All 20 cities in San Mateo County have joined the county in suing the state, accusing officials of withholding more than $38 million in promised funding and demanding the money be restored. The lawsuit, originally filed in August in San Francisco, focuses on a state funding system that county officials say shortchanges only three counties: San Mateo, Alpine and Mono. Under the system, San Mateo County is supposed to receive about 60% of the region’s compensation from vehicle license fees, with the remaining 40% distributed among its 20 cities. Local leaders say the withheld funds strain budgets that pay for health care, public safety and affordable housing. San Mateo County and its cities received $76. 5 million of the roughly $114. 3 million they were owed last year, leaving a shortfall of about $38 million, according to county officials. The lawsuit says the shortfall violates California law and a 2004 deal, under which cities and counties agreed to reduce vehicle license fee revenue in exchange for state replacement payments calculated through a complex formula. The lawsuit notes that in 2004, cities and counties agreed to give the state a portion of property tax revenue and accept lower vehicle license fees to help the state close a budget gap. In return, the state promised replacement payments that would grow each year with local property values. The deal was later protected by a constitutional amendment to ensure local governments would reliably receive the funding. Because of “technical issues with how the payments are calculated,” the county says the state consistently underfunds San Mateo County and its cities, while 55 other counties receive their full amounts. Alpine and Mono counties, which say they face similar losses, have also joined the suit. “At a time when the county and our cities are working hard to sustain critical services while confronting ongoing fiscal challenges, it’s essential that the state maintain the local funding that nearly every other jurisdiction in California continues to receive,” Supervisor Lisa Gauthier said in a press statement. “For communities like East Palo Alto, every dollar of state-promised funding matters,” East Palo Alto Mayor Martha Barragan said. “Standing united with all 20 cities sends a clear message: San Mateo County deserves fair and consistent funding.” San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy previously said the funding system was “supposed to treat every county the same, but because of how our schools are structured, San Mateo gets left out and our residents pay the price.” San Mateo County is operating under a balanced $5. 5 billion budget adopted in September. Although no programs have been cut, officials are cautiously spending and evaluating revenue projections amid uncertainties in federal funding. The case is pending in San Francisco Superior Court and the state is expected to file its response in January 2026.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/25/san-mateo-county-cities-sue-california-38-million-funding/
Tag: constitutional
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY – November 17
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY November 17 National Day Calendar ^ | November 17, 2025 | Staff Posted on by Red Badger NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY On November 17th, National Baklava Day fills the kitchen with an aroma of a sweet and flaky pastry. Baklava’s sweet layers of texture and flavor are created between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey. #NationalBaklavaDay Many believe Baklava to have originated with the Turkic people in Central Asian nations. However, many countries prepare the dessert in a variety of ways. The word “Baklava” first appeared in English in 1650. If you’ve never tried baklava, try sampling the many varieties. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can be used. The filling can be composed of raisins, dates, prunes, and even figs. Most baklava recipes call for cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves sometimes all three spices. Preparing this dessert may be somewhat time-consuming. However, it is a treat worth the work and the wait. HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY Try your hand at this complex dessert. It will be a satisfying achievement for any home cook. We’ve even provided a couple of recipes for you to try. However, if you prefer, frequent your local bakery. They willl be happy to show you their specials. When you do, give them a shout-out. And be sure to share with a friend or two while using #NationalBaklavaDay on social media. Use #NationalBaklavaDay to post on social media. NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday. November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History 1800 The Sixth United States Congress convenes in Washington D. C. for the first time. Even though many rooms remain incomplete, substantial progress allowed both the House of Representatives and the Senate to begin their sessions in the Nation’s Capital. 1857 The U. S. Patent Office issues H. N. Wadsworth patent No. 18, 653 for a new and improved Tooth-Brush. 