The Liberty Cafe: Recent Episodes
Bill Peacock
Only a decade ago, Texas had the most competitive electricity market in the world, a market that produced reliable, affordable electricity. Today, the Texas electric grid has been taken over by Texas government. This has produced predictable results: reliability has plummeted while costs have skyrocketed.
Last Friday, the Texas House of Representatives killed an effort to bring school choice to Texans. On this week’s Liberty Café, Bill talks about why killing the proposal was actually the best thing the Legislature could have done for education and liberty.
Last week Texans voted to increase state spending by $13.8 billion. This week on the Liberty Cafe, Bill looks at how this will centralize power in Texas government at the expense of the people.
One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist or philosopher to understand that some very unhealthy things are going on in our world today. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill talks with Idaho entrepreneur Andrew Crapuchettes about how he is taking on some of these challenges through the business world.
On November 7, Texans will vote whether to spend $13.8 billion of taxpayer money. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill examines how Texas corporations are doing all they can to make sure they get their hands on our money.
Texans have an opportunity to cut state spending by up to $13.8 billion on November 7. And Texas politicians can do nothing about it. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill explains how eight constitutional amendments on the ballot provide voters this opportunity.
Donald Trump had one of the most successful, conservative administrations in U.S. history. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill will discuss some signs that suggest a second Trump administration may not be as conservative.
Last week, Texas experienced its first electric grid emergency since Winter Storm Uri. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill explains why the emergency would have never occurred on a grid without renewable energy.
On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill talks with Julie McCarty and Fran Rhodes of the True Texas Project about the first day of Ken Paxton’s Senate trial and why the impeachment and trial pose a threat to the liberty of Texans.
Texas politicians had a problem this year: they had more money than they could legally spend. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill explains how the Texas Legislature skirted an important constitutional spending limit without having to explain to anyone what they did.
How does the Bible apply to America today? That can be a controversial topic. On this week’s Liberty Café, Bill examines this question in the context of how we might apply the First Commandment to the United States.
Many conservatives have cheered recent state and federal antitrust enforcement efforts against Google. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill questions whether supporting these efforts is the best way to secure our liberty.
Last week, the Public Utility Commission of Texas voted to raise Texas’ electricity tax by $500 million a year. On this week’s Liberty Café, we’ll learn how the PUC and Texas Legislature are doing their best to keep this–and billions more in electricity taxes–hidden from public view.
Corruption is endemic within Texas government. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill uses Amos 5 to help us understand how Texas government is full of politicians “who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.”
Even many atheists understand that Christianity has something that society needs. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill uses Amos 5 to help us understand that what we Christians have that we all need-including when we are evaluating the rulers of our civil governments-is God’s Word.
Is the Bible a valid option for developing and judging the laws and policies of modern American government? On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill discusses why using laws and commentary on laws from the original Law Giver in this way is a really good idea.
The Texas Legislature finally agreed on a plan to provide property tax relief to Texans. Don Huffines joins Bill this week to examine the deal and give his thoughts on whether it hurts or helps efforts to eliminate school property taxes entirely.
The Texas Constitution opens with these words: “Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” As we celebrate our nation’s independence, on this week’s Liberty Cafe Bill discusses how Texas and Texans might build on this foundation to better experience the blessings of … Continue reading "Episode 137: Humbly Invoking the Blessings of Almighty God"
Texas conservatives disagree on which plan is the best way to provide property tax relief this year. On this week’s Liberty Café, Luke Macias joins Bill to discuss the different sides of this debate and what the path forward to property tax relief might look like.
Despite the injustice of the many attacks on President Donald Trump over the last 8 years, the recent federal indictment places him in significant legal jeopardy. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill discusses with former federal prosecutor George Parry the legal trouble Trump faces and possible scenarios under which the presidential candidate might avoid being convicted.
The Texas Legislature’s recently adopted budget contains the biggest spending increase in Texas history. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill also explains why the budget advances socialism and will reduce prosperity in Texas.
On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill begins his review of the Texas Legislature. Sadly, the Texas Legislature paid out more taxpayer money in gifts to big corporations that it gave back to Texans through property tax relief.
Christians should be ready to evaluate the workings of government, whether it be the just ended Texas Legislature’s regular session or those of governments in DC or other state capitals. Today, Bill continues with the last of a four-part series looking at what the Bible tells us about civil government.
Christians should be ready to evaluate the workings of government, whether it be the just ended Texas Legislature’s regular session or those of governments in DC or other state capitals. Today, Bill continues with the third of a four-part series looking at what the Bible tells us about civil government.
