Cato Podcast

Join Peter Van Doren, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute specializing in energy policy, and Brent Skorup, a legal expert in transportation regulations, as they dissect the unintended consequences of CAFE standards. They explain how these regulations have favored larger vehicles like SUVs at the expense of small cars, raising costs and reducing safety. The discussion highlights the complexities of electric vehicle mandates, market impacts on vehicle prices, and the ongoing policy flip-flops that frustrate automakers. A revealing look into the car industry's regulatory challenges!

Emily Ekins, Vice President and Director of Polling at the Cato Institute, dives into a revealing new survey about Social Security. Despite overwhelming support, Americans hold misconceptions about its structure and finances. Ekins discusses how myths about personal accounts and proportional benefits muddy the waters of public opinion. Generational divides emerge, with retirees resistant to reforms while Gen Z is more open to changes. The conversation highlights the urgent need for a youth-focused education campaign to address these misunderstandings and facilitate meaningful reform.

Join Matt Mitchell, a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute, as he explores alarming global trends in freedom measurement. Nine in ten people are experiencing declines in personal, economic, and civil liberties, with populism and pandemic measures causing chaos. Discover how well-being is linked to freedom, and why documenting these changes matters. The U.S. drop to 15th in the Human Freedom Index sparks discussion about market impacts on personal liberties. They also examine the ripple effects of restrictions and the crucial role of economic freedoms in promoting better societies.

Stephen A. Moses, founder of the Center for Long-Term Care Reform, dives deep into Medicaid's long-term care issues. He reveals how asset sheltering by middle-class families shifts costs to taxpayers, driving up spending and compromising quality. Moses explains the flaws in estate recovery rules and the 'two Mercedes' rule that lets wealthier households qualify for Medicaid. He advocates for reforms to tighten eligibility, eliminate home equity exemptions, and introduce block grants to better control costs and improve access for the most vulnerable.

Katherine Thompson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and former Defense Department official, teams up with Josh Shifrinson, a University of Maryland professor and expert on grand strategy, to explore the intricacies of the National Security Strategy. They delve into controversial concepts like 'civilizational erasure,' critique the document's contradictions, and scrutinize its handling of U.S.-EU relations. The discussion highlights the NSS's economic focus on China and explores the balance of diplomacy versus military force in the Western Hemisphere, suggesting a push towards more restrained foreign policy.

Jeff Singer and Michael Fox highlight the destructive parallels between alcohol prohibition and today's drug war. They discuss how both policies fuel black markets and empower violent traffickers. The conversation critiques government actions that increase risks, like poor policing practices and moralistic drug policies. They address the racial disparities in enforcement and advocate for harm reduction strategies, such as safe consumption sites and clean-syringe programs. The episode suggests that legalization can undermine cartels and emphasizes the need for a consistent, liberty-based approach to substance use.

John Early, a Cato adjunct scholar specializing in federal spending, and Terence Kealey, a clinical biochemistry professor and science policy advocate, delve into the National Institutes of Health's misalignment with its health mission. They argue that the shift from mission-led funding to basic science has hindered health improvements and crowded out private research innovation. Key issues discussed include inefficiencies in grant prioritization, the detrimental focus on underfunded diseases, and the need for reform towards measurable health outcomes.

Marian Tupy, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity and founder of HumanProgress.org, joins Ryan Bourne to explore holiday affordability. They dive into how Thanksgiving dinner costs dropped 5%, thanks to time-price analysis showing goods are becoming more abundant. Tupy introduces the American Abundance Index, revealing blue-collar workers are seeing significant gains. Despite inflation concerns, they discuss why people feel worse and the importance of market reforms in sustaining living standards. Tupy also highlights advances in medical technology and celebrates the opportunities in the USA.

Travis Fisher, a seasoned energy policy expert with two decades of experience, dives into the complexities of climate policy. He debunks the 'climate homicide' narrative, arguing that increased energy access, primarily from fossil fuels, enhances resilience against climate threats. Travis explores the true carbon impact of electric vehicles, revealing trade-offs in emissions based on energy sources. He advocates for permitting reform to streamline infrastructure projects, highlighting the need for market competition free from excessive mandates.

Chris Edwards, a fiscal studies scholar at the Cato Institute, dives into the complex world of FEMA and its unintended consequences. He highlights how federal disaster aid encourages risky development in flood-prone areas, turning FEMA into a subsidy machine rather than a responsive aid organization. The discussion critiques the National Flood Insurance Program and reveals how bureaucratic hurdles can hinder effective disaster response. Edwards argues for returning responsibilities to states and warns against the federal expansion that undermines private charity and local efforts.