Free Republic

How Progressives Were Able to Rule the Western Nations: Good Intentions, Bad ResultsBy The HermitThe story of the West in the last hundred years is not one of a secret cabal or a single mastermind. It is the story of an idea — progressive ideology — that promised to perfect society through reason, science, and planning. It appealed to the best intentions of reformers, philanthropists, teachers, and politicians. Yet, like many noble experiments, it has produced results far different from what its advocates hoped. What began as a movement to uplift and modernize has ended by weakening the civic and...

FeatureTilly Norwood and the Illusion of RealityHollywood fears job losses from AI actors. But the greater threat may be to truth itself.By The HermitNot long ago, a new name appeared in Hollywood chatter: Tilly Norwood. She looks the part of a rising young actress, the kind casting directors might call “a natural.” But Tilly is no actress at all. She is an AI-generated creation — a digital performer assembled from algorithms, capable of smiling, speaking, and captivating an audience without ever setting foot on a soundstage.Tilly is part of a new wave of “synthetic talent.” AI agencies now maintain rosters...

💳 From Pay-and-Own to Pay-to-Access: How the American Household Became a Subscription MachineBy The Hermit Note: This essay is meant to offer a broad overview of how the American household has shifted from a pay-and-own economy in the 1950s to today’s subscription-based model. It does not attempt to cover every detail, variation, or socioeconomic factor, but instead highlights general trends and practical ideas for those interested in rethinking their relationship with modern expenses. In the 1950s, the average American family budget was straightforward, built on the principle of paying once and owning for life. Whether it was a television, a...

The High Cost of Easy Credit: How Consumer Debt Distorted the EconomyIn the past five decades, the expansion of consumer credit has transformed the American economy. What began in the 1970s as a convenient financial tool has become a fundamental pillar of daily life for most households. Credit cards, followed by newer lending models like "Buy Now, Pay Later," have fueled consumption, enabled lifestyle inflation, and propped up economic growth. But beneath the surface lies a troubling reality: easy credit has created a disconnect between buyers and sellers, distorted real demand, inflated prices, and built a fragile foundation of debt.In...

Whatever Happened to Just Going Out for Family Fun? Now that I’m retired, with more time behind me than ahead, I find myself looking back a lot more than forward. I’ve been reflecting on the changes I’ve seen — not just in the world at large, but right here at home, in the way families like mine spend time together. When I was young, family fun meant something simple. Back in the 1950s, when money was tight for most folks, we didn’t need expensive outings to enjoy ourselves. A picnic at the park, a day at the beach, just a...

🇺🇸 Before the Collapse: Why We Must Rein in Unsecured Debt — NowBy The HermitThere’s a quiet crisis unfolding beneath the surface of the U.S. economy: over a trillion dollars in credit card debt, the majority of it unsecured, with no collateral, no real oversight, and no meaningful limits. It’s not just a number — it’s a ticking time bomb.It may not look like 1929 — but in structure, in risk, and in who will bear the fallout, it feels dangerously familiar.📉 We've Seen This Movie BeforeIn the 1920s, Americans were allowed to buy stocks on margin — putting down...

📘 The Student Loan System: A Rigged GameHow U.S. Higher Education Became a Wealth Transfer from the Poor and Middle Class to the EliteExecutive Summary The American student loan system has evolved into a mechanism of upward wealth transfer, extracting income and opportunity from working- and middle-class students while enriching elite universities, financial institutions, and loan servicers. By removing bankruptcy protections, allowing unchecked tuition increases, and obscuring the risks and returns of educational debt, policymakers and institutions have created a rigged system — one that fails to serve students, the economy, or the public interest. 1. Origins of the Crisis:...

China, Taiwan, and the Illusion of InvasionPosted: September 17, 2025As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to make headlines, it's worth stepping back to ask a more fundamental question: Is China actually capable of invading Taiwan? Or is the threat more bark than bite? After a detailed analysis of military capability, geography, politics, and historical precedent, the answer becomes clearer than what mainstream headlines may suggest.1. The Military Reality: Capability vs. IntentionWhile China has made significant investments in its military, a full-scale invasion of Taiwan would be among the most complex operations in modern history—possibly more difficult than the D-Day...

