For long-time Show-Me Institute readers and supporters, my name is Patrick Ishmael. This month, I joined the institute as a policy analyst, and I’m very excited to be part of the great team here. Originally from Kansas City, I’m a graduate of Saint Louis University, where I earned honors degrees in finance and political science, after which I graduated from SLU’s law school with a specialization in business transactions. I’ve worked in politics both on the campaign and policy fronts for many years. If you’re of the “not-another lawyer!” persuasion, a reminder: You can always donate to the Show-Me Institute, to help keep me out of your neighborhood and safely sequestered here. Win-win, I think.

For visitors unfamiliar with the Show-Me Institute, first add us to your blog reader. Second, the Show-Me Institute is a free-market think tank based in Missouri, focused on promoting limited-government ideas. I’d check the “About Us” page for a more comprehensive explanation of the institute’s objectives, but I’ll highlight this tidbit in particular:

The work of the institute is rooted in the American tradition of free markets and individual liberty. The institute’s scholars seek to move beyond the 20th-century mindset that every problem has a government solution. Instead, they develop policies that respect the rights of the individual, encourage creativity and hard work, and nurture independence and social cooperation.

Not much to add beyond that. Like I said, bookmark us and come back often. We’d love to hear about what’s important to you and what you think of our work.

Finally, I’d like to send a quick thank you to Hot Air, a place where much of my work and research has appeared during the last couple of years. It’s one thing to explore the patterns and intersections of politics and policy in a vacuum; it’s another to pursue those interests in full view of Hot Air’s gigantic audience, gaining not only feedback from those who read the site, but also feedback from the consummate professionals who run it. To Ed, Allahpundit, and everyone that made and makes the site “go,” thank you for the invitation and opportunity to contribute at Hot Air. To Hot Air’s readers, thanks for the feedback — and for not (always) separating my head from my neck each time you disagreed with me.

So, to old friends, welcome. To new friends, glad to make your acquaintance! And I’ll see you all again soon, back here in the same space.