The mob senate – growing stronger

Posted on 2026-05-05 by TPOL Nathan

The Roman Republic (SPQR – Senate and People of Rome) was plagued in its last years, as it morphed into an Imperium (the Principate), by the so-called “Street Senate.” And the Roman Empire (also still called the SPQR, even when its capital was moved from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople)) was also bedeviled by the mobs which took to the streets frequently. To protest and demand more “bread and circuses.” That is, entertainment in the form of gladitorial games and primarily Egyptian wheat to produce subsidized bread to feed the masses.

Today, the “street senate” or “mob senate” is increasingly obvious in the States. We saw some attempts at that as far back as the 1930s and again in the 1960s and 1970s. And it has grown stronger in the 3rd decade of the 21st Century.

Here is a very recent example:

We have not researched the judge or the reasoning behind his ruling. But we believe that this tiny crowd of protesters in Rapid City, South Dakota, is yet another example of how the mob is “democratically” gaining power at all levels of government.

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Chavez’s name is defamed – holiday toast. Who else?

Posted on 2026-04-28 by TPOL Nathan

Courtesy of the Rapid City Post (a new online daily and hardcopy weekly), we see this:

California lawmakers want to rename César Chavez Day following sexual abuse allegations

California’s legislative leaders say they want to rename César Chavez Day following stunning abuse allegations against the revered labor leader. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón announced their proposal on Thursday. Political leaders in states and cities are considering similar moves following the allegations accusing Chavez of sexually abusing girls and the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union. There have been calls to alter memorials honoring the man who, in the 1960s, helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers and has been long revered by many Democratic leaders in the U.S., including Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office says he won’t issue a proclamation honoring César Chavez Day this year. (Full story)

Colorado also followed suit: the blue states are turning red (with embarrassment).

My oh my. Many readers may not recognize his name from the 1960s and 1970s. A strong socialist, he was part of a turbulent era. He was also supremely popular among many groups.

Today? Just one more hero of the Left to be made a non-person: a technique the modern Woke Tranzis (Regressives) copied from various Communist parties. (Read some classic Cold War books, such as those by Herb Philbrick (I Led Three Lives).)

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An eventful weekend – and more proof of what is wrong with our current situation

Posted on 2026-04-27 by TPOL Nathan

Once again, an eventful weekend across the States and even the world.

The biggest story of the weekend, politically and socially, was the attempted assassination of several members of the current regime in DC. Apparently just in the Executive Branch. And apparently an attempt made by a man who shocked everyone by his behavior: more and more questions about what is going on and why.

But one question is again answered: the mainstream media is again demonstrating a complete lack of morality and a complete unwillingness to tell the truth. The whole story is not found on the main web pages of the usual MSM or on the screens of American televisions. Is it ironic that TPOL just published a column decrying the folly of trusting the Press? Or just so common that inevitably we would see yet another example quickly?

This graphic is again proven true:

No matter whether you worship, love, hate, or despise The Donald, you must be alert to the fact that the MSM is clearly unwilling to tell the truth about anything that might cast Trump in a neutral or good light. The WaPo is the perfect poster child: “Trump evacuated from White House correspondents’ dinner after loud noises heard.”

Whatever your opinion of Trump, are we not agreed that the man is important to the Fifty States, for good and bad? Should we not have the truth about what is going on, and not have to read between the lines?

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“Put not your trust in princes” – press edition

Posted on 2026-04-25 by TPOL Nathan

We are certain that most of our readers know this biblical quote and warning. Found in the 146th Psalm, and allegedly (and ironically) written by King David of Israel, it is a favorite verse for many lovers of liberty.

But we need to remember that the word “princes” (the Hebrew word na.div) is not limited to rulers or royals. It can refer to both anyone with power. And oddly enough, also to those who are inclined or willing to be generous, who are (or at least consider themselves) noble in mind and character. But whom wield great power over other humans.

Among those humans in this 21st Century of ours are the press, media. Not just the mainstream press but the alternative press, social media, and more.

Consider this article from the Daily Mail of the UK: how worthy of trust is this press outlet? Published on a Monday a few weeks back, the headline was: “Health warning issued for thousands as life-threatening toxins flood multiple US states: ‘Close windows NOW'”

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Texas was free – if imperfect

Posted on 2026-04-24 by TPOL Nathan

We are remembering the 190th anniversary of the War of Texas Independence in March and April of this year. And recalling both the lessons we should remember or learn afresh, while countering the “modern” condemnation of the First Republic of Texas.

For us here at TPOL, this is a personal matter. Our family roots are largely Texian, and the West (highly influenced by Texas). From childhood (or marriage), we’ve been taught the lessons learned from Texas between about 1800 and 2000. Good and bad examples.

So read on and let us share some thoughts about liberty and Texas and the West today.

James L. Haley, a biographer of President Sam Houston, wrote: “It seems it is the modern intellectual fashion to treat the Texas Revolution as a felony committed against the dignity of the Mexican nation by a besotted gaggle of slave smuggling American land speculators and to humbug any voice that there may have been a kernel of justification for it.

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Murder most foul… not in today’s media

Posted on 2026-04-23 by TPOL Nathan

It seems that every day we have yet another example of how corrupted, how disgusting the media (press) has become in 2026.

There are several very recent examples. Let us share them.

