John McCarthy

Consultant, then Medicaid Director, and now back to Consultant

[Adam Thierer @AdamThierer]

One of the things I remember most vividly about the DC Tea Party rally of 2009 is ​how Gadsden ("Don't Tread on Me") flags surrounded me everywhere I looked. I ​distinctly remember thinking to myself​ at the time: Now there's a symbol and ​a phrase that still has real meaning and has not been stolen by people who fail to appreciate the plain meaning of it.

​That was refreshing to me because one of the most frustrating things about modern American history is the way the meaning of some ​things have been completely inverted to mean the opposite of what they should. ​For example, the terms "liberal" and "progressive" come to mind because they should (or once did) mean something quite different than they do today. ​Alas, these two terms are now largely synonymous with a belief in Big Government activism and the imposition of a wide variety of restrictions on freedom and progress.  When people ask me how I describe my politics, I always want to say "classical liberal progressive," but I know that no matter who I say that to, they will not understand it properly. These descriptors have been stolen from me and countless other liberty-loving, pro-progress ​A​mericans.

And now the most basic symbol and phrase associated with ​f​reedom and a healthy skepticism of authority ​has become a matter of contention. I can't even believe that it​ has happened, but now - - especially in the wake of the recent ICE controversies - - it is clear that the Gadsden flag and rallying cry of "Don't Tread on Me" might be next up on the list of things that could have have their meaning corrupted and become something quite different. I've been watching the debates over the recent Minneapolis killings unfold here on Twitter and it's been remarkable to see ​many people who all love this symbol at odds in the ugliest of ways.

The term "shared meaning" gets tossed about in discussions about social cohesion and the stability of societies. Americans have often argued over the meaning of some phrases and symbols (including our nation's flag), but it would seem like there is less shared meaning about some core things recently. That makes me sad and scared for our nation.

Nonetheless, I'd like to be so bold as to suggest that the phrase "Don't Tread on Me" and the flag that carries it still has the benefit of plain meaning! I mean, when words and images are as clear as this​ -- and have such a long history of being associated with a healthy skepticism of state power and authorities -- they should be able to retain ​at least some common understanding, no? Alas, many apologists for the aggressive tactics of ICE recently still sport the Gadsden flag in their bios or posts​ and behave as if it is perfectly acceptable to endorse the feds treading all over their political opponents, their lives, and their First and Second Amendment rights. ​

​Luckily, a growing number of people who share my attitude are pushing back with creative depictions of the Gadsden flag, including some with the snake licking the ​heel of a jack-booted thug​, or changing the phrase to "Just Comply Bro," to reflect the casual attitude of some about what is happening today.  I've pasted some of my ​other favorite examples below.

I'm glad to see people standing up and protesting both the aggressive (and now deadly) behavior of some Federal agents in recent months​, and also the implicit effort by some to steal ​away from us the Gadsden flag and its ​plain meaning.

"Don't Tread on Me" should still mean something​ in this world. In fact, it should mean exactly what i​t says.

[Senator Jon Husted @SenJonHusted]

Government assistance is not the dream for any American.

We need a new system that incentivizes work ethic while helping people get out of poverty.

My Upward Mobility Act would show us the way.

https://t.co/Q1xYiIkIU2

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

When teams enter this Bermuda Triangle of college football they only leave with L's

[James T. Yoder @JamesYoder]

This area is responsible for the last 3 college football national champions

SEC football is DED

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

Truly unbelievable.

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

Once the playing field was leveled the Big Ten shows it is truly the best football conference.
2024 Michigan
2025 Ohio State
2026 Indiana

[Jon “Stugotz” Weiner @stugotz790]

The Rose Bowl. Is usually played in sunny Pasadena. But this year. Indiana. Moved it to behind the woodshed.

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

@FrankLaRose Keep your head up

[Windiana @WindianaJones1]

Congrats OSU. You guys showed you’re for real and can hang with the #1 team in the country. Don’t let anyone diminish the season you had. You showed you belong in the playoffs.

#1ndiana

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

@mcmcauliffe55 I don't know for sure but the Ed Fitzgerald performance was pretty bad. I think maybe worse.

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

Since states are saying drug costs are hitting their Medicaid budgets hard this year, how is this not bigger news that Pfizer is cutting drug prices for Medicaid. I am guessing because the devil is in the details.

https://t.co/c7n8Q5Qr2Q

[John McCarthy @mccarthyjohnb]

@NLashutka @GoldenBears_FB I remember those days.

[Columbus Dispatch @DispatchAlerts]

Dublin wine and cigar bars to open after historic building renovations https://t.co/EmZ9Tn3f7t

[Adam Thierer @AdamThierer]

the FAA has delayed important drone innovations for over a decade & given China the global lead in this sector. This is precisely why we cannot repeat the same mistakes with AI & robotics. This is about both geopolitical competition & national security.

https://t.co/lzcCcRhSc7

[Adam Thierer @AdamThierer]

"if the U.S. government turns off the [open-source AI] tap, it will promote a global reliance on Chinese technology from labs regulated by the Chinese Communist Party. It will erode the influence of U.S. firms abroad, and displace U.S.-trained, U.S.-aligned and U.S.-regulated models from the world’s AI systems." 🎯
- from @opensauceAI writing in @TheHillOpinion:

[MACPAC @macpacgov]

If you’re tuning into MACPAC’s Jan. meeting, all presentations are live on our site! https://t.co/CJYazbn5Uj

[MACPAC @macpacgov]

Don't miss out on an action-packed agenda during MACPAC's Jan. mtg! The Commission will be voting on recs related to external quality review in #Medicaid managed care, timely access to home-and community-based services and streamlining #HCBS authorities. https://t.co/CJYazbn5Uj

[NBC News @NBCNews]

Ohio Gov. DeWine is expected to appoint his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the Senate seat recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, sources with knowledge of the decision tell @NBCNews. https://t.co/HzRU1i8Bf1

[Darrel Rowland @darreldrowland]

BREAKING
Vivek Ramaswamy plans to announce Ohio gubernatorial run... perhaps clearing the way for Lt Gov Jon Husted s appointment today as US senator to replace JD Vance
https://t.co/WESdQE96UW

[David Lim @davidalim]

SCOOP: Drew Snyder, a former longtime Mississippi Medicaid director, is expected to run CMS' Medicaid division + John Brooks is in line to be CMS' chief operating officer.

Much more on the Trump team plan to staff Robert F. Kennedy Jr. w/ @adamcancryn:
https://t.co/uMCdAOMRQp

[Governor Mike DeWine @GovMikeDeWine]

My statement on @OhioMedicaid’s plan to once again add a fair work requirement for Medicaid expansion enrollees: