Commonwealth Classical Liberal Podcast

Episode 29: Roadkill for everyone! New laws in Virginia, immigration-crime fear-mongering , and driving while stoned . In this week’s episode, Brian, Chris & Andy explored current events through a liberal lens as they discussed: a new CATO study, immigration and crime; cannabis legalization and driving; and, a lightning round reviewing new laws in Virginia – from claiming road kill to ending c...

Episode 28: Go Bolder! State-sponsored religion, MDMA therapy, privacy rights in the digital space & more.  Brian, Chris & Andy discussed applying a CLPVA, liberal perspective to some current issues including the mandatory teaching of the Bible in public schools, the war on drugs, and privacy rights. As part of the discussion, they explored the dangers of compulsory religious indoctrinatio...

Episode 27: Better labor negotiations, privacy rights, and a big bipartisan win for nuclear energy!  In this week’s episode, Brian and Andy welcomed back Chris and the team discussed free-market ideas around labor-management relations, considering the potential for alternative solutions that go beyond an “us vs. them” mentality. They also delved into the privacy issue surrounding the US Postal Ser...

Episode 26:   Virginia’s Alcohol Monopoly, Election Debates, and a Win for Reproductive Rights!  This week’s episode starts a new format for the podcast as Brian and Andy began looking at current issues in the Commonwealth of Virginia and around the nation through a liberal lens focused on open markets, open minds and free people. Among the issues discussed, recent layoffs at the Virginia Alcoholi...

Episode 25: Liberal Party USA, Richmond’s Corporate Welfare . Brian and Andy talk about the launch of the national Liberal Party USA, the group’s recent convention, and how the Commonwealth Classical Liberal Party (CLPVA) and other states’ parties have joined as affiliates. They also discussed the term "liberal" as used in relation to the Liberal Party USA. The guys shift from national e...

Episode 24: LGBTQ+ Rights: Respect, Equality & Dignity in Virginia – Without Exception.   Brian, Chris and Andy discussed the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA) position on LGBTQ+ rights, reviewing the platform position and some of the background and current situation on LGBTQ rights in the Commonwealth. Looking at the Virginia Constitution, the team highlighted the importance of prot...

Episode 23: Housing Supply and Opportunity for All (Housing and Commercial Reform) . Chris, Brian, and Andy returned to discuss the high cost of housing in Virginia and proposed solutions to alleviate the housing stress by simplifying zoning regulations, removing regulatory obstacles, and promoting infill construction. They also highlighted the potential of tiny homes and other creative housing so...

Episode 22: Occupational Licensing Bupkis . Brian, Chris, and Andy discussed the need for occupational licensing reform in Virginia, focusing on four specific recommendations including the elimination of unnecessary requirements, reciprocating other states’ licenses, streamlining health and safety processes, and removing restrictions on cash-based non-insurance practices. While addressing some of...

Episode 21 :  General Assembly 2024 Review . In this episode, Brian, Chris and Andy reviewed some of the wins and frustrations coming out of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly's activities. Topics included touching on marriage equality, election audits, drug legalization, reproductive rights, with disappointment expressed over some of the politics and delays from this session. The meeting also...

Episode 20 :  Criminal Justice Reform, part 2.  Brian, Chris and Andy return to conclude this two-part series on  criminal justice reform  in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They looked at two big recommendations which are part of The Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA) platform, specifically looking at: Ending Qualified Immunity in the Commonwealth, and Eliminating civil asset forfeiture.  ...

Episode 19 :  Criminal Justice Reform, part one.  Brian, Chris and Andy return to start a two-part series on criminal justice reform in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They looked at The Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA) platform and several specific recommendations, listed below. The team shares some personal experiences and discuss how the current system can be unjust to many Virginians....

Episode 18 .  Taxes & Economic Reform, part 2 . Brian and Andy concluded a two-part discussion exploring the ever-important topic of our money! They discussed taxes and economic reform in Virginia, exploring the Commonwealth Liberal Party of Virginia's (CLPVA’s) platform and recommendations. They discussed the party's preference for state sales tax (addressing ideas like the FairTax an...