1869 After more than 10 years of construction, the Suez Canal opens, creating a shipping lane between the Mediterranean and the Red seas. 1888 The U. S. Patent Office issues patent No. 388, 850 to George Eastman for his box camera. The inventor also registered the trademark name, Kodak, on the same day. 1896 The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League began to play at Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park Casino. November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays Grace Abbott 1878 Abbott dedicated her career to child labor policies and relief programs for immigrants. She headed the Children’s Bureau under President Warren G. Harding and while she saw a constitutional amendment against child labor, the states did not ratify it. Soichiro Honda 1906 In 1948, the Japanese engineer founded the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. with Takeo Fujisawa. Their first product is the D-type motorcycle. Winson Hudson 1916 An early Civil Rights activist, Anger Winson Gates established the Leake County chapter of the NAACP in Mississippi. For 25 years, she attempted to register to vote. But persistent voter suppression prevented Gates from registering until 1962. William H. Hastie 1904 The American attorney and civil rights advocate became the first African American named to the federal magistrate in 1937. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Hastie to judge of the Federal District Court in the Virgin Islands. Danny DeVito 1944 The award-winning actor, producer, and comedian gained his first critical attention in the role of Louie De Palma in the comedy series Taxi. Other credits include Big Fish, Get Shorty, Batman Returns, and Matilda. TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine; History; Military/Veterans KEYWORDS: Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. 1 posted on by Red Badger Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4353010/posts
Convicted former clerk Tina Peters trying to move to federal prison
Supporters of incarcerated former Republican Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters are pushing to have her transferred from a state facility to a federal prison, arguing that it would provide a safer environment as she appeals her state conviction. The federal Bureau of Prisons has now officially requested the move.
Peters is currently incarcerated at the La Vista Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison for women located in Pueblo, Colorado. In 2024, a state judge sentenced Peters to nine years in prison after she was found guilty of several felonies related to her efforts to help a man gain unauthorized access to Mesa County’s Dominion voting machines in 2021.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) confirmed the federal request, stating, “On November 12, 2025, we received a letter from the Federal Bureau of Prisons regarding Tina Peters. The letter is currently under review in accordance with all applicable departmental policies and procedures.”
The CDOC explained that transferring an incarcerated individual to another jurisdiction involves a multi-step process, including a multi-disciplinary assessment. Such transfers cannot be initiated by outside entities and are typically reserved for complex cases involving significant, long-term safety and security needs.
Peters’ attorneys have also filed a federal habeas petition, asking a federal judge to release her on bond while she appeals her state conviction. Her lead attorney, Peter Ticktin, told CPR News that he is advocating for her move to a federal facility and is pushing the U.S. Department of Justice to support the effort, citing her long-term safety concerns at the state prison.
“For somebody who’s perhaps a little more genteel, a little bit more educated, a little bit more established, it puts her in a more difficult position for sure. She’s been threatened,” Ticktin said.
He further revealed that the state informed Peters’ legal team that due to her behavior, she is ineligible to move to a different housing zone within the state prison.
“There is a level and a place in the prison where they can isolate women and put them with safer people, but you need to get approved for that. They say, ‘oh, no, she’s been written up too many times,’” Ticktin explained.
The Colorado Department of Corrections declined to comment on whether Peters has reported threats or whether she has been disciplined for rule violations.
Peter Ticktin, a constitutional lawyer based in Florida, also helped lobby for pardons for participants in the January 6 attacks. He has known former President Donald Trump since their days at New York Military Academy, where Trump attended middle and high school.
Ticktin has questioned whether the Justice Department is doing everything possible to secure Peters’ transfer to a minimum-security federal prison. He believes Peters is being targeted, much like other Trump supporters.
“Tina Peters is a proud American, and she’s not embarrassed or ashamed in any way. She’s proud of what she’s done because she’s not a criminal. She’s just a good person,” Ticktin said.
The Department of Justice has already become involved in Peters’ habeas case. Meanwhile, Trump has posted multiple times on social media, calling for her release and describing her as a “brave and innocent patriot.”
