Louis Alfred Nickolas Stalwart Institute

James Talarico (X Profile: @jamestalarico) is the Democratic Nominee for the U.S. Senate for the state of Texas seat that will vacated by John Cornyn (X Profile: @JohnCornyn) in January of 2027.

It should go without saying that, as a Restorationist, I do not support Talarico’s candidacy to the U.S. Senate, nor am I endorsing Talarico’s Senatorial Manifesto.

However, I want to offer Commentary on said Manifesto because Talarico’s view-pointes neatly encapsulate what drives the Left and, more crucially, the type of civilisation the Left desires to create.

Once the current crop of Americans and U.S. Citisens my age (I am 43 – I will be 44 in August of this year) and younger comprise the lion’s share of the Electorate, Democratic Socialism will become the order of the day.

While the Restorationist Right only comprises a significant minority of the Electorate, we will win in the long-term due to birth rates within and amongst our group. In the short-term, however, we are obliged to have a sober read of the reality on the ground, and to plan and organise accordingly.

Despite not supporting Talarico, I can readily admit that I am very impressed with how much effort has gone into the crafting of his Manifesto. Despite its socialist leanings, it IS consistent in its socialist leanings.

Corruption & Democracy

• Get Big Money out of our Politics: the Solution proposed by Talarico here (banning Super PACs and Corporate PACs) would run afoul of the holding in Citisens United v. FEC, and thus, would be struck downe by the Supreme Court.
• Ban partisan gerrymandering: partisan gerrymandering is legally permissible. What is not permissible is race-based gerrymandering. This proves to be problematic for the Democratic Party because for its base – Black American Voters – being a Democratic sits at the very core of what it means to be a Black American. If the Democratic Party is un-able to preserve Black Districts, it will become increasingly difficult to remain competitive at the federal level. Unless, of course, they can import a new voter base.
• Make it easier for citisens to participate in our elections: if Americanism is a Religion, then Voting is akin to the Eucharist. Initial receipt of the Eucharist requires an individual to be Baptised, achieve the Age of Reason, offer a First Confession, and be adequately Catechised. If the Catholic Church requires all this of a minor to receive the most important of all Sacraments, it is not un-reasonable to ask each and every individual who desires to cast a ballot in a Federal Election to demonstrate that he is a Citisen of the United States. Given the sacrosanct nature of the Franchise, we should make it more difficult (or, as difficult as the Constitution will permit), to participate.
• Ban Congressional Stock Trading: I am aware that this is a major issue for a considerable portion of the Electorate (both Democrat and Republican). However, the Electorate has the power to determine who and does not represent them in Congress.
• Institute term limits on Members of Congress: I am aware that this is a major issue for a considerable portion of the Electorate (both Democrat and Republican). However, the Electorate has the power to determine who and does not represent them in Congress.
• Require Members of Congress to hold annual town halls: Congress isn’t a Student Government. If the Electorate determines that they are not being adequately represented by their Congressional Representatives, they are simply vote them out at the next cycle.
• Ban presential pardons: Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution expressly grants the President “the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States.” Therefore, when Talarico says that he wants to “eliminate the broad power of presidential pardons,” I take this to mean that Talarico is un-educated about the nature of the Executive Branch as established in Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
• Increase accountability for the Supreme Court: the Judicial Branch is both separate and equal to the Legislative and Executive Branches. Increasing accountability over it implies that Talarico wishes to contravene constitutional design to bring the Country’s Highest Court under someone else’s control.
• Increase oversight and improve ethics at all levels of government: Talarico isn’t saying anything here that can be opined upon because he isn’t saying anything here.

Taxes & Cost of Living

• Make billionaires pay their fare share in taxes: the top earners pay disproportionately more than all other taxpayers. Apparently, it doesn’t matter how many times the objective data demonstrates this, the Left will continually agitate for an increase in Taxes on the top earners.
• Make corporations pay their fair share in taxes: a better idea altogether would be to exempt certain C-Corporations (namely, publicly traded companies, and other large companies as defined by the Internal Revenue Code) from Income Tax where they agree to pay their employees at market rate, inclusive of health care benefits, with a caveat that they lose the exempt status where they hire foreigners, in any capacity, to occupy said slots. If we can get publicly traded and other large companies to extend offers of quality jobs to Americans (read: not U.S. Citisens), their would be no need for the re-distributive process inherently proposed by Talarico throughout this section of his Manifesto.
• Raise the tax on corporate stock buybacks: see my comments in the “Make corporations pay their fair share in taxes,” above.
• Increase wages for workers, not CEO’s: an Article of Faith on the Left is the romantisation of the low-skilled worker. The reality of the economy is that higher-level skills demand higher pay. Raising the minimum wage and levying special taxes on businesses that pay their CEO’s 250 times their median worker’s salary will merely speed up the automation process. We have seen this play out in the Fast Food Industry, with kiosks effectively replacing human order-takers as a counter-measure against increasing state minimum wages. Further aggression in this area will just leave the lowest-skilled with considerably less options.
• Ensure Americans can afford to retire: the 10th Amendment dictates that the states, and more crucially, the people, bear responsibility for welfare. To that end, the only viable solutions to the impending crises with Medicare and Social Security are: (a) delegate the programmes to the states over a fixed period of time; or, (b) sunset both programmes altogether, with everyone under a certain age required to settle their retirement in a way that is suitable for their situation.
• Lower health care and prescription drug costs: any time the state gets involved in subsidising or negotiating costs, or worse yet, offering parallel programmes and services, all that occurs – across the board – is an increase in prices and a decrease in the quality of goods/services.
• Lower housing costs: the only item I agree with Talarico on is banning Wall Street (I suppose he means Financial Institutions) from buying up housing stock. Interestingly, Talarico states that he will work to “repeal outdated red tape that hinders the construction of housing.” I would suggest that Mass Deportations and Mass De-Naturalisations would free up copious housing units, which would lead to a (sharp!) decrease in Rents. Otherwise, see my notes above in “Lower health care and prescription drug costs.”
• Lower grocery costs: the 10th Amendment dictates that the states, and more crucially, the people, bear responsibility for welfare. To that end, regarding SNAP and WIC, the solution is to delegate the programmes to the states over a fixed period of time. Regarding mergers and acquisitions, if Democrats were genuinely concerned about preserving low-cost options for the working class, they would have permitted the Jet Blue-Spirit Merger. Failure to do so led to the dissolution of Spirit, which decreased the number of seats available at that particular price pointe. The exit of Spirit, not a block to the Jet Blue-Spirit Merger, will lead to the working class paying more to travel/vacation. Instead of removing Tariffs on produce that cannot be grown in the United States, a better option would be to get an Assignment on the Senate Agriculture Committee to find out what Farmers need to grow said produce in the United States. The barrier to entry in the grocery sector is low enough. Even at the highest level of grocery sector, you have an option for all price pointes – from the working class (i.e., Wal-Mart) right up to the wealthy (i.e., Whole Foods).
• Lower Energy Costs: Even if AI Data Centres pay for their own energy infrastructure updates, the question that must be asked is: do we have access to an adequate amount of energy to power the data centres and everything else, or will powering data centres take precedence? If I recall, Texas attempted to include Solar in its Energy Portfolio. That inclusion caused major issues a couple years ago, if I am not mistaken. Instead of this blanket pledge to “diversify energy sources to drive down costs,” a better solution would be to get an assignment on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to seek advise (but not the consent) of those in the Energy Sector regarding if Texas could diversify, and if so, how they could diversify in a way that would not result in the issues that came to pass a couple years ago. The 10th Amendment dictates that the states, and more crucially, the people, bear responsibility for welfare. To that end, regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programme, the solution is to delegate the programmes to the states over a fixed period of time.
• Repeal the Trump Tariffs: The United States is the biggest consumer market on the planet. Even if Beijing were to enter into a Free Trade Agreement with all of the Third Worlde to export its Goods thereto, Beijing would still come out on the back foot because those markets, combined, do not consume anywhere near as much as the U.S. Market does. Therefore, countries that wish to sell their goods to the U.S. Market – especially Beijing – should and absolutely must be required to pay a fee. Another compelling part of Tariffs is equalisation of pricing between U.S. and non-U.S. made goods. This is especially crucial for things like medical supplies, anything having to do with Technology – and yes, anything having to do with Food. We need more Goods to be produced in the U.S. and we need U.S. Consumers to choose U.S. goods over non-U.S. goods, where available.

