I’ve added a link to my blogroll for the Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm. A tagline from their website tells their tale succinctly: “Litigating for Liberty.” Their motto, “We change the world, and have fun doing it,” tells how much they enjoy their work.
If you’ve not visited their site, it’s surely worthwhile to do so.
One often hears how, in different times, people were excited to be part of a principled commitment, and worthy undertaking. Those who work at the Institute for Justice — and those who support their work — know what it feels like to be part of something good and meaningful, right and hopeful.
Here’s a more complete description of their work, from the IJ website:
Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice is what a civil liberties law firm should be. As our nation’s only libertarian public interest law firm, we engage in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the government–like the right to earn an honest living, private property rights, and the right to free speech, especially in the areas of commercial and Internet speech. As Wired magazine said, the Institute for Justice “helps individuals subject to wacky government regulations.”
Simply put, we challenge the government when it stands in the way of people trying to earn an honest living, when it unconstitutionally takes away individuals’ property, when bureaucrats instead of parents dictate the education of children, and when government stifles speech. We seek a rule of law under which individuals can control their destinies as free and responsible members of society.
We have accomplished a great deal since our founding in 1991. You may have seen our clients, cases and attorneys featured frequently in the national media, such as ABC News 20/20 or the CBS News program 60 Minutes. As Investor’s Business Daily observed, “The Institute for Justice’s influence is being felt across the nation.”
The Institute for Justice is a 501(c)(3) organization; contributions are tax-deductible.
When bureaucrats impose layer upon layer of regulations on common people, or ban activities entirely, they often assume that there’s no other possiblity, that their way is the only way. They’re often quite sure that they’re right, and surprised when others disagree. Quick to take umbrage, they afterward try twice as hard to force their way on others. Their way makes sense to them; they find others’ ideas alien and strange. There’s nothing alien and strange about a commitment to individual liberty and limited government, especially not in a truly extraordinary place like America.
Their surprise is unsurprising, and its extent measures the distance between our tradition of individual liberty and a pinched, contrary understanding.
Have fun exploring the Institute for Justice website, for the first time, or on a return visit. Looking around, it’s easy to see why the IJ is dedicated to its work, and has fun while working.