Peters argues that the judge who oversaw her case, Matthew Barrett, denied her bail in order to silence her views on the integrity of American elections, thereby violating her constitutionally protected right to free speech.
https://www.cpr.org/2025/11/14/tina-peters-wants-to-move-federal-prison/
BREAKING: Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Overturn Decision That Legalized Same-Sex Marriage
**Supreme Court Declines to Overturn Nationwide Same-Sex Marriage Ruling**
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. The justices, without comment, dismissed an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court’s 2015 ruling in *Obergefell v. Hodges*.
Davis was seeking to have the Court overturn a lower-court order requiring her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney’s fees to a couple she denied a marriage license. Her lawyers repeatedly cited the opinions of Justice Clarence Thomas, who has called for reconsidering the same-sex marriage ruling. Thomas is one of four justices who dissented in 2015; Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, both current members of the Court, also dissented.
—
**Justice Scalia’s Dissent: Democracy and the Role of the Courts**
In his dissent in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, the late Justice Antonin Scalia emphasized concerns about the court’s authority and its impact on American democracy. Scalia wrote:
> “I write separately to call attention to this Court’s threat to American democracy. The substance of today’s decree is not of immense personal importance to me. The law can recognize as marriage whatever sexual attachments and living arrangements it wishes and can accord them favorable civil consequences, from tax treatment to rights of inheritance.”
>
> “Those civil consequences—and the public approval that conferring the name of marriage evidences—can perhaps have adverse social effects, but no more adverse than the effects of many other controversial laws. So it is not of special importance to me what the law says about marriage. It is of overwhelming importance, however, who it is that rules me.”
>
> “Today’s decree says that my Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court. The opinion in these cases is the furthest extension in fact—and the furthest extension one can even imagine—of the Court’s claimed power to create ‘liberties’ that the Constitution and its Amendments neglect to mention.”
>
> “This practice of constitutional revision by an unelected committee of nine, always accompanied (as it is today) by extravagant praise of liberty, robs the People of the most important liberty they asserted in the Declaration of Independence and won in the Revolution of 1776: the freedom to govern themselves.”
—
**Public Debate and the Power of the People**
Scalia argued that prior to the Court’s intervention, the issue of same-sex marriage was being resolved through democratic processes:
> “Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views. Americans considered the arguments and put the question to a vote. The electorates of 11 States, either directly or through their representatives, chose to expand the traditional definition of marriage. Many more decided not to.”
>
> “Win or lose, advocates for both sides continued pressing their cases, secure in the knowledge that an electoral loss can be negated by a later electoral win. That is exactly how our system of government is supposed to work.”
Scalia further noted the Constitution establishes constraints on self-rule—those powers “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” can be exercised as desired, aside from specific limitations like freedom of speech or religion.
> “These cases ask us to decide whether the Fourteenth Amendment contains a limitation that requires the States to license and recognize marriages between two people of the same sex. Does it remove that issue from the political process? Of course not. It would be surprising to find a prescription regarding marriage in the Federal Constitution since, as the author of today’s opinion reminded us only two years ago (in an opinion joined by the same Justices who join him today).”
—
**Conclusion**
Despite dissent from some justices and continued challenges in court, Monday’s Supreme Court action leaves the 2015 same-sex marriage decision intact, upholding marriage equality nationwide. The ongoing debate highlights fundamental questions about the role of the judiciary and the balance between constitutional interpretation and democratic governance.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/supreme-court-rejects-bid-overturn-decision-that-legalized/
Thomas Massie says he’s now ‘America Only’
Woah. The term “mixed review” doesn’t do justice—he totally SAVAGES Trump.
Here are some key notes:
First, Trump claims that Epstein is a hoax. Let me be clear: it is no hoax.
On the domestic front, he has delivered a gut punch to farmers and ranchers, especially regarding beef. This decision will likely hurt us in the upcoming midterms, particularly in key states like Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Meanwhile, a new front is opening in Venezuela. However, it’s important to remember that it is not constitutional for the president to make war abroad without proper authorization.
Financially, money is still flowing to Ukraine, despite ongoing concerns.
Statistically speaking, I vote with the GOP 91% of the time. I used to consider myself “America First,” but now my stance has shifted to “America Only.”
Honestly, I’m tired of spending money overseas or buying Argentinian beef when we have our own resources at home.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4351703/posts
This Week in Texas: 2025 Election Analysis
In the latest episode of *This Week in Texas*, ABC13 takes a closer look at the November 4 election. This ballot was packed with constitutional amendments as well as some key runoff races that are shaping the future of Texas politics.
Our panel of political insiders, Angel Carroll and Court Koenning, break down the results of the highly contested race for Congressional District 18. The race now heads to a runoff between Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee, and our experts analyze what this means for the district moving forward.
In addition to the congressional race, the episode explores the lasting impact of the recent changes made to the Texas constitution. These amendments could have significant implications for the state’s governance and policy landscape.
Finally, the panel offers a forward-looking perspective on Tuesday’s election results and what they might signal as Texas gears up for the 2026 midterm elections. Stay tuned to *This Week in Texas* for in-depth political analysis and insights.
https://abc13.com/post/week-texas-2025-election-analysis/18131426/
King Trump! At Long Last, a Crown!
We here at The American Spectator have justly lampooned the No Kings crowd. They’re easy to poke fun at, given that their very name and message is, well, obviously incorrect.
Donald Trump has been called numerous things by the Left, most of which are at least subjective and debatable. For instance, one could argue in circles about how to best define the “democracy” that Trump is somehow unilaterally destroying. But a king? That’s pure nonsense from the get-go.
(RELATED: The Ridiculous No Kings Protest)
Donald Trump is, of course, not a monarch. Even if Donald Trump wanted to be king, he couldn’t. Gosh, Trump can’t even abolish the loathsome Department of Education. That’s because in our constitutional system of separation of powers and checks and balances, the legislative branch stops him.
(RELATED: Linda McMahon Body-Slams Woke Classrooms)
And yet, speaking of education, that hasn’t stopped the dimwits at the American Federation of Teachers from pushing the No Kings movement. The AFT’s website, the morning of the recent nationwide No Kings rallies, was filled with silly, incendiary language on “Why fascists fear teachers” and “No crowns, no thrones, no kings.”
Gadzooks, you would think that teachers would know that Trump not only isn’t a king but has neither a crown nor throne! The AFT ought to be educating kids in a proper understanding of what words like “monarch” and “fascist” actually mean.
(RELATED: The Spectacle Ep. 289: No Kings, Just Clowns: The Boomer Rebellion Against Reality)
Apparently, the ignorance that pervades American public education starts at the top. To his immense credit, Donald Trump has seized upon the spectacle to have a little fun. He has trolled the No Kings crowd, posting manipulated photos of himself wearing a crown, which no doubt had them howling even louder: “See! See! We said he wants to be king! There you go!”
(RELATED: The ‘No Kings’ Phonies)
But alas, amid our lampooning of the No Kings howlers, it looks like they’re having the last laugh. Well, not the last laugh, because they don’t laugh — they’re too angry. I should say, the No Kings howlers are having the last word. They’ve been suddenly vindicated.
That is because Donald Trump, ladies and gentlemen, has in fact received a crown. Yes, it is true. If you didn’t catch the news, Donald J. Trump received a crown during his current swing through Asia.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday made Trump the first American president to receive South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, replete with a replica of the golden Cheonmachong crown.
No doubt, Trump can’t spell, let alone pronounce, “Mugunghwa” or “Cheonmachong.” But what does that matter? Mugunghwa or cowabunga, Trump at long last got his crown!
Before I extend my congratulations to His Highness, let me add a few words of explication about South Korea, a country that I’ve lectured on for decades and alternately admire and find a little crazy. Not to rain on King Trump’s special parade.
South Korea is quite the political soap opera. The country’s leadership has been mired in scandal for decades, and especially throughout the last year. The current leader who crowned Trump, Lee Jae Myung, who is a member of the Democratic Party of Korea — yes, a Democrat — took power last June after the impeachment, expulsion, and arrest of the previous leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, a right-leaning populist and nationalist who was being dubbed the “South Korean Donald Trump.”
