In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman delve into Congress' perpetual lack of interest in meaningful reforms to entitlements and discuss new data on the student exodus from public schools.

0:26: Joe Biden and entitlement spending

32:08: Weekly Listener Question

38:16: New data on school kids exiting public schools

47:54: Super Bowl lightning round

55:03: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The State of Our Union Sucks," by Matt Welch

"Biden Promises To Let Social Security's Ship Keep Sinking," by Eric Boehm

"Joe Biden, Travel Agent in Chief," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Biden and Journalists Agree: Republicans Would Deliberately 'Crash' the Economy," by Matt Welch

"The 19 Percent Solution," by Nick Gillespie and Veronique de Rugy

"Robert Pondiscio: Why Our Kids Can't Read," by Nick Gillespie

"Winsome Earle-Sears: School Choice 'Is New Brown v. Board' Fight," by Nick Gillespie

"How Do Democrats Want To Pay for Free College, Paid Leave, Expanding Social Security?" by Zach Weissmueller and Alexis Garcia

"Social Security, Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dogg, & Alan Simpson: Ultimate Remix," by Austin Bragg and Nick Gillespie

"Actually, Magic Mike's Last Dance Is About the Awfulness of Urban Zoning Regulations," by Peter Suderman

"Ben Affleck for a Day," by Matt Welch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Under No Circumstances Did Joe Biden Save Social Security appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Elizabeth Nolan Brown examine Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest proposals intended to combat various cultural grievances and a listener question concerning private power grids.

0:22: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the power of the state

27:02: President Joe Biden's upcoming State of the Union address

36:09: Weekly Listener Question

47:21: Super Bowl myths

52:44: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Ron DeSantis Wants $12 Million To Transport Migrants 'From Any Point' in the U.S.," by Fiona Harrigan

"Did Ron DeSantis Really Just Change the AP African American Studies Curriculum?" by Bonnie Kristian

"For Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Political Stunts Are More Important Than Substance," by Peter Suderman

"The Latest DeSantis Higher Ed Reform Proposals," by Keith E. Whittington

"University of Florida Suppresses Speech Ron DeSantis Might Not Like, Report Alleges," by Joe Lancaster

"The Problem With DeSantis' 'Stop WOKE' Act," by Zach Weissmueller and Danielle Thompson

"If Ron DeSantis Is So Bad, Why Is Living in Florida So Good?" by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller

"Biden's Spending Spree Is Unprecedented," by Jonathan Bydlak

"New York Times Blames 'Deregulation' for Regulated Electric Costs," by Josiah Neeley

"The 2021 Texas Power Crisis: What Happened and What Can Be Done to Avoid Another One?" by Michael Giberson

"Super Bowl Sex Trafficking Myth Gives Good Cover for Federal Security Theater," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Self-reliance… planning ahead… using our heads… These are just a few of the things we believe in here at The Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters. And their specially trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight only when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon electronic gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Ron DeSantis' Misguided War on Woke appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Eric Boehm delve into policing and violence in the wake of the video release showing Memphis police killing Tyre Nichols.

0:30: Tyre Nichols killed by Memphis police

23:37: The ongoing debt limit drama

36:31: Weekly Listener Question

44:55: Sending tanks to Ukraine

49:25: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The Most Popular Police Reforms Can't Stop the Next Tyre Nichols From Being Killed. Here's What Might." by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"New Video Shows Memphis Police Fatally Beating, Tasing, Pepper-Spraying Tyre Nichols," by Christian Britschgi

"Is a War on Policing Increasing Crime? Q&A With Rafael Mangual," by Nick Gillespie

Mapping Police Violence, by Samuel Sinyangwe

"If Republicans Want To Cut Spending, They Should Start With the Pentagon," by Eric Boehm

"Social Security Is on the Brink of Collapse. The GOP Won't Touch It." by Veronique de Rugy

"Generational Warfare," by Nick Gillespie and Veronique de Rugy

"The Failure To Enact Marijuana Banking and Crack Sentencing Reforms Is a Window on Congressional Dysfunction," by Jacob Sullum

"Should America Keep Funding Ukraine? Live With Emma Ashford, Nick Gillespie, and Zach Weissmueller," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"What We Owe the Future Is Liberalism," by Ronald Bailey

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• When you're at your best, you can do great things. But sometimes life gets you bogged down, and you may feel overwhelmed or like you're not showing up in the way that you want to. Working with a therapist can help you get closer to the best version of you. Because when you feel empowered, you're more prepared to take on everything life throws at you. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, flexible, affordable, and entirely online. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists anytime for no additional charge. If you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Are We Making Any Progress on Police Brutality? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the Facebook Files, which revealed the considerable influence the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wielded in regard to what users were allowed to say on Meta platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

0:55: The CDC silenced COVID-19 dissent on Facebook.

27:25: Weekly Listener Question

36:53: National School Choice Week

55:09: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"How the CDC Became the Speech Police," by Robby Soave

"Inside the Facebook Files: Emails Reveal the CDC's Role in Silencing COVID-19 Dissent," by Robby Soave

"Emails Show CDC Policed COVID Speech on Facebook. Live with Robby Soave, Nick Gillespie, and Zach Weissmueller," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"Inside the CDC's Campaign To Police COVID Speech," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The Biggest Education Innovation Is Growing Use of School Choice," by J.D. Tuccille

"Kentucky's Governor Wants School Choice for His Kids, But Not Yours," by J.D. Tuccille

"School Choice Is a Noble Cause," by John Stossel

"Does School Choice Help Students Learn? All Signs Point To Yes," by Nick Gillespie

"N.Y. Can't Teach Kids To Read on $30,000 a Year," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Watch Elizabeth Warren Lie About Her Son's Private School Education," by Nick Gillespie and John Osterhoudt

"It Can Happen Here," by Arnold Kling, David R. Henderson, and Maurice McTigue

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Self-reliance…planning ahead…using our heads. These are just a few of the things we believe in here at The Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters. And their specially trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon electronic gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code: REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Where Does Big Tech End and Government Start? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie consider the revelation that, like former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden also had a stash of classified documents in his private office and residence.

0:23: President Biden also had classified materials in his house

10:35: House GOP introduces the Curriculum Review of Teachings, or CRT, Transparency Act

31:33: Weekly Listener Question:

I have long held what I consider to be a libertarian position on college admissions and affirmative action: that private colleges ought to be able to control their own admissions policies and that those who don't like those policies can seek admission elsewhere. I am somewhat surprised that I do not find any libertarians making this argument. It seems to me that if the Supreme Court makes a determination that affirmative action is illegal, as well as other types of arguably discriminatory admissions policies such as preferences for alumni and attempts to achieve geographic diversity in the student body, then we are in for a tsunami of lawsuits in which every damn college applicant in the country who is turned down by her top college pick will argue that she was the victim of discrimination. Where does it end? I'm an alumnus of Wesleyan University. I always accepted that racial diversity is a laudable goal in assembling a student body, as is geographical diversity (although I read recently that a desire for geographic diversity is just a scheme to keep out Jews; I didn't know I was antisemitic), or a distribution of interests in the arts versus the sciences, or a wide variety of extracurricular activities. So it touched my heart when today's New York Times ran a headline, "If Affirmative Action Ends, College Admissions May Be Changed Forever," with a picture of my dear old alma mater, Wesleyan. What does the panel think? By what logic are the details of private college admissions policies a matter for the courts? How does the Constitution say that the courts need to make these decisions? How did we get here? And again, where will it all end?

47:21: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"With Classified Documents, the Real Divide Is Between the Powerful and the Rest of Us," by J.D. Tuccille

"Biden Looks Careless, Shady, and Hypocritical After the Revelations About His Handling of Classified Material," by Jacob Sullum

"Like Trump, Biden Had a Private Stash of Secret Documents, but It Was Much Less Impressive," by Jacob Sullum

"The Redacted Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant Affidavit Sheds Light on the FBI's Concerns and Trump's Defense," by Jacob Sullum

"Corey DeAngelis: How COVID Has Changed the Face of Education Forever," by Nick Gillespie

"Florida All in for Assault on Academic Freedom," by Keith E. Whittington

"Chris Rufo's Battle To 'Stop Woke'," by Zack Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"Time To End Affirmative Action? Live With David Bernstein and Kenny Xu," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie

"Want To Stop School Book Battles? Give Parents Real Choice in Education," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• When you're at your best, you can do great things. But sometimes life gets you bogged down, and you may feel overwhelmed or like you're not showing up in the way that you want to. Working with a therapist can help you get closer to the best version of you. Because when you feel empowered, you're more prepared to take on everything life throws at you. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, flexible, affordable, and entirely online. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. If you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Yet Another Shady, Hypocritical Document Hoarder appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie look back on the House speaker battle and discuss President Joe Biden's trip to the southern border.

1:33: Kevin McCarthy is finally selected as speaker of the House.

26:44: Weekly Listener Question:

In the last episode, you all discussed the (at least at the time of this message) ongoing process for electing a new speaker of the House. You discussed the demand/request of the 19 or so Republicans who don't back McCarthy that he return to more normal House proceedings like the introduction of amendments, debate on the floor, etc. One of their demands, the introduction of the FairTax Bill, was unaddressed in the last podcast. What do the panel members think of the FairTax (both within the speaker vote context but also more broadly)? I'd be interested in a libertarian take on the FairTax. Assuming that abolishing taxation is unlikely, does the FairTax represent a much better alternative to our current system?

35:35: President Biden visits the southern border to Mexico.

45:57: George Santos and other political fabulists

57:44: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Finally Approved as House Speaker, McCarthy Aims To Cut IRS Funding," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Cameras Should Stay in Place After the House Picks a Speaker," by Joe Lancaster

"Fixing Congress' Broken Appropriations Process Is Worth This Mess," by Eric Boehm

"Ignoring the Anti-McCarthy Faction's Avowed Goals, The New York Times Sees Only 'Chaos and Confusion'," by Jacob Sullum

"Justin Amash: Kevin McCarthy Is a 'Compulsive Liar' Who 'Cares Only About Power'," by Matt Welch

"Biden's Immigration Plan Lays Out a Tougher Border, New Legal Pathway for Some Migrants," by Fiona Harrigan

"Real Man of Genius: Joe Biden," by Nick Gillespie, Dan Hayes, and Matt Welch

"The for Cameras in the Supreme Court" by Nick Gillespie and Meredith Bragg

"5 Other Fake Indians Besides Elizabeth Warren," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• When you're at your best, you can do great things. But sometimes life gets you bogged down, and you may feel overwhelmed, or like you're not showing up in the way that you want to. Working with a therapist can help you get closer to the best version of you. Because when you feel empowered, you're more prepared to take on everything life throws at you. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, flexible, affordable, and entirely online. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. If you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.
• Self-reliance… planning ahead… using our heads. These are just a few of the things we believe in here at The Reason Roundtable. That's why we'd like to tell you about AirMedCare Network membership and how it can take a financial worry off your plate. AirMedCare Network is America's largest emergency air ambulance membership network. AirMedCare Network providers operate state-of-the-art helicopters. And their specially trained medical personnel provide the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in emergency situations. Even with insurance, these flights can be VERY expensive. But when you're an AirMedCare Network member, you won't see a bill for your flight when flown by one of their providers. This is a financial safety net you should have. Membership is amazingly affordable: only $99 per year and just $79 for seniors. And your entire household is covered. Right now, our listeners get up to an $80 Mastercard or Amazon electronic gift card when they join AMCN and use offer code: REASON. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Did the House Rebellion Against Kevin McCarthy Have an Upside? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the government's censorship-by-proxy of social media companies and Kevin McCarthy's ongoing showdown for the speakership in the House of Representatives.

3:00: The government's censorship-by-proxy of social media companies for alleged COVID "misinformation."

30:45: Weekly Listener Question:

Hello Friends, I just finished listening to the Freakonomics Radio three-part series about Adam Smith. The main thesis of the series is that Adam Smith's views were more nuanced than we generally think of him; most people tend to cherry-pick favorite ideas from The Wealth of Nations while completely forgetting about his first work, Theory of Moral Sentiments. So, I'm curious. How have Adam Smith's ideas shaped your own? Have any of you read Adam Smith's works completely? And maybe most importantly, do you think Adam Smith would be a libertarian if he was alive today?

39:39: Kevin McCarthy battles for speaker of the House.

52:11: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Under Government Pressure, Twitter Suppressed Truthful Speech About COVID-19," by Jacob Sullum

"Twitter Files Reveal Politicians, Officials Evading the Constitution's Restrictions," by J.D. Tuccille

"Elon Musk Should Take a Clear Stand Against Censorship by Proxy," by Jacob Sullum

"Bari Weiss Twitter Files Reveal Systematic 'Blacklisting' of Disfavored Content," by Robby Soave

"How Government Officials Bully Social Media Companies Into Censorship," by Liz Wolfe

"Biden's Sneaky Censors," by Jacob Sullum

"These Emails Show How the Biden Administration's Crusade Against 'Misinformation' Imposes Censorship by Proxy," by Jacob Sullum

"AOC: Facebook's 'Disinformation' Has 'Sabotaged' Pandemic Response," by Matt Welch

"RIP, 'Pandemic of the Unvaccinated'," by Matt Welch

"Republicans Control the House But Can't Compromise on Someone To Lead It," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Now Anybody Can Write a Sherlock Holmes Story," by Joe Lancaster

"Sifting Through the Twitter Files: Live with Nick Gillespie & Zach Weissmueller," by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller

"Russ Roberts: Adam Smith's Surprising Guide To Happiness," by Nick Gillespie

"The Satire Is as Rich as the Clientele in HBO's The White Lotus" by Glenn Garvin

Nick's "I'm Not Lazy" T-shirt

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• When you're at your best, you can do great things. But sometimes life gets you bogged down, and you may feel overwhelmed or like you're not showing up in the way that you want to. Working with a therapist can help you get closer to the best version of you. Because when you feel empowered, you're more prepared to take on everything life throws at you. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, flexible, affordable, and entirely online. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. If you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post A Surly Showdown for Speaker appeared first on Reason.com.

In this special end-of-year episode of The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie have some final thoughts on the biggest stories from 2022 and make some predictions about what might unfold in 2023. Have a Happy New Year!

1:32: The biggest stories of the year

40:44: Predictions for 2023

55:29: The most impactful cultural recommendations of the year

Mentioned in this podcast:

Click here for all of the roundtable's media recommendations from the past year and beyond.

"Sifting Through the Twitter Files: Live With Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller," by Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller

"Biden's Loan Forgiveness Plan Ultimately Means Higher Costs for Higher Ed," by Peter Suderman

"New Research Highlights the Limits of Abortion Bans," by Jacob Sullum

"The U.S. Is Entangled in Ukraine for the Long Haul," by Bonnie Kristian

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Our Biggest Stories of 2022 (and What We Predict for 2023) appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the depressing end-of-year omnibus government spending deal.

0:21: A massive year-end spending bill

20:10: The $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act

33:59: Notable legislative areas NOT being addressed this week

49:17: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Biden Is Set To Sign $858 Billion Pentagon Budget—One of the Biggest Ever," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Here's Why Biden Is Wrong About the Deficit," by Veronique de Rugy

"November's $249 Billion Federal Budget Deficit Set a Record. Now, Congress Is Preparing To Spend Even More." by Eric Boehm

"Chuck Schumer Scrambles To Save the Marijuana Banking Bill He Blocked Last Year," by Jacob Sullum

"Rand Paul Goes Hawkish, Proposes Massive Defense Increases, Becomes Less Interesting," by Nick Gillespie

"Hot August Fright: The Month Republicans Lost Their Minds Over Immigration," by Matt Welch

"James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water Is a Can-You-Believe-It Spectacle That Looks to the Future," by Peter Suderman

"Bernie Sanders Abandons Plan To Force Vote on Yemen War," by Fiona Harrigan

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Annual, Depressing 'Do Your Job Week' in Congress appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the Brittney Griner prisoner swap and the Twitter Files 2.0.

