Now is the time to nominate perfect candidates for the Leadership Program of the Rockies class of 2011 – 2012.  The LPR seminars provide an optimal vantage from which to navigate the oncoming economic chaos and to challenge the political calculus of its instigators.

For those who fully appreciate the blessings of Liberty and are dedicated to preserving them, becoming skilled in advancing the morality of capitalism against the treachery of entitlement is a powerful tool for leadership.  It’s a mainstay of the LPR curriculum.

Margaret Thatcher once quipped, “The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”  It’s a popular quotation nowadays among those debating economic principle – because it’s so timeless and true.

Indeed, the United States government has run out of other people’s money.  The result is deep trouble.  But how many of your friends and neighbors fundamentally understand the times we are in?

The more difficult challenge for free-market capitalists is not just to win the debate among those who often think about such things.  The crucial imperative is to win the debate among those who don’t, but who vote anyway.

The number of Americans who now prefer entitlement over liberty is enormous – and the horde seems to be growing.  Against such odds, some say it’s pointless to make a case for capitalism to those in the entitlement crowd.

But that’s not leadership, is it?

A curious phrase for such a sentiment was popular in Middle French and Middle English texts of the 1400s:  Pearls before swine.

Of Biblical origin, it is an expression of futility when trying to explain things to people who don’t wish to understand.  The phrase also applies to those who lack appreciation for gifts given them opting instead for some vulgar amusement or cheap gratification.

Let’s face it, the reasoning used in a debate among people who read books probably isn’t terribly persuasive at, let’s say, a cocktail party of socialists.  However, part of the LPR curriculum entails taking the time to understand how a better appeal can be made to those whose worldview and perspective are different than ours.

The battle for Liberty and capitalism, especially in a republic like the United States of America, is too important to surrender.  Here, citizenship matters, all are important and everyone’s vote counts – regardless of whether their vote is informed as a function of your leadership.

Preserving American-style freedom entails a vigilant, brave and engaged brand of activism rather than an indifferent “pearls before swine” temperament.  At LPR, we are devoted to leading in the defense of Liberty and advancing a moral case for capitalism anywhere, anytime, to anyone.

What does a U.S. cabinet secretary, a U.S. Congressman, dozens of state legislators, hundreds of local elected officials, key business leaders, conservative talk-show hosts, columnists, bloggers and top community leaders have in common?  They’ve all graduated from the Leadership Program of the Rockies (LPR).

The program has been around for many years.  The goal is to select 65 of Colorado’s most promising and aspiring leaders, bring them together and involve them in a 9-month intensive course on the basic elements of effective leadership – American style.

From there, LPR leaders are expected to lead.  We expect them to immerse themselves in worthy civic causes, community-improvement activities and politics.

Not all LPR graduates run for office.  In fact, the program isn’t really geared for that.  But nearly all are involved at some way in the process of selecting political leaders at all levels.

The Leadership Program of the Rockies is non-partisan.  It is associated with no political party.  Its orientation, however, is crystal clear.

LPR’s philosophy is firmly rooted in the classical-liberal traditions of the American Revolution and America’s Founding Fathers.  These traditions clearly align with the modern conservative movement.  America’s libertarian mores are often evident, too.

We stress the virtues of free-markets, Austrian-school economics, the elements of liberty stemming from Natural Law.  We strive to fully understand why these principles inspired the Declaration of Independence and how they were woven into the U.S. Constitution.

To graduate, one must make a cogent moral case for capitalism.  Concepts like private-property rights, personal responsibility, legitimate rights versus entitlements and more are dissected and understood to a rather full extent.

The class meets monthly in different locations around the Denver metro area.  We fly in the nation’s best instructors and experts to lead lessons on the topics covered in each class.

Sometimes the best experts are right here in Colorado.  Their long-standing partnership with the program adds to its potency.

We read from books like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, Milton Freedman’s Free To Choose, original sources like the Federalist Papers, presidential speeches and similar works.

The most valuable long-term aspect of the program is a growing alliance of like-minded leaders – all strong in their defense of liberty and their abilities in carrying the torch of freedom.

LPR refines elemental leadership skills, too.  Students learn how to communicate better.  They hone debate skills, communication strategies, fundraising tactics, organizational skills and logic.

Getting into the program is a competitive endeavor.  Hundreds throughout Colorado apply every year.

