
Mr. Steak Founder CEO James Mather: Frederic Bastiat's The Law May 1978 Mr. Steak's Competitive Edge
9/8/2026
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49:02
Part 5 in the Mr. Steak series, and Part 4 of the Mr. Steak's Competitive Edge series. This one is from May 1978 and is on the topic of "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. This was one of Grandpa Mather's favorite books and one that I saw him handout on many an occasion to total strangers. The reading is done by Robert Hite with interjections by Grandpa for Scriptural commentary and discussion. This was probably recorded in April 1978 for the May 1978 Poster Tape discussion program that went out to the entire nationwide chain's associates, managers, and staff.
Mr. Steak's Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO James A. Jim Mather, my Grandpa Mather, interviews people in an effort to increase what he called Mr. Steak's Competitive Edge by encouraging people to smile in order to help beautify America. This was in December 1976 for the benefit of Mr. Steak's nationwide staff in 285 restaurants. Grandpa interjects his thoughts along with Scripture. This seems to have been a monthly series called "Mr. Steak's Competitive Edge," each month with a new theme.
Many thank to Kerri Marquadt, owner of 7 of the 286 Mr. Steak franchises including the Cheyenne Wyoming location, for the gift to me of these rare tapes of the Mr. Steak franchisor founder and motivational speaker, James A. Mather.
Grandpa Mather was raised by a single mother in the Great Depression in El Dorado, Kansas. He went on to serve as a Navy F2F Hellcat fighter pilot during World War 2. He started the company in 1962. He and his first wife Dottie raised 3 kids in Colorado. He died last year in the presence of his second wife Linda peacefully in Camarillo, California at the ripe age of 102 years young. Funeral services were held at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park and performed by Pastor Rob McCoy, whom Jim mentored in the Lord.
The still photo is one of my copies of The Law by Frederic Bastiat given to my father by my Grandpa Jim Mather probably while I was in high school. It has markings and marginal notes in pencil in my father's handwriting. It was passed down from him to me when I was in the U.S.Navy after high school, although I believe I read this for the first time in high school at Chatfield I'm-so-high-screwel (as Rush Limbaugh used to call them), part of the Jefferson County Public School System in a little town called Littleton, Colorado, where I grew up.
Enjoy.
The Republican Professor is a pro-free-enterprise-system podcast. Therefore, welcome back Grandpa Jim James A. Mather.
The Republican Professor is produced and hosted by Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D
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