Public Education

• Boost reading and math achievement: the problem with the U.S. in terms of education is not money. Amongst Developed Countries, the U.S. spends the most per pupil, yet does not have the best results. The key twin problems with the educational system (both public and private) are that: (a) their is no/not enough emphasis on Critical Thinking; and, more importantly, (b) the parents have been displaced of their role as the primary educators of their children. These are not problems that more money will solve.
• Hire more teachers and equip them with what they need to succeed: see Commentary, “Boost reading and math achievement,” above.
• Stand up to Big Money and fight private school voucher scams: I also dis-agree with the Voucher Programmes, but not for the same reasons as Talarico. It offends my sensitivities when the line between the state and the corporation is blurred – and to my mind, the Voucher Programmes blur that line. Despite my personal opinion, per the 10th Amendment, Educational Policy is a matter for states, and more crucially, parents, to decide.
• Secure universal early childhood education and affordable childcare: the push here is to take minors away from their children for “institutionalisation” earlier – at 3 or 4 years of age instead of 5 or 6. Also, per the 10th Amendment, Education Policy is a matter for states to decide.
• Set students on career paths: Per the 10th Amendment, Educational Policy is a matter for states, and more crucially, parents, to decide.
• Prioritise student health so kids can learn in the classroom: The 10th Amendment dictates that the states, and more crucially, the people, bear responsibility for welfare. To that end, regarding the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programmes, the solution is to delegate the programmes to the states over a fixed period of time.
• Ensure AI is a benefit, not a harm, in the classroom: As it is evident that Technology is handicapping pupils, its inclusion in K-12 education needs to be halted. The focus needs to be placed back on Critical Thinking – not “Institutionalisation.”

Health Care

• Allow every American – regardless of their age – to join Medicare: see Commentary on “Lower health care and prescription drug costs,” and “Ensure Americans can afford to retire” sections above.
• Lower prescription drug costs: see Commentary on “Lower health care and prescription drug costs” section above.
• Protect health coverage and lower premiums: The 10th Amendment dictates that the states, and more crucially, the people, bear responsibility for Health Policy. To that end, regarding the Affordable Care Act, the solution is to delegate the programme to the states over a fixed period of time.
• Reform the prior authorisation system: The 10th Amendment dictates that the states bear responsibility for Health Policy. To that end, the authority rests with state legislatures to make adequate provision for the protection of patients from misfeasance, non-feasance and malfeasance by health care providers.
• Restore access to reproductive health care in Texas: Roe v. Wade cannot be codified by Congress as such a Codification would be in direct violation of the holding in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organisation. The holding there rightly asserts that Health Policy is within the remit of the states to craft. Congress, nor the President circa Decree, can circumvent that.
• Save rural hospitals: The 10th Amendment dictates that the states bear responsibility for Health Policy. To that end, the authority rests with state legislatures to make adequate provision for access to adequate health care in rural areas.
• Protect Americans from crippling medical debt: The 10th Amendment dictates that the states bear responsibility for Health Policy. To that end, the authority rests with state legislatures to make adequate provision to protect patients from crippling medical debt.
• Ensure veterans have access to the services they’ve earned: the VA has demonstrated that it is incapable of providing Veterans the type of services they need in a timely and efficient manner. Given that the 10th Amendment dictates that the states bear responsibility for Health Policy, the solution would be to delegate the programme to the states over a fixed period of time.

