America's Future Foundation

How do limited government candidates plan to win this year in the deep-blue state of Illinois?

Ed Rutledge and Adam Robinson

On July 26th, America’s Future Foundation- Chicago hosted a roundtable event to discuss how liberty-minded candidates are planning to win “moveable middle”candidates this fall. Signs look promising that voters are in a mood to reject candidates who promise ever-larger big-government policies to solve the country’s problems, but principled liberty-minded candidates still need to make the case they should be elected for their principled and effective policy positions, not just change for change’s sake.

Attending the roundtable were candidates for local, statewide, and federal offices in Illinois, including Angel Garcia (GOP candidate for Cook County Clerk), Joel Pollak (GOP candidate for Illinois’s 9th Congressional District), Adam Robinson (GOP candidate for the 7th Illinois Senate District), and Ed Rutledge (Libertarian Party candidate for Illinois Lt. Governor).

Introducing the question, AFF chapter chairman Richard Lorenc read from a recent column by University of Chicago law professor Richard Epstein entitled “Government Expands, Trust Deflates.”

“As big government gets still bigger,” Epstein wrote, “the confidence ordinary people have in its institutions grows weaker. That weakness reflects itself not only in a political resentment to the political parties in power. It also manifests itself in their gradual withdrawal from the market, manifested by a greater unwillingness to consume or to invest. With this skeptical mood, each expansionist move of the Obama administration is like feeding sugar to a diabetic. The diffuse nature of our uneasiness cannot be met by a small tweak in this tax subsidy or that statutory grace period. It needs a clear commitment to halt the current lurch toward ever-bigger government. A clear majority of people favors smaller government, even if it does not favor small government. The political powers that ignore that shift in political climate do so at their peril.”

Joel Pollak explained how standing for “limited government” is usually a non-starter for most voters who are only concerned about the effects of government policies, not the theories behind them. A favorite tactic is to ask whether voters are content with the current state of their communities, and then tie that condition to big-government and, particularly, his opponent. Pollak says the question is not whether the voter wants smaller government, but how big-government policies have affected her life, and then how his policies will differ.

Angel Garcia offered an snapshot of how he plans to win moderate Hispanic voters in Cook County. Many of these voters, Garcia said, came to the United States to escape dictatorial regimes of unlimited government. By simply asking them whether they think bigger or smaller government is the answer, he instantly gets a favorable response to his campaign. Garcia also focuses on educating voters on the importance of the Cook County Clerk position, which oversees elections in a county infamous for questionable election processes, another problem many immigrants consciously choose to escape.

Libertarian Party candidate for Lt. Governor Ed Rutledge spoke about how different campaign messages resonate “downstate” versus in Chicagoland. While discussion about federal government overreach–particularly in regard to the new health insurance mandate–works outside of Chicago, he takes a different approach in and around the city, asking whether swing voters believe government policies are working to improve their lives or hinder them (and whether many policies should be government policies at all).

Adam Robinson–whose state Senate district is one of the bluest in Illinois–spoke about asking voters whether they believe they are getting a good product from their state government following eight years of one-party rule. Instead of talking about “conservative” principles, Robinson asks voters whether they approve of policies on which they had little input, like, for example, the plan to pave the lakefront area adjacent to many of their homes. He also chooses to focus on fiscal issues–the most urgently pressing issues in the state–and finds once he neutralizes the notion of Republicans as uniformly socially conservative, voters find a whole new world of political opportunities and candidates available among which they can choose.

AFF- Chicago hosts events about every six weeks, so sign up for our newsletter (Room 101 Chicago) to learn about the next fun and informative gathering.

We’re pleased to announce our cosponsorship of a luncheon on July 30th in honor of Dr. Milton Friedman. Celebrate freedom by sharing in Dr. Friedman’s legacy.

When: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010
Who: Supporters, friends, and allies of The Heartland Institute
Where: Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn, Chicago
Price: $25, includes tax and gratuity.
RSVP: Call Tonya Houston at The Heartland Institute (312-377-4000, ext. 115) or pay with a credit card or your PayPal account online.

Our featured speaker will be Dr. Richard H. Timberlake Jr., a former student of Dr. Friedman at the University of Chicago. Dr. Timberlake is professor emeritus of economics at the University of Georgia. Dr. Timberlake has chafed at what he considers misrepresentations by some Federal Reserve policymakers of Dr. Friedman’s views to justify wholesale intrusion into the U.S. economy. Join us to hear more.

As conservative and libertarian activists set their sights on November’s elections, AFF wants to know how principled limited government and free market-oriented candidates plan to win in the deep blue state of Illinois. How are the next generation of candidates making the case for votes in largely liberal areas?