Christians should be ready to evaluate the workings of government, whether it be the soon-to-end Texas Legislature’s regular session or those of governments in DC or other state capitals. Today, Bill continues with the second of a four-part series looking at what the Bible tells us about civil government.
Christians should be ready to evaluate the workings of government, whether it be the soon-to-end Texas Legislature’s regular session or those of government in DC or other state capitals. This week, Bill begins a four-part series looking at what the Bible tells us about civil government.
Even though the Texas Legislature isn’t quite finished, on this week’s Liberty Cafe Bill looks at where things are heading for Texas based on what the Legislature is doing–or not doing–right now.
There are many good Christian men and women in Texas government. However, on this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill discusses how the Texas Legislature is moving us away from God’s design for this world.
Most Republicans in Austin are AWOL in the fight against big government. This week on the Liberty Cafe, Bill explains how few Republican legislators are joining the fight against the Texas House and Senate’s not-so-conservative high priority bills.
If Texans thought they were going to get real property tax relief this year, it appears they were mistaken. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill talks about the Texas Legislature’s spending spree and the gimmicks they are using to hide it from the public.
Source: Houston ChronicleTexans have been fighting against the harms caused by renewable energy for almost two decades, but the Texas Legislature hasn’t noticed. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill talks with Robert Pratt about the problems renewable energy is causing all across the state.
Texas politicians are trying to convince us that they are giving us more property tax relief than they actually are. As bad as that lie is, this week in Michael Sullivan’s conversation with Bill he shares with us the Big Lie that is designed to keep citizens from regaining control over runaway government.
We are used to politicians lying to us, but Texas Republicans seem to have taken it to a new level this year when it comes to property taxes. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Bill talks with Michael Quinn Sullivan about our broken political system that keeps rewarding politicians who say one thing and do another.
There are a LOT of problems with Big Government. On this week’s Liberty Café, though, we focus on the one BIG Problem with Big Government–and how to overcome it.
The Texas grid is about as unreliable as they come. On this week’s Liberty Café, Texas state Sen. Bob Hall joins Bill to talk about his efforts to tackle this problem by taking on renewable energy subsidies and securing the Texas grid from attack.
Last week we noted that despite the fact that many Christians believe that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, that is not the case. On this week’s Liberty Café, Pastor Rich Lusk joins Bill for Part 2 of our discussion of the church’s path to victory over the rulers of this world and the gates of hell.
Many Christians believe that the world is going to hell in a handbasket; but that is not the case. On this week’s Liberty Café, Pastor Rich Lusk joins Bill for Part 1 of our discussion of the church’s path to victory over the rulers of this world and the gates of hell.
In 2021, a bipartisan coalition ended school property tax abatements for corporations and renewable energy companies. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Vance Ginn and Tim Hardin join Bill to discuss how Big Government Republicans are attempting to restore this program for their friends in Big Business.
Texas politicians have $64 billion of new revenue to distribute to favored constituencies this legislative session. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss how little of that is targeted for taxpayers in the form of property tax cuts.
We are all familiar with the abuse of power by federal agencies such as the FBI, IRS, and CDC. On today’s Liberty Cafe, though, we’ll be talking with Rep. Brian Harrison about his efforts to rein in abuse occurring in Texas state agencies.
As conservatives and Christians, we often have to figure out how to respond to people, such as liberals and unbelievers, who are on the other side. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, though, we are going to discuss how to engage with those who are on our side, but who also might be aiding and abetting the enemy.
After a break of four years, school choice is once again a big topic in the Texas Legislature. On this week’s episode of the Liberty Cafe, we discuss whether school choice can fix what is wrong with public education.
The last time a state–California–tried to create a fake electricity market, it led to the collapse of the grid and the Enron scandal. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we examine the possibility that Texas could face another Enron-type scandal as the state’s PUC attempts to make up its own fake electricity market.
Last week, the Texas PUC ignored Gov. Greg Abott’s admonition to move forward rapidly with their redesign of the Texas electricity market. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we explore why the PUC commissioners ignored their boss and what effect this might have on the reliability of the Texas grid and on Texas consumers.
The Texas Comptroller recently announced that the Texas Legislature has an unprecedented $32 budget surplus of your tax dollars. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we take a look at whether they are going to spend your money or give it back to you in the form of property tax cuts.
According to the left, conservatives are the main threat to democracy and the American way of life. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we take a look at the historical ignorance and outright hated of liberty that is driving the progressives’ claims.
Civil government’s assault on our liberties has taken over just about every aspect of our lives, including our economic activity. On today’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss the biblical foundation for taking most economic regulation away from politicians and bureaucrats and turning it over to families and civil courts.
