Sound Money Debate Takes Center Stage on Capitol Hill

WHO: Freedom Works Foundation and the Atlas Economic Research Foundation are co-hosting a panel discussion themed, “Sound Money and America’s Global Economic Leadership.” Participants include Matt Kibbe, President and CEO of the FreedomWorks Foundation, Alejandro Chafuen, President of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Dr. Judy Shelton, Co-Director of the Sound Money Project and Professor Lawrence White, George Mason University.

The event will coincide with the official launch of the publication, A Guide to Sound Money, an educational pamphlet available through the joint support of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation and FreedomWorks Foundation. The Guide’s author, Judy Shelton, is a prominent economist who predicted the downfall of the Soviet empire, author of Money Meltdown, and works with both organizations on monetary policy.

WHAT: The panel will discuss the sound money principles all serious participants in next year’s public policy debates must understand. Sen. DeMint will offer his perspective on the money powers of government and the need for transparency. Dr. Shelton will discuss the contents of the Guide and how its core principles are consistent with free market concepts. Prof. White will examine the record of the Federal Reserve in providing monetary and financial stability.

Tentative Agenda:

11:00 – 11:30 AM       Registration and Refreshments

11:30 – 11:40 AM       Welcome and Introduction

                                    Matt Kibbe

                                    President and CEO, FreedomWorks Foundation

                                    The Sound Money Project

                                   Alejandro Chafuen

                                    President, Atlas Economic Research Foundation

11:40 – 11:55 AM       Fed Accountability and True Monetary Reform

                                    Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)

11:55 – 12:05 PM       Core Principles of Sound Money

                                    Judy Shelton

                                    Co-Director, Sound Money Project

                                    Atlas Economic Research Foundation

12:05 – 12:15 PM       How the Fed Has Failed

                                   Lawrence White

                                    Professor of Economics

                                    George Mason University

12:15 – 12:25 PM       Q&A

12:25 – 12:30 PM       Closing Remarks

                                    Brad Lips

                                    CEO, Atlas Economic Research Foundation

WHEN: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Because seating is limited, attendees will not be permitted to enter without an RSVP. If you plan to attend, please register online or send a registration form request to soundmoneyproject@atlasnetwork.org.

WHERE: The Capitol Visitor Center (Room SVC 203-02) in Washington, DC.

WHY: Given the financial crisis and the weakened status of the U.S. dollar abroad, it is no secret that the United States is still reeling from the recessionary effects of bad monetary policy. The time has come for a serious conversation about sound money, especially if America is to regain its leadership role in the global economy.

The Guide does not advocate any single approach to achieving sound money. It lays out core principles to define the fundamental purposes of money and to acknowledge the intent of the Founders in granting money powers to Congress.  The entire Guide can be accessed in pdf form at: http://soundmoneyproject.org/ and printed copies will be made available at the event.

 

“Money’s most important function is to provide a useful tool for private enterprise – not to serve as an instrument of government policy. The more power we grant to government to determine the value of money, the more helpless we become as masters of our own economic fate.”- Dr. Judy Shelton