You Better Sit Down -- CBO's Ten Year Budget Deficit Projections (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains the harms to the nation of our burgeoning budget deficits and national debt, and IPI President Tom Giovanetti tries to put debt into context.
IPI Policy Basics: The Costs of Protecting Teens Online (Audio: Podcast)
Taking advantage of IPI Research Fellow Bartlett Cleland’s presence in-studio, we discuss the problems with the state and federal legislative attempts to “protect children online” through age verification and other schemes. Hint: The problems are overwhelming and underappreciated. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Can States Deny Donald Trump Ballot Access? (Audio: Podcast)
We discuss today’s Supreme Court arguments on Colorado’s case for denying Donald Trump ballot access, and agree with the apparent leanings of SCOTUS that Colorado’s arguments are unsustainable. Nevertheless, it’s a great opportunity to nerd-out on constitutional law and federalism. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews, IPI Research Fellow Bartlett Cleland, and IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
President Biden Says, 'Let the Vote Buying Begin' (Audio: Podcast)
In a single week the Biden administration announced a number of spending projects targeted at states and demographic groups considered vulnerable and critical to Biden’s re-election campaign. Huge federal spending is bad enough in and of itself, says IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews. But when Republicans sign on to massive spending projects like the infrastructure bill, they create opportunities for the President to use the money as an indirect contribution to his re-election campaign. Discussion led by IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews, with IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
East Palestine Ohio Derailment and the Railway Safety Act (Audio: Podcast)
As the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio freight derailment arrives on February 3rd, proponents will use the anniversary to try to renew support for the Railway Safety Act. But the proposed legislation is nothing more than a grab bag of demands from the 12 rail labor unions. It’s not surprising that liberal Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is the lead author of the Railway Safety Act. What’s surprising, and telling, is that Republican Sen. J.D. Vance has been leading the charge for the legislation, which shows that right-wing populism has more in common with leftist progressivism than it does with Reagan conservatism. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Immigration Takes Center Stage (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews and IPI President Tom Giovanetti discuss how the border crisis and its related impacts have become the number one issue in American politics, and how this is liable to affect not only current legislative debates, but also the upcoming election.
IPI Policy Basics: Exaggerating the Public Domain (Audio: Podcast)
There was a rash of stories in the early days of 2024 about how, finally, Mickey Mouse had entered the public domain, and that this was somehow a triumph for the general public. Sounds like time for an explainer about the public domain, and why, for the most part, consumers are better off when creativity, distribution and promotion of creative works is incentivized. IPI President Tom Giovanetti with IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Don't Impose New Fears on Old Vaccines (Audio: Podcast)
IPI’s Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how increasing vaccine skepticism threatens outbreaks of dreaded diseases that have been under control for decades. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Biden Administration Attacks Independent Contractors (Audio: Podcast)
The Biden administration has yielded to pressure from labor unions to restrict the qualifications for independent contractor status, which is intended to make it easier to unionize “gig economy” workers. But this is a terrible idea, and when California tried the same thing it forced many independent contractors out of work. The modern economy should make it easier, not harder, for Americans to have flexible work and earnings options. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
How EVs Will Strand Cold State Drivers (Audio: Podcast)
With a polar vortex bearing down on much of the nation, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews reminds us that electric vehicles (EVs) suffer significant performance deficits in very cold weather. So the current generation of EVs may not be the best choice for residents of cold states. As with everything else, choice should be left to consumers through free markets rather than having change forced upon the entire country through federal mandate.