James and I both went to see the recent box office hit, The Sound of Freedom. I liked it. James didn’t. But we both were appalled at what appear to be seriously distorted claims made in the film about human trafficking. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Topic of the Week  Human trafficking defined  https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/ World data on human trafficking (p. 78)  https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trafficking-in-Persons-Report-2023.pdf US data on human trafficking  https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/human-trafficking-data-collection-activities-2022 Fraction of children in human trafficking (p. 48) https://www.unodc.org/documents/Global_Report_on_TIP.pdf Drug trafficking statistics https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/drug-trafficking Critique of Sound of Freedom  https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/sound-of-freedom-child-trafficking-experts-1234786352/ The claimed stats at the end of Sound of Freedom  https://www.looper.com/1343442/sound-of-freedom-ending-explained/ Quick Hits AI and telemarketers  https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-hire-phone-bots-to-torture-telemarketers-2dbb8457 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

James and I both went to see the recent box office hit, The Sound of Freedom. I liked it. James didn’t. But we both were appalled at what appear to be seriously distorted claims made in the film about human trafficking. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Topic of the Week Human trafficking defined <a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/</a> World data on human trafficking (p. 78) <a href="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trafficking-in-Persons-Report-2023.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trafficking-in-Persons-Report-2023.pdf</a> US data on human trafficking <a href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/human-trafficking-data-collection-activities-2022" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/human-trafficking-data-collection-activities-2022</a> Fraction of children in human trafficking (p. 48) <a href="https://www.unodc.org/documents/Global_Report_on_TIP.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.unodc.org/documents/Global_Report_on_TIP.pdf</a> Drug trafficking statistics <a href="https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/drug-trafficking" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/drug-trafficking</a> Critique of Sound of Freedom <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/sound-of-freedom-child-trafficking-experts-1234786352/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/sound-of-freedom-child-trafficking-experts-1234786352/</a> The claimed stats at the end of Sound of Freedom <a href="https://www.looper.com/1343442/sound-of-freedom-ending-explained/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.looper.com/1343442/sound-of-freedom-ending-explained/</a> Quick Hits AI and telemarketers <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-hire-phone-bots-to-torture-telemarketers-2dbb8457" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-hire-phone-bots-to-torture-telemarketers-2dbb8457</a> Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 337: The (Hollow) Sound of Freedom

Howie Baetjer, Rob McDonald, James Stacey Taylor, and Clark Neily join us to talk about gun rights, canceling the Founders, and animal rights.  Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Howie Baetjer, Rob McDonald, James Stacey Taylor, and Clark Neily join us to talk about gun rights, canceling the Founders, and animal rights. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 336: A Fireside Chat Without the Fire

This encore performance is of our most popular episode. This episode, in which we explore unintended consequences, first aired in September of 2019.  Foolishness of the week: 06:19 Main episode: 10:54 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits  https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html  https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html Foolishness of the Week  https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/  https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/ Episode Topic https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/ http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417 https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670 https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/ Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

This encore performance is of our most popular episode. This episode, in which we explore unintended consequences, first aired in September of 2019. Foolishness of the week: 06:19 Main episode: 10:54 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick Hits <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html</a> <a href="https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html</a> Foolishness of the Week <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/</a> <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/</a> Episode Topic <a href="https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/ </a><a href="http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/ </a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417 </a><a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670 </a><a href="https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Encore Episode 335: When Benevolence Backfires

James and Ant field questions from students at Brookfield Academy on possible fixes for Social Security, the politics of taxation and spending, and how we’ve broken the separation of powers,   Foolishness of the week: 06:41 Main episode: 03:53 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

James and Ant field questions from students at Brookfield Academy on possible fixes for Social Security, the politics of taxation and spending, and how we’ve broken the separation of powers,  Foolishness of the week: 06:41 Main episode: 03:53 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 334: Live at Brookfield Academy, pt.2

James and Ant field questions from students at Brookfield Academy on possible fixes for Social Security, the politics of taxation and spending, and how we’ve broken the separation of powers,   Foolishness of the week: 06:41 Main episode: 08:18 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

James and Ant field questions from students at Brookfield Academy on possible fixes for Social Security, the politics of taxation and spending, and how we’ve broken the separation of powers,  Foolishness of the week: 06:41 Main episode: 08:18 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 333: Live at Brookfield Academy, pt.1

This week’s episode is a live recording of a panel discussion on free speech at the University of Washington.  Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Christin Gilmer https://www.linkedin.com/in/christingilmer Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

This week’s episode is a live recording of a panel discussion on free speech at the University of Washington. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Christin Gilmer <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christingilmer" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/christingilmer</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 332: Should Speech be Free?

This week, historian Rob McDonald, Constitutional scholar and lawyer Clark Neily, philosophy James Stacey Taylor, and economist Howard Baetjer join James and Ant around a fire to discuss the indictments against former President Donald Trump.  To accommodate the extended conversation, this week we forego our usual quick hits and foolishness of the week. We think you'll agree that, regardless of on which side you fall on the topic, the whole business with Donald Trump qualifies as foolishness.

This week, historian Rob McDonald, Constitutional scholar and lawyer Clark Neily, philosophy James Stacey Taylor, and economist Howard Baetjer join James and Ant around a fire to discuss the indictments against former President Donald Trump. To accommodate the extended conversation, this week we forego our usual quick hits and foolishness of the week. We think you'll agree that, regardless of on which side you fall on the topic, the whole business with Donald Trump qualifies as foolishness.

Episode 331: A Fireside Chat

Weird things are happening. Retail sales have stagnated, savings are markedly down, yet unemployment is low, inflation isn’t as bad as it was. Have we reached a “new normal?”  Foolishness of the week: 05:00 Main episode: 06:41  Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits  https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/federal-judge-makes-history-holding-border-searches-cell-phones-require-warrant https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/his-township-spied-on-his-car-collection-with-a-drone-now-the-state-supreme-court-will-decide-if-they-violated-his-rights/ar-AA1c2djX https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65602519   Foolishness of the Week  https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/06/04/are-chickens-really-related-to-t-rex-dinosaurs-peta-spotlights-evolutionary-link/ Topic of the Week https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RSXFS https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TOTALSA https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PMSAVE Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Weird things are happening. Retail sales have stagnated, savings are markedly down, yet unemployment is low, inflation isn’t as bad as it was. Have we reached a “new normal?” Foolishness of the week: 05:00 Main episode: 06:41 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick Hits <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/federal-judge-makes-history-holding-border-searches-cell-phones-require-warrant" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/federal-judge-makes-history-holding-border-searches-cell-phones-require-warrant </a><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/his-township-spied-on-his-car-collection-with-a-drone-now-the-state-supreme-court-will-decide-if-they-violated-his-rights/ar-AA1c2djX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/his-township-spied-on-his-car-collection-with-a-drone-now-the-state-supreme-court-will-decide-if-they-violated-his-rights/ar-AA1c2djX </a><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65602519" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65602519</a> Foolishness of the Week <a href="https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/06/04/are-chickens-really-related-to-t-rex-dinosaurs-peta-spotlights-evolutionary-link/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/06/04/are-chickens-really-related-to-t-rex-dinosaurs-peta-spotlights-evolutionary-link/</a> Topic of the Week <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RSXFS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/RSXFS </a><a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TOTALSA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/TOTALSA </a><a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PMSAVE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PMSAVE</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 330: What’s Up in the Economy?

For decades and where the law is ambiguous, courts have invoked the Chevron doctrine in allowing regulatory agencies to decide for themselves the meaning of the ambiguous language. Unsurprisingly, agencies invariably interpret ambiguous language in their own favors. The Supreme Court recently agreed to reconsider the Chevron doctrine. Overturning the doctrine could call into question decades’ worth of regulatory rulings. Clark Neily joins us this week to discuss.  Foolishness of the week: 06:10 Main episode: 08:37  Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits   https://dailyhive.com/toronto/the-anarchist-toronto-cafe-permanently-closing https://www.youtube.com/live/-B-9XOlMCks?feature=share https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-744499 Foolishness of the Week   https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/toddler-in-north-korea-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-after-parents-caught-with-bible/ar-AA1bQbss Topic of the Week  https://www.cato.org/blog/supreme-court-should-end-chevron-deference Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

For decades and where the law is ambiguous, courts have invoked the Chevron doctrine in allowing regulatory agencies to decide for themselves the meaning of the ambiguous language. Unsurprisingly, agencies invariably interpret ambiguous language in their own favors. The Supreme Court recently agreed to reconsider the Chevron doctrine. Overturning the doctrine could call into question decades’ worth of regulatory rulings. Clark Neily joins us this week to discuss. Foolishness of the week: 06:10 Main episode: 08:37 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick Hits <a href="https://dailyhive.com/toronto/the-anarchist-toronto-cafe-permanently-closing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://dailyhive.com/toronto/the-anarchist-toronto-cafe-permanently-closing</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/-B-9XOlMCks?feature=share" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/live/-B-9XOlMCks?feature=share</a> <a href="https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-744499" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-744499</a> Foolishness of the Week <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/toddler-in-north-korea-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-after-parents-caught-with-bible/ar-AA1bQbss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/toddler-in-north-korea-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-after-parents-caught-with-bible/ar-AA1bQbss</a> Topic of the Week <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/supreme-court-should-end-chevron-deference" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cato.org/blog/supreme-court-should-end-chevron-deference</a> Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 329: The Chevron Doctrine

