Moving Forward With Young Voices

Efforts to curb inflation on the part of the U.S. Federal Reserve are likely to have consequences around the globe.  Ben Cope relates how the fed's policies could negatively impact the economic plans of the U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss .   The U.S. Senate last week passed a bill to end the mandate that animal testing be part of the FDA's drug approval process.  Elise Amez-Droz says it isn't just...

If asked to pinpoint some of the contributing factors to California's legendary wildfires, few of us would think to include urban sprawl.  Elijah Gullett says better housing could help fight California's devastating wildfires .   A proposed online safety bill in the U.K. seeks to moderate the internet by establishing duties of care for online services.  Kir Nuthi warns that pushing the online safe...

The Chinese Communist Party has focused a lot of attention on building influence in Africa.  Alexander Jelloian explains why the U.S. needs to blunt China's messaging in Africa .   The current bolstering of the Internal Revenue Service by 87,000 new agents is a justifiable cause for concern for American taxpayers.  Travis Nix says the Supreme Court can restrain the IRS , if necessary.   The Republ...

The issue of student loan forgiveness continues to be a sore spot for many. Tyler Curtis points out that  if we're serious about reforming student loans, requiring a down payment would be a good starting point . The pushback against teaching Critical Race Theory in public schools is growing.  Torben Halbe shares his thoughts on how to create effective opposition to CRT . With the passing of Britai...

The public education system continues to be a battleground for political elections.  Peyton Lofton explains how Florida's gubernatorial race has intensified  with candidate Charlie Crist's selection of a teacher's union rep as his running mate.   These days it seems like election posturing and campaigning goes on for far too long.  Theo Burman says the U.S. could learn a thing or two from British...

On the one hand, it's nice to have someone looking after you. On the other hand, as  Leslie Corbly  explains, the troubling rise of surveillance cities could spell trouble.   Bail reform has been a priority for some time in Kentucky. However, it doesn't have to come at the expense of public safety.  Erinn Broadus explains why .   Among the many claims made by those who pushed and passed the Inflat...

Bitcoin can be a polarizing topic but there's an environmental challenge where it may be able to provide a serious solution.  Eric Peterson explains how bitcoin mining can help solve America's orphaned well problem .   There are lots of homebrewers out there who love to brew their own beer. Caleb Franz makes the case that  distilling bourbon at home should be legal just like brewing craft beer .  ...

For all the emphasis that the Biden administration is putting on climate change, most of their policies have simply resulted in lowering our standard of living. As  Tyler Duvelius explains, the real clean energy champions are found in the states, not D.C .   A financial day of reckoning has arrived but few politicians seem willing to acknowledge the truth.  Eugene Ralph Jr. explains why a recessio...

If Germany is the poster child for green energy efforts, it's safe to say that the kid isn't doing too well.  Felix Hosse explains why Germany's energy policy is a non-nuclear meltdown .   This has been a year of epic Supreme Court cases and there's one more case that could make serious waves if the Court were to revisit it.  Neetu Arnold describes a novel plan to reduce student debt .     A lot o...

The Supreme Court has been pretty consistent in rolling back gun control laws lately.  Cody Wisniewski asks, now that SCOTUS has made it easier to throw out anti-gun laws, which will be the next to go ?   Governments around the world have enacted numerous encroachments on their citizens lately.  Mike Viola notes that excessive regulations make us less prepared for true crises  and wonders how long...

The current war against vaping is prompting certain lawmakers to pull out all the stops in their quest to protect young people.  Elijah Gullett notes that banning vape shops near churches won't stop kids from vaping .   Electing accountable leaders is a desirable goal.  Scott Cresswell says Britain can learn from presidential primaries when it comes to electing party leaders .   The "do something"...

There's a growing bit of unrest throughout the world over environmental restrictions being placed on farmers.  Torben Halbe explains the all-natural death of Sri Lanka  as a result of its enforced "organic" policies.   Was the Declaration of Independence a cynical lie written by a self-serving slave owner? Or was it the beginning of the end for slavery in the U.S.?  Austin Lamb gives us a peek beh...

