Let People Prosper

Thank you for listening to the first episode of "This Week's Economy," a new series of the "Let People Prosper" podcast, where I quickly recap and share my expertise on all the economic news from the preceding week every Friday morning. Today, I cover: 1) How much the Fed raised the federal funds rate, why, and what that means for the economy; 2) Current inflation numbers and likely job losses and economic bust; and 3) How the Fed raising rates and Congress' excessive spending is impacting the banking sector and the SVB bank collapse. Please rate this show 5 stars and leave a review if you enjoyed it! For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/.

In today's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Vincent Geloso, who shares his insights on: 1) The importance of economic freedom, especially as it relates to income mobility and inequality among countries and states; 2) The roles of societal, cultural, and economic institutions in unleashing poverty and promoting prosperity for people; and 3) The damage of over-regulations, such as occupational licensing barriers and more. For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

On today's episode of the "Let People Prosper" show, which was recorded on March 6, 2023, I'm honored to be joined by Dr. Arthur Laffer, legendary economist and 2019 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.   We discuss:     1) How raising income taxes disincentivizes work and productivity, slows growth, lowers tax collections (the Laffer Curve), and more from his new book Taxes Have Consequences;   2) Why intellectual honesty in economics is essential no matter the politics;   3) What went into the economic policy decisions inside the White House with Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Trump, and more.   For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In today's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast, I'm joined by Randan Steinhauser, who shared her insights on School Choice, including:    1) Why School Choice puts students, parents, and teachers first;   2) How government-run schools are a failing system that put families last and educational bureaucrats first; and   3) Why Universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are the best path forward for school choice, and much more.   For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In today's episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast, I'm joined by U.S. Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX), who shares his insights on:    1) How battling cancer ignited his vigor to fight for America's freedom for his generation and future generations;   2) How politicians fund the tyranny they claim to fight against; and   3) His views on the current debt ceiling debate, the complications of limiting government spending, and more.   For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In today's solo episode of the "Let People Prosper" podcast, I use sound economics to break down misleading claims from President Biden's most recent State of the Union address and share realities on:    1. Why inflation remains so persistent;   2. The truth about unemployment rates and why the numbers aren't as positive as they appear; and   3. What must be done to avoid reaching the debt ceiling, defaulting, and more.    For thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website: https://www.vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this Let People Prosper episode, The Honorable Jason Isaac, who directs Life:Powered at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, joined me to discuss:    The truth about how most ESG funds are bad for government pension funds and individual’s return on investment;  How government’s unreliable energy solutions contribute to energy poverty, including turning off the lights during the Texas Freeze of 2021, and how fossil fuels support human flourishing; and   How people will best deal with climate change through adaptation with private sector solutions and more to let people prosper.   More on The Honorable Jason Isaac: https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/staff/the-honorable-jason-isaac/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode, I interview U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), a happy warrior for liberty and freedom.    Join us as we discuss: The harms of big-government policies at all levels on Americans; How excessive deficit spending is robbing this generation and burdening future Americans; and The need for a fiscal rule of a spending limit and more free-market reforms to let people prosper.   More on U.S. Senator Braun: https://www.braun.senate.gov/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

On this episode of the Let People Prosper show, I'm joined by financial expert, commentator, and author David Bahnsen. Join us as we discuss:   His book There’s No Free Lunch: 250 Economic Truths and his experience working in the finance sector during the 2008 crisis; What Republicans and Democrats get wrong about government spending and tax rates; and The reasons for inflation and likely housing market collapse. More on David Bahnsen: https://twitter.com/DavidBahnsen  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #28 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Dr. Benjamin Powell of the Free Market Institute at Texas Tech University about:   1) Costs of the shutdowns and regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic;  2) Benefits of immigration and international trade to human flourishing; and    3) His book Socialism Sucks and land ownership by Chinese in Texans along with current events and economic ideas to let people prosper.   More on Dr. Powell: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/freemarketinstitute/people/powell.php  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #27 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Dr. John H. Cochrane of the Hoover Institution about:    His latest book The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level (read chapters of the book and other info here)   Factors influencing inflation in the past and today based on explanations from monetarism and his fiscal theory; and     Current events based on these ideas, what the future holds for the economy in 2023, and more.  More on Dr. Cochrane: https://www.johnhcochrane.com/   For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