People are saying that artificial intelligence will destroy jobs and enslave humans. We’ve heard this many times before. Before artificial intelligence, people said it about computers. Before computers, they said it about machines. Not only were people wrong before, they were spectacularly wrong. They’re likely wrong again.  Foolishness of the week: 09:15 Main episode: 10:16 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com See More Ant and James! http://www.wordsandnumbers.org Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Foolishness of the Week  Topic of the Week  https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/should-the-laborer-fear-machines/380476/ Labor productivity (output per hour per worker) Up 2% per year since 1950 https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PRS85006092  Employees 1939: 30 million Today: 156 million https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS  Employment population ratio (employees per people 25 to 54 years old) 1950s: 65% Today: 81% https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS12300060  Real disposable personal income Almost quadruple today what it was in the 1950s https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A229RX0  Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ More James at Smoke &amp; Stories  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig More Ant on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

People are saying that artificial intelligence will destroy jobs and enslave humans. We’ve heard this many times before. Before artificial intelligence, people said it about computers. Before computers, they said it about machines. Not only were people wrong before, they were spectacularly wrong. They’re likely wrong again. Foolishness of the week: 09:15 Main episode: 10:16 Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! <a href="http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com</a> See More Ant and James! <a href="https://www.wordsandnumbers.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.wordsandnumbers.org</a> Show Your Support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick Hits Foolishness of the Week Topic of the Week <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/should-the-laborer-fear-machines/380476/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/09/should-the-laborer-fear-machines/380476/</a> Labor productivity (output per hour per worker) Up 2% per year since 1950 <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PRS85006092" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PRS85006092 </a>Employees 1939: 30 million Today: 156 million <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PAYEMS </a>Employment population ratio (employees per people 25 to 54 years old) 1950s: 65% Today: 81% <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS12300060" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS12300060 </a>Real disposable personal income Almost quadruple today what it was in the 1950s <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A229RX0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A229RX0 </a>Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> More James at Smoke &amp; Stories <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjILow4-ZJpBV-NnmSusZJ_vCuzKUJ4Ig</a> More Ant on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/antonydavies</a> Let Us Know What You Think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a> #AntonyDavies #JamesRHarrigan #WordsAndNumbers #economics #government #politics #policy #libertarian #classicalliberal #podcast #educational

Episode 328: Artificial Intelligence

Words &amp; Numbers touches on issues of Economics, Political Science, Current Events and Policy. Each Wednesday we'll be sharing a new Words &amp; Numbers podcast featuring Antony Davies Ph.D  and James Harrigan Ph.D talking about the economics and political science of current events.

This is my favorite podcast so far and that doesn’t seem likely to change

Great podcast!

Educational, relevant, funny, and civilized.

Fantastic Podcast

Words & Numbers

People tend to talk about income inequality as if it were necessarily a bad thing. In so doing, they often confuse inequality and poverty and, in the process, run the risk of justifying what is really envy. This week, James and Ant discuss the fact that poverty is a bad thing, whether inequality could be a bad thing, and that politicians use voters’ envy to expand the government’s power.  Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits HELPER  https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rand-paul-to-offer-bill-allowing-families-to-use-retirement-savings-for-student-loans-2019-12-04 How much Americans have in 401k plans, by age  https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/23/how-much-money-americans-have-in-their-401ks-at-every-age.html 401k returns  https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/what-is-the-average-401-k-return Student loan interest rates  https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/student-loan-interest-rates/ Bernie’s now a millionaire  https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3006320/critic-millionaires-and-billionaires-bernie-sanders Foolishness of the week A national smoking age  https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/health/tobacco-age-21-trump-spending-bill-bn/index.html  https://disrn.com/news/congress-votes-to-raise-age-to-buy-tobacco-to-21 Topic of the week US poverty rate  https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/faq/what-current-poverty-rate-united-states Facts about income mobility  https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/some-amazing-findings-on-income-mobility-in-the-us-including-this-the-image-of-a-static-1-and-99-percent-is-false/ Inequality after taxes and transfers  https://voxeu.org/article/income-redistribution-through-taxes-and-transfers Inheriting wealth  https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/06/24/amazing-facts-that-prove-inheritance-is-mostly-overrated-as-a-reason-for-wealth/#39759c11eca3 Intergenerational income  https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2012/pursuingamericandreampdf.pdf Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

People tend to talk about income inequality as if it were necessarily a bad thing. In so doing, they often confuse inequality and poverty and, in the process, run the risk of justifying what is really envy. This week, James and Ant discuss the fact that poverty is a bad thing, whether inequality could be a bad thing, and that politicians use voters’ envy to expand the government’s power. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits HELPER <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rand-paul-to-offer-bill-allowing-families-to-use-retirement-savings-for-student-loans-2019-12-04" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rand-paul-to-offer-bill-allowing-families-to-use-retirement-savings-for-student-loans-2019-12-04</a> How much Americans have in 401k plans, by age <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/23/how-much-money-americans-have-in-their-401ks-at-every-age.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/23/how-much-money-americans-have-in-their-401ks-at-every-age.html</a> 401k returns <a href="https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/what-is-the-average-401-k-return" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/what-is-the-average-401-k-return</a> Student loan interest rates <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/student-loan-interest-rates/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/student-loan-interest-rates/</a> Bernie’s now a millionaire <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3006320/critic-millionaires-and-billionaires-bernie-sanders" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3006320/critic-millionaires-and-billionaires-bernie-sanders</a> Foolishness of the week A national smoking age <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/health/tobacco-age-21-trump-spending-bill-bn/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/health/tobacco-age-21-trump-spending-bill-bn/index.html</a> <a href="https://disrn.com/news/congress-votes-to-raise-age-to-buy-tobacco-to-21" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://disrn.com/news/congress-votes-to-raise-age-to-buy-tobacco-to-21</a> Topic of the week US poverty rate <a href="https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/faq/what-current-poverty-rate-united-states" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://poverty.ucdavis.edu/faq/what-current-poverty-rate-united-states</a> Facts about income mobility <a href="https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/some-amazing-findings-on-income-mobility-in-the-us-including-this-the-image-of-a-static-1-and-99-percent-is-false/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/some-amazing-findings-on-income-mobility-in-the-us-including-this-the-image-of-a-static-1-and-99-percent-is-false/</a> Inequality after taxes and transfers <a href="https://voxeu.org/article/income-redistribution-through-taxes-and-transfers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://voxeu.org/article/income-redistribution-through-taxes-and-transfers</a> Inheriting wealth <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/06/24/amazing-facts-that-prove-inheritance-is-mostly-overrated-as-a-reason-for-wealth/#39759c11eca3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.forbes.com/sites/rainerzitelmann/2019/06/24/amazing-facts-that-prove-inheritance-is-mostly-overrated-as-a-reason-for-wealth/#39759c11eca3</a> Intergenerational income <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2012/pursuingamericandreampdf.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2012/pursuingamericandreampdf.pdf</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 150: A Culture of Envy

Healthcare is a hot topic right now after a couple of failed attempts to repeal Obamacare and an executive order that rolled back some of the restrictions on selling insurance. There’s no doubt that health care and health insurance are both expensive and getting more expensive all the time. But how did it get this way? And how can we fix it? Antony Davies and James Harrigan discuss the how and the why of the cost of healthcare in this week’s episode of Words and Numbers.

Healthcare is a hot topic right now after a couple of failed attempts to repeal Obamacare and an executive order that rolled back some of the restrictions on selling insurance. There’s no doubt that health care and health insurance are both expensive and getting more expensive all the time. But how did it get this way? And how can we fix it? Antony Davies and James Harrigan discuss the how and the why of the cost of healthcare in this week’s episode of Words and Numbers.

Episode 36: The Problem with Healthcare Is Government

Every year, the American people spend about $30 billion on accountants and software to file their taxes. That's on top of taxes themselves. Approximately 26 percent of the average American's income is collected, in some form or another, in taxes. This includes all forms of taxation, such as state and local taxes, as well as federal. If we look at just federal taxation, that still comes to a very respectable 16 to 18 percent (on average) of GDP. But how does that all break down when it comes to federal taxation? Are the poor really getting bent over the taxation barrel every April? Are the rich not really paying their "fair share"? And how did we even get to this point? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they discuss this and more on this week's Tax Day edition of Words and Numbers.   The top 1% earn 20% of all income but pay almost 40% of all federal taxes.    https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/51361-householdincomefedtaxesonecol.pdf     Country comparison of tax revenue from all levels of government per GDP US = 26%; Denmark = 45%; Ireland = 22%. This ignores borrowing. If government taxed enough to balance budget, US would be at 31%, putting it on par with Canada.  http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-do-us-taxes-compare-internationally   Overview of federal taxes  https://files.taxfoundation.org/20170201091804/TaxFoundation-FF540.pdf   60% of US households receive more money back from the federal government than they pay  https://taxfoundation.org/60-percent-households-now-receive-more-transfer-income-they-pay-taxes/   How taxes and transfers trap the poor https://mises.org/library/dead-zone-implicit-marginal-tax-rate   The income tax was originally a tax on the rich.  https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-10-05/income-tax-history-is-a-warning-about-our-future-under-clintons-estate-tax   Number of pages in the Standard Federal Tax Reporter https://taxfoundation.org/how-many-words-are-tax-code/   Fun tax facts https://www.factretriever.com/taxes-facts