Inflation is a deadly disease that is misunderstood by many. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss why conservatives ought to pay almost as much attention to the Federal Reserve as they do to our elected politicians–none of whom can resist the temptation of inflation.
A recent report projects that renewables will exceed natural gas as Texas’ primary source for electricity in 2023. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss why this is very bad for Texas from both a practical and biblical perspective.
Christians and conservatives are rightly concerned about government’s assault on our God-given rights. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, though, we discuss why instead of playing whack-a-mole with each new assault from the left, we might be better off focusing on making Big Government small so it doesn’t have the resources to take over our lives.
Ever since the 2021 blackout, Texas politicians have been trying to cover up their role in bringing it about. Now, they are at it again. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we’ll look at new plan from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to redesign the electric grid that could lead to the end of affordable … Continue reading "Episode 104: The End of Affordable and Reliable Electricity in Texas"
The reactions of many people to this week’s elections seem to indicate they think their world is being turned upside down. On this week’s Liberty Café, we examine how many of those people are upset that the world is actually being turned right-side up as Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord.
High property taxes, a porous border, and failed government schools concern many Texans. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we talk with Don Huffines about how to address these problems and further secure liberty in Texas.
We all have to depend on someone. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss how the progressive left is turning our dependence away from God to a god-like government.
The rise of oppression in our culture is obvious to us all. On the 100th episode of the Liberty Cafe, we discuss the true source of oppression and consider how we as individuals and a nation can turn away from oppression on our march toward liberty.
The culture is raging against God and His people. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we examine one form of this attack on God and the church: Side B Homosexuality and gay pastors.
Teacher unions and Texas politicians are damaging, respectively, our schools and electric grid. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss why throwing money at public schools and the electric grid won’t solve the problems with either of them.
Texas’ electric grid is being overwhelmed by unreliable and unaffordable electricity from wind and solar farms. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, I talk with energy expert Robert Bryce about how Texas can get out of the mess our politicians have gotten us into.
We live in a fallen, messy world. In Part II of our interview with Gary DeMar of American Vision, we discuss how the path out of this mess is through biblical government, in which all forms of human government acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.
As conservatives witness the increasing oppression of government, we may wonder if this is how God really designed it to work. In our interview with Gary Demar, we examine the biblical foundations of government and the path to a better government and future.
Conservatives know that Big Tech is taking the lead in advancing woke policies and practices that are doing great harm to American culture and individuals. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss why using Big Government to fix the problems with Big Tech is a really bad idea.
Do you ever wonder how America decayed into what we see today? On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we take a second look at how American went from a constitutional republic focused on liberty to a centralized administrative state seeking to control everything we say and do.
Do you ever wonder how America decayed into what we see today? On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we take a first look at how American went from a constitutional republic focused on liberty to a centralized administrative state seeking to control everything we say and do.
Will President Donald J. Trump be indicted? On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we examine the evidence to help understand what Democrats and the secular left are up to and discuss why Christians should be concerned about where this is going.
Too many conservatives and evangelicals have given into the false allure of socialism to fix our problems. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, Calvin Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance explains how a biblical perspective on economics and public policy provides better outcomes for people and the planet.
Texans’ electricity bills are skyrocketing. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we examine how Texas politicians’ refusal to end renewable energy subsidies is increasing the price of electricity while reducing the reliability of the grid.
Texas is projected to have a budget surplus of $27 billion next year. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we look at how some politicians want to spend it, and how they should spend it: on eliminating property taxes.
Experts seem to rule the world today. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we look at how experts and government are taking the place of God in the debates over culture and policy.
Texas politicians are playing politics with the reliability of the Texas grid. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss how state leaders are covering up their support for renewable energy by making our electricity more expensive.
No matter how much Texans complain, property taxes keep rising. On this week’s Liberty Café, we lay out a plan for ridding ourselves of property tax bill once and for all.
Though we have seen some good things come out of Texas government in recent years, economic liberty continues to suffer. Please join us on this week’s Liberty Cafe as we discuss the contribution of Texas Republicans to the collapse of liberty.
The world around us seems to have little understanding of who God is. Join us on this week’s Liberty Cafe as we discuss how Christians should go about explaining to the world why God matters, especially when it comes to the culture and civil government.
If there has ever been proof that we live in a fallen world and need redemption through Jesus Christ, it is seen in the assault on human sexuality in today’s culture. Please join us this week on the Liberty Cafe as we examine why men cannot have babies.
Many people, even Christians, have made idols of science and experts in recent years. Listen in this week as we walk through some of my favorite books that debunk myths about experts and can help us return to the biblical roots of science.
