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Kevin R. Kosar

@kevinrkosar.bsky.social
749 followers 535 following 760 posts

Senior Fellow, AEI. Host of the Understanding Congress podcast. Editor of UnderstandingCongress.org.

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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
LSU's Jack Hamilton and I partnered on this op-ed. Using taxpayer funds to pay for commercials to promote a public official is not OK. Propaganda: Paid for by You www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...
realclearpolitics.com
Propaganda: Paid for by You | RealClearPolitics
Democratic government’s greatest strength is its greatest vulnerability. We are referring to the government’s extraordinary power to communicate. And this...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Today at 4pm (ET). In-person and online. www.aei.org/events/congr...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The president’s net approval rating among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents fell from +54 in August to +43 this month, with 71% approval to 27% disapproval." www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-09-23...
gelliottmorris.com
Poll: Trump's approval hits a new low of 33% as Republicans sour; Democrats lead House vote by 10 with likely voters
The president's approval fell 11 points among Republicans last month, as he set another record low on prices at 21% approve
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Gin from India? A film from Ghana featuring a talking fish? Yes, the new issue of Beverages, Books, and More is here. Enjoy! beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I enjoyed this book. My review of it is at: beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/washington...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A new report by Scott Warren and me: www.understandingcongress.org/congress-is-... We're having a program about this subject on Wednesday. Come or tune in! www.aei.org/events/congr...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Congress still lacks a robust continuity plan. And no Congress would mean no representative democracy. My latest for the Examiner: www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/4718...
washingtonexaminer.com
Congress is vulnerable to a paralyzing terrorist attack
Congress had no policies in place to enable it to resume operations if the Capitol was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Huge postal / elections / voting decision. Supreme Court blocks sweeping mail ballot restrictions for midterm elections www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Supreme Court blocks sweeping mail ballot restrictions for midterm elections
The Trump administration had said the plan was necessary to protect against voter fraud. States and voting rights groups said it could inject chaos into contests.
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 14/09/2026
Have had a few requests to update the Trump approval graphics at www.gelliottmorris.com/p/data . Ask and you shall receive! (Our long-term plan is to adopt these with custom charts that live update at FiftyPlusOne.)
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
"The problem was never that Americans disagree too much, or that Congress contains too much conflict. The problem is that the House and Senate have stopped letting their members fight out their disagreements." lawliberty.org/congress-con...
lawliberty.org
Congress, Conflict, and Compromise – James Wallner
To perform its function, the legislative branch needs more, not less, conflict.
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Norm Ornstein @normornstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
www.contrariannews.org/p/25-year-la...
contrariannews.org
25 Year Later, We Still Haven’t Dealt With the Continuity Gaps in Our Government
Even after 9/11, multiple crises, and domestic and foreign attacks, our system remains unprepared for the aftermath of a mass catastrophe. What will it take?
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
So much for the promise to "Drain the swamp." Source: OpenSecrets
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Are We Being Too Hard on Congress? Maybe. Listen in and let me know what you think! www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/are-...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"Trump today will host an RNC fundraiser where admission to a roundtable is $250,000 per person, according to an invitation obtained by Axios. A photo with Trump will cost $88,600." www.axios.com/2026/09/09/v...
axios.com
Secretive Vance-aligned donor network draws GOP power players in Dallas
The Rockbridge group includes several Silicon Valley supporters of the vice president.
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Chuck Grassley's goat @chuckgoat.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The booze:
Product Description  Scope 
Limitation 
2203.00.00 Beer made from malt Packaged 
2204.10.00 Sparkling grape wine Packaged 
2204.21.20 Effervescent grape wine, in containers holding 2 liters or less  
2204.21.30 Tokay wine (not carbonated), not over 14% alcohol, in containers not 
over 2 liters 
 
2204.21.50 Wine other than Tokay (not carbonated), of an alcoholic strength by 
volume not over 14%, in containers not over 2 liters 
 
2204.21.60 Marsala wine, of an alcoholic strength by volume over 14%, in 
containers holding 2 liters or less 
 
2204.21.80 Grape wine, other than Marsala, not sparkling or effervescent, of an 
alcoholic strength by volume over 14%, in containers holding 2 liters 
or less 
 
2204.22.20 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume not over 14%, in containers holding over 2 liters 
but not over 4 liters 
 
2204.22.40 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume over 14%, in containers holding over 2 liters but 
not over 4 liters 
 
2204.22.60 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume not over 14%, in containers holding over 4 liters 
but not over 10 liters 
Packaged 
2204.22.80 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume over 14%, in containers holding over 4 liters but 
not over 10 liters 
Packaged 
2204.29.61 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume not over 14%, in containers holding over 10 liters 
Packaged 
2204.29.81 Wine of fresh grapes, other than sparkling wine, of an alcoholic 
strength by volume over 14%, in containers holding over 10 liters 
Packaged 
2205.10.30 Vermouth, in containers holding 2 liters or less 2206.00.15 Cider, fermented, whether still or sparkling Packaged 
2206.00.30 Prune wine Packaged 
2206.00.45 Rice wine or sakè Packaged 
2206.00.60 Effervescent wine, nesoi Packaged 
2206.00.90 Fermented beverages (other than grape wine, beer, cider, prune wine, 
sake, vermouth or other effervescent wines) 
Packaged 
2207.10.30 Undenatured ethyl alcohol, of an alcoholic strength by volume of 
80% or higher, for beverage purposes 
Packaged 
2208.20.10 Pisco and singani Packaged 
2208.20.20 Grape brandy, other than pisco and singani, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters, valued not over $2.38/liter 
 
2208.20.30 Grape brandy, other than pisco and singani, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters, valued over $2.38 but not over $3.43/liter 
 
2208.20.40 Grape brandy, other than pisco and singani, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters, valued over $3.43/liter 
 
2208.20.50 Grape brandy, other than pisco and singani, in containers each 
holding over 4 liters, valued not over $2.38/liter 
Packaged 
2208.20.60 Grape brandy, other than pisco and singani, in containers each 
holding over 4 liters, valued over $2.38/liter 
Packaged 
2208.30.30 Irish and Scotch whiskies Packaged 
2208.30.6020 Bourbon, other than Irish and Scotch whiskies, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters 
 
2208.30.6040 Bourbon, other than Irish and Scotch whiskies, in containers each 
holding over 4 liters 
Packaged 
2208.30.6055 Rye whiskies, other than Irish and Scotch whiskies, in containers 
each holding not over 4 liters 
 
2208.30.6065 Whiskies, nesoi, other than Irish and Scotch whiskies, in containers 
each holding not over 4 liters 
 
2208.30.6075 Rye whiskies, other than Irish and Scotch whiskies, in containers 
each holding over 4 liters 
Packaged 
2208.40.20 Rum and tafia, in containers each holding not over 4 liters, valued not 
over $3/liter 
 
2208.40.40 Rum and tafia, in containers each holding not over 4 liters, valued 
over $3/liter 
 
2208.40.60 Rum and ta…2208.70.0030 Liqueurs and cordials, in containers each holding not over 4 liters  
Bitters, fit for use as beverages 
2208.90.12 
Packaged 
Slivovitz brandy, in containers each holding not over 4 liters, valued 
not over $3.43/liter 
2208.90.14 
Slivovitz brandy, in containers each holding over 4 liters, valued not 
over $3.43/liter 
2208.90.15 
Slivovitz brandy, valued over $3.43/liter 
Packaged 
2208.90.20 
Packaged 
Brandy, other than slivovitz, in containers each holding not over 4 
liters, valued not over $2.38/liter 
2208.90.25 
Brandy, other than grape and slivovitz brandies, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters, valued over $2.38 but not over $3.43/liter 
2208.90.30 
Brandy, other than grape and slivovitz brandies, in containers each 
holding not over 4 liters, valued over $3.43/liter 
2208.90.35 
Brandy, other than grape and slivovitz brandies, in containers each 
holding over 4 liters, valued not over $2.38/liter 
2208.90.40 
Packaged 
Brandy, other than grape and slivovitz brandies, in containers each 
holding over 4 liters, valued over $2.38/liter 
2208.90.50 
Packaged 
2208.90.72 
Tequila, in containers each holding not over 4 liters  
Mezcal, in containers each holding not over 4 liters  
2208.90.75 
Spirits nesoi, fit for use as beverages or for beverage purposes 
Packaged
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
September 23 at 4pm. Join us! Congress Is Struggling to Govern. Are Electoral Incentives to Blame? A new report by AEI’s Kevin R. Kosar and Scott Warren of the Johns Hopkins University SNF Agora Institute explores that question. www.aei.org/events/congr...
aei.org
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Tariffs are a dinner bell for deep-pocketed special interests. "Americans are now paying roughly 75% more for aluminum than the rest of the world. Steel prices in the U.S. are also about 64% higher than in northern Europe." www.wsj.com/opinion/u-s-...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Metals Lobby’s Big Steal
Americans now pay 75% more for aluminum than the rest of the world, and 64% more for steel.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Daedalus has published my essay, Upgrading Congress to Meet the Demands of the 21st Century. www.understandingcongress.org/upgrading-co...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
"It is the public’s role to uphold republican standards. In the past, a politician caught selling an office, taking money from interested parties, using governmental machinery for personal revenge was supposed to fear not only legal action but disgrace." www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Art of the Self-Deal
Thoughts on how Trump-era corruption is affecting Americans as a people.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Reminder: This Saturday and Sunday there will be lots of road closures in downtown DC due to the Freedom 250 auto race. The track map is below and details on road closures are at mpdc.dc.gov/release/upda...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
My latest piece for the Examiner: Maybe Americans Are Too Hard on Congress "Capitol Hill is very balmy and very quiet. The thrum of legislators jawboning while a vote is being tallied has been replaced with a sepulchrous quiet...." www.washingtonexaminer.com/magazine-was...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I enjoyed chatting with Alicia Nieves of NewsNation's The Hill about the Postal Service. Congress needs to ask the public: (1) What do we want from the USPS in the 21st century; and (2) How shall we pay for it? Watch the full interview on USPS's future at kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"The company that received this contract, Daedalus Aviation Corporation, is led by a chairman who had donated to a political committee supporting the previous Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem." www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/u...
nytimes.com
Homeland Security Paid $464 Million for Airplanes. Then It Parked Them.
The agency used a no-bid contract to buy 10 used jets, saying they were urgently needed for deportation flights. But the fleet has largely sat idle for months.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
My short post on the federal government's property problems. This is not a polarized, partisan issue. Addressing it will require both the legislative branch and the executive branch to partner tightly and get the job done. kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/the-federa...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
What was lost on me and is lost on so many other Americans is this basic truth: if you don’t tell Congress what you want, then how can you expect it to do what you want? How Can the Average American Influence a Member of Congress? (w/ Brad Fitch) www.understandingcongress.org/podcast/how-...
understandingcongress.org
How Can the Average American Influence a Member of Congress? (with Brad Fitch) - UnderstandingCongress.org
The topic of this episode is, “How can the average American influence a member of Congress?” A lot of Americans feel no connection to the US Congress. If you asked them, they probably could not name t...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Just posted on my Beverages, Books, and More. The Western world has always drawn associations between human constitution and the size and weight of the body---often errantly. Read it at beveragesbooksandmore.substack.com/p/the-metamo...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
How will the November congressional elections shake out? What might be the ramifications for governance? The Chautauqua Institute has released the video of our efforts to answer these questions. View it at www.youtube.com/live/ljLh8n_...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Drinks-making is manufacturing. Tariffs are hurting American companies. theconversation.com/trumps-new-t...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
My attempt to answer an all too common question: kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/why-is-it-...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Wait, what?!
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Nothing ... has been quite as depressing as the sight of some self-described conservatives insisting that we must now ignore all the lessons of our past and reject all the wisdom of our political tradition... -Yuval Levin lawliberty.org/forum/agains...
lawliberty.org
Against Decline – Yuval Levin
Resisting decline depends on Americans remembering the best of our inherited order.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Good figure and Olivia Beavers story. It's hard for the GOP to build a majority in the House with such a narrow majority and without Democratic votes. www.wsj.com/politics/mid...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
"If you’re wondering why parties nominate candidates who are out on the extremes, it is often because of the voters who reliably participate in the process." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/opinion/…
nytimes.com
Opinion | America Has 2 Political Parties but 8 Political Tribes
Think of our two major political parties as two coalitions.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
"Mr. Lindell, who is registered in Texas, said he was not concerned that he was not yet registered in his home state..." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/u...
nytimes.com
Mike Lindell Not Registered to Vote in Minnesota, Where He is Running for Governor
President Trump endorsed Mike Lindell, a leader of the election denial movement, for Minnesota governor this week.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Whoa.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Interesting research on the House Appropriations Committee’s Surveys & Investigations Staff, who were quietly abolished in 2024. matthewdull.substack.com/p/oversight-...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
My new shirt. IYKYK.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Alan Greenspan wooed his future wife, Andrea Mitchell, by taking her to his apartment to examine an essay he wrote on monopolies and antitrust. RIP: kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/rip-alan-g...
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
"I do not write this lightly, but it seems to me that I have never in my lifetime seen a public man work so assiduously to prepare for himself a place in Hell." thedispatch.com/article/vanc...
thedispatch.com
The Vice President Is Playing With Fire (and Brimstone)
On the several conversions of J.D. Vance.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A $352 million apportionment of funds for Secret Service training/etc. to White House security measures (the ballroom?). Whoa. www.notus.org/congress/whi...
notus.org
Senators Suspect Trump Shifted Secret Service Funds to Build His Ballroom
“It’s a big problem,” says Sen. Thom Tillis of the $352 million moved from personnel and training.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
If you feel the need to tell people you are smart it might be due to you realizing you are known for being a knucklehead.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
“I have undergraduate and graduate degrees from what’s considered the Harvard of Australia. I’ve always been academically gifted, as you could probably work out just from talking to me” -Nick Adams www.thefp.com/p/two-drinks...
thefp.com
Two Drinks with. . . Trump’s Tourism Czar
Over Negronis in Washington, D.C., the Australian-born reformed shitposter Nick Adams tells River Page that he’s ‘the brand ambassador for the United States, the top salesman of America.’
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
GOP senators use the power of the purse against Sec. Hegseth. The First Branch is not dead yet. thehill.com/policy/defen...
thehill.com
Senators look to jam Hegseth’s travel budget over boat strikes, Iran girls school bombing
Senators are looking to jam Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon shares more information about the U.S. military’s strikes on alleged drug boats and the lethal bombing …
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The journalistic adage “we don’t report planes that land safely” means that what is deemed newsworthy often involves dysfunction and folly. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | Behold, the separation of powers might actually be working
A judicial ruling prompts two senators to pursue legislation to curtail executive branch mischief.
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A document denouncing abuses by an imperious executive who has "sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people"--yeah, that's totally not relevant to America today. 😂
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
Spooky Back From The Dead Lazarus @jlazarus.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The platonic ideal of I never thought the leopards would eat my face.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
This sounds strikingly similar to complaints aired at the “No Kings” protests of the past year.
kevinrkosar.substack.com
Should we not celebrate the Declaration of Independence?
Some individuals think so. I disagree.
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
the Declaration condemns an imperious executive for ruling lawlessly and for “obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners…. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people.”
kevinrkosar.substack.com
Should we not celebrate the Declaration of Independence?
Some individuals think so. I disagree.
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Reposted by Kevin R. Kosar
James @gravitysra1nbow.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
I'm starting to think that maybe Donald Trump does not have the command over the course of events that he has publicly portrayed himself as having
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Kevin R. Kosar @kevinrkosar.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Pro basketball player Brianna Turner criticized the WNBA’s decision to put an “America 250” patch on its all-star game uniforms. Are she and other critics right? Should we not celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? My thoughts: kevinrkosar.substack.com/p/should-we-...
kevinrkosar.substack.com
Should we not celebrate the Declaration of Independence?
Some individuals think so. I disagree.
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