Every year, the American people spend about $30 billion on accountants and software to file their taxes. That's on top of taxes themselves. Approximately 26 percent of the average American's income is collected, in some form or another, in taxes. This includes all forms of taxation, such as state and local taxes, as well as federal. If we look at just federal taxation, that still comes to a very respectable 16 to 18 percent (on average) of GDP. But how does that all break down when it comes to federal taxation? Are the poor really getting bent over the taxation barrel every April? Are the rich not really paying their "fair share"? And how did we even get to this point? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they discuss this and more on this week's Tax Day edition of Words and Numbers. The top 1% earn 20% of all income but pay almost 40% of all federal taxes. <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/51361-householdincomefedtaxesonecol.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/51361-householdincomefedtaxesonecol.pdf</a> Country comparison of tax revenue from all levels of government per GDP US = 26%; Denmark = 45%; Ireland = 22%. This ignores borrowing. If government taxed enough to balance budget, US would be at 31%, putting it on par with Canada. <a href="http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-do-us-taxes-compare-internationally" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-do-us-taxes-compare-internationally</a> Overview of federal taxes <a href="https://files.taxfoundation.org/20170201091804/TaxFoundation-FF540.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://files.taxfoundation.org/20170201091804/TaxFoundation-FF540.pdf</a> 60% of US households receive more money back from the federal government than they pay <a href="https://taxfoundation.org/60-percent-households-now-receive-more-transfer-income-they-pay-taxes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://taxfoundation.org/60-percent-households-now-receive-more-transfer-income-they-pay-taxes/</a> How taxes and transfers trap the poor <a href="https://mises.org/library/dead-zone-implicit-marginal-tax-rate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://mises.org/library/dead-zone-implicit-marginal-tax-rate</a> The income tax was originally a tax on the rich. <a href="https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-10-05/income-tax-history-is-a-warning-about-our-future-under-clintons-estate-tax" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-10-05/income-tax-history-is-a-warning-about-our-future-under-clintons-estate-tax</a> Number of pages in the Standard Federal Tax Reporter <a href="https://taxfoundation.org/how-many-words-are-tax-code/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://taxfoundation.org/how-many-words-are-tax-code/</a> Fun tax facts <a href="https://www.factretriever.com/taxes-facts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.factretriever.com/taxes-facts</a>

Episode 62: Progressive Taxation Makes Everyone Worse Off

The word “equality” is a tricky one. It means different things to different people in different contexts. Do we mean “income equality”? “Wealth equality”? “Equality before the law”? And how does that sync up with “fairness”? Why are so many fine with professional athletes and movie stars making hundreds of millions of dollars but not CEOs? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they delve into the subject live from FEEcon 2019 on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers  Quick hits: Tulsi Gabbard  https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/congresswoman-used-toffee-to-unite-republicans-and-democrats/ People spending more on the Internet than at restaurants  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-15/americans-now-spend-more-at-internet-stores-than-restaurants Foolishness of the week: O.J. Simpson “has a little getting even to do”  https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/06/oj-simpson-twitter-has-a-little-getting-even-to-do Topic of the week: Inequality: The problem of inequality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCjWG8RqH4w Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think: mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter: https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

The word “equality” is a tricky one. It means different things to different people in different contexts. Do we mean “income equality”? “Wealth equality”? “Equality before the law”? And how does that sync up with “fairness”? Why are so many fine with professional athletes and movie stars making hundreds of millions of dollars but not CEOs? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they delve into the subject live from FEEcon 2019 on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits: Tulsi Gabbard <a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/congresswoman-used-toffee-to-unite-republicans-and-democrats/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/congresswoman-used-toffee-to-unite-republicans-and-democrats/</a> People spending more on the Internet than at restaurants <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-15/americans-now-spend-more-at-internet-stores-than-restaurants" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-15/americans-now-spend-more-at-internet-stores-than-restaurants</a> Foolishness of the week: O.J. Simpson “has a little getting even to do” <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/06/oj-simpson-twitter-has-a-little-getting-even-to-do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/06/oj-simpson-twitter-has-a-little-getting-even-to-do</a> Topic of the week: Inequality: The problem of inequality <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCjWG8RqH4w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCjWG8RqH4w</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think: <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 123: What Does Equality Even Mean?

In today's strange climate of political correctness, free speech exists in a weird place. Safe spaces, First Amendment zones, the attitude of victimization, and accusations that "your fav is problematic" abound. And yet, important things, challenging things, dangerous things still need to be said and are being said. One critical "loophole" for dodging the would-be censors to get these ideas out into the world is comedy. Comedians live in a peculiar kind of in-between that allows for a certain audacity in messaging that doesn't quite exist for, say, politicians or activists. Special guest Lou Perez from We The Internet joins James and Antony to talk about messaging, humor, and more on this week's episode of Words and Numbers.   Quick hits More registered voters than citizens  https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/08/election-fraud-registered-voters-outnumber-eligible-voters-462-counties/ UK bans straws  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-chogm-plastic/britain-to-ban-sale-of-plastic-straws-in-bid-to-fight-waste-idUSKBN1HP338  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles Toastabag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2KxiFL8XsA Foolishness of the week New Yorker complains about Chik-fil-A  https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/chick-fil-as-creepy-infiltration-of-new-york-city Topic of the week: Free Speech with Lou Perez http://www.louperez.net/ https://twitter.com/LOUontheSUBWAY

In today's strange climate of political correctness, free speech exists in a weird place. Safe spaces, First Amendment zones, the attitude of victimization, and accusations that "your fav is problematic" abound. And yet, important things, challenging things, dangerous things still need to be said and are being said. One critical "loophole" for dodging the would-be censors to get these ideas out into the world is comedy. Comedians live in a peculiar kind of in-between that allows for a certain audacity in messaging that doesn't quite exist for, say, politicians or activists. Special guest Lou Perez from We The Internet joins James and Antony to talk about messaging, humor, and more on this week's episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits More registered voters than citizens <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/08/election-fraud-registered-voters-outnumber-eligible-voters-462-counties/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/08/election-fraud-registered-voters-outnumber-eligible-voters-462-counties/</a> UK bans straws <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-chogm-plastic/britain-to-ban-sale-of-plastic-straws-in-bid-to-fight-waste-idUSKBN1HP338" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-chogm-plastic/britain-to-ban-sale-of-plastic-straws-in-bid-to-fight-waste-idUSKBN1HP338</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles</a> Toastabag <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2KxiFL8XsA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2KxiFL8XsA</a> Foolishness of the week New Yorker complains about Chik-fil-A <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/chick-fil-as-creepy-infiltration-of-new-york-city" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/chick-fil-as-creepy-infiltration-of-new-york-city</a> Topic of the week: Free Speech with Lou Perez <a href="http://www.louperez.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.louperez.net/</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LOUontheSUBWAY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/LOUontheSUBWAY</a>

Episode 63: Can Comedy Change the World?

When a person harms another, the harmed party can go to the courts to seek redress. But the Supreme Court sets police and prosecutors above the law. If someone who works in these professions harms you, you will likely be prohibited from suing the person. This week on Words &amp; Numbers, Clark Neily joins us to discuss the ramifications of immunity protections. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Get your copy of Cooperation and Coercion now! https://isi.org/cooperation-and-coercion-preorder/ Quick Hits Price Gouging  https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/tech-news-briefing/amazon-works-to-remove-price-gouging/C761B7C8-0535-40E7-B039-3203306C789B Racism and Sexism  https://reason.com/2020/03/06/sexism-didnt-kill-the-warren-campaign-the-warren-campaign-killed-the-warren-campaign/ Foolishness of the Week Lenin Statue  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/first-lenin-statue-western-germany-erected-gelsenkirchen Topic of the Week Terms of Engagement  https://www.amazon.com/Terms-Engagement-Enforce-Constitutions-Government/dp/1594036969 Clark Neily on Twitter https://twitter.com/ConLawWarrior Join the Conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

When a person harms another, the harmed party can go to the courts to seek redress. But the Supreme Court sets police and prosecutors above the law. If someone who works in these professions harms you, you will likely be prohibited from suing the person. This week on Words &amp; Numbers, Clark Neily joins us to discuss the ramifications of immunity protections. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Get your copy of Cooperation and Coercion now! <a href="https://isi.org/cooperation-and-coercion-preorder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://isi.org/cooperation-and-coercion-preorder/</a> Quick Hits Price Gouging <a href="https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/tech-news-briefing/amazon-works-to-remove-price-gouging/C761B7C8-0535-40E7-B039-3203306C789B" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/tech-news-briefing/amazon-works-to-remove-price-gouging/C761B7C8-0535-40E7-B039-3203306C789B</a> Racism and Sexism <a href="https://reason.com/2020/03/06/sexism-didnt-kill-the-warren-campaign-the-warren-campaign-killed-the-warren-campaign/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://reason.com/2020/03/06/sexism-didnt-kill-the-warren-campaign-the-warren-campaign-killed-the-warren-campaign/</a> Foolishness of the Week Lenin Statue <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/first-lenin-statue-western-germany-erected-gelsenkirchen?CMP=share_btn_fb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/first-lenin-statue-western-germany-erected-gelsenkirchen</a> Topic of the Week Terms of Engagement <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Terms-Engagement-Enforce-Constitutions-Government/dp/1594036969" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/Terms-Engagement-Enforce-Constitutions-Government/dp/1594036969</a> Clark Neily on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ConLawWarrior" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/ConLawWarrior</a> Join the Conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 161: Why Is It So Hard to Sue the Police?

