Spring 2009 Vol. 30 • No. 1

Inside: John Stossel on the Dangers of Big Government “Capitalism Fuels Freedom”— CEO David Kim’s Advice to Young Conservatives

March 31, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Time and Newsweek magazines use their iconic covers to promote leftist themes and leaders while theydenigrate conservatism and conservatives.

Conservatives are labeled on past covers as “Hell Raisers,” “Bully Boys,” “Preaching Fear,” “Uncle Scrooge,”“Down & Dirty,” and the “Avengers.”

Meanwhile, liberals are “Saviors of the World,” “Charming and Charismatic,” “One of a Kind,” “The RealThing,” and “The Sunshine Boys.”

This has been a pattern for many years, but it reached its pinnacle with more than 30 Barack Obama coversthat would have embarrassed his own PR team already known for their propensity to prematurely coronatetheir boss.

One cover—from four years ago—had the newly-elected Senator smiling from ear-to-ear: “Seeing Purple: ARising Star Who Wants to Get Beyond Blue vs. Red.” Newsweek declared the Senator, then 99th in seniority,was “fully prepared to step into a leadership role….[he] offers fresh solutions.” Obama alone would merge theinterests of the Red and Blue states.

The mainline news media refused to criticize any leftist. Barack Obama and Joe Biden might not have givenmuch, if any, of their own wealth to help those less fortunate, but that was never examined.

Well, now we know the administration, which was sold to us as moderate and a unifying force, has embarkedon an orgy of government spending and leftist ideology the likes of which we have never seen.

Americans recognized they got into personal trouble with excessive spending and borrowing, and the American“consumer” was beginning to reform his spendthrift ways.

President Obama’s answer to that? Government spending on a scale unprecedented in human history.Irresponsible individual behavior became a rationale for irresponsible governmental behavior.

Obama and Biden, who were so Scrooge-like with their own wealth suddenly, become Santa Claus with “OtherPeople’s Money!”

To this we say, “Enough!”

Enough with the leftist media bias. Enough with the phony politician’s compassion for those less fortunate. Andenough of spending other people’s hard-earned money.

This is not reform.

This is radicalism, and it must be challenged.

This issue of Libertas includes Dr. Burt Folsom’s critical look at FDR who sponsored his own leftist schemesand John Stossel’s warning that we cannot create jobs by executive order. You will also find a free market andpro-America perspective entrepreneur and CEO David Kim. The White House could benefit from their insights.

Sincerely,

Ron Robinson President

Ron RobinsonFoundation President

LibertasSpring 2009

On The Cover: President Barack Obama has appeared on the cover of Time andNewsweek more than 30 times since his first cover appearance in 2005. For years, YoungAmerica’s Foundation President Ron Robinson has advised Foundation student audiencesthat they can recognize the mainstream media’s bias with ease by simply reviewing thecovers editors select for their weekly publications. His popular presentation includes morethan 150 cover images highlighting the favorable and often iconic portrayal of liberalsversus unfavorable and critical depictions of conservatives.

Libertas, a publication of Young America’s Foundation, highlights theprograms, events, students, staff, and supporters of the Foundation. Youmay contact Libertas and Young America’s Foundation by writing to: YoungAmerica’s Foundation, National Headquarters, 110 Elden Street, Herndon,Virginia 20170; calling 800-USA-1776; or visiting http://www.yaf.org.

Publisher: Ron Robinson; Editor: Jessica Koebensky; Publication Design: Jonathan Briggs; Photographer (California): Jensen Sutta Photography; Photographer (Washington, D.C. area): Twin Lens Photo. This documentand all herein contents, images, stories, graphics, and design, fall untoCopyright © 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Young America’s Foundation,unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Any use of Libertas’ contentwithout the written permission of Young America’s Foundation is prohibited.

Also in this Issue: • Senator DeMint Addresses 200 Interns – page 4 • Cold War Experts ShareLessons with Youth – page 5 • Meet the Unsung Heroes of the Conservative Movement – page 12 • Attend an Upcoming Foundation Conference Near You! – page 35

C O N T E N T S

450 Attend 30th Anniversary Conference

British Invasion

600 Motivated at the West Coast Leadership Conference

“Capitalism Fuels Freedom”

Remembering the 9/11 Victims

Are We Headed for Another Great Depression?

Foundation Welcomes Rick Keith

Lech Walesa Headlines Baltic Cruise

Just Married!

The Road to Serfdom20/20

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Stephen Moore Celebrates ’81 Tax Cuts at the Ranch; Schweizer, Dolan, Reagan,

and Others Pass on Cold War Lessons––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––———————————————–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——

By Jessica Koebensky, Editor

I N B R I E F

Moore Headlines Tax Cut Celebration On August 13, 2008, more than 130 members of Young America’sFoundation’s President’s Club gathered at Rancho del Cielo to celebratethe 27th anniversary of President Reagan’s signing of the 1981 EconomicRecovery Tax Act. Reagan economic advisor and Wall Street Journal editorial board memberStephen Moore spoke about the long term economic benefits of the Reagantax cuts. Recounting the poor state of America’s economy prior to 1981, Mr.Moore reminded the audience of the need to pass on free market principles toyoung Americans.

Young America’sFoundation was alsohonored to hostmembers of the YoungBritons’ Foundationas well as Mrs. WendyMcCaw, publisher of theSanta Barbara News-Press, at the event. Guests sat in on a live broadcast by nationally syndicated radiohost Lars Larson as he commemorated the date by interviewinga number of Reagan’s contemporaries including Frank Donatelli,Attorney General Edwin Meese, Congressman Jack Kemp, SecretService agent John Barletta, and Reagan Ranch Presidential Scholarand Governor George Allen. Following lunch, the Foundation’s Sarah T. Hermann InternScholars shared their experiences at the 30th annual NationalConservative Student Conference, and supporters enjoyed openhouse tours of Rancho del Cielo.

Santa Barbara News-Press owner and publisher Wendy McCaw and News-Press co-publisher Arthur von Wiesenberger visit the Reagan Ranch with Foundation Vice President Andrew Coffin (right) during the tax cut celebration.

Wall Street Journal editorial board member Stephen Moore headlines the anniversary celebration of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act.

Senator DeMint Inspires 200 Capitol Hill Interns “Do you want socialism, or do you want freedom?” SenatorJim DeMint posed this question to more than 200 Washington-area interns at the Capitol Hill Club. Foundation Vice PresidentRon Pearson helped organize the event during which attendeesheard the Senator speak about his new book, Why We Whisper: Restoring our Right to Say it’s Wrong. Sarah T. HermannIntern Scholar Bobby Hamill introduced the senator and sharedinformation about the Foundation with those in attendance. During his talk, DeMint emphasized the importance of standingup to big government and policies that counter traditional valuesand the Constitution. Students also took advantage of the questionand answer period by inquiring about the role of government incitizens’ personal lives. DeMint stayed to sign copies of his bookand took extra time to speak with the interns one-on-one.

Senator Jim DeMint signs copies of his book, Why We Whisper, following his lecture to Capitol Hill interns.

Students Learn from Cold War Experts and Radical Islam Opponents Students from across the country gathered at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara for the Enemies of Freedom: from the Cold War to the War on Terror seminar, a three day in-depth study of American foreign policy from the Cold Warthrough the war to defend America from radical Islam. The program, sponsored by the Earhart Foundation and New York Times best-selling author Peter Schweizer, includedengaging discussions on how we can apply the historic, economic, and philosophic lessons learned from the Cold War totoday’s pressing foreign policy questions. Polish journalist Tomasz Pompowski discussed the role of faith in winning the Cold War, and Naval Academy professorDr. John Arquilla explained how Reagan revolutionized American foreign policy. Talk radio host and Ronald Reagan’s son Michael Reagan provided the students with a better understanding abouthow President Reagan viewed the Cold War, and former KGB agent Oleg Kalugin spoke of his journey from a party-line

communist to one of communism’s greatest critics. Author Nonie Darwish discussed the historical and currentimpact of Islamic Sharia law and how it is the antithesis ofwestern values. Tony Dolan, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalistand President Reagan’s speech writer for eight years, not onlyshared anecdotal stories of his time with the President but alsoemphasized the importance of words in impacting the world. The students also had the opportunity to visit PresidentReagan’s beloved ranch. Seminar attendee Christina Chiappeof California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispoconcluded, “No one should miss the opportunity to experience thespeakers and films that are brought to these seminars. They arevital to understanding our current world and help young people tointelligently communicate the truth and facts.”