It's fashionable for celebrities to talk down America as someplace for which we should feel shame.  Alexander Jelloian says America is great, despite what celebrities may tell us .   West Virginia's recently passed Hope Scholarship legislation has been stalled by an injunction that will limit educational opportunities for children across the state.  Jessica Dobrinsky joins us to explain why West V...

The most powerful voices against tyranny are those who have actually experienced it. In this episode, we hear from members of the Dissident Project who bring us timely lessons based upon their personal experiences.   Grace Bydalek is the Project Manager of the Dissident Project for Young Voices . She joins us to talk about how the project is educating high schoolers with informed, intelligent pers...

To hear some policymakers tell it, the only reason a person could want privacy is if they have something to hide.  Leslie Corbly explains how a lack of privacy leads to political abuses .   Any time a high profile atrocity takes place, there's a tendency for some folks to overreact.  David McGarry explains the complexities of tragedy and good governance .    The higher cost of nearly everything is...

Independence Day this year was missing some of the fondness and appreciation we've experienced in past years.  Caleb Franz says Thomas Jefferson's America is still worth celebrating .   The Supreme Court's recent decision in Carson V. Makin is cause for celebration in a number of education circles.  Cooper Conway explains how school choice expands equality .   The housing crisis in California has...

With nearly everyone feeling the pain at the gas pump, there's a lot of finger pointing right now as to who's to blame.  Jeff Luse explains why corporate greed is not to blame for high gas prices .   The question of what to do about student loan relief isn't simply a political or economic one.  Addison Hosner says understanding the generational divide on student loans is essential .   Fatherhood s...

Beware anytime a politician starts popping corks to celebrate a budget "surplus."  Kenneth Schrupp explains California's surplus myth and the fiscal cliff  the state is approaching.   Few people have a greater vested interest in preserving the great outdoors than do sportsmen and fishermen.  Gabriella Hoffman  says a proposed lead ban would undermine these genuine conservation efforts as well as a...

There's no voice like the voice of experience.  Daniel Di Martino joins us to discuss Young Voices' launch of the Dissident Project  featuring individuals who have escaped authoritarianism.    The issue of free speech online can be a tricky one to navigate.  Andy Jung explains the differences between Section 230 and the First Amendment .    We're all getting a powerful first-hand lesson in how inf...

Higher education is often held up as a place where diversity is prized. But those lofty ideals sometimes take a backseat to political expediency.  Albert Eisenberg relates how Harvard won't say if it supports diversity of thought .   Pension plans have become a significant financial challenge for many states and municipalities. Jen Sidorova explains how  Jacksonville, Florida's public pension refo...

Is there really a trade off between inflation and unemployment?  Alex Salter has a great take on the zombie economics of inflation and unemployment .   The calls to forgive student loan debt are gaining traction among the political class but is it a good idea?  Jack Salmon says forgiving student loan debt would be regressive and costly .   Naysayers tend to focus on the energy requirement to mine...

Mainstream media is suffering from a severe deficit of trust among the viewing public.  Jorge Velasco relates how CNN+ is another sign of a crumbling legacy media .   With so many aspects of our culture disappearing down the memory hole, we can still learn from the memorials that remain. For instance,  Grace Bydalek explains how cemeteries remind us of the importance of religion .   Why does the U...

City officials who are looking to make their cities more livable for more residents need to consider reforming one of the most misguided planning ideas.  Thomas Irwin explains the case against parking minimums .   When it comes to fighting crime, bail reform is an often overlooked remedy.  Jason Reed says bail reform is good for law and order .   Those tasked with public safety sometimes seek to f...

Regulatory sandboxes are catching on across the nation.  Lindsay Keiser  has a great take on why our quest for energy innovation should include a regulatory sandbox. Is there a place for nuclear power and hydropower in our future? Jakob Puckett says  America's clean energy stalwarts are finally getting the attention they deserve .   Just a couple of weeks ago the world just celebrated Earth Day. J...

The change shortage started during the Covid-19 pandemic but it's still an issue in many places.  Nicholas Anthony says Americans want change and private mints are the solution .   It's astonishing how many states have relaxed their restrictions on marijuana in the past 10 years.  Adam Shepardson explains why the federal government should be taking notes from states like Oklahoma .   Striking a ba...