IN THE NEWS a compilation of Steamboat Institute Press Coverage 2019
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IN THE NEWS a compilation of Steamboat Institute Press Coverage 2019
Friends, The Steamboat Institute’s mission of defending the nation’s first principles has been amplified by a steady drumbeat of state and national press coverage. This has allowed our message to echo far beyond the walls of our events, reaching exponentially more people than we could fit in even the largest conference rooms or auditoriums. This booklet provides a sampling of this media presence over 2019. I am proud to say it is on par or even exceeds the presence of some of the biggest and most well-established state think tanks. In addition to news coverage, this booklet contains a stream of op-eds I have written for state and local publications which allows us to put forth a fuller and more persuasive case for free minds and free markets. This booklet only contains our print media coverage. The Steamboat Institute has also been regularly featured on Colorado radio stations (with reach throughout the Rocky Mountain region), and our latest Freedom Conference and Campus Liberty Tour were covered by C-SPAN. Please take a moment to browse through this booklet to gain a deeper understanding of The Steamboat Institute’s priorities, scope, and influence on the public debate we care so much about. Jennifer Schubert-Akin Chairman, CEO and Co-founder
• Also ran in the Orange County Register, Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Long Beach Press
Telegram, San Bernardino Sun, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, The Daily Breeze, The Daily
Bulletin, The Pasadena Star News, Redland Daily Facts, Steamboat Pilot, and Alva
Review-Courier
The fight for free speech on college campuses
January 21, 2019
By JENNIFER SCHUBERT AKIN
Last month, California free and open debate. Free speech on campus is
Rep. Ted Lieu said, “I Across the country, especially important
would love to be able to colleges have instituted because this is where the
regulate the content of speech codes, free speech next generation of business
speech; the First zones, prohibitions against and political leaders are
Amendment prevents me perceived verbal slights forming their opinions and
from doing so.” known as “micro- ideas. In order to make
aggressions,” among a these opinions robust and
This remarkable statement slew of other speech advance human
is just the latest in a string controls. knowledge, a competitive
of attacks against free marketplace of ideas —
speech by California Last month, the unencumbered by controls
policymakers. Last year, Foundation for Individual — must exist to test and
the state legislature Rights in Education challenge them.
introduced a bill to released a report finding
regulate “fake news” on that 90 percent of public Free speech is not only
social media and ban and private higher necessary to advance
books that counseled education institutions in human knowledge but also
against gender the U.S. restrict the speech to protect against
reassignment surgery. In of their faculty and recurrently popular, yet
addition, its law requiring students. And last year, a dangerous, arguments.
pregnancy centers to Gallup/Knight Foundation How are students — and
advertise abortion services poll found that 61 percent future generations —
was struck down by the of college students believe supposed to be able to
U.S. Supreme Court. that the climate on their reason against, for
campus “prevents some instance, tribalism or
The threat to free speech is students from expressing eugenics unless they are
greatest on college their views.” exposed to them?
campuses, which are
supposed to be places of
1
Philosopher John Stuart and creativity could itself Harvard Law professor
Mill said it best when he be subject to government Alan Dershowitz and
argued that without free regulations if free speech University of Pennsylvania
debate, people cling to protections disappear. law professor Amy Wax,
their opinions like they will further this case for
hold on to their prejudices, Fortunately, there has been free speech on campus at a
believing them to be right a recent backlash against public event at Pepperdine
but not really campus speech controls. University. In addition to
understanding why, or ever More than 50 colleges, their persuasive arguments,
seriously considering that including several in they can draw on their
they might be wrong. “He California, have adopted personal experiences,
who knows only his own the so-called “Chicago being on the receiving end
side of the case,” argued Statement” — produced by of attempts to stifle their
Mill, “knows little of that.” the Committee on Freedom speech.
of Expression at the
Unsurprisingly, free University of Chicago — This free speech fight will
speech controls seem to be guaranteeing “all members be victorious when the
impeding learning on of the University overwhelming majority of
campus. Several recent community the broadest college campuses commit
studies have found most possible latitude to speak, to preserving free speech
students show little-to-no write, listen, challenge, and and when business and
improvement in analytical learn.” It codifies that “it is political leaders can make
reasoning, critical thinking, not the proper role of the the case for it beyond
problem solving, and University to attempt to simply falling back on the
writing skills over the shield individuals from First Amendment as a
course of their college ideas and opinions they crutch — or a roadblock.
studies. find unwelcome,
disagreeable, or even Jennifer Schubert-Akin is
Ironically, the biggest deeply offensive.” the Chairman and CEO of
proponents of campus The Steamboat Institute.
speech controls are On January 31st, two of
students and faculty in the the nation’s leading free
liberal arts, whose writing speech proponents,
2
Controversial Debate Comes to Campus
JANUARY 31, 2019
BY ASHLEY MOWREADER
Freedom of speech is zones,'” according to the not just for conservative
guaranteed for Americans Pepperdine Public Policy people or for people of
under the Bill of Rights, website. faith, but to encourage all
but are college campuses Pete Peterson, the dean of people to feel free to share
restricting that right? This the School of Public their ideas and beliefs.
is the question the School Policy, said in a phone
of Public Policy’s forum interview this event is part “As a policy school, we’re
seeks to address. of a larger goal of the preparing people to go into
School of Public Policy to politics, and that’s a pretty
“Are American College encourage viewpoint rough field these days,”
Campuses ‘Free Speech’ diversity. Peterson said. “But at the
Zones?” will take place same time, I think if we
Thursday Jan. 31 through “This is the concept of, can prepare people both in
Pepperdine’s School of whether in campus the classroom and through
Public Policy, partnering speakers, or academic events like this to talk
with Steamboat Institute. hiring or just in what in about contentious issues in
The event will be a students can say in the a civil way, frankly, that’s
discussion between classroom, there’s a the only way we’re going
University of Pennsylvania respect for diversity in to solve the biggest
Law School Professor opinion,” Peterson said. challenges that are facing
Amy Wax and Harvard “We’re hoping it’s another the country and our
Law School Professor step in showing how communities.”
