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Editorials & Other Thoughts

Commentary by Lloyd Leighton on housing policy, economic freedom, California politics, and the issues that affect our community.

August 6, 2026The American Dream

Lighting Liberty's Lamp – A (Mostly) True Story

A political fable set in 2076 as America prepares for its 300th birthday — tracing the arc from the Founders' vision of liberty to California's Czars of Control, and the Friends of Liberty who rise to reclaim it.

February 6, 2026Economic Freedom

Political Parties Stand in the Way of the American Dream

Originally published in the Appeal Democrat. Both Republicans and Democrats need to look in the mirror. California leads the nation in poverty, homelessness, and unemployment after 50 years of Democrat control — while Republicans have lost voter trust by perpetuating the stolen election lie.

January 27, 2026Housing Policy

The Housing Crisis Will Only Get Worse

California's housing affordability crisis is driven by a lack of supply — and the politicians who could fix it keep dodging the issue.

October 6, 2025Election Integrity

Thinking Critically About 2020 Stolen Election Claims

A detailed, evidence-based examination of the major stolen election claims — from flipped votes and phantom voters to 2,000 Mules and Dr. Douglas Frank — and why they don't hold up to scrutiny.

October 6, 2025Election Integrity

Vote No on Prop. 50: Gerrymandering is a Disgrace on Both Sides of the Aisle

Originally published in the Appeal Democrat. Gerrymandered voting districts on both sides of the aisle silence millions of voters. Proposition 50 would give 60% of California voters the power to choose over 92% of Congressional representatives — silencing the other 40%.

August 22, 2025Editorial

Lincoln Dinner Invocation

An invocation delivered at the Lincoln Dinner reflecting on America's founding principles, Abraham Lincoln's legacy, and the call to restore liberty, limited government, and the American Dream in California.

August 2021Education

Democrats are Unwitting Architects of California's Structural Racism

Originally published in CalMatters. Democrat policies favor higher income groups (predominantly Asians and whites) over lower income groups (predominantly Hispanics and blacks). It's not intentional but the impact is structurally racist.

May 20, 2021Education

California Math Curriculum Embraces Critical Race Theory

Proposed changes to California's math curriculum make it clear that social change is a higher priority than subject matter mastery.

May 5, 2016The American Dream

My Letter to Charlie Rose

Inspired by a late-night PBS interview, Lloyd writes to Charlie Rose about the everyday success stories of his Yuba City neighbors — immigrants and working families who embody the American Dream one person at a time.

November 2014Healthcare Policy

Obamacare Was Built on a Lie

Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber admitted the ACA was written in a "tortured way" to deceive voters and the CBO. He also confirmed that subsidies were never intended for people in the federal exchange.

October 29, 2013Banking & Finance

Banks: Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Jail

Seven years after the mortgage meltdown, not one bank or banker has been criminally prosecuted. Meanwhile, Dodd-Frank is crushing the small community banks that pose the least risk to our economy.

July 1, 2012Economic Freedom

The American Dream Lives On for Many

Many are living the American Dream but others are losing hope. California is proof that big government favors the politically well-connected over the working class. Lifting up the poor, rebuilding our middle class, and restoring the American Dream are among the great challenges of our time.