East Palestine Ohio Derailment and the Railway Safety Act (Audio: Podcast)
As the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio freight derailment arrives on February 3rd, proponents will use the anniversary to try to renew support for the Railway Safety Act. But the proposed legislation is nothing more than a grab bag of demands from the 12 rail labor unions. It’s not surprising that liberal Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is the lead author of the Railway Safety Act. What’s surprising, and telling, is that Republican Sen. J.D. Vance has been leading the charge for the legislation, which shows that right-wing populism has more in common with leftist progressivism than it does with Reagan conservatism. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Immigration Takes Center Stage (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews and IPI President Tom Giovanetti discuss how the border crisis and its related impacts have become the number one issue in American politics, and how this is liable to affect not only current legislative debates, but also the upcoming election.
IPI Policy Basics: Exaggerating the Public Domain (Audio: Podcast)
There was a rash of stories in the early days of 2024 about how, finally, Mickey Mouse had entered the public domain, and that this was somehow a triumph for the general public. Sounds like time for an explainer about the public domain, and why, for the most part, consumers are better off when creativity, distribution and promotion of creative works is incentivized. IPI President Tom Giovanetti with IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Don't Impose New Fears on Old Vaccines (Audio: Podcast)
IPI’s Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how increasing vaccine skepticism threatens outbreaks of dreaded diseases that have been under control for decades. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Biden Administration Attacks Independent Contractors (Audio: Podcast)
The Biden administration has yielded to pressure from labor unions to restrict the qualifications for independent contractor status, which is intended to make it easier to unionize “gig economy” workers. But this is a terrible idea, and when California tried the same thing it forced many independent contractors out of work. The modern economy should make it easier, not harder, for Americans to have flexible work and earnings options. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
How EVs Will Strand Cold State Drivers (Audio: Podcast)
With a polar vortex bearing down on much of the nation, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews reminds us that electric vehicles (EVs) suffer significant performance deficits in very cold weather. So the current generation of EVs may not be the best choice for residents of cold states. As with everything else, choice should be left to consumers through free markets rather than having change forced upon the entire country through federal mandate.
IPI Policy Basics: What Are Tax Extenders and Why Do They Matter? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI President Tom Giovanetti explains why every year the country is faces with the issues of tax extenders, why they are important but also why they are a symptom of a dysfunctional congressional process. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
What Trump Can Learn from Switzerland on Tariffs (Audio: Podcast)
Switzerland is dropping almost all its tariffs, in order to reduce prices to consumers. Having enjoyed time in Switzerland, both IPI President Tom Giovanetti and IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews use this opportunity to discuss tariffs, why consumers rather than exporters pay them, and why in general tariffs should be avoided.
Trump Is Right--Obamacare Sucks (Audio: Podcast)
Recently Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform that “Obamacare sucks.” We at IPI don’t always agree with Trump’s sentiments, but in this case, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains why Trump is right, and Obamacare has only made healthcare worse. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
When the Biden Administration Goes Marching In (Audio: Podcast)
Today the Biden administration announced a proposal to aggressively use federal “march in” rights to seize patents from pharmaceutical companies and “other inventions.” IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains what march in rights are, and why what the Biden administration is proposing is very, very bad. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.