Freedom, Family & Faith

• Oppose censorship and protect the freedom of speech: I think its quite rich of Talarico to even put such a statement in his platform.
• Get government out of Americans’ private personal decisions: a new phrase for Infanticide just dropped. They’re no longer calling it “women’s reproductive rights,” they’re calling it “reproductive freedom.” As it concerns Access to Contraception and IVF, and Marijuana, these are not issues for the federal government to decide – these, per the 10th Amendment, are within the remit of state legislatures to decide. Talarico wants to “defend our LGBTQ+ neighbors from government overreach.” Mr. Talarico would be well advised that it is all of us that need to be protected against LGBTQ+ overreach. This all started with one request: decriminalise sodomy so we can have sex with whomever we want, privately. NOW, gays are forcing bakers to bake their cakes, drag queens are reading to children, a gay men’s chorus is gleefully singing “we’re coming for your children” and Pride Parades, which the LGBTQ+ Clique alleges is family friendly, features all sorts and manner of degeneracy. Quite rich of Talarico to even dare make such a statement in his Manifesto.
• Make it easier to start and raise a family: I’ll give Talarico a “W” here, as I agree with everything in this section of his Manifesto. I have ONE caveat though: NO assistance to single parents. ZERO. NONE.
• Make it easier for families to care for their aging loved ones: I would give Talarico another W for this one, but I know that when he says “prioritise the development of a high-quality elder care workforce,” he actually means “import more third worlders.” How about just create a new Tax Credit for individuals taking care of their elder parents, requiring residency therewith (save under certain conditions)?
• Defend the separation of church and state and continue to speak out against those who twist the meaning of faith to hurt our neighbors: that Talarico is a Christian and fails to speak about the campaign to “knee-cap” Christianity in the United States makes me suspect of his intentions to “protect religious liberty” and “take vigorous action against…faith-based hate crimes.” Despite what many proport, the United States is a Province of Christendom, and the Order that under-pins it is, in fact, based on a Christian Ethos. If my “twist the meaning of faith” Talarico means holding fast to pre-Vatican I Christian Theology (whether Catholic or Protestant), then such Christian Adherents aren’t in the wrong because their beliefs “hurt” others.

Immigration & Border Security

• Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform: The Border has been secured by the President, so I am not sure what Talarico means when he says “secure the border.” We do not want to make it easier for anyone to come here legally. Nay, we’d very much like an Indefinite Immigration Moratorium, coupled with Mass Deportations and Mass De-Naturalisations. I’m not sure why we need Immigration to “supercharge our economy,” if such supercharging will come at a cost of homogeneity, then no thank you.
• Focus ICE resources on improving public safety and national security: ICE is not a Public Safety or National Security Agency. We didn’t say some, we didn’t say only the criminals, we said every single individual who came into this country – all of them – must be deported, post haste.
• Hold ICE accountable for abuses: the individuals being captured by ICE do not posses the same constitutional protections as U.S. Citisens.
• Create pathways to legalisation for certain un-documented immigrants: if you are here illegally in the United States, you must deported. No Dispensations.
• Modernise ports of entry to better detect threats before they enter the country: because of the other planks of this section of Talarico’s Manifesto, I don’t believe that he is genuine in his quest to “better detect drugs at ports of entry.”
• Reform the asylum system: we want the Asylum system to be sunset, with all claims currently in the pipeline firmly and definitively rejected.
• Create an employer sponsorship program focused on specifically lowering costs for Americans: Talarico wants to make it easier for migrant workers to be hired by U.S. Businesses, under the guise of lowering costs for Americans. We want all Visa programmes to be Permanently Suspended.
• Improve standards on guest worker visas: We want the Guest Worker Visa Programme to be Permanently Sunset.

Social Media, AI & Tech

• Regulate social media companies without infringing on free speech: you cannot regulate how social media companies treat the speech of its users sans infringing on free speech. Talarico, under the guise of protecting children online, asserts that you can in fact “have your cake and eat it too.”
• Ensure America continues to lead the world in the quality of its tech workforce: because of everything in the Immigration and Border Security Section of this Manifesto, I do not believe Talarico when he says that he wants to “foster the next generation of responsible tech leaders.” I interpret everything in this portion to mean that he will advocate for foreigners to take these jobs.
• Ensure AI works for working people: I have long opined that AI will not become a thing. This Plank of Talarico’s Manifesto clearly demonstrates why: Liberal Democracy requires subjectivity, while AI will eventually lead to increased objectivity – especially as it begins to reach more conclusions on its own. An objective worlde is not a worlde in which a Leftist can survive, because Leftism is not based on any hard and fast principles. The principles Leftists employ to justify their positions shift so readily that when their proposals are viewed wholistically, much of its contradicts each other. The push to “regulate” AI is nothing more than to soften the blow that objectivity will deal to Liberal Democracy.

