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John Livingston

Exploitation, Not Moral Leadership

The episode with Hakeem Jeffries’ comments about SEC football did more than make a headline; it revealed how casually some political leaders are willing to turn individual lives into instruments of their own power. Two days ago, on May 19, Jeffries urged Black athletes to boycott universities in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) whose states he […]

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John Livingston

Public Virtue is Not Private Integrity

During and after the Covid-19 pandemic, I walked the grounds of The Plantation Golf Course with my granddaughter Lilly. The 100-year-old trees and the rolling, old‑school golf course—with its turtleback greens and white sand traps—set the scene for some of the best conversations of my life. For a grandfather who helped raise five boys, there […]

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Opinions

What Does It Mean to Be a Conservative?

Republican, Libertarian, Conservative, MAGA, and America First — A Clarifying Guide In Light of Thomas Massie’s Primary Loss — May 19, 2026 On May 19, 2026 — the same day Jefferson County held its commissioner primary — Thomas Massie lost his Kentucky congressional seat to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by President Donald […]

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Bob's Words

Should You Trust What Your Government Tells You?

This is the most important a citizen can ask, and it deserves a straight answer rather than a comforting one. The answer is: no, you should not extend unconditional trust to either your federal or Idaho state government but the more useful question is not whether to trust, but how to verify. The Numbers Tell […]

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News

2026 Idaho Freedom Index

The Idaho Freedom Index is a product of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Full details and scores are available at index.idahofreedom.org Request a full digital or physical copy at idahofreedom.org/26index Dist. Chamber Name Freedom Index Spending Index Overall Score 1 Senate James Woodward (R) 45.1% / F 9.4% / F 27.2% / F 1 House, Seat A Mark Sauter […]

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Podcast

PODCAST: Idaho Teacher Pay, Flock Cameras, and 2026 Primary Elections

Bob Neugebauer welcomes Ron Nate, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, to discuss teacher pay, surveillance technology, Republican Party integrity, and the upcoming 2026 primary elections. With Election Day one week away, the conversation turns to several issues that return to a central question: whether Idaho voters will hold candidates accountable to conservative principles or […]

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Opinions

Fulcher OP-ED: Geothermal, The Energy Powerhouse Idaho Already Understands

Geothermal has the potential to be an energy powerhouse for America. This abundant, clean natural resource rests right beneath our feet, largely untapped across the nation, but not in Idaho. Today, Boise is home to the largest municipally operated geothermal system in the country. This innovative network warms buildings across the area, including City Hall, […]

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Opinions

Fulcher Votes to Reauthorize Veterans’ Programs and Support Servicemembers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2026CONTACT: Christianne.Allen@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) released the following statement after voting to advance H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2027 (MilCon-VA). “Having the backs of those who serve—and those who have served—our nation must always remain a national priority,” said Congressman […]

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Opinions

Fifth Industrial Revolution

Much ado has been written about the World Economic Forum (WEF), and now ousted Klaus Schwab’s Great Reset, and its radical Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Covid-19 was the catalyst used to justify the initiation of 4IR that “represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another.” The focus was […]

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Opinions

AG Labrador Meets with U.S. Attorney General, FBI Director at White House for National Police Week

BOISE, ID — Attorney General Raúl Labrador traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to participate in a National Police Week roundtable at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building alongside Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. The roundtable brought together attorneys general and law enforcement leaders from across the country to discuss public safety […]

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Opinions

Op-Ed: It’s Time to Vote

Voting is one of the most important privileges citizens have in our republican system, but it’s not enough to cast your ballot in the General Election. Here in Idaho, whoever wins in May almost always wins in November. Next Tuesday is your opportunity to have a say in the direction of our society, and I […]

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John Livingston

Misplaced Compassion

I recently read a Substack article by Dutch Rojas titled, ”The Language of Compassion Is Doing the Work.” The title is close to the truth—but not quite. My concern is not with the logic of his argument, which is largely sound, but with the linguistic distortion that underlies many progressive approaches to modern social problems. Compassion, properly […]

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