Many readers will recall the murder of the young woman, Iryna Zarutska, in North Carolina. The Blaze recently reported on the psychiatric evaluation of her killer. Consider these headlines:

  • The headline: Homeless schizophrenic man accused of stabbing Iryna Zarutska to death is ‘incapable to proceed’ to trial.
  • The very first sentence: The man on trial for allegedly stabbing to death a Ukrainian immigrant without provocation 
  • Aaaand, the kicker: Video from the light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, captured the moment that Decarlos Brown Jr. allegedly brutally stabbed Iryna Zarutska in the neck, according to prosecutors.
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The nanny state being pushed

Posted on 2026-04-22 by TPOL Nathan

It is hard to believe that “once upon a time” labor unions were enemies of government. Fedgov and State governments both. 150 years ago, and much more recently, the FedGov and States used the Army and National Guard (Organized Militia) to suppress labor union activities. Especially strikes. Quite often, using military forces (literally the threat of force or show of force) did result in actual use of force. Violence: killing people (usually unarmed people).

These violent acts of suppression by State or Federal military forces, from the 1870s through the 1930s, were not the result of panic or matters getting out of hand. They were planned and commanded, not just by governor’s or presidential executive orders, but by legislatures.

This was, of course, wrong: one of the many ways in which human government treated and treats people wrongly.

Today, to some degree, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. In Colorado, for example, we find the Regressive-controlled General Assembly (the Legislature, both upper and lower houses) pushing for government to treat labor unions like the senior house of the General Assembly. In some really stupid ways!

Especially since what the unions want means government agencies snatching more power to micro-manage everyday life, and create opportunities for new government jobs (more government parasites) and fees and fines, and at the same time increase the incentives to shove campaign contributions into the pockets of politicians. And treat everyone like the children they seem to be.

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Really? Should the States imitate the rest of the world?

Posted on 2026-04-21 by TPOL Nathan

This meme recently showed up. You may have seen something similar.

Humm. Does this make sense? For years, we have seen the so-called Progressives (Tranzis and Regressives in our opinion) use this sort of tactic frequently. “The United States,” we are told, “must learn from the rest of the (Western/European-based) world, and jettison old-fashioned, out-dated, and so-called conservative ideals and concepts.”

Now it appears that the easily-labelled and frequently-derided extreme-right-wing conservatives are imitating their political enemies. As common as that is, it still comes across as odd. And dangerous for their own cause.

From the point of view of lovers of liberty (like us here at TPOL), none of the nations listed in the image seem to be very good role models. For anything, including how they run immigration or migration. The graphic does not point out that many of these nations also are very authoritarian. Some would also punish anyone daring to migrate from their wonderful, blessed motherland.

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Just say no?

Posted on 2026-04-20 by TPOL Nathan

Today, especially in the Mountain States and some of the Great Plains, there is massive alarm being broadcast by a wide range of people. One of the fears is that of mining: controversial for more than half a century: gold, rare earths, coal, even sand and gravel.

The other is much newer: a fear of data centers. Data centers are demanded, we are told, by the explosive growth of so-called AI. By the massive expansion of the internet.

Mining, we are told, destroys the land. It consumes massive amounts of water. millions of gallons of Diesel fuel are burned in the equipment. It destroys wildlife habitat, pollutes the waters of the US, drives away tourists, and more.

Data centers are equally bad. They consume gigawatts of electrical power, their demand driving up prices for electricity and even denying people adequate power for their homes. To produce that power requires mining and burning of coal, or drilling for and burning natural gas, all producing air pollution. They also consume millions of gallons of water for cooling. They occupy square miles of land.

There are many other evils associated with these operations. Thousands of postings, tens of thousands of words, are being written weekly in opposition to these things.

All of them, we are told, are the result of greedy corporations, lusting after the almighty (or not) dollar: they are the Robber Barons of the 19th Century, reborn and just as conniving, despicable, and corrupting. Virtually all of the postings also demand that government, and voters, do something to get rid of them: to prevent new ones and even close existing ones.

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Why pay? No refund?

Posted on 2026-04-17 by TPOL Nathan

Due to work, travel, and other issues, TPOL missed National Tax Day. But we can’t totally ignore the horrible status of tolerating evils like taxation.

This meme was very recently posted. We think it is a legitimate question. Dear readers, do you agree?

Is this not criminal? Morally if not legally? Even worse is the distribution:

As someone pointed out with this chart, we don’t have a tax fairness problem (at least not from the point of view of Populists and those who claim to be the vanguard of the poor people). We have a spending problem. You can see this in the State tax burdens.

Now consider this recently published map:

We point out that this does not include any direct federal taxes: income (individual or corporate) or excise (on booze, fuel, lubricants, tires, etc.). Just what State and local governments rip off people who live, travel through, shop, or work in their jurisdiction.

We admit to being surprised that New Mexico is the third worst (after Hawai’i and New York State). Which, admittedly, is probably skewed by New York City. For us at TPOL, we are pleased to see that South Dakota is tied for fourth best (together with New Hampshire) and just after Alaska, Tennessee and Delaware. (And are proud for a friend/correspondent who helped, years ago, to eliminate the income tax in Tennessee and also overall lower taxes.)

It is interesting to see that except for a few outliers in the East (and of course, Alaska), the bite of State and local taxes is quite a bit less in the northern part of “flyover country” – but we will tell you that taxes are still way too high, and the waste of money is just as high in those States that are under 8%.

And remember:

Now, since Uncle Milty is not a modern guy, we’ll also quote someone else:

We will look at more tax issues from a libertarian and christian point of view in future commentaries.

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