0:27: Brittney Griner released

9:46: New Twitter Files drop

32:43: Weekly Listener Question:

Should Libertarian candidates throw the election one way or the other in exchange for a public pledge by one of the two large-party candidates? For example, adopting an official public policy and/or naming them to a Cabinet position? Obviously, the candidate couldn't force voters to cooperate, but with the large number of libertarians in excess of the number needed suggests that enough would go along with the scheme to make it work… and of course, no one could prove that it didn't. Whaddya think?

42:55: Kyrsten Sinema leaves the Democratic party.

48:58: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Brittney Griner Has Finally Been Released," by Emma Camp

"The Brutality of Brittney Griner's New Home," by Emma Camp

"Twitter Files: FBI, DHS Reported Tweets for Election Misinformation," by Robby Soave

"Bari Weiss Twitter Files Reveal Systematic 'Blacklisting' of Disfavored Content," by Robby Soave

"Sinema's Defection from Democrats Sows Welcome Chaos Among the Political Class," by J.D. Tuccille

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a user manual. So when it's not working for you, it's normal to feel stuck. Navigating any of life's challenges can make you feel unsure, whether it's a career change, a new relationship, or becoming a parent. Therapists are trained to help you figure out the cause of challenging emotions and learn productive coping skills, which makes therapy the closest thing to a guided tour of the complex engine called you. As the world's largest therapy service, BetterHelp has matched 3 million people with professionally licensed and vetted therapists available 100 percent online. Plus, it's affordable. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a therapist. If things aren't clicking, you can easily switch to a new therapist anytime. It couldn't be simpler. No waiting rooms. No traffic. No endless searching for the right therapist. Learn more and save 10 percent on your first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Merchants of Death, Swaps, and Shake-ups appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie dig into the release of the Twitter Files by journalist Matt Taibbi and CEO Elon Musk.

1:32: The Twitter Files drop

33:48: Weekly Listener Question:

Here in my hometown of NYC (where apparently the carpetbagger Gillespie has chosen to make his home), just earlier today, the Adams administration stated its intention to increase involuntary hospitalizations for homeless individuals suffering from severe mental illness. Essentially, they are seeking to expand the interpretation of the legal standard from hospitalizing those who are likely to cause "serious harm" to themselves or others to those "whose mental illness prevents them from meeting their basic survival needs of food, clothing, shelter, or medical care." Notwithstanding the legitimate concerns over "the state" and "involuntary hospitalizations" appearing in the same sentence, or nightmare scenarios about who may be labeled "unable to meet their basic needs" (perhaps someone consuming a large soda?), would the Roundtable care to weigh in on where the line may be here? At what point, if ever, should the state involuntarily hospitalize and/or medicate someone to protect themselves or those around them?

52:41: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Elon Musk and Matt Taibbi Reveal Why Twitter Censored the Hunter Biden Laptop Story," by Robby Soave

"Twitter Is More Like a Traveling Circus Than a Public Square," by Steven Greenhut

"Twitter Quits the Biden Administration's Ham-Handed Crusade Against COVID-19 'Misinformation'," by Jacob Sullum

"Eric Adams' Plan To Involuntarily Hospitalize Mentally Ill Homeless People Will Face Legal Challenges," by C.J. Ciaramella

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What Twitter's Suppression of the Hunter Biden Laptop Story Tells Us About the Media appeared first on Reason.com.

Our cherished listeners of The Reason Roundtable delivered yet another batch of both thoughtful and off-the-wall questions for editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie to consider during this special ask-me-anything-style podcast episode.

This is all in service of the annual Reason Webathon, during which we attempt to casually coax you into making a tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit foundation that publishes our work.

Is there any hope for transitioning to a fully market-oriented health system? What are the editors' favorite four-dimensional platonic solids? Will Peter make a Star Wars: Andor–themed cocktail at 1.5x speed? And will Katherine have to fire her co-hosts already?

All this and more on a rollicking episode of The Reason Roundtable that's both "earball" and eyeball friendly. Donate now and help us continue to bring that much-needed "Free Minds and Free Markets" perspective to your weekly media consumption!

Videography by Jim Epstein, Isaac Reese, and Justin Zuckerman; Edited by Adam Czarnecki; Sound editing by Ian Keyser

The post You Asked, We Answered With Libertarian Explanations, Animals, and…Cookie Dough? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the latest protests against "zero-Covid" policies in China as well as other examples of lingering public health authoritarianism.

0:57: China's protests against harsh "zero-Covid" policies

14:20: Lingering COVID restrictionism in the U.S.

33:10: Weekly Listener Question:

I have found, what is for me, a paradox. I want to hear what y'all think of it, but I am primarily interested in hearing from Katherine, since she is a woman and women account for some 51 percent of the population. My personal paradox is this: How is it that women are 51 percent of the market and yet cannot find women's pants with pockets? Free minds. Free markets. No Potemkin pockets.

40:54: World Cup controversies

49:18: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"'We Want Freedom': Chinese Protests Reflect Frustration With Country's Continuing COVID Restrictions," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"The Pandemic Is Over, Except When Politicians Need It To Justify Their Plans," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"California's COVID-19 'Misinformation' Law Chills Constitutionally Protected Speech," by Jacob Sullum

"Hong Kong Is a 'Wake-Up Call for the World'," by Zach Weissmueller

"Never Lock Down Again? Jay Bhattacharya vs. Sten Vermund," by Gene Epstein

"'A Pretty Scary Moment': Dissident Chinese Students Say George Washington University Is Failing Them," by Sarah McLaughlin

"Can The Iran Protests Do Better Than Uprisings of the Past?" by J.D. Tuccille

"The Qatar World Cup Is a Celebration of Authoritarianism," by Eric Boehm

"5 Cities That Got F*cked by Hosting the Olympics," by Nick Gillespie

"Assimilating Soccer," by Nick Gillespie

"The Power Broker," by Howard McConnell

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a user manual. So when it's not working for you, it's normal to feel stuck. Navigating any of life's challenges can make you feel unsure, whether it's a career change, a new relationship, or becoming a parent. Therapists are trained to help you figure out the cause of challenging emotions and learn productive coping skills, which makes therapy the closest thing to a guided tour of the complex engine called you. As the world's largest therapy service, BetterHelp has matched 3 million people with professionally licensed and vetted therapists available 100 percent online. Plus, it's affordable. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a therapist. If things aren't clicking, you can easily switch to a new therapist anytime. It couldn't be simpler. No waiting rooms. No traffic. No endless searching for the right therapist. Learn more and save 10 percent off your first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable today.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post It's Bodies vs. the State appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch is back alongside editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie as they wade through the missteps of our modern gerontocracy.

0:32: Nancy Pelosi's countless failures

23:23: President Joe Biden turns 80 years old

36:30: Weekly Listener Question:

Hi Friends! I like weed. Marijuana is a wonderful drug (I don't know why we keep looking for female Viagra when it already exists), and I celebrate recent expansions of legalization. There are risks, just as there are with any drug, and there is a potential for abuse. Nonetheless, if you compare the damage done by weed with the damage done by the war on drugs, it's not even close. Unsurprisingly, I have noted an uptick in news items describing the dangers of marijuana. Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal declared, "Marijuana May Hurt Smokers More Than Cigarettes Alone." The conclusion was based on a study of a whopping six marijuana-only smokers. This news trend makes me nervous. What attacks can we expect now that legalization is spreading? I'm thinking flimsy studies to convince everyone it's a major health risk (from the left) and stories about psychosis (from the right). What do you think is the next move against legal marijuana, and how can we anticipate it?

46:53: Donald Trump returns

52:51: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Nancy Pelosi Embodied America's Gerontocracy Problem," by Eric Boehm

"After House Democrats' Midterm Defeat, Nancy Pelosi Says She'll Step Down From Congressional Leadership," by Christian Britschgi

"Dianne Feinstein and the Dangers of Gerontocracy," by Peter Suderman

"Joe Biden: 'Why the Hell Would I Take a Test?…Are You a Junkie?'" by Nick Gillespie

"Pot Prohibition Continues Collapsing, and Psychedelic Bans Could Be Next," by Jacob Sullum

"Republicans Contemplate a Post-Trump World," by J.D. Tuccille

"Donald Trump Announces He Will Run for President in 2024," by Joe Lancaster

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $65 a year for seniors. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $75 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Wallowing Around in a Gerontocracy appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Eric Boehm examine initial takeaways from last week's midterm elections.

0:42: Midterms post-mortem

34:59: Weekly Listener Question:

Brazil is a country with over 200 million people, and they counted all of their presidential election votes on election night. U.S. democrats, however, need weeks to count all the votes. What other explanation is there for this than cheating?

41:31: More on Elon Musk and Twitter

54:21: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Maybe Republicans Need a Policy Agenda After All?" by Eric Boehm

"A Potted Plant Could Beat a Trump Republican," by J.D. Tuccille

"Jared Polis' Success Shows That Democrats Can Win Without Embracing Big Government," by Emma Camp

"Blake Masters' Defeat Should End the GOP's Fealty to Trump and the Big Lie," by Robby Soave

"Chase Oliver, Georgia Senate Race Spoiler: 'You Can't Spoil What's Already Rotten'," by Joe Lancaster

"J.D. Vance Seized His Chance, but the New Right Had a Bad Night," by Stephanie Slade

"Worries About Inflation Didn't Stop Voters From Approving Minimum Wage Increases," by Eric Boehm

"Colorado Voters Approve Decriminalization of 5 Natural Psychedelics," by Jacob Sullum

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Is Ambitious but Disappointing," by Peter Suderman

"The Election Betting Markets Fell Short. They're Still the Most Flexible Predictor." by John Stossel

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists at any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Red Wave That Wasn't appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie survey the political landscape ahead of the midterm elections.

0:31: Key midterm issues

11:50: Most laughable major party pre-election pitches

29:28: Weekly listener question:

"How small, of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure.
Still to ourselves in every place consign'd,
Our own felicity we make or find:" —Samuel Johnson

My pithy query is this: do you think candidates would attract the 8–15 percent of independents by refreshingly stating their actions in office will have little to no effect on individualized happiness? For example, Democrats and Republicans have squabbled over tax cuts—a somewhat nominal 39.6 to 37 percent for the top rate, while federal spending on every single mandatory and discretionary program has remained relatively unscathed, but the tax cuts are held up as an Us vs. Them when discussing policy. Will cynicism ever prevail?! Are there any real-life Bulworth examples? Thank you!

49:45: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Neither Democrats Nor Republicans Have a Clear Advantage Going Into Election Day," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"'Election Fraud' Can Become Our Awful New Hyperbole," by Bonnie Kristian

"California's Anti-Vaping Ballot Question Isn't About 'Protecting Children,'" by Steven Greenhut

"Herschel Walker's Unseriousness Overshadowed What Should Have Been a Serious Race," by Joe Lancaster

"A GOP-Led Congress May Focus on Owning the Libs. Instead, It Should Focus on Owning Inflation," By Veronique de Rugy

"Turning 'Saving Democracy' Into a Campaign Slogan Isn't Helping Save Democracy," by Eric Boehm

"The Death of Social Security: Debating Bush's plan for private retirement accounts," by James Glassman and Tyler Cowen

"How Georgia's Outlandish Ballot Access Law Is Protecting Marjorie Taylor Greene (and the Two-Party System)," by Eric Boehm

"Morris P. Fiorina: Why 'Electoral Chaos' Is Here To Stay," by Nick Gillespie

"Still Fab: Why we keep listening to the Beatles," by Charles Paul Freund

"Long and Whining Road: The Beatles, the boomers, and boredom," by Nick Gillespie

"Has the Libertarian Moment finally arrived?" by Robert Draper

Bulworth raps

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post 'This Is What Democracy Looks Like. And It Kinda Sucks.' appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie celebrate the triumphant return of Katherine Mangu-Ward with a conversation about Elon Musk's Twitter takeover and the chatter around political violence in the U.S.

1:36: Elon Musk takes over Twitter

11:19: The Paul Pelosi attack and political violence

29:00: Weekly Listener Question:

I was pretty horrified by the $2,500 fines PayPal was handing out. They retracted them, sure, but it was no accident. They targeted a few of my favorite websites. I consider myself libertarian-leaning and agree with you guys on a host of issues. But I always get confused when you defend PayPal as NOT being a monopoly. I mean, forget about a dictionary definition and just think in terms of utility: What viable alternatives do I have in the digital marketplace right now? Let's say I'm horrified by what they're doing and want to vote with my dollars. Because I really really do. What service should I use instead? Venmo? I think they're also owned by PayPal.

40:10: What's currently scariest in government and politics?

48:03: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Musk Says He Bought Twitter 'To Help Humanity,' Pledges Not To Let It Become a 'Free-for-All Hellscape,'" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Twitter Sucks Because We Suck. Don't Blame @Jack," by Mike Godwin

"Why Is Twitter a For-Profit Platform, Anyway?" by Andrea O'Sullivan

"Political Violence Escalates in a Fracturing U.S.," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Dangerous Lure of Political Violence," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"To Curb Political Violence, Make Government Less Important," by J.D. Tuccille

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Twitter Was Already a Hellscape Even Before It Was Set Free appeared first on Reason.com.

This week on The Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, Peter Suderman, and Fiona Harrigan, filling in for Katherine Mangu-Ward, discuss the heated rhetoric surrounding the upcoming midterm elections, theorize what a GOP-controlled House would entail, and answer a listener's question about how libertarians can avoid being labeled "jihadists."

0:48: Discourse over the midterms

19:54: The GOP's anti-immigration ads

32:15: Weekly Listener Question:

"Please see the following comment from British Conservative Party MP Robert Halfon: 'The government has looked like libertarian jihadists and treated the whole country as kind of laboratory mice on which to carry out ultra, ultra free-market experiments,' he told Sky News. How can we prevent libertarians from being slandered as such? If, as the U.K. markets suggested, freer economic policy requires short-term suffering to achieve longer-term gains, do Americans have the stomach required to approach such policies?"

48:21: What have we been consuming?

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Republican House Majority Will Try to Melt Down Global Economy," by Jonathan Chait

"Republicans Plan Debt Crisis to Force Cuts to Medicare and Social Security," by Jonathan Chait

"McCarthy Suggests a G.O.P.-Led House Would Question Aid to Ukraine," by Catie Edmondson

"Rishi Sunak to become Britain's next prime minister," by Jill Lawless

"'If you focus on the deficit, then tax increases are on the table.'" by Peter Suderman

"Why is everyone picking on the Bush 'tax cuts' rather than the Bush 'spending increases'?" by Nick Gillespie

"The 19 Percent Solution," by Nick Gillespie and Veronique De Rugy

"Is Libertarianism a 'Stealth Plan' To Destroy America?" by Nick Gillespie

"Grover Norquist: The GOP Tax Bill Is Good Enough For Now (He's Planning to 'Whine Later')" by Nick Gillespie

"The Grover Norquist of Spending Cuts: Jonathan Bydlak and the Coalition to Reduce Spending," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $65 a year for seniors. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $75 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCare Network.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

 Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What Will the GOP Do if It Wins? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie unpack results from a recent Harvard-Harris poll that highlight the mismatch between voter concerns and party interests ahead of the midterm elections.

4:20: Harvard-Harris poll results ahead of midterm elections

20:14: PayPal's fines for "misinformation"

33:25: Weekly Listener Question:

Noah Smith makes an interesting case (below) that the TARP bailouts avoided a second Great Depression. What say you, Roundtable?