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I N B R I E F

Naval Academy professor John Arquilla discusses President Reagan’s Cold War policies and achievements.

Best-selling author and Foundation alumnus Peter Schweizer (right) wraps up the Enemies of Freedom seminar with a panel discussion featuring the program’s speakers (from left to right) Tomasz Pompowski, Tony Dolan, Nonie Darwish, and Oleg Kalugin.

Students from across the country gather for the Enemies of Freedom: from the Cold War to the War on Terror seminar at the Reagan Ranch Center.

“No one should miss the opportunity to experience the

brought to these seminars.”

May 8 to 10 & October 16 to 18

These exclusive weekend getaways are capped at six couples. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information please call Jason Barbour at 336-286-1701

ExperienceTHE REAGAN RANCH

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Santa Barbara, California, and at the Reagan Ranch. Join an intimate group of five other couples for a trip that you will never forget. All of the details, including two-night, five-star accommodations at the historic, oceanfront Biltmore Hotel, meals, and a VIP tour and gourmet lunch at Ronald Reagan’s “Western White House,” are planned for you and included in one price of $2,287 per couple (covering all weekend expenses except travel to and from Santa Barbara).

“ Rancho del Cielocan make you feel as if you are on acloud.”

- Ronald Reagan

SOLD OUT

have never foundreading froma textbook asfascinating as I

did during Dr. BurtFolsom’s lecture on

textbook bias at the 30th annualNational Conservative StudentConference. I, along with 450 otherstudents from 35 states and 150campuses, traveled to Washington,D.C., to hear engaging speeches fromConservative Movement leaders. The experience far exceeded myexpectations. Speakers turned lectures intoengaging dialogue, with studentseager for their turns at themicrophone during the question-and-answer sessions. Dr. WalterWilliams took complex topics ineconomic theory and discussedthem from a moral perspectivewith which I could easily relate;Foundation board memberand best-selling author PeterSchweizer revived the tired phrase

“compassionate conservatism” byshowing just how generous weconservatives are in comparison withour hypocritical liberal counterparts;and talk radio hosts Doug Giles andMichael Graham made all of us laugh,reminding us that liberals do not havea monopoly on comedy. Other speakers at the conferenceincluded Governor George Allen,National Review Editor Rich Lowry,columnist George Will, Weekly Standard Editors Fred Barnes and

1) Columnist George Will opens the 30th anniversary conference with a discussion of the current issues facing our country and the Conservative Movement.

Annual National Conservative Student Conference

“ARMED WITH IDEAS”

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Chao, Will, Lowry, Williams, and Others Inspire Future Leaders

BY ALYSSA CORDOVA,

SARAH T. HERMANN INTERN SCHOLAR

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Annual National Conservative Student Conference

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Bill Kristol, Secretary of Labor ElaineChao, and many more. In addition,C-SPAN, reaching 92 million homes,aired 12 of the conference segmentslive and played a total of 36segments during and following theweek-long program. One of the highlights of theweek was a briefing at the WhiteHouse with the top speechwriterto President Bush, Marc Thiessen. Thiessen, an alumnus of theNational Conservative Student

Conference, shared personal storiesabout the President and about hisown experiences working in theWhite House. It was inspiring tosee that someone who started at aFoundation conference had workedto such a high position in theadministration. The opportunity to interact withhundreds of like-minded studentsfrom all over the country—and evensome from abroad—offered a uniqueexperience most of us do not get on

our college campuses. Meeting so many student activistsdedicated to promoting conservativevalues on their campuses providedmuch encouragement to go back tomy own campus at George MasonUniversity and do the same. Knowingthat I am not alone in facing thedominant liberal agenda on campusinstilled confidence in me that isnecessary to face the challengespresented by the Left. Words of wisdom from esteemed

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conservative leaders and support frommy peers left me with one cruciallesson: conservative ideas are notbeing represented on my campus, andit is my job to correct that. Armedwith ideas and a new outlook on mycollege career, I know I must go backto my campus unafraid to challengemy peers, my professors, and—thanksto Dr. Folsom—even my textbooks.——————————————————Alyssa Cordova is a senior at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

2) Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao shares her thoughts on the economy and the importance of the free market. 3) Students Jamie Luther and Jennifer Zakarian (back row, left to right) and Chris Guzman, Alyssa Cordova, and Michael Wood (front row, left to right) enjoy the conference’s evening banquets. 4) National Review Editor Rich Lowry shares his thoughts about the media and the Conservative Movement. 5) Conference Director Roger Custer presents economist and regular Foundation speaker Dr. Walter Williams with an award for his dedication to teaching young people the importance of the free market. 6) Foundation alumnus and White House staffer Anthony Warren speaks with students following the conference’s annual White House briefing. 7) Students Joseph Gurliaccio and Brian Hackett participate in the special White House briefing at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. 8) More than 450 students from 35 states travel to Washington, D.C., for the 30th annual National Conservative Student Conference.

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Annual National Conservative Student Conference

he Anglo-American “SpecialRelationship,”personified by Lady

Thatcher and RonaldReagan, is alive and

well, and there are plenty of studentson both sides of the Atlantic whocan now vouch for this. The YoungBritons’ Foundation (YBF) teamed upwith Young America’s Foundation totake 25 U.K. students to the NationalConservative Student Conference heldin Washington, D.C., last August. The Young Britons’ Foundationperforms a similar function to Young

America’s Foundation; we organiseactivist training sessions, host speakerevents, campaign against academicand media bias, and hold an annualActivist Training Conference. YBFand Young America’s Foundationshare the same values—values thathave their roots in the conservatismof two of our greatest leaders, RonaldReagan and Margaret Thatcher. Oneach side of the Atlantic, we campaignfor limited government, personalresponsibility, liberty, and freedom. YBF believes that British conserva-tives could learn a lot from America,and so each year YBF gives U.K.students the opportunity to experienceAmerican activism at its best: throughYoung America’s Foundation.The British students charmed theAmericans with their accents, whilstthe Americans impressed the Britishwith their hardcore activist approachand optimism. It’s clear that both can learna lot from each other. The U.K.Conservative Movement has neverbeen stronger, and as Prime MinisterGordon Brown flounders in office,

the winds of change are elevating theconservatives. U.K. students saw howto make the most of this on universityand college campuses, and Americanstudents saw how the U.K. has revivedits once tired Conservative Movement. In the U.K., Conservative Futureis active on the majority of universitycampuses—massively outnumberingthe liberals that traditionally lay claimto campuses. However, the U.K. youngConservative Movement is not yetas autonomous and proactive as itis in the United States, where YoungAmerica’s Foundation leads the field inyouth activism. After the National ConservativeStudent Conference, YBF took adozen students to California wherethey explored the life and lastingaccomplishments of Ronald Reaganat Rancho del Cielo. For most of theBritish, it was their first exposure to theintimacies and details of the life thatReagan led not only as president butalso in the years before his election. The most memorable part of ourtrip was attending the barbecue lunchat the Reagan Ranch to honour the

BRITISH INVASION

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Young Britons Experience YAF

27th anniversary of the signing of the 1981Economic Recovery Tax Act. Not onlydid this give the British an opportunityto really understand the life of RonaldReagan, but it also demonstrated theincredible role that Young America’sFoundation plays in the ConservativeMovement—and in having saved Ranchodel Cielo to ensure that future generationswill learn about Ronald Reagan’sremarkable life. YBF activists always enjoy their tripsto the U.S., and this most recent visit wascertainly no exception—whether it wasengaging with speakers such as GeorgeWill or Bill Kristol, taking in the D.C.nightlife with newfound American friends,or getting the full Reagan experience inSanta Barbara. So successful was thetrip, that YBF has already organised areturn in 2009. This will be a great op-portunity to catch up with and learnfrom new friends, and to discuss thestate of the Conservative Movementin both countries. The alliancebetween Britain and America isnot just policy-oriented. As theYBF visit showed, it is also cultural,historical, and above all, vital.

1) Young Britons’ Foundation Executive Director Donal Blaney leads a delegation of British students to the Reagan Ranch. 2) Twenty-five students from the U.K. travel to Washington, D.C., to learn from leading conservatives and meet like-minded American students at the National Conservative Student Conference. 3) The British delegation visits the Reagan Ranch Center prior to touring the Reagan Ranch. 4) British students Oliver Cooper and Beulah Chelva visit Rancho del Cielo during the Foundation’s celebration of the 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act.

