As recent riots have demonstrated, many in the rising generation seem to have lost sight of the central importance of liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, civic virtue, and the rule of law. During the COVID-19 crisis, all generations have witnessed how the government has expanded its role while putting personal liberty at risk. And, Millennials and “Gen-Zers” have a front row seat watching Big Government do massive ill and get even bigger.

Recognizing the need to focus on the pressing issues of the "Next Gen" audience, the Independent Institute created Love Gov, the award-winning, humorous YouTube series that satirizes Big Government. Since it was launched a few years ago, the 10-episode series that spans two seasons has received more than 35.4 million combined views and 31 film awards and laurels.

Love Gov has been extremely successful in pulling young people away from the mistaken appeal of Socialism and Big Government. By using humor—the best tool for opening minds, the series visually portrays young people experiencing runaway government blocking their access to affordable healthcare and housing, as well as interfering with entrepreneurship, employment, and privacy—showing that all can be better secured through individual freedom, entrepreneurship, and free-market cooperation.

This event features Independent Institute President David J. Theroux and Independent Senior Vice President Mary L.G. Theroux being interviewed by Independent Executive Director Dr. Graham H. Walker to discuss the Love Gov project, how it came into being, and the big impact it is making. As a fun note, David and Mary share some of our favorite clips from the series.

Graham H. Walker

Graham H. Walker is Executive Director and Assistant Editor for The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy at the Independent Institute. He received his Ph.D. in public law and government from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Walker has served as Associate Professor of Politics at Catholic University of America, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Visiting Scholar in Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, NJ), Senior Research Scholar at the Witherspoon Institute, Headmaster at Oaks Christian School, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, President at Patrick Henry College, Legislative Aide to former Congressman David Stockman, and Fellow at the Presidio Institute.

David J. Theroux

David J. Theroux is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy at the Independent Institute. He received his B.S., A.B., and M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. A member of the Mont Pelerin Society, he has been a director of eight corporations and four foundations, and he has been a member of the Nominating Committee for the Heinz Awards, William I. Koch Crime Commission, Prison Advisory Board for the California Little Hoover Commission, Board of Advisors of the Libertarian Christian Institute, and Executive Committee for the Templeton Collegiate Honor Rolls for Education in a Free Society.

Mary L. G. Theroux

Mary L. G. Theroux is Senior Vice President of the Independent Institute. Having received her A.B. in economics from Stanford University, Ms. Theroux is Managing Director of Lightning Ventures, L.P., and Vice President of the C.S. Lewis Society of California. She is former Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Alameda County Salvation Army; former Chairman and current member of the San Francisco Salvation Army Advisory Board, and also serves on the National Advisory Board of The Salvation Army. Ms. Theroux was also Chairman of Garvey International, Inc., and Co-Founder, President, and CEO of San Francisco Grocery Express, Ltd. Articles on Ms. Theroux have appeared in Business Week, Forbes, Savvy, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and other publications.