Economic freedom

Support the Voice for Liberty: Become a Patron
12
May
By Bob Weeks

Support the Voice for Liberty: Become a Patron

There are several ways you can help support the Voice for Liberty (wichitaliberty.org). If you'd like to make a one-time contribution, you can click here to send money using PayPal. Another way is to send a check: Bob Weeks 2451 Regency Lakes Ct. Wichita, KS 67226 Telephone 316-708-1837 Another method I hope you will consider is to make a recurring contribution using Patreon. This is a popular service that helps writers and creators generate income to keep their content flowing. Through Patreon, you choose a monthly contribution amount, and Patreon takes care of the rest. You can cancel your monthly…
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Government creates obstacles to progress
24
Jul
By Bob Weeks

Government creates obstacles to progress

"Overcoming obstacles can be a difficult challenge even on a level playing field. We need to change the rigged system that favors the politically connected over the hardworking, honest citizen," writes Charles Koch in a recent edition of Perspectives. Overcoming Obstacles By Charles Koch July 13, 2015 America’s founding fathers had a unique vision for the United States. As the Declaration of Independence famously put it, this country was conceived as a place where people could enjoy “unalienable Rights,” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These concepts are much more than just words to me. I believe the…
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Soviet-style society seen as Wichita’s future
15
May
By Bob Weeks

Soviet-style society seen as Wichita’s future

If local governments don't fund arts, we risk a Soviet-style existence. This line of thought is precisely backwards. Facing the possible loss of funds from Sedgwick County, the Wichita Arts Council paints a bleak future for Wichita, as reported in the Wichita Eagle: The Wichita Arts Council receives approximately $14,000 from the county, which it uses to provide seed money for start-up art projects, president Arlen Hamilton said. It also receives about $6,000 from the city, he said. “Without us being there to provide that start, many of these things would never get off the ground, and we’d end up…
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For Tiahrt, economic freedom is not a good thing, it seems
30
Jul
By Bob Weeks

For Tiahrt, economic freedom is not a good thing, it seems

Kansas congressional candidate Todd Tiahrt has criticized Charles Koch and Americans for Prosperity, leading us to wonder if Tiahrt understands or embraces the principles of economic freedom and free markets. In a recent speech, candidate for United States House of Representatives Todd Tiahrt criticized Americans for Prosperity and Charles Koch, telling an audience "in general, they try to fight programs that they think are not good for Koch Industries." He also said that for Mike Pompeo, Tiahrt's election opponent who is supported by Americans for Prosperity, they "think it’s all about the money." These allegations are contrary to positions and…
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Cronyism is welfare for rich and powerful, writes Charles G. Koch
03
Apr
By Bob Weeks

Cronyism is welfare for rich and powerful, writes Charles G. Koch

"The central belief and fatal conceit of the current administration is that you are incapable of running your own life, but those in power are capable of running it for you. This is the essence of big government and collectivism." That's Charles G. Koch writing in the Wall Street Journal. The article is Charles Koch: I'm Fighting to Restore a Free Society, and is available to read without subscription or payment. In the article, Koch explains his involvement in public affairs: Far from trying to rig the system, I have spent decades opposing cronyism and all political favors, including mandates,…
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Economic freedom, the key to improving lives
10
Feb
By Bob Weeks

Economic freedom, the key to improving lives

Economic freedom, in countries where it is allowed to thrive, leads to better lives for people as measured in a variety of ways. This is true for everyone, especially for poor people. This is the message presented in a short video based on the work of the Economic Freedom of the World report, which is a project of Canada's Fraser Institute. Four years ago Robert Lawson, one of the authors of the Economic Freedom of the World report, lectured in Wichita on this topic. The current video is made possible by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. One of the…
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22
Nov
By Bob Weeks

Charles G. Koch: Corporate cronyism harms America

From September 2012, and even more relevant today. "The effects on government are equally distorting -- and corrupting. Instead of protecting our liberty and property, government officials are determining where to send resources based on the political influence of their cronies. In the process, government gains even more power and the ranks of bureaucrats continue to swell." The editorial in today's Wall Street Journal by Charles G. Koch, chairman of the board and CEO of Wichita-based Koch Industries contains many powerful arguments against the rise of cronyism. The argument above is just one of many. In his article, Koch makes…
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28
Oct
By Bob Weeks

Economic freedom improves our lives

Economic freedom, in countries where it is allowed to thrive, leads to better lives for people as measured in a variety of ways. This is true for everyone, especially for poor people. This is the message presented in a short video based on the work of the Economic Freedom of the World report, which is a project of Canada's Fraser Institute. Two years ago Robert Lawson, one of the authors of the Economic Freedom of the World report, lectured in Wichita on this topic. The current video is made possible by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. One of the…
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14
Aug
By Bob Weeks

Intellectuals vs. the rest of us

At a recent educational meeting I attended, someone asked the question: Why doesn't everyone believe what we (most of the people attending) believe: that private property and free exchange -- capitalism, in other words -- are superior to government intervention and control over the economy? It's question that I've asked at conferences I've attended. The most hopeful answer is ignorance. While that may seem a harsh word to use, ignorance is simply a "state of being uninformed." That can be cured by education. This is the reason for this website. This is the reason why I and others testify in…
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