Alan Dershowitz. people, even at different
Professor Robert Kaufman parts of the political This is not the first time
of the Pepperdine School spectrum, can agree on the Pepperdine has hosted
of Public Policy will importance of the freedom controversial speakers. In
moderate the event. to express your opinion April, conservative
and to do it in a civil way. political commentator and
“This discussion will “ writer Ben Shapiro spoke
provide insight from about acceptable political
different points of view as Peterson said the School of discourse and
to whether American Public Policy also wants to institutionalized racism.
campuses are ‘free speech show viewpoint diversity The sold-out event caused
3
a stir on campus and Shapiro, but both Wax and persuasions to talk about
prompted a discussion Dershowitz are known as important issues in civil
between club leaders, prominent figures in this ways. The university has
students and faculty on debate. that phrase, ‘convicted
how to best create a Peterson said there has civility,’ and I think [the
welcoming and respectful been little to no pushback event] is going to be an
atmosphere. from this event however, evening of how we
which is encouraging to demonstrate and witness
Shapiro said this meeting him, as it shows a general convicted civility right
was a “bitch-fest,” which support. before us.”
he later partially retracted
and said, “I apologize for The event is not designed The event will take place
calling it a bitch-fest if it for a particular audience at 7 p.m. in Smothers
was not, in fact, a bitch- but rather to make a space Theatre. The event is free
fest.” People who for open and honest to the public and
supported or opposed deliberation and refreshments will be
Shapiro’s views attended disagreement, Peterson served after. The speakers
the event and were allowed said. will be selling their books
to question Shapiro in a and participating in a book
question and answer “These are two brilliant signing as well. Those
session. people [and so] you’re interested in attending can
going to hear extremely register on the Public
“Are American College thoughtful opinions,” Policy website or for more
Campuses ‘Free Speech’ Peterson said. “We need to information can e-mail
Zones?” may not be as find opportunity for people sppevents@pepperdine.ed
controversial as hosting of different political u or call 310-506-7490.
4
Law professors opine on state of free speech
during stop at Pepperdine
February 7, 2019
By Barbara Burke
The right to free speech is a central tenet of to ancient Greece and the
a cornerstone of the First democracy for millennia, Magna Carta.
Amendment and has been with its roots dating back
5
• Also ran in the Colorado Springs Gazette
TABOR a target unless Supreme Court puts
it out of reach
Mar 4, 2019
By Joey Bunch
Colorado's most important subject rule" that says TABOR to government
political football is on the ballot questions can only and partisan interests in
tee. The state Supreme take up one thing at a time. Colorado is what John
Court in the coming weeks Elway is to football.
could put the future of the “People put it in the And on the current
Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights Constitution as one political playing field, with
in play or put it out of measure; it seems like the left in the lead, it seems
reach. people ought to have the to TABOR foes to be the
Liberals and conservatives power to take it out as one right time to take down the
are paying close attention, measure,” said Carol conservatives' coveted
because TABOR, as it's Hedges, executive director constitutional block
called, controls how the of the Colorado Fiscal between taxing and
state caps spending and Institute, who filed the spending.
government growth. request with Secretary of
Critics says it also hobbles State Jena Griswold’s “Now is the time because
Colorado's ability to invest office to collect signatures people across Colorado are
in schools, transportation to get it on the ballot in frustrated because we’ve
and the other spoils of November. got a lot of challenges
population growth. that’s resulting from the
Taking TABOR apart in growth we’re experiences
Some of those who believe pieces would take years, if and we don’t have many
the latter want voters to not decades, and more tools to deal with them,”
decide this year if TABOR campaign money than I Hedges told me. “TABOR
can be undone with a can imagine, so any real is more than 26 years old,
single ballot initiative. change is going to take a passed in 1992, and it
Opponents and the law say broad swipe. What the locks in the taxing system
TABOR is so big and Supreme Court decides is a we had then.
multi-layered that a single big fiscal deal.
vote would violate the “I think there are a lot of
state's so-called "single people today who look at
6
that and say, ‘I don’t think “Consent matters," Amy pass a sales tax increase to
that makes sense.'” Oliver Cooke, executive address it.
vice president for the
In 1992, when 23 percent Independence Institute, Without TABOR,
of the Colorado electorate stated in a news release Democrats who now
voted for Ross Perot and about the poll. "As some control both chambers of
his anti-government elected officials and the legislature and
economic ideas, a Donald special interest groups governor's office could
Trump-like pitch man from collude against taxpayers make quick work of a tax
Colorado Springs named with plans to dismantle this increase to fight traffic
Douglas Bruce led the wildly popular ... jams. And they very likely
crusade to pass TABOR. constitutional amendment, would.
the results of this survey Broadly, TABOR could be
Two years later, Colorado should give them pause. the fight Colorado
voters passed Referendum Attempts to weaken it or Republicans need right
A, the rule that limits any erode voter consent won’t now.
ballot question to a single be well-received by
subject. TABOR and the Coloradans.” Smarting from losses
single-subject rule have across the electoral
since survived a slew of To get on the ballot for the landscape last November,
direct and indirect court next election, proponents the Colorado GOP needs
challenges. of any measure will need something to rally around.
valid signatures from Though recent polling
A coalition of conservative 124,632 Colorado voters. shows most Republicans in
groups already has That represents 5 percent the state stand by President
commissioned a poll that of total number of votes Trump, many GOP
indicates broad public cast in the last secretary of members on the ballot next
support for TABOR. The state's race. That's also year are tepid about
pack includes the usual about 26,000 more hitching their wagon to
fiscally conservative signatures than the that beast of burden.
suspects: The previous four years,
Independence Institute, because of the high 2016 But you won't find many,
Americans for Prosperity- turnout. if any, on the right who
Colorado, Colorado Rising aren't willing to go to war
Action, Getting on the ballot is one to defend TABOR.