I have long opined that AI will not become a thing. The above demonstrates why: Liberal Democracy requires subjectivity, while AI will eventually lead to increased objectivity – especially as it begins to reach more conclusions on its own. An objective worlde is not a worlde in which a Leftist can survive, because Leftism is not based on any hard and fast principles. The principles Leftists employ to justify their positions shift so readily that when their proposals are viewed wholistically, much of its contradicts each other. The push to “regulate” AI is nothing more than to soften the blow that objectivity will deal to Liberal Democracy.

• Ensure AI data centres do not disrupt communities or raise energy costs for Americans: see Commentary in the “Lower Energy Costs” section, above.
• Protect national security amid innovation: while Talarico’s assertion here is commendable, I do not, given what he proposes to advocate for in the U.S. Senate regarding Immigration and Border Security, I find it difficult to believe that he has any real interest in enforcing and strengthening “export controls to keep advanced AI chips out of the hands of adversaries who would use them against us.”
• Invest in digital literacy programs: Talarico wants to establish a new Federal Grant Programme “to teach critical thinking skills for identifying misinformation, using digital media responsibly, and helping parents protect their children online.” This just sounds like increased institutionalisation.
• Expand access to high-speed internet: if the Federal Government has a un-fulfilled financial obligation to the state of Texas, it should be fulfilled post haste.
• Support clear, fair rules for cryptocurrency: the principle of cryptocurrency is to dis-empower the state from controlling Monetary Policy. Therefore, regulating it defeats the purpose of cryptocurrency.

Public Safety & Justice

• Address the root causes of crime: nothing listed here by Talarico is the cause of crime.
• Strengthen law enforcement agencies: given the Left’s stance on Law Enforcement I have a hard time believing that any Democrat would openly support increasing resources for Law Enforcement.
• Support survivors of crime: I will be honest and say that I don’t know much about Domestic Violence. It was a greater issue in my Teenage years, but much progress has been made to the pointe where it is a marginal issue. However, the 10th Amendment dictates that Domestic Violence Policy is within the remit of the states to craft. Where improvements are necessary, it should and must come from the legislatures of those states where Domestic Violence is more than just a marginal issue.
• Protect the Second Amendment while protecting our neighbors from gun violence: I imagine what Talarico means by “Firearms Traffickers” is “anyone who sells guns, whether legally or illegally.” Otherwise, everything asserted here is a non-starter.
• Legalise regulated marijuana for adults: what Talarico should focus on is the removal of Marijuana from the list of illegal substances at the federal level. From there, the states can fully craft their own policies as it pertains to Marijuana cultivation, sale and use.
• Invest in strong re-entry programmes: nothing listed here by Talarico will increase socio-economic re-integration after prison time.

Labour & Business

• Raise wages and reward hard work: see Commentary above in the “Increase wages for workers, not CEO’s” section.
• Even the playing field between giant corporations and small businesses: resources flow to those who know how best to steward and multiply them.
• Protect the retirement benefits working people have earned: see Commentary above in the “Ensure Americans can afford to retire” section.
• Ensure AI works for working people: see Commentary above in the section by the same name.
• Ensure no Texan has to choose between their career and their family: Per the 10th Amendment, Family Law falls within the remit of the states. As such, the state legislatures are the proper vehicle by and through which states determine what paid family leave should be extended to residents of the state, if any.
• Support workers’ right to unionise: I have disdain for Unions. However, Freedom of Association is a Constitutional Right. Therefore, so long as the Right of individuals to NOT join and remain members of Unions, and so long as individuals who are not members of Unions aren’t treated un-equally to individuals who are members of Unions, is clearly stated in any such legislation, supporting Unions should not be an issue.
• Keep more jobs in Texas with fair trade policies, not counterproductive tariffs: see Commentary in the “Repeal the Trump Tariffs” section above.
• Reduce labour shortages and bring downe costs with smart immigration policies that don’t harm American workers: all Immigration harms U.S. workers – especially the working class. The way you reduce labour shortages and drive costs downe is with very restrictive (or, most aggressively, no) Immigration.