(RELATED: KPop Demon Hunters and South Korea’s Out of Control Lawfare)
The American Left characterizes Jan. 6, 2021, as an attempted coup by Donald Trump, an insurrection that left the nation’s capital teetering on the brink of near-martial law. But in fact, South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol was the real McCoy.
Last January (as noted ironically in a January 6 piece for The American Spectator by Doug Bandow), Yoon declared martial law and deployed troops to the legislature, the National Assembly. These were real troops, not a bunch of yahoos banging on the side of a building with sticks. This very unpopular action by Yoon triggered his impeachment and indictment.
(RELATED: South Korea’s President Commits Self-Immolation)
Yoon’s authoritarian tactics harkened back to South Korea’s days under military rule, with leaders like Park Chung-hee, who ruled the country from 1961 to 1979 before being assassinated. There had been several assassination attempts against Park. His wife was killed in one of them.
Their daughter was elected president decades later, but alas, she — Park Geun-hye — was driven out of office in 2017 and likewise put under arrest, given a 24-year prison sentence.
Even South Korea’s new president has faced drama and serious danger. An assassination attempt was made against him as well (in January 2024). And I assure you, this is a mere short list of South Korean high-ranking officials targeted over the past 50-plus years (including Nobel Peace Prize winner and heroic dissident Kim Dae-Jung).
South Korea is a wild place. No, it isn’t as crazy as the lunatic asylum run by the House of Kim up north — a communist-totalitarian monarchy — but at times it seems like an Asian Wild West.
So, South Korea knows an authoritarian when it sees one! This will make sense to the No Kings folks. They will tell you — actually, they will scream from the streets — that Donald Trump is an authoritarian.
South Korea’s leaders apparently know a king when they see one. Thus, they took the step of awarding Trump the crown that our homegrown No Kings movement had seen coming along.
The irony was not lost on the political scientists at the New York Times. America’s newspaper of record confirmed in a headline, “Trump Has Likened Himself to a King. South Korea gave Him a Crown.”
Indeed, New York Times. Spot on. Brilliant analysis.
And so, there you go! The likes of the American Federation of Teachers have shown themselves not to be the dunces we thought they were, but rather astute political prognosticators. I guess they, too, know a monarch when they see one. Impressive, AFT. Who would’ve thunk it?
The No Kings movement has proved astutely prophetic. Here’s hoping that Trump will start wearing his crown soon. I suggest The Donald don the crown for his next State of the Union address. I think the liberals would love that.
Pop Music Isn’t as Popular
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
https://spectator.org/king-trump-at-long-last-a-crown/
Conservative Pundit Shares Close Encounter With ‘Politically Violent Attacks’ at Senate Panel Hearing
Prominent conservative commentator Michael Knowles addressed the growing threat of political violence during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Knowles emphasized the urgent need for federal action to counteract what he described as a consistent and accelerated threat of leftist terrorism.
“The federal government must act now to stop the consistent and accelerated threat of leftist terrorism. For a legislator to deny the threat and neglect the remedy might once have been chalked up to ignorance. Today, it is nothing less than a complicity,” Knowles declared.
The hearing, titled “Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order,” featured testimony from several experts aside from Knowles. These included Chad Wolf of the America First Policy Institute and former acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Daniel Hodges, a Washington, D.C., police officer; William Braniff, executive director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University’s School of Public Affairs; and Kyle Shideler, director and senior analyst for homeland security and counterterrorism with the Center for Security Policy.
Near the beginning of his opening statement, Knowles laid out his position on which side of the political spectrum—Left or Right—is more responsible for the rising violence in the United States. Below are four key takeaways from his testimony:
### 1. The Left Is ‘More Violent’ Than the Right
“[L]est I be accused of partisan invective… no less an emblem of American liberalism than The Atlantic magazine published an article citing a recent study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, admitting that the Left is more violent today than the right,” Knowles stated.
He then recounted a personal experience with violent protesters in April 2023. The Daily Wire host had been invited to debate transgender issues at the University of Pittsburgh. Before the event, dozens of left-wing protesters—including some with their faces covered—burned an effigy of Knowles.