Citizens United, a conservative non-profit corporation, was once caught in the crosshairs of campaign finance law. The company violated the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act by broadcasting a political film within 30 days of a primary election. The Supreme Court split 5-4 on the issue. Did the court side with the free speech of a corporation? What happens when there are two different visions of the First Amendment? Are corporations people? Join James Harrigan, Antony Davies, and special guest Trevor Burrus as they recount the courtroom drama of Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits The bystander effect https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31157529  The world is becoming a better place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP59tz2WreY Advances toward a cancer cure  https://www.studyfinds.org/strategic-medicine-researchers-develop-trojan-horse-drug-that-tricks-then-kills-cancer-cells/ Foolishness of the week  https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/health/beef-environment-resources-report/index.html Topic of the week: Political Speech and the Citizens United Decision Trevor Burrus https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus Trevor Burrus on Twitter https://twitter.com/tcburrus McCain-Feingold, Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act https://ballotpedia.org/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission  https://ballotpedia.org/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission  https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/michael-moore-trumpland-might-have-been-illegal-citizens-united-its-all Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce https://ballotpedia.org/Austin_v._Michigan_Chamber_of_Commerce Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

Citizens United, a conservative non-profit corporation, was once caught in the crosshairs of campaign finance law. The company violated the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act by broadcasting a political film within 30 days of a primary election. The Supreme Court split 5-4 on the issue. Did the court side with the free speech of a corporation? What happens when there are two different visions of the First Amendment? Are corporations people? Join James Harrigan, Antony Davies, and special guest Trevor Burrus as they recount the courtroom drama of Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits The bystander effect <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31157529" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31157529</a> The world is becoming a better place <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP59tz2WreY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP59tz2WreY</a> Advances toward a cancer cure <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/strategic-medicine-researchers-develop-trojan-horse-drug-that-tricks-then-kills-cancer-cells/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.studyfinds.org/strategic-medicine-researchers-develop-trojan-horse-drug-that-tricks-then-kills-cancer-cells/</a> Foolishness of the week <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/health/beef-environment-resources-report/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/17/health/beef-environment-resources-report/index.html</a> Topic of the week: Political Speech and the Citizens United Decision Trevor Burrus <a href="https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus</a> Trevor Burrus on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/tcburrus?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/tcburrus</a> McCain-Feingold, Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ballotpedia.org/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act</a> Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://ballotpedia.org/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission</a> <a href="https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/michael-moore-trumpland-might-have-been-illegal-citizens-united-its-all" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/michael-moore-trumpland-might-have-been-illegal-citizens-united-its-all</a> Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Austin_v._Michigan_Chamber_of_Commerce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://ballotpedia.org/Austin_v._Michigan_Chamber_of_Commerce</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 128: Are Corporations People?

Much has been said about the high cost of higher education in America. And it is, indeed, quite expensive and getting more so at an alarming rate. For all that, though, at least we can say that America gets what it pays for in that we have the best higher education system in the world. In fact, it's one of our biggest exports, totaling more than $35 billion—fully 5 percent of America's export market—as of 2015. The same cannot be said for our primary and secondary education systems, with the US consistently ranking at around the middle of the pack among developed nations in standardized test scores. The thing of it is, the average annual cost per student in an American public high school is about the same as the average annual cost per student in an American public university. With the price of educating young people being generally the same for public high schools and public universities, why is there such a huge discrepancy in the outcomes for the students? Is there any way to remedy this situation? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they discuss this and more on this week's episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits Administrative bloat in health care and higher education  http://hereandnow.legacy.wbur.org/2011/11/02/university-cost-bloated  https://www.athenahealth.com/insight/expert-forum-rise-and-rise-healthcare-administrator Homeland Security monitoring journalists  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/07/homeland-security-database-would-track-journalists-media-influencers-report.html Foolishness of the week  http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/381946-michelle-obama-my-husband-was-the-good-parent-compared-to-trump Topic of the week: Public schools Cost per public school student is around $13,000. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66  http://www.governing.com/gov-data/education-data/state-education-spending-per-pupil-data.html Standardized test scores about the same for most and least expensive public schools  https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/profiles/stateprofile?chort=2&amp;sub=MAT&amp;sj=AL&amp;sfj=NP&amp;st=AB&amp;year=2013R3 Net tuition and fees at private 4-year colleges is $15,000.  https://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-net-price-over-time-full-time-students-private-nonprofit-four-year-institutions Performance evidence for school vouchers https://www.cato.org/blog/evidence-school-choice-works Comparison of US school students to students in other countries  http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/ Higher education is a major US export  https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2017/01/31/sealing-the-border-could-block-one-of-americas-crucial-exports-education/ Value of a high school diploma  https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/08/28/public-high-schools-are-not-doing-their-jobs

Much has been said about the high cost of higher education in America. And it is, indeed, quite expensive and getting more so at an alarming rate. For all that, though, at least we can say that America gets what it pays for in that we have the best higher education system in the world. In fact, it's one of our biggest exports, totaling more than $35 billion—fully 5 percent of America's export market—as of 2015. The same cannot be said for our primary and secondary education systems, with the US consistently ranking at around the middle of the pack among developed nations in standardized test scores. The thing of it is, the average annual cost per student in an American public high school is about the same as the average annual cost per student in an American public university. With the price of educating young people being generally the same for public high schools and public universities, why is there such a huge discrepancy in the outcomes for the students? Is there any way to remedy this situation? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they discuss this and more on this week's episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits Administrative bloat in health care and higher education <a href="http://hereandnow.legacy.wbur.org/2011/11/02/university-cost-bloated" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://hereandnow.legacy.wbur.org/2011/11/02/university-cost-bloated</a> <a href="https://www.athenahealth.com/insight/expert-forum-rise-and-rise-healthcare-administrator" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.athenahealth.com/insight/expert-forum-rise-and-rise-healthcare-administrator</a> Homeland Security monitoring journalists <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/07/homeland-security-database-would-track-journalists-media-influencers-report.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/07/homeland-security-database-would-track-journalists-media-influencers-report.html</a> Foolishness of the week <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/381946-michelle-obama-my-husband-was-the-good-parent-compared-to-trump" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/381946-michelle-obama-my-husband-was-the-good-parent-compared-to-trump</a> Topic of the week: Public schools Cost per public school student is around $13,000. <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66</a> <a href="http://www.governing.com/gov-data/education-data/state-education-spending-per-pupil-data.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.governing.com/gov-data/education-data/state-education-spending-per-pupil-data.html</a> Standardized test scores about the same for most and least expensive public schools <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/profiles/stateprofile?chort=2&amp;sub=MAT&amp;sj=AL&amp;sfj=NP&amp;st=AB&amp;year=2013R3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/profiles/stateprofile?chort=2&amp;sub=MAT&amp;sj=AL&amp;sfj=NP&amp;st=AB&amp;year=2013R3</a> Net tuition and fees at private 4-year colleges is $15,000. <a href="https://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-net-price-over-time-full-time-students-private-nonprofit-four-year-institutions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://trends.collegeboard.org/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-net-price-over-time-full-time-students-private-nonprofit-four-year-institutions</a> Performance evidence for school vouchers <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/evidence-school-choice-works" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cato.org/blog/evidence-school-choice-works</a> Comparison of US school students to students in other countries <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science/</a> Higher education is a major US export <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2017/01/31/sealing-the-border-could-block-one-of-americas-crucial-exports-education/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2017/01/31/sealing-the-border-could-block-one-of-americas-crucial-exports-education/</a> Value of a high school diploma <a href="https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/08/28/public-high-schools-are-not-doing-their-jobs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/08/28/public-high-schools-are-not-doing-their-jobs</a>

Episode 61: Why Our High Schools Can’t Keep Up with Our Universities?

It’s debate season, and speculation about who will be the next president has already begun. Looming over the current president are constant calls for impeachment and reports on alleged wrongdoings which may diminish his chances for reelection. So, who are the best candidates and their running mates? Is impeachment a criminal or a political procedure? What kind of candidate are many Americans looking for? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they offer their assessment of the next presidential election and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers.Quick hits:Difference between a signatory and a party http://www.insidejustice.com/intl/2010/03/17/signatory_party_treaty/Major cities that have peaked their carbon emissions https://www.c40.org/press_releases/30-of-the-world-s-largest-most-influential-cities-have-peaked-greenhouse-gas-emissionsMad Dog Mattis and the Debthttps://www.politics-prose.com/video/call-sign-chaos-jim-mattisFoolishness of the week:San Francisco's Office of Emerging Technology https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/sf-to-establish-office-of-emerging-technology/?fbclid=IwAR2Txda5zSvC_YEblel4JVpZ8hm1hgDOKVbXHmGK4_syDb0Vm__ThwJrzcQTopic of the week: Politically Smart Moves: Giuliana’s associates arrested https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-foreign-born-men-who-helped-giuliani-on-ukraine-arrested-on-campaign-finance-charges-11570714188Bi-partisan presidential tickets https://www.bustle.com/articles/160298-do-presidents-vice-presidents-have-to-be-from-the-same-party-a-bipartisan-attempt-isntJoin the conversation:Words &amp; Numbers Backstagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/Let us know what you thinkmailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.comAntony Davies on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/antonydaviesJames R. Harrigan on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

