Free Republic

While the shutdown is needless, the Democrats are rightly concerned about healthcare cost coverage. MEDICAID EXPANSION FAIRNESS What I’m thinking of is to slightly and generally increase the state Medicaid expansion share to 5% plus the highest rate of state income tax. Right now, California pays for Medicaid expansion at 10% and rakes in 13% income tax from doctors. That would make Medicaid expansion cheaper for no income tax red states like Florida and Texas. To help fund likely Medicaid expansion to states like Texas and Florida, the state Medicaid shares (traditional & expansion) would increase annually starting in 2028...

Defending AI-Assisted Writing: A Modern Tool for Creativity and ResearchIn today’s fast-paced world, the process of writing for publication—whether essays, articles, or books—has evolved. One of the most common questions I receive is whether I “used AI” to write a particular piece. The simple answer is yes, but that requires context. AI is not a replacement for human thought or creativity; it is a tool, much like a research library or an editorial team.When I write, the ideas and structure are mine. I may compose a first draft, then use AI to edit, clean up language, and refine flow. I...

The Hidden Costs Behind Franchise Dining and the Shifting Landscape of American MealsFor decades, mid-tier casual dining chains have occupied a comfortable place in American life: a step above fast food, offering consistent menus, a sit-down experience, and a sense of convenience. Yet a closer look at the economics of these franchises reveals a system that inflates prices for consumers while funneling the bulk of profits to the parent corporation. Combined with changing consumer habits, mounting economic pressures, and reliance on consumer credit, this model may be approaching a breaking point.At first glance, the price of a breakfast plate—eggs, bacon,...

For years, the Left has been carping about changing the name of "Columbus Day", a federal holiday on the second Monday in October. Well, here's a great opportunity for us. Charlie Kirk's birthday is October 14. Let's designate Monday, Oct. 13 as "Charlie Kirk Day", "Revival Day", "Turning Point Day" or something similar. I don't think Columbus would mind sharing his day with a great American hero. What do you think? Should we change the name of "Columbus Day" to "Charlie Kirk Day"? No, leave it the way it is. Yes, officially. (That might take an act of Congress.) Yes,...

I'm trying to start a new career as a graphic artist and I was looking at the cover of Bill O'Reillys new book and thought it was pretty pathetic. So I improved it. What do you think? I think it's more on the mark, more accurate. Should I show it to Bill? If he likes it I could have a new career

@Rothbard1776 I try not to be a conspiracy theorist, but I have a REALLY hard time believing in a short text exchange, the alleged shooter: > Makes his confession. > Confirms location of the weapon. > Confirms the type of weapon. > Confirms it was wrapped in a towel. > Confirms his motive. > Exonerates the decoy [George Zinn]. > Admits to the bullet engravings. > Confirms the wardrobe change. > Confirms how long he’s been planning it. > Discloses the existence and location of a [now destroyed] pre-written confession note. > Randomly tells his boyfriend that his dad is...

There are a lot of people talking about not seeing Tyler Robinson leaving the rooftop with the rifle. But I don't see anyone asking if he could even made the shot. I'm no expert, but taking a single shot and killing your target at 200 yards requires more than a little experience shooting a gun. At that range the bullet is going to be affected by wind (if there was any), by a drop of several inches (or more) due to gravity, and shooting from a higher elevation is going to require compensation. Where did Tyler Robinson learn enough to...

Really Steven?

Lee Harvey Oswald (born October 18, 1939, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.—died November 24, 1963, Dallas, Texas) was the accused assassin of U.S. Pres. John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963. He himself was fatally shot two days later by Jack Ruby (1911–67) in the Dallas County Jail. He himself was fatally shot two days later by Jack Ruby (1911–67) in the Dallas County Jail. A special President’s Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, better known as the Warren Commission because it was headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren, investigated from November 29, 1963, to September...

Spiritual truth before government policy. We have to seek and embrace spiritual truth while we avoid spiritual confusion, and expose and reject spiritual deception. Gospel truth and principles before social, political, and economic theories that are used to develop government policy. Some people will reject this and say that I am proposing to create a theocracy, but this is not the case. The one and only legitimate theocracy is when God created the nation of Israel. That Old Covenant was broken, which ended the theocracy. Our United States was founded as a constitutional republic. In the discussions and debates of...

By extending the southern border along the 31st parallel all the way to the now, misnamed "Gulf of Californicate", Red state AZ can have its own seashore, beaches, cruise ships, pleasure craft and getaway on the placid waters of the "Gulf of Arizona" without leaving the state. Make Mexico an offer it can't refuse Mr. Trump!

As we know, Grabbin' Noisome is planning a special election to return the power to draw Congressional districts to the State Legislature. Anybody with functioning brain cells knows that the only way to win that special election would be an epic level of ballot fraud and manipulated vote counting. To the former (and this might help nationwide), Trump could instruct the Postal Service to refuse to process mail-in ballots without sending them certified mail in order to guarantee a chain of custody. That takes a signature and voter ID if Trump specifies it. I just want to see the meltdown...

They gave us abortion and legalized hard core pornography. Among others. Justices were Lewis Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Harry Blackmun, William Rehnquist, Potter Stewart, William O. Douglas, Chief Justice Warren Burger, William Brennan, Byron White. Which were good and which were liberal?

Husbands, LOVE your wives, just as Christ LOVED the church and gave himself up for her… Eph 5:25 How far ahead would America be if they never had Harvard, Yale and Columbia? These three institutions have done more damage to American than any other institutions in the Country. When you look at where communism started in this Country as well as its institutionalization you have to look no further than these schools to their indoctrination of the most wealthy and powerful children who go on to destroy the foundations which brought their families the success and lifestyles they enjoyed. Whether...

FReeper Help Needed - 5,000 Year Project (vanity) Yes, I’m serious. Yes, it really is a 5,000 year project. No, I’m not expecting to be around for the whole thing. Available geological, isotopic and cultural evidence strongly suggests that the Earth goes through periodic disasters. We get a major disaster every 12,000 years with “minor” disasters in the midpoints at 6,000 years. See the background video here (skip the starting ad and ignore the long expired fundraiser at the end) for information about the 6,000 year half cycle. The last 6,000 year event was informally called the Noah event, but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Ug9HAnUB4&list=PLwrSkTAO0GeRuqiXYvkJ-kAqcAqWAoM30

A woman, now around 40, born between 1980-87, comes forward saying Trump and Epstein raped her in the 90s. The media will break out the old phrase "Trump has been credibly accused" and daily remind everyone of course that he was sued civilly for sexual abuse and lost.

A vanity that I have done in years.

Does anyone know how old the Free Republic software is? Doesn't appear to have been updated in at least the 20 years that I've been here. It would be nice to have hyperlinks and better interfaces and a better search function. Not just text and photo files in line. It looks like Craigslist looked about 25 years ago. Anybody with software experience have any thoughts on this?

Very surprised and disappointed that Governor Abbott failed to sign a bill that would have stopped having "Cannabis" legal in Texas.and millions of pot shops popping up on every street corner. Not to mention all the crime that goes hand and hand with weed legalization.