### 2. A Close Encounter With Violence
“As the Pittsburgh fire department put out my burning effigy, an Antifa operative named Brian DiPippa, hiding behind his wife, Krystal, rolled two smoke bombs under police barricades,” Knowles said.
He described how Brian DiPippa threw a firework at police officers, resulting in burns and “life-altering injuries to a female officer.” DiPippa was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison, while his wife received three years’ probation. Knowles voiced frustration over the sentencing, implying it was too lenient given the severity of the crime.
### 3. Punishment Must Match the Crime
“I think we should all be able to agree that throwing an explosive at a group of people is no mere minor indiscretion. That is a very serious crime. That’s attempted murder, the kind of crime that merits life in prison,” Knowles asserted.
He also highlighted a controversial endorsement involving Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who supported Democratic Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones despite Jones having made inflammatory statements in private text messages, including wishing “two bullets to the head” upon a former Virginia House speaker.
“You certainly cannot have law enforcement officers who would engage in this kind of violent rhetoric against half of their constituents. So long as anyone stands by an endorsement such as that, their words are meaningless. They are shedding crocodile tears on the topic of political violence,” Knowles added.
### 4. A Tragic Reminder: The Killing of Charlie Kirk
Reflecting on the gunshot killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, Knowles said, “There was no more gracious, generous, or charitable debater on college campuses than Charlie Kirk, and he always endeavored to hear out the other side… to give them the benefit of the doubt. And he was killed for it. He was killed for ideological reasons. And it has to be an inflection point.”
Knowles concluded that the nation must use such tragedies as turning points to take decisive action against political violence in all its forms.
—
Michael Knowles’ testimony highlights his conviction that left-wing extremism poses a significant and growing threat to America’s constitutional order—one that demands a firm and immediate response from lawmakers and law enforcement alike.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/10/28/conservative-pundit-shares-close-encounter-with-politically-violent-attacks-senate-panel-hearing/
No kings … including Jesus?
Did you see that a lot of people don’t want Donald Trump to be the king of America? On October 18th, there were numerous “No Kings” rallies across the country, protesting what demonstrators describe as authoritarian actions by President Trump. They claim he acts more like a king than a president.
One protester in San Francisco held a sign that read, “Hey Trump, nobody paid us to be here. We all hate you for free.” Nice. You can find the Babylon Bee’s satirical list of accomplishments by people like those at the No Kings demonstrations [here](#).
The vast majority of protesters were Democrats and leftists (and yes, there is a distinction between the two). Naturally, there were jabs from the right about the rallies, with some calling it “Democrat Sulk Day.” Supporters of the “No Kings” rallies denied this characterization and said they simply oppose the despotic actions of any president who crosses the line of democracy.
But am I the only one calling baloney on that? If the situation were reversed, and a leftist president was pushing their niche agenda onto the nation, what do you want to bet most of these folks would have stayed home?
The good news is that the “No Kings” rallies were mainly peaceful—a refreshing change for that side of the political fence. Usually, when the Left doesn’t get its way, it follows in the footsteps of those in 1780-90s France, who birthed leftist philosophy.
Wall Street Journal writer Jason Willick noted a few years back:
> “The French Revolution, in its moderate phase before 1792, drew on America’s ideals in seeking to overthrow the monarchy. The differences, however, proved fundamental. Whereas the Americans began with the individual as the primary unit of moral and political value, [France] wanted to create a collective will. But in order to create a collective will, you have to destroy all those wills that are counter to your vision of the general will. That’s why America’s revolution ended with constitutional government and France’s in terror and tyranny.”
The destruction of “those wills that are counter to your vision of general will” has been carried out countless times, not only during the past five or so years but throughout history. To be fair, it has been done on both sides of the political divide.
This dynamic echoes what Frank Herbert wrote in *Children of Dune*:
> “When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.”
This robbing of freedom and voice has often happened more through mob mentality and political puppeteering than by a single individual. It aligns closely with the spirit of the French Revolution and its disastrous outcomes.