SpringsTaxpayers.com and tough hurdle; selling the “I think a lot of
the Steamboat Institute. need is another. conservatives would be
excited to have that battle,”
Given the definition of Colorado has a massive said Michael Fields,
TABOR, which requires a transportation problem, executive director of
vote of the citizenry on tax everyone agrees, but last Colorado Rising Action
matters, 71 percent of the year not even the Denver and one of the brightest
500 Coloradans who were Metro Chamber of political minds around.
polled liked what they Commerce and a coalition “TABOR is very popular,
heard. of statewide partners could and when it’s 'full repeal'
it’s an easier argument. It
7
unites the right when tax donors who might be
there’s too much infighting dismayed by Colorado's There are a lot of political
going on on our side of the drift to the left. dynamics vying for
aisle." attention at the local, state
Bringing that outside and national levels this
And for organizations such interest and money back to spring, but this one is
as his and the Colorado can't be anything worth watching.
Independence Institute, it's but good if you're on the
a rainmaker issue for anti- Republican side.
8We expect better from our local newspaper
March 14, 2019
Brodie Farquhar a troubling trend often seen
We applaud Steamboat attempting to ridicule The from extremists on both
Pilot & Today’s Feb. 26 Steamboat Institute the left and the right, and
editorial calling for greater without a hint of factual we associate ourselves
civility in public and basis or a trace of with the perspective voiced
political debate. As the constructive dialogue. by Pulitzer Prize-winning
editorial said, “it’s columnist Peggy Noonan
important that we treat one The Steamboat Institute is of The Wall Street Journal,
another with dignity and highly regarded as a who recently wrote:
respect, even when we principled public policy “Social media is full of
disagree.” nonprofit organization swarming political and
whose mission is to ideological mobs. In an
We also agree that the promote free and open interesting departure from
Pilot should help to “create debate on the national democratic tradition, they
a place where constructive stage, at the state level, on don’t try to win the other
dialogue takes place and colleges campuses and in side over. They only
opposing views are communities throughout condemn and attempt to
welcome”… and that “it’s the country. As friends and silence.”
essential that people listen supporters of the Institute,
to one another, present we have no issue with a To us, the Pilot’s decision
their perspective with an fact-based rebuttal of any to run Mr. Farquhar’s letter
emphasis on facts over Institute activity, program not only ignores the
emotion, focus on the or speaker, but empty editorial standards the Pilot
common good rather than defamation is pointless. recently embraced but also
an individual agenda, ignites the very passions
refrain from personal And let us be clear. We are that Ms. Noonan and other
attacks and bullying and not writing to respond to thoughtful observers of our
communicate with an Mr. Farquhar. He has nation’s politics rightly
openness to other’s ideas.” every right to sit at his find troubling. A sampling
computer 24/7 and turn his of the online commentary
It is because we share this opinions into sentences around Mr. Farquhar’s
common ground with one and paragraphs. The issue, letter makes this point fully
of the Yampa Valley’s front and center, is the and forcefully.
most significant media Pilot’s decision to publish
voices, we found ourselves his letter. “SI inviting right wing
greatly disappointed that, extremists to spew more
on March 6, the Pilot ran a This said, we view Mr. conspiracy theories,
letter to the editor from Farquhar’s letter as part of nonsense, misinformation
9and destructive backward. There are letters Amelia Hetfield
propaganda, …” “the SI is to the editor that do not Madison, Wisconsin
both apologist and merit publication. There June MacArthur
obfuscator for extreme are participants in the Steamboat Springs
conservatism. Freedom online discussions who Ed MacArthur
Forum, I believe, is simply should plainly be barred. Steamboat Springs
an elaborate exercise in You know the standards. John Lamb
applying lipstick to various You have stated them. We Castle Rock, Colorado
conservative pigs: greed, encourage you to follow Sara Lamb
racism, vampiric them. Castle Rock, Colorado
capitalism, anti-Islam, Anne Lowe
mysoginy [sic], etc.” In the end, our local Steamboat Springs
newspaper should be better Rich Lowe
So, our message to the than what we are fed daily Steamboat Springs
Pilot is this: Your editorial by the shabby world of Toni George
on civility was an cable “news” TV. Hartford, Wisconsin
important step forward. Curt Weiss
But your decision to Ron Lazof Steamboat Springs
provide a forum for Mr. Dallas, Texas Mary Weiss
Farquhar’s empty Rick Dowden Steamboat Springs
defamation is two steps Steamboat Springs
10One of America’s best-known criminal
lawyers to headline Steamboat Institute’s
Freedom Conference
By: Derek Malolo
April 3, 2019
A graduate of Brooklyn She met Dershowitz in
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS College and Yale Law January during the
— A prominent, at times School, Dershowitz joined organization’s Campus
controversial lawyer and the faculty of Harvard Law Freedom Tour series,
academic has been named School in 1964 at the age which promotes free
the keynote speaker at of 25. Three years later, he speech at universities
Steamboat Institute’s 11th became the youngest law across the country. The
annual Freedom professor to be granted series has been a reaction
Conference this summer. tenure in Harvard’s to students protesting
history. controversial figures from
Alan Dershowitz, whose speaking on campus or
law career spans more than He has since retired from colleges banning such
50 years, has been a teaching and has focused speakers altogether.
dogged proponent of civil his attention on the
rights and freedom of political scene. Schubert-Akin was
speech. His nonpartisan His recent involvement in impressed by Dershowitz,
backing of Constitutional headliner issues, such as who spoke to students
rights, even in political the Mueller investigation about the importance of
issues, has elicited and discussions over allowing open discourse at
criticism and praise from Trump’s impeachment, universities, even on
both sides of the aisle. was a major reason polemic issues. She
Steamboat Institute chose strongly supports that
Dershowitz garnered him as this year’s keynote view.
widespread media attention speaker.
for his involvement in “Students need to learn
several high-profile legal “Each year, our goal is to how to develop robust
cases, including make the speakers and arguments,” she said.
successfully defending O.J. panels as timely as “That means you
Simpson in the former possible,” said Jennifer sometimes have to be
football player’s 1995 Schubert-Akin, chairman confronted with situations
murder trial. and CEO of Steamboat and topics that make you
Institute. uncomfortable.”
11More than taking political Impeaching Trump,” debate on socialism versus
sides, Dershowitz values echoes his lifetime capitalism, as well as a
the Constitution and the devotion to the word of film festival with
laws within it. He has used law. Rather than argue for Hollywood producers,
his career to uphold those or against the President actors and screenwriters.
laws, even if it means and his policies,
defending unpopular Dershowitz claims The conference runs from
people or movements. Democrats have over- Aug. 22 to 24 in
reached their legal power Steamboat. Those
Despite his appearances in trying to oust the head interested in attending can
this year on Fox News — of state. register online.
where he has defended “In the fervor to impeach
President Trump from President Trump, his Steamboat Institute is also
accusations that he political enemies have offering several
obstructed justice in the ignored the text of the scholarships to interested
2016 election — Constitution,” Dershowitz guests younger than 30.
Dershowitz considers said in a comment to the The scholarship will cover
himself a civil libertarian book’s publisher. their registration, travel
and even voted against and lodging costs.
Trump. In addition to his keynote
address at Lake
His most recent book, Catamount, the Freedom
“The Case Against Conference will feature a
12• Also ran in the Steamboat Pilot.
Jennifer Schubert-Akin: Joining interstate
voting compact threatens Colorado’s voters’
voice
April 4, 2019
Voter suppression efforts Colorado voters to the will progressives have argued
are alive and well in of the nation and upend this change is necessary.
Colorado. nearly 150 years of state
precedent. It takes effect if This interstate compact is
Governor Jared Polis states representing 270 the more politically
recently signed a bill to electoral votes — the practical way to achieve
enter Colorado into the minimum threshold needed this goal because explicitly
National Popular Vote to win the election — dumping the electoral
Interstate Compact. commit to it. Twelve states college in favor of national
Member states agree to and Washington D.C., popular vote would require
transfer their share of which represent 181 a constitutional
electoral college votes in electoral votes, have amendment. While this
future presidential signed on with New strategy may sidestep the
elections to the candidate Mexico and Delaware U.S. Constitution, it could
who wins the national expected to follow suit. run afoul of the state
popular vote. This means constitution.
that Colorado’s nine This compact is a back-
electoral college votes door effort to change the Article 20 of the Colorado
would go, not to the nation’s electoral system Constitution makes clear
presidential candidate who from the electoral college that the state’s presidential
most state voters choose, to a popular vote. In the electors “shall be chosen
but to the candidate who wake of the 2016 election, by direct vote of the
wins the national popular where Donald Trump people.” Surely this refers
vote. defeated Hillary Clinton to Coloradans, not
while receiving 2.9 million Americans writ large.
This compact would fewer votes, some Colorado’s constitutional
subsume the will of voting requirements
13regarding eligibility, The current system less democratic than the
residency and registration balances geographic and current system. This is the
would also be counteracted population considerations exact opposite of what
by the voting procedures of to ensure that less supporters contend.
other states under such a populated areas like
system. Colorado are not sacrificed They claim that a national
to the more populated popular vote achieves the
Even if this reform were areas — a phenomenon “majority rule” principle of
constitutional, it would be that happens in many other democracy. Yet it wouldn’t
the wrong move for countries — where the even necessarily do this.
Colorado. The electoral wishes of those in the Hillary Clinton received
college balances not only countryside are ignored for just 48% of the popular
the will of the people but those in the cities. vote in 2016. Al Gore, who
also the will of the also lost the presidency
different parts of the See the ongoing “Yellow while winning the popular
country. Vest” protests in France, vote, also did not receive a
whose president is elected majority of the vote.
In a nation as big and by popular vote, for
varied as the U.S., instance. The political Gov. Polis claims to be an
geographic democracy is clout of middle America opponent of voter
vitally important. If would deteriorate further if suppression, yet selling out
national elections were such a system were the votes of Coloradans to
determined by popular enacted here. the coastal elite by entering
vote, candidates could Colorado into this
merely focus on the desires To the extent that interstate compact suggests
of voters in big cities such presidential candidates otherwise.
as Los Angeles, San ignore the wishes of
Francisco and New York, Colorado voters and their Jennifer Schubert-Akin is
whose combined counterparts across the the chairman and CEO of
metropolitan populations country in order to run up the Steamboat Institute.
are nearly seven times their scores in the big Co politics
Colorado’s. population centers, a
national popular vote is far
14The Spot: Socialism or Capitalism? Get
Ready to Rumble!
