Liberty
Liberty
Education
Yes, DEI programs continue to be alive and well in North Carolina
In recent years Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs infiltrated all levels of government as well as schools and universities. Proponents say such programs are necessary to give people of…
Freedom Focus
Budget, Taxation & Economy
What is the role of a think tank?
As we begin a new year, it is worth reflecting on the institutions that shape public policy in America — and the principles that ought to guide them. For the…
Liberty
New Federal Rule to Affect End-of-Year Charitable Giving
Thank you for your partnership with the John Locke Foundation, North Carolina’s home for freedom. Now at the end of the year, don’t let the bureaucracy punish your generosity. A new…
Liberty
Thoughts for Veterans Day
(Note: This piece was originally posted in 2018 under the title “Remembering World War One.” I’ve started reposting it every year because we need to remember the first world war,…
Liberty
Locke Foundation Releases the 2026 Civitas Partisan Index
RALEIGH — The Locke Foundation is proud to announce the release of its 2026 Civitas Partisan Index (CPI), a data-driven look at how each legislative district in the state leans politically…
Agriculture
SNAP, DC’s Shutdown, & Ending the Welfare State
As the federal government’s shutdown stretches into another week, millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing an uncertain month. The U.S. Department of…
Liberty
Ken Burns interview, JLF podcast highlight NC’s role in American Revolution
As 2026 approaches and America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many individuals and groups have undertaken efforts to spotlight North Carolina’s…
Legal insights
Law & Public Safety
NC Supreme Court affirms North Carolinians’ right to a fair trial
It is an ancient principle of natural justice that courts must interpret the meaning of laws and regulations in an independent and unbiased manner. That’s why, in addition to carrying a pair…
Freedom Focus
Freedom Focus
Be like Charlie
Note: This is an abridged version of a talk I presented last month at an event called “A Tribute to Charlie Kirk, Champion of the Constitution.” The event was organized…
Liberty
Trump administration attacks on speech are possibly unconstitutional and certainly unwise
Since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, members of the Trump administration have made statements that, at best, demonstrate a cavalier attitude towards the right to free speech and, at worst,…
Agriculture
A Proposal for the North Carolina Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Working Group
North Carolina’s farmers depend heavily on the federal H-2A guest worker visa program to bring in seasonal labor. But for many, especially small and mid-sized farms, the program is costly,…
Freedom Focus
Freedom Focus
Government efforts to equalize income are unjustified
“The government should actively intervene to address income inequality” is a statement broadly accepted and promoted by progressives for decades. But is such intervention justified? The burden of proof lies…