Freedom Archives - Page 2 of 12 Voice For Liberty

Dec

Myth: Markets promote greed and selfishness

When thinking about the difference between government action and action taken by free people trading freely in markets, many myths abound. Tom G. Palmer has written an important paper that confronts these myths about markets. The second myth -- Markets Promote Greed and Selfishness -- and Palmer's refutation is below. The complete series of myths and responses is at Twenty Myths about Markets. Palmer is editor of the recent books for Students for Liberty: The Morality of Capitalism, After the Welfare State, Why Liberty, and Peace, Love & Liberty. Myth: Markets promote greed and selfishness Myth: People in markets are…

Nov

By Bob Weeks

Foundations of a Free Society

Described as "An introduction to the core principles that define a free society," I highly recommend this short book. It's written by Eamonn Butler of the Adam Smith Institute and published by Institute of Economic Affairs, a British think tank whose mission is to "improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems." (Being written in British English, a few words are spelled wrongly now and then.) The book may be purchased or downloaded at no charge at Foundations of a Free Society. Here is…

Nov

By Guest Author

Religion and politics; two subjects that divide friends and family members alike

By Eileen Umbehr, wife of Libertarian Candidate for Kansas Governor Keen Umbehr November 1, 2014 As this campaign draws to a close, my heart is heavy. Not so much because Keen was treated as a second-class candidate who didn't deserve a seat at the table with his Democrat and Republican opponents, but because of the way I've seen God used as a selling point in politics. For example, Keen is solidly pro-life. He believes in freedom as long as you do not cause harm to another human being, and a baby is a human being. But because he also acknowledges…

Third annual Kansas Freedom Index released

Jul

By Guest Author

Third annual Kansas Freedom Index released

From Kansas Policy Institute. 3rd Annual Kansas Freedom Index Released Support of Freedom About More Than Politics, IDs Role of Government and Freedom of Citizens July 1, 2014 -- Wichita -- Kansas Policy Institute released a new scorecard tracking votes from the 2014 legislative session. The third annual Kansas Freedom Index takes a broad look at voting records and establishes how supportive state legislators are regarding economic freedom, student-focused education, limited government, and individual liberty. The Index is intended to provide educational information to the public about broad economic and education freedom issues that are important to the citizens of our State. It…

May

By Guest Author

Defining liberty: The future of freedom

From The Independent Institute, an important video on current and future issues relating to freedom and liberty. How can Americans overcome record government spending and debt, escalating healthcare costs, intrusive federal surveillance, endless wars, ongoing economic malaise, high unemployment, failing schools, and increasing abuses of civil and economic liberties? In this superb, new video from the recent, sold-out event sponsored by The Independent Institute and The Smith Center for Private Enterprise Studies (CSU-East Bay), former, twelve-term Congressman and Presidential candidate, Dr. Ron Paul, takes a candid look at America’s increasingly dysfunctional political system. Drawing on his 24 years in Congress, he highlights the need to rein in unchecked government…

May

By Bob Weeks

Meet ALICE. Who knew?

Progressives criticize "bill mills," but the movement has its own. Criticism of policies based simply on their sources is a weak form of argument. But this is the substance of criticism leveled against ALEC, or American Legislative Exchange Council. Opponents of ALEC say it is a "bill mill" that "pushes" legislation upon unsuspecting state legislatures. Since the goal of ALEC, according to its website, is to "advance limited government, free markets, and federalism at the state level," it's good that legislators are being advised by an organization with these goals. There are, of course, forces on the other side that…

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

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,…

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Zoltan Kesz on collectivism and racism in Hungary

Zoltan Kesz, founder of the Free Market Foundation in Hungary, speaks to a luncheon gathering at the Wichita, Kansas Pachyderm Club on February 21, 2014. For more about this topic, see In Hungary, the rise of nationalism and racism. View the video below, or click here to view at YouTube. Paul Soutar is the videographer.

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Wichita planning documents hold sobering numbers

This week the City of Wichita held a workshop where the Community Investments Plan Steering Committee delivered a progress report to the city council. The documents hold information that ought to make Wichitans think, and think hard. The amounts of money involved are large, and portions represent deferred maintenance. That is, the city has not been taking care of the assets that taxpayers have paid for. The time frame of this planning process is the period 2013 to 2035. Under the heading "Trends & Challenges" we find some troubling information. Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer hinted at the problem last year…