June 6, 2019
By Nic Garcia
Socialism or capitalism? Bhaskar Sunkara, author of country,” Jennifer
Get ready to rumble! The Socialist Manifesto Schubert-Akin, chairman
and editor of The Jacobin, and CEO of the Steamboat
Many of today’s political will debate Stephen Moore Institute, which hosts the
conversations — especially of The Heritage event, said in a statement.
those coming out of Foundation at the 11th “By featuring the
Washington, D.C. — are annual Freedom perspectives of two of the
about socialism versus Conference and Festival, nation’s leading
capitalism. To prime the set for Aug. 22-24. proponents of capitalism
pump closer to home, two and socialism,
leading scholars on the “It’s important to address respectively, attendees can
issue are going to hash it these fundamental develop a deeper
out in Steamboat this worldviews that underpin understanding of this
summer. the political news cycle essential and timeless
and the future of the debate.”
15• Also ran in the Steamboat Pilot
It's time to sweep socialism back into history's
dust bin
By Jennifer Schubert-Akin
June 21, 2019
A Gallup poll released last government to collect far floundering socialist
month finds that 43 percent more taxes from top programs such as Social
of Americans favor earners, with some Security, Medicare, and
socialism. This is just one presidential candidates Medicaid.
of many recent surveys calling for top income tax
finding that Americans are rates in the 70 percent Meanwhile, support for
increasingly enchanted by range. Massachusetts Sen. capitalism, an economic
socialism, an economic Elizabeth Warren even system that allows
system where the wants to confiscate some individuals to control
government controls of the wealthy's property in resources, is waning. It has
resources. A majority of order to fund various social been unfairly blamed for
Millennials and programs. the financial crisis, Great
Democrats, for instance, Recession, and
now support it. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- skyrocketing health-care
Cortez (D-NY) wants to and college costs.
The growing support for nationalize vast swaths of
socialism is reflected by the American economy, Though the political news
recent public policy including energy cycle may suggest
proposals. "Medicare for production and higher otherwise, the essence of
All," which would education, while providing today's political debates —
nationalize the country's government jobs to those from energy to fiscal to
health-care system under a who want them, under her healthcare policy — are
single-payer, government- proposed "Green New rooted in a broader
run system, is supported by Deal." disagreement over
many leading Democrats, capitalism vs. socialism.
including 2020 presidential Socialist policies aren't
candidate Bernie Sanders. limited to Democrats. I am not an unbiased
Leading Republicans no observer in this battle of
Democratic politicians are longer seem willing to call ideas. I believe that
united in their calls for the for reform to existing capitalism is largely
16responsible for making the
U.S. the most prosperous Extracting money from Don't take my word for it.
country, with the largest communities through Two of the leading
middle class, in the history higher taxes means fewer proponents of capitalism
of the world. I think that to resources for investment, and socialism,
the extent socialist policies consumer spending, and respectively, will debate
are adopted, opportunity small business creation. As the issue at the Steamboat
and prosperity for ordinary a result, there's less Institute's 11th Annual
people will diminish. economic activity and Freedom Conference in
opportunity for everyone, Steamboat Springs, Aug.
Capitalism is the only especially for those who 22-24. Stephen Moore, a
economic system need it most. distinguished fellow at the
conducive to economic Heritage Foundation in
growth, i.e., rising living Capitalism's critics claim Washington and economic
standards. It's the best that this economic growth adviser to President
system for people to rise is unequal, with most of Trump's 2016 campaign,
up and improve their lot in the benefits going to the will face off against
life through hard work, rich. Yet, historically, it's Bhaskar Sunkara, the
trade, and ordinary people who founding editor of Jacobin
entrepreneurship. benefit most during Magazine and author of
economic expansions. Ever "The Socialist Manifesto,"
That's because capitalism wonder why America's with viewers encouraged
is based on mutually middle class is so much to come to their own
beneficial exchange, where wealthier than its conclusions about the
people voluntarily trade developed-world relative merits of each
value for value. Both the counterparts? Because of economic system.
purchaser and the seller its relatively free market
gain through the voluntary and the economic Part of the reason why
trade of products and opportunity it fosters. socialism's popularity is
services. Only under growing is because societal
capitalism can you truly The marvel of compound pillars such as media, pop
"make money" — and you interest reinforces the culture, and academia
do so to the extent you importance of an economic support it. By offering the
help others. system that fosters alternative perspective, we
economic growth. At 3% hope to persuade people
While capitalism grows the annual economic growth, that capitalism is the only
size of the economic pie, which was reached last system that allows people
socialism merely year and is the American to freely pursue their
distributes it, with historical standard, living dreams and enjoy the fruits
unlimited interest groups standards double every 24 of their labors. It’s time for
fighting over the scraps. years, or every generation. liberty-loving Americans
Burdensome taxes and Yet at 1% growth, typical to help push socialism
regulations reduce the in socialist countries, it back into history’s dust bi
number of mutually takes 72 years — or about
beneficial exchanges that a lifetime — for living
fuel economic wellbeing. standards to double.
17Debate to cover Electoral College
July 7, 2019
Two political experts will Democratic strategist, electoral votes as it has
face off in Aspen on lobbyist and political members of Congress. The
Tuesday during a debate consultant based in District of Columbia gets
over how Americans Denver. He favors three. In order to win a
should elect their switching to a national presidential election, a
president, hosted by the popular vote, a movement candidate must get at least
Steamboat Institute. that has gained traction half the total plus one — or
ahead of the 2020 270 votes.
Trent England, executive presidential election.
vice president of the Five times, most recently
Oklahoma Council of The Electoral College has in the 2016 presidential
Public Affairs, will defend long faced scrutiny that it race that elected Donald
the current system, known does not lead to a truly Trump, the electoral
as the Electoral College. democratic election. system delivered a split
Arguing against him will According to the system, verdict in which a
be Ted Trimpa, a each state gets as many
18candidate wins the popular of geography, race, fair and balanced debate,”
but loses the presidency. income, religion, or she said.