To answer that question, we’ve invited four young candidates for public office to talk about their campaign strategies leading into the fall elections. Our roundtable panelists are:

• Angel Garcia, GOP candidate for Cook County Clerk
• Joel Pollak, GOP candidate for Illinois’s 9th Congressional District
• Adam Robinson, GOP candidate for the 7th Illinois Senate District
• Ed Rutledge, Libertarian Party candidate for Illinois Lt. Governor

When: Monday, July 26th, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Where: The Library, 190 S. LaSalle, 40th Floor, Chicago
Price: Admission is free, buy your own drinks and snacks (credit cards only)
RSVP: Email Richard Lorenc richard@americasfuture.org or go to our Facebook event page by July 23rd.

We’re also pleased to announce our cosponsorship of a luncheon on July 30th in honor of Dr. Milton Friedman. Celebrate freedom by sharing in Dr. Friedman’s legacy.

When: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010
Who: Supporters, friends, and allies of The Heartland Institute
Where: Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn, Chicago
Price: $25, includes tax and gratuity.
RSVP: Call Tonya Houston at The Heartland Institute (312-377-4000, ext. 115) or pay with a credit card or your PayPal account online.

Our featured speaker will be Dr. Richard H. Timberlake Jr., a former student of Dr. Friedman at the University of Chicago. Dr. Timberlake is professor emeritus of economics at the University of Georgia. Dr. Timberlake has chafed at what he considers misrepresentations by some Federal Reserve policymakers of Dr. Friedman’s views to justify wholesale intrusion into the U.S. economy. I bet there are more than a few of you who agree with that sentiment. Join us to hear more.

Looking forward to seeing you at these events!

America’s Future Foundation’s Chicago chapter tackled a controversial issue dividing many conservatives and libertarians during its roundtable event on April 28th. The subject was the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and the law prohibiting service by gays and lesbians.

Enacted in 1993, the policy modifies the outright ban on gays and lesbians in the military by preventing investigations into a service member’s conduct in the absence of prohibited behaviors such as fraternization, adultery, etc. It prohibits service members from “outing” themselves lest they face discharge. Since 1993, an estimated 13,000 service members have been discharged under the policy.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen recently revised the rules under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to require a higher burden of proof to begin an investigation under the law. However, these steps are short of President Obama’s wish–and the wishes of many GLBT advocates–to repeal the ban and policy altogether.

Chicago chapter chairman Richard Lorenc moderated a lively discussion between two individuals advocating on behalf of a repeal, and two advocating for the law to be kept as-is.

Former Second Class Petty Officer Lee Reinhart spoke first on his experience, first in the U.S. Navy and later in the Coast Guard, where he was discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Reinhart–-a member of American Veterans for Equal Rights–-described how the ban went unenforced during his time with the Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Cowpens. “I’m here to tell you gays already serve openly in the U.S. military,” said Reinhart. “I was able to serve openly in the United States Navy from 1995 to 1999. When I went to my commanding officer to turn myself in, thinking I was going to be kicked out, he told me to get back to work.”

“When I returned to the Coast Guard after the events of 9/11, I, unfortunately, saw the other end of the deal, where I wasn’t able to serve openly.”

Reinhart went on to describe the unfortunate incentives presented to his fellow sailors when they desired to no longer serve their obligation. “A straight crew member of mine no longer wanted to serve his commitment. He had two years left, but he wanted out. He turned himself in for being gay. He was not gay, but he saw an out, and he used the law. We’re an all-volunteer force, but once you sign that paper, no matter where your president sends you, you have to do your duty.”

Preston Noell of the The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property argued the policy is working and that it has the support of a large number of senior military officers, including General Norman Schwarzkopf. Noell recited a quotation by Schwarzkopf: “In my years of military service, I have experienced the fact that the introduction of an open homosexual into a small unit immediately polarizes that unit and destroys the very bonding that is so important for the unit’s survival in time of war.”

“That is what you don’t want in a combat situation,” Noell added.

Noell shared his thoughts on the recent changes to the policy. “What we have now is a new policy called “Don’t Report, Don’t Ask,” he said. The new policy, as put into place by Admiral Mullen–-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff–-and Secretary Gates basically repealed the law–it’s an end-run around Congress. We, as libertarians and conservatives who believe in the rule of law, should be concerned that the rule of law is being undermined.”

Michael Carr spoke next. Carr is the president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Illinois and a trustee with the national organization. Log Cabin Republicans filed a lawsuit five years ago to overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “The focus of the Log Cabin Republicans’ lawsuit is around the issue of freedom of speech,” Carr explained. “We’re not arguing gays and lesbians have a right to serve in the military. It’s not even that they should serve in the military. It’s that, as Americans–gay, lesbian, straight or otherwise–our freedom of speech is protected regardless.”