Episode 17 .  Taxes & Economic Reform, part 1 . Brian and Andy start a two-part discussion exploring something important to all of us – our money! They look at the CLPVA’s positions on taxes and economic reform. The Party’s position states that “the sole purpose of government is to protect the inherent natural rights of all individuals and freedom of trade and commerce being critical to those...

Episode 16: End The Drug War . Chris, Brian and Andy welcome special guest, Elizabeth Nolan Brown, to discuss drug policy reform in Virginia, emphasizing the need to end the drug war and promoting the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia platform and recommendations including: A full and unconditional legalization of the personal use and commercial sales of Marijuana and related products, with no s...

Episode 15: Healthcare Access and Affordability . Brian and Andy discuss healthcare in Virginia and explore ideas on increasing access and affordability of healthcare in the Commonwealth. They discuss the identified problem - a mismatch between high demand and low supply -and the CLPVA’s platform position and ideas on how to resolve this crisis of supply and to bring prices down, including: The el...

Episode 14: Self Defense . Chris, Brian and Andy focused on the topic of self-defense and the right to bear arms. They discussed the CLPVA’s platform's stance, which includes full constitutional carry, rejection of red flag laws, restoration of second amendment rights to former felons, and strict tailoring of public safety regulations on firearms to specific localities. They also emphasized th...

Episode 13: Lobbying Day 2024 ! Brian and Andy discuss Brian’s time and positive experience in Richmond for Virginia’s annual General Assembly lobbying day. Brian shares some of his impressions and interactions, including a positive engagement with Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul, the power and opportunity in active civic engagement, ways to get involved to help advocate for a more open Virginia and s...

Episode 12: Lobbying . Chris, Brian and Andy return to talk about Virginia’s General Session and the annual lobbying day, including CLPVA efforts to promote ballot access reform. Hear about what the CLPVA is doing and how you can get involved!   Relevant links from this episode include: Key Dates for the 2024 General Assembly Session Virginia General Assembly website Virginia Legislative Informati...

Episode 11: Educational Reform, Part 2: Empowering Educators and Families . Brian and Andy continued the discussion on education reform, focusing on the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia's platform statement on educational reform. The conversation revisited the first two positions on backpack funding and geographic exclusivity, and then focused on the remaining three specific recommendations...

Episode 10: School Choice & Educational Reform . Chris, Brian, and Andy return to start a discussion on educational reform. Looking at the CLPVA platform they note the position that the “culture war fight over our children’s education has grown to a fever pitch and continues to impede the actual purpose of our schools – educating the next generation. To short circuit the culture war,” the CLPV...

Episode 9: Virginia Elections Takeaways . Chris and Andy discussed the 2023 Virginia elections, the current political climate in Virginia, and the disconnect between politicians and voters. They looked at a few specific elections and reflected back on recent discussions on ballot reform and Ranked Choice Voting, and they expressed their wish for more effort and solutions to help the state progress...

Chris, Brian, and Andy discussed the Virginia elections and continued last week’s dive into the concept of electoral reform. Expressing dissatisfaction with the current electoral system, they focused on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The group acknowledged the need for a significant initial investment in infrastructure and education for RCV but saw potential for more representative outcomes. They con...

Episode 7: CLPVA Platform & Ballot Reform . Chris, Brian, and Andy discussed some exciting personal news for Chris before speaking to the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia’s platform, and some of the issues surrounding it. The podcast focused on the importance of ballot access and the need to simplify and open up the process. The team called for more diverse political representation and expr...

Chris, Brian and Andy discussed the  Classical Liberal Party of Virginia’s ( CLPVA) wrapped up the series on the Party’s core principles, discussing the fourth principle—  respect and tolerance . They emphasized the importance of individual differences and rejected coercion from the state or state-like entities to change or conform an individual’s way of life. They expressed concern over the incre...

Episode 5: Self-Defense and Mutual Aid . Brian and Andy continue the discussion on the principles of the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA), focusing on Self-Defense and Mutual Aid. They discussed how this principle applies individually and both in our local and international communities. Understanding that “the world is messy, there are fuzzy boundaries” and that “absolutes breakdown,” B...