Honoring Economist Milton Friedman

Friedman's economic viewpoint has inspired governments around the world, from Chile to Estonia, where Prime Minister Mart Laar created one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe based on his open admiration of Friedman's theories. In Estonia, more than 90% of the formerly state-run economy was privatized, and Laar instituted a low flat-rate income tax.

Friedman's impact on history isn't limited to economic prosperity. Joseph Bast, president of the Heartland Institute, which is based on Friedman's vision, explains Friedman's legacy: "It was explaining the relationship between economic freedom and all our other civil freedoms. What Milton Friedman taught was that without economic freedom, all the other liberties that we take for granted either cannot exist or are easily swept away."

If you want to know more about Friedman and his formidable influence on America, you can watch his biography, "The Power of Choice," on PBS Monday, Jan. 29 (check local listings) and again on future dates.

Milton Friedman's ideas changed America for the better, helping create the prosperity we enjoy today. And that's The Savage Truth.

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