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“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 (more…)
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.
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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.
Astonishingly low pay, rampant underemployment, and perpetual job insecurity.
What Is The Future Of Political Journalism?
This panel will serve as an amphetamine for those already in the field — “take off the tweed jackets! put on the latex bodysuit!” and a slice in the wrist for the young and naive who don’t have a trust fund. You will salivate over the expert advice and insider information of how to make it, how to break it, and how to fake it in a world that’s shrinking before our eyes. Just show up, enjoy our drinks, and pretend like the job cuts aren’t happening.
Speakers include Tucker Carlson (of Fox News and Cato Institute) and Dave Weigel (of the Washington Independent, Reason Magazine and the Economist online) & David Sessions (Patrol Magazine). Jillian Bandes, a political reporter for Townhall.com, will moderate. Stay tuned for more speakers.
This roundtable will take place Thursday, November 19th at the Fund for American Studies (1706 New Hampshire Ave. NW), drinks at 6:30 discussion at 7pm. AFF Roundtables are free for members, and $5 for non-members so join today! Please rsvp to Sarah@americasfuture.org.
Please join us for the inaugural America’s Future Foundation event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 18th!
What can we do to get government spending under control? What lies ahead with an economic crisis continuing and state budgets in Pennsylvania and around the country continually falling short. With a single-payer healthcare package on the floor, stimulus funding and the largest national deficit the US has ever seen, what is the future of freedom and fiscal responsibility?
Have libertarians and conservatives found their voice through the turmoil of the economy? With a plummeting economy, do free market ideas stand a chance? Have Republicans discovered a comeback strategy based on ideas that libertarians and conservatives can support?
Please join us for the inaugural America’s Future Foundation event in Austin, Texas!
With Waxman-Markey and the Health Care Bill looking to finish the job that the bank bailouts and the stimulus bill did to our nation’s fiscal responsibility, the question turns to when or will we see the end of our profligacy?
Meanwhile states around the country face imposing budget deficits without the benefit of deficit spending and lawmakers are looking for solutions. Will states look to Texas and its fiscal responsibility as a blueprint? Will Texas be a leader in bringing states back to prosperity?
Join us as we ask what is the future of freedom and fiscal responsibility and how can young professionals engage in this discussion. Joining us to discuss these issues are: David Guenthner, Director of Media & Government Relations, Texas Public Policy Foundation; Max Pappas, Vice President of Public Policy, FreedomWorks; Representative Bryan Hughes and Phyllis Blees, Vice President, FLOW. Please RSVP to Kathleen O’Hearn at kathleen@americasfuture.org.
Max’s Wine Dive
207 San Jacinto Blvd.
Austin, Texas
Reception: 6:00 pm, Panel: 7:00 pm
AFF October Roundtable: “Afghanistan, Should we Stay or Should we Go?”
With President Obama’s determination to regain stability in Afghanistan, many are left wondering if this is a battle we can win or one we should even be fighting.
Join us Wednesday October 21st, as we take a look at the situation in the country, the politics surrounding America’s presence there, and the potential implications for national security.
Addressing these topics will be David Adesnik (Doublethink), Damir Marusic (Doublethink and The American Interest), Peter Somerville (Marine Reserves), and Dave Rittgers (Cato Institute). Ilya Shapiro will moderate.
This roundtable took place on Wednesday, October 21st at the Fund for American Studies, 1706 New Hampshire Ave. NW. Drinks at 6:30, discussion at 7pm. AFF Roundtables are free for members and $5 for non members. Please rsvp to sarah@americasfuture.org.
On September 16th, AFF Chicago welcomed a well-informed and passionate panel to our debate on the Drug War. The group of 5 conservatives and libertarians–a scholar, businesswoman, sheriff, lawyer, and political campaign manager–presented varied and compelling arguments for and against our country’s current efforts to control and regulate drug use.
Chris Robling, a lawyer and political commentator in the Chicagoland area, first painted a picture of Illinois’s current incarceration process. He noted how the majority of the 50,000 people currently incarcerated in Illinois jails are there for one reason: drug-related crimes. “Pleas have replaced justice,” Chris lamented. The cycle of going to jail, being released, and going to jail again has almost become institutionalized, he said, calling it a societal “complex.” Chris suggested a possible solution to the cycle: allowing faith-based programs in prisons for counseling. In conclusion, he suggested everyone should be concerned. “Self destructive choices damages society. Drugs harm not only ourselves, but they are also a threat to society.”
Jennifer Koerner–an activist with the Chicago Young Republicans–presented our audience with the idea that personal choices are the foundation of this debate, and asked the question: “Why are drugs illegal?” Are they illegal because they are dangerous and addictive? Is there a moral reason they are illegal? Are drugs inherently “wrong?” Jennifer argued the reason drugs are illegal to suit the government’s purposes, not produce the best outcome for society. Providing some historical perspective to prove her point, she noted how border states originally instituted marijuana laws to reduce immigration from Mexico. Jennifer finished by stating that she simply doesn’t see how keeping drugs illegal reduces crime or drug abuse. She contended that moving drugs from the black market would reduce the huge incentive for criminal activity, and produce safer end-products for users.
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran provided a unique law enforcement perspective. Hailing from an extensive legal and law enforcement background, Sheriff Curran pointed out the most prevalent reason the War on Drugs has become so violent is because of the mixed relationship with Mexico. Because 99% of illicit drugs come through Mexico, Sheriff Curran suggested the U.S. needs to “play hardball” with Mexico and do a better job of securing the borders. Continuing that effort would go a long way in stemming the flow of drugs into our communities. Sheriff Curran also opined on the consequences to society if drugs were to become decriminalized or legalized for personal use. He pointed to a general lack of economic productivity and other unintended consequences in places where drugs are legal. In conclusion, Sheriff Curran asked for those on the drug legalization side to convince him that if we legalized drugs there would be less crime and addiction.
Ralph Conner joined us from the Heartland Institute to present the viewpoint that the War on Drugs has produced a dangerous underground “narco-economy,” and that it must be dismantled. Ralph contended inner-city communities have been damaged most by the gangs and criminal warfare that thrive because of the perverse incentives created by prohibition. He stated that only through legalizing drugs can we break the narco-economy and restore a future for the communities affected. Ralph concluded by asking panelists and audience members to take a hard look at the costs and benefits of the War on Drugs. He argued we need to end state control of drug regulation and to put an end to the narco-economy and bring the trade of drugs into the normal marketplace.
Our final presenter was Collin Corbett, head of the Lake County Young Republicans and an active campaign manager. Collin stated that the question is larger than whether drugs should simply be legalized, and that governments have a unique responsibility to keep citizens safe from harm. Collin argued that the public safety issue is important to keep in mind when discussing this topic. He said government has a legitimate role in reducing demand for illicit drugs, which can only happen through tough enforcement of anti-drug laws here and abroad.
After a vibrant Q&A session that could have continued for hours, the roundtable adjourned. It was a spirited and informative debate, and an excellent kickoff to our fall 2009 series of events. Stay tuned for our next roundtable and happy hour!
