Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob

“All is not yet lost in a country where the children rise up as one to evade mandatory age-check barriers to social media. Reclaim the Net reports the finding that, as judged by looking at 408 Australian teens, some 85 percent ‘of Australians aged 12 to 15 were still merrily logging on three months after the ban supposedly cut them off from the world.’ Maybe not merrily. Perhaps only sturdily or insouciantly. Anyway, rightly. Good job, guys. The ban is failing because kids know how to draw a mustache on their faces or borrow somebody else’s login.” (07/17/26)

https://thisiscommonsense.org/2026/07/17/the-kids-are-all-right/

Source: Townhall
by Les Rubin

“The numbers are mathematical, not political. Unless the United States begins restoring fiscal discipline, future generations will inherit a nation burdened by debt, weakened by chronic overspending, and headed to a bankruptcy that could be prevented. Washington is run by professional politicians, not statesmen, whose focus is on the next election, not the next generation. They have operated under a simple formula. Promise more benefits, avoid difficult decisions, and borrow the difference.” (07/17/26)

https://townhall.com/columnists/les-rubin/2026/07/17/america-is-in-trouble-and-running-out-of-time-n2679507

Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by John Coleman

“The internet is one of the main places where we read, learn, ask questions, and share ideas. It serves as a library, bookstore, classroom, and town square all at once. For decades, most people have been able to use those online spaces without first proving who they are. That may be changing. Legislatures across the United States are passing laws requiring online platforms and other digital services to determine users’ ages before granting access. … At first glance, these laws seem to ask a simple question: How old are you? But answering it isn’t so simple. Is checking a box enough? Can a company estimate your age from a selfie? Should it rely on information from your device or app store? Or must you verify your age by uploading a government-issued ID? What begins as age assurance can result in identity verification.” (07/17/26)

https://www.fire.org/news/can-government-require-id-you-use-artificial-intelligence

Source: The Daily Economy
by Mohamed Moutii

“California’s proposed wealth tax promises billions in new revenue. But early evidence suggests it will ultimately cost the state far more in investment, entrepreneurship, and future tax receipts.” (07/17/26)

https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/californias-billionaire-tax-is-backfiring-before-it-begins/

Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Viggo Terling

“You would be forgiven, while walking down the street, for not stopping at every lamppost to read the hastily printed notices fastened to our street furniture. When you walk into a pub, restaurant, nail salon or shop, you would also be forgiven for completely ignoring the hastily printed letter from the council regarding planning application number 26/03570/FULL, for example. When erected on street furniture, the ink usually runs, and the notices collect dust, soot, cigarette stubs and chewing gum. Rather ugly indeed. What are these eminently ignorable wastes of fine British fir? They are planning notices. … There is no need for physical planning notices. They do not help anyone, and they make our public realm messier and uglier.” (07/18/26)

https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/why-the-government-makes-our-streets-a-little-uglier