The 88th Legislative Session starts on January 10, 2022. What's next for Texas?  I discuss this question in today's episode with James Quintero, Policy Director of the Government for the People campaign at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Join us as we dive into:  Putting soaring property taxes on a path to elimination; De-regulating building and zoning to help with housing affordability; and Fighting for School Choice to empower parents, students, and teachers.  For the show notes page & more in-depth economics content, subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this first episode of 2023, I discuss:  1. My predictions about the 2023 economy, including reasons for optimism & hope;  2. My approach to economics, including schools of economic thought; and  3. My personal testimony of how I was led to my current calling of working to let people prosper.  Find the show notes page and subscribe to my newsletter at https://vanceginn.substack.com.  Join me next Tuesday for a new episode of the Let People Prosper Show! Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

Dr. Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and the Rowe Scholar in poverty studies at the American Enterprise Institute, joined me on the last episode of the Let People Prosper show in 2022.  We discuss her newly edited book published by AEI "American Renewal: A Conservative Plan to Strengthen the Social Contract and Save the Country's Finances," which our discussion includes:   1. How government-run poverty "relief" programs often trap individuals in the cycle of poverty;    2. How the free market can work to lift people out of poverty; and    3. Poverty predictors and practical steps to addressing these issues to let people prosper.   See the show notes page for this episode posted at www.vanceginn.substack.com for more info. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

Scott Lincicome, Cato Institute's director of general economics and Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, joined today's episode of the Let People Prosper Show where we discussed:    1. Why the government is not the solution to our nation's problems and how the government is often the problem;   2. What trade is and is not, why we need it, and why we should not be afraid of it; and   3. His newly released book, "Empowering the New American Worker: Market-Based Solutions for Today’s Workforce," with multiple authors on the path forward to help everyday working Americans. Hint: it's not with more government! (See Scott's latest WSJ article)  See the show notes page for this episode posted at www.vanceginn.substack.com for more info. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

If anyone understands the reality of how heavy spending, taxes, and regulations harm hardworking Texans, it's blue-collar worker turned hands-on politician Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer. An enthusiastic advocate of liberty, freedom, and family, Rep. Schaefer joined me on the Let People Prosper show in this episode where we discussed: How Regulations Harm the Working Class and Inhibit Economic Freedom; Why Excessive Spending and Taxes are Hurting Texans; How He Will Fight For Texans in the 2023 Session by Pushing Property Tax Relief, Universal School Choice, and Occupational Licensing Reforms; and Much more on his background, including his time in Afghanistan while in the military. Find the show notes page and more at my Substack newsletter: www.vanceginn.substack.com.   Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

