RobbBobb

quote:

---

quote:

---

There’s lib in libertarian for a reason.

---

Liberty

---

quote:

---

Where Does the Term “Libertarian” Come From

It emerged in the 1950s as the replacement for the word "liberal." Records shows that it is a synonym for what liberal once meant. But by the mid-1930s, that word had been completely hijacked to mean its opposite.

And keep in mind that the word “conservative” had yet to emerge: Russell Kirk’s The Conservative Mind wasn’t published until 1953. Kirk barely mentioned economics at all, and the traditionalism he highlighted in the book seemed to exclude the classical liberal tradition of Hume, Smith, Jefferson, and Paine.

So the 1950s was the definging point where liberals became socialists and conservatives became traditionalists. The adoptions of these terms from the classical thinkers had been erased. A solution was proposed by Dean Russell, a historian of thought and a colleague of Read’s who had translated many works of Frédéric Bastiat. In May 1955, he wrote the seminal piece that proposed that the term libertarian be revived:

Many of us call ourselves “liberals.” And it is true that the word “liberal” once described persons who respected the individual and feared the use of mass compulsions. But the leftists have now corrupted that once-proud term to identify themselves and their program of more government ownership of property and more controls over persons. As a result, those of us who believe in freedom must explain that when we call ourselves liberals, we mean liberals in the uncorrupted classical sense. At best, this is awkward and subject to misunderstanding.

Here is a suggestion: Let those of us trade-mark and reserve for our own use the good and honorable word “libertarian.””

---

quote:

---

Am I right in guessing that you have no hopes, or just don't care about the debt, the government spending, the out of control social programs, and/or cronyism?

---

quote:

---

Am I right in guessing that you have no hopes

---

quote:

---

just don't care about the debt

---

quote:

---

government spending

---

quote:

---

We are fed up with the lies and deceit of this joke of an administration.

---

quote:

---

Which ones?

---

quote:

---

You're mis-stating the argument

---

quote:

---

The "downfall of EV's" appears to be propaganda and overhyped

---

quote:

---

Demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. has cratered since last September, when the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs expired. The financial losses have forced automakers to write off billions of dollars in investment -- factories, battery technology and new models. EVs totaled nearly 12% of the U.S. market last September, a record high. In January, that share dropped to 6%, according to Cox Automotive data. Sales of EVs in the U.S. plummeted 20% in January versus last December. "2026 will be hard -- the industry is trying to find that natural demand"

Did analysts forecast the massive drop-off? Yes, but "the size of the write-offs took people by surprise"

---

quote:

---

A sharp sales decline began last year when the federal government ended a $7,500 tax rebate for EV buyers. Americans bought 216,399 EVs in the first quarter of 2026 – 27% fewer than in the first quarter of 2025.

---

quote:

---

When the Subsidy Runs Out, Does Anyone Actually Want an EV?

There is a rather interesting experiment taking place in America. Remove the government subsidy from electric cars and see what happens. According to reports in Automotive News, U.S. EV sales have plunged by around 31% following the end of the federal incentives. Perhaps Jeremy Clarkson was onto something when he famously described electric cars as “household appliances.” And therein lies the problem. When the subsidy disappears, suddenly the spreadsheet has to stand on its own. When you factor in cost of insurance, range anxiety and really bad depreciation it simply does not.

---

quote:

---

How can anyone cast a vote for a guy like Paxton that won’t get on stage and debate. It’s the bare minimum.

---

quote:

---

If that's reliable polling, then that's a dire sign for Ken Paxton.

Texas-09 represents a district (mostly in Northern Brazoria County, Northern Galveston County and far Southeastern Harris County) --- a very conservative and Republican district. Trump won it by 20 points in 2024.

---

quote:

---

With seven out of nine boundaries transgressed, we have pushed Earth outside of its Safe Operating Space

---

quote:

---

First, let's get clear about what neoliberalism is. It's an actual political and economic philosophy that favors free-market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, and a reduction in government.

---