Carr also elaborated on the costs associated with enforcing the ban. “The policy has cost the American government over $350 million. We’ve been required to lower standards. People have been let go who have been in strategically important positions, language translation for example.”

Carr pointed to other national militaries that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. “If any nation in the world has an interest in making sure their military is prepared to go to war, it is Israel,” he said. “Israel is arguably one of the most threatened nations in the world, and Israel is in support of open and honest service in their military.”

Veronica Vera, a U.S. Air Force veteran and owner of Three.13 PR, spoke last on her experience in the armed forces. She took issue with Carr’s contention on free speech. “The freedom of a military member is signed away when you sign that piece of paper,” Vera explained. “When you signed that piece of paper you said, ‘My life is yours and I’ll do what you want.’ Military members are not allowed to speak out against the President of the United States. This could be deemed a violation of your First Amendment rights, but that is something you agreed to when you signed that piece of paper.”

Vera defended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell on the basis that the new rules that would need to be put into place would be difficult to enforce. “How is the military supposed to regulate relationships when the two people are laying down in bed next to each other? With Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell you’re asking somebody to keep their private life private.”

Following their opening remarks and rebuttals, the panelists took questions from the audience. If the large number of questions after a roundtable debate is any indication, the question of gays and lesbians in the military is a hot topic, and one that the members of AFF-Chicago aren’t afraid to discuss.

Stay tuned for an announcement of our next roundtable. If you’re not on AFF’s Chicago mailing list, consider registering today. We send a few messages every quarter, and promise we won’t spam you.

Judicial Elections in Minnesota

With the recent Republican Party of Minnesota v. White Supreme Court ruling, judicial elections in Minnesota will never be the same.  What can we do to preserve the integrity of the courts in light of this decision?  Please join us for our May Roundtable to discuss this with prominent Minnesota voices involved in the debate:

This months featured panelists are:

• Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Tony Sutton
• Minnesota Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson,
• Former Minnesota Governor Al Quie
• Attorney Erick Kaardal

AFF Minneapolis board member Jeffrey Peil published this piece on “True North” blog. The following is an excerpt:

“…The 2005 Republican Party of Minnesota v. White case effectively changed the structure of Minnesota law which had previously placed restrictions on what judges could and could not say while seeking office, including but not limited to ideologies they supported and political views they held. Justice Scalia, writing in the majority in this case, observed “[a] judge’s lack of predisposition regarding the relevant legal issues in a case has never been thought a necessary component of equal justice, and with good reason. . . . [I]t is virtually impossible to find a judge who does not have preconceptions about the law” (Brennan Center for Justice). Clearly judges have political opinions, and the first amendment affords them the right to express such opinions. This ruling effectively enabled judges to admit support of a political party, and in turn seek a party’s endorsement…”

Where: Crave – Mall of America

When: May 11th, 5:30-8:00PM

RSVP: Email Jeff Peil at jeffrey.peil@reshapemn.com

*Please note the location change of the April Roundtable

The battle for liberty does not occur only in the Unites States, rather it is fought in every country around the world.  While challenges may differ from country to country, we all face some of the same issues.  From effective think tank management to excessive red tape, from gaining media presence to explaining foreign free market concepts, think tanks around the world have managed to face these obstacles, and have won some pretty impressive victories for freedom. Listen as our panelists share the wisdom they have gained and hear about some their upcoming challenges.

Joining us to share their stories will be  several participants of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation’s Think Tank MBA program-Cecilia G. de Vázquez Ger, the Acton Institute Argentina; Marcin Nowacki, from the Project Lodz Foundation, Poland; Peter Wong, of the Lion Rock Institute, Hong Kong; Manuel de Araujo, Centre for Mozambican and International Studies (CEMO), Mozambique; Adam Revay, of the Canadian Constitution Foundation; and will be moderated by Tanja Stumberger, Cato Institute.

AFF’s April roundtable will take place on Monday, April 12. It will take place at The American’s for Tax Reform’s 4th Floor Conference Room (722 12th Street NW) with drinks at 6:30 discussion at 7 p.m.  AFF Roundtables are free for members, and $5 for non-members, so join today!  Please email Sarah Friederich at sarah@americasfuture.org with any questions.

“Are We Any Safer?”: Examining the Security State

After Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s December 2009 attempt to detonate plastic explosives on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, a contentious debate has reignited as to what, if anything, governments and homeland security officials should do to try to further protect us from terrorist attacks, including the use of very controversial full-body X-ray technology to scan passengers more thoroughly.