BY DONAL BLANEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YOUNG BRITONS’ FOUNDATION

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Conference and the Reagan Ranch

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Available online, in bookstores everywhere, or at www.Regnery.com.

´

´Contained in the pages of this book by Young America’s Foundation’s Nicole Hoplin

and Ron Robinson are the stories that have rarely been told by the media. . . They

are the stories of the vibrant lives of people who stood behind some of the Conservative

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stories of how the most significant books, institutions, and leaders came to be . . .

“The mainstream press can be held respon-

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Purchase Funding Fathers today—essential read-

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“Iwill leave this conference with a restored faithin American conservatism and with a newfoundinspiration to further our cause. I have become

frustrated with the collegiate liberal mindset, but thisconference has given me hope,” said Meghan Notti of SantaClara University as she left the 2008 West Coast LeadershipConference. Held in Santa Barbara, California, the ninthannual conference brought more than 600 participants from18 states and 95 campuses to learn conservative ideas andnetwork with other future leaders. Best-selling author and Foundation Director PeterSchweizer kicked off the conference with a speech about hisnew book, Makers and Takers. He used statistical data toprove how conservatives are happier, more involved, and moregenerous than liberals.

2008 West Coast Leadership Conference Inspires 600

BY ROGER CUSTER, CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

Emboldening Beliefs and Reaffirming ConvictionsEmboldening Beliefs and Reaffirming Convictions

Members of the University of California – Santa Barbara ROTC present the colors at the West Coast Leadership Conference’s opening banquet.

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The day-long sessions began with Michael Reagan discussing the 2008 election results in the contextof his father’s election losses and victories. Reagan Ranch Board of Governors Chairman FrankDonatelli offered his thoughts on the election and his role at the RNC during the fall. In advising

students, Donatelli said, “You won’t know how good a victory feels until you’ve had a defeat. In life, youlearn more because you lost.” A lively panel discussion on the same topic followed with Foundation Vice President Kate Obenshain,Seattle talk radio host and Foundation Director Kirby Wilbur, California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring,and Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute President Michelle Easton. Later, Congressman Mark Souderencouraged students to remain active in the Conservative Movement and discussed the challenges currentlyfacing our country. Syndicated talk show host Dennis Prager fired up the crowd with the best ways to debate with liberalsand advance conservatism on campus. He noted, “The university is the ultimate intellectual bubble whereforeign ideas are not permitted in, lest they upset the faculty.”

Foundation alumnus and best-selling author Peter Schweizer shares insights from his latest book, Makers and Takers, with the audience of 600 students and supporters.

Brian Hawkins from Azusa Pacific University asks questions of the leading conservatives participating in the West Coast Leadership Conference.

Wall Street Journal columnist and Foundation alumnus John Fund wraps up the student program with a discussion of the presidential race.

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“This conference has emboldened me and my beliefs, and reaffirmed my conviction that the youth are the key to the Conservative Movement.”

Landon Wilson, Mount Si High School in Washington

Talk radio host Dennis Prager (middle) meets with University of California – Santa Barbara students (from left to right): Steven Begakis, Julie Kopp, Kristen Till, Ross Nolan, Lea Uebelhart, Kevin Frost, and Lili Petrossian.

California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring participates in a panel discussion on the state of the Conservative Movement.

Top student leaders from around the country visit President Reagan’s 688-acre ranch prior to attending the conference.

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Afternoon sessions commenced with a talk about conservatism and the culture war by acclaimedscreenwriter and author Andrew Klavan. He was followed by an inspiring talk from Baja Fresh CEODavid Kim, a Korean immigrant who encouraged students to stand up for the free market in the face

of socialism. “There is a symbiotic relationship between capitalism and conservatism,” said Mr. Kim. “Whenindividuals are empowered, they have the ability to serve others directly [and not through the government].” (See pages 17 to 20 to read the full transcript from Mr. Kim’s speech.)

Wall Street Journal columnist and Foundation alumnus John Fund wrapped up the conference with hisanalysis of the election results. He highlighted President Obama’s choice of Clinton administration officialsand questioned how that amounts to “change.” Throughout the conference, students asked tough questions and discussed the electoral results, but they leftwith a newfound confidence in conservative principles that will carry their activism into 2009 and for manyyears to come. Landon Wilson from Mount Si High School in Washington summed up the weekend in a fewwords: “The last two days have been the two most influential of my life. This conference has emboldened meand my beliefs and reaffirmed my conviction that the youth are the key to the Conservative Movement.”

It is a special honor andprivilege for me to be herewith you today. Seeing so

many smart, cool, conservativecollege students is encouraging. Ihave to tell you it is refreshing toknow that not all college studentsgot swept up in the “Obamamania.” When Roger Custer called toinvite me to speak, I told him Iwould agree to speak here todayon one condition: that YoungAmerica’s Foundation promisenot to play any “Yes We Can”music videos by rappers andcelebrities! In all seriousness, I want tothank the president of YoungAmerica’s Foundation, the impressive Ron Robinson.After presidential defeats like the one we just suffered, it iscomforting to know we have wise conservative leaders likeRon Robinson to provide strong leadership through thestorm. In light of the recent election, on the surface it mightappear that conservatism has suffered a lethal blow. Themost liberal president in American history will soon occupythe White House. The outgoing president has one of thelowest approval ratings in the modern era. The House andthe Senate will now be dominated by the most leftist leadersin history, and in the wake of the biggest financial catastrophesince the Great Depression, capitalism—the financial bedrockof our nation—is under assault. Come to think of it, the only thing that has taken a worse

beating than capitalism has beenmy holdings in the now defunctBear Sterns! For entrepreneurs like me,openingthestockpageof theWall Street Journal every morning hasbeen almost as painful as beingforced to sit through a MichaelMoore movie! Notice I said“almost” as painful.

Yes, from all outwardappearances, this would seemto be a hard time to be a youngconservative. The truth is therehas never been a more importanttime to be a young conservativethan right now. Look aroundthis room. Right this second, youare sitting shoulder to shoulder

with the next great leaders who will carry the message offreedom, limited government, free markets, and personalresponsibility. The true test of your values and convictions comes notduring seasons of sunshine, but rather during days of darknessand despair. As the great British poet Lord Byron put it, “Adversity isthe first path to truth.” Leadership is about living out yourvalues when it’s hard to do so. I am here today for one simple reason. I am absolutelyconvinced that each one of you in this room is the solutionto the problems liberals will create over the next four years. The reason I know this is because President Ronald Reagantaught me about capitalism, about giving, and about what itmeans to be an American.

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“CAPITALISM FUELSFREEDOM”

BAJA FRESH CEO DAVID KIM’SADDRESS AT THE 2008 WEST COAST

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEYoung America’s Foundation thanks Mr. Kim for allowing

his inspiring speech to be reprinted in Libertas.

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California Lutheran University student Michael Swaiden meets David Kim following his inspiring speech to 600 at the West Coast Leadership Conference.

Before my family immigrated to the United States, myfather served as an ambassador for the Korean government.We traveled and lived everywhere. Bolivia, Paraguay,Egypt ... I attended more schools than I can remember. Intotal, I lived in eight countries. In 1979, after serving thecountry for more than 20 years, my father was forced toretire after a change in the administration. That is when myparents decided to move to the United States because of oureducational background. Like most immigrants, we arrived in America with verylittle. My father’s once elite political affiliations now meantnothing. We had no money and knew no one. So my parentsfound a tiny two-room apartment and immediately startedtrying to find work. That’s when I got my first taste of theAmerican free-market system. My fatherwould take my two older brothers andme down to a marketplace where welearned the art of negotiation and salesby selling toys! Those early experiences were myfirst lessons in capitalism and, not tomention, desperation and humility. Butmore than that, those early experiencestaught me that America is opportunity! That America is freedom. For the firsttime, I saw that I could work hard, buildwealth, and still be my own boss. That became my dream. I dreamedthat one day I would be blessed with theopportunity to create jobs for people,provide financial security and stabilityfor my family, and to have no limitson what I could accomplish or create. And I could help others accomplish their dreams. I beganto realize through controlling my mind and disciplining mywork habits, I could accomplish anything. I believe you can do the same. In fact, I know you canand you will. The fact that you’re a part of Young America’sFoundation proves that you are a leader. But more than that,it proves that you understand what men like Ronald Reaganand economist Milton Friedman understood: capitalismfuels freedom and breeds creativity. Free markets create freshideas and prosperity. Do you realize how blessed we are to live in a nation thatvalues economic opportunity? It is the greatest gift a countrycan give its citizens: the right to soar as high as your wingswill carry you. Trust me. I’ve lived and conducted business all over theglobe. I’ve seen with my own eyes what “central planning”and “government-run economies” do to individuals. And yet, some liberals just don’t seem to get it. So here’s

