Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy for Kentucky

By Christopher J. Derry & Lawrence W. Reed

How should Kentucky's policy leaders in government, business and academia address its pressing issues of the day, from transportation to education to health care to countless other important topics?

If parents in Jefferson County express concern about the quality of education their children receive, should public policy be directed from the single perspective of the child? If parents in Somerset cant afford after-school care, shouldnt state government view educational improvement from the view of working parents? Or should policymakers take the view of the beleaguered, under-paid and oft-appreciated teachers? Or should new directives from the General Assembly seek to subsidize small businesses that must retrain high school graduates who cannot apply simple arithmetic on the job? Which view should guide Kentucky policymakers in their quest to improve education and govern responsibly?

With such a vast array of perspectives, its no wonder that intelligent people disagree on the most fundamental issues in Kentucky today. But in fact the question of how to set public policy has divided leaders, communities and nations since humanity began recording history. Did Egyptian leaders planning the construction of the pyramids make the best decisions? Wasn't it the Greeks and Romans who first used democracy? Why should "America's way" be any better or worse? Of fundamental importance is the question: Which policy-making process is still working?

In 1775, Americans became increasingly dissatisfied with King George III and the arbitrary manner with which he ruled the affairs of the American colonies. Nevertheless, most colonists remained committed to reconciling their differences to remain loyal subjects under British rule. Then on February 14, 1776, Thomas Paine published a simple pamphlet he entitled, "Common Sense," inspiring The American Revolution with such compelling logic as:

"But where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain!"

By July 4, 1776 Thomas Jefferson had penned The Declaration of Independence, uniting Americans toward a single cause: Independence from England. No longer would a Pharaoh, nor an Emperor, nor a King rule Americans. By signing the Declaration, our founding fathers decreed:

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights"

Changing the course of human history, this idea – that freedom is a natural right – inspired Americans to want to live their lives in liberty, while at the same time respecting the rights and property of others. Then in 1787, the Second Continental Congress further guaranteed these rights by adopting The Constitution of the United States of America, clearly differentiating the rights and obligations of both Government and its Citizens.

Under the guidance and direction of these two documents, America has become the model of prosperity for the world. It has fed, clothed and housed more people at higher standards of living than any society the world has ever known. All other forms of government have fallen by the wayside and America has become the destination of choice for the world's citizens.

At the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, we use these two "settled truths," our Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, as the basis for researching and recommending prescriptions for today's policy questions in Kentucky.

When we study an issue at the Bluegrass Institute, we begin with the core assumption that private property and free market economies are superior to state ownership and central planning. This is not simply a superficial opinion; rather, it is now the standard-bearer among people who have their eyes and ears open and for whom reason, logic, facts, evidence, economics and experience mean something.

The "Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy" that follow are pillars in a growing movement among state-based think tanks to reinforce and reinvigorate the applicationof these two "settled truths" toward defining sound public policy. They are not the oply pillars of a free economy, but they do comprise a pretty powerful package. If every conorstone of every Kentucky state building were emblazoned with these principles – and more importantly, if every legislator understood and attempted to be faithful to them – we'd be much stronger, much freer, more prosperous, and far better governed Kentuckians.

Click here to read the seven principles.