Louisiana State Representative Richard Nelson joined the Let People Prosper show to share an inside scoop on why Louisiana lags behind.  We discussed:    1. Why he believes it’s important to fight for change at the state level;   2. Why state-wide tax reform is critical to Louisiana’s improvement;    3. How state spending, income tax, and education inhibit Louisiana’s economic freedom;    4. How he plans to address these issues in 2023; and   5. Why Louisiana has the potential to pass up Texas and Florida in economic outlook.   Show notes: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #20 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Brian Riedl of the Manhattan Institute about:   1) The fiscal legacies of Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump;   2) Drivers of economic malaise from excessive spending and money printing; and  3) Thoughts on how to improve the budget, current events, and more.   More on Mr. Riedl: https://www.manhattan-institute.org/expert/brian-riedl  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #19 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Dr. Dean Stansel of Southern Methodist University’s Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom about:   1) The latest Economic Freedom of North America report and its findings;  2) Factors influencing economic freedom and the real-world implications; and    3) Thoughts on how to improve economic freedom, current events, and more  More on Dr. Stansel: https://www.smu.edu/cox/our-people-and-community/faculty/Dean-Stansel   For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/  Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #18 of the Let People Prosper Show (recorded on 11/10/2022), I interview Mr. Marc Goldwein of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget about: CRFB’s recent Fiscal Blueprint for Reducing Deficits and Inflation Costs of President Biden’s student loan cancellation plan Policies during the pandemic and shutdowns, including CRFB’s Covid money tracker More on Mr. Goldwein: https://www.crfb.org/biography/staff/marc-goldwein For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #17 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Dr. Samuel Gregg of the American Institute for Economic Research about:   1) Costs of government interventions and failures of national conservatism, populism, and progressivism;   2) Importance of America’s founding and institutional framework for flourishing; and  3) Thoughts on his new book "The Next Amercian Economy," current events, and more.   More on Dr. Gregg: https://www.aier.org/staffs/samuel-gregg/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #16 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, where we discuss:    1) Need Free-Market Reaganism, not national conservatism or populism;  2) Taxpayer Protection Pledge and state flat tax revolution; and  3) Need for spending restraint through Sustainable State Budgets.   More on Mr. Norquist: https://www.atr.org/about-grover/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #15 of the Let People Prosper Show (recorded on 10/19/2022), I interview Mr. John Hendrickson of Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation about his:   1) Desire to work in public policy  2) Work on the Conservative Iowa Budget & tax reforms in Iowa  3) Research on the economic history of the 1920s with Harding & Coolidge   4) Views on trade and costs and benefits of tariffs and protectionism  5)Thoughts on current events    More on Mr. Hendrickson: https://itrfoundation.org/staff/   Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes. Show notes in the Let People Prosper newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/p/90-let-people-prosper-show-15-john

In episode #14 of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Jonathan Williams of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) where we discuss:   1. Findings from his latest "Rich States, Poor States" report by ALEC;   2. Benefits of the state flat tax revolution and fiscal rules; and   3. The proper roles of the government and federalism.    More on Mr. Williams: https://alec.org/person/jonathan-williams/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #13 of the Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Mark Moses, who has a distinguished career in local government.   Join us as we discuss:    1. Why so many cities are headed for fiscal crisis and how to correct it;   2. How state and local spending limits could be a catalyst for change; and   3. Property taxes and property rights.    More on Mr. Moses: https://munifinanceguy.com/    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #12 of the Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Dr. Alexander ("Alex") Salter, who is the Georgie G. Snyder Associate Professor of Economics in the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, the Comparative Economics Research Fellow at TTU's Free Market Institute, and an associate editor of the Journal of Private Enterprise.    Join us as we discuss:    1. The need for more school choice to empower parents instead of the government;   2. Problems with the Federal Reserve; and   3. The need for rules-based policies.    More on Dr. Salter: https://www.awsalter.com/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #11 of the Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Dr. Robert ("Bob") Lawson, who is a Clinical Professor and holds the Jerome M. Fullinwider Centennial Chair in Economic Freedom; he also is director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Cox School of Business.   Join us as we discuss:    1. The latest Economic Freedom of the World Report and its findings;   2. His recent book, "Socialism Sucks"; and   3. The state of the current economy.    More on Dr. Lawson: https://www.smu.edu/cox/our-people-and-community/faculty/Robert-Lawson  For thoughtful economic content, check out my weekly newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #10 of the Let People Prosper Show, I speak with Dr. Peter Boettke, who is a professor of economics at George Mason University, about:    1. The importance of institutions for society and liberty for ordinary people;  2. Economic lessons from the pandemic; and   3. The difference between mainline and mainstream economics.    More on Dr. Boettke: https://economics.gmu.edu/people/pboettke  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In episode #9 of the Let People Prosper Show, I speak with Dr. Charles ("Chuck") Beauchamp, who is an assistant professor of finance at Mississippi College, about:    1. His research on economic life cycles and work;  2. The myths about greed and lessons of finance; and   3. The lessons of "I, Pencil," and the future of the economy.    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.substack.com/. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode, I speak with University of Chicago economist Dr. Casey B. Mulligan about:    1. The state of the current economy;   2. The Redistribution Recession and government's influence on people choosing not to work; and   3. Trump's White House in his book "You're Hired"   You can read more on Dr. Mulligan here: http://yourehiredtrump.com/  For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my weekly newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

