Take the Quiz!
In an era where partisan shouting matches dominate headlines and populist promises echo from every podium, it’s easy to feel disillusioned. Whether it’s red-vs-blue gridlock in Washington or fiery rhetoric in statehouses like Louisiana’s, the constant drumbeat of “us vs. them” leaves many craving something better. If you’re tired of politicians pitting the “little guy” against the “big guy,” demonizing opponents, and offering quick fixes that never deliver, you’re not alone. Populism, as we recently warned, masquerades as a champion of the people but undermines the principles that truly build prosperity: voluntary exchange, limited government, and individual liberty. It’s time to step away from the spectacle and join a movement grounded in evidence-based solutions—free markets, fiscal responsibility, and personal empowerment.
Louisiana knows this trap all too well. Huey Long’s era of “Share Our Wealth” populism promised redistribution and heavy-handed interventions, but it delivered corruption, economic stagnation, and a legacy of big government that lingers today. Fast-forward to 2025: Despite recent reforms slashing income taxes and deregulating in some areas, Louisiana still ranks near the bottom in economic freedom, with sluggish job growth and outmigration plaguing families.
Why? Lingering populist impulses—price controls, protectionism, and market meddling—keep our state from unleashing its potential. Every time government tells companies how to serve consumers; picks winners and losers; tries to “co-parent” with families; adds unnecessary regulatory complexity; focuses more on spending tax dollars rather than returning them; and keeps people trapped in dependency instead of supporting them toward self-sufficiency, it erodes any competitive edge that exists.
The good news? There’s an alternative: the timeless principles of liberty championed by our nation’s founders and still echoed by today’s economic experts. Since 2008, the Pelican Institute has researched and advanced solutions to some of our state’s and nation’s biggest barriers, educating on the benefits of individual liberty and free enterprise. Our work spans policy and regulatory reforms—and at times, legal challenges—to keep government from intruding in individuals’ lives and in the competitive marketplace unless there’s real risk of harm that can’t be achieved without its intervention. We also work to ensure that government takes only the amount of people’s hard-earned money that’s needed to deliver essential services, and then delivers them efficiently and effectively. These aren’t partisan ploys; they’re tools for human flourishing.
If partisan politics and populism are leaving you frustrated and hungry for something more, you might be a Free Market Liberty Champion. Ready to see for yourself? Take this quick quiz. Answer Yes/No and tally your “Yes” responses at the end.
Free Market Liberty Quiz: Are You a Champion in Waiting?
- Do you support competition in industries like energy and education? (E.g., breaking monopolies to expand options, lower prices, and achieve better outcomes)
Yes / No
- Would you back lower taxes across the board? (E.g., eliminating the individual income tax and other taxes and forcing government to serve only essential needs)
Yes / No
- Do you oppose government protectionism? (E.g., “protecting” certain businesses from competition)
Yes / No
- Are you wary of heavy-handed interventions, such as price controls or bailouts? (E.g., letting markets—not politicians—set wages and prices for true opportunity)
Yes / No
- Do you favor limited government that focuses on core functions and stays “in its lane?” (E.g., rejecting endless spending that burdens future generations with debt and respects the roles of federal, state, and local leaders as set forth in the U.S. and Louisiana Constitutions)
Yes / No
- Would you champion individual liberty over collective mandates? (E.g., deregulating occupational licenses and permits so more Louisianans can start and grow businesses without red tape)
Yes / No
Scoring:
- 5-6 Yes: You’re a natural ally—join the fight!
- 3-4 Yes: You’re close; explore more at pelicaninstitute.org or join our Pelican Leadership Academy to solidify your stance.
- 0-2 Yes: Populism’s pitfalls might be clouding your view—time for a fresh perspective.
If your score leans toward liberty, know this: You’re part of a growing movement. From Pelican’s advocacy against frivolous lawsuits that cost jobs to national pushes for fiscal restraint, free market champions are winning battles. In Louisiana, recent reforms are bringing back economic opportunity, but more work awaits. We can’t stop until we achieve a true Comeback.
Don’t sit out the fight. Join the Pelican Institute today: Sign up for our newsletter, attend our yearly Solutions Summit, and submit your story of how government overreach hit home.
Together, we can reject the siren song of party politics and populism and build a Louisiana and a United States where opportunity isn’t rationed by politicians—it’s earned through free enterprise. As the Founders envisioned, true independence means self-reliance, not dependence on distant powers. Let’s make liberty the Louisiana way.
