Face The State Staff Report
Nearly 500 lovers of liberty and free market thinkers got together Thursday night to celebrate the Independence Institutes's annual Founders Night, with national commentator and author Michelle Malkin headlining the event.
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Malkin moved to Colorado four months ago and praised the state’s “phenomenal charter school movement” as one of the primary reasons she brought her family here. Despite election results that turned Colorado into a blue state, Malkin urged the audience not to compromise their beliefs in the aftermath.
Malkin criticized those who have suggested that the road to a Republican electoral victory is paved by apologizing for conservative and libertarian beliefs or trying to re-brand the Republican Party. “We need to stand up for our principles,” she said, “as we have in Democrat or Republican administrations. In bear markets or bull markets. In times of peace or times of war.”
The event, held at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, drew a diverse crowd that included business leaders, state lawmakers and grassroots activists. Radio personality Mike Rosen, who was the Independence Institute’s first policy analyst when it opened its doors more than two decades ago, also shared his thoughts on the recent election and plugged the continued need for a vibrant state-level free market think tank in Colorado.
The institute now boasts more than two dozen policy analysts, senior fellows and research associates since it was founded in 1985 by a coalition that included former state Senate President John Andrews.
Julie Mallon, the institute's development director, said this year was very special. “It’s great to see this many people together," she said. "Despite the economy and the disappointing election, they are still rallying for the same values."
Fred Holden, a senior fellow and former director of economic affairs at Adolph Coors Company, was given an award for his legacy of community activism. Seeme Hasan, a Pakistani immigrant who has become a driving force in national health care policy, was given an award for being an outstanding intellectual and political leader. Institute President Jon Caldara described how Seeme, after coming to this country with only $32, worked together with her husband to build one of the nation's first for-profit HMOs.
Real America
On December 4th, 2008 sidh says:
So what's your definition of real america bud? Dope smoking hippie? Or someone that uses their mortgage as a gambling device, or maybe somoene that used abortions as a form of birth control?... Having lived in Colorado for sometime I can guess at your defn....
Malkin, etc.
On November 18th, 2008 purplepatriot says:
Malkin is nuts. I can't hink of a better speaker for a right-wing freak show. Sensible people can only hope that while Republicans and Libertarians try to convince each other that none of the calamities we face are their fault, the "real America" can repair the damage.