It was a pleasure speaking with Stanford University economist Dr. John B. Taylor, who pioneered the Taylor rule in monetary policy.  Join us as we discuss:    1. Our experiences working in the White House;   2. The importance of evaluating tradeoffs when making policy decisions;   3. The benefits of pro-growth economic policies; and   4. The need for a rules-based approach to fiscal and monetary policies.    Watch the interview to learn more.  Find his bio and show notes page at: https://vanceginn.com. Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

On this episode of the "Let People Prosper" show recorded on June 15, 2022, I'm joined by:    Jonathan Williams, VP of Policy and Chief Economist at the American Legislative Exchange Council  Patrick Gleason, VP of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform  3) Michael Lucci, Senior Policy Advisor for State Policy Network.    We discuss:   Current stagflation;  Flat-tax revolution sweeping the states; and  Government debt and the need for spending limits.   For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode of the Let People Prosper show recorded on May 18, 2022, I'm joined by Dr. Chuck Beauchamp, Assistant Professor of Finance at Mississippi College, and Alex Salter, Comparative Economics Research Fellow at the Free Market Institute at Texas Tech University.    We discuss: What's contributing to persistent inflation;  The need for improved fiscal policies and rules at the federal level; and  Why people are demanding too much from our government and more resolutions should be left to the private sector.    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode of the "Let People Prosper" show recorded on March 10, 2022, I talk with two happy warriors, Dan Mitchell from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity and Barry Poulson Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado.    Join us as we discuss:   1. Why the private sector should grow faster than the government, not vice versa;   2. Why so many states are in a debt crisis; and   3. How the current administration's policies are worsening the economy and more.    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode recorded on February 11, 2022, I'm joined by four happy fiscal warriors: Jonathan Williams (Executive Vice President of Policy and Chief Economist); Matt Dickerson (Director for the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation); James Hohman (Director of Fiscal Policy at the Mackinac Center): Sustainable Michigan Budget; and  Ganon Evans (Policy Manager and Analyst in the Kansas Policy Institute’s Sandlian Center for Entrepreneurial Government): Responsible Kansas Budget.   We discuss:  Need for spending restraints at the federal level; Need for reducing tax burdens at the state level; and Obstacles to balancing state budgets and establishing spending limits.    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In this episode, I'm joined by three happy warriors:    Patrick Gleason (Vice President of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform (ATR);  Michael Lucci (Senior Policy Fellow at State Policy Network (SPN); and  Kurt Couchman (Senior Fiscal Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity (AFP).    We discuss: Why tax relief without spending limits can create more problems than solutions;   Why politicians at the state and federal levels often aren't attached to the impacts of spending; and  How federal funds impact state economies and more.    For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.

In today's episode of the Let People Prosper show, I'm joined by four happy warriors:   Kendall Cotton (President and CEO of the Frontier Institute in Montana);  Ron Shultis (Director of Policy and Research for both the Beacon Center and Beacon Impact);  Quinn Townsend (Policy Manager at Alaska Policy Forum); and  Ganon Evans (Policy Manager and Analyst in the Kansas Policy Institute’s Sandlian Center for Entrepreneurial Government).   We discuss:   Strategies for budget and tax reform at the state level;  The need for fiscal rules such as spending limits; and   What's going on with federal funds and more.   For thoughtful economic commentary and show notes, check out my newsletter: https://vanceginn.com/ Please rate with 5 stars and subscribe to the Let People Prosper Show if you enjoyed this episode. And be sure to check out the other episodes.