Dear Friends and Supporters, 

This weekend, we celebrate freedom and liberty as we mark America’s 244th birthday.

Thanks to the determination of the Founding Fathers and successive generations of patriots, we have freedoms that many throughout the world can only dream of — the freedom to express ourselves, travel, worship, assemble, choose our leaders, and pursue our dreams.   

With many beaches closed, most fireworks displays cancelled, and prohibitions on entertaining loved ones at home, this year’s Independence Day celebrations may not feel as festive as usual.

Making matters worse, the principles of our Founding Fathers have come under attack in these troubled times by those who wish to assert more government control over our lives. 

Every day, the Pacific Research Institute provides the cutting-edge research and analysis to educate the American people about the dangers of socialism and help us win the debate in Sacramento and Washington against those advocating a bigger, more expensive government.

For me, the life story of PRI fellow in Business and Economics Damon Dunn personifies why the outcome of this debate is so important.

If you’re looking for a good book to read during the holiday weekend, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Damon’s new book, Punting Poverty.  It’s available at Amazon.com or your favorite online bookseller.

In Punting Poverty, Damon shares his powerful story growing up in extreme poverty outside Fort Worth, Texas.  He writes that his family was dependent upon every type of government assistance program imaginable – and these programs kept his family trapped in poverty for generations.  

He challenges the push by Nancy Pelosi, Andrew Yang, and Stockton mayor Michael Tubbs for “universal basic income,” calling it “fool’s gold that does not even attempt to offer economic empowerment.”  

Ultimately, it was not government that helped Damon escape poverty, but the power of education.  That’s why Damon champions education reforms that reimagine the system around obtaining good job skills – and removing government regulations on entrepreneurship that act as a barrier to opportunity for many – to help lift people out of poverty.

With a loving mom who insisted upon a good education for her son, Damon was ultimately able to graduate from Stanford, play in the NFL, and become a successful entrepreneur.  Damon is living the American Dream.  And we’re so pleased that he has joined the PRI team.  

Damon’s powerful story reminds us why it’s more important than ever before that patriotic Americans join together this Independence Day to recommit ourselves the cause of personal liberty, economic freedom, and opportunity for all.

On behalf of everyone at PRI, I wish you a safe, enjoyable, and healthy Fourth of July weekend.

With gratitude, 
Sally C. Pipes
President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy
Pacific Research Institute