Viewpoints on the system gender.”
tend to follow partisan The institute, a
lines, with Republicans Supporters of the Electoral conservative think tank,
favoring the Electoral College worry a switch to saw the value of
College and Democrats a national popular vote organizing debates during
against it. would allow larger states its Campus Liberty Tour
and urban areas, which last year, which hosted
Since 2007, 15 states and tend to be liberal hubs, to similar discussions on
the District of Columbia disproportionately control contentious issues around
have joined the National future elections. the nation’s colleges.
Popular Vote Interstate Co.
In February, Gov. Jared “One of the original “It was fascinating,”
Polis, a Democrat, signed a reasons for creating the Schubert-Akin said. “Not
bill under which Colorado Electoral College was to just because there were
joined the coalition. make sure a few high- such good debaters, but
population areas did not because it attracted people
The pact would not take control the whole country,” on both the left and right.”
effect until enough states England said.
sign on to give a collective Tuesday’s debate will
270 electoral votes — the A Federalist, England has include a Q&A session so
number needed to win the made a career out of audience members can
presidency. It currently has defending the current bring up their questions or
196. election system, which he concerns. Attendees also
believes gives voters a will be able to write their
After the bill signing, more equal voice. questions on index cards
Colorado Secretary of prior to the event.
State Jena Griswold Jennifer Schubert-Akin,
released a statement chairman and CEO of the The debate begins at 4
supporting the law, arguing Steamboat Institute, hopes p.m. Tuesday at the Pitkin
it upholds the promise of the event draws people County Library. It is the
equal, balanced elections. from both sides of the second stop in a three-city
issue. In searching for two tour, with debates Monday
“As secretary of state, I’m people to represent both in Steamboat Springs and
guided and inspired by the opinions, she looked for Wednesday in Grand
principle of ‘One Person, experts with extensive Junction.
One Vote,’” she said in the experience in national The events are free, but
statement. “The National elections. those wanting to attend
Popular Vote upholds this need to register online to
principal and ensures that “You get a broader guarantee a seat.
every citizen’s vote spectrum of people to
matters equally regardless attend if you present it as a
19Electoral College debate at library should be
intriguing
July 8, 2019
By John Carlson
experts — Trent England, website at some point, and
Tonight in Aspen, two executive president of the I intend to check it out.
“political experts” will Oklahoma Council on
face off in a debate over Public Affairs defending Getting back to the subject
the merits, problems and the current system, and at hand, Ward, like many
possible solutions to said Kyra Ward, an Aspen High in the Democratic Party,
problems that result from School graduate who also favors ditching the
our constitutional reliance graduated from the Electoral College and
on the national Electoral University of St Andrews switching to a national
College in the quadrennial (Scotland) with degrees in popular vote, in keeping
U.S. presidential contests international relations and with a movement that has
— an arrangement that I economics (Ward is gained traction since
believe is both outmoded standing in for the original Donald Trump lost the
and anti-democratic. pro-National Public Vote popular vote in 2016 by
advocate, who had to drop some 3 million ballots but
The debate is scheduled for out due to a family health won the election thanks to
4 p.m. at the Pitkin County emergency.) the Electoral College.
Public Library, and is free
to all comers, though According to a England — perhaps
hopeful attendees need to representative of the predictably, since he is
register online (go online Steamboat Institute, Ward from Oklahoma, a red state
to steamboatinstitute.org was a star debater in high with a relatively small
and click on the “events” school and at college, is population, and is a strong
button to register) in order “very passionate” about advocate for the Electoral
to be guaranteed a seat. the subject of the debate College — will argue for
and is expected to hold her retaining the college,
This is one of three such own with style at the maintaining it is good for
events, the first having library’s event. middle America’s small-
been held Monday in town voters and good for
Steamboat Springs, the In any case, only the Grand our country as a whole.
third Wednesday in Grand Junction event, according
Junction. to the Institute, is to be In a nutshell, the issues are
videotaped and posted on this: the Electoral College,
Unhappily, I cannot be the Steamboat Institute’s written into the U.S.
there to learn from the Constitution under the 12th
20Amendment, directs states choice up to their state in general favoring a
to assign “electors” voting legislators as established popular-vote method of
in the Electoral College by the original 12th picking our presidents,
according to the number of Amendment. while Republicans by and
Congressional seats large favor retaining the
(senators as well as In that election, Andrew college as it has been
representatives) held by Jackson won the popular throughout our history.
each state. This method vote that was counted in
was intended to smooth out those 18 states by a 10% I guess that’s hardly
the presidential voting margin, but was beaten by surprising, at this point,
process back at a time John Quincy Adams, who since the Republican Party
when the logistics of won the Electoral College has been the beneficiary of
holding a national election vote. The numerical votes the current system the last
in our vast nation was a of the six other state are two times the presidency
daunting prospect, and to not recorded that I can went to the Electoral
provide a way in which find, so the 1824 election College winner rather than
states with small is not considered a “clean” the candidate who got the
populations would not be example of the winner most popular votes — that
completely overshadowed turning out to be the loser. would be selection of
by states with larger George W. Bush in 2000
populations. Adding to the negative side and, of course, Trump’s
of the College ledger is a elevation to the White
But as the nation has growing body of research House in 2016.
progressed technologically, that shows the current
it has largely overcome the system effectively means I prefer not to describe
difficulties of having the that voters in low- those results as “elections,”
voting population spread population states (such as in the truest sense of the
over so much terrain. The Oklahoma, I must point word, since the candidate
Electoral College, out) have as much as four that got the most votes in
however, has endured, and times the political clout as each case ended up not
in four separate elections do voters in more populous being sworn in as
— 1876, 1888, 2000 and states, because the low- president.
