino men because he thought they were immigrants
• Virginia group plans nuclear test reactor to boost research efforts
• U.S. Supreme Court rebuffs Virginia’s bid to scuttle felon voting ban challenge 
• The Cardinal: News of Virginia: A $1 Million Mystery: How Your Car Insurance Funds Surveillance Technology (podcast)
• Wyden, Ocasio-Cortez Demand Answers from Palantir About Plans to Build IRS “Mega-Database” of American Citizens
• Free Trade Has Stronger Intellectual Roots in the Left than the Right

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome

ICE, Protests, and No Kings, plus Virginia politics and pizza! The Commonwealth Classical Liberal Podcast returned as Brian, Chris and Andy opened with some updates on the Attorney General's race before discussing last week’s ICE activity, the Los Angeles protests, and criticizing the President's response, including concerns about deploying the National Guard and Marines. The hosts then shared their weekend experiences including participating in the Leesburg No Kings protest and canvassing efforts in Virginia Beach. They concluded with a series of positive comments, and sharing some love for Virginia Beach’s best pizza.

Relevant links to today’s episode:

• Miyares leans in on law-and-order message ahead of 2025 election
• Miyares breaks with Trump over pardon of convicted ex-Culpeper sheriff
• Legislators call on Shannon Taylor to recuse herself from Dominion-related matters if she wins attorney general race
• Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in L.A. with Marines on the way
• Hegseth won’t commit to obeying courts on Marines in Los Angeles
• 'No Kings': 1,500 protest Trump in Leesburg 
• ‘No Kings’ Protest Draws Estimated 1,700 on Courthouse Lawn 
• Thousands gather across Virginia Saturday for 'No Kings' protests against Trump 
• Commemorating the Loudoun Resolves

Other items in the news:

• 13 Virginia localities sign agreements to help ICE
• The 96% Rebellion: District Courts Mount Historic Resistance, But the Supreme Court Looms
• Judge allows Trump administration to continue to detain Mahmoud Khalil
• X’s Sales Pitch: Give Us Your Ad Business or We’ll Sue

We’re all over Bluesky!

• CLPVA on Bluesky: @clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA on Bluesky: @liberalpartyusa.bsky.social
• Brian on Bluesky: @biodoss.bsky.social
• Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social
• Andy on Bluesky: @andyjabbour.bsky.social

More:

• Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org
• Liberal Party USA: ⁠https://www.liberalpartyusa.org⁠
• Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia
• Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva
• X, formerly Twitter: @clpvirginia
• Chris Frashure: The Open Mode
• Andy’s Substack: America’s Awesome