Happy Birthday Milton Friedman!  

Born on July 31, 1912, few people have had a greater influence on our prosperity than Milton Friedman.  Although Dr. Friedman passed away in 2006, his work is very much alive. 

Professor of economics for more than 30 years, economic adviser to President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,  and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Milton Friedman's work is, according to President Reagan, "of rare importance."

In fact, Reagan called Friedman's lecture series, "Free to Choose," a "survival kit for you, for our nation, and for freedom."

In this 10 minute video, Dr. Friedman explains the power of the free market.

In this 7 minute video, Dr. Friedman explodes the myth of the "free lunch."

Learn More about Milton Friedman's Incredible Work

Free to Choose

The Man Who Saved Capitalism

Milton Friedman, Father of School Choice

Milton Friedman and the Fight for Free Markets

The Power of Choice: The Life and Ideas of Milton Friedman  (1:26:42)

Milton Friedman's Autobiography

John Stossel: Influence of Milton Friedman  (10 minutes)

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and in her ample rivers, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forests, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there.

I sought for the genius and greatness of America in her democratic congress and her matchless constitution, and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.        


                                                             ~ Alexis de Tocqueville

We love commencement addresses!  

Exceptionally smart and successful people carefully prepare and present their best insights and experiences to inspire young adults as they leave college.

This address by U.S. Navy Admiral Bill McRaven is full of wisdom and inspiration for all ages.

Hope you enjoy!

I have been a Navy SEAL for 36 years. But it all began when I left UT for Basic SEAL training in Coronado, California.

Basic SEAL training is six months of long torturous runs in the soft sand, midnight swims in the cold water off San Diego, obstacles courses, unending calisthenics, days without sleep and always being cold, wet and miserable.

It is six months of being constantly harassed by professionally trained warriors who seek to find the weak of mind and body and eliminate them from ever becoming a Navy SEAL.

But, the training also seeks to find those students who can lead in an environment of constant stress, chaos, failure and hardships.

To me basic SEAL training was a life time of challenges crammed into six months.

So, here are the ten lesson's I learned from basic SEAL training that hopefully will be of value to you as you move forward in life.

Every morning in basic SEAL training, my instructors, who at the time were all Viet Nam veterans, would show up in my barracks room and the first thing they’d do was inspect my bed.

If you did it right, the corners would be square, the covers pulled tight, the pillow centered just under the headboard and the extra blanket folded neatly at the foot of the rack.

It was a simple task—mundane at best. But every morning we were required to make our bed to perfection. 

It seemed a little ridiculous at the time, particularly in light of the fact that were aspiring to be real warriors, tough battle hardened SEALs—but the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over.

If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.

By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter.

If you can't do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right.

And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

So if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

(Click the tiny "Read More" link below if you cannot see the rest of the speech)

When President Reagan recalled memories of his early Fourth of July experiences, he described a "special kind of nostalgia" and "a day almost as long-anticipated as Christmas."

While Christmas is pretty hard to compete with these days, we can plan celebrations that are full of fun, learning, and family togetherness, and create treasured memories that can last a lifetime.

Here are some ideas. SELECT A FEW YOUR FAMILY WILL ENJOY. Keeping it simple will help you and your loved ones have a fun time together and focus on the things that matter most. 

• Invite your family to dress in red, white, and blue (fun for pictures).    

• Play patriotic music as your family is waking up and during the day.  

• Learn about the Declaration of Independence:

          *  Read or listen to the Declaration of Independence.
          *  Learn about the key concepts in the Declaration.
          *  Talk about the importance of the Declaration of Independence.
          *  Learn about Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration.
          *  Learn how John Adams created support for the Declaration.
          *  Learn about the signers of the Declaration.
          *  Remember the price paid by the signers of the Declaration.
          

• Learn about George Washington.  (Congress had made Washington commanding general of the Continental Army, so he was unable to sign the Declaration of Independence. Yet his leadership and service in the founding of the United States is so significant that he is known as the "Father of Our Country.")

• Attend a parade. (Google "4th of July parade" with your zip code to find one near you.)

• Have a patriotic program. We have happy memories of patriotic programs and concerts with family and friends. You could sing patriotic songs and do few of the following: 

          *  Read or recite patriotic quotes.
          *  Share favorite patriotic memories or stories.
          *  Watch a patriotic music video. (See below.)
          *  Tell why you love America.
          *  Or, you might want to follow Dennis Prager's 4th of July Declaration program.

• Make and enjoy delicious red, white, and blue food.   

• Make patriotic crafts with your kids.  

 

• Go camping or on a picnic.  If allowed, you could build a campfire, cook a campfire dinner,  sing patriotic songs around the fire, then talk about the things that make America great. 

          

• Watch fireworks displays together as a family.  Light your own fireworks if permitted.

• Watch patriotic movies.  Here are some old favorites.  Or, make movies of your family telling why they love America.

• Take pictures of your family and record all the family fun!

"[Independence Day] ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. 

"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means."  ~John Adams