what I say to them: let people keep what they earn! It’s yourmoney, not the government’s! So here’s my message to President-Elect Obama: Don’t“spread the wealth around.” Spread the freedom around! I don’t know about you, but I trust Joe the Plumber farmore than I trust Joe Biden. Now I’m aware of what our anti-capitalist friends willall say. They will tell us that the recent collapse of ourfinancial markets proves that capitalism is broken. But, asusual, our liberal friends have it exactly backwards. Whatthe recent financial disaster proves is that capitalism works! When people make poor decisions or act badly, the marketpunishes them. Now, does anyone enjoy watching people’s personal

fortunes evaporate into thin air? No,of course not. It’s awful, tragic, andheartbreaking. And I can tell you ona personal level that these last severalweeks have been some of the mostdifficult days of my professional life. I’ve had to fight harder than ever toprotect my employees’ jobs. So let’s be very clear about this:the deep financial crisis we face is realand severe. But does that mean thatthe entire free market system should betossed into the trash heap of history? Absolutely not! I like what Warren Buffett, therichest man in the world, says about allthis. Warren likes to say, “Capitalismwithout failure is like Christianitywithout hell.” You can’t have one

without the other. I’ll be very interested to hear your thoughts about the$700 billion bailout and the attacks against capitalism bythose who favor socialism. But as President Gerald Ford once warned, “A governmentbig enough to give you everything you want is a governmentbig enough to take from you everything you have.” That’s the first message you must carry back to your collegecampus. The old saying, “Money is power” is true. And themore money you let people keep, the more empowered theybecome. The second message you need to spread is the messagethat Ronald Reagan preached throughout his politicalcareer. As you know, he majored in economics at EurekaCollege. So he understood the folly in raising corporate taxrates. In a 1975 interview with the libertarian publication,Reason Magazine, here’s how then-Governor Reaganexplained it:

SPEECH BY DAVID KIM, CEO OF BAJA FRESH

–––––––––––––––––––—––––––––––––––––– At the 2008 West Coast Leadership Conference –––––––––––––––––––—–––––––––––––––––

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The fact that you’re a part of Young America’s Foundation proves that you are a leader. But more than that, it proves

that you understand what men like Ronald Reagan and economist Milton Friedman understood: capitalism fuels

freedom and breeds creativity. Free markets create fresh

ideas and prosperity.

Who pays the business tax anyway? We do! You can’t tax business. Business doesn’t pay taxes. It collects taxes. And if they can’t be passed on to the customer in the price of the product as a cost of operation, business goes out of business… So they’ll tax business and the price of the product will go up and the people will blame the storekeeper for the rise in the price of the product, not recognizing that all he’s doing is passing on to them a hidden sales tax.

You see, Ronald Reagan understood that businesses don’tpay taxes, they merely pass taxes on to the consumer. Andthat’s why the “soak the rich” rhetoric we hear from liberalsis cynical and unfortunate. That kind of class warfare mayscore political points with somevoters, but it comes at the costof harsh economic consequencesand the loss of real jobs thataffect real families. That reminds me of a picturetaken of Ronald Reagan insidethe Oval Office at a time ofeconomic crisis. As he’s standingthere staring out the window, youcan almost feel the weight of theworld resting on his shoulders. The reason he cared so muchabout economic growth wasbecause he remembered whatit was like growing up duringthe Great Depression with analcoholic father who could barelyholdhis jobasashoesalesman. Heunderstood that a person’s abilityto get a job was tied to their pride and ability to support theirfamily. Leadership is stewardship. Great leaders put thosethey lead first. President Ronald Reagan understood this. But there’s another reason he championed capitalism: capitalism produces the means by which individuals—notgovernments—can directly serve their fellow man. There is asymbiotic relationship between capitalism and conservatism. When individuals are economically empowered, they have theability to serve others directly. But when a country becomes anation of entitlement, individuals feel less compelled to give tocharities, donate their time, or volunteer in their communities. Instead, they just shrug their shoulders and say, “That’s notmy problem. Let the government deal with it.” You know what the saddest part of this is? It is thatsocialism robs individuals of the joy and blessings that comethrough being a cheerful giver. Giving is a boomerang. Italways comes back to you.

If you want to know the secret to America’s astoundingwealth and prosperity, all you need to do is study America’slong, proud history of helping others. For example, according to USA Today, last yearAmericans donated a jaw-dropping $300 billion dollars tocharity, making our nation the most generous nation on theplanet. Last year, America donated twice as much to charityas the next most generous country. And it’s not just those ofus at the top. In fact, three-fourths of all Americans—fromall backgrounds and walks of life—donated an average of$1,800 a year to charity. You see, I believe that America’s enormous generosityand desire to help others is at the very heart and soul ofAmerican prosperity. I write about this in my upcoming

book, Ignite!: The 11 Values that Fuel Billionaire Success. What Ibelieve is this: individuals whogive the most receive the most. Do you know why? It isbecause God entrusts wealth tothose whom He knows will begood and faithful stewards of theblessings they have received. Each one of us here has buta short time on this earth. Whenwe pass on, we can’t take ourmoney, cars, or wealth with us. As the great legendary businesstitan and philanthropist, DavidRockefeller, once said, “You’llnever see a hearse with a luggagerack!” Rockefeller had it exactlyright. He understood that no

matter how much success or possessions we ever amass, noneof it will go with us when we die. And that, you see, is the genius of America. Woven intothe fabric of American history is a solemn belief in the valueand duty of serving others—no matter who they are. Let megive you an example that is near and dear to my heart: theKorean War. Thirty-six thousand nine hundred and forty. That is thenumber of Americans who died during the Korean War—American boys fighting in a distant, far away land that mosthad never seen or knew much about. And yet, when the timecame to stand up and fight against tyranny, 36,940 young18- and 19-year-old American men answered duty’s call. They linked arms with my parents and sacrificed their livesfor others. But what if they had not? What if those Americans had instead said, “Let someoneelse get involved. I’m not giving up my blood and treasure.

SPEECH BY DAVID KIM, CEO OF BAJA FRESH

–––––––––––––––––––—––––––––––––––––– At the 2008 West Coast Leadership Conference –––––––––––––––––––—–––––––––––––––––

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Foundation alumnus and author Wynton Hall (left) was instrumental in arranging Mr. Kim’s appearance at the West Coast Leadership Conference.

No way! I’m comfortable. Let someone else take care of theproblem. Not me!” What would have happened had thatbeen America’s response during the Korean War? Well, I don’t think it takes a historian to tell you thattens of thousands more innocent Koreans would have beenslaughtered had America simply crossed its arms and sat onthe sidelines and not rushed to defend the South Koreans. Those American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marineswho died fighting for my relatives were sowing seeds so thatI now enjoy the harvest. Even though I never got to meet orthank those young soldiers, they planted the seeds of freedomthat brought me great bounty. They planted the seeds forpeople in another time and place. They sowed seeds thatwould blossom only decades after their deaths. But theydidn’t let that stop them from investing in the promise andfreedom of future generations. No, they gave their very livesso that I might be here today. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for the soldiers’families who instilled a deep and solemn belief in the impor-tance of giving and sacrifice in their sons and daughters. Is it any wonder America is so blessed? Is it any wonderthat the United States continues to enjoy prosperity beyondanything the world has ever seen? Is it any wonder that ournation continues to be so richly rewarded? From the very beginning, America was built on a Godlyfoundation. With that faith in God came the belief thatthe riches we enjoy on earth flow from and belong to theAlmighty—not ourselves. And that, I believe, is the true secretto happiness and inner peace. The material things in life andprestige are not the pathways to happiness. I’ve seen richescome and go. But what I have learned in my life is that the

greatest happiness, success, andjoy come when we volunteerand help to improve the lives ofothers. As the great poet RalphWaldo Emerson once putit, “Happiness is a perfumeyou cannot pour on otherswithout getting a few drops onyourself.” I don’t know about you,but that’s sure been true inmy life. The happiness we getwhen we help others is thegreatest reward one could everwish for. And that is why yourpresence here this weekend is soimportant. You are the leaderswho must carry the torch ofeconomic freedom forward.