The Great Experiment and How It Ends: A Return to Nature, Purpose, and PartnershipIn the last several decades, Western society has launched what could be called a Great Experiment: a full-scale reengineering of the human relationship structure that has served civilization for thousands of years. The traditional roles of men and women have been dismantled, the institution of marriage devalued, and the idea of long-term partnership often treated as optional, or even regressive.This experiment was built on the promise of personal freedom: that women could have it all—career, independence, and family—on their own terms, and that men could be liberated...

The Permanent Record: From Empty Threat to Everyday Reality When I was a student back in the 1950s, we used to joke about the phrase “That’s going on your permanent record.” It was a hollow threat from teachers, something said when a kid stepped out of line — broke a rule, said something smart-alecky, or handed in an assignment late. We all laughed quietly to ourselves, because we knew there was no such thing. There was no record, and certainly nothing “permanent.” Today, that joke is no longer funny — because it has come true. We now live in a...

Is FreeRepublic going away? There are fewer and fewer articles posted.

Bing is claiming 4.7 million votes already counted in Georgia. Problem is the most votes cast in a presidential election was 2016, when 3,967,067 were cast for Trump and Clinton combined In 2008 Obama ..1,844,123 In 2012 Obama ..1,773,827 (-70,296) In 2016 Clinton 1,877,963 (+104,136) In 2020 Biden ..2,248,032 (+370,069)

Do Freepers fear feminism in government? Is justice for men impossible now?

So I've been watching Tucker Carlson's tonight about the riot at Minneapolis as well as the news article about the death of George Floyd. I read that George Floyd was an African American male apparently was "killed" by a white police officer during the arrest with bystanders witnessing the supposed killing. Regardless, Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital. Societies erupted with anger about Floyd's death. They protest and riotas hard as they could, even if other businesses have to suffer when those businesses are already suffering from the lockdown (whether it still exist or not). Now if the race...

How long until the citizenry rebels not only against voluntary and forced quarantine, but also the forced shuttering of businesses. We have already seen the young adults flagrantly ignore recommendations to avoid being in the presence of, or congregating in, large groups. This is not meant to discuss nor dismiss the constitutionality of the significant curtailment of our rights, and the outright inflation that will be caused by runaway monetary spending/printing. But rather, will America allow itself to succumb to economic death in favor of physical survival? This is not to say that we wouldn't still exercise reasonable precautions, but...

So Nancy boldly says that "nobody is above the law." Therefore, that must also apply to Hillary Clinton. So, Nancy, put your money where your mouth is. We'll be waiting you to call for Congressional hearings into Hillary's illegal activities. We expect your announcement shortlty. Freepers, what other Democrats should be called before the hearing committees? Time to fight back and put the pressure on the do-nothing Democrats whose sole goal is to get rid of President Trump. Forget national security, health care, and the other important issues. Democrats aren't interested in those.

Any Las Vegas news on the innocent life that are now with Jesus? I guess the 3 week news cycle is about the time that America forgets about innocent life and moves on to corrupt politicians and Congress women with synthetic hats. No news is good news so they say. No. Millions of us waiting for the FBI to show up, along with A poor Sheriff that is, imho, being told to stand down

She keeps interrupting her guests-won't let them finish their thoughts. A wanna-be Megan Kelly who will turn on a dime when the opportunity comes. I see it happening but she doesn't have the talent. Her days are numbered at Fox if they're smart. BTW-she's the blonde in between Special Report and Tucker. In case you don't know.

What President Trump said at the press conference yesterday was what had to be said. There are extreme groups on both the left and the right. Americans have to face that reality. Also face the reality that these groups will use violence against anyone or anything that will get into their way. Time to wake up and smell the coffee America.

An open message to the New York Tea Party: Congratulations on your pitiful loss of the New York 26th district. Clumsily run; clumsily lost. Allowing Jack Davis to sell himself as a Tea Party candidate without exposing him as a liar leads one to assume that either the Tea Party leaders are incredibly stupid or they wanted Kathy Hochul to win. Allowing the Democrats to sell the outrageous lie that the Republicans’ Medicare reform plan is tantamount to an end of Medicare without exposing them as the liars they are was either incredibly stupid or you actually wanted Kathy Hochul...