Episode 39: The Trouble with tariffs. Going nuclear over energy. Plus! healthcare & a continued GOP meltdown. Brian and Andy discussed the potential impact of tariffs on the American economy and the average consumer, arguing against the idea of protective tariffs being beneficial for economic growth. They also discussed the flaws in economic theories such as mercantilism and the negative effects of tariffs and centralized economic planning. Additionally, they looked at Republican Governors effort to promote an “Energy Choice Coalition” and revisited the issue and complexities of rural healthcare in Virginia, the need for more healthcare providers, and more freedom for service.

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Episode 38: The violent immigrant crime crisis doesn’t exist, but the national debt crisis does… This week, Brian, Chris and Andy take on one crisis that doesn’t exist, and one that does. They start with some of Governor Youngkin’s recent immigrant-crime-crisis rhetoric and discuss GOP xenophobia in Virginia, Ohio and beyond. Then they turn to the National Debt, a forgotten issue in the 2024 election, and discuss the very real crisis, political irresponsibility as proposed Trump spending somehow dwarfs that of Kamala Harris. Despite their frustrations, Brian and Chris end on positive notes and hope for a better tomorrow.

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Immigration Fear Mongering vs. Reality

National Debt

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Episode 37: Distinctively Liberal: The CLPVA - not your daddy’s Democrats or your momma’s GOP. ‘Our politics follow our philosophy’-Chris. Brian, Chris and Andy returned to kick off season two of the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA)’s Commonwealth Classical Liberal Podcast. This week, the team discussed the CLPVA’s potential common ground and notable areas of contrast with Republicans and Democrats. Exploring potential collaboration on issues such as housing reform, school choice, LGBTQ+ rights, and occupational licensing, the team also noted stark differences on issues such as personal and digital privacy rights, immigration and freedom of movement, electoral reform, criminal justice and law enforcement reform, economic policy and more. Notably, they addressed importance of nuance and consistency in politics and being grounded in core philosophical ideas. 

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Episode 36: Breaking down the Telegram arrest; Marveling at the very illiberal Donald Trump. ‘It's all just absolute nonsense’-Brian. Brian, Chris and Andy further reflect on the recent arrest of Telegram’s CEO in France and explore if this is an attack against encryption, a fight against crime, or something more. They then pivot to discussing recent remarks made by former and aspiring future President, Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania where, “Trump railed against the ‘fake news’ and ‘Comrade Kamala’ Harris and reiterated his arguments that drug dealers should get the death penalty and those who burn the American flag should get a mandatory one-year sentence in jail.” The irony of calling Kamala Harris comrade before assaulting the Constitution was not lost on our podcast team. 

The CLPVA platform on Digital Privacy and the War on Drugs:

DIGITAL PRIVACY & FREE SPEECH

Digital communication has supplanted the pen and paper as the primary channel by which individuals share their private ruminations and desires. While the Constitution was authored centuries before our modern technology could have even been imagined, the principles therein apply no less to our contemporary forms of communication and expression than to those in use during the founding of our nation. Encryption, being a tool to enable those private correspondences, is a human right critical to securing the freedoms we have under the Bill of Rights. As such, we:

END THE DRUG WAR

The Drug War has been a disaster for all communities and people within the Commonwealth, through the explosion of incarceration, police militarization, seizure and forfeiture laws, and other numerous ill effects, without stopping or even curbing the use of drugs and the social ills of addiction and overdose rates. We therefore call for the immediate end of the Commonwealth’s participation in the drug war, including:

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Telegram, recommended references:

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Episode 35: More RCV in VA (!), cold feet on KOSA (?), and economic liberty. Looking at some recent news in Virginia and nationally, Brian, Chris and Andy discussed the anticipated adoption of Ranked Choice Voting in Charlottesville, Virginia and recent conversations around the proposed Kids Online Safety Act. They shared ideas relating to a recent article lamenting the failure of the two major political parties to prioritize economic liberty andexpressed concern about the country's economic trajectory, calling for a realignment to improve economic literacy. Lastly, looking at the recent arrest of Telegram’s CEO, Chris, emphasized the importance of using properly encrypted communications, such as Signal, for secure communications. 

