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July 16, 2007

Introducing the Ocean State Policy Research Institute

Carroll Andrew Morse

In an op-ed in today’s Projo, William Felkner introduces the Ocean State Policy Research Institute (OSPRI) and explains why such an organization is desperately needed here in Rhode Island…

Ironically, Rhode Island is stuck in a “conservative” cycle protecting the “liberal” status quo of excessive workplace rules, generous social programs, retentive regulation, entrenched unionism in state government and Horace Mann’s approach to education. Harking to the days of the Dorr War (1842) and the Bloodless Revolution (1935), our oligarchy is unwilling to risk the progress it has made by reassessing these circumstances lest the robber barons should rise from their graves.

A voice for a more independent perspective has been missing on the Rhode Island scene until this Independence Day heralded the founding of the Ocean State Policy Research Institute. This nonprofit foundation intends to promote free-market ideals not as partisan choices, but as foundational American aspirations no less worthy of consideration than socially collective compassion epitomized by the Great Society.

Rhode Island is replete with a collection of “special-interest groups” promoting government intervention as the solution. Such groups as the Poverty Institute, at Rhode Island College, Ocean State Action and other nonprofits and public institutions lobby for more government programs and spending. Paradoxically, your taxes fund part of this activity, effectively government lobbying itself in a spiral to budget insanity…Evidence from the solid accomplishments of free-market institutes in 46 other states suggests that Rhode Island should re-examine the prevailing ‘’wisdom” that expanding government is the way to solve problems.


Comments

They have a website in devleopment too at:
www.oceanstatepri.org

Posted by: Josh at July 16, 2007 12:18 PM

Wow,

so we finally admit that the "Education Partnership" is a failure, that really silly whatever they called themselves Manusch organization is a failure, and now we've created another joke organization.

How exciting. More people I get to screw with. Wait, a minute, it's the same people, they just change names from time to time.

Posted by: Bobby Oliveira at July 16, 2007 12:29 PM

Bobby Oliviera: Protecting the broken status quo at any cost.

My hero.

Posted by: Greg at July 16, 2007 1:03 PM

Bobby Oliviera, telling the Righties the truth they don't wont to hear.

My hero.

Posted by: Pat at July 16, 2007 6:06 PM

Bobby Oliviera, telling the Righties the truth they don't want to hear.

My hero.

Posted by: Pat at July 16, 2007 6:06 PM

Greg,

What's funnier Bobby Oliveira thinking he matters or Pat Crowley thinking at all? lol It's a toss-up!

Posted by: Tim at July 16, 2007 7:25 PM

Dear Tim,

I may not matter but I get what I want. That's more than can be said for you.

Posted by: Bobby Oliveira at July 16, 2007 8:03 PM

Gee, BO, you're a shining example of integrity and altruism. Well, congrats on "getting what you want" at the expense of us working stiffs.

Posted by: Justin Katz at July 16, 2007 8:07 PM

Andrew,

Thanks for the post.

Bobby O.,

I’m flattered that there are erroneous rumors in only our first week of operation (unless you just made it up, but its still flattering). Please enlighten me. Who are "the same people, they just change names from time to time."

Posted by: Bill Felkner at July 16, 2007 8:24 PM

Forget it, Bill. They're on to you. You're really Bob Arruda, former head of OCG. No one's ever seen the two of you together, have they ...?

(Excellent Op Ed, by the way.)

Posted by: SusanD at July 16, 2007 10:40 PM

With the costs borne "on the backs of" taxpayers for teachers pensions having nearly TRIPLED over the last and showing all signs of a "death spiral" of continued exponential growth, the laughter of Reback, Walsh, Crowley and their ilk is growing short. The marks are out of money-there are no more pockets to pick. The 401K's are "a comin'".

Posted by: Mike at July 17, 2007 10:41 AM

How does one get in touch with this particular organization...or just get in touch with Felkner?

Posted by: Justin at July 20, 2007 6:53 AM

You can reach me at billfelkner@cox.net. We will make a formal announcement when the website is completed.

Posted by: Bill Felkner at July 20, 2007 5:04 PM