"An Econ Nobel for research that saved the world," by Noah Smith

45:30: The 20th anniversary of Authorized Use for Military Force (AUMF) for Iraq

46:52: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"What the 1970s Can Teach Us About Today's Inflationary Politics," by Peter Suderman

"Inflation Hits 8.2 Percent After Another Month of Sharply Rising Prices," by Eric Boehm

"Should Anyone Be Offended by Ye? Live with Eli Lake," by Nick Gillespie and Natalie Dowzicky

"Social Media Interaction Does Not Improve Political Knowledge, but It Does Polarize Us," by Ronald Bailey

"Welcome to the Post-Post-9/11 Era," by Bonnie Kristian

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We're sponsored today by DonorsTrust, the tax-friendly way to simplify your charitable giving without compromising your values. Is cancel culture coming for your charitable dollars? Big banks that sponsor charitable-savings accounts—or "donor-advised funds," as they're formally called—have a history of slow-walking or altogether blocking donations to conservative and libertarian charities. Charities rejected by some of the big banks include Atlas Network, National Review Institute, the National Rifle Association Foundation, Liberty Counsel, and others. Clearly, not every donor-advised-fund provider welcomes libertarians or conservatives. Let DonorsTrust help service your charitable giving. DonorsTrust was built with our listeners in mind—people who believe limited government and constitutional rights are worth fighting for. If you already have a donor-advised fund, consider opening a rollover account. It can be done in three simple steps by calling my friends at DonorsTrust. The DonorsTrust team will work with you to protect your charitable legacy and help you achieve your charitable goals. Partner with the fund that matches your values. To learn more, download their prospectus at www.donorstrust.org/reason.
• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Midterm Polling, PayPal, and Patellas appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie ruminate on President Joe Biden's sudden announcement regarding federal marijuana convictions and examine the current kooky economy.

1:41: Biden's weed announcement

16:56: The weird economy watch

33:22: Weekly Listener Question:

What's the take on the classic car warranty "renewal" junk mail or life insurance upsells, often employing phrases like FINAL NOTICE? Addressed mail that attempts to fool the recipient into taking out a new service by using personal information (e.g., full legal name, vehicle details) to imply an existing commercial relationship. Bonus: These senders depend on using government data like DMV records and are typically delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Free market/free speech/consumer (?) beware, or state-enabled spear phishing that defrauds the elderly?

44:20: A masculinity crisis?

57:50: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Better Late Than Never on Weed, Kamala," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Biden's Marijuana Reforms Are Long Overdue but Will Have Just a Modest Impact," by Jacob Sullum

"Biden Is Still Seeking Potential Life Sentences for Distributing Weed, Even As He Pardons for Possession," by Billy Binion

"What Biden's Weed Plan Really Means," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Tom Cotton Says Biden's Marijuana Pardon Recipients Pleaded Down From More Serious Charges," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Kamala Harris Hopes You'll Forget Her Record as a Drug Warrior & Draconian Prosecutor," by Katherine Mangu-Ward and Justin Monticello

"Kamala Harris Got So High Smoking Weed in College She Thought She Was Listening To Snoop Dogg and Tupac," by Nick Gillespie

"All Drug Offenders Should Be Treated Like Hunter Biden: Leniently," by Nick Gillespie

"Americans Are Losing Their Work Ethic," by Matt Welch

"Star-Studded Amsterdam Is a Tedious, Terrible Warning About the Rise of Fascism," by Peter Suderman

"The Political Class Has Consistently Ignored Warnings of Fiscal Doom. Now Americans Are Paying the Price."  by Peter Suderman

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Everyday Dose is the coffee alternative to start your days with. It's made from nonpsychedelic mushrooms, collagen, and nootropics that elevate mood, sharpen focus, and give an energy boost, all without the jitters and digestive issues that come with drinking traditional coffee. It tastes great too and is quick and easy to make. Try risk-free with a 60-day, money-back guarantee by going here now.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Drugs, Debt, and Masculinity appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, and Peter Suderman and special guest C.J. Ciaramella talk about the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and the current political discourse surrounding criminal justice reform.

2:05: Hurricane Ian's aftermath

21:38: The Jones Act is still terrible.

25:37: Weekly Listener Question:

Dearly beloved Roundtable,

When considering foreign policy issues, shouldn't libertarians worry not only about acts of commission but also acts of omission? It seems that libertarians are reflexively worried about acts of commission but seldom focus on the consequences that derive from lack of action (i.e., acts of omission). Isn't it at least possible that failure to act can lead to a less-libertarian preferred outcome? If so, how should one balance action vs. inaction?

36:20: The current discourse on criminal justice reform

47:54: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"A Reason Reading List on Hurricane-Related Public Policy," by Matt Welch

"UnFAIR," by Matt Welch

"In the Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, the Jones Act Is Screwing Over Puerto Rico Again," by Scott Shackford

"Natural Disasters and the Case for Big Government," by John Stossel

"Let's Scrap the Jones Act," by Andrew Heaton

"Should Libertarians Root for the Abolition of Police and Prisons?" by C.J. Ciaramella

"Bill Introduced To Bring Independent Oversight to Federal Prison System," by C.J. Ciaramella

"Netflix's Athena Is a Masterpiece About Police Violence and Social Unrest," by Peter Suderman

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Everyday Dose is the coffee alternative to start your days with. It's made from nonpsychedelic mushrooms, collagen, and nootropics that elevate mood, sharpen focus, and give an energy boost, all without the jitters and digestive issues that come with drinking traditional coffee. It tastes great too and is quick and easy to make. Try risk-free with a 60-day, money-back guarantee by going here now.
• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Storms and Reforms appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie consider the elevated risks from the conflict in Ukraine and commend the recent protests in Iran.

2:22: Russian President Vladimir Putin's mobilization push

16:09: Protests in Iran

30:19: Weekly Listener Question:

It's belated by almost a couple months, but the CIA turned 75 on July 26. Is there a libertarian argument in favor of having a Central Intelligence Agency, and if yes, how closely would a libertarian-approved CIA resemble the one we have?

40:38: New York state lawsuit against former President Donal Trump

48:39: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Abolish Nuclear Weapons? A Soho Forum Debate," by Gene Epstein

"Russians Are Fleeing the Threat of Conscription," by Eric Boehm

"Ukraine Changes the Face of War Forever," by Nick Gillespie

"Will Ruger: How Libertarians Should Think About Ukraine Invasion," by Nick Gillespie

"How the United States Can—And Cannot—Help Iranian Protesters: Podcast," by Nick Gillespie

"New York Attorney General Sues Trump for Fraud, Seeks $250 Million in Restitution," by Joe Lancaster

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Everyday Dose is the coffee alternative to start your days with. It's made from nonpsychedelic mushrooms, collagen, and nootropics that elevate mood, sharpen focus, and give an energy boost, all without the jitters and digestive issues that come with drinking traditional coffee. It tastes great too and is quick and easy to make. Try risk-free with a 60-day, money-back guarantee by going here now.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Putin's Push and Ponytail Solidarity appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the fallout from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' political stunt that sent migrants to Martha's Vineyard and Joe Biden's interview on 60 Minutes.

1:58: Migrants at Martha's Vineyard

26:09: Weekly Listener Question:

Many institutions seem to have lost their way recently, often due to audience or donor capture. On the left, the ACLU has lost its free speech absolutism and now thinks some speech is not worth protecting. NPR has become a sad, woke, unlistenable parody of its former self. On the right, Katherine's former employer, The Weekly Standard went under when the editors and financial backers went different ways regarding Trump. Reason has been very consistent for the past 50+ years (with the possible exception of that piece by Matt Welch praising France's health care system: "Why I Prefer French Health Care"). How has the magazine of "Free Minds and Free Markets" been so consistent and done so well for so long? And more importantly, what is being done to ensure its continued success and principled commitment to libertarian ideas? P.S. I will be attending Reason's space-themed Halloween party in a "Sexy Nick Gillespie Astronaut" costume.

35:18: Joe Biden interviewed on 60 Minutes

46:52: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Spending Down $12 Million in Pandemic Relief Money on an Immigration Stunt Isn't 'Responsible Fiscal Policy'," by Fiona Harrigan

"If Ron DeSantis Hates Communism, He Shouldn't Weaponize Victims of Communism," by Fiona Harrigan

"DeSantis and Abbott Are Wrong To Treat Migrants as a Punishment," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"How Closed Borders Helped Facilitate the Holocaust," by Nick Gillespie

"U.S. Labor Demand Explains Most of the Rise in Illegal Immigration," by Alex Nowrasteh

"How Immigrants Make America Great Again (and Again and Again)," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We're sponsored today by DonorsTrust, the tax-friendly way to simplify your charitable giving without compromising your values. Is cancel culture coming for your charitable dollars? Big banks that sponsor charitable-savings accounts, or "donor-advised funds" as they're formally called, have a history of slow-walking or altogether blocking donations to conservative and libertarian charities. Charities rejected by some of the big banks include Atlas Network, National Review Institute, the National Rifle Association Foundation, Liberty Counsel, and others. Clearly, not every donor-advised-fund provider welcomes libertarians or conservatives. Let DonorsTrust help service your charitable giving. DonorsTrust was built with our listeners in mind—people who believe limited government and constitutional rights are worth fighting for. If you already have a donor-advised fund, consider opening a rollover account. It can be done in three simple steps by calling my friends at DonorsTrust. The DonorsTrust team will work with you to protect your charitable legacy and help you achieve your charitable goals. Partner with the fund that matches your values. To learn more, download their prospectus at www.donorstrust.org/reason.
• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Migrants Are People, Not Props appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the White House's misguided principles for reforming Big Tech.

0:30: The queen is dead.

10:15: The White House's tech policy push

23:38: Weekly Listener Question:

I see the Forward Party as planting the seeds for the blossoming of a multiparty democracy. As the initial priority of achieving ranked choice voting state by state is laid out, Forward Party is essentially "the third party for third parties." As the saying goes… "may 1000 third parties bloom."

Think of an alliance for a ranked choice voting policy coalition with other third parties. Namely with the other two largest third parties: Libertarian and Green.

This opens up a very interesting dynamic of politics and particularly centrism. No longer is centrism on a binary scale of red or blue, where the center merely takes a little from the left and a little from the right. What is called: "the mushy middle."

Ultimately, should some sort of coalition of libertarians (small and large L), libertarian-adjacent, liberaltarians, and classical liberals join the Forward Party to launch it toward the future?

36:08: This week's cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

"If Monarchy Is a Must, Keep It Neutral," by Robert Jackman

"In Defense of Not Mourning Queen Elizabeth," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Maybe a Ceremonial Monarchy Can Show the Way to a Less Powerful State," by J.D. Tuccille

"Everyone Wants To Ban Certain Content Online. No One Wants To Talk Enforcement." by Bonnie Kristian

"Poll: Tech Regulation Should Focus on Privacy and Security—Not Breaking Up Big Tech Companies," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Both Democrats and Republicans Want To Break Up Big Tech. Consumers Would Pay the Price." by Veronique de Rugy

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network (AMCN) membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Queen Is Dead. Anarchy in the U.K.? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss President Joe Biden's speech last week in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia as well as energy policy in California.

1:47: Biden's speech in Philadelphia

25:42: Energy policy in California

33:18: Weekly Listener Question:

Whenever I am having a conversation with a die-hard Trump cultist for long enough, I ask the question "Why? Why do you love him so much? What did he actually do for you? He didn't follow through on any campaign promises. He went the opposite direction on several." If I'm speaking with someone who has a more nuanced response than "He talks shit to the people I don't like," it's something like, "He did a lot of deregulation," but they can never name anything specific that was deregulated.

I know Trump did lead some deregulation, but I'm not sure how much made a big difference. I started thinking about the deregulation under Jimmy Carter that I do know about. Everything from airlines to beer brewing. So now, my question is: "Is it possible that Jimmy Carter did more and better deregulation than Donald Trump, and how could we measure this?"

44:47: This week's cultural recommendations.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"In Philadelphia, Joe Biden Peddled a Competing Brand of Authoritarianism," by J.D. Tuccille

"Biden's Presidential Address Was Actually a Campaign Speech," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Trump Disregards Democracy, While Biden Ignores Its Dangers," by Jacob Sullum

"California Legislators Vote To Keep Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Running," by Ronald Bailey

"In a Belated Outburst of Rationality, Germany Decides To Keep Three Nuclear Plants Open," by Ronald Bailey

"Debts Forgiven and Debts Forgotten," by Nick Gillespie

President Biden's job approval, according to RealClear Politics.

"What Capitalism Gets Right – and Governments Get Wrong," a TED Talk by Katherine Mangu-Ward

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Looking for your next podcast? Check out The Political Orphanage. Host Andrew Heaton is one of the funny guys in Reason TV videos—you may have seen him in "Libertarian PBS," "Game of Thrones: Libertarian Edition," or "Desperate Mayors Compete for Amazon HQ2." The Political Orphanage is designed for people who don't feel at home in the Republican or Democratic Parties. Rather than explaining issues as a slap fight between Red Team and Blue Team, Heaton looks for the underlying problems to big issues and cracks jokes along the way. This month, Heaton flew to Berlin to interview a historian about Nazi economics and whether Hitler was a socialist or a capitalist. Over the next two weeks, he's going to talk to comedians about if social justice is a religion. And later this month, he's doing a special on what might happen in the event of nuclear war. The Political Orphanage looks for the basic concepts affecting politics and explains them, so you can make your own mind up instead of just choosing a team to hate. It's a funny, wonky, nonpartisan show with cool guests, and we think you'll enjoy it. So check out The Political Orphanage.
• It can be tough to train your brain to stay in "problem-solving mode" when faced with a challenge in life. But when you learn how to find your own solutions, there's no better feeling. A therapist can help you become a better problem solver, making it easier to accomplish your goals—no matter how big or small. If you're thinking of giving therapy a try, BetterHelp is a great option. It's convenient, accessible, affordable, and entirely online. Get matched with a therapist after filling out a brief survey, and switch therapists any time. When you want to be a better problem solver, therapy can get you there. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Biden's Disturbing Speech Outside Independence Hall appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe as they criticize President Joe Biden's recently announced student loan forgiveness program.

2:07: Biden's executive order to cancel student debt.

29:33: Weekly Listener Question:

Why is the abortion debate within libertarianism treated so dismissively by everyone on The Reason Roundtable? Most other topics are approached with an evenhandedness that attempts to at least acknowledge that those who disagree with the panelists are doing so in good faith and are at least attempting to be reasonable. It's not surprising that everyone on The Roundtable is pro-choice. But why can't you all acknowledge your disagreement with pro-life libertarians is over fundamental values that libertarianism can't resolve? The way you approach the subject makes your own colleagues like Liz Wolfe into pariah libertarians who have no place in the movement. Pro-life libertarians begin with the premise that life starts at conception and that all humans have human rights. Further, in this line of thinking, the most foundational right (if any rights exist at all) is the right to not be killed without just cause. And so we conclude that the right of a baby to not be killed outweighs a woman's right to not be pregnant or not to provide the sustenance a growing baby needs to live in her womb. It is perfectly rational for someone else to say that he values a woman's autonomy more than the rights of a potential human life (or even an actual human life), but these two positions are irreconcilable. Why does everyone on The Roundtable go around masquerading as if their position on abortion is based on pure reason and science and the only acceptable libertarian position instead of acknowledging that it really boils down to values and you don't value a baby's life before she is born more than the mother's autonomy?

49:58: This week's cultural recommendations.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"TGIF: Debts Forgiven and Debts Forgotten," by Nick Gillespie

"Emma Camp: Student Loan Forgiveness Is Bad News and Bad Policy," by Peter Suderman

"The Student Loan Debate Isn't Just About Money. It's About the Experiences Students Like Me Sacrificed." by Fiona Harrigan

"Forgiving Student Debt Without Abolishing the Federal Loan Program Is Morally Wrong," by Robby Soave

"Debate: Forgive Student Debt?" by Intelligence Squared Debates

"Get Ready for the Post-Roe Sex Police!" by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

Looking for your next podcast? Check out The Political Orphanage. Host Andrew Heaton is one of the funny guys in Reason TV videos—you may have seen him in "Libertarian PBS," "Game of Thrones: Libertarian Edition," or "Desperate Mayors Compete for Amazon HQ2."

The Political Orphanage is designed for people who don't feel at home in the Republican or Democratic Parties. Rather than explaining issues as a slap fight between Red Team and Blue Team, Heaton looks for the underlying problems to big issues and cracks jokes along the way. This month, Heaton flew to Berlin to interview a historian about Nazi economics and whether Hitler was a socialist or a capitalist. Over the next two weeks, he's going to talk to comedians about if social justice is a religion. And later this month, he's doing a special on what might happen in the event of nuclear war.

The Political Orphanage looks for the basic concepts affecting politics and explains them, so you can make up your own mind instead of just choosing a team to hate. It's a funny, wonky, nonpartisan show with cool guests, and we think you'll enjoy it. So check out The Political Orphanage.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Student Debt Forgiveness Folly appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie examine the current state of the GOP in the wake of last week's primary elections and continue to reprehend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it announced lackluster reforms.

1:35: GOP as the "Party of Trump"

12:39: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the "Stop WOKE Act"

24:30 : Weekly Listener Question:

What is the smallest size in which a free market can work? Are three people enough or do you need country-sized populations to reap the benefits? We love free trade, but what about when we trade with slavers and criminal regimes? Why would it not be better to close trade to them and just keep most of our trade internal or with our free-ish pals? Is America's market not big enough to reap the benefits of free trade internally even if nobody could/would send us imports? Would we not just creatively find replacements for all the products that we used to import?

38:20: CDC announces reorganization

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Morris P. Fiorina: Why 'Electoral Chaos' Is Here To Stay," by Nick Gillespie

"Federal Judge Blocks Florida Law Banning 'Woke' Workplace Training," by Scott Shackford

"Make the CDC an Infectious Disease Epidemic Fighter Again," by Ronald Bailey

"Every Day Is 'Buy Nothing Day' in North Korea—and Look Where That's Gotten Them," Nick Gillespie

"'Game of Thrones' Economics: Auburn University's Matthew McCaffrey says it's not all Fantasy'," by Tracy Oppenheimer

"Grover Cleveland, The Last Libertarian President," by Paul Whitfield

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Looking for your next podcast? Check out The Political Orphanage. Host Andrew Heaton is one of the funny guys in Reason TV videos—you may have seen him in "Libertarian PBS," "Game of Thrones: Libertarian Edition," or "Desperate Mayors Compete for Amazon HQ2." The Political Orphanage is designed for people who don't feel at home in the Republican or Democrat parties. Rather than explaining issues as a slap fight between Red Team and Blue Team, Heaton looks for the underlying problems to big issues and cracks jokes along the way. He does specials like the causes and solutions to homelessness, or how Spock and Scotty would craft gun policy. And he interviews guests like Justin Amash, Andrew Yang, the Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom, and Daryl Davis—a black jazz musician who has befriended and de-radicalized hundreds of klansmen and neo-Nazis. He also sometimes rants about zoning ordinances. The Political Orphanage looks for the basic concepts affecting politics and explains them, so you can make your own mind up instead of just choosing a team to hate. It's a funny, wonky, nonpartisan show with cool guests, and we think you'll enjoy it. So check out The Political Orphanage.
• How well would you take care of your car if you had to keep the same one your entire life? That's how our brains work, so why don't we treat them that way? How we care for our minds affects how we experience life. So it's important to invest time and care into keeping them healthy. There are plenty of ways to support a healthy brain, like learning a new language or taking power naps. There's also BetterHelp online therapy. BetterHelp offers video, phone, and even live chat–only therapy sessions, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. You can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Party of Trump Rages On appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie huddle on last week's FBI raid of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

2:01: The FBI raid of Trump's home

26:18: Weekly Listener Question:

The U.S. federal government, since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, has monopsonized COVID vaccines and therapies. Yet, I haven't heard any complaints from Reason-ers about this expansion of government into health care long after I think all of us would agree that the "emergency" should be over. And the government's performance has actually kind of sort of been OK in the last 18 months. What gives? There are now those who are using this experience as an argument that we should make ALL of health care single-payer. How would you respond to Dr. Topol and others like him who say, "This proves single-payer works, we should adopt it for everything"? And then, more broadly, while I believe our health care economic system is broken, I don't see a viable political path toward implementing more market-based reforms to introduce competition, incentivize innovation, and bring down prices. Would it make sense for (small-"L") libertarians to basically give up on health care and "make a deal with the devil," compromising on single-payer health care in exchange for liberalization of other areas of the economy that otherwise wouldn't see liberalization?

35:13: The attack on Salman Rushdie and free speech

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Donald Trump's Handling of Classified Material Looks Worse Than Hillary Clinton's," by Jacob Sullum

"Free to Offend," by Robert Poole

"The Truth Hurts," by Jonathan Rauch

"Why We're Having an Everybody Draw Mohammed Contest on Thursday May 20," by Nick Gillespie

"Salman Rushdie and the Cult of Offense," by Graeme Wood

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Looking for your next podcast? Check out The Political Orphanage. Host Andrew Heaton is one of the funny guys in Reason TV videos—you may have seen him in "Libertarian PBS,""Game of Thrones: Libertarian Edition," or "Desperate Mayors Compete for Amazon HQ2." The Political Orphanage is designed for people who don't feel at home in the Republican or Democratic Parties. Rather than explaining issues as a slap fight between Red Team and Blue Team, Heaton looks for the underlying problems to big issues and cracks jokes along the way. He does specials like the causes and solutions to homelessness, or how Spock and Scotty would craft gun policy. And he interviews guests like Justin Amash, Andrew Yang, theAstronomer Royal of the United Kingdom, and Daryl Davis—a black jazz musician who has befriended and de-radicalized hundreds of klansmen and neo-Nazis. He also sometimes rants about zoning ordinances. The Political Orphanage looks for the basic concepts affecting politics and explains them, so you can make your own mind up instead of just choosing a team to hate. It's a funny, wonky, nonpartisan show with cool guests, and we think you'll enjoy it. So check out The Political Orphanage.
• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed: your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Muddling Through the Mar-a-Lago Mess appeared first on Reason.com.

Happy Friday, Reason Roundtable listeners!

You already know Peter Suderman as a panelist on The Reason Roundtable. But now Suderman also has a podcast of his own, The Reason Rundown, which features a single Reason journalist talking about a single big issue every Friday.

This week's guest is another Roundtable member—Matt Welch, who's talking about Democrats' plan to expand the Internal Revenue Service.

It's a fun, informative, personal conversation, and it's the sort of thing you'll hear every week on The Reason Rundown With Peter Suderman. This is the seventh episode of The Reason Rundown, so if you like what you hear, there's more to catch up on (and more to come).

You can listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcast feeds.

Check out some other recent episodes below.

• "Ron Bailey: Will $370 Billion in Green Energy Subsidies Make Any Difference?"
• "Fiona Harrigan: Why Utah Republicans Bucked Trump and Biden on Afghan Refugees"
• "Eric Boehm: Georgia Ballot Access Is Insane"

The post Matt Welch Talks Taxes on <em>The Reason Rundown With Peter Suderman</em> appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie take further issue with provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.

1:43: IRS expansion

10:04: The insulin controversy

25:17: Weekly Listener Question:

I would like to ask you about the state of freedom in the U.S.A. and the state of the U.S.A. in comparison to other developed/industrialized nations. America seems to be significantly less free than the other countries in, for example, mass incarceration, excessive punitive punishments, criminalization of drugs, excessive power concentrated in the executive or the presidency, a militarized police, the prosecution of Assange and Snowden, and, of course, the death penalty. What are your thoughts on that? And, in general, America seems to do less well than the rest of the developed nations when it comes to higher prices of health care, higher prices of high education, higher homicide rates, etc. I understand that those problems are the consequence of flawed and excessive intervention in free markets, but how would you respond to an average (nonlibertarian) person who points out those problems and, specially, someone who blames those problems on the lack of a welfare state?

47:11: Potential takeaways from last week's elections

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Senate Passes $740 Billion 'Inflation Reduction Act' That Will Probably Make Inflation Worse," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Biden's Giveaways Largely Benefit Well-Off Americans," by Peter Suderman

"The Defeat of a Kansas Ballot Initiative Shows That Red-State Voters Don't Necessarily Favor Abortion Bans," by Jacob Sullum

"The Democrats' New Inflation Bill Includes Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles That Don't Exist," by Joe Lancaster

"The Democratic Establishment Teamed Up With Trump To Oust Peter Meijer," by Eric Boehm

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed: your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use the promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.
• How well would you take care of your car if you had to keep the same one your entire life? That's how our brains work, so why don't we treat them that way? How we care for our minds affects how we experience life, so it's important to invest time and care into keeping them healthy. There are plenty of ways to support a healthy brain, like learning a new language or taking power naps. There's also BetterHelp online therapy. BetterHelp offers video, phone, and even live chat–only therapy sessions, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. You can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post There's Nothing Legacy-Defining About the Inflation Reduction Act appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie rail against the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

1:00: Sens. Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) and Joe Manchin's (D–W.Va.) Inflation Reduction Act.

29:28: Weekly Listener Question:

The New York Times has been running an "I Was Wrong" series by its opinion columnists, such as Paul Krugman being wrong on inflation, Michelle Goldberg on Al Franken, and David Brooks on capitalism. If Katherine were to have Reason editors write similar columns, what would the Roundtable members write about?

Mentioned in this podcast:

"The 'Inflation Reduction Act' Won't Actually Reduce Inflation," by Eric Boehm

"Supersizing the IRS Will Hurt the Working Rich, Not Fat-Cat Tax Evaders," by Liz Wolfe

"Schumer, Manchin Strike Deal To Raise Taxes, Cut the Deficit, Spend Billions on Climate Change," by Eric Boehm

"Biden Won't Close the 'Tax Gap,' but He Will Snoop on Your Bank Records," by Matt Welch

"Another Centrist Project Offers Mushy Technocracy To Soothe a Divided Country," by J.D. Tuccille

"Everyone Agrees Government Is a Hot Mess. So Why Does It Keep Getting Bigger Anyway?" by Nick Gillespie

"Biden Is Clueless About Inflation," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Public Trust in Government: 1958-2022," by Pew Research Center

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity. Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed: your computers, tablets, phones…even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use the promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.

Audio production by Luke Allen

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Does the Democrats' New Inflation Bill Have Anything To Do With Inflation? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D–N.Y.) awful marijuana legalization bill.

2:07: The House passes the Respect for Marriage Act.

20:04: Schumer's marijuana legalization bill

36:18: Weekly Listener Question:

What's an idea for a book each of you have secretly wanted to write (can be on anything, politics or otherwise) but have never had the opportunity to or gotten around to, and why? (Bonus points if one of the ideas is "Declaration of Independents II: This Time, It's Anarchical")

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Christians Started the Wedding Wars," by Stephanie Slade

"Chuck Schumer's Doomed Marijuana Monstrosity Is Not a Serious Attempt To Repeal Pot Prohibition," by Jacob Sullum

"The Federal Ban on Medical Marijuana Was Not Lifted," by Jacob Sullum

"The Senate's Election Reform Bill Is Surprisingly Logical and Bipartisan," by Eric Boehm

"Unacknowledged Legislators Impeached," by Tim Cavanaugh

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity. Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed: your computers, tablets, phones…even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. That's just like getting 9 months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use the promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.
• How well would you take care of your car if you had to keep the same one your entire life? That's how our brains work, so why don't we treat them that way? How we care for our minds affects how we experience life. So it's important to invest time and care into keeping them healthy. There are plenty of ways to support a healthy brain, like learning a new language or taking power naps. There's also BetterHelp online therapy. BetterHelp offers video, phone, and even live chat-only therapy sessions, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. You can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Did Congress Just Attempt To Do Its Job? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, Katherine Mangu-Ward returns alongside editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch as they contemplate recent murmurs on the reinstatement of certain COVID-19 restrictions, as well as the general failures of the FDA.

1:25: Masks and COVID security theater

14:00: Abolish the FDA

28:00: Weekly Listener Question:

Bryan Caplan recently shared an old Salon article on Twitter, titled "Libertarians' scary new star: Meet Bryan Caplan, the right's next 'great' philosopher," worrying that he was going to become too influential. Being a Salon piece, it was pretty awful, but one part in particular stuck out to me. "For most of its post-1945 history, libertarianism has lacked thinkers of its own, and its intellectual deficit frequently has been filled by government-hating businessmen with third-rate minds like Peter Thiel, the fatuous crackpot who founded PayPal, and the appallingly dumb Leonard Read." As a libertarian who has done a fair amount of reading on the topics of liberty and capitalism, I was appalled at the ignorance, willful or not, of the writer, and it got me wondering: Who would the esteemed panel members cite as the most influential (or their favorite) post-war libertarian thinkers?

40:42: Lightning round highlights from this year's FreedomFest in Las Vegas.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Abolish the FDA," by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"An Epidemic of Meddling," by Jacob Sullum

"Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business," by Milton Friedman, John Mackey, and T.J. Rodgers

"Doctors Say Federal Bureaucracy Is Keeping Them From Adequately Treating Monkeypox," by Scott Shackford

"Why Do So Few American Women Use IUDs?" by Liz Wolfe

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We have a health care problem in this country. The government is expanding its reach ultimately seeking Medicare for all. Many of you are on healthcare.gov plans, and if you are, ditch it and try something new. CrowdHealth. CrowdHealth is not insurance. It's an alternative way to pay your health care bills. No surprise bills. No doctor networks. Health care can return to being between you and your doctor without government or health insurance interference. Check them out at joincrowdhealth.com and enter promo code "REASON" to get $99 a month for three months.
• Do you feel like you're living in a media bubble? Like it's harder than ever to find views that challenge your own? That's where The Lost Debate steps in. It's a podcast and YouTube show for political eclectics who crave exposure to a diversity of beliefs and perspectives. The Lost Debate covers the latest news, ideas, and trends without the bias and manipulation from the mainstream and alternative media. It's hosted by Ravi Gupta —a former staffer for President Barack Obama and a school principal who fought Republicans at the ballot box and then fought alongside them for charter schools; Cory Bradford—a progressive political organizer turned TikTok star who used to host a Fox News radio show; and Rikki Schlott—a Gen Z New York Post columnist and libertarian fighting to protect free speech. They come from across the political aisle and from different generations but come together for debates that sound less like crossfire and more like discussions between real people. Join the conversation, check out The Lost Debate today! New episodes drop Tuesdays and Thursdays. Find The Lost Debate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Return of Summer Security Theater? Also, Abolish the FDA. appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's The Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch returns alongside editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Stephanie Slade as they dare to consider the earliest (and meaningless) polling and general chatter related to the 2024 presidential campaign.

