Unleash Prosperity Hotline – Weekend Edition Issue #751
04/14/2023, 04/15/2023, 04/16/2023
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1) Blue States Are Where Freedom Is Really “Under Attack”
California’s governor Hair gel - er, Gavin Newsom - has launched a $10 million campaign to attack red states, where he says “freedom is under attack.” His ads tout states like California and Illinois as “freedom states,” because, unlike red state America, they allow abortion on demand; and they allow third-grade children to read books in the library about transgenderism; and they permit just about anyone to vote - without an I.D.
Well, Governor, if blue states are so free and so culturally and economically superior, then why are nearly one million people a year fleeing from them?
And if freedom is the goal, what about freedom for parents to choose schools for their children? The chart below shows states that have educational freedom. None of them are blue states.
What about workers’ freedom not to be forced to join a union? Sorry, nearly every red state has right to work and nearly every blue state has forced unionism.
What about the fundamental freedom to keep your business open, to go to church, or to the store, or to school, or even to just go outside - fundamental rights that were snatched away primarily for a year or more in blue states during Covid? The chart below contrast the blue states and red states on each of these Freedom metrics.
2) North Dakota May Be Next State To Adopt School Choice
It looks like another brick is being removed from the teacher unions’ Berlin Wall surrounding the public schools, to prevent kids from seeking out better options. This headline from the Center Square news service tells the story:
The North Dakota House passed a bill Thursday that will aid parents in funding a private school education. The vote was 51-41.
The measure already passed the state Senate, 27-19, and heads to Gov. Doug Burgum's desk.
It would provide payments to private schools of up to $3,000 per student enrolled in the program.
We understand there are a few technical hurdles to clear, but our Dakota sources say it looks good.
Ocean plastic is not coming from straws and plastic bags in the U.S. – because America doesn't dump garbage into rivers, but China sure does. So why not legalize plastic straws here and get our green activists to go to Beijing?
5) Believe It or Not: A Hollywood Film That Celebrates the American Dream
Hollywood has released a blockbuster movie - the first in ages - that tells the story of a great American business success, celebrates entrepreneurial values, and is even kid-friendly.
“Air” is the story of how underdog shoe company Nike in 1984 landed Michael Jordan right out of college as their superstar spokesman. They then introduced to the world the most famous and by far the most profitable shoe in history: the “Air Jordan.”
Click to watch the trailer:
Air, which had a rousingly successful first weekend at the box office, follows Nike recruiters who decide to entice Michael Jordan to become the face of the new line of shoes. Facing stiff competition from rivals Adidas and Converse, they pull out all the stops to make it happen.
The film stars Matt Damon as a Nike recruiter and Ben Affleck as Nike CEO Phil Knight.
But in this film – along with some nods to political correctness – they’ve produced a celebration of American ingenuity and the power of visionary thinking and individual striving. And a young black man from rural North Carolina becomes one of the richest, most admired, and most recognizable people on the planet.