You are the generation who must now rebuild and strengthenthe Conservative Movement and amplify its message. Youare the Americans who must refuse to allow re-distributiveeconomic policies to outsource philanthropic service to somegovernment agency or bureaucrat. The battle that lies before you will not be easy. But that’swhy it must be you to lead it. Because if you don’t do it,who will? Who will stand up and preserve the values that made ournation great? Who will stand up and protect the truth fromthose who would rather tear America down than to lift herup? Who will stand up and defend freedom so that futuregenerations of Americans will inherit the liberties guaranteedto us by those brave and brilliant men in that tiny hall inPhiladelphia? I think I know the answer. And I think you do too. Sowhen you get home, get to work and run hard and fast. President Ronald Reagan taught me what it means to bean American. We owe him more than words can repay. But,let us never forget his famous and powerful warning:

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

I’m sure he’s looking down and smiling at the sight of somany brilliant young Americans willing to charge into battle. The fate of our beloved nation rests on your shoulders. MayGod give you the strength and spirit to keep fighting the goodfight! Thank you.

SPEECH BY DAVID KIM, CEO OF BAJA FRESH

–––––––––––––––––––—––––––––––––––––– At the 2008 West Coast Leadership Conference –––––––––––––––––––—–––––––––––––––––

Students from UCLA attend the weekend-long program and enjoy Mr. Kim’s inspiring speech underscoring the importance of the free market.

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Throughout my collegecareer, there are many eventsthat my club and I havebrought to and facilitated at

Pepperdine University, none of whichhave been more important and moremeaningful than the events surroundingthe anniversary of September 11, 2001. Our conservative student clubhas participated in Young America’sFoundation’s 9/11: Never Forget Project in past years, but in 2008 wetook things to a higher level. Eighteenmonths of planning and fundraisingwent into creating a display of 2,977three-by-five-foot American flagsstanding high atop

ten-foot poles. Theflags, representing thosemurdered on September11, spread across the frontlawn of Pepperdine andfaced the Pacific Ocean. The scene was quitemajestic. During the day,the winds picked up offthe ocean and sent theflags waving in synchro-nized motion. At night,the flags lay somber, lit byfloodlights, reminiscent ofa reverent grave. The display attractedpeople from all over the countryincluding families of the victims and

local police and fire departments. We left the flags up for theentire week, during whichtraffic along Pacific CoastHighway came to a haltas passers-bystopped alongthe side of the

road and families enjoyedpicnics amongst theflags. Children, manyborn after that tragic day,ran through the display. Visitors sat down for aprayer, and many walkedthrough the flags withtears in their eyes. The“Wave of Flags,” as itwas dubbed, became thetalk of Malibu. Young America’sFoundation helpedus schedule Harold Simmons Lecturer and

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroftto speak to the Pepperdine communityon the evening of September 11. WhenMr. Ashcroft arrived on campus, herequested that he be able to walkthrough the flags before he gave hisspeech. The Attorney General then gavea riveting lecture, recounting the eventsof 9/11 and America’s responses to the

S T U D E N T P R O F I L E

“ONE OF THE GREATESTWEEKS OF MY LIFE”

A Student’s Perspective on the 9/11: Never Forget Project––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––———————————––––––––––––––——

By Ryan Sawtelle, Pepperdine University

Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle presents Ryan Sawtelle with an award honoring his successful campus activism.

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Pepperdine University student Ryan Sawtelle organized this moving display of 2,977 ten-foot tall Americans flags on his campus as part of the Foundation’s 2008 9/11: Never Forget Project.

attacks. He was met with thunderousapplause from a packed house. As an avid Harley rider, I alsodecided to organize a motorcycle rallyon Saturday, September 13 to benefitthe Fallen Heroes Fund. The rallyconcluded at the base of the flags withsong and prayer. The Grand Marshalls

for the event were the Patriots GuardRiders—a group of motorcycle riders,most of whom are veterans, that escortfallen soldiers to the funeral homes andmake certain that every soldier has aproper, reverent burial. More than 300 motorcycles partici-pated including the official Los Angeles

9/11 Air & Rescue Team sent to therally by Harley-Davidson and at therequest of the mayor. The event raisedthousands of dollars for our woundedand fallen soldiers and their families. The events of that week willforever be etched in the memories ofstudents at Pepperdine University and

around the community. I will alwaysremember it as one of the greatestweeks of my life and look forward toseeing the 9/11: Never Forget Projecton campus for years to come.——————————————————Ryan Sawtelle is a senior economics major at Pepperdine University.

Students from across the country organized 9/11: Never Forget flag memorials on their campuses to remember those murdered by radical jihadists on September 11, 2001. Pictured are flag memorials at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York (page 22), Queens College in Flushing, New York, (page 23, top left), the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia (page 23, top right), University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida (page 23, lower left), and Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois (page 23, lower right).

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Record Number of Schools Participate in 9/11: Never Forget Project––––––––––––––––————————————————————————————————————————————————––––––––––––––––

A record number of schools—more than 180 nationwide—took part in Young America’s Foundation’s 2008 9/11: Never Forget Project. Most colleges and high schools would not hold programs to remember those murdered by radical jihadists on September 11, 2001, if not for the efforts of Young America’s Foundation and the hundreds of conservative students who bring this project to schools across our country.

Young America’s Foundation provides students with training, resources, materials, speakers, and support to display 2,977 American flags to represent each person killed in the terrorist attacks. For more information about this important project and a list of participating schools, visit our website: http://yaf.org/students/activists/911/index.cfm.

(Upper left and right) In addition to the Never Forget flag display at Pepperdine University, student leader Ryan Sawtelle also organized a motorcycle rally featuring the Patriots Guard Riders and members of the Los Angeles 9/11 Air & Rescue Team. (Lower left) Members of the military stand guard at the flag display organized by students at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. (Lower right) Conservative student leaders at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire created a Never Forget flag display to ensure their campus properly remembered those killed on September 11.

“My fellow conservative,I failed a dear friend...”

Her name was Evelyn Peterson, and she was a kind, generous woman. She believed inspiring young people with conservative ideas is the best way to shape America’s future. I first became acquainted with Evelyn in 1994. She and her husband, George, were deeply concerned about America’s future. They made a $50 gift to Young America’s Foundation to help shape the direction in which our country was headed. Evelyn and George were among the first Americans to step forward to help save the Reagan Ranch in 1998. They understood the power of inspiring young people at this important presidential site.

Sadly, George passed away in 1999. Soon after, Evelyn designated Young America’s Foundation as the primary beneficiary of her retirement plan. Evelyn felt a responsibility to preserve America’s freedom for future generations—including her own grandchildren.

My last conversation with Evelyn was three days before she died. She told me she intended to be recognized as a one million dollar supporter. This was not the first time Evelyn expressed her desire to make a life-changing gift through her estate. But Evelyn never updated her plans to include the significant gift she intended to make.

I miss Evelyn. I take responsibility for not working more closely with her to ensure she fulfilled her wishes. I should have asked Evelyn how I could help. But I was reluctant to seem intrusive. Conservatives are especially hesitant to impose our beliefs on others.

I wish I had another opportunity to help Evelyn achieve her dreams.

I failed Evelyn by not following up on her estate planning intentions. This message is my attempt to make it up to her. She would be pleased to know her story encouraged others to help shape America’s future.

Please meet with an attorney and update your estate plans to reflect your current wishes. You can help your attorney by providing this sample language:

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Young America’sFoundation, tax identification number 23-7042029, 110Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170 (insert percentage,amount or nature of gift, or remainder of estate) to be usedfor educational purposes (or to support the Reagan Ranchand activities at the Reagan Ranch Center).”

You may also designate Young America’s Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy by filling out a simple form provided by your insurance company.

If you have any questions, please call me or my colleague, Kimberly Begg, also an attorney. Kimberly and I—along with many of the Conservative Movement’s most important leaders—are members of the Ranch In The Sky Legacy Society,because we have updated our estate plans to include Young America’s Foundation. We share your commitment to shaping America’s future, and we are here to help you.

Gratefully, Ron Robinson, President rrobinson@yaf.org

Note: Updating your estate plans is even more important because the Obama administration and Congress are expected to reverse the estate tax relief included in the Bush tax cuts. Forty-five percent or more of your wealth could go to the govern-ment unless you make gifts to tax-exempt organizations—including Young America’s Foundation—in your will or living trust.

National Headquarters, F. M. Kirby Freedom Center, 110 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, 800-USA-1776, www.yaf.orgThe Reagan Ranch Center, 217 State Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, 888-USA-1776© Copyright 2009 Young America’s Foundation

“I wish I had another opportunity to help Evelyn

achieve her dreams.”