Rural Investment

• Repeal policies that are hurting Texas farmers and ranchers: Talarico may have a pointe here regarding Argentinian Beef, though I don’t know much about the issue. What I do know is that our Trade Policies should strive, through Tariffs, to equalise pricing between U.S. and non-U.S. goods. In accordance with the stated principle, the U.S. Agriculture Sector should be purchasing U.S. manufactured farm inputs, not foreign ones.
• Save rural hospitals: see Commentary above in the section by the same name.
• Reject private school voucher scams: see Commentary above in the section named “Stand up to Big Money and fight private school voucher scams.”
• Help young people stay and contribute to their hometowns: a government programme, nor technical support, will keep young people in rural communities. More people relocating to rural communities will eventually lead to a natural shift in resources towards rural communities.
• Expand access to high-speed internet: see Commentary above in the section by the same name.
• Support a strong agricultural workforce: U.S. Workers will do Agricultural Work if the wage is a living wage and the working conditions are to standard.
• Expand water access: after reading Talarico’s Manifesto, I want to make researching Policy as it relates to Rural America a priority in my spare time. My perception of Rural America is self-sustainability to the greatest extent possible. To that end, I can only imagine that rural communities would only accept assistance from the government – regardless of level – only where absolutely necessary. Low Interest Loans and Grants mean control – and I don’t think that Rural America desires increased control over their way of life.

Foreign Policy

• Serve the veterans who have served all of us: see my Commentary in the “Ensure veterans have access to the services they’d earned” section above.
• Repeal un-necessary tariffs and support responsible trade: see my Commentary in the “Repeal the Trump Tariffs” section above.
• Deepen cooperation with NATO, the EU and other allies: the White House should not only exit NATO, but should close all of her bases throughout the planet. The European Union is a technocratic institution. On those grounds alone, we should withdraw from all Agreements entered into therewith. In the stead of such over-arching Terms and Conditions, liaise with Sovereign Capitals individually and enter into bi-lateral Agreements where necessary.
• Restore investments in diplomacy and international development: the White House should not only cease all Foreign Aide, she should cease her membership in the United Nations, and close all Consulates and cut Diplomatic ties with the overwhelming majority of the Sovereign Capitals of the Second and Third Worlde. The Sovereign Capitals of interest to the White House are in Europe and East Asia – and perhaps Buenos Aires.
• Take urgent action to support peace in the Middle East: the White House should do no such thing. Let the Sovereign Capitals of West Asia hash out their dis-agreements in the way they see fit.
• Ensure Ukraine remains free and independent: the White House should force Kiev to agree to peace Terms with the Kremlin by withholding Financial Aide, Weaponry and Intelligence.
• Stand up for human rights: the White House’s duty is to Administer the American State with the object of protecting, preserving and defending the American Homeland in the name and on behalf of the American Nation. To that end, the White House is under no obligation to career around the planet advocating for “Human Rights.”

Energy & Environment

• Make energy more available, reliable, and affordable in Texas: see Commentary above in the “Lower Energy Costs” section.
• Provide emergency relief for Texas families struggling to pay their energy bills: see Commentary above in the “Lower Energy Costs” section.
• Protect Texans from future increases in energy costs: see Commentary above in the “Lower Energy Costs” section.
• Create jobs and grow our energy workforce: while Talarico is on the right track here, I hesitate to agree when he mentions training and apprenticeship, as this almost always means, when a Leftist is proposing it, shoe-horning un-qualified people into good paying jobs.
• Protect the air we breathe and the water we drink: it’s difficult to contest this plank. However, Leftists always use Environmental Policy as a Trojan Horse for their true intentions – typically tied to restricting movement.
• Prepare for extreme weather events and support those impacted by them: what the Governor of Texas should do is liaise with the current Governor of Florida to bring Texas’ Emergency Management Policy to par with that of the state of Florida. While the two states aren’t the same, they are similar enough that Texas could adapt Florida’s Policy to Texas’ specifications.
• Strengthen the Texas energy grid: Texas is one of the Union’s most economically important states. I’ll go ahead and give Talarico a “W” on this one, but only because the state’s energy infrastructure needs to be in tip top shape so that it can maintain and expand upon its economic importance.