The recent passing of two monumental figures in the world of Washington, D.C. ideas, Ed Feulner and Ed Crane, represents a profound loss for the nation. Within the last six months, these friends and pioneers, who shaped conservative and libertarian thought, have left an indelible void in the policy landscape.
Legacy of Conservative and Libertarian Thought
Ed Feulner, co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, established it as the defining policy institute for conservative ideas in the United States. His work laid the groundwork for influencing national discourse on key issues. Similarly, Ed Crane, co-founder of the Cato Institute, built it into a major presence for libertarian ideas and policy in the nation's capital, advocating for individual freedom and limited government.
Personal Involvement and Policy Impact
Star Parker, author of this tribute, recalls her personal involvement with the Cato Institute beginning in 1996 when she joined the national advisory board for a project aimed at transforming Social Security. This initiative sought to shift it from a government tax-and-spend program to one based on individually owned personal retirement accounts. Crane's skill was in introducing revolutionary ideas to the marketplace while remaining relevant to daily policy discussions.
He emphasized that Social Security was not just technically flawed but conceptually broken, violating fundamental American principles of individual responsibility and property rights. Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, Social Security opened the door to the modern welfare state, an import from Europe that challenged constitutional norms.
Constitutional and Economic Implications
When Social Security was enacted, the federal government consumed 10% of the national economy; today, it approaches 25%. This growth was enabled by a changed understanding of the U.S. Constitution, which found Social Security constitutional, marginalizing core founding principles that government should secure personal freedom. For those forced to pay Social Security taxes, wealth generated by America's capital markets was forgone, as evidenced by the Dow Jones average rising from about 5,000 in 1996 to nearly 50,000 today.
A Call for Restoration
Crane worked tirelessly to restore America's founding principles, often nudging Parker about her beliefs. While she agreed on the importance of freedom, she identified as a Christian, valuing the sanctity of life and traditional marriage alongside private property. The loss of Feulner and Crane underscores the urgent need to revive the fight for these principles in contemporary America.
Their contributions through the Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute have left a lasting impact on policy debates, and their absence is keenly felt in a time when such voices are badly needed to champion liberty and limited government.