2016 — the president has count voters typically And so, as things stand
not been put into office by benefit from larger today, we are poised on the
a majority of actual votes, Congressional delegations eve of yet another election,
but by the machinations of (and Electoral College in 2020, that will be
the Electoral College. representation) per capita decided by the Electoral
due to the arcane rules College (I’m pretty sure
An earlier election, in governing the college and there is not enough time to
1824, was the first one in elections. change the system now)
which the popular vote whether we like it or not.
mattered, because 18 states Tellingly, the arguments
that year chose presidential about whether to ditch the Many of us do not like it,
electors (for the Electoral Electoral College fall out however, and there is a
College) by popular vote, along partisan political path forward to make at
while six states left that fault lines, with Democrats least one change.
21As has been widely strictly according to the
reported, 15 states, numbers. However it goes, I firmly
including Colorado, have believe the popular vote
signed on to a National If the number of states would be a better way of
Popular Vote Interstate signing on to the Popular choosing our president
Compact that, if it achieves Vote movement gets to the than the one we are under
a certain level of support point where the member today.
from around the country, states have 270 Electoral
would mean the states that College votes among them, But, hey, don’t take my
have joined would eschew it would effectively word for it — do some
the Electoral College sideline the Electoral research and check out the
dance and have their College and perhaps set the debate, whether in person
presidential votes counted stage for getting rid of it or online.
entirely.
22Colorado Voters Could End Tabor Refunds
July 9, 2019
By Owen Macaulay
The state’s Taxpayer’s Bill Over the decades, officials “These are refunds that the
of Rights (TABOR) have returned more than $3 taxpayers are entitled to,”
requires the state and local billion to business and Ransom said. “We do not
governments to refund individual taxpayers. have an income problem.
excess revenues to We have a spending
residents. Gov. Jared Polis (D) problem.”
signed into law H.B. 1257,
Colorado voters will which puts the proposition The additional funds could
decide whether to suspend on the fall ballot, and H.B. be diverted and may not
a provision of the state’s 1258, which would materialize at all, says
Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights allocate the additional Michael Fields, executive
(TABOR) that requires the revenue to education and director of Colorado
state government to refund transportation programs if Rising Action, which
excess revenues to voters approve the advocates for limited
residents, in this referendum, on June 3. government.
November’s general H.B. 1257 received the “There is no guarantee
election. needed majority approval where the money will go in
in both houses of the the future,” Fields said.
TABOR, added to the state Colorado General “There is also no guarantee
constitution in 1992, Assembly, including all the how much money will be
requires voter approval of votes cast by Democrats there to use each year—or
tax increases, limits plus one from a if any will be there at all.”
increases in government Republican state Senator.
spending to inflation plus ‘Might Be No Refunds’
population growth, and Funds Could Be Diverted
forces officials to refund The tax refund for 2020,
excess revenues to the The state government is projected to be $65
taxpayers. just trying to take away million, depends on
more money that belongs revenues made possible by
Colorado is the only state to taxpayers, says Rep. energy production that the
with such a strong limit on Kim Ransom (R-Littleton). state may not receive
increases in spending. because of new restrictions
23on resource development, “Its requirement that refunds for five years and
says Fields. excess revenues must be directed the money to
refunded to taxpayers has transportation and health
“With the new oil and gas resulted in more than $2 care spending. H.B. 1257
regulations, our economy billion being returned to would permanently divert
might be slowed, which the private economy to be all excess revenues.
means there might be no spent at local businesses or It is doubtful the additional
refunds at all,” Fields said. saved for retirement,” spending would improve
Schubert-Akin said. “H.B. education or
Ended ‘Economic 1257 threatens to eliminate transportation, says
Stagnation’ this vital requirement that Schubert-Akin.
excess revenues be
Colorado’s tax and returned to those who “Education and
spending limit has had a produced them.” transportation cannot plan
positive effect on private- for this money year-to-
sector growth, says TABOR refunds to citizens year,” Fields said. “We
Jennifer Schubert-Akin, have been made through can't bond for roads off of
CEO of the Steamboat property tax breaks for refund money, and
Institute. seniors and veterans and education can't build it into
through temporary income their budgets.
“TABOR helped end years tax rate reductions.
of economic stagnation “The bill is intended to
and laid the groundwork Not the First Time create better roads and
for the state’s future schools, but it's unlikely to
success by keeping Colorado lawmakers achieve these goals,”
resources in the hands of previously have found Schubert-Akin said.
Colorado residents who ways around TABOR, “What’s sure, though, is
could put them to their such as instituting fees that that H.B. 1257 will take
highest valued use and [by] funnel tax money into money out of residents’
checking overzealous additional government pocketbooks, hurting their
government spending,” spending. In 2005, voters personal finances and the
Schubert-Akin said. passed Referendum C, state's economy.”
which suspended the
24Alan Dershowitz to address conservatives in
Steamboat Springs
July 16, 2019
Joey Bunch
Alan Dershowitz, public policy solutions
professor emeritus at beyond the confines of the In an interview with
Harvard University School Washington, D.C., National Public Radio
of Law and one of bubble," said Jennifer Monday, Dershowitz cited
President Trump's chief Schubert-Akin, chairman Epstein's close ties to other
legal defenders in the and CEO of the Steamboat Harvard University
media, will headline the Institute, which puts on the officials.
11th Annual Freedom annual conference.
Conference and Festival in "None of us had any
Steamboat Springs. "The ideas and inspiration inkling that he was
advanced at the Freedom involved in anything
The gathering of Conference are only improper," he said about
conservatives to talk policy matched by its scenery." the earlier allegations that
and politics — or "an Epstein recruited underage
immersion in ideas to Dershowitz has been a girls to have sex with well-
further the ideals of liberty ubiquitous media presence connected men. "But then
and inspire Americans to for decade, but he faced when he was arrested, he
greatness," as organizers new criticism from the left asked me to help put
put it — is Aug. 22 to Aug. the past two weeks for together a legal team, ...
24 at The Steamboat Grand helping negotiate a lenient him which I did."
Hotel. plea deal for accused
pedophile Jeffrey Epstein Dershowitz has been
Tickets are on sale and 11 years ago. accused of being one of the
available online by men who was provided by
clicking here. Epstein is a former friend Epstein a girl with whom
of President Donald to have sex, an accusation
"The 11th Annual Freedom Trump. On Friday Trump's he has vehemently denied.
Conference brings together labor secretary, Alexander
the nation's leading public Acosta, resigned over In a statement released by
policy thought leaders to criticism for the Epstein the Steamboat Institute
the Rocky Mountains, plea deal he accepted when Monday, Dershowitz
where they can debate and he was a Florida previewed his Colorado
pursue the most pressing prosecutor. speech.
25The weekend also will
"I am honored to speak at The conference also will feature NASA
the 11th Annual Freedom feature former U.S. administrator Jim
Conference in beautiful Senator Jim DeMint of Bridenstine discussing
Steamboat Springs," he South Carolina, who will "The Future of Space."
stated. "I look forward to discuss the topic of his
discussing the importance new book, "Conservative: President Trump has
of protecting free speech Knowing What to Keep; expressed the goal of
for an organization that Why the Principles that erecting an American flag
promotes it so vigorously. made America the freest, on Mars, but his message
Many organizations most prosperous nation in on returning to the moon
profess the importance of world history must be has been muddled.
free speech, but the reclaimed to prevent our
Steamboat Institute demise."
actually practices it."
26Why conservatives must engage in Hollywood
It's the only way to ensure lasting policy
change
By Sam Sorbo
August 9, 2019
Conservatives have toiled states like Vermont or than in Hollywood, as I
for decades at countless California. experience firsthand as a
think tanks across the conservative actress,
nation trying to influence Why does the size of producer and screenwriter.
public policy and public government only seem to
opinion in their direction. grow, with conservative Nearly every major motion
They’ve funded political victories merely coming in picture — this uniquely
candidates at great fits and starts? One major American form of culture
expense. The results have reason is that liberals — is seeded directly or
been middling at best. dominate culture, which indirectly with liberal
has a much more profound messages that impel the
Despite some recent impact on people’s perspectives of audiences
successes under President worldview than policy decidedly toward the left.
Trump such as tax cuts and analysis. Culture, and
deregulation, society’s entertainment specifically, If conservatives want to
general march toward taps into people’s reverse the juggernaut of
bigger government emotions, reaching a the leftist agenda, the long
continues. Recent polling deeper level of the brain march through the
finds that a majority of than rational appeals that institutions, they must
millennials and Democrats usually don’t penetrate the commit to engaging in
prefer socialism — full frontal cortex. cultural spheres even more
governmental control of than they do in intellectual
the economy — to Societal pillars such as ones — as government
capitalism. academia, education, education has produced
journalism, media, generations conditioned to
It seems like only a matter literature, pop culture and responding emotionally
of time before some type high arts are now rather than rationally to
of government-run health overwhelmingly liberal, issues of the day. Doing so
care system is churning out creative will help convince people
implemented, despite such leftist messages to of the morality — not just
socialized systems not impressionable audiences. the practicality — of
being able to pass in liberal Nowhere is this conservative public policy.
domination more complete
27Conservatives looking to production quality 2020, is inspired by the
engage culturally face compelling. true story of two conmen,
many hurdles. Start with the biggest oil strike in
the fact that conservatives Case in point: Several history during the Great
don’t generally enter the years ago, National Depression and the
arts or other traditionally Review ranked the 25 best miracles that happened
creative fields. Research conservative movies of the along the way.
from Southern Illinois past generation. The results
University finds that spoke for themselves. There’s even a new film
conservatives are less Movies such as festival held by The
likely to engage in creative “Ghostbusters,” “The Dark Steamboat Institute each
pursuits, preferring to Knight” and “Team summer in Steamboat
pursue careers in more America: World Police” Springs, Colorado, as part
objective fields such as made the list. These were of the organization’s
business, finance or not exactly Oscar annual Freedom
science. candidates, let alone true Conference. This year’s
counterparts of event, which takes place
Then there’s the fact that conservatism’s proud Aug. 22-24, features our
for many years, intellectual corpus. But latest film as well as
conservatives have viewed they were, at least, a start. several other compelling
Hollywood simply as an films that celebrate
enemy. In the early 1990s, The dearth of conservative individual freedom,
conservative commentator Hollywood films is personal responsibility, the
Michael Medved wrote the beginning to end. My entrepreneurial American
best-selling book husband — Kevin Sorbo, spirit, and the inspiration
“Hollywood vs. America: well-known from of faith and family through
Popular Culture and the “Hercules” and “God’s film.
War on Traditional Not Dead” — and I have
Values.” It argued that recently produced the But for these conservative
Hollywood’s themes were critically acclaimed film efforts to be
antithetical to American conservative film “Let successful, individual
ideals and harming society There Be Light,” and his conservatives must support
as a whole, turning many career spans several others, them. That means going
conservatives off like “What If.” And we are back to the movies and
Hollywood altogether. not the only ones. making the pilgrimage to
Steamboat Springs this
Another problem has been But while Hollywood summer. Such support will
that when conservatives do seems to be paying lead more conservatives to
engage creatively, the attention, it’s in the pursue careers in film and
product itself has often independent film culture, which can finally
been mediocre. Though we production sphere where create a lasting change in
may agree with the true adherence to public policy that we all
principles in many conservative values in film desire.
conservative movies, can thrive. Our latest
audiences generally release, “Miracle in East As Andrew Breitbart
haven’t found the stories or Texas,” due out early famously said, “Politics is
28You can also read
