Let People Prosper

How much government is too much? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I sit down with Richard Stern, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at the Heritage Foundation, to discuss the moral and economic urgency of cutting government spending, restoring community, and reclaiming freedom.Richard shares his journey from a progressive upbringing to becoming a free-market champion, shaped by a background in engineering, a calling to public service, and a deep belief in individual agency and faith.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

For many American families, homeownership—a cornerstone of the American Dream—is slipping further out of reach. Housing prices continue to rise, and even renting has become more expensive, leaving families feeling squeezed on all sides.There are signs of hope. Several states are taking action this legislative cycle, exploring ways to reduce or eliminate property taxes. But more can and should be done—at both the state and federal levels—to make homeownership more affordable. Smart policy reforms won’t just benefit buyers; they’ll also help lower rental costs, easing the pressure on families across the board.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I’m joined by Joel Griffith, senior fellow at Advancing American Freedom, who brings data and clarity to today’s most misunderstood economic debates.We explore the power of economic liberty, the myths about a declining middle class, and how trade deficits, contrary to popular opinion, often benefit rather than harm the American economy. Joel makes the case for limiting government to its constitutional role and empowering individuals and markets to do the rest.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

Unfortunately, last week, a Texas-sized budget with California-style spending passed the Texas House with 26 members (19 Republicans and 7 Democrats) voting against it. It will soon go to a conference committee. Instead of lowering the tax burden on hardworking Texans, the bill focuses on progressively expanding government. Texans deserve better!Meanwhile, Americans are feeling the effects of poor economic policies across the nation, which will only worsen if the administration continues pushing tariffs and ignoring better solutions. Trade agreements, tax cuts, and spending restraint offer a more effective path forward, and time is of the essence as March’s jobs report clearly shows we are edging towards stagflation.Dive into these issues and more on this week’s episode of This Week’s Economy. Get the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify, and visit my website for more information.

Can the government really protect consumers better than markets?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I discuss this question and much more with Tirzah Duren, president of the American Consumer Institute, who brings a unique background in anthropology and economics to public policy.Together, we explore the future of antitrust regulation, the consumer welfare standard, and how artificial intelligence and content moderation intersect with politics, tech, and personal freedom. Tirzah offers a robust case for why consumer-focused policy—not government control—is the best path forward.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

Significant policy changes could impact their economies as state legislative sessions wrap up. But how do states compare?During this special episode of This Week’s Economy, I’m joined by Americans for Tax Reform’s Patrick Gleason to review the substantial tax, spending, and regulatory policies passed or discussed by states this year. These policies will significantly affect states' economic health, and those with the best policies will become more attractive as they foster more opportunity and growth.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

What happens when truth in policy-making meets the dysfunction of Washington, D.C.?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum and former CBO director, shares deep insights into decades of economic policy, spanning crises like 9/11 to today’s battles over regulations, tariffs, and “entitlement” spending.We explore why regulatory costs are a hidden tax, how Congress has surrendered too much power over tariffs, and why entitlement reform is unavoidable. This timely and honest conversation is for anyone who wants to understand what’s really driving economic dysfunction in Washington and how to fix it.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

What can federal and state governments do to ease the economic strain on your wallet?It’s a big week for tariffs as President Trump has announced a series of tariffs set to take effect on April 2. With federal income taxes already on our minds this month, these tariffs are another tax on American consumers and families.Speaking of taxes, we’re still awaiting the renewal of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before it expires at the end of the year. Will a Republican-led Congress manage to make these cuts permanent? Meanwhile, many states are considering eliminating income and property taxes. This could provide much-needed relief for Americans grappling with rising prices due to inflation—but it must be balanced with lower government spending.I discuss these issues and more on this week’s episode of This Week’s Economy. From Texas's record-high budget to AI regulation at the state level, tune in to stay informed about the week’s most pressing topics.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

How can we restore our republic and bring power back to the states? What role should federalism, trade, and housing policy play in fostering long-term prosperity?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, Dr. Adam Millsap, Senior Fellow at Stand Together Trust, joins me to unpack the key issues shaping America’s economic and political landscape. From the Great Recession’s impact on tax policy to tariffs, protectionism, and housing affordability, Adam shares his insights on strengthening state authority, reducing dependence on federal funds, and creating a pro-growth economy.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

The U.S. budget deficit surged this year, surpassing $1 trillion, and we’re not even halfway through the fiscal year! While government spending slightly decreased, it still far outpaced revenue, leading to a deficit of over $307 billion for February. We just saw another federal budget battle in Congress. Despite government shutdown threats, a continuing resolution was passed to fund the government until September. It seems our lawmakers just can’t stick to a spending diet!But why does federal overspending matter?In this special edition of This Week’s Economy, I offer a Federal Spending 101 lesson outlining key principles to tackle Congress’s bad financial habits. We need urgent spending reform to turn the economy around—and it’s time lawmakers start listening!For more insights, visit vanceginn.com and get even greater value with a subscription to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com.