Heard at Heritage

In the wake of COVID-19, economic freedom is at risk in the United States and around the world. Governments that try to spend or regulate their way back to prosperity are doomed to failure. Join us for the release of the 27th Edition of the Index of Economic Freedom and a discussion of policies proven to have a positive impact on economic growth, health, education, and protection of the environment. As countries struggle to regain positive momentum in the fight against poverty, economic freedom is the essential ingredient. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People driving under the influence of drugs has been a major problem in America for decades, with alcohol being the most common drug used. The recent opioid-abuse epidemic, along with the decision by a large number of states to legalize cannabis for medical or recreational use, has made the problem of driving under the influence of drugs even more urgent. To save lives, the issue must be understood and addressed. Join us for a discussion with four former White House “Drug Czars” on the importance of this problem, potential new challenges as more states legalize cannabis and more individuals engage in polydrug use, and how the federal government and states should respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Children are America’s most precious resource, but President Biden’s recent executive order politicizes K-12 education and healthcare with destructive gender ideology.This ideology endangers children’s minds, bodies, and relationships with their parents—and the Equality Act would cement it into law. Parents and lawmakers across the country are joining together to make a promise to America’s children to always put their health, safety, and privacy before the ideological or partisan concerns of adults. Please join us for this critical discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heritage Foundation and The Gloucester Institute present the 4th Annual Jay A. Parker Lecture in honor of Jay A. Parker, founding father of the emerging black conservative movement. Come engage with prominent leaders about the dangerous decline in civil discourse and salute emerging leaders who are making significant contributions to our nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Army is aggressively preparing for Great Power Competition by moving beyond incremental improvements and making transformational changes across the entire force. Most notably, the Army announced People as their #1 priority, enabling resources to efforts that take care of people and transform how to manage talent. Army transformation includes implementing new doctrine, new organizations, new ways to train, modern equipment, and how the Army competes around the world. Just recently, the Army announced a new model called Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model (ReARMM) to balance priorities and requirements. These changes ensure the Army maintains strength for the Great Power Competition environment already on the horizon.>>> Index of U.S. Military StrengthAs the Army moves into 2021 there are, however, some storm clouds on the horizon. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley recently predicted “a lot of bloodletting” as the Pentagon tries to fund all the necessary programs in a constrained funding environment. A new administration, with undoubtedly different priorities, will be soon sworn in. The recruiting environment remains difficult.Hear how the Army plans to drive transformation, priorities for 2021 and beyond, and an assessment of future challenges in this engaging webinar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American parents have unwittingly become the primary recruiters and funders of campus radicalization. Higher education today, as Professor John Ellis describes in his book The Breakdown of Higher Education, does not teach college and university students how to think, but rather what to think.If you are increasingly frustrated over the political indoctrination at over-priced colleges and universities and believe Western Civilization's classics are being canceled in favor of leftist grievance studies, tune in. Our experts will look at how colleges and universities in America reached this sorry state and provide strategies toward protecting professors, students, and parents who refuse to exchange freedom of speech and diversity of thought for the views of the "woke" mob.Dr. Allen Guelzo, a renowned American historian, will moderate a discussion featuring Prof. John Ellis, a national expert on campus indoctrination, along with Anna Miller and Dr. Scott Yenor, authors of a new study entitled, Social Justice Ideology in Idaho Higher Education Universities: How activists infiltrate universities and use their power to indoctrinate students—and how to stop them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2021, many businesses are aiming to rebuild after the economic devastation of COVID-19 and the associated closures and restrictions. However, many of the businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic now face a new threat that could push them out of business for good. President Biden and other liberal lawmakers in Congress want to impose a $15 national minimum wage as part of their so-called “American Rescue Plan.”Higher wages are a great thing when they come from workers producing more value, but a host of unintended consequences arise when governments try to artificially increase wages. Join us as we talk to everyday Americans about how a $15 federal minimum wage would affect them and their businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Mike Lee joins Heritage’s Tommy Binion for a conversation on the Senate filibuster, its history, and what might happen if it is abolished.The Senate has been described as the world’s greatest deliberative body, and unlike the House, was designed for extensive deliberation on important legislation. The filibuster has long been seen as a mechanism to incentivize the two parties to work together on polarizing issues. However, new threats to change Senate rules on the filibuster, or the right to extend debate, could fundamentally change how this key pillar of our government functions. Don’t miss Sen. Lee’s thoughts on this crucial debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human trafficking is a major problem facing our nation today. Over the past several years, law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels have made combatting it a top priority. Join our panelists as they discuss their own experiences investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, what’s worked and what hasn’t from a policy standpoint, and how a Biden Administration’s priorities and polices might differ from the Trump Administration’s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How ready is the United States for war? The answer to this question requires more than just ship counts or quantities of munitions. True readiness cannot be measured without an honest assessment of America’s defense industrial base. Over the last 30 years, the makeup of the defense industrial base has changed dramatically. There are far fewer prime defense contractors, more cases of single-source suppliers for key components, and fewer people with the necessary skills to design and produce defense items. The defense of America, now more than ever, is dependent on overseas supply chains.Unfortunately, these weaknesses are surfacing at a time when we can least afford them. China is on the rise as a near-peer competitor, throwing the weight of its economy into development of military resources through civil-military fusion.To address this complex situation, there is no more qualified expert than Dr. Jerry McGinn, Executive Director of the Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University and the former senior career official in the Defense Department’s Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy.Join Dr. McGinn for this engaging discussion on a topic fundamental to our national security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.