0:25: Joe Biden 2024 and Democrats

18:49: Post-Dobbs polls on abortion

25:29: "BoJo" banter

33:57: Weekly Listener Question:

I heard about Dutch farmer protests on a social media website (not revealing which one because it is too cringy), and I tried to find out more about what was happening on the interwebs. Couldn't find much coverage in U.S. media, but best I can gather is that the Netherlands adopted a new program to reduce nitrogen emissions that will require farmers to destroy up to 30 percent of their livestock by 2030, which the farmers say will be economically devastating. It would be wonderful to have the experts on The Roundtable shed some light on what is happening and whether this is a good use of government power. I would also like your thoughts on climate change governmental policies generally. They always seem to be hamfisted, arbitrary, and shortsighted or fail to take into account the "unintended consequences" (and I use quotes because if they were thought through better these consequences would not be so surprising).

52:00: Lightning round responses to the question, "How would you change the Constitution?"

This week's links:

"Most Democrats Don't Want Biden in 2024, New Poll Shows," by Shane Goldmacher

"No, Biden, This Is About Freedom and Personal Choice," by Nick Gillespie

"Neal Stephenson's Termination Shock Is a Glorious Sci-Fi Vision of How To Respond to Global Warming, One Geoengineering Problem at a Time," by Peter Suderman

"Evolutionary Ecology," by Lynn Scarlett

"How Would You Change the Constitution?" by John Stossel

"Capitalism Makes You Cleaner," by Matt Welch

Michael Caine on the Dutch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• How well would you take care of your car if you had to keep the same one your entire life? That's how our brains work, so why don't we treat them that way? How we care for our minds affects how we experience life. So it's important to invest time and care into keeping them healthy. There are plenty of ways to support a healthy brain, like learning a new language or taking power naps. There's also BetterHelp online therapy. BetterHelp is online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat-only therapy sessions. So you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. You can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post No One Wants Biden Anymore, Not Even Dems appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's July 4 edition of The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Christian Britschgi ruminate on the so-called Disunited States.

1:24—The current conversation surrounding "National Divorce"

37:55—Weekly Listener Question:

Where does Supreme Court legitimacy come from, and if it was lost, how does it get it back? Is the only cure to New Deal–era judicial activism yet more judicial activism today to rein in the Commerce Clause? Does this enhance its legitimacy because they are being faithful to the Constitution; or does that illegitimate the court because it upends the present order and is wildly unpopular?

41:52—How the editors spent July 4, and "libertarian Festivus"

This week's links:

"Once Again, the Firework Cops Failed To Stop People From Celebrating Freedom With a Boom," by Christian Britschgi

"3 Myths About American Decline," by Nick Gillespie

"70 Percent of Republicans and Democrats Agree: The Other Side Are 'Bullies,'" by Christian Britschgi

"America's Founders Raged Against Qualified Immunity, Trade Restrictions, and Anti-Immigrant Policies," by Eric Boehm

"Randy Barnett: Abortion, Guns, and the Future of the Supreme Court," by Nick Gillespie

"Inside the Mises Caucus Takeover of the Libertarian Party," by Zach Weissmueller, Nick Gillespie, and Danielle Thompson

"Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low," by Jeffrey M. Jones

"Spurred by the Supreme Court, a Nation Divides Along a Red-Blue Axis," by Jonathan Weisman

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AirMedCare Network providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a fifty dollar Visa or Amazon Gift Card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Whenever you look for news, you may feel forced to choose between echo chambers in mainstream media and conspiracy-obsessed alternative media. That's why you should check out The Lost Debate. It's a podcast and YouTube show for political eclectics who want to escape their media bubbles and engage in good faith with ideas from across the political spectrum. The Lost Debate is hosted by: Ravi Gupta—a former staffer for Obama and school principal who founded Arena, an organization that has trained thousands of campaign staffers and helped elect hundreds of candidates Cory Bradford—a political organizer from the Deep South turned Tik Tok star, who once hosted a FOX News radio show. And Rikki Schlott—a Gen Z New York Post columnist and libertarian fighting to protect free speech. They cover the latest news, ideas, and trends that mainstream media overlooks. Instead of being at each other's throats, they focus on bringing new perspectives to the table in constructive debates that sound less like crossfire and more like discussions between real people. Join the conversation… check out The Lost Debate today! New episodes drop twice a week Find The Lost Debate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Is America Heading for a National Divorce? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Damon Root unpack the long-awaited SCOTUS ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade (1973).

1:31: Discussion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

39:06: "Lightning round" on SCOTUS decisions concerning guns and school choice

51:32: Weekly Listener Question: More than most political ideologies, many of the prominent libertarian thinkers were women—Ayn Rand, Rose Wilder Lane, Isabel Paterson, etc. I think it's safe to say that the movement wouldn't exist without them. But libertarianism today, fairly or not, is stereotyped as being almost all men, often men who are, shall we say, not the most socially adept. Why has that stereotype developed? And how do we, in practice, change both the impression and the actual amount of women in the movement? Bonus question: Katherine—which Roundtabler is like which Buffy the Vampire Slayer character? And why is Nick Cordelia Chase (or Faith, though mostly because of the leather jacket aesthetic)?

This week's links:

"Alito's Abortion Ruling Overturning Roe Is an Insult to the 9th Amendment," by Damon Root

"Here Is a State-by-State Rundown of What Will Happen Now That SCOTUS Has Freed Lawmakers To Restrict Abortion," by Jacob Sullum

"Clarence Thomas Calls To 'Reconsider' Gay Marriage, Sodomy Rulings," by Scott Shackford

"Outside the Supreme Court, Our First Glimpse of Post-Roe Politics," by Christian Britschgi

"Get Ready for the Post-Roe Sex Police!" by Nick Gillespie

"In Defense of Roe," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Alito's Leaked Abortion Opinion Misunderstands Unenumerated Rights," by Damon Root

"In Landmark 2nd Amendment Ruling, SCOTUS Affirms Right 'To Carry a Handgun for Self-Defense Outside the Home'," by Damon Root

"School Choice and Religious Liberty Advocates Just Won Big at the Supreme Court," by Damon Root

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AirMedCare Network providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Life can be overwhelming, and many people are burned out without even knowing it. Symptoms can include lack of motivation, irritability, fatigue, and more. We associate burnout with work, but that's not the only cause. Any of our roles in life can lead us to feel burned out. BetterHelp online therapy wants to remind you to prioritize yourself. Talking with someone can help you figure out what's causing stress in your life. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy, and you can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.
• Announcing The Reason Rundown with Peter Suderman.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What's Wrong With Abortion Federalism? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss President Joe Biden's bungled policy statements and abysmal approval ratings.

1:35: Biden botches inflation, gas prices, taxes, and bicycling.

29:21: Weekly Listener Question: Even though most, if not all of you, are resigned to the fate that we'll never see a Libertarian president elected, those of you who do vote typically still vote for the Libertarian candidate, from what I gather. So, my naively hypothetical question is: Were a Libertarian ever elected president, what realistic things would you like to see on their "First 100 Days" agenda? The online libertarian crowd, of course, loves to post routinely about Abolish the Fed, Defund the CIA, Disband the ATF, and much more. Still, in reality, not all libertarian wishes can be granted with the power of a pen and a phone. Rightly so, mind you. Even a well-intentioned liberty-minded dictator is still a dictator, but there are things presidents can do that would be incremental steps toward a society with more freedom. The first thing that comes to mind for me is using executive pardon capabilities for Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, but the list certainly doesn't stop there. So, I'm very interested to hear your Libertarian presidential wish list ranging from complete anarchy as KMW would have it to Nick's likely entirely drug-related list to Peter's statist apologist desires and cocktail party requirements, and even whatever baseball mandates and classic rock reforms Matt would request.

40:35: Polarization in the wake of the upcoming Supreme Court decision on abortion.

46:17: Media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"A Wonky Evisceration of Biden's Bad Deficit Math," by Veronique De Rugy

"Blame High Gas Prices on Red Tape," by J.D. Tuccille

"Fixing Our Economic Woes Is as Easy as Looking to the Past," by Bruce Yandle

"Political Violence Escalates in a Fracturing U.S.," by J.D. Tuccille

"Kamala Harris Is a Cop Who Wants To Be President," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Remarks by President Biden at the 29th AFL-CIO Quadrennial Constitutional Convention," by Joe Biden

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing on speed: your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy.  Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Biden Falls Off the Metaphorical Bike appeared first on Reason.com.

This week on The Reason Roundtable, senior editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman discuss the beginning of the January 6 hearings, the inflation crisis reaching new heights, and the results of the June 7 elections.

1:24: The January 6 hearings

20:23 Inflation reaches its highest level in 40 years.

31:01 Weekly Listener Question: Who is in charge at the White House? Several times we've heard the president make off-the-cuff remarks only to have the "White House" walk it back afterward. Who's making that call? Who speaks for the White House? Obviously the president isn't the one running the show. Is our government a reboot of Weekend at Bernie's? Who is the man behind the curtain we are not supposed to pay attention to? How did they get this position?

40:42 Last Tuesday's elections

46:58 Media recommendations

This week's links:

"'Seditious Conspiracy' Charges for Proud Boys Taint January 6 Prosecutions," by J.D. Tuccille

"Inside Biden's frustration with soaring prices," by Tyler Pager

"Out of Desperation, Democrats Resurrect 'Insurrection' Theater," by Ron Paul

"The January 6 Hearings May Be Surprisingly Worthwhile," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"Why the Memory of Jan 6. Can't Prevent a Trump Resurgence," by Ross Douthat

"Biden Is Clueless About Inflation," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"What the Chesa Boudin Recall Means for America," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Is California Over?" by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor 

"10 Republican Voters in Swing States on Trump's Hold on the Party," by Patrick Healy and Adrian J. Rivera

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's Sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an
  emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/Reason and use offer code REASON.
• Life can be overwhelming, and many people are burned out without even knowing it. Symptoms can include lack of motivation, irritability, fatigue, and more. We associate burnout with work, but that's not the only cause. Any of our roles in life can lead us to feel burned out. BetterHelp online therapy wants to remind you to prioritize yourself. Talking with someone can help you figure out what's causing stress in your life. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy, and you can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.
• The Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Brian Doherty talk Dirty Pictures

Audio production by Luke Allen

Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki and Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Why Is Biden So Utterly Useless on Inflation? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie scrutinize Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' style of conservatism and touch on President Joe Biden's upcoming visit with the House of Saud.

1:28: DeSantis and his approach to governance

30:36: Weekly Listener Question: You guys occasionally talk about the Libertarian Party, and you might be aware of the recent convention which saw power go to one faction that many describe as quite alienating. This has led to many of the traditional libertarians leaving the party altogether. My question for you all is do you think that the Libertarian Party is necessary for facilitating more libertarian representation in politics? If not, how do you see libertarian ideals grow in the traditional duopoly?

38:39: Biden's forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia

52:30: Media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"The Death of Walt Disney's Private Dream City?" by Zach Weissmueller and Danielle Thompson

"Anti-LGBT Panics Are Bad for Everyone's Liberty," by Scott Shackford

"Blame Biden for High Gas Prices," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor

"Saudi Prince's Plan for 'Walkable' City of Single-File Buildings Could Be Two Miles-Long Skyscrapers Instead," by Christian Britschgi

"Alex Epstein: Why the Future Needs More Fossil Fuels," by Nick Gillespie 

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• The Reason Speakeasy: Nick Gillespie and Brian Doherty talk 'Dirty Pictures'

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve     

The post Is DeSantis a Principled Governor or a Retaliatory Culture Warrior? appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie consider the slate of policy prescriptions on offer in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting.

1:21: the gun control debate after Uvalde

27:41: Weekly Listener Question: My question to you pertains to guns and gun culture, specifically "Where are the gun nuts?" Where at Reason or elsewhere in the high-profile, opinion journalism world are the people who love guns or at least enjoy being a gun owner, enjoy going to the shooting range or participating in shooting competitions or what have you? Why aren't they more common among the pro-liberty or even the conservative press? It seems to me that there is a class divide in this country on guns. Upper-middle to upper class urban dwellers (such as the media class) all seem to hate guns and do not partake in gun culture, while more "blue-collar" and, of course, rural Americans are heavily into guns yet get little to no representation in media. Is there a class element to the gun control debate which is not being given proper attention?

49:08: the Libertarian National Convention and the Mises Caucus

1:00:54: media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"If You Want Protection for Your Loved Ones, Do It Yourself," by J.D. Tuccille

"Unfazed by the Second Amendment, Democrats Want To Ban Gun Purchases by Young Adults," by Jacob Sullum

"While Dying Children Called 911 for Help, 19 Uvalde Police Waited in the Hallway. For 45 Minutes.," by Robby Soave

"There Have Been 13 Mass School Shootings Since 1966, Not 27 This Year," by Robby Soave

"Mises Caucus Takes Control of Libertarian Party," by Brian Doherty

"Netflix Airs Ricky Gervais' Controversial Standup, Chooses Actual Entertaining Over Woke Pandering," by Liz Wolfe

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Life can be overwhelming, and many people are burned out without even knowing it. Symptoms can include lack of motivation, irritability, fatigue, and more. We associate burnout with work, but that's not the only cause. Any of our roles in life can lead us to feel burned out. BetterHelp online therapy wants to remind you to prioritize yourself. Talking with someone can help you figure out what's causing stress in your life. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy, and you can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Cops, Gun Restrictions, and Mass Shootings appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie question the $40 billion aid package to Ukraine and describe the impact of rising interest rates on public policy.

1:10: The aid package to Ukraine.

22:25: Weekly Listener Question: I work as a rural mail carrier for USPS. I am confronted on a daily basis with stupidity and bureaucracy. My question is, How do you fight bureaucracy, not only from the Post Office but government in general? Is bureaucracy ever good? Is it always harmful?

35:10: Continued uncertainty around inflation and interest rates.

44:28: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links: 

"What's Next for Russia's War in Ukraine?" by J.D. Tuccille

"Everyone Agrees Government Is a Hot Mess. So Why Does It Keep Getting Bigger Anyway?" by Nick Gillespie

"Why Low Interest Rates Are Bad News for Public Pension Plans," by Alix Ollivier

"Iraq and the Marshall Plan," by Tyler Cowen

"Race and Gender Checks Coming to a Boardroom Near You," by Matt Welch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor: We have a health care problem in this country. The government is expanding its reach, ultimately seeking Medicare for All. Many of you are on healthcare.gov plans, and if you are, ditch it and try something new. CrowdHealth. CrowdHealth is not insurance. It's an alternative way to pay your health care bills. No surprise bills. No doctor networks. Health care can return to being between you and your doctor without government or health insurance interference. Check them out at joincrowdhealth.com, and enter promo code REASON to get $99/month for three months.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Blundering Into Escalation in Ukraine? appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie debunk the "great replacement theory" and highlight some particularly awful responses to recent economic woes.

1:31—The Buffalo mass shooting and "great replacement theory"

28:34- Weekly Listener Question: Matt's prompt this week to evaluate why the audience listens to the Roundtable podcast pushed me to pose a question that's been on my mind for a while: *What is one general principle, or area of practical politics, that each of you feels you disagree with the most of the others on the Roundtable about?* I regularly listen to several political roundtable podcasts to help me triangulate my views on issues, and to my ear your podcast—which I do enjoy—can often be summarized as follows: "[Insert name here], is such-and-such action by the government a good idea?" "No." I don't identify as a libertarian, so there are very likely subtleties to your views that I don't pick up on as a layman. But I would be curious to hear in your own words how you feel your viewpoints are distinct.

37:19—Bad responses to current economic hardship

49:05—Media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"The Replacement Theory—And Terrorist Practice," by Cathy Young

"Bad Policy Creates Inflation and Opens the Door to Even Worse Ideas," by J.D. Tuccille

"The Demented – and Selective – Game of Instantly Blaming Political Opponents for Mass Shootings," by Glenn Greenwald

"Buffalo Shooting Will Prompt Measures 'To Combat Domestic Terrorism,' Says Pelosi," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy. People don't always realize that physical symptoms like headaches, teeth-grinding and even digestive issues can be indicators of stress. And let's not forget about doom-scrolling, sleeping too little, sleeping too much, undereating, and overeating. Stress shows up in all kinds of ways. And in a world that's telling you to do more, sleep less, and grind all the time, here's your reminder to take care of yourself, do less, and maybe try some therapy. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. Give it a try and see if online therapy can help lower your stress. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp dot com slash roundtable. That's BetterHelp.com/roundtable.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a fifty dollar Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Repulsive Replacement Theory and Economic Delusions appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie unpack the leaked draft opinion concerning abortion.

1:31: The great Dobbs debate

29:17: Weekly Listener Question: It seems to me that ostensibly "public health" or "public good" policies at their core often betray a deep condescension on the part of the "people in charge." In the case of cigarettes, Jacob Sullum says that the ban suggests that "consumers are no match for Big Tobacco's persuasive wiles," and similarly, it seems like a lot of the mis/disinformation discourse imagines the American public as empty vessels, just waiting to be filled with Russian propaganda, vaccine misinformation, claims of election fraud, or whatever the topic of the moment is, and assumes that people just simply aren't smart enough or capable to determine what's true from what isn't. Katherine touched on the importance of media literacy this week, and all of you have touched on it in different ways in other episodes, but I'd be interested in hearing more about how you see the role that personal responsibility should have in figuring out the quality of information.

46:27 Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links: 

"Josh Blackman: Sam Alito, Roe v. Wade, and Libertarians," by Nick Gillespie

"What the Leaked Abortion Opinion Gets Wrong About Unenumerated Rights," by Damon Root

"The Impact of Overturning Roe v. Wade Will Be Less Dramatic Than Abortion-Rights Activists Fear," by Jacob Sullum

"A Taxonomy To Measure Supreme Court Leaks," by Josh Blackman

"Marco Rubio Wants To Fight Abortion and Trans Battles in the Tax Code," by Joe Lancaster

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Do you feel like you're living in a media bubble? Like it's harder than ever to find views that challenge your own? That's where The Lost Debate steps in. It's a podcast and YouTube show for political eclectics who crave exposure to a diversity of beliefs and perspectives. The Lost Debate covers the latest news, ideas, and trends without the bias and manipulation from mainstream and alternative media. It's hosted by Ravi Gupta, a former staffer for Barack Obama and school principal who fought Republicans at the ballot box and then fought alongside them for charter schools; Cory Bradford, a progressive political organizer turned TikTok star who used to host a Fox News radio show; and Rikki Schlott, a Gen Z New York Post columnist and libertarian fighting to protect free speech. They come from across the political aisle and from different generations but come together for debates that sound less like crossfire and more like discussions between real people. Join the conversation. Check out The Lost Debate today! New episodes drop Tuesdays and Thursdays. Find The Lost Debate on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!

Audio production by Robin Shore
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Alito, Abortion, and Autonomy appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss the formation of the "Disinformation Governance Board," as well as President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.

1:38: The "Disinformation Governance Board," brought to you by DHS

26:58: Weekly Listener Question: I have often heard Nick make the case for a welfare state that is designed to go to those that need it over universal systems such as all the old age retirement programs. I find "need rather than universal" compelling. However, per Nick's book recommendation The High Cost of Good Intentions, I don't see how we can have a reasonable expectation that any system designed to help the needy does not become universal. It seems the history of the U.S. is almost entirely one that is for expanding safety nets to people who don't need it (but would nonetheless like "free" stuff). I can't see anyone running on a platform that goes against entitlements and winning (long-term). The person who runs on either keeping entitlements the same or expanding them will always beat the person who says we need to reduce the number of people receiving the entitlements. So my question is: Is the idea of a welfare state strictly for the needy utopian?

32:39: Biden's latest proposal for student loan forgiveness 

48:30: Media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"New DHS Board Seeks To Counter What It Thinks Is Disinformation," by Joe Lancaster

"Homeland Security Chief Admits New Disinformation Board Already Did a Bad Job of Informing Public," by Robby Soave

Tracing The Truth with Emmanuelle Saliba

"Elizabeth Warren Wants Joe Biden To Deliver a Massive, Illegal Handout to the Well-Off," by Peter Suderman

"Are Millennials Responsible for Their Own Student Debt?" by Nick Gillespie

"3 Reasons We Shouldn't Bail Out Student Loan Borrowers," by Nick Gillespie and Meredith Bragg

"The FDA's Menthol Cigarette Ban Is a 'Racial Justice' Issue, but Not in the Way Its Supporters Mean," by Jacob Sullum

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy. People don't always realize that physical symptoms like headaches, teeth-grinding, and even digestive issues can be indicators of stress. And let's not forget about doom-scrolling, sleeping too little, sleeping too much, undereating, and overeating. Stress shows up in all kinds of ways. And in a world that's telling you to do more, sleep less, and grind all the time, here's your reminder to take care of yourself, do less, and maybe try some therapy. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. Give it a try, and see if online therapy can help lower your stress. The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable. 

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Hunt Beaty
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve 

The post The DHS Will Be Disinformation Dolts appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss the broad implications of the unfolding DeSantis vs. Disney saga.

1:26: DeSantis vs. Disney continues. 

33:39: Weekly Listener Question: I'm wondering when it becomes ethical and even required under one's belief in liberty to begin enacting civil disobedience? In this case, I was thinking about riding the U-Bahn maskless, as a forty-something man publicly disobeying the most visible of the restrictions might invite others to question the wisdom of the policy. It's relatively low-risk as I'm triple-vaxxed, as is 75 percent of Hamburg, so I wouldn't be unnecessarily risking others' health, and they can wear a mask anyway. It's also a 40-euro fine, but I'd be willing to eat that cost for the statement of principle.

I acknowledge that state power is strongest in a time of emergency, but we're two years in at this point and have had vaccines for almost a year. And I realize that I could cause myself visa headaches. But, aside from that, is there any ethical reason not to begin a personal campaign of civil disobedience if I object strongly enough to the rules that look like they'll never go away or, at least, that the people in charge hope will never go away?

44:51: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links: 

"Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business" by Milton Friedman, John Mackey, and T.J. Rodgers

"DeSantis Calls for End of Walt Disney World's Self-Rule" by Scott Shackford

"DeSantis Understands the Best Defense Is a Good Offense" by Jon Gabriel

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed: your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings. 

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Why Conservatives Are Wrong To Punish Disney appeared first on Reason.com.

On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, Katherine Mangu-Ward is back with Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie. The editors each describe a tax they would like repealed and unpack Elon Musk's attempt to purchase Twitter.

1:52: Taxes worth repealing

17:43: Commonly held notions about taxation that should be refuted

25:30: Elon Musk's ongoing attempt to purchase Twitter

41:52: Weekly Listener Question: Mickey Mouse is set to enter the public domain in 2024 unless Congress acts to amend copyright law (as they did to avoid this same scenario in the past). I read Joe Lancaster's very informative recent piece on this topic for Reason, and of course, I agree that denying or granting such an extension on the basis of what ideology Disney does or doesn't promote is ridiculous. But I was surprised to see it presented as an obvious libertarian position that the copyright should be allowed to expire. It seems to me that putting Mickey Mouse—a piece of intellectual property actively being used by its creator to generate further original work—into the public domain would contrast with the typical libertarian support of strong property rights. Is intellectual property so different from physical property? And wouldn't it likely reduce net creativity if other creators could make easier money by just copying Mickey than by creating their own original characters? How does the panel feel about the state of copyright law? Does Suderman think other studios should be able to start making cheap filler movies with Marvel characters a few decades from now? Do we need a new form of intellectual property protection in an era when corporate creative enterprises can thrive for so many decades? Please share your thoughts; if I need money 75 years from now, I can sell copies of them.

51:36: Media recommendations for the week

This week's links: 

"Tax Day Is Here, Because Government Bungling Won't Pay for Itself," by J.D. Tuccille

"Americans Will Spend 6.5 Billion Hours on Income Taxes this Year," by Eric Boehm

"Gatekeepers Very Afraid that Elon Musk Will Remove the Gates From Twitter," by Matt Welch

"Musk bid for Twitter underscores the risks of social media ownership," by Joseph Menn, Cat Zakrzewski, and Craig Timberg

"Elon Musk Demonstrates How Little He Understands About Content Moderation," by Mike Masnick

"Abolish Copyrights and Patents? A Soho Forum Debate," by Gene Epstein

"Too Much Copyright," by Zach Weissmueller

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCare Network.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• Did you know opening a charitable investment account is as simple as opening a brokerage or checking account? More Americans are discovering the financial tool, known as a donor-advised fund, and using the account to maximize potential tax benefits and to give to the causes they love. DonorsTrust is unique. It serves charitable givers who love our Constitution and the freedoms it protects. It's the oldest and largest donor-advised-fund provider committed to those principles. That's why more and more people are starting new funds or even moving their charitable dollars from the big national donor-advised funds. Do you want to partner with an organization that honors your values, helps streamline and grow your impact, and also connects you with charities promoting individual freedom, personal responsibility, and free markets? If so, visit www.donorstrust.org/reason to download our prospectus and discover whether a donor-advised fund with DonorsTrust is right for you. That's www.donorstrust.org/reason to find out how you can make a greater impact with your giving. Visit www.donorstrust.org/reason.
• BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. Give it a try, and see if online therapy can help lower your stress. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, and The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable. That's BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Musk? And Yes, Taxation Is Still Theft. appeared first on Reason.com.

On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, with Katherine Mangu-Ward out, Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Fiona Harrigan discuss the latest on the war in Ukraine and the ongoing Disney "groomer" panic.

1:37: Ukraine update: What the U.S. should and shouldn't do in Ukraine

19:27: The great "groomer" debate.

38:01: Weekly Listener Question: "Can a tent be too big? I understand the definition of libertarianism is fluid, but there has to be limits to that. Any time someone tries to nail down a few ideas, it's always countered with them saying "no true Scotsman fallacy" or "libertarianism is the goal, but we need to be pragmatic in the short term". All of this, however, is a convoluted way for me to say the LP of NH, the Mises Caucus, and last week's Roundtable emailer are not libertarian and should stop using the word. DeSantinistas, Trumpers, pro-Putin trad cons, and all right-wing reactionaries need to be disavowed and loudly."

This week's links: 

"The Case for Pursuing the Issue of Russian War Crimes in Ukraine—Even Though Putin is Highly Unlikely to Ever be Tried and Punished" by Ilya Somin

"From Iraq to Ukraine, the American Press Loves a War" by Fiona Harrigan

"Ukraine Crisis: U.S. Must Use Restraint" by Nick Gillespie

"'Equity,' 'Multiculturalism,' and 'Racial Prejudice,' Among Concepts That Could Be Banned in Schools by Wisconsin Bill" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

"40 Years of Free Minds and Free Markets" by Brian Doherty

"Goodnight, Moonshot" by Matt Welch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity. Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either.  IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online.

IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers.

You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing on speed: your computers, tablets, phones…even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple.

Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's just like getting 9 months for free.

IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button, and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy.  Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. 

Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings. That's I-P-V-A-N-I-S-H.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser

Assistant production by Hunt Beaty and Adam Czarnecki

Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Real War in Ukraine and the Culture War in Florida appeared first on Reason.com.

A Friday bonus Reason Roundtable! Live from Reason Weekend in Nashville.

In the latest special Friday Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss President Joe Biden's student loan moratorium extension and Big Labor.

14:47: The Biden administration's student loan moratorium extension

34:52: Biden and Big Labor

40:58: Editors answer questions from a live audience at Reason Weekend.

This week's links:

"Mad Genius" by Matt Welch

"40 Years of Free Minds and Free Markets" by Brian Doherty

"Once Again, Joe Biden Extends the Moratorium on Federal Student Loan Repayment" by Corey Walker

"Biden's Coronavirus Relief Package Has Almost Nothing to Do With the Coronavirus" by Peter Suderman

"Canceling Putin, Canceling Russians" by Katherine Mangu-Ward

"The Big Labor President" by Matt Welch

The post A Friday Bonus <em>Reason Roundtable</em>! Live From Reason Weekend in Nashville. appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss President Joe Biden's newly proposed budget and wealth tax.

1:29: Biden's budget proposal.

7:31: Biden wants a wealth tax.

36:36: Weekly listener question: "With respect to the school curriculum debates, I can easily imagine various tradcons responding to Nick's take ('Let schools teach what they want') in the following manner: 'Teacher schools in America are, in effect, progressive indoctrination camps. So when you have a libertarian approach to curriculum, the de facto result is all these progressive teachers indoctrinating your kids with warmed-over Marxism. This is a perfect example of libertarianism being tantamount to surrender in the culture war. Putatively neutral policies, in fact, tilt heavily leftward.' Given that some members of the panel have first-hand experience with their kids imbibing wokeism at their public schools, what say you to this critique?"

This week's links:

• "Biden Is Clueless About Inflation," by Nick Gillespie and Regan Taylor
• "Biden's Economy Is Extraordinary. But Inflation Is Still The Achilles' Heel Of Democrats" by Jennifer Rubin
• Joe Biden's Twitter
• "How Biden's Agenda Is Causing Inflation" by Nick Gillespie
• "Want To Stop School Book Battles? Give Parents Real Choice in Education" by Nick Gillespie
• "The 19 Percent Solution" by Nick Gillespie and Veronique De Rugy
• "Joe Manchin on Biden's Wealth Tax: 'You Can't Tax Something That's Not Earned.'" by Peter Suderman
• "Biden's Desperate Wealth Tax Flip-Flop" by Peter Suderman

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon Gift Card with a new membership. Simply visit  AirMedCare Network.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• People don't always realize that physical symptoms like headaches, teeth-grinding, and even digestive issues can be indicators of stress. And let's not forget about doom-scrolling, sleeping too little, sleeping too much, under-eating, and overeating. Stress shows up in all kinds of ways. And in a world that's telling you to do more, sleep less, and grind all the time, here's your reminder to take care of yourself, do less, and maybe try some therapy. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone,
  and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy. Give it a try and see if online therapy can help lower your stress. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, and The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Joe Biden Wants To Spend How Much? On What Now? appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss the violent turn at an otherwise standard Oscar Sunday as well as President Joe Biden's regrettable remark on Russia.

1:56: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars

13:51: Biden calls for regime change in Russia

27:49: Weekly listener question: "Do you think the U.S. has moved from a society of 'tolerance' to one of 'forced acceptance'? And based on your answer, do you think that's a positive or a negative? It seems to me that major 'culture war' issues bubble up when they are forced upon adults or involve children. For instance: No one really cared about drag queens until drag queen story hours. No one really cared about the trans movement until the bathroom bills and sports issues. Many more examples could be named, I'm sure."

40:55: Supreme Court hearings and thoughts about Ketanji Brown Jackson.

This week's links:

• "Be Like Chris Rock," by Eric Boehm
• "Josh Hawley's Attack on Ketanji Brown Jackson Illustrates the Emotionalism She Criticized," by Jacob Sullum
• "Biden says Putin 'cannot remain in power'," by Kevin Liptak and Maegan Vazquez
• Jacqui Heinrich's Twitter

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on your computers, tablets, phones…even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data are encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off its yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money-back guarantee.. That's like getting 9 months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button and you're instantly protected. You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. So go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE—and claim your 70 percent savings.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon Gift Card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCare Network.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Will Smith and Joe Biden Both Messed Up appeared first on Reason.com.

In the latest Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss a recent editorial in The New York Times and a wave of laws regulating school curriculums.

1:42: The New York Times' editorial on the state of free speech in America.

24:47: Lawmakers trying to ban certain content from being taught in schools.

31:56: Weekly listener question: Who do you think was the best postwar president? P.S. Is the Western the ultimate libertarian genre?

This week's links:

• "America Has A Free Speech Problem," by the New York Times editorial board
• "Self-Cancellation, Deplatforming, and Censorship," by Nick Gillespie
• Google Trends, "Cancel Culture"

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Did you know opening a charitable investment account is as simple as opening a brokerage or checking account? More Americans are discovering a financial tool known as a donor-advised fund, and are using the account to maximize potential tax benefits and give to the causes they love. DonorsTrust is unique. It serves charitable givers who love our Constitution and the freedoms it protects. It's the oldest and largest donor-advised-fund provider committed to those principles. That's why more and more people are starting new funds or even moving their charitable dollars from the big national donor-advised funds. Do you want to partner with an organization that honors your values, helps streamline and grow your impact and also connects you with charities promoting individual freedom, personal responsibility and free markets? If so, visit www.donorstrust.org/reason to download our prospectus and discover whether a donor-advised fund with DonorsTrust is right for you. Find out how you can make a greater impact with your giving.
• You may not be feeling down and out and depressed, or like you're at a total
  loss. But if your stress is high, if your temper is shorter than usual, or even if you're starting to feel strain in any of your relationships, you could probably use the chance to unload the stress and get it out. Talk to someone who's completely unbiased about your life. Someone who isn't going to judge you or take sides on anything. When there are things you can't tell anyone, or feel like you can't unload to family and friends, you need to unload it, and that's what therapy can be. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy, and you can start communicating with your therapist in under 48 hours. Unload the stressors and get some unbiased feedback: You'd be pretty surprised at what you might gain from it. See if it's for you. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, and The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10 percent off their first month at BetterHelp.com/roundtable.
• Hey, New Yorkers! Are you sick and tired of cancel culture and thought police? Are you looking for live, unfettered conversations with maverick thinkers? Then come out on Monday, April 4, to see a live taping of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie featuring Columbia neuroscientist Carl Hart, author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear. Doors open at 6 p.m. at Caveat Theater and Bar, 21-A Clinton Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Tickets cost $10. In an age when the drug war is being challenged like never before, Carl Hart is breaking bold new ground on how we think about drugs and individual freedom, even copping to his own recreational use of heroin. "I do not have a drug-use problem," he declares. "Never have…I pay my taxes, serve as a volunteer in my community…and contribute to the global community as an informed and engaged citizen." Reason's own Nick Gillespie will talk with him about that and his pathbreaking research on addiction, how he turned from an ardent supporter of the drug war to one of its leading critics, elitism within the legalization movement, and how he talks with his kids and students about responsible drug use. Go to reason.com/events for details.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Canceling the Cancel Culture Deniers appeared first on Reason.com.

Reason editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss U.S. foreign policy debacles other than the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

28:15: Weekly listener question: I was wondering if you could discuss alternative strategies to address Russia. For example, can we weaponize immigration policy instead of solely relying on money for weapons systems and sanctions? What if the U.S. issued an uncapped number of visas to any Russian citizen? What if we provided immediate U.S. citizenship to any active duty Russian soldiers and their families who surrender? Could be interesting if you include bonuses to defecting soldiers for bringing their equipment—$1,000 for a rifle, $100,000 for a tank, $1 million for a MiG… all much cheaper than weapons used against them. Seems like the army would rapidly depopulate, and Putin couldn't backfill if millions of Russian citizens decamped for the U.S. You'd also get the side benefit of eliminating any labor shortages and maybe do something real against inflation, so I think it's a fun idea, but I'd appreciate your thoughts on this idea or any other alternative strategy for dealing with the Russian conflict.

This week's links:

• "Biden Takes Big Step Toward Government-Backed Digital Currency" by Jason Abbruzzese and Kevin Collier
• Townhall.com tweet
• "How the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Upended Germany" by Alec MacGillis
• "Biden's Hidden War Is Destroying Yemen" by Fiona Harrigan

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on your computers, tablets, phones, even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. You can use IPVanish on unlimited devices without sacrificing speed. Whether I'm at home or in public, I don't go online anymore without using IPVanish. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's just like getting 9 months for free. IPVanish is super easy to use. All you have to do is tap one button and you're instantly protected.  You won't even know it's on. Stop sharing with the world everything you watch, everything you search for, and everything you buy. Take your privacy back today with the brand rated 4.6/5 on Trustpilot. Go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings. 
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an
  emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with
  high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. AMCN providers are called upon to transport more than 100,000 patients a year. This is coverage no family should be without. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Joe Biden Gaslights America About Gas Prices appeared first on Reason.com.

Reason editors Matt Welch, Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie discuss attempts to isolate Russia from the rest of the world.

2:28: Americans boycotting all things Russia.

31:26: Weekly listener question: The Cork Opera House canceled an upcoming performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet. FIFA has said that Russia will not be allowed to compete in the World Cup. And the Eurovision Song Contest announced Russia will not participate in the 2022 show. On the Reason website, Christian Britschgi (March 2, 2022) makes the case that Russian civilians are not in any way responsible for this or any of the actions of an authoritarian government: "Russian tanks have entered Ukraine, so Disney's films can't enter Moscow's cinemas?" The Economist tweeted, "The world must be willing to bleed Vladimir Putin's regime of the resources that enable him to wage war and abuse his own people even if that imposes costs on Western economies." I suspect that sanctions, such as the ones The Economist calls for, will hurt the most vulnerable in Russia's population. I think there is something of a consensus that Putin believes that Russia ought to be an imperialist nation, and he craves to be a large player on the world stage, such that Russia is respected as a world-class power. Is it possible that the snubbing of Russian performances will have no effect on Putin?

41:22: Biden's State of the Union address

This week's links:

• "Congress Tees Up a Plan To Seize Russian Yachts and Properties in the US — and Sell Them for Ukraine Aid," by Juliana Kaplan, Ben Winck, Joseph Zeballos-Roig, and Hillary Hoffower
• "International Cat Federation Bans Russian Cats From Competition," by Jennifer Hassan

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon Gift Card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason, and use offer code REASON.
• You may not be feeling down and out, depressed, or like you're at a total loss. But if your stress is high, your temper is shorter than usual, or even if you're starting to feel strain in any of your relationships, you could probably use the chance to unload. Unload the stress and get it out. Talk to someone who's completely unbiased about your life, someone who isn't going to judge you or take sides on anything. When there are things you can't tell anyone or feel like you can't unload to family and friends, you need to unload it, and that's what therapy can be. BetterHelp is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist, so you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy, and you can start communicating with your therapist in under 48 hours. Unload the stressors, and get some unbiased feedback. You'd be pretty surprised at what you might gain from it. See if it's for you. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp and The Reason Roundtable listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/Roundtable. That's BetterHelp.com/Roundtable.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Sanctions Won't Defeat Russia appeared first on Reason.com.

Reason editors Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Peter Suderman discuss the world's reaction to the ongoing Russian invasion as well as what they'd like to hear in President Joe Biden's SOTU speech.

Discussed in this show:

3:23: The world reacts to Russia's invasion.

44:15: Weekly listener question: I've been an avid Reason fan for over a decade, and as a result, I now implicitly trust Reason. While I know that Reason speaks to issues from a certain point of view, I feel like I "know" the four of you and the magazine generally well enough to trust that there is no nefarious or otherwise deceptive intent behind what you provide. Which individual journalists or outlets do you all implicitly trust in this way? Obligatory mention of Peter and cocktails. Thanks.

59:41: President Biden's State of the Union

This week's links:

• "EU Moves Toward Ousting Russia From SWIFT As German Shifts," by Alberto Nardelli, Milda Seputyte, John Follain, Arne Delfs
• David French
• Jack Shafer
• Michael Powell
• Timothy Garton Ash
• Doug Arellanes
• "A Year Ago, the Media Mangled the Covington Catholic Story. What Happened Next Was Even Worse." by Robby Soave

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity? Using incognito mode won't solve the problem either.  IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. IPVanish helps you safely browse the internet without exposing your private details to third parties, such as hackers, your ISP, or advertisers. You can use IPVanish on your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. Even your physical location will be hidden. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. It's that simple. So go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70% savings.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon Gift Card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Zelenskyy Goes Viral, Russia Goes Nuclear appeared first on Reason.com.

With Matt Welch out, Peter Suderman hosts John Osterhoudt, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie on their thoughts on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the reactions to it across the political spectrum.

Discussed in this show:

0:34: Russia's invasion of Ukraine

35:12: Blue state's rolling back mask mandates

50:16: Weekly listener question: Hi Roundtable! Misery loves company. As such, I would love to find like-minded liberty-loving individuals to commiserate within my very blue Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Of course, I do my share of screaming into the Twitter void (@nwwong) but want to build out my network of local libertarians to discuss more specific issues, how to tackle them, and even possibly launch a campaign for a local
office. I'm hesitant to join the party, as I believe it would make things harder if I ever decided to run for a seat in MA; so what is another way to find friends short of "Tinder for Liberals"? Thanks, and keep up the great work!

This week's links:

• "Why Ukraine Is Different," by David Leonhardt
• "Florida governor signs sweeping laws against vaccine, mask mandates," by Alex Pickett
• "This Texas Town Rejected Stimulus Money to Avoid Vaccine Mandates," by John Osterhoudt (Video)
• "Artist Ai WeiWei Warns of Chinese and American Authoritarianism," by Meredith Bragg (Video)
• "Populist Flamethrowers Rock Media" by Neal Rothschild and Sara Fischer

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

The post What Ukraine and Joe Rogan Have in Common appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie talk about the ongoing protests in Ottawa, the Super Bowl, the next framework for political engagement, and more on this Monday's Reason's Roundtable.

Discussed in this show:

2:15: The reopening of the Ambassador Bridge amidst the ongoing trucker protests.

32:23: Weekly listener question: My vaccination status notwithstanding, I am mandate-hesitant and am reluctant to trust Drs. Fauci and Wallensky most of the time. I would like
to hear the panel's thoughts on the Johns Hopkins meta-analysis report that was released last week, indicating lockdowns had provided a .2% effect on mortality and suggesting they should be avoided to combat this virus. My frustration is that this report was virtually buried by most left-leaning media, and probably oversimplified by the right. Does the panel think this study should have got more play or did it have flaws in their
analysis?

40:32: The current state of political engagement and its future.

45:46: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium," by Martin Gurri
• "Justin Trudeau Condemns Convoy Protesting Pandemic Restrictions" by Dan Bilefsky and Vjosa Isai
• NBC News Exclusive: One-on-one with President Biden
• "WATCH: Boston Dynamics Robots Dance, Drink Beer In Super Bowl Ad With Sam Adams."
• "Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg headline hip-hop halftime show as Eminem takes a knee." by Caryn Ganz
• Aaron Ginn Twitter

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsor:

• Tired of feeling like someone's always watching you on the internet? Maybe advertisers know a bit too much about you, or you're concerned about the privacy of your identity. Using incognito mode won't solve the problem. IPVanish VPN is here to protect your right to privacy and help you stay anonymous online. You can use IPVanish on your computers, tablets, phones… even devices like your Firestick when you're streaming media. When you use IPVanish, all of your data is encrypted. This means that your private details, passwords, communications, browsing history, and more will be completely shielded from falling into the wrong hands. IPVanish is offering an incredible 70 percent off their yearly plan for our listeners with a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's just like getting nine months for free. So go to IPVANISH.com/roundtable and use the promotional code ROUNDTABLE to claim your 70 percent savings.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Adam Czarnecki
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Canadian Truck Protests Aren't Just About Vaccines. They're About Being Heard. appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie gather to discuss (and debate) takeaways from the Ottawa trucker protests, U.S. foreign policy, and the Olympics. All this and more on this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

1:45: Protests in Ottawa, GoFundMe's response, and Joe Rogan.

32:50: Weekly listener question: While I very much agree that the U.S.
shouldn't be the world's police vis-à-vis random dictators doing evil
things to their citizens, I'm less convinced that we should withdraw from
all great power competition as many libertarians wish. If Jo had won in
2020, what would stop Xi from, say, declaring ownership of the South China
Sea and dominating or even invading Japan/Taiwan/Australia? How are we
better off if Putin can occupy Estonia and Poland because he feels like it?

47:54: Why the Olympics aren't doing as well this year.

52:39: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "GoFundMe Rejects Fundraising for Canadian Freedom Convoy," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown. (If you want to receive this daily newsletter, Reason Roundup, in your inbox, subscribe here.)
• "Stephen Wertheim: 9/11, Afghanistan, and Failed Foreign Policy" (podcast)
• "Pelosi warns US Olympians not to speak out against Chinese abuses while in Beijing," by Jerry Dunleavy
• "Wikipedia and Beyond," by Katherine Mangu-Ward
• "UPDATED!: An Incomplete List of Why Nobody Really Gives a Shit About the Olympics Anymore," by Nick Gillespie

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card when you become an AMCN member. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use the offer code REASON.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Joe Rogan, Canadian Truckers, Coronavirus Mandates, and the Terrible State of Free Speech appeared first on Reason.com.

This Monday The Reason Roundtable's Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie gather together to discuss the upcoming Supreme Court appointment, Neil Young leaving Spotify, and why they all live in libertarian-unfriendly cities.

Discussed in the show:

2:06: Supreme Court and identity politics.

17:47: Neil Young's ultimatum with Spotify.

41:45: Weekly listener question: I'm a pretty radical libertarian; living in NY/DC/California is my personal nightmare. Why do you guys live there? Are there important journalism reasons? How do you feel about the idea of "voting with your feet?" Extra bonus points if Suderman can answer without using the phrase "cocktail bar."

52:43: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "It's Time for an Honest Conversation About Affirmative Action," by Jay Caspian Kang
• Tulsi Gabbard's mentioned tweet
• "Spotify's Platform Rules and Approach to COVID-19," by Daniel Ek
• "My My, Hey Hey, Neil Young's Songs Are Here To Stay (Just Not on Spotify)," by Nick Gillespie
• "Challenging Affirmative Action and Gerrymandering: AEI's Edward Blum," by Anthony Fisher
• Kat Rosenfield's mentioned tweet
• Joe Rogan's mentioned IG post
• Kenny Xu: The Growing Attacks on Asian American Excellence (podcast)
• Challenging Affirmative Action and Gerrymandering: AEI's Edward Blum (video)
• Peter Suderman's cocktail substack

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Media's Censorial Freakout Over Joe Rogan appeared first on Reason.com.

This Monday, Peter Suderman hosts Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Reason Senior Editor Elizabeth Nolan Brown! The Reason Roundtable discusses Joe Biden's first year as president and National School Choice Week.

Discussed in the show:

1:56: One year of Joe Biden's presidency.

16:47: Congress' antitrust push.

34:34: Weekly Listener Question: So in a perfect world where the quality and safety of most schools available to a specific parent were commensurate, what criteria would they default to when choosing one? Specialty classes and opportunities would certainly be one of them but would many not desire for their children to be in an environment where people shared the same values or with other children "like them"? Whether this be based on race, class, political affiliation, or some other trait, in our hyper-polarized environment, could you imagine a world where parents and students self-segregate? While I firmly believe in the merits of individual choice, I also want to see a world where children of all backgrounds interact and learn from each other's experiences. Diversity of class, race, and thought are essential for this to take place and to stop this worrying trend of polarization. While they've proven inordinately bad at providing equal opportunities to all students, public schools do in many cases force students of different backgrounds into the same building, which has its benefits. Am I being misanthropic here? Is there reason to believe that changing the system would also change the choice-making dynamic among parents for the better?

46:05: Joe Biden is thinking about moving warships to Eastern Europe.

