In many respects, it’s harder to be a successful entrepreneur today than ever before, thanks to a growing tax burden, a host of stifling regulations at all levels of government and the expanding threats of litigation or prosecution for a host of seemingly innocent activities.

The irony, of course, is that economic freedom — variously called capitalism, the profit motive, entrepreneurship or business — is essential to creating jobs, providing needed products and services, and generating prosperity for everybody. The rising tide can indeed lift all boats, but first it must be allowed to rise.

In this special report, The Examiner has brought together in a three-part series appearing today, Friday and Sunday nine experts on the present and future health of economic freedom in America.