Cato Daily Podcast

“…the commerce power as being power. Of congress to regulate anything that affected interstate commerce which of course is virtually anything. And so today we have all kinds of legislation. Social Security Medicare Medicaid. . You name it. All passed under the power of commerce of congress to regulate interstate commerce and so the question is is …”

“…Powers. Today under the commerce clause and under the so called general welfare clause. . Congress can virtually -- distribute and regulate at will clear is the core of the problem. And of course when they regulated …”

“…those looking back. Obviously -- some wars that we get involved with Eddie George W. Bush is. The policy pronouncements especially during -- second inaugural address. But I think more importantly for this conversation. We need to apply to where we go in the future -- Afghanistan. I would like Barack Obama. . I would like Kerry Reid I would like Nancy Pelosi. I'd like John Boehner I'd like Mitch McConnell I'd like Republicans and …”

“…of escalation absent clear goals and triggers for departure. Former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough host of MSNBC's morning Joe. Spoke today at the Cato institute's conference escalate or withdraw conservatives in the war in Afghanistan. The …”

“…announced that they would no longer. Allow their members to ask for earmarks that benefit for profit entities. Nonprofits could still be subjected earmarks but not for profits they have to go through competitive bidding traditional processes if they want taxpayer money. The next day. Republicans. Came back over the top on that. And announced that they would not ask for earmarks at all. So we're seeing that just talk about transparency. . Moving story now the Senate may still be earmarks. . And it's much more incumbent transparencies bringing change your -- Obama's started from a fairly low baseline when he pledged. That his administration would be. The most transparent thus far what. How much good as he made on that I think you're right that given. The weakness especially the Bush Administration but but. Of of all past administrations. The Obama administration is good on transparency. . And I think there was a lot of similar symbolism but also some substance in the fact of issuing an open government directive on his first full and office. Since then it's been slow moving to people who. Really want transparency and change but there has been. -- progress that's worth crediting the Obama administration for. I've become persuaded that the release of …”

“…This is Decatur daily podcast -- Thursday march 18 2010. And keep them around its sunshine week a celebration of government transparency but you wouldn't know if you're watching healthcare negotiations in recent weeks the US house seems poised to vote on health care bill before letting the public get a good look at it. President Obama seems ready to once again breaking his sunlight before signing a pledge. Jim Harvard director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute says all things considered. Obama's is perhaps the most transparent administration thus far. …”

“…Is because of government intervention because government breaks barriers to competition in health insurance markets the biggest one being. Our employment based health insurance system where your employer gets to choose your health plan and you don't. That keeps these sorts of health plans are being able to enter the market it's its sign up and -- these. Also because the employer based system makes. Consumers less sensitive to the cost of their insurance that also presents a barrier to these health plans because they're generally lower cost these these innovations to save money. There are other innovations. That get that other problems that reformers are trying to address. For example most of the estimated 46 million uninsured Americans are young and healthy. Reformers like to call these people the young and vegetables because reformers think somewhat patronizing me that. These young uninsured people figure that they're never going to get sick and so they don't need health insurance. . So what is the Obama plan due to try to bring covers these people it forces them to buy coverage at inflated prices and threatens him with fines maybe jail time if they don't purchase coverage. But markets have developed innovative ways of encouraging young invincible to purchase coverage without coercion. There are health insurance policies that combine. Health insurance. . With that the promise of a deferred did it and that the -- leader sees it if they end up not filing -- Now how does this work well. The young invincible it's. Under estimate the probability that they are going to need health insurance the probability they're going to file a claim. But that same error that causes them to underestimate that probability causes them to …”

“…just as important as medical -- These are innovative ways of designing health insurance policies. Innovative ways of delivering medical care they can make it safer they can make it more convenient they can lower the cost of medical care. . And it's in these areas. That the United States really lags in terms of innovation we don't see that kind of innovation. In health care delivery in health insurance policy design. That we see that did that the diocese produces in. When it comes to medical innovation. That's not because. Those …”

“…What was the division presented by the challenge that Reagan offered to Gerald Ford in 1976. What was the what was the strongest division that Reagan presented -- …”

“…I think it goes that part of the entitlement state which is Franklin Roosevelt. . Was very intelligent politician. Yeah in them and I'm not sure that's a compliment. But he certainly wasn't his idea was. That …”

“…grounds that it was creating public disorder and a threat two. Populations mental health what does it mean that. OAS organization American states puts out this report how effective have they -- at highlighting these types of problems in the past or with. Exerting any kind of pressure on these governments to. To reform. Well first of all this is coming out of the inter American commission on human rights within the alias which is completely independent of of the oh yes. But the only S for for its part has been. Pathetic it's been useless it it it best and counterproductive at worst over the past ten years or so. During the time that we've seen the rise of for populist governments throughout the region -- should be used. The democratic. Forms. To undermine. . Democracy itself and so we've seen authoritarian -- in under the guise if of democracy without the alias. Saying anything. It about it …”

“…tank that operates Venezuela. Freedom of speech is under attack and already Chavis has closed down many east -- many television stations. Many many radio stations recently shut down 34 or so and is threatening …”

“…know intends. And a chilling effect on standard legal business practices and Cato institute and John Stella Marie Griffin is a senior fellow -- Manhattan institute she company. …”

“…century and so. As an enforcement technique it has this serious unintended side effect of criminalizing ordinary people who are going about the business and not claim -- any traditional way. …”

“…suspended and oddly enough to know this view. Continued well into the Nixon administration. . And arguably all the way through until Nixon resigned. . There was a sense of lots of money around and we just need to spend it on things we've been. I'm not …”

“…This is Decatur daily podcast for Thursday march 11 2010. And Jim Brown. . At least we don't have stagflation yet the nineteen seventies paralleled the 2000 several ways. So what might those parallels mean for …”

“…health care reform they only had three vote margin. Since that time Jack Murtha has died. A couple of members have left the house a couple of other members have said that they would have changed …”

“…in the real fine as lectures that you can get a lower interest rate if you take a prepayment penalty because. Allows the financial institutions to price scrutiny rigorous. Well a lot of consumer advocates actually -- at least think that they are the worst things the world despite the action being quite common and every other national mortgage market. Except Americus. . -- there are other things to such it's having recourse for instance people point and is not had that much housing crisis. …”

“…and arts according to mark Calabria. Record financial regulations studies of the Cato institute for example he argues credit wasn't too expensive over the last decade. Anything it was far to achieve. …”