Adam Smith Foundation

"This article concerns the Adam Smith Foundation that is based in the state of Missouri in the United States, as opposed to the Adam Smith Foundation which is based at the University of Glasgow in Scotland."

The Adam Smith Foundation is a conservative 501(c)(4) advocacy organization formed in June, 2007 [ [http://www.adamsmithfoundation.org/pr1.html The Adam Smith Foundation ] ] by a group of Missouri Republican activists. [citeweb|url=http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2007/08/updated-adam-smith-group-launching-radio-ads-against-judges/|title=Adam Smith group launching radio ads against judges|accessdate=2008-02-08|author=Jo Mannies|date=2007-08-15|publisher=St. Louis Post Dispatch]

Objectives

Judicial Reform

The Adam Smith Foundation opposes the process by which Missouri's appellate judges are appointed. This process is known as the "Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan," [ [http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.asp?id=297 Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan] Your Missouri Courts ] and the Missouri Plan. Shortly after its launch the Foundation sponsored a series of radio ads [ [http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=AD8639ED-D659-7DCE-CD707F1396AA625D Missourinet: Quiet Process of Choosing Supreme Court Judge Anything But ] ] and billboards critical of the Missouri Plan method for the nonpartisan selection of judges. Groups such as Missourians for Fair and Impartial Courts, [ [http://protectjustice.org/news/pressreleases/display.asp?prID=1 Protecting Missourians’ Rights to Fair and Impartial Courts] ProtectJustice.Org July 26, 2007] have been formed to counter the Adam Smith Foundation's efforts.

Tax Reform

The Adam Smith Foundation believes in low taxes and making sure that the government lives within its means. In an Op-Ed eiece published in the "Southeast Missourian", John Elliott, the President of the Adam Smith Foundation, argued that the recent state surplus should be given back to the public either through tax cuts or through a large refund. [ John Elliott. "Excessive Tax Haul Belongs to the People." "Southeast Missourian" July 21, 2007.]

Criticism

The Springfield News-Leader has run a column accusing the foundation of a misleading billboard campaign on "activist judges." [ [http://www.kansascity.com/news/columnists/steve_kraske/story/199757.html Contributions will continue to flow in Missouri governor’s race] Steve Kraske Kansas City Star Jul. 21, 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.adamsmithfoundation.org/ The Adam Smith Foundation website]