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Movements or Parties: Which Can Save Us?

With CPAC almost here, and the first national Tea Party convention still reverberating, do movements or parties matter most in national politics today? Which, if any, should conservatives and libertarians count on heading into the ‘10 and ‘12 elections and beyond?  Our panel will include Soren Dayton with The Next Right, JP Freire with The Washington Examiner, Jonah Goldberg with NRO, LA Times, and AEI, and Kelly Torrance with The American Conservative. The panel will be moderated by James Poulos with Postmodern Conservative.

This roundtable will take place Wednesday, February 17th at The Fund for American Studies (1706 New Hampshire Ave. NW), with drinks at 6:30 discussion to follow at 7pm. AFF Roundtables are free for members, and $5 for non-members, so join today! Please email Sarah Friederich at Sarah@americasfuture.org with any questions.

One Year In: The Obama Administration

Many of us in Washington viewed last year’s inauguration with mixed feelings, despite wide appreciation of its historical impact. Many had hope that the newly elected President Obama would bring wisdom and discernment to the office, while others were wary of the new president’s short resume and progressive past.

A year later, what is the verdict? What have been Obama’s defining actions and accomplishments? Join our panelists as we rehash the first year, and take a look at what the Obama Administration has in store for 2010.

Joining us to discuss this first year will be Jeff Berkowitz (director of research at the Republic National Committee)on the political implications, Abe Greenwald of the Foreign Policy Initiative and Tim Carney (author of Obamanomics) will serve as moderator and will comment on economic policies.

This roundtable will take place Thursday, January 21st at the Fund for American Studies (1706 New Hampshire Ave. NW), with drinks at 6:30 and discussion at 7pm. AFF Roundtables are free for members, and $5 for non-members, so join today! Please RSVP to Sarah Friederich at Sarah@americasfuture.org.

America’s Future Foundation isn’t Republican or Democrat, Libertarian or Constitutional. But a recent televised debate between Republican candidates for Illinois governor gave members of its Chicago chapter an opportunity to evaluate the limited-government credentials of candidates seeking the office this fall.

The impeachment of disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has provided an opportunity for Republicans to capture the governor’s mansion in Springfield after a decade in the wilderness. But do any of the seven Republican candidates deserve conservatives’ and libertarians’ support in the February 2nd primary? Or is the lone Libertarian candidate in the race the only friend of liberty?

On January 13th AFF Chicago asked these questions at an event at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Following the debate, chapter chair Richard Lorenc moderated a discussion with Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate Lex Green and his running mate Edward Rutledge, along with David Scalzo, chief of staff for the Dan Proft campaign.

The debate itself featured a lively discussion between the seven contenders for the Republican nomination. The crowd responded to their answers with approving nods, the occasional applause, but also boos and laughter. In the end, it was clear the two candidates on stage who generated the most positive sentiment among the AFF audience were businessman and transparency activist Adam Andrzejewski and Republican consultant Dan Proft.

An informal show of hands following the debate, however, revealed that if AFF Chicago had its way, Dan Proft would be the Republican nominee. The crowd responded to Proft’s platform of tax cuts, spending caps, and school choice, as well as his entertaining style of answering questions.

During the post-debate discussion, Libertarian candidate Lex Green said Proft’s plan to cut income tax rates by 50% was only 50% right. As governor, Mr. Green said he would eliminate the income tax entirely. His running mate, Ed Rutledge, added that a Libertarian administration would review all spending decisions down the last cent.

Speaking for the Proft campaign, Dave Scalzo said many of Proft’s proposals spring from Libertarian ideas, but that to put those ideas in action it is necessary to work through the two-party system. He urged the Libertarians in the audience to vote for Proft, even if he doesn’t espouse every one of their ideas.

The panelists also debated the merits of third-party candidates and what influence the Tea Party movement could have on Illinois, as well as the division between conservatives and libertarians on social issues like abortion. All the panelists agreed, however, that single-party Democratic rule has destroyed Illinois’s economy, and that something has to change or else the state will slide further into decline.

The lively post-debate discussion was a great way for AFF Chicago to kick off 2010 and what should be an exciting moment in Illinois politics.

Be the first to know what we’re planning next by signing up for our mailing list. Be sure to check the Room 101 Chicago box.

The debate over torture (or enhanced interrogation techniques) is one that has divided conservatives and libertarians since the early years of the Bush Administration. On November 11th, AFF Chicago was pleased to keep that debate going, and perhaps find some common ground, by hosting a well-informed, entertaining panel at Chicago’s Hunt Club.

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