Such tactics have been called out even by unlikely sources, like the rock band Black Sabbath in their song **The Mob Rules**:
> Close the city and tell the people that something’s coming to call
> Death and darkness are rushing forward to
> Take a bite from the wall
> You’ve nothing to say, they’re breaking away
> If you listen to fools, the mob rules
> The mob rules
Mobs that dominate cultural thought demonstrate why, as Winston Churchill famously said, democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. However, he and the “No Kings” protesters are wrong when it comes to the best form of government.
The best government, absolutely, is a monarchy—but with one very important requirement: it must have the right monarch. And I know of only One who qualifies.
The problem is that any monarch represents ultimate authority—something that clashes with the insubordinate spirit we’re all born with.
Looking at the “No Kings” protests and reading many of their comments reminded me of Albert Camus’ famous quote: “I rebel, therefore we exist.”
The Bible, however, tells us in Romans 13:1-2:
> “There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God.”
This means the spirit of authority-resistance running through the “No Kings” rallies and others like them is aimed every bit as much upward as outward, even if the protesters are unaware of it.
Some have declared that explicitly. The atheist Christopher Hitchens expressed disgust at the notion that we are the property of any supernatural authority:
> “Once you assume a creator and a plan, it makes us objects in a cruel experiment. And over us, to supervise this, is installed a celestial dictatorship, a kind of divine North Korea.”
Thomas Paine speaks for many today with his stance on authority and human worship when he wrote:
> “My own mind is my own church.”
But no matter what Paine’s or anyone else’s mind tells them, the Bible declares everywhere that God is King overall.
Scripture says:
– “The Lord is King forever and ever” (Psalm 10:16)
– “The Lord is enthroned as King forever” (Psalm 29:10)
– And of Jesus, who is coming back as King over all creation: “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15)
The rebellious spirit of our age won’t accept any king, including Jesus. Just like He spoke about in the parable of the nobleman:
> “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us’” (Luke 19:14).
It’s both funny and tragic how fickle crowds quickly change their tune. One minute, they were “intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king” (John 6:15), and not long afterward, they were screaming, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).
Scripture also reveals that the overt kind of rejection Christ experienced in His first coming will happen again at His second appearing. Psalm 2 describes that scene:
> “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:1-3)
But they’ve got it all wrong. Jesus isn’t a king who takes and enslaves; He’s one who gives (literally everything) and sets us free. No monarch has ever done that, am I right?
So, if you’re a “No Kings” rally participant, relax and take heart. Trump will never be king. But Jesus is—and it’s best you confess Him as Lord now rather than end up as His footstool someday (Psalm 110:1).
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/no-kings-including-jesus.html
Florida House rolls out sweeping slate of property tax proposals for 2026 ballot
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After months of waiting and several committee meetings, the Florida House is set to offer a slate of ideas for sweeping property tax reform in the next legislative session. The proposed constitutional amendments could significantly reshape how homeowners pay property taxes and how local governments fund essential services.
In a memo released Thursday, House Speaker Danny Perez criticized the Republican plans, labeling them politically motivated and potentially harmful to local communities.
Representative Driskell, speaking earlier this month, echoed these concerns. “The harm that these proposals would cause would not outweigh any potential benefits,” she said. She questioned the practical impact of the reforms, asking, “What firehouse would [Governor DeSantis] close in Tampa? What police station would he close in Orlando? What garbage collection would he stop in South Florida?”
Driskell warned that the proposals could leave small, rural counties struggling to fund basic services. “We’d basically be putting them in a situation where they would be living in a welfare state,” she said. “They would be funded by larger counties.”
Democrats argue that genuine affordability relief should focus on property insurance, healthcare, and overall living costs—not just property taxes. Driskell added, “This all seems to be a distraction. We need to focus on real solutions.”
### What’s Next
The House’s property tax reform proposals will be assigned to committees in the coming weeks, with debates expected to begin early in the 2026 session.
https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-house-rolls-out-sweeping-slate-of-property-tax-proposals-for-2026-ballot