Big News! John Stossel Coming to FreedomFest!
Dear FreedomFest attendees,
Lots of news to report about this year’s big show. First and foremost:
When we ask past attendees, what famous libertarian they want to speak at FreedomFest, John Stossel is their #1 choice – by far.
Your wish is our command: We are happy to announce that John Stossel is coming to FreedomFest and will be taping a special edition of his Fox Business show, STOSSEL, at FreedomFest on the first day of the conference, Thursday, July 11, 2013 (just think 7-11). And you all are invited!
John Stossel is famous for his investigative reporting on ABC’s primetime newsmagazine 20/20, and since 2009, on Fox Business Network. I always love his confronting government officials and business leaders for their bad policies and stupid mistakes. He is the host of “Stossel” (Thursdays at 9 PM/ET), a weekly program highlighting current consumer issues with a libertarian viewpoint. Stossel also appears regularly on Fox News Channel (FNC) providing great analysis and debunking myths about the government and the economy. His latest book is “No, They Can’t: Why Government Fails But Individuals Succeed.”
John will be drawing from our list of great speakers for his show, including Steve Forbes, Art Laffer, Jim Rogers, Steve Moore, Charles Murray and many more.
We’ve been producing and growing FreedomFest for several years and this is the first time we will have a major TV network coming.
As a FreedomFest attendee, you will receive a complimentary ticket to the STOSSEL show and preferred seating. Sign up now at www.freedomfest.com or call Tami Holland at 1-866/266-5101.
Important Note: NOW is the time to take advantage of the early bird special, $100 off per person/$200 per couple. The discount ends March 15, only six weeks away!
John Mackey in the News!
Second announcement: This week’s Barron’s printed my review of John Mackey’s revolutionary book, “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business.” It’s my first book review in Barron’s. You can read it here.
John Mackey is a long-time friend and co-ambassador to Freedom Fest (along with Steve Forbes). At this year’s conference, we are planning a unique panel called “Just Business: Libertarian CEOs Debate the Best Capitalist Model.” Which model is better? John Mackey’s “Conscious Capitalism”… Charles Koch’s “Market-Based Management”… or John Allison’s “Objectivism,” based on Ayn Rand’s philosophy? Don’t miss it.
Libertarians Do It Better! (Make Money, That is)
We’re also putting together another great session at FreedomFest: “The Libertarian Hedge Fund Panel” with investment gurus Jim Rogers (original partner with George Soros), Art Laffer, Donald Smith and Cliff Asness, with Steve Forbes as moderator. What a powerhouse panel of successful investors. This will be part of our 3-day financial freedom seminar. Only at FreedomFest.
100th Anniversary of the Federal Income Tax and the Fed
Last Sunday was the 100th anniversary of the 13th amendment to the US Constitution, the federal income tax—the engine of big government. It was technically never ratified but we are stuck with it nevertheless. We’re arranging a panel on “In Search of the Ideal: Fair Tax, Flat Tax, No Tax?” with top libertarian tax experts (TBA).
The Federal Reserve, the engine of inflation, was also established in 1913 – and we’ve suffered the Great Depression and the Great Recession, and never-ending inflation ever since, all because of the Fed and the end of the discipline of the international gold standard.
This graph tells the sad story of the Fed:
So we can see that before the creation of the Fed (1913), inflation was relatively tame and occurred only during wars. But after 1913, inflation increased 30 fold, or 3,000%!
The Fed is doing its part to finance the out-of-control deficits, buying $85 billion a month in Treasuries and mortgages. The money supply (M2) is now growing at a 10% annual rate. More inflation is on the way!
Our distinguished panel of free-market economists will discuss this topic: “End the Fed? Now What?” with debates on the gold standard, free banking, or a monetary rule.
Who Are the Modern-Day Gladiators?
As you know, our theme this year is “Are We Rome?” We will have debates and panels on this vital theme. Has America seen its best days? The Heritage Foundation just released its Economic Freedom Index, and shows a clear decline in economic freedom in the United States.
We face serious headwinds in America. Last week I met with George Will (“the most powerful journalist today” — Wall Street Journal) at his offices in Georgetown, and he was decidedly pessimistic about our monetary system and the fiscal insanity in Washington.
“When the economy recovers, interest rates will explode upwards and the federal budget will be out of control,” Will warned. He expressed concern that the economic recovery will be cut short.
Will is a big fan of FreedomFest, and would like to come (though he has yet to commit). He’s also a big baseball fan as you can see here.
George Will and I slug it out in Washington
We are planning a special panel on sports called “Who Are The Modern Day Gladiators?” The answer is of course the booming sports industry. To paraphrase Keynes, “Better that a man tyrannize over his favorite sports team than his fellow man.” Can competitive sporting events replace war to fulfill man’s desire to fight?
Other speakers on this “Rome” theme: FEE president Lawrence W. Reed will speak on “The Fall of Rome and Modern Parallels.”
Steve Forbes on his book, “Power Ambition Glory: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today . . . and the Lessons You Can Learn.”
Charles Kessler, editor at Claremont Review of Books, will speak on “Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome’s Greatest Politician.”
Jo Ann Skousen, entertainment editor of Liberty magazine and a professor of English literature at Mercy College, will be giving three lectures on “Greek and Roman Mythology: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know.” It should be fun.
And don’t forget the exhibit hall, “The Trade Show for Liberty,” where you will encounter over a hundred freedom organizations, think tanks, and financial exhibitors.
Plus the ever-popular Anthem film festival.
As in the past, Laissez Faire Books is our official bookstore — and will be hosting their own “Laissez Faire Day” at FreedomFest with speakers Jeffrey Tucker, Doug French, and many more.
You can see why Steve Forbes attends all three days. FreedomFest is the greatest libertarian show on earth. “FreedomFest is where the best ideas and strategies are fleshed out. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Join Steve Forbes, John Stossel, and thousands of others like-minded free thinkers July 10-13 at Caesars Palace.
Special Rate at Caesars Palace
Note: We also have reserved a room block for us for only $129 a night (considering that every room at Caesars is like a suite, this is a bargain). Sign up today!
We’re also adding details soon about luncheons, breakfasts, special events, and our gala Saturday night banquet.
See you in Vegas in July!
Yours for peace, prosperity and liberty, AEIOU,
Mark Skousen
Producer, FreedomFest
“The world’s largest gathering of free minds”
July 10-13, 2103, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Dear Mark:
The Freedom Fest sounds like a Great Opportunity, and I cannot make it, but we wish you a Very Successful Event!