Ron Robinson

he Great Depression and theNew Deal are landmark eventsin the political history of the U.S.

We can trace the rapid growth in biggovernment today back to PresidentFranklin Roosevelt and his manyfederal programs of the 1930s—fromfarm subsidies to social security to ourmodern welfare system. In the currentfinancial crisis, many Americans arecrying for Barack Obama to begin a“new” New Deal. In New Deal or Raw Deal? I suggest that such a movewould be a disaster. Why? Because theNew Deal was an utter failure and didmore to perpetuate than end the GreatDepression. Here are four points toconsider. First, the Great Depression was trig-gered not by the failure of capitalism,but by well intentioned governmentprograms. The Federal Reserve raisedinterest rates, which halted investment;Congress passed the highest tariff in U.S.history; and President Hoover raisedtaxes, which further discouraged en-trepreneurs from starting or expandingbusinesses. These points are importantbecause Barack Obama, during the2008 presidential campaign, suggestedraising both tariffs and income tax rates. Second, the New Deal programsdidn’t work. Unemployment in 1939was still 20 percent, which led Henry

Morgenthau, the secretary of treasury,to say, “We have tried spendingmoney. We are spending more thanwe have ever spent before and it doesnot work.” Morgenthau was right. In the New Deal, we paid farmersnot to produce, we paid unemployedAmericans to count caterpillars, andwe gave Illinois 15 percent of allfederal relief money and Massachusettszero. How could that redistribution oftax dollars have put Americans back

to work? Instead, what happenedwas that FDR, in order to pay for hisprograms, had to raise income taxes—first to 79 percent and then to 90percent on large incomes. That furtherdiscouraged investors from startingindustries and creating new jobs. Third, when we bailed outcompanies during the Great Depressionby giving them large loans, we sawpoliticians give bailout money topolitical friends, not necessarily to

By Dr. Burt FolsomAuthor, New Deal or Raw Deal?

Dr. Burt Folsom, author and history professor at Hillsdale College, teaches the important accomplishments of America’s early entrepreneurs to the students attending the 2008 Reagan Ranch High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch Center in California.

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those companies that were well run. Inother words, we played politics withwho got the loans and who didn’t. Under President Herbert Hoover, ahuge bank bailout loan went to CharlesDawes, the former GOP vice-president. And his bank failed even with thefederal subsidy. Under Franklin Roosevelt, fellowliberal David Stern,editor of thePhiladelphia Record, receiveda key federal loanso that he couldcampaign to electfellow liberals inthe swing state ofPennsylvania. By contrast,Moe Annenberg,the editor of theconservative Philadelphia Inquirer, notonly did not get a federal loan, he got asummons by the IRS to appear in courtfor income tax evasion. As FDR saidto Henry Morgenthau, “I want MoeAnnenberg for dinner.” Morgenthauresponded, “You’re going to have himfor breakfast—fried.” When federalmoney is dispensed, politics—notcompetence, equity, or need—determines where it will be spent. Ifwe expand government in the current

crisis, we can expect politicians tocontinue to reward their friends andpunish their enemies. Finally, the crisis of the GreatDepression became the opportunityto expand the federal government

permanently. When FDR becamepresident, thenational debtwas about$20 billion. When he leftoffice (afterWorld War II)it was about$250 billion. After the NewDeal, most ofFDR’s programsremained intact

and the national debt continuedto rise, which has imposed a crushingburden on Americans now beingborn. If, as a nation, we value ourcharacter and integrity, we can’t drownour children in a sea of debt. George

Dr. Burt Folsom meets with high school students at the Foundation’s Gratia Houghton Rinehart National High School Leadership Conference—a program at which he has spoken every year since its inception in 1997.

About Dr. Folsom Burton W. Folsom Jr. is a professor of history at Hillsdale College in Michigan and is a senior historian at the Foundation for Economic Education. He is a regular speaker at Young America’s Foundation’s conferences as well as a columnist for The Freeman. Dr. Folsom has written articles for the Wall Street Journal and American Spectator, among other publications. In addition to his latest book, New Deal or Raw Deal? How FDR’s Economic Legacy has Damaged America (Simon & Schuster, 2008), he also authored The Myth of the Robber Barons (Young America’s Foundation, 1987).

Washington urged us to “avoidlikewise the accumulation of debt, notonly by shunning occasions of expense,but by vigorous exertions in time ofpeace to discharge the debts whichunavoidable wars have occasioned, notungenerously throwing upon posteritythe burden which we ourselves oughtto bear.” If Barack Obama takes thisadvice, he will avoid another GreatDepression.

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Foundation Welcomes New Reagan Ranch Development Director–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——By Jason Barbour, Director of Development

At Young America’s Foundation,we are blessed to work with adedicated team of passionate

students, supporters, and staff. Recently, we undertook a search to adda key member to our Reagan Ranchleadership team. While we sought anindividual who had valuable professionalexperience to match the position,what was an even more importantqualification was the individual’spersonal passion and dedication to ourconservative mission.

Thankfully, we found the idealleader in Rick Keith. Rick joinedYoung America’s Foundation in therole of Reagan Ranch developmentdirector in September 2008. A nativeof Texas, he brings more than 20years of experience in the areas ofhigher education, public affairs, andphilanthropy. But, more importantly,Rick brings a lifetime of passion forconservative principles. We hope youwill join us in welcoming Rick as wepartner together to reach increasingnumbers of young Americans withconservative ideas.

What attracted you to Young America’s Foundation and our mission?————————————————Rick: After spending most of myprofessional career on college anduniversity campuses, I came to stronglybelieve that if the next generation ofleaders for our country is influencedonly by what they see and hear oncampuses, our country will be in serioustrouble. There are student leaderswilling to stand up for conservativevalues, even in the face of intimidationand damaging consequences to theiracademic success. We must affirmthem and provide them with the tools,encouragement, and support they need. Young America’s Foundation’s missionis to do just that.

Why are you conservative?————————————————Rick: My parents and my extendedfamily are conservative, God-fearingpeople. Being raised in such anenvironment certainly shaped myviews and values. I grew up fiercelyindependent, knowing that what I gotout of life would be in direct proportionto what I put into it. I do not want somegovernment bureaucrat to either assistme with or deter me from what I wantout of life. Secondly, my faith and myunderstanding of Scripture influence me.Conservative values are born of truth.My Lord said, and Scripture reveals, thatthe Truth shall make you free. Freedomcomes from living a life according to thetruth. Liberalism knows no truth, onlyrelativism, which enslaves those whoemotionally and blindly follow.

What did you admire most about Ronald Reagan?————————————————Rick: I admire most his unwavering,steadfast commitment and adherence tohis principles. He lived and governed byand through his convictions.

How did your background prepare you for your new role with Young America’s Foundation?————————————————Rick: As a university administrator, Isaw first-hand the deliberate, radical,left-wing agenda that permeates ourcampuses. This gives me a perspectiveto better convey the importance andurgency of our supporters’ financial gifts.My administrative role was always indevelopment and public affairs, whichhas provided a wealth of experience atbuilding strong relationships that benefitthe organizations and the charitableintent of the supporters. I now have thewonderful opportunity to bring togetherlike-minded generous supporters withbright-minded conservative studentswho will make a positive impact on ourcountry.

How do you see this new role in terms of your overall career?————————————————Rick: Simply put, this role will define my career. I believe each individual,whether a politician, corporate executive,or philanthropist, seeks to establish apersonal legacy that will remain longafter his time on earth is done. Thegreatest legacy I can leave for my childrenand grandchildren is one that gives thempride to say that I invested my gifts ofhard work and tireless efforts in thefinal, greatest chapter of my professionalcareer at Young America’s Foundation—dedicated to making this country greaterthrough inspiring young people withconservative ideas and principles.

Since you have been on the job, what do you like most?————————————————Rick: It is, of course, the wonderful,generous people I am able to meetthrough my work. I have the privilegeof meeting and spending time withsome of the finest people on earth—oursupporters! I am also honored to workat the Reagan Ranch Center withsome of the most passionate, talented,and dedicated people I have ever beenassociated with. But, what I enjoy mostis the opportunity to connect peoplewith the character and values of RonaldReagan through an experience ofvisiting his beloved Rancho del Cielo.It is priceless.

S T A F F P R O F I L E

Rick Keith, the new Reagan Ranch develop-ment director, brings 20 years of experience in higher education, public affairs, and philanthropy to the Foundation team.

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“Reagan is irreplaceable. Withouthim there would have been novictory [over Communism].

But how to count it…it is impossibleto estimate. Only God knows what hedid.” So spoke former Polish PresidentLech Walesa during a speech he gaveto 100 Young America’s Foundation

supporters in Gdansk, Poland, thelocation of the shipyards where theSolidarity movement for freedom fromthe Soviet Union began. Walesa’s remarks provoked anemotional response from the crowdwhose once-in-a-lifetime opportunityto meet this Nobel Laureate, world

leader, and freedom-fighter hadfinally arrived. Foundation Board ofDirectors member Peter Schweizer wasinfluential in scheduling this exclusiveopportunity for the travelers. Those who heard Mr. Walesa’swords of reflection on RonaldReagan and the Cold War spenteleven nights at sea as part of YoungAmerica’s Foundation’s “ExploringRonald Reagan’s Role in the Fall ofCommunism” cruise.

Cold War-Era European Leaders Reflect on Reagan and the Impact of FreedomWalesa, Laar, and Landsbergis Headline Baltic CruiseBY NICOLE HOPLIN, DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION RELATIONS

1) Nobel Laureate, Polish President, and freedom-fighter Lech Walesa gives a memorable speech to Young America’s Foundation supporters in his hometown of Gdansk, Poland. 2) More than 100 travelers spent 11 days at sea as part of the “Exploring Ronald Reagan’s Role in the Fall of Communism,” cruise in July 2008. 3) From left to right: Tom Heathorn, Joan Lamoreaux, Bob Unger, a Berlin tour guide, Susan & Emmett O’Brien, Kathy Easton, Donn Dears, Peter Easton, and Dixie Gussler visit the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Background: Brandenburg Gate 29

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84) Estonian Prime Minister (1992 to 1994 & 1999 to 2002) and “Baltic Tiger” Mart Laar shares his personal struggle for free enterprise in Estonia. 5) Lithuanian President (1990 to 1992) Vytautas Landsbergis gives the travelers an indication of how those in the Baltic region credit Ronald Reagan with their freedom from Communism. 6) Steve & Terry Miller, Jack & Katherine Perrin, and Michelle Easton & Ron Robinson enjoy an evening meal together on board the Seven Seas Voyager in northern Europe. 7) Joan Lamoreaux, Kathy & Peter Easton, and Rick Schwartz listen as their Berlin tour guide (center) shares information about the Berlin Wall dividing East from West. 8) Cruise traveler Mark Kroll asks one of his pressing questions during the speakers program on board the ship. 9) Reagan Ranch Board of Governors members Al & Bette Moore visit Peterhof, the palaces and gardens of the “Russian Versailles,” just outside of St. Petersburg.

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The group included YoungAmerica’s Foundation and ReaganRanch supporters from across thecountry—individuals who have beeninstrumental in advancing freedomand conservative principles amongyoung people—who wanted to spendtime with like-minded friends whileparticipating in educational sessionsand visiting interesting port stopsalong the way. Reagan Ranch Boardof Governors members who joinedin the 2008 Baltic cruise included:Governor George Allen and his wife,Susan; Al & Bette Moore; and Doug& Pat Perry. The nearly two-week cruiseincluded stops in Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Finland,Denmark, Sweden, and an excursion toBerlin, Germany. While in Germany,the group visited the BrandenburgGate, a section of the Berlin Wall stillintact, and Checkpoint Charlie. While the group docked in Tallinn,Mart Laar, Estonia’s prime ministerfrom 1992 to 1994 and again from1999 to 2002, provided inspirationalcomments on his country’s transition

from a centrally-planned economyto a capitalist one. Inspired by MiltonFriedman’s book Free To Choose, Laarpresided over Estonia’s vast economicprogress, earning him the title, “BalticTiger.” Laar’s appearance was madepossible by supporter BeverlyDanielson who encouraged the formerprime minister to spend his vacationwith our group. Laar described hisappreciation for Ronald Reagan:

Without this man, I would be somewhere in Siberia in chains… Ronald Reagan was a man who changed world history. Many people in Central and Eastern Europe think that there has not been enough understanding in the world, including in the United States, of what Ronald Reagan has done.

While in Klaipeda, Lithuania,former president Vytautas Landsbergis(1990 to 1992) discussed the growingthreat Russia poses to his country’sfreedom and prosperity. He alsoreflected on Ronald Reagan: “Reaganwas a great man indeed. He deserves

the memory of all captive nations. Hewas a person who could stand againstthe Soviets, but not just stand, but putthem down also.” In addition to the three heads ofstate, Young America’s Foundationhosted speakers who traveled with thegroup overseas and shared commentson a variety of topics. In a session emceed by VicePresident Richard Kimble, EdwinMeese, 75th U.S. attorney general,discussed milestones on RonaldReagan’s road to victory during theCold War. One of those momentousoccasions was a speech AttorneyGeneral Meese watched RonaldReagan give at Westminster wherehe said, “The march of freedom anddemocracy will leave Marxism andLeninism on the ash heap of history.” Foundation President RonRobinson reexamined WhittakerChambers’ book Witness andAleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago in order to describe howfreedom prevailed against all odds. Best-selling author PeterSchweizer’s speech addressing

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Reagan’s secret strategy to defeat theUSSR sparked a discussion of currentrogue nations posing threats toAmerican security. Director of Development JasonBarbour presided over a sessionfeaturing Virginia Governor andReagan Ranch Presidential ScholarGeorge Allen who discussed U.S.energy policy and creative lessonslearned from Ronald Reagan regardingenergy independence and security. Michelle Easton, president of theClare Boothe Luce Policy Institute,dispelled the myths that feministstry to propagate that there arefew, effective conservative womenleaders. She did this by citing thegreat accomplishments of MargaretThatcher, Clare Boothe Luce, and JeaneKirkpatrick. Former College RepublicanNational Chairman Eric Hoplin’scomments on what conservativescould look forward to in November2008 suggested that the power ofconservative ideas can lead to successat the ballot box. Unfortunately, the

economy’s downturnhadn’t yet truly beenrealized at that timenor had the fundingmachine of the Left. Ron Robinsonalso interviewed meabout our book,Funding Fathers: The Unsung Heroes of the Conservative Movement. Thework is a compilation of the greatconservative gifts that have impactedthe Conservative Movement andwas published in September 2008 byRegnery Publishing. The 2008 Baltic cruise was a sold-out event! Each year, Young America’sFoundation sponsors a cruise at sea forour supporters. You can find out moreat www.yafcruise.org or contact NicoleHoplin (651-334-1537 or nhoplin@yaf.org) for more information aboutan upcomingcruise.

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10) Reagan Ranch Board of Governors Co-Chairman and 75th U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese discusses Ronald Reagan’s milestones on the road to victory during the Cold War. 11) Best-selling author and Foundation Director Peter Schweizer shares key insight from his book Reagan’s War: The Epic Story of His 40-Year Struggle and Final Triumph Over Communism with the travelers.Background: Skyline of Tallinn, Estonia

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Foundation Alumni Meet at ’97 Conference, Wed 11 Years Later –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——By Roger Custer, Conference Director

America’s Foundation during histime as an activist at PennsylvaniaState University. “My involvementwith Young America’s Foundationwas a life-changing experience,” saysGillott. “Not only was I given the

opportunity to enrich myself in freemarket economics and conservativethought, but Young America’sFoundation gave me the necessarytools to be an effective leader inchampioning a marketplace of ideason my college campus.” He utilizedthe Foundation’s campus lectureprogram to host several successfulcampus events including appearancesby Oliver North, William F. BuckleyJr., Charlton Heston, Dinesh D’Souza,and many others.

In the summer of 1997, twostudents befriended eachother while attending YoungAmerica’s Foundation National

Conservative Student Conference. Little did they know that they wouldtie the knot morethan a decade later! Stephanie Inksand Chris Gillottare Foundationalumni whocontinue to advanceconservativeideas throughtheir careersand sustainedinvolvement withYoung America’sFoundation. Today theseaccomplishednewlyweds areworking to advancetheir ideas atmany levels. AsStephanie finishesher law degree atGeorgetown LawSchool and helpsrecruit students forFoundation conferences, Chris servesas Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’spolicy advisor on fiscal and economicdevelopment issues. Gillott has morethan seven years of public policyexperience and previously servedas Jindal’s congressional legislativedirector in Washington, D.C., as alegislative aide to U.S. Senator KayBailey Hutchison (Texas), and as amarketing and fundraising officer atThe Heritage Foundation. Chris became involved with Young

A L U M N I S P O T L I G H T

As a student, Chris attended YoungAmerica’s Foundation’s NationalConservative Student Conference, theRichmond Regional Conference, andthe inaugural student conference atthe Reagan Ranch. However, it was

during Chris’stime as a SarahT. HermannIntern Scholar atthe Foundation’sNationalHeadquarterswhen he andStephanie firstcrossed paths. Stephanie’sinvolvement withYoung America’sFoundation startedwhen she was inhigh school, andshe built uponthat as a Sarah T.Hermann InternScholar in 1998. “My time as a[Foundation]intern wasprobably thebest summer of

my life,” remembers Inks. “While Iconsidered Chris a good friend at thetime, I had no idea I would fall in lovewith him seven years later and marryhim more than a decade later.” She went on, with theFoundation’s assistance, to graduatefrom Hillsdale College where shewas a top student activist andleader. Stephanie later worked at theFoundation as director of foundationrelations and remains eager to reachyoung audiences with conservative

Foundation alumni Stephanie Inks and Chris Gillott, first introduced more than a decade ago at a Foundation student conference, celebrate their marriage in 2008.

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ideas. “As a Hispanic woman, I ampassionate about recruiting for theFoundation from underrepresentedcommunities.” Since 2005, Stephanie hasvoluntarily recruited and mentorednon-traditional students at theFoundation’s conferences, many ofwhom come from low-income homesor inner-city areas. “I am so excitedto see a diverse group of faces andlife experiences at the high schoolconferences,” says Stephanie. “AndI love hanging out with the studentsas they have this life changingexperience!” Chris shares Stephanie’senthusiasm for reaching young peopleand offers his advice for currentstudents: “I recommend students takefull advantage of the Foundation’scampus training and leadershipseminars. Becoming an active

advocate of conservative principleson a college campus will allow youto hone many skills while providinga balance of opinions for your peers.Bringing speakers and contributingto the public debate is perhapsthe greatest real-time leadershipdevelopment application a studentcan administer. This transcends thetraditional classroom experience byallowing you to enrich the spirit ofthought in your campus communityand discover innate skills sets youwill use throughout your professionalcareer.” Stephanie and Chris weremarried in the fall of 2008 and areundoubtedly rising young leaders inthe Conservative Movement. We wishthem nothing but the best and lookforward to hearing about their manyaccomplishments together in the yearsto come.

“My time as a [Foundation] intern was probably the best summer of my life,” remembers Inks.“While I considered Chris a good friend at the time, I had no idea I would fall in love with him seven years later and marry him more than a decade later.”

Chris, who currently works for Governor Bobby Jindal, and Stephanie, a law student at Georgetown University, both got their start in the Conservative Movement as Young America’s Foundation interns in 1998.

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S P E A K E R C O M M E N T A R Y

The Road to Serfdom–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––——By John Stossel, Author and ABC’s 20/20 Co-Anchor

It’s exciting that the world is soexcited about Barack Obama. I’mexcited, too. That he achieved thepresidency says something good

about America. But the excitement also frightens me.It reinforces the worst impulse of themedia and political class: the assumptionthat all progress comes from Washington.In a free society, with constitutionallylimited government, the president wouldbe a mere executive who sees to it thatpredictable and understandable lawsare enforced. But sadly, the prestige andpower of the presidency have grown,and liberty has contracted. That is notsomething to celebrate. The infatuated chattering classes nowdemand “action” on the economy. Theyuse positive words like “bold steps.” Theinsufferable New York Times suggests thechoice is “between a big-bang strategy ofpressing aggressively on multiple frontsversus a more pragmatic, step-by-stepapproach .... ” There is endless talk abouthow FDR ended the Great Depressionand how Obama will apply similar“stimulus.” Please. FDR’s “bold” moves didn’tend the Depression. They prolonged it bydiscouraging capital investment. Hooverand Roosevelt turned what might havebeen a brief downturn into ten years ofdouble-digit unemployment. Now Obama says, “We don’t have a

moment to lose,” andhe and the liberals inCongress insist thatgovernment mustunionize most ofAmerica by passing“card check,” andtaxpayers mustthrow even moremoney at Americanautomakers. This is the conceitof what ThomasSowell calls “theanointed.” Thepoliticians knowbest how our money

should be spent. The “road to serfdom”is paved with such good intentions. Obama promises: “We will changethe world ... There is nothing we can’tdo, nothing we can’t accomplish if we areunified.” Who is this “we”politicians always cite? We can change theworld for the better if “we”means hundreds of millionsof free people pursuingtheir interests, inventing,building, parenting, helping. But the politicians’“we” is different. It meansgovernment. “We” willtake your money by forceand order you about. Ademocracy can become the tyrannyof the majority. That’s no way to createprosperity. Obama is an extraordinarily talentedman. But there is one thing he can’tsuccessfully do: ignore the laws ofeconomics. No one can do that. That’swhy we call them “laws.” Ludwig von Mises wrote that oncethe science of economics emerged in thelate 18th century, people began to realize“there is something operative whichpower and force are unable to alter andto which they must adjust themselvesif they hope to achieve success, inprecisely the same way as they must take

into account the laws of nature. Thisrealization ... led to the program andpolicies of [classical] liberalism and thusunleashed human powers that, undercapitalism, have transformed the world.” The resulting abundance, which somany people take for granted withoutunderstanding its source, allows themto believe that a new president can“stimulate” us out of recession. But we cannot raise wages or createjobs or eliminate poverty by executiveorder. We can do so by freeing people tosave and invest and accumulate capital.We can’t make medical care universaland inexpensive by legislative fiat. But wecan approach that goal by permitting afree market in medicine to work. Government is force, not eloquence.And force is an attempt to defy economiclogic. The consequences are oftenopposite of those intended. “A subsidyfor medical insurance increases thedemand for services and raises prices.A price ceiling makes those servicesless available. A floor under wagesmakes jobs for unskilled workers morescarce, as employers find it a losingproposition to hire them. A subsidy to

production means toomuch produced relative tosomething else consumerswant. A trade restrictionlowers living standards athome and abroad,” writesSheldon Richman. What will happenwhen the unintendedconsequences hit? F.A.Hayek warned that agovernment serious aboutenacting its economic planmust be prepared to use

heavy-handed measures. Is that what wewant? I fear that today’s “forceful actions”will not only be a painful assault on ourfreedom, they will exacerbate whatevereconomic troubles we face.—————————————————This column was originally published on November 12, 2008.—————————————————John Stossel is a member of Young America’s Foundation’s lecture program. For information on bringing Mr. Stossel to your campus, please contact Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle at 800-USA-1776.

ABC’s 20/20 host John Stossel, one Young America’s Foundation’s most popular lecturers, addresses the National Conservative Student Conference.

Attend a 2009 conference near you!March 26 to 28 Reagan Ranch High School Conference – Santa Barbara, California——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

July 8 to 11 National High School Leadership Conference – Washington, D.C.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

July 16 to 18 Radical Islam Summit – Santa Barbara, California——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

August 3 to 8 National Conservative Student Conference – Washington, D.C.

Each year, thousands of young people are introduced to conservative ideas throughYoung America’s Foundation’s student conferences. These exciting programs bringlike-minded young people together with the Conservative Movement’s biggest stars. Conferences for both high school and college students are held in Washington, D.C.,Santa Barbara, California, and across the country. Larger conferences promote a rangea conservative thought, while smaller seminars focus on specific topics such as radicalIslam and free market economics.

For more information on these and other events, contact Young America’s Foundation at:

National HeadquartersF.M. Kirby Freedom Center110 Elden StreetHerndon, Virginia 201701-800-USA-1776www.yaf.org

The Reagan Ranch Center217 State StreetSanta Barbara, California 931011-888-USA-1776www.reaganranch.org

Apply now at www.yaf.org or call 800-USA-1776. © Copyright 2009 Young America’s Foundation

They learned the secret to changing their campuses!

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n late 2008, Young America’s Foundation installed the Reagan Ranch Center’s Exhibit Gallery & EducationCenter, which includes the Rancho del Cielo Interactive Timeline—a dynamic multimedia history of the

Reagan presidency set in the context of the Reagan Ranch. The Exhibit Gallery provides a dramatic space forthe Foundation to preserve sensitive Ranch-related artifacts, interpret Ranch history, pass on President Reagan’slasting accomplishments, and share the story of Rancho del Cielo with a wider audience.

Vol. 30 • No. 1Spring 2009

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