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John Livingston

Let Us Pray

I have no way of understanding what is in the hearts of other people. We can only judge their actions and words. Only God knows what is in their hearts. The words of many people on the political left after the terrible shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis last week, to me, were curious […]

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Bob's Words of Wisdom

Why We need Freedom of Choice in our Children’s Education

Since it is the beginning of the school year, I wanted to touch on our education system here in Idaho. Eighty percent of Americans support school choice, and the path forward is clear that families deserve the power to choose the best education for their kids. For years, we have lived with the failure of […]

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Podcast

Idaho Freedom Foundation Delivers $2.1 Billion Reality Check to DOGE Committee

A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer The Idaho Freedom Foundation has answered the legislature’s challenge with a comprehensive plan to cut $2.146 billion from state government—enough savings to eliminate property taxes entirely without raising a single additional tax. The proposal represents the most detailed government […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Labrador Letter: Listening to Leaders Across North Idaho

Dear Friends, This past week I traveled to North Idaho to meet with local leaders, law enforcement officials, and community members in Grangeville, Orofino, Lewiston, Moscow, and Sandpoint. Local leaders understand their communities’ challenges and strengths better than anyone, so these face-to-face conversations are essential for knowing how we can better collaborate to protect Idaho […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Fulcher Reintroduces ‘One Subject At A Time Act’ Ahead of Fiscal Year Deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) has reintroduced H.R. 4324, the One Subject at a Time Act.  The legislation comes as the federal government nears its fiscal year-end deadline on September 30, marking Congress’s annual cutoff to enact appropriations bills.  “Congress must address its broken budget process, which has repeatedly led to massive omnibus bills and […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Redistrict This

“That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.” The Declaration of Independence In our Republican form of government, the people select those that will govern. Gerrymandering is where those that govern select the people. Since the Reapportionment Act of 1929 the number of […]

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John Livingston

Civics Tests for Those Who Get a Government Paycheck

It has recently been reported in both the Wall Street Journal and on CBS/NBC/CNN and Fox News that teachers leaving Blue States like New York and California that apply for teaching jobs in Oklahoma will be required to take a Civics test. Having a basic understanding of civics and American History should be a requirement […]

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John Livingston

Op-Ed: Next Play

The following article is the opinion of the author and not the Gem State Patriot Sometimes you eat the bear, and other times the bear eats you” That was a saying that was often times repeated by my father to his three sons as we were growing up. Another ritual in our family was that […]

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Podcast

When Our Legislators Fail Us

A Conversation with IFF President Ron Nate & Tea Party Bob Podcast Notes by Bob Neugebauer Idaho’s Ballot Initiative Wars: When the Legislature Fails, Citizens Must Act The battle lines are drawn for Idaho’s 2026 ballot initiatives, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Two competing visions for Idaho’s future are emerging through the constitutional initiative […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Skinsuit Politicians

North Idaho is largely populated by good and friendly people. People who volunteer their time for civic and charitable causes. People you would want for neighbors. People who inspired the joke: “I was at the local hardware store and while I was searching for what I wanted, three different people asked if I needed assistance…. […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Op-Ed: The Right Choice for Boise State

As one of the Gem State’s top universities, Boise State brings a spotlight to Idaho. The Broncos’ run to the College Football Playoff last year electrified the nation, and students from around the globe come to Boise each year to study at this world-class institution. Yet all is not well in the halls of academia. […]

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Opinions / Op-eds

Labrador Letter: Idaho Medal of Honor

Dear Friends, This week, as Chairman of the Idaho Medal of Honor Commission, I had the honor of recognizing four law enforcement officers for extraordinary acts of courage at our 2025 Medal of Honor Ceremony. These officers risked their own lives to save others, going far beyond the call of duty. They join more than […]

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