Only 65 are selected.  Participation isn’t cheap.

Though tuition covers a fraction of actual cost per student (the majority of the program’s resources come through various private donations), students are expected to invest in their own LPR training and education.  Participating entails a true commitment to the program, to your classmates and to putting the program’s lessons to practical use after graduation.  Scholarships are available for those deserve them.

Those who complete the program find themselves acquainted with a new group of friends spread throughout Colorado and beyond.  The LPR family is vast, influential, vigilant, active and brave.

We all stay in touch through an efficient LPR communication network and through sponsored activities.  Some are fun, such as picnics and social gatherings.

Other gatherings are associated with a cause, a lesson, perhaps to gather with a noteworthy policy expert or public figure.  Those are always fun, too.

Each year, about late January and early February, the Leadership Program of the Rockies hosts its legendary annual retreat.  The LPR retreat draws speakers and session panelists from throughout the country.

If you enjoy watching national television news commentary and panel debates, if you enjoy talk radio, if you enjoy reading conservative columnists and authors, then you’ll recognized the kinds of people who show up at LPR retreats.  The annual retreat is always open to the public.

The event is an annual “who’s who” of capitalist leadership and political conservatism.  Serious leaders in the West simply don’t miss the LPR retreat.

The retreat is held at the spectacular Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs complete with panel presentations, interaction with top officials, splendid dinner conversation and spellbinding lunch speakers.

While the retreat is an opportunity for everyone in the LPR family to gather, being accepted into an LPR class is an exclusive and prestigious matter unlike any other.

The brilliance of the Leadership Program of the Rockies is that it works very well.  Students come from all walks of life.  A successful candidate for enrollment will have demonstrated some capacity for leadership already.

They will be able to share some vision they have for their personal ambitions toward noble civic leadership.  They’ll have passion for a set of issues that motivate them. They’ll clearly express their love for America and their belief in the American exceptionalism.

Their instincts will be in the direction of individual liberty, unalienable rights, courage and strength.

Right now is the time for those interested in applying for the next LPR class to contact us.  Applications are available online at the LPR website www.leadershipprogram.org.

There you’ll find application materials, information about the annual LPR retreat at the Broadmoor, our Liberty Library and general information about the whole program.

Maintaining the Republic entails intelligent, informed action from those who understand the principles of prosperity, who find agreement with the Founding Fathers and who are motivated to do the hard work of freedom.

The Leadership Program of the Rockies is always looking for those who share these timeless values.  It’s what we do to advance the holy cause of liberty.

The Hon. Daniel Hannan, Member of the European Parliament, brought the house down with his rousing presentation at this year’s LPR annual retreat at the Broadmoor Hotel.  No one in attendance will soon forget his masterful speech.

Hannen recounted the first advance of British troops that sparked the Revolutionary War.  American lore has it that Paul Revere rode ahead of the British column alerting colonists, “The British are coming!  The British are coming!”

Hannen suggested Revere actually shouted, “The Regulars are coming!  The Regulars are coming!”  It would have made no sense, he said, to warn of the British, for nearly all colonists thought of themselves, at the time, as British.

Referring to the “Regulars” in the British army comports with the way one would have referred to the standing British troops – or Redcoats – in those days.  The word “Regulars” was perfectly understood by everyone who heard Revere’s timely warning.

Interestingly, “The Regulars are coming!” has a different but precise meaning when it comes to the army of candidates preparing to launch political campaigns these days.  All of them say they’re conservative.  All of them say they’re superior stewards of American liberty.

But are they really anything more than a Regular?

This year’s LPR retreat was, as usual, completely aligned with the principles of free markets, capitalism and the Revolutionary causes that have created an unprecedented period of human progress, prosperity and liberty.  These are the principles reinforced throughout the course of the LPR program and which define the curriculum of each monthly class.

Those associated with LPR have an advantage in times like these.  They’re equipped to be the Paul Reveres of an important election season – helping to distinguish the authentic revolutionaries from the treacherous Regulars.

Within a political context, we learn through LPR (as we were powerfully reminded at the retreat) that the most significant leaders are not necessarily those who get elected to office.  More often they’re the ones who know the enemy, who know the patriot, who know the difference, who have the prudence to alert their countrymen and who have the fortitude to fight for liberty.

Those associated with LPR tend to be any but among the “Regulars.”  In fact, 236 years later, we still stand courageously opposite them.