July 2004 • Volume 14, Issue 7
Q
uote
Living Liberty
Contents
of the month
...because freedom matters. “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 down for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.” -Ronald Reagan
1 President Ronald Reagan In his acceptance speech at the 1980 Republican National Convention, Reagan called on Americans to help him renew the American compact by stating: “I ask you not to simply trust me, but to trust your values—our values—and hold me responsible for living up to them.” He called for a renewal of the American spirit that he said knew no bounds.
4 Ferry workers arrested Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be arrogant. The Washington State Ferry system learned that lesson last month.
5 Why is the NEA bad for kids? It’s hard to imagine that anyone would knowingly pursue policies that harm kids. But it’s also hard to imagine that officials of our state’s monopoly teachers’ union (and its national affiliate) could be blind to the fact that their policies do exactly that.
Evergreen Freedom Foundation PO Box 552 Olympia, WA 98507 (360) 956-3482 Fax (360) 352-1874 info@effwa.org • www.effwa.org Living Liberty is a publication of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation.
Editors: Lynn Harsh Marsha Richards
Publisher: Joel Sorrell EFF’s mission is to advance individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited and accountable government. Nothing in this publication should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation.
6 Supreme Court hears arguments On May 27, 2004, the Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, Gary Davenport v. Washington Education Association.
8 DSHS and your tax dollars When thinking about your tax dollars, what words come to mind? Investment? Civic duty? Necessary public services? It would be nice if these were accurate. Unfortunately, in light of recent events, more appropriate terms might be: Fraud, drugs, illegal aliens, and obstruction.
9 Public disclosure under attack The right of citizens to gain access to public information has come under heavy assault and may be harmed irreparably if we do not make a stand now.
10Budget reforms move forward In the last month, EFF has been able to make significant progress on performancebased budgeting both here and across the country.
13Turning your life plan into a legacy The title above communicates precisely what we want to accomplish in our lifetime: living with purpose and leaving something of value when we’re gone. I borrowed the title from an informative seminar I recently attended.
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