One of the essential battles in the effort to move toward a more peaceful and prosperous United States is the effort to restore the proper balance among the three branches of our government. The rapid concentration of power in the Executive Branch has led to more wars with less Congressional oversight, trampling of our civil liberties with no resistance from our Representatives, and out of control military spending. Contrary to what many people believe, the Congressional ability to earmark spending to specific projects was an important function of the Legislative Branch. When earmarks were abolished, spending did not decrease. It was just hidden. We discuss the need for their return in today’s Liberty Report:

We are often asked, when criticizing the foreign policy of the past several Administrations, “oh yeah, what would you do?” Well we decided to come up with five specific fixes to the prevailing foreign policy that we believe would make a huge difference and would move us much closer to a foreign policy of peace and prosperity. Our top five today on the Liberty Report:

Both the Middle East and the South China Sea area are hot spots that can potentially lead to major wars. Will the US and Russia clash over Syria policy? What about the US and China at odds over China’s reclaimed islands off their coast? As a new US Administration readies itself to tackle some of these issues, today’s Liberty Report speaks with distinguished US diplomat, Ambassador Charles Freeman, to see what we might expect. Will the neocons keep the administration on a bellicose and militaristic approach to the rest of the world, or will real diplomacy be given a chance?

According to the Washington Post, President Obama did a 180 degree turn in Syria and will begin attacking al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the country. The five year “Assad must go” strategy lies in tatters, as Assad will likely still be in power when it’s time for Obama to go. What are the implications of this shift? We discuss on today’s Liberty Report:

As a candidate, Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the US should try to get along with Russia. It may well be that his seeming reluctance to take the US into World War III — unlike his opponent — may have contributed significantly to his victory. What is going to happen when in a few months’ time a President Trump who wants better relations with Russia confronts a NATO and a Pentagon that continues to put troops and weapons on Russia’s borders? Will Trump blink or will he face down Brussels and the deep state inside the Beltway? We look at the possibilities in today’s Liberty Report:

There is much to discuss and digest about yesterday’s “surprise” victory of Donald Trump in the presidential race. The role of the media is a big one. Regardless of what one thinks of Trump or his policies, the mainstream media clearly saw itself as part of the campaign — on Clinton’s side — rather than as mere observers and reporters of the campaign. What are our hopes and fears as we face a Trump Administration? Plus, we look at some of the different initiatives across the country dealing with guns, the drug war, soda pop, and more. All in today’s election roundup Liberty Report:

We know that one of the major candidates will win today’s presidential election. We don’t know which one. But we do have a few predictions for what will change and what will stay the same regardless of who wins. Foreign policy – will it change? How about Congress – will they finally begin standing up to their Constitutional obligations? The Supreme Court – is the next nominee so important and what Congress can do. In today’s Liberty Report we balance our cynicism with a solid dose of silver lining in discussing what to look for in the immediate future:

While Americans were obsessing about tomorrow’s election, the Obama Administration launched a serious military escalation in Syria. US Special Forces on the ground and jet fighters in the air are deployed in an operation to take Raqqa from ISIS control. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dunford announced over the weekend that the US and Turkey agreed on a long-term plan for “seizing, holding and governing” the Syrian city. Is this the beginning of a US-recognized rival Syrian government, as Benghazi was in Libya? We discuss in today’s Liberty Report:

We were told that we had to attack Iraq because the Saddam Hussein government made us less safe. We were told we had to bomb and kill Gaddafi in Libya because his regime made us less safe. Ditto with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Assad in Syria. Now. 15 years after 9/11, Americans are seeing through the endless wars that have lasted through the Bush and Obama Administrations. Trillions spent, untold thousands killed, societies destroyed, people displaced. A new poll sponsored by the Center for the National Interest and the Charles Koch Institute has found that Americans feel less, not more safe after a decade and a half of war. We are reaching the critical mass where Americans begin to demand a change in our interventionist foreign policy. More on the encouraging poll in today’s Liberty Report:

Most of the country is on the edge of its seat over next week’s presidential election. Will it be Hillary? Trump? We don’t know. One thing we do know is that the real winner will be a public/private hybrid known as the “deep state” that ensures Washington’s policies do not significantly shift out of its favor. They will come out on top regardless of who wins next week. There are more “private” contractors with top secret clearances than government employees. A recently released FBI memo referenced the “7th Floor Group” or “Shadow Government” made up of very high-ranking State Department officials and perhaps others. This not conspiracy, it is conspiracy fact. What can be done about it? Plenty. We are joined by Rutherford Institute president John Whitehead to discuss in today’s Liberty Report:

Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of President George W. Bush signing the PATRIOT Act into law. It was supposed to be only a temporary measure to address the emergency situation caused by the attacks of 9/11. Fifteen years later it has been re-authorized many times and last year some of its worst parts were codified into law in the USA FREEDOM Act. From the War Powers Resolution, to the FISA Court, to the “reform” USA FREEDOM Act, bills that were designed to rein in government abuses end up just giving government more power. Is there anything we can do about it? RPI Senior Fellow Adam Dick joins today’s Liberty Report to discuss:

Virginia State Senator Richard Black was curious about why the US seemed to be attacking only secular countries in the Middle East. Why attack Libya? Why Syria? So he decided to go over to Syria and see for himself. After meeting Syrian president Assad and speaking favorably about the situation with Christians under his rule, Sen. Black earned himself a place on ISIS’s “enemy list.” For not taking the Washington line that “Assad must go” he also earned a place on the Washington Post’s “enemy list.” Are we on the wrong side in Syria? Today, with Sen. Black, on the Liberty Report: