Show Notes
What can we learn about the U.S. debt crisis from a classic South Park episode? Turns out, almost everything. In this episode of Red Tape, Kelli and Shoshana dissect the classic Margaritaville episode from Season 13 of South Park in 2009.
Host Kelli Pierce is then joined by Nan Swift, a Resident Fellow for R Street’s Governance Program, to examine the complexities of the U.S. budget and why bad ideas persist in government. Also, why is Bill Gates receiving farm bill subsidies?
Kelli also speaks with Jonathan Bydlak, Policy Director for the Governance Policy Program and a Resident Senior Fellow, where they discuss the differences between how the federal government and states handle budgeting, and the implications of people seeking more and better public assistance. Also, what Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul have in common.
(0:05:36) Using Cartoons to Understand the World (0:12:46) The Partisan Use of Budget Reconciliation (0:21:52) Congressional Spending and Priorities (0:32:51) South Park and Economic Perceptions (0:38:34) Federal Reserve Versus US Treasury (0:41:31) The Importance of Fiscal Discipline (0:47:31) Public Perception vs. Actual Votes (0:50:26) Budget Discipline and Hard Choices
More from Red Tape
What happens when Washington Post Columnist Megan McArdle and R Street Expert Nan Swift try to figure out who is running the government? A live episode of Red Tape!
On this special episode of Red Tape, host Kelli Pierce interviews Wayne Brough, R Street Institute resident senior fellow for the Technology and Innovation Program. They discuss why drug prices are sky-high, how the United States’ outdated patent system lets pharmaceutical companies block competition that could lead to lower prices, and the real-life solutions that could help Americans get the drugs they need for less money.
Not many organizations can say they were founded because of a billboard, or that they have a “no ninjas” policy. But there is one organization that can claim both, plus they love South Park. In today’s episode, host Kelli Pierce dives into the story of R Street. She interviews our President and Co-Founder, Eli Lehrer and the Executive Director and very first hire, Erica Schoder.
What do California and Florida have in common other than beaches and Disney? Natural disasters and insurance markets that are in shambles. Kelli Pierce interviews Caroline Melear, R Street’s resident fellow on Insurance and Trade policy. Caroline, a Florida resident, breaks down the state’s years long struggle with massive hurricanes, insurance, and why the crisis recently came to a head. The situation in California is no less chaotic. Kelli also speaks to Steve Greenhut, R Street’s western region director and a California resident, about California’s recent wildfires and floods, the political decisions that have caused major insurance companies to leave the state, and what can be done to prevent California from having the same insurance problems as Florida.
The internet as we know it exists today thanks to an obscure law called Section 230. On this week’s episode, Kelli interviews Red Tape’s very own Shoshana Weissmann about Section 230’s crucial role in our digital liberty. Shoshana discusses how this legislation empowers individuals to voice their opinions freely online without fear of litigation, a pivotal element in today’s social media-driven world. Kelli also speaks with Josh Withrow, R Street’s Innovation and Technology Fellow, about how to keep kids safe on the internet. Josh talks about how to create a safe and responsible online environment for their kids, and brings to light the potential pitfalls of laws designed to protect children that might inadvertently lead to greater harm.