It’s debate season, and speculation about who will be the next president has already begun. Looming over the current president are constant calls for impeachment and reports on alleged wrongdoings which may diminish his chances for reelection. So, who are the best candidates and their running mates? Is impeachment a criminal or a political procedure? What kind of candidate are many Americans looking for? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they offer their assessment of the next presidential election and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers.Quick hits:Difference between a signatory and a party<a href="http://www.insidejustice.com/intl/2010/03/17/signatory_party_treaty/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.insidejustice.com/intl/2010/03/17/signatory_party_treaty/</a>Major cities that have peaked their carbon emissions<a href="https://www.c40.org/press_releases/30-of-the-world-s-largest-most-influential-cities-have-peaked-greenhouse-gas-emissions" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.c40.org/press_releases/30-of-the-world-s-largest-most-influential-cities-have-peaked-greenhouse-gas-emissions</a>Mad Dog Mattis and the Debt<a href="https://www.politics-prose.com/video/call-sign-chaos-jim-mattis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.politics-prose.com/video/call-sign-chaos-jim-mattis</a>Foolishness of the week:San Francisco's Office of Emerging Technology<a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/sf-to-establish-office-of-emerging-technology/?fbclid=IwAR2Txda5zSvC_YEblel4JVpZ8hm1hgDOKVbXHmGK4_syDb0Vm__ThwJrzcQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/sf-to-establish-office-of-emerging-technology/?fbclid=IwAR2Txda5zSvC_YEblel4JVpZ8hm1hgDOKVbXHmGK4_syDb0Vm__ThwJrzcQ</a>Topic of the week: Politically Smart Moves: Giuliana’s associates arrested<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-foreign-born-men-who-helped-giuliani-on-ukraine-arrested-on-campaign-finance-charges-11570714188" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-foreign-born-men-who-helped-giuliani-on-ukraine-arrested-on-campaign-finance-charges-11570714188</a>Bi-partisan presidential tickets<a href="https://www.bustle.com/articles/160298-do-presidents-vice-presidents-have-to-be-from-the-same-party-a-bipartisan-attempt-isnt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.bustle.com/articles/160298-do-presidents-vice-presidents-have-to-be-from-the-same-party-a-bipartisan-attempt-isnt</a>Join the conversation:Words &amp; Numbers Backstage<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a>Let us know what you think<a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a>Antony Davies on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a>James R. Harrigan on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 141: Who Are the Real Presidential Contenders?

Fun fact: the profit margin for most businesses is about 8 percent. When you’re talking about categories like restaurants and retail stores, that margin drops to around 2 percent. Yet, some people still seem to believe that all companies are perfectly capable of simply absorbing dramatic increases in their operating costs—namely, labor—with no changes in behavior by these companies. Artificially inflating labor costs, as in the form of minimum wage increases, will not lead to decreased hours, lay-offs, deferred hiring, decreases in benefits, or increased prices for consumers because… reasons. And if you voice disagreement with any of these beliefs, then you must just hate the poor or other ad hominem claims. But who really “hates” the poor based on actual policy outcomes, the #FightFor15 crowd or those who oppose minimum wage hikes? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they dig into this and more on this week’s episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits  AOC ruffles feathers  Lyft offers free rides to shelters Foolishness of the week  Seeing racism where it’s not Topic of the week: “You Just Hate the Poor!” and Other Minimum Wage Misunderstandings  Analysis of Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania  Census data on household incomes Bureau of Labor Statistics data on minimum wage workers  A $15 minimum wage hurts workers Join the conversation Antony Davies on Twitter James R. Harrigan on Twitter Antony Davies on Minds.com James R. Harrigan on Minds.com Words &amp; Numbers Backstage Let us know what you think at wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com

Fun fact: the profit margin for most businesses is about 8 percent. When you’re talking about categories like restaurants and retail stores, that margin drops to around 2 percent. Yet, some people still seem to believe that all companies are perfectly capable of simply absorbing dramatic increases in their operating costs—namely, labor—with no changes in behavior by these companies. Artificially inflating labor costs, as in the form of minimum wage increases, will not lead to decreased hours, lay-offs, deferred hiring, decreases in benefits, or increased prices for consumers because… reasons. And if you voice disagreement with any of these beliefs, then you must just hate the poor or other ad hominem claims. But who really “hates” the poor based on actual policy outcomes, the #FightFor15 crowd or those who oppose minimum wage hikes? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they dig into this and more on this week’s episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/427364-some-dems-float-idea-of-primary-challenge-for-ocasio-cortez" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> AOC ruffles feathers</a> <a href="https://blog.lyft.com/posts/2019/1/29/help-during-the-polar-vortex" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Lyft offers free rides to shelters</a> Foolishness of the week <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2019/01/28/downtown-phoenix-photo-men-soot-blackface/2683881002/?fbclid=IwAR39Z3ELuTUsQX_zTo6aO-BfbIROuLyd7kr55XbkWTA-hX3gSJsiDKLOWlk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Seeing racism where it’s not</a> Topic of the week: “You Just Hate the Poor!” and Other Minimum Wage Misunderstandings <a href="https://www.workstats.dli.pa.gov/Documents/Minimum%20Wage%20Reports/Minimum%20Wage%20Report%202018.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Analysis of Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania</a> <a href="https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/demo/p60-263.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Census data on household incomes</a> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2017/home.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bureau of Labor Statistics data on minimum wage workers</a> <a href="http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/minimum-wage-pennsylvania-fight-for--20190128.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> A $15 minimum wage hurts workers</a> Join the conversation <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Antony Davies on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James R. Harrigan on Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.minds.com/AntonyDavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Antony Davies on Minds.com</a> <a href="https://www.minds.com/jrharrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James R. Harrigan on Minds.com</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Words &amp; Numbers Backstage</a> Let us know what you think at <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a>

Episode 104: “You Just Hate the Poor!” and Other Minimum Wage Misunderstandings

Lately, headlines seem to focus on big companies that pay no corporate taxes. However, most of those big companies are still paying payroll taxes. So, have these big companies actually paid their fair share? Americans have their own tax burdens as well. How do we measure a fair tax for all incomes? How do people define what “fair” means? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they cover progressive/regressive taxes, sales taxes, sin taxes, and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Come to FEEcon 2019! Show Notes:  New York may ban glass and steel buildings  Scientists discover how to convert blood to Type O Foolishness of the week:  Treasury: US may have to stop borrowing Topic of the week: Taxes  Amazon 1  Amazon 2 Join the conversation: Words &amp; Numbers Backstage Antony Davies on Twitter James R. Harrigan on Twitter Let us know what you think at wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Thought Experiment: Should the government tax buyers or sellers? Consider the following three scenarios. In all three scenarios, a seller sets a price and a buyer decides, based on the price, how many units to buy. The number of units the seller sells varies depending on the price the seller charges: Units sold = 100 - Price per unit For simplicity (and no meaningful reduction in realism) suppose that it costs the seller $40 for each unit the seller sells.  In the first scenario there is no tax. This is a baseline against which we can compare the scenarios in which there is a tax. In the second scenario, the government imposes a $6 per unit tax on the seller. For each unit the seller sells, the seller must pay (in addition to the $40 cost of selling the unit) $6 to the government. In the third scenario, the government imposes a $6 per unit tax on the buyer. For each unit the buyer sells, the buyer must pay the seller’s price to the seller plus an additional $6 to the government. In each scenario, you can see the price that maximizes the seller’s profit. This is the price the seller will charge in that scenario. You can check the work by choosing a different price. You’ll see that any price other than the one shown results in less profit. At the end of each scenario, you see the final result: how much the buyer pays per unit and how much the seller receives per unit. Compare those results across the three scenarios to see something remarkable. Scenario 1: No Sales Tax Profit is maximum when the seller charges $70 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 70 = 30 Sales = $70 x 30 units = $2,100 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 30 units = $1,200 Profit = $2,100 - $1,200 = $900 → Buyer pays $70 per unit → Seller receives $70 per unit Tax the Seller $6 per Unit Sold Profit is maximum when the seller charges $73 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 73 = 27 Sales = $73 x 27 = $1,971 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 27 + $6 x 27 = $1,242 Profit = $1,971 - $1,242 = $729 → Buyer pays $73 per unit → Seller receives $73 per unit less $6 per unit tax = $67 per unit → Compared to No Tax, buyer pays $3 per unit more and seller receives $3 per unit less Tax the Buyer $6 per Unit Purchased Profit is maximum when the seller charges $67 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 67 = 27 Sales = $67 x 27 = $1,809 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 27 = $1,080 Profit = $1,809 - $1,080 = $729 → Buyer pays $73 per unit ($67 per unit plus $6 per unit tax) → Seller receives $67 per unit → Compared to No Tax, buyer pays $3 per unit more and seller receives $3 per unit less Conclusion It doesn’t matter whether the government taxes the buyer or the seller, they end up sharing the tax burden in the same way. The government decides from whom the tax is collected. The market determines who actually pays the tax.     No Tax Tax the Seller Tax the Buyer Sale price $70 $73 $67 Price seller receives (net of tax) $70 $73 - $6 = $67 $67 Price buyer pays (including tax) $70 $73 $67 + $6 = $73