50:55: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "Biden's Boring First Year," by Katherine Mangu-Ward
• "Anti-Tech Antitrust Bill Draws Criticism From All Sides," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
• "Biden Weighs Deploying Thousands of Troops to Eastern Europe and Baltics," by Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt
• "The Biggest Education Innovation Is Growing Use of School Choice," by J.D. Tuccille

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• This episode is supported by The Long Time Academy, a new podcast about how to be a good ancestor. It's a show about time, and how we think about time. The Long Time Academy is an audio documentary, but it also includes with practical exercises designed to expand your sense of time and help you be a good ancestor. Search for The Long Time Academy anywhere you listen to podcasts. Life is short. Time is long. The Long Time Academy.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Joe Biden's Problem Isn't Bad Messaging. It's Bad Policy. appeared first on Reason.com.

The Reason Roundtable's Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the new COVID-19 variant and their predictions for 2022.

Discussed in the show:

1:32: Reflections on President Joe Biden's Atlanta speech and his presidency so far.

31:26: Weekly listener question: My fellow social studies teachers and I have created a media literacy unit for our seventh-graders, but we're struggling to winnow down the endless topics and skills that fit in this category. We can also tell some stuff is too complex for that age group. So I'm curious what y'all think would be the most important topics or skills to cover in a unit like that?

43:38: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and mask mandates.

50:18: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "Remarks by President Biden on Protecting the Right to Vote" (transcript)
• "Citing Debunked CDC Research, Virginia School Districts Vow To Defy Youngkin on Mask Mandates," by Robby Soave
• "Poll: Democrats Drop and Republicans Rise, but the Real Juice Is With the Independents," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
• "'Don't Declare a Mandate. Because You Don't Have One.'," by Nick Gillespie
• "Joe Biden's $11 Trillion Plan To Bankrupt America" (video)

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• This episode is supported by The Long Time Academy, a new podcast about how to be a good ancestor. It's a show about time, and how we think about time. The Long Time Academy is an audio documentary, but it also includes with practical exercises designed to expand your sense of time and help you be a good ancestor. Search for The Long Time Academy anywhere you listen to podcasts. Life is short. Time is long. The Long Time Academy.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Democratic Party Is the President appeared first on Reason.com.

Get your weekly dose of libertarian commentary from The Reason Roundtable, with Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and special guest Christian Britschgi. Today they reflect on January 6, unemployment rates, and the podcast itself.

Discussed in the show:

1:57: A look back on the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riot.

22:17: What's happening with the jobs report? The unemployment percentage is low…but so is the number of jobs.

34:21: Weekly Listener Question: I really love the podcast but I wonder if you realize how large your blindspot is when it comes to rural and blue-collar liberty lovers?

48:07: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "Was the Capitol Riot Really the Opening Battle of a Civil War?" by Jacob Sullum
• "The End of Farming," by Ron Bailey
• "Jobs Created By President" chart (Instagram)

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• This episode is supported by The Long Time Academy, a new podcast about how to be a good ancestor. It's a show about time, and how we think about time. The Long Time Academy is an audio documentary, but it also includes with practical exercises designed to expand your sense of time and help you be a good ancestor. Search for The Long Time Academy anywhere you listen to podcasts. Life is short. Time is long. The Long Time Academy.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Masking in the Moshpit appeared first on Reason.com.

The Reason Roundtable is back! After a week off from being affected by the pandemic one way or another, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the new COVID-19 variant and their predictions for 2022.

Discussed in the show:

1:44: The new COVID-19 variant and the latest policy changes.

19:50: Weekly Listener Question: Help me understand something. Anthony Fauci is in charge of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. As such he has almost no statutory authority. He can't make anybody do anything. In his role as White House adviser his job is to dispense advice. That's it. He has the moral authority of someone who led his agency through the AIDS crisis and the intellectual authority of someone who has done actual science in service of human health, but he can't give an order that anyone has to obey. So why has Reason (maybe not all of its writers, but I'm lookin' at you Mr. Soave) jumped on the bandwagon to cast him as a comic book supervillain? There are people and agencies of the government that bear direct responsibility for obstructing solutions to this crisis and exploited it for political gain. Good on you for calling them on it. But why has this man become the target of choice for vilification, when really all he can do is make suggestions?

31:05: 2022 predictions!

57:34: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "CNN's Leana Wen: 'Cloth Masks Are Little More Than Facial Decorations,'" by Robby Soave
• "Against Faucism," by Robby Soave
• "Fauci Wants To Kick the Unvaxxed Off of Airplanes," by Matt Welch
• "RIP, 'Pandemic of the Unvaccinated,'" by Matt Welch
• "We Don't Know Why Murder Rates Spiked in 2020," by Brian Doherty
• "What's inside Tyler Perry's new $250M Southwest Atlanta movie studio?" by Sean Richard Keenan
• "The Matrix Resurrections Is Less a Sequel and More a Bizarre Thinkpiece About The Matrix's Legacy," by Peter Suderman

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What We Got Right and Wrong About 2021 (and What We Predict for 2022) appeared first on Reason.com.

It's a Reason Roundtable remix this Monday! With Matt Welch out, Peter Suderman fills in and leads Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Associate Editor Billy Binion through the latest news on the coronavirus, congressional drama, billionaires, pop culture, and more. You don't want to miss this.

1:45: Editor holiday plans in the face of the latest COVID panic.

19:31: Congressional update: Biden's Build Back Better stalling and Manchin's objections.

41:05: Weekly Listener Question: I have a theory (some might call it a conspiracy theory) that Elon Musk is gearing up to run for President in the 2024 election cycle. Would anyone on the Roundtable consider voting for Elon if he were to run for President, as a Republican, in 2024? Could his running for office potentially strangle Justin Amash's chances of being successful as the prospective Libertarian Party nominee?

54:55: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all of the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "Where I Live, No One Cares About COVID," by Matthew Walther
• "White House lights up Manchin after he crushes Biden's megabill," by Burgess Everett, Nicholas Wu, and Jonathan Lemire
• "Kim Kardashian's Love of Lower Taxes and Individual Rights Has Made Her Politically Homeless," by Billy Binion
• U.S. Billionaire Wealth Would Fund Government For Just 6 Months (video)

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post A Reality Check on Coronavirus, Congress, and Elon Musk's Taxes appeared first on Reason.com.

On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie dive into inflation, civil asset forfeiture, and the extradition of Julian Assange.

Discussed in the show:

1:36: Julian Assange and freedom of the press.

17:15: Inflation and the Biden administration.

32:39: Weekly Listener Question: I live in L.A. county, where the new D.A. has taken a lot of heat for decisions he has made related to charging and sentencing, or rather the lack thereof, of relatively minor crimes. I fully support bail reform and other causes George Gascón has implemented. Is he someone who has the right ideas but is in power at the wrong time? Or is it just human nature to take as much advantage of a system as we think we can get away with? Put another way, is the pandemic just making everyone crazy, or are certain criminal justice reforms destined to increase crime regardless of outside circumstances?

45:50: Civil asset forfeiture!

49:20: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "Julian Assange Extradition Decision the Latest Blow to Freedom of the Press," by J.D. Tuccille
• "Few approve of President Biden's handling of inflation," by Mallory Newall and Hailey Foster
• "By Refusing To End Trump's Tariffs, Biden Is Making Inflation Worse," by Eric Boehm
• "Florida's Civil Asset Forfeiture Reforms Haven't Stopped the Shakedowns," by C.J. Ciaramella
• "The Civil Asset Forfeiture Racket," by A. Barton Hinkle

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Why Aren't Journalists Howling About the Assange Prosecution? appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss a new vaccine mandate and a new abortion case at the Supreme Court in this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

2:14: Abortion at the Supreme Court.

19:07: Mayor Bill de Blasio expands the vaccine mandate to private sector jobs and to kids five and up.

32:20: Weekly Listener Question: Any plans to do any live tapings or special events with the Roundtable crew?

37:15: BONUS Second Listener Question: Why do you think it's important not just to celebrate the principles of liberty, but also to actually engage with things people create with their freedoms?

42:12: Media recommendations for the week. (And click here for all the Roundtable's media recommendations, ever.)

This week's links:

• "#FedSoc2021 and Dobbs," by Josh Blackman
• "Without Promising Alternatives to the 'Viability' Rule, the Supreme Court Seems Inclined to Ditch Its Abortion Precedent," by Jacob Sullum
• "Dobbs and the Fate of the Conservative Legal Movement," by J. Joel Alicea
• "The Laissez Faire Origins of the Supreme Court's Abortion Precedents," by Damon Root
• "NYC Expands Vaccine Mandate to Whole Private Sector, Ups Dose Proof to 2 and Adds Kids 5-11," by Romney Smith and Tracie Strahan

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post A New Opportunity for the Government To Screw Up Abortion Law appeared first on Reason.com.

Our beloved Reason Roundtable listeners did not hold back: per Reason tradition, they sent in questions (and one limerick) and editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch have now given their answers. This is all in the spirit of Reason's annual webathon, in which we try to persuade you to make a tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit foundation that publishes our work. In fact, an anonymous, generous donor offered to match the next $100,000 you give us! Or, bid now to win the first-ever Reason NFT, if that's more your thing.

What did the editors do as soon as they were vaccinated? Which fictional characters best represent them? Are there new Reason podcast shows on the horizon? Can Peter really segue almost anything into a Marvel reference? (Spoiler: Yes.) Cocktails, American literature, relationship advice (it is cuffing season after all) and more all right here on this special video podcast. Want to not just hear but also see the collective groan in response to the phrase "2024 election"? Check out the video version here.

You definitely, maybe, possibly will be a better, smarter, more interesting, and maybe freshly date-able person after consuming this podcast. So please give us some money so we can do this all again next year, okay? Okay.

Cheers and libertarian love,

The Reason Roundtable

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post You Asked, We Gave You Libertarian Solutions, Star Trek Characters and…Dating Advice? appeared first on Reason.com.

It's talk of lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccines this Monday with Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie. Deja vu? Nope, just the omicron variant. The editors also opine on school curriculum and Cyber Monday, all on today's Reason Roundtable.

2:18: How is the world reacting and how should the U.S. react to the new COVID-19 variant, omicron?

26:11: Weekly Listener Question: Starting this fall, students across the 23-campus California State University system are required to take an ethnic studies course in order to graduate. It's a result of A.B. 1460 which Gavin Newsom signed into law in August 2020. Students have a range of choices covering the historically disadvantaged points on the ethno-racial pentagon. However, all of these courses hew closely to a single state-defined model, so the course outcomes are largely the same. What's your take on a requirement that all graduates of a public university system take a specific course? Does your opinion depend on the content of the course, and if so, where do you draw the line? What's your opinion on the curriculum?

37:51: Reason Webathon details!

44:52: Thoughts on Cyber Monday, and the internet overall.

52:51: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Omicron Is Coming. The U.S. Must Act Now," by Zeynep Tufekci
• "California State University now requires ethnic studies," by Mikhail Zinshteyn
• "'Woke Racism' Has Betrayed Black America" (video)
• "A Worrisome New COVID-19 Variant Identified in South Africa," by Ronald Bailey

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Omicron and COVID-19 Groundhog Day appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie get meta on this Monday's Reason Roundtable, talking about how the media talked about the Rittenhouse trial. Plus, hear their thoughts on the various freedom indexes and Joe Biden's domestic agenda.

Discussed in the show:

1:42: The Kyle Rittenhouse results and media reactions.

32:08: Weekly Listener Question: How much stock do you put in the international rankings of freedom in the world put out by places like Cato, the Fraser Institute, Freedom House, The Economist, and Heritage?

38:09: The house passed Biden's domestic agenda.

51:14: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "The ACLU Thinks Kyle Rittenhouse's Civil Liberties Got Too Much Protection," by Robby Soave
• "A Reality Check for Progressives on the Rittenhouse Case," by David Bernstein
• "America Still Seen as Free in an Increasingly Unfree World," by J.D. Tuccille
• "House-Passed 'Build Back Better' Plan Aims To Curb Methane Emissions by Hiking Heating Prices," by Eric Boehm

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What the Political Class Should Learn from the Rittenhouse Verdict appeared first on Reason.com.

This Monday, your trustworthy libertarians Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie break down the significance of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, discuss the labor shortage, and divulge their personal standings on cryptocurrency. All this and more on today's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

1:52: What are the takeaways from the Rittenhouse trial?

21:33: What is going on with the labor shortage, and what does it mean looking forward?

32:55: Weekly Listener Question: Over the past few years, I've become more persuaded that bitcoin represents a major increase in the potential for human freedom by giving anyone with an internet connection access to sound money. My question is this: Why don't you talk more about this? More often than not, when anyone on the podcast refers to a "libertarian moment," it sounds like it's with a "this ain't never gonna happen" eye roll—but what if bitcoin is the libertarian moment? Are you wary of contributing to the hype? Is there anything analogous to bitcoin that in the past promised so much but failed to deliver? Do any of you own any cryptocurrencies?

48:41: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Climate Controls," by Gregory Benford
• "The Rittenhouse-Trial Judge Isn't a Trumpist," by Charles C.W. Cooke
• Bitcoin Is Protecting Human Rights Around the World (video)
• "Why the Prosecution of Silk Road Creator Ross Ulbricht is 'The Most Important Trial in America,'" by Nick Gillespie
• Sen. Cynthia Lummis: Why I'm All In on Bitcoin (podcast)

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.
• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Libertarian Lessons From the Rittenhouse Trial appeared first on Reason.com.

In this week's Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie gather to berate one of the most expensive legislative packages in U.S. history and discuss some significant takeaways from last Tuesday's elections.

Discussed in the show:

1:52: That $2.1 trillion (yes, trillion) infrastructure bill that just passed.

20:35: Lessons from last week's elections.

29:05: Weekly Listener Question: I'm an attorney. All of my colleagues and I are fully vaccinated, yet we wear masks in the office. We are all required to be vaccinated. I hate it. Your response would be to find another job. I think Peter just had the audacity to suggest that switching employers is similar to going to a different restaurant because you don't like the spaghetti at the Olive Garden. For me, libertarianism is more than just a paradigm for government. It's a life philosophy. I am weary of the idea that anything goes, even if it's bad, as long as it only happens in the private sector. I am writing this email using a ridiculous pseudonym because I would not want my employer to know that I read and listen to Reason. They could fire me if they associate me with anything that looks un-woke; is this OK with you? Sure, I could quit my job. But any other job will have the same requirements. That doesn't really represent choice. Out here in the real world, you do not get to choose your job so easily. I do not have the option of being a professional libertarian. So I jab and mask, so I can keep making enough money to help my parents, no matter what I believe or what I wish to do with my body. This is OK with you?

41:53: The unveiling of the OSHA/vaccine mandate specifics.

51:58: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Biden gets his 'infrastructure week,' crossing another goal off Trump's to-do list," by Matt Viser
• "Self-Cancellation, Deplatforming, and Censorship," by Nick Gillespie
• "These 6 House Democrats voted against the infrastructure bill. These 13 Republicans voted for it." by Annie Grayer
• "Here's what's in the bipartisan infrastructure bill," by Katie Lobosco and Tami Luhby
• "Congress Finally Passed Biden's Inefficient, Deficit-Hiking Infrastructure Bill," by Eric Boehm
• "The Details of OSHA's Vaccination Rule for Private Employees Suggest Several Ways It Could Be Vulnerable to Legal Challenges," by Jacob Sullum
• "They Just Keep Closing Schools and Mandating Masks," by Matt Welch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• We all want to make sure our family is protected in a medical emergency. What many of us don't realize is that health insurance won't always cover the full amount of an emergency medical flight. Even with comprehensive coverage, you could get hit with high deductibