Cato Daily Podcast

Legislative attempts to compel price transparency from health care providers ignores an important factor: Price transparency emerges naturally from well-functioning markets. Michael Cannon explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump created a "faith office" to protect religious liberty and a DOJ task force to combat anti-Christian discrimination, but his immigration policy leaves foreign Christians facing persecution without a way to escape to the US. David Bier explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Fox, a legal fellow at the Cato Institute, dives into the pivotal case of Perttu v. Richards, where a prisoner claims sexual abuse by a jailer. He discusses the hurdles imposed by the Prison Litigation Reform Act on prisoners seeking justice. The conversation also touches on the rights of inmates and their access to jury trials in civil cases against the government. Additionally, Fox discusses police accountability through the lens of recent high-profile incidents, emphasizing the need for scrutiny in law enforcement tactics.

Travis Fisher, a Cato scholar who co-authored a paper on the Inflation Reduction Act, discusses the unintended consequences of energy subsidies. He argues these subsidies could stifle innovation and burden taxpayers with a potential $4.7 trillion cost by 2050. The conversation highlights the complexities of tax credits and advocates for their repeal, suggesting it could lead to more efficient free enterprise and reduced government spending. Fisher emphasizes the need for sustainable fiscal policies moving forward.

Capping credit card interest would punish less creditworthy people and breed new life into the ranks of more unsavory lenders. Nick Anthony and Norbert Michel comment on the new proposal from Senators Sanders and Hawley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rand Paul, Republican U.S. Senator from Kentucky, critiques the Trump administration's tariff policies, warning they could spell disaster for U.S. businesses, particularly in the auto and bourbon industries. He argues that tariffs often harm the economy and emphasizes the real benefits of trade. The discussion also covers U.S. foreign aid spending and the urgent need for fiscal responsibility, advocating for permanent spending cuts and better auditing of federal programs in light of irresponsible budget practices.

The feds spend too much. It doesn't appear the Republican-controlled U.S. House is doing much about it. Romina Boccia explains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Middlestead, a technology policy research fellow at the Cato Institute, dives into the chilling implications of U.S. AI regulation. He critiques the conflicting messages from officials about promoting innovation while also imposing strict regulations. The conversation highlights risks associated with requiring U.S.-made chips for AI software, which could complicate global supply chains. Middlestead warns that attempts to eliminate ideological bias from AI may stifle creativity and warns against following Europe’s cautious regulatory path.

“Corporate welfare” programs burden taxpayers and undermine economic growth. Chris Edwards has identified $181-billion in these useless subsidies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Inserra, a free expression and technology expert at the Cato Institute, and Jenniffer Huddleston, a senior fellow at Cato, dive into the FTC's looming regulations on big tech. They discuss the agency's efforts to gather consumer feedback on censorship and unfair treatment. The conversation covers the delicate balance between competition and free speech, procedural hurdles faced by the FTC, and the potential implications of government oversight in content moderation policies. This insightful dialogue raises important questions about regulation and First Amendment rights.