Patrick Carroll | The Libertarian Institute

Why Are People So Condescending Toward Libertarians?

by Patrick Carroll | Oct 21, 2025 | Featured Articles, Libertarianism

As someone who has been a staunch libertarian for many years, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to witness dialogues about liberty, both as a participant and as an observer. I’ve noticed a recurring theme in these conversations: non-libertarians almost inevitably call libertarian ideas childish and talk down to us in a condescending tone. In a word, they become patronizing. It’s as if there’s a Godwin’s law for libertarians. For those who aren’t familiar, Godwin’s law is an Internet adage that says, “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or...

Did Trump Ban Burning the American Flag? It’s Complicated

by Patrick Carroll | Aug 29, 2025 | Featured Articles, Libertarianism

A new executive order from President Donald Trump titled “Prosecuting Burning of the America Flag” is generating considerable stir across the United States. The order, which was signed by Trump on Monday, instructs the Department of Justice to “prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment.” Much of the conversation has naturally centered around the constitutionality of...

In Canada, Controversial Christian Singer Faces Venue Cancellations

by Patrick Carroll | Aug 19, 2025 | Criminal Justice, Featured Articles

Controversy erupted in Canada last month over a Christian singer from California who is on tour in the country. Sean Feucht, a former worship leader at the well-known Bethel Church who is known for opposing COVID lockdowns and holding traditional conservative beliefs, had his venue permits revoked in all six Canadian cities that he was planning to perform at in July, including Quebec City, Ottawa, and Toronto. Officials cited public safety concerns, since Feucht was expected to draw protestors due to his contentious views, specifically his support of the MAGA movement and his opposition to...

Minnesota Town Faces Lawsuit After Denying Controversial ‘Tiny Home’ Permit

by Patrick Carroll | Jul 30, 2025 | Featured Articles

The town of Blaine, Minnesota is facing a lawsuit from the Institute for Justice (IJ) after denying a permit for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that plaintiffs Alex and Lynda Pepin were hoping to build in their backyard. According to the suit, which was filed on July 7, the Pepins did everything by the book, and the only reason the City Council rejected the permit was because of concerns in the community about the kinds of people the Pepins were planning to put up in the ADU. In particular, the Pepins are hoping to rent the small unit at a below-market rate to families facing financial...

New Jersey Bill Looks to Require Homeschoolers Follow Public School Curriculum

by Patrick Carroll | Jul 16, 2025 | Featured Articles

The state of New Jersey is considering two bills that would place new restrictions on homeschoolers if passed. The first is Assembly Bill 5825, introduced by Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (D–East Brunswick). As Reason reports, the bill “would require all homeschooling parents at the beginning of the school year to send a letter to the local school district's superintendent that includes the name and age of the student and the name of the instructor administering the home education program. Parents will also be mandated to share a copy of the homeschooling curriculum, ‘which shall be aligned...

In Washington DC, It’s Still ‘Legal’ to Steal Your House

by Patrick Carroll | Jun 4, 2025 | Criminal Justice, Featured Articles

An old family home in Washington DC has become the latest center in the battle over home equity theft—a practice where government can legally seize a property to cover an unpaid tax debt, sell it for far more than the amount of the debt, and then keep all the money from the sale, even if it amounts to thousands more than what they were owed. The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is representing 85-year-old Juanita Powell in the lawsuit, and they submitted their version of events to the court on May 23. Mrs. Powell is the personal representative of her late husband Gaston Powell Jr.’s estate,...

British-American Trade Deal Raises Questions About U.K. Food Standards

by Patrick Carroll | May 13, 2025 | Economics, Featured Articles

President Donald Trump announced a new trade deal between the United States and United Kingdom on Thursday that would drop certain trade barriers between the two countries. Though the details are still fuzzy, some of the main industries involved are agriculture, the auto industry, and steel and aluminum. “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers,” said President Trump. “This is going to boost trade...

What Trump Misunderstands About William McKinley

by Patrick Carroll | May 8, 2025 | Economics, Featured Articles

It’s no secret that one of Donald Trump’s favorite U.S. presidents is William McKinley, who led the country from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Indeed, Trump recently changed the official name of Denali back to Mount McKinley in honor of the late president. In recent months, Trump has particularly emphasized McKinley’s protectionist policies, which Trump believes were a key part of America’s economic progress in the McKinley era. “President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent,” Trump said in his second inaugural address. “[H]e was a natural...