Earmarks--They're Back! (Audio: Podcast)
What’s an earmark? Why did Republicans in Congress do away with them, and has that turned out to be a good move? Why are Democrats bringing them back, and why aren’t Republicans complaining? IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews and IPI President Tom Giovanetti discuss the return of earmarks and the possibility that earmarks might serve a useful purpose.
What If Taxpayers Imposed 'Price Controls' on Congress? (Audio: Interview)
IPI Resident Scholar Merrill Matthews tells Robert Pratt (Pratt on Texas) that there is a way to impose price controls on Congress to limit how much it costs taxpayers. It's called the budget sequester.
IPI Policy Basics: The Debt Obligations of the Federal Government Are Much Bigger than You Think (Audio: Podcast)
Beyond the “national debt,” which has skyrocketed in the past decade, the real total obligations of the federal government include the future obligations of Social Security, Medicare, federal employee pensions, military pensions and more. It’s not a pretty picture. IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews discuss federal deficits, debt, entitlements, and the threat this debt service poses to future generations.
Predictions of Inflation Were Not Inflated (Audio: Podcast)
Was inflation simply the result of Covid-19 related disruptions, or by Biden administration policies? Or have Biden administration policies nudged transitory inflation into a long-term political and economic disaster? IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews guides a discussion about our current inflation concerns, and explains why inflation is the worst tax of all. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti
Wait--After the Trump Tax Cut, Federal Revenue is UP (Audio: Podcast)
The latest numbers from the Congressional Budget office show that federal revenue is up 22 percent since before the 2017 tax cuts. Both individual and corporate tax revenue is higher than expected, not lower. IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explain that the right kind of tax cuts stimulate economic growth which results in higher, not lower federal revenue. So with revenue flooding into the federal treasury, it’s clear that spending is the problem, not taxes.
Navigating in the Swamp (Audio: Interview)
Talk show host Robert Pratt interviews IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews about the growing power of lobbyists in our nation's capitol.
If Biden's $3.5 Trillion Tax and Spending Bill Passes, We'll All Be Worse Off (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how politically difficult Democrats are finding it to get their $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill through their own caucus, and how harmful it would be for the economy should they succeed. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Is Joe Biden the Republican's Secret Weapon for a Midterm Victory? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar describes several Biden administration disasters that are eroding confidence in his administration and likely will contribute to Republican gains in the 2022 midterm elections.
Biden and the Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
IPI Resident Scholar Merrill Matthews discusses the $1.7 trillion student loan debt owed to taxpayers and the possibility of another government shutdown on Houston’s Newsradio 740 KTRH.
IPI Policy Basics: What Is Dynamic Scoring? (Audio: Podcast)
Trying to not get TOO deep into the weeds, IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explain why treating the economy as dynamic rather than static, and treating consumers and businesses as rational rather than stupid, is the right way to try to estimate the results of policy changes on the budget and the overall economy.
Total Records: 129
