OK, so I am savagely biased, but not without good reason. Four decades ago I worked with a gentleman I found to be uniquely independent. That most capable fellow, Bob Levy, is today the internationally admired chairman of the Cato Institute. When I learned of Bob’s new focus, I immediately suggested we get together to find out how Debbie and I could become involved with Cato. We met with Bob and his energetic wife, Diane, at First Watch in Naples, Florida, not far from Home Base Levy. We were off and running. Shortly thereafter, Bob, Cato president Ed Crane, Matt and I met at our family investment office on Fifth Avenue, Naples, for a formal introduction to Cato. Since then, Debbie, Matt and I have attended many Cato strategy sessions and have gotten to know a number of Cato’s scholars. Our clients have benefited mightily from the association we have developed and the invaluable insights Cato has provided. Talk about first class research.
For decades I have avoided meetings and get-togethers of any sort. The single exception I have made is my now deep involvement with the politically independent Cato Institute. As a punctuation note, I have made a significant financial contribution to the Ed Crane/Bob Levy-led think tank and have become a Club 200 Cato supporter. Recently I increased my annual financial support to Cato in the face of an effort, as I understand it, by the conservative and well-regarded Koch brothers to push Ed and Bob aside and place themselves and their minions at the Cato helm. I am hopeful that a reasonable resolution will be found by Ed, Bob and the brothers to the benefit of all concerned. The linked letter here is indicative of the powerful support Ed and Bob enjoy worldwide.
If you have been with me over the decades, you know that I do not mince words and that I take strong independent stands across the board. You also know that I am neither Republican nor Democrat and generally in line with positions put forward by Ron and Rand Paul and, for emphasis, Pat Buchanan. Beyond his Supreme Court appointments, I analyze the George Bush presidency as a failure and the White House residency of Marxist-influenced (without question) President Obama as an incomprehensible tragedy as well as a powerful threat to America’s Federal Republic form of government. With stunning regularity, the still independent Cato institute offers a focused and powerful set of guidelines and strategies to maintain the sort of Federal Republic envisioned by Thomas Jefferson. I am proud to be a contributor to the effort.
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