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Episode 34: Walz reaches out to non-die hard Democrats while the FDA fumbles on MDMA. “We respect our neighbors and their personal choices…We live by the golden rule, and that golden rule is, mind your own damn business." Is Governor Walz genuine in his statement and recent outreach to "old school libertarian, Republican Nebraskan(s)" or was this mere lip service? Brian and Andy discuss their hopes and hesitations as they look at the need for genuine outreach to non-party die-hards, and the importance of good intentions and compromise in politics. They then expressed disappointment with the FDA's recent review of MDMA use to help treat PTSD, criticizing the current regulatory process and the prohibitionist approach of the federal government and revisiting the CLPVA’s position on ending the drug war while promoting personal choice and responsibility.

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Episode 33: CLPVA’s 2nd Annual Convention: Encryption & digital privacy rights, 2025 Virginia elections, and more! Brian, Chris and Andy discussed the recent Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA) second annual convention, where Party leadership met and discussed future plans, new members and candidate recruitment, and held training for potential candidates for the General Assembly and other Virginia elections for 2025. At the convention, the Party also added a new plank to their platform focusing on digital privacy and free expression, a stark contrast from the two major political parties on this issue. The discussion also touched on the potential for citizens to get involved in state and national politics through the CLPVA and Liberal Party USA, “the national home of autonomous state political parties committed to furthering the agenda of free people and limited government.” The pod closed on the importance of active citizenship and advocacy for change and touched some recent news.

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Episode 32: Supreme Court Reform, Virginia’s role in Biden’s big decision, and the upcoming CLPVA Convention! “Avoid catastrophic thinking.” Chris, Brian and Andy returned to discuss Joe Biden’s proposed reforms to the Supreme Court, including term limits for justices and the elimination of executive immunity for former presidents. They also debated the whether Kamala Harris would pursue these Court reform ideas and if there is a viable path to reform, as well as the possibility of the Democratic Party attempting to pack the court. They also looked at recent reports regarding Virginia’s role in Biden’t decision to not pursue reelection. Closing, they touched on the upcoming CLPVA annual convention, teasing some ideas that may be discussed.

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Episode 31: Presidential Politics & Florida’s Universal Licensing; Biden goes bye-bye, Harris gets the nod, Polis for VP?! and Florida makes gains in universal licensing in healthcare. Brian, Chris and Andy returned in this week’s episode of the Commonwealth Classical Liberal Podcast and discussed Joe Biden’s big announcement to not seek re-election in 2024, and the potential impact on the Democratic Party and the country. They also debated the viability of Kamala Harris and potential running mates, with praise for Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis. Going from national politics to state politics, they applaud Florida’s recent passing of the MOBILE Act, advancing universal licensing in the state – something the CLPVA has advocated for in Virginia. They closed with some other Virginia items in the news and encouraged listeners to get involved in local and state politics with an invitation to join the CLPVA.

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Episode 30: Presidential Politics: Biden!? Oliver!? Kennedy!? Trump?! This week, Brian, Chris, and Andy open addressing the importance of non-violence following the failed assassination attempt of former President Trump. Then, with an eye to the 2024 presidential election, they discussed the current political climate, expressing their general dissatisfaction with the two-party system as they consider the candidates, and explore their options and leanings. All three share similar concerns and ideals, but do they agree on a best choice for 2024? As they share their ideas and ask questions of one another, they also expressed their concerns about the future of American democracy, particularly under a Trump administration, and the erosion of liberal ideals. The group emphasized the importance of civil discourse, rejecting violence as a solution, and the necessity of genuine consideration of differing viewpoints.

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