WILL President Rick Esenberg Talks About the Future of America

In Episode 11 of the "If You Can Keep It" podcast, we look past the fireworks of America's 250th birthday celebrations to examine the state of our Republic.

We dive into what has kept this great two-and-a-half-century experiment alive, how today's polarization is testing our foundation, and what it will take for America to survive the challenges ahead. We also talk about the next generation and their declining levels of patriotism.

WILL President Rick Esenberg is joined by Yuval Levin, the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and founder of National Affairs. He is a former White House domestic policy staffer and author of American Covenant. Yuval brings his sharp insights on political theory to discuss rebuilding our institutions and navigating the modern cultural divide.

Celebrate w/ WILL! Get Your Tickets Now!

Join us as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and our 15th year defending freedom, constitutional government, and the rule of law.

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Charles C.W. Cooke, Senior Editor of National Review.

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Sponsorship information available here.


DATE: Wednesday, September 16

TIME: 5:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

VENUE: The Italian Community Center, Milwaukee

CATERING: Bartolotta’s Catering

SUGGESTED ATTIRE: Cocktail or business attire

Meet Charles C. W. Cooke: Charles C. W. Cooke is a British-born American journalist, author, podcast host, and political commentator recognized for his sharp constitutional analysis, transatlantic perspective, and influential voice in modern conservative thought. Best known for his long-standing role at National Review, where he serves as a senior writer and formerly led the publication’s online editorial operations, Cooke has built a reputation for thoughtful commentary on American politics, free speech, federalism, the Constitution, and the evolving relationship between government and individual liberty.

Born in the United Kingdom, Cooke studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Oxford before moving to the United States in 2011. Immersing himself deeply in American civic culture and political discourse, he became a U.S. citizen in 2018—an experience that has informed much of his writing about American exceptionalism, constitutional governance, and democratic institutions.

In 2015, Cooke published The Conservatarian Manifesto: Libertarians, Conservatives, and the Fight for the Right’s Future, a widely discussed book examining the philosophical overlap between conservatism and libertarianism. In the book, he argues for a political framework rooted in individual freedom, constitutional restraint, free markets, and skepticism toward centralized power. The work helped cement his standing as a leading voice among a generation of conservative thinkers seeking to balance traditional values with classical liberal principles.

Please contact WILL’s Chief Advancement Officer, Lesley Luehrs Quartana ([email protected]) with any questions.

What America Means to Me Contest

In recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, WILL is proud to launch the “What America Means to Me” student contest, an initiative designed to encourage the next generation to engage and learn more about America’s founding principles.

Consistent with WILL’s mission to advance the public interest in the rule of law, individual liberty, constitutional government, and a robust civil society, this contest invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to reflect on the meaning of freedom in their own lives. This contest is open to all public, charter, private, and homeschool students who are citizens of the United States and reside in Wisconsin.

All submissions are due by August 15, 2026. Cash prizes will be awarded!

New Findings Show How Wisconsin's "Secret Ballot" Could Be At Risk

A new report by WILL and the MacIver Institute finds that a longstanding Wisconsin statute conflicts with the Wisconsin Constitution’s “secret ballot” guarantee. As a result, WILL and MacIver are calling for the Wisconsin Legislature to amend the law. 

WILL Associate Counsel, Nathalie Burmeister, stated, “We have serious concerns that enforcing this statute at central count locations could violate voters’ right to a ‘secret ballot.’ We are hopeful the Legislature will amend the law, and that WEC will work with local election officials to protect the right of all voters to have the way they voted kept private.”  

A Discussion On Data Centers... Why Local Governments Must Lead.

Data centers are not an unconditional good or bad. No development is. Every project, whether it’s a new hospital, a factory, shopping center, subdivision, or even a data center involves tradeoffs. 

Good elected officials will work through the pros and cons of policy decisions. 

Dane County’s moratorium will, in time, look less like prudence and more like paralysis. Communities getting this right will engage directly with the facts, structure clear review processes, hold developers accountable to specific standards, and make actual decisions. 

The alternative to a moratorium is not blind approval, but informed governance. The government closest to the people serves the people best, especially since they have both the responsibility and the tools to get this right. 

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Together, we will make sure that our freedoms are protected for our children and grandchildren. Help us continue to be a beacon of hope and liberty for all!

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