Lately, headlines seem to focus on big companies that pay no corporate taxes. However, most of those big companies are still paying payroll taxes. So, have these big companies actually paid their fair share? Americans have their own tax burdens as well. How do we measure a fair tax for all incomes? How do people define what “fair” means? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they cover progressive/regressive taxes, sales taxes, sin taxes, and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. <a href="http://www.feecon.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Come to FEEcon 2019!</a> Show Notes: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/nyregion/glass-skyscraper-ban-nyc.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> New York may ban glass and steel buildings</a> <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/aug-25th-2018-an-ancient-human-hybrid-child-universal-blood-parasites-parasitize-each-other-and-more-1.4795953/ubc-researchers-have-found-a-way-to-convert-any-blood-type-to-the-universal-o-1.4795975" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Scientists discover how to convert blood to Type O</a> Foolishness of the week: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-treasury-refunding/u-s-may-have-to-stop-borrowing-later-this-year-treasury-idUSKCN1S73U4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Treasury: US may have to stop borrowing</a> Topic of the week: Taxes <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniedenning/2019/02/22/why-amazon-pays-no-corporate-taxes/#5de359e54d5a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Amazon 1</a> <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/04/amazon-pays-billions-corporate-taxes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Amazon 2</a> Join the conversation: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Words &amp; Numbers Backstage</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Antony Davies on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James R. Harrigan on Twitter</a> Let us know what you think at <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Thought Experiment: Should the government tax buyers or sellers? Consider the following three scenarios. In all three scenarios, a seller sets a price and a buyer decides, based on the price, how many units to buy. The number of units the seller sells varies depending on the price the seller charges: Units sold = 100 - Price per unit For simplicity (and no meaningful reduction in realism) suppose that it costs the seller $40 for each unit the seller sells. In the first scenario there is no tax. This is a baseline against which we can compare the scenarios in which there is a tax. In the second scenario, the government imposes a $6 per unit tax on the seller. For each unit the seller sells, the seller must pay (in addition to the $40 cost of selling the unit) $6 to the government. In the third scenario, the government imposes a $6 per unit tax on the buyer. For each unit the buyer sells, the buyer must pay the seller’s price to the seller plus an additional $6 to the government. In each scenario, you can see the price that maximizes the seller’s profit. This is the price the seller will charge in that scenario. You can check the work by choosing a different price. You’ll see that any price other than the one shown results in less profit. At the end of each scenario, you see the final result: how much the buyer pays per unit and how much the seller receives per unit. Compare those results across the three scenarios to see something remarkable. Scenario 1: No Sales Tax Profit is maximum when the seller charges $70 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 70 = 30 Sales = $70 x 30 units = $2,100 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 30 units = $1,200 Profit = $2,100 - $1,200 = $900 → Buyer pays $70 per unit → Seller receives $70 per unit Tax the Seller $6 per Unit Sold Profit is maximum when the seller charges $73 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 73 = 27 Sales = $73 x 27 = $1,971 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 27 + $6 x 27 = $1,242 Profit = $1,971 - $1,242 = $729 → Buyer pays $73 per unit → Seller receives $73 per unit less $6 per unit tax = $67 per unit → Compared to No Tax, buyer pays $3 per unit more and seller receives $3 per unit less Tax the Buyer $6 per Unit Purchased Profit is maximum when the seller charges $67 per unit. Units sold = 100 - 67 = 27 Sales = $67 x 27 = $1,809 Cost of goods sold = $40 x 27 = $1,080 Profit = $1,809 - $1,080 = $729 → Buyer pays $73 per unit ($67 per unit plus $6 per unit tax) → Seller receives $67 per unit → Compared to No Tax, buyer pays $3 per unit more and seller receives $3 per unit less Conclusion It doesn’t matter whether the government taxes the buyer or the seller, they end up sharing the tax burden in the same way. The government decides from whom the tax is collected. The market determines who actually pays the tax. No Tax Tax the Seller Tax the Buyer Sale price $70 $73 $67 Price seller receives (net of tax) $70 $73 - $6 = $67 $67 Price buyer pays (including tax) $70 $73 $67 + $6 = $73

Episode 117: What’s Your Fair Share?

In private schools, as in private enterprise in general, poor performance drives funding away by driving paying customers away. Yet in public schools, poor performance is used as an excuse for increased funding. With incentives like these, is it any wonder that public schools are failing our children so badly? Isn’t it time to inject some competition into the system? Education for all is a worthy wish. So is food for all. But we don’t force poor people to eat state-produced food. Even food stamp recipients get to choose where to shop. Why shouldn’t beneficiaries of public education spending get to choose where to send their kids? Our hosts James R. Harrigan and Antony Davies want to know.   Check out the facts on this issue for yourself here: https://fee.org/articles/the-illusion-of-school-choice

In private schools, as in private enterprise in general, poor performance drives funding away by driving paying customers away. Yet in public schools, poor performance is used as an excuse for increased funding. With incentives like these, is it any wonder that public schools are failing our children so badly? Isn’t it time to inject some competition into the system? Education for all is a worthy wish. So is food for all. But we don’t force poor people to eat state-produced food. Even food stamp recipients get to choose where to shop. Why shouldn’t beneficiaries of public education spending get to choose where to send their kids? Our hosts James R. Harrigan and Antony Davies want to know. Check out the facts on this issue for yourself here: <a href="https://fee.org/articles/the-illusion-of-school-choice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fee.org/articles/the-illusion-of-school-choice</a>

Episode 27: The Illusion of School Choice

For many children, compulsory education and authority figures tend to inadvertently turn off their sense of curiosity and wonder about the world. Additionally, assigned districts can limit school choice for many parents and mandatory curricula can put unnecessary stress on educators. Are there solutions to these problems within the current framework? Is there any evidence to support changing the way we approach schooling to benefit children, parents, and teachers? Where did all these mandates originate? Join Antony Davies, James Harrigan, and special guest Kerry McDonald, author of Unschooled, as they discuss the public school system and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits: Beach umbrellas  https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-urges-aggressive-action-protect-beachgoers-dangers-flying-beach-umbrellas/  https://www.nsc.org/in-the-newsroom/nsc-statement-on-new-cdc-data-showing-a-rise-in-accidental-death Candidates reticent to mention Obama  https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/democrats-want-have-it-both-ways-barack-obama/595270/ Foolishness of the week: Soy sauce  https://www.9news.com.au/national/soy-sauce-could-be-banned-under-alcohol-sales-restrictions-in-the-northern-territory/71ef616f-778a-4c24-bf95-a63e2627b00f Topic of the week: Unschooling: Kerry McDonald https://fee.org/people/kerry-mcdonald/ Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1641600632/ Join the conversation: Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

For many children, compulsory education and authority figures tend to inadvertently turn off their sense of curiosity and wonder about the world. Additionally, assigned districts can limit school choice for many parents and mandatory curricula can put unnecessary stress on educators. Are there solutions to these problems within the current framework? Is there any evidence to support changing the way we approach schooling to benefit children, parents, and teachers? Where did all these mandates originate? Join Antony Davies, James Harrigan, and special guest Kerry McDonald, author of <a href="http://unschooled" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unschooled</a>, as they discuss the public school system and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits: Beach umbrellas <a href="https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-urges-aggressive-action-protect-beachgoers-dangers-flying-beach-umbrellas/?fbclid=IwAR21jO0WYF3MQZ_YyimfV8OzXsMukFn_JSZyKaQc1JBGQo4OTErKjz68EKY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-urges-aggressive-action-protect-beachgoers-dangers-flying-beach-umbrellas/</a> <a href="https://www.nsc.org/in-the-newsroom/nsc-statement-on-new-cdc-data-showing-a-rise-in-accidental-death" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.nsc.org/in-the-newsroom/nsc-statement-on-new-cdc-data-showing-a-rise-in-accidental-death</a> Candidates reticent to mention Obama <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/democrats-want-have-it-both-ways-barack-obama/595270/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/democrats-want-have-it-both-ways-barack-obama/595270/</a> Foolishness of the week: Soy sauce <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/soy-sauce-could-be-banned-under-alcohol-sales-restrictions-in-the-northern-territory/71ef616f-778a-4c24-bf95-a63e2627b00f?fbclid=IwAR2dTLflXmgEYhnpvNY2WD7ilcM9T7AmKKnNQTIqwlQ70QVdqLjb0Z2P2A4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.9news.com.au/national/soy-sauce-could-be-banned-under-alcohol-sales-restrictions-in-the-northern-territory/71ef616f-778a-4c24-bf95-a63e2627b00f</a> Topic of the week: Unschooling: Kerry McDonald <a href="https://fee.org/people/kerry-mcdonald/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fee.org/people/kerry-mcdonald/</a> Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1641600632/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1641600632/</a> Join the conversation: Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 130: Unschooling and Encouraging Self-Directed Children

Large countries, like the United States, span multiple time zones and have multiple climates. They also have multiple economies, each with different price levels. Prices in New York City are very different from prices in Boise Idaho - typically higher. But wages in New York City are higher also, but then so too are taxes, and so too is the likelihood of being employed. In this episode, James and Ant talk about differences in the costs of living across US cities. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits UPS drug runners  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/business/ups-drugs-tucson-arizona.html Average person can tolerate family members for four hours  https://www.studyfinds.org/breaking-point-average-person-cant-last-four-hours-with-their-family-over-the-holidays/ Foolishness of the week Washington College cancels anti-rascist play  https://reason.com/2019/12/03/washington-college-the-foreigner-censorship-students-kkk-racism/ Regional price parity index  https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/real-personal-income-states-and-metropolitan-areas-2017 Topic of the week Differences in the costs of living across the country  https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-of-living-san-francisco-compared-to-other-cities Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

Large countries, like the United States, span multiple time zones and have multiple climates. They also have multiple economies, each with different price levels. Prices in New York City are very different from prices in Boise Idaho - typically higher. But wages in New York City are higher also, but then so too are taxes, and so too is the likelihood of being employed. In this episode, James and Ant talk about differences in the costs of living across US cities. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits UPS drug runners <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/business/ups-drugs-tucson-arizona.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/business/ups-drugs-tucson-arizona.html</a> Average person can tolerate family members for four hours <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/breaking-point-average-person-cant-last-four-hours-with-their-family-over-the-holidays/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.studyfinds.org/breaking-point-average-person-cant-last-four-hours-with-their-family-over-the-holidays/</a> Foolishness of the week Washington College cancels anti-rascist play <a href="https://reason.com/2019/12/03/washington-college-the-foreigner-censorship-students-kkk-racism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://reason.com/2019/12/03/washington-college-the-foreigner-censorship-students-kkk-racism/</a> Regional price parity index <a href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/real-personal-income-states-and-metropolitan-areas-2017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/real-personal-income-states-and-metropolitan-areas-2017</a> Topic of the week Differences in the costs of living across the country <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-of-living-san-francisco-compared-to-other-cities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-of-living-san-francisco-compared-to-other-cities</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 148: The Cost of Living

The word “diversity” has become a sticky one. In the last fifteen years, a genuine “diversity industry” has sprung up, particularly at colleges and universities in the United States. Higher education institutions across the country have entire departments with dozens of full-time, highly-paid staff members dedicated to the concept. But to what effect? And exactly what kinds of “diversity” are we talking about? Special guest (and regular FEE contributing author) Mark J. Perry joins Antony Davies and James Harrigan to drill down into this and more on this week’s episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits  Oregon first state to require home visits of all families with newborns  Oregon looks to impose statewide rent control Article II, Section 3  Nancy Pelosi Foolishness of the week Ginia Bellefante  $33 minimum wage  City Harvest self-sufficiency calculator Topic of the week: Diversity Officers and Administrative Bloat in Higher Education Mark Perry The impact of diversity officers on diversity  University of Michigan spends $11 million on diversity  Fraction of 18-24 year olds enrolled in college (by race and gender) Carpe Diem blog Mark Perry on Twitter Join the conversation Antony Davies on Twitter James R. Harrigan on Twitter Antony Davies on Minds.com James R. Harrigan on Minds.com Words &amp; Numbers Backstage

The word “diversity” has become a sticky one. In the last fifteen years, a genuine “diversity industry” has sprung up, particularly at colleges and universities in the United States. Higher education institutions across the country have entire departments with dozens of full-time, highly-paid staff members dedicated to the concept. But to what effect? And exactly what kinds of “diversity” are we talking about? Special guest (and regular FEE contributing author) Mark J. Perry joins Antony Davies and James Harrigan to drill down into this and more on this week’s episode of Words and Numbers. Quick hits <a href="https://healthimpactnews.com/2019/oregon-to-become-first-state-to-mandate-universal-home-visits-of-all-families-with-new-born-children/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Oregon first state to require home visits of all families with newborns</a> <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/01/oregon-lawmakers-propose-unusual-approach-to-rent-control.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Oregon looks to impose statewide rent control</a> <a href="https://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A2Sec3.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article II, Section 3</a> <a href="https://www.axios.com/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-state-of-the-union-16a7e1a5-1884-4b7c-a410-3bcfffed1cd5.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Nancy Pelosi</a> Foolishness of the week <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginia_Bellafante" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ginia Bellefante</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/nyregion/the-15-dollar-minimum-wage-is-not-enough.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> $33 minimum wage</a> <a href="https://www.cityharvest.org/2018/10/self-sufficiency-calculator/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> City Harvest self-sufficiency calculator</a> Topic of the week: Diversity Officers and Administrative Bloat in Higher Education <a href="https://www.aei.org/scholar/mark-j-perry/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark Perry</a> <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w24969.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The impact of diversity officers on diversity</a> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/41870/university-spends-106-million-year-diversity-ashe-schow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> University of Michigan spends $11 million on diversity</a> <a href="https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d16/tables/dt16_302.60.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Fraction of 18-24 year olds enrolled in college (by race and gender)</a> <a href="https://www.aei.org/publication/blog/carpe-diem/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carpe Diem blog</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Mark_J_Perry" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark Perry on Twitter</a> Join the conversation <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Antony Davies on Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James R. Harrigan on Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.minds.com/AntonyDavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Antony Davies on Minds.com</a> <a href="https://www.minds.com/jrharrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James R. Harrigan on Minds.com</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Words &amp; Numbers Backstage</a>

Episode 102: “Diversity” Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means

“School choice” is much more than parents being able to choose which schools their children will attend. It is also teachers being free to design and teach their own curricula. It is principals being free to promote good teachers and to fire poor teachers. The problems we have with public education in this country have their roots in a lack of choice for all parties involved in the educational process.  Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits Self-interest versus selfish  https://simpleflying.com/delta-passengers-life-saved-when-passengers-gave-up-seats-for-liver-transplant/ Water limits in California  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/correct-information-california-water-efficiency-222625943.html Foolishness of the week NYC parking meters  https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/01/02/parking-meters-nyc-credit-cards/ Topic of the week Corey DeAngelis https://reason.org/author/corey-deangelis/ Corey DeAngelis on Twitter https://twitter.com/DeAngelisCorey Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

“School choice” is much more than parents being able to choose which schools their children will attend. It is also teachers being free to design and teach their own curricula. It is principals being free to promote good teachers and to fire poor teachers. The problems we have with public education in this country have their roots in a lack of choice for all parties involved in the educational process. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits Self-interest versus selfish <a href="https://simpleflying.com/delta-passengers-life-saved-when-passengers-gave-up-seats-for-liver-transplant/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://simpleflying.com/delta-passengers-life-saved-when-passengers-gave-up-seats-for-liver-transplant/</a> Water limits in California <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/correct-information-california-water-efficiency-222625943.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://finance.yahoo.com/news/correct-information-california-water-efficiency-222625943.html</a> Foolishness of the week NYC parking meters <a href="https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/01/02/parking-meters-nyc-credit-cards/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/01/02/parking-meters-nyc-credit-cards/</a> Topic of the week Corey DeAngelis <a href="https://reason.org/author/corey-deangelis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://reason.org/author/corey-deangelis/</a> Corey DeAngelis on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAngelisCorey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/DeAngelisCorey</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 152: Government Schools and the Freedom to Choose

Many proposed solutions to society’s problems produce unintended consequences. Some laws passed in good faith, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, have adverse effects on the very people they intend to help. How many laws like this are there? What do people do about them? How do businesses deal with such laws? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they dive into the unforeseeable results of mixing good intentions with public policy and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers  Quick hits Being the victim and the perpetrator in the same case  https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html Turning sign language into speech  https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html?m=1&amp;fbclid=IwAR1eM20XHy03gUnCjvwy5XjkAt69auKNhszwtYQqUJhZVrd3y1NO6tjV_II Foolishness of the week Mayor de Blasio wants to abolish gifted classes  https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/?fbclid=IwAR1NhDE1augEPuYkpFcn1yIFmCgMq0OFHM3VU4lsKWsGUgL6BggK2MhK87c Harrison Bergeron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron Topic of the week: Unintended Consequences A380 is too quiet https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/ The Cobra Effect  http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/ Payday lending  https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417 Americans with Disabilities Act https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670 Bernie Sanders’ green electrical grid https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/ Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

Many proposed solutions to society’s problems produce unintended consequences. Some laws passed in good faith, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, have adverse effects on the very people they intend to help. How many laws like this are there? What do people do about them? How do businesses deal with such laws? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies as they dive into the unforeseeable results of mixing good intentions with public policy and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits Being the victim and the perpetrator in the same case <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://slate.com/technology/2019/08/maryland-sk-court-case-teen-sexting-child-pornography.html</a> Turning sign language into speech <a href="https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html?m=1&amp;fbclid=IwAR1eM20XHy03gUnCjvwy5XjkAt69auKNhszwtYQqUJhZVrd3y1NO6tjV_II" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.blackbusiness.com/2019/05/roy-allela-black-engineer-invents-gloves-turn-sign-language-audible-speech.html?m=1&amp;fbclid=IwAR1eM20XHy03gUnCjvwy5XjkAt69auKNhszwtYQqUJhZVrd3y1NO6tjV_II</a> Foolishness of the week Mayor de Blasio wants to abolish gifted classes <a href="https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/?fbclid=IwAR1NhDE1augEPuYkpFcn1yIFmCgMq0OFHM3VU4lsKWsGUgL6BggK2MhK87c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://reason.com/2019/08/28/de-blasio-advisory-group-wants-to-abolish-gifted-classes-in-nyc-public-schools/?fbclid=IwAR1NhDE1augEPuYkpFcn1yIFmCgMq0OFHM3VU4lsKWsGUgL6BggK2MhK87c</a> Harrison Bergeron <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron</a> Topic of the week: Unintended Consequences A380 is too quiet <a href="https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.wired.com/2008/12/a380-is-so-quie/</a> The Cobra Effect <a href="http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cobra-effect-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/</a> Payday lending <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-political-assault-on-paydays-1464909417</a> Americans with Disabilities Act <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nber.org/papers/w6670</a> Bernie Sanders’ green electrical grid <a href="https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 134: Benevolence Backfires: The Cobra Effect

