Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Investing

In Memoriam: Fred Smith

by December 6, 2024
December 6, 2024
In Memoriam: Fred Smith

Ivan G. Osorio

Fred L. Smith, Jr., founder and long-time leading light of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), recently passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends. Fred’s place as a prime mover—or perhaps, a force of nature—in the libertarian movement is well known. Founding CEI out of his and his wife Fran’s apartment in 1984, he built the organization into a major font of ideas for market-friendly regulatory reform that carries on his work today.

Fred’s passion for ideas went beyond intellectual exercises. He was always interested in how ideas mattered to people’s lives. In his work, that translated into applying the ideas of liberty to public policy in practical and principled ways by reaching people on their own terms. “People don’t care what you know,” he’d often say, “until they know you care.” 

I walked into that atmosphere he created when I joined CEI two decades ago as an editor before joining Cato last year. From editing a monthly newsletter, I managed to build CEI’s publications program into a major component of the institute, all thanks to the opportunity I got from Fred.

My experience wasn’t unique among those who worked with Fred. He cared about liberty because he cared about people. Like Julian Simon—after whom CEI named its famous award—Fred saw people as the ultimate resource, and he applied that belief in how he ran CEI. He was always curious to hear everyone’s opinions (even, or especially, when he didn’t agree) and saw potential in everyone who worked with him at one time or another. Fred’s curiosity extended beyond his work. He thought everyone, no matter where they came from, had a story to tell.

Most of all, though, being around Fred was, well … fun. True to his Louisiana roots, which he held dear, he believed in the freedom to Laissez les bon temps rouler. 

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Charlotte Plans an Expensive New Commuter Train in the Post-Commute Era
next post
Friday Feature: SEA Homeschoolers

You may also like

Great Moments in “Buy America”

July 21, 2023

The Fed’s Questionable CBDC Campaign

June 12, 2023

The Eighth Circuit Should Block SEC’s Illegal Climate...

June 25, 2024

Libertarian Consistency

September 3, 2024

Why Not Legalize All Drug Testing Equipment?

August 1, 2023

Standard Econ Model Bridges the “Unfortunate Events” and...

June 7, 2023

Don’t Rely on DOGE: Congress Needs to Own...

March 3, 2025

Nikki Haley is Right: Repeal the Federal Gas...

October 3, 2023

Social Security Spending Adds to the National Debt

June 5, 2024

How Much of the Drop in Fentanyl-Related Overdose...

February 26, 2025

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Democrats don’t need a ‘left-wing’ Joe Rogan, they need to win back the real one

      May 25, 2025
    • DAVID MARCUS: Jake Tapper chose lying Biden sources over his own eyes

      May 25, 2025
    • Record number of Americans apply for UK citizenship as Trump begins second term

      May 25, 2025
    • Learning Painful Lessons is the Start to Building a Successful Trading or Investing Strategy

      May 25, 2025
    • Clearing the Clutter: Why Efficient Property Clearance is a Hidden Asset for Businesses

      May 25, 2025
    • Business Travel & Back Pain: How the Right Mattress Can Help

      May 25, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,041)
    • Investing (1,986)
    • Politics (15,369)
    • Stocks (3,107)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved