To The Best of Our Knowledge from Wisconsin Public Radio

Bill Gates isn't the only high-tech leader with a chip on his shoulder about government. Silicon Valley is full of libertarians. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the politics of the cyber-elite. Also, how some people are trying to bypass politicians altogether, by using statewide referendums.

David Broder, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Washington Post and author of "Democracy Derailed," tells Steve Paulson that the recent rash of referendum initiatives endangers democracy. He says they are funded and controlled by special interests and usurp the role of the legislature. Also, Richard Brookhiser talks with Jim Fleming about Alexander Hamilton - the least understood of the Founding Fathers. Brookhiser is a senior editor at the National Review and author of "Alexander Hamilton: American."

Journalist Paulina Borsook covers the high-tech world of Silicon Valley with its many government-hating entrepreneurs. Borsook tells Judith Strasser that among the cyber-elite, political attitudes are almost unconscious. Borsook's new book is "Cyberselfish." Also, philosopher Ayn Rand is re-emerging as an intellectual force. We hear a clip from the movie made from her novel "The Fountainhead," which champions the lone genius against the know-nothing mob. Then, philosopher Tibor Machan tells Steve Paulson why Rand has always prompted strong reactions and what she really means by "selfishness." Machan is the author of "Ayn Rand."

Pastor Jim Wallis is the editor of Sojourners Magazine and author of "Faith Works: Lessons from the Life of an Activist Preacher." He tells Steve Paulson what he learned from getting mugged, and talks about innovative partnerships between government, business leaders, grassroots activists and the poor.

Distribution dates:

• week of 07/16/2000 - hour 1