Milton Friedman Legacy Day... Today!

He’s been called a “revolutionary thinker,” an “intellectual freedom fighter,” a “tireless advocate for freedom,” and “a giant in the world of ideas.” Others refer to him as an “old friend,” the “father” of school choice, the Nobel laureate economist, and of course, some know him only as “Uncle.”

Dr. Milton Friedman, who passed away in 2006, continues to live on in the hearts and minds of freedom-loving people both in the United States and around the world. Although this great visionary died almost four years ago, so many prove every year that his vision is not lost.

In celebration of that vision, Students for a Free Economy will be hosting in conjunction with the Foundation for Educational Choice the annual Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day. SFE will be holding Milton and Mummies at the Detroit Science Center on July 30.

America is in the midst of an economic and philosophical crisis with regard to the proper role of government and the role of the individual. Because of this, it is more important than ever to look back and celebrate the life and times of Milton Friedman, his contributions to the cause of freedom, and his opinions on government.

As Dr. Friedman once said so eloquently: “The great achievements of civilization have not come from government bureaus… The record of history is absolutely crystal clear: That there is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by a free enterprise system.”

It is this clear moral framework for freedom and free enterprise that is missing in today’s debate: Individual freedom is better than government force. Free markets are better than monopolies. And parental school choice is better than bureaucrats’ school choice.

That is what led Milton, and his wife Rose, to found the Foundation for Educational Choice and to dedicate their remaining years to the cause of school choice, the success of which, they said, “requires…the cooperation of the many groups around the country.”

That is why, on July 30, Students for a Free Economy is joining with 64 groups around the country—and world—to celebrate school choice, Milton Friedman, and the cause of freedom. “Uncle” Milton, we hope, would be proud.