As the saying goes, if you want less of something, tax it. Recently, a House bill was proposed that would raise the taxable income cap for Social Security to about $400,000. Although there seem to be many reasons to cheer, would this create unintended consequences? What could be done instead? Is privatization the way to go? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies this week as they suggest an elegant solution to a sticky situation on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers  Quick hits Ladybugs:  https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-06-06/cloud-of-ladybugs-in-california-so-large-it-appears-on-weather-radar Influencer can’t sell 26 shirts:  https://www.indy100.com/article/instagram-influencer-arii-t-shirt-sales-followers-fail-twitter-response-8936836 Foolishness of the week Over-the-counter birth control:  https://www.livescience.com/24940-birth-control-pill-over-the-counter.html   Topic of the week: Social Security The SECURE Act:  https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/how-secure-act-could-impact-retirement-savings/ Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage: https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think: mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter: https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

As the saying goes, if you want less of something, tax it. Recently, a House bill was proposed that would raise the taxable income cap for Social Security to about $400,000. Although there seem to be many reasons to cheer, would this create unintended consequences? What could be done instead? Is privatization the way to go? Join James Harrigan and Antony Davies this week as they suggest an elegant solution to a sticky situation on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits Ladybugs: <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-06-06/cloud-of-ladybugs-in-california-so-large-it-appears-on-weather-radar" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-06-06/cloud-of-ladybugs-in-california-so-large-it-appears-on-weather-radar</a> Influencer can’t sell 26 shirts: <a href="https://www.indy100.com/article/instagram-influencer-arii-t-shirt-sales-followers-fail-twitter-response-8936836" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.indy100.com/article/instagram-influencer-arii-t-shirt-sales-followers-fail-twitter-response-8936836</a> Foolishness of the week Over-the-counter birth control: <a href="https://www.livescience.com/24940-birth-control-pill-over-the-counter.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.livescience.com/24940-birth-control-pill-over-the-counter.html</a> Topic of the week: Social Security The SECURE Act: <a href="https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/how-secure-act-could-impact-retirement-savings/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/how-secure-act-could-impact-retirement-savings/</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think: <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 122: Changing the Rules for Social Security

Sometimes, the things we take for granted are the things we should be most thankful for. Football games on your television, climate control in your automobiles, and fully-stocked neighborhood grocery stores are among the many things we may not think about until they aren’t there. What do the data indicate about our modern standard of living? Who is responsible for the advancements in medicine and technology that have improved so many lives? Which historical scourges are functionally nonexistent today? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan in giving thanks to the many improvements in life on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers.  Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits Government grocery store  https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/22/baldwin-florida-food-desert-city-owned-grocery-store/ Conservatism stresses students  https://www.thecollegefix.com/intellectual-conservatism-group-denied-may-cause-stress-to-the-student-body/ Foolishness of the week Abolish the electoral college  https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/20/joe-kennedy-iii-wants-to-abolish-the-electoral-college/ Topic of the week: Thanksgiving A Series of Miracles https://www.faithandfreedom.com/a-series-of-miracles/ State Car Registration by Year https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/summary95/mv200.pdf  Office of Highway Policy Information  https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2015/mv1.cfm Household's Owners Equity  https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/OEHRENWBSHNO  Mortality in the US  https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2016/1/25/mortality-in-the-united-states-past-present-and-future  Mortality &amp; Causes of Death  https://www.ncdemography.org/2014/06/16/mortality-and-cause-of-death-1900-v-2010/  Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

Sometimes, the things we take for granted are the things we should be most thankful for. Football games on your television, climate control in your automobiles, and fully-stocked neighborhood grocery stores are among the many things we may not think about until they aren’t there. What do the data indicate about our modern standard of living? Who is responsible for the advancements in medicine and technology that have improved so many lives? Which historical scourges are functionally nonexistent today? Join Antony Davies and James Harrigan in giving thanks to the many improvements in life on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits Government grocery store <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/22/baldwin-florida-food-desert-city-owned-grocery-store/?fbclid=IwAR26UiHIwnLI_Se-TKkc6zwGWTrl1cz_Uc7XVtX6SEpGwGDwRTOpDAhXf8o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/22/baldwin-florida-food-desert-city-owned-grocery-store/</a> Conservatism stresses students <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/intellectual-conservatism-group-denied-may-cause-stress-to-the-student-body/?fbclid=IwAR2HGuNtaqfOBrlmfa-gI1d-GOfS9jtaish1cFsacBOy3i4P1A_a71JdxBE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.thecollegefix.com/intellectual-conservatism-group-denied-may-cause-stress-to-the-student-body/</a> Foolishness of the week Abolish the electoral college <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/20/joe-kennedy-iii-wants-to-abolish-the-electoral-college/?fbclid=IwAR2aj8v1k1A-fSjxnMq0Ccc6tPrTbEKqCOjuBQTFVhEMbK7FiivSjPNwMSc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/20/joe-kennedy-iii-wants-to-abolish-the-electoral-college/</a> Topic of the week: Thanksgiving <a href="https://www.faithandfreedom.com/a-series-of-miracles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Series of Miracles</a> <a href="https://www.faithandfreedom.com/a-series-of-miracles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.faithandfreedom.com/a-series-of-miracles/</a> <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/summary95/mv200.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">State Car Registration by Year</a> <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/summary95/mv200.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/summary95/mv200.pdf</a> <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2015/mv1.cfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Office of Highway Policy Information</a> <a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2015/mv1.cfm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2015/mv1.cfm</a> <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/OEHRENWBSHNO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Household's Owners Equity </a> <a href="https://fred.stlo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://fred.stlo</a><a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/OEHRENWBSHNO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">uisfed.org/series/OEHRENWBSHNO</a> <a href="https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2016/1/25/mortality-in-the-united-states-past-present-and-future" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Mortality in the US</a> <a href="https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2016/1/25/mortality-in-the-united-states-past-present-and-future" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2016/1/25/mortality-in-the-united-states-past-present-and-future</a> <a href="https://www.ncdemography.org/2014/06/16/mortality-and-cause-of-death-1900-v-2010/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Mortality &amp; Causes of Death</a> <a href="https://www.ncdemography.org/2014/06/16/mortality-and-cause-of-death-1900-v-2010/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.ncdemography.org/2014/06/16/mortality-and-cause-of-death-1900-v-2010/</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 146: A Time to Give Thanks

When it comes to wildlife conservation and other environmental concerns, the ideas of free markets and private property are frequently laughed off as silly by the planet’s most strident defenders. However, the incentives—the motivations to behave in a certain way—that come along with private property are strong. After all, we never worry about cows going extinct. But can these insights on property and incentives be extended to other aspects of our lives and our world? Special guest Howard Baetjer, author of Free Our Markets: A Citizen’s Guide to Essential Economics, joins Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they explore this and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick hits Pickle ball  https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2019/07/26/pickleball-prison-cook-county  Air conditioned shirts  https://www.winknews.com/2019/08/01/sony-to-sell-air-conditioner-shirts-to-keep-you-cool-as-soon-as-next-year/ Foolishness of the week  Rudeness in the grocery stores  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/os-ne-2nd-walmart-urinator-20190802-uogo4be7mbhivezdystbc2rnvm-story.html Topic of the week: Howard Baetjer and Economic Stories Howard Baetjer http://wp.towson.edu/baetjer/ Free Our Markets: A Citizen’s Guide to Essential Economics  https://www.amazon.com/Free-Our-Markets-Essential-Economics/dp/098442542X Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let us know what you think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan

When it comes to wildlife conservation and other environmental concerns, the ideas of free markets and private property are frequently laughed off as silly by the planet’s most strident defenders. However, the incentives—the motivations to behave in a certain way—that come along with private property are strong. After all, we never worry about cows going extinct. But can these insights on property and incentives be extended to other aspects of our lives and our world? Special guest Howard Baetjer, author of Free Our Markets: A Citizen’s Guide to Essential Economics, joins Antony Davies and James Harrigan as they explore this and more on this week’s episode of Words &amp; Numbers. Show your support for Words &amp; Numbers at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers</a> Quick hits Pickle ball <a href="https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2019/07/26/pickleball-prison-cook-county?utm_term=nprnews&amp;utm_campaign=npr&amp;utm_source=facebook.com&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;fbclid=IwAR2exEyzSlTmqI496IFSH2OSyhwIvop69AHIR5qdZaRZfXRkVX3aFcia-I8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2019/07/26/pickleball-prison-cook-county</a> Air conditioned shirts <a href="https://www.winknews.com/2019/08/01/sony-to-sell-air-conditioner-shirts-to-keep-you-cool-as-soon-as-next-year/?fbclid=IwAR13GUQXgc2-lYeRY8xTXLcQhcg7lOz1WtpI7mXggmioL0DE1812ZMVsSZo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.winknews.com/2019/08/01/sony-to-sell-air-conditioner-shirts-to-keep-you-cool-as-soon-as-next-year/</a> Foolishness of the week  Rudeness in the grocery stores <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/os-ne-2nd-walmart-urinator-20190802-uogo4be7mbhivezdystbc2rnvm-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/os-ne-2nd-walmart-urinator-20190802-uogo4be7mbhivezdystbc2rnvm-story.html</a> Topic of the week: Howard Baetjer and Economic Stories Howard Baetjer <a href="http://wp.towson.edu/baetjer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://wp.towson.edu/baetjer/</a> Free Our Markets: A Citizen’s Guide to Essential Economics <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Free-Our-Markets-Essential-Economics/dp/098442542X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=free+our+markets&amp;qid=1565387878&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/Free-Our-Markets-Essential-Economics/dp/098442542X</a> Join the conversation Words &amp; Numbers Backstage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/</a> Let us know what you think <a href="mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com">mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com</a> Antony Davies on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/antonydavies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/antonydavies</a> James R. Harrigan on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan</a>

Episode 131: Can Incentives Save the World?

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