Life can be complicated, but biblical truths are simple and straightforward. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we look at how progressives and liberals attempt to hide the consequences their actions regarding inflation, abortion, and racism by complicating the simple truths of life.
God designed civil government to secure life and liberty. Join us on this week’s Liberty Café as we walk through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation to better understand what liberty and biblical government looks like.
Blacks are leaving inner cities just like a generation of whites did before them. One example: Washington D.C. is no longer a black-majority city. On this week’s Liberty Café, I discuss why progressives are upset about this effort by blacks to improve their lives.
Pornography in public school libraries and school choice are both hot topics in Texas at the moment. On this week’s Liberty Café, we take a look at the problems of expanding Texas’ public education system by using vouchers to fund education at private schools.
Human rights today are often equated with what government gives some people by taking away from others. On today’s episode, we examine how our God-given, unalienable rights can only truly be expressed through our actions and interactions with others in free markets.
Even a brief survey of the world around us makes it obvious that our culture is falling apart. This week, we take a look at some of the problems we are facing and how our hope for the redemption of our culture can only be found in God’s Word.
Texans are paying billions more for electricity than needed. On Episode 74 of the Liberty Cafe, we take a look at how faulty economics and greed have led to this and to the decline of Texas’ once world-class electricity market.
Texas politicians and regulators have used mainstream economic theories–and self-interest–to run the Texas electricity market into the ground, at the cost of billions to Texas consumers. In Part 1 of this three-part series, we take a look at the bad economics behind what Texas regulators are trying to do to the market in the wake … Continue reading "Episode 73: Bad Economics Has Cost Texans Billions"
Disney’s recent assault on common sense and decency regarding Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation is yet another example of Big Business bedding down with proponents of Big Government. Join us on this week’s Liberty Cafe as we discuss whatever happened to limited government.
Another case involving a pipeline company abusing Texas law and property rights was just argued before the Texas Supreme Court. In Episode 71 of the Liberty Café, we take a look at this and a few other cases to help us ascertain the state of property rights in Texas.
After last week’s primaries, four new Republicans will be heading to the Texas Senate in 2023. On Episode 70 of the Liberty Café, we take a look at how conservative the new Senate might be compared to others from the recent past.
The ability of society to increase wealth is under attack today. On Episode 69 of the Liberty Café, we take a look at where wealth comes from and how we can forge a more prosperous society.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently said the newly created Liberty Institute will help eliminate CRT at the University of Texas. That raises the question: will a government-funded, government-run think tank help protect us from government?
Renewable energy is increasing electricity’s cost while decreasing its reliability across the globe, including Texas. On Episode 67 of the Liberty Cafe, we talk with energy analyst and Fox News contributor Chuck DeVore about just how bad things might get-and how people might react.
One rationale for government oppression today is that people in government can do most things better than the rest of us can. On Episode 66 of the Liberty Café, we discuss how individuals exercising our inalienable rights in markets is not only the best path to liberty but also the most effective and humane path to prosperity.
The freezing weather is back! And so is government/corporate cronyism (actually, it never left). On Episode 65, we take a look at why Texas has not done what is needed to ensure a reliable, affordable supply of electricity for Texans.
Texas political leaders assured Texans in 2019 that they had “fixed school finance” and provided “meaningful and lasting” property tax reform. On Episode 64 of the Liberty Cafe, we look at the numbers to see how Texas political leaders have once again failed to deliver on their promises to provide property tax relief.
Ever since the U.S. Constitution was adopted, advocates of a strong national government have distorted the meaning of its words to oppress Americans. In Episode 63, we examine how the debate over words in the Constitution is harming the liberty of Americans today.
For the first time since it decided Roe v Wade, the United States Supreme Court has a case before it that could allow states to make the killing of babies illegal. On Episode 62 of the Liberty Cafe, we take a look at what both sides are saying and whether the justices will side with life or death.
Texas regulators are spending billions of consumer dollars on the Texas grid in response to the blackout last winter. On this week’s Liberty Cafe, we discuss why this fear-driven spending is doing next to nothing to address the problems (renewable subsidies and intervention in markets) that led to the blackout.
Christians today are being forced to bake cakes for gay weddings, hire “transgendered” workers, and get injected with vaccines. On Episode 60, we examine the roots of these mandates in civil rights law and discuss what the Bible and the U.S. Constitution have to say about whether discrimination should be legal.
We are often told that we cannot bring God and His Law into the making of public policy. On Episode 59 of the Liberty Cafe, Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer helps us understand that the only good public policy is one that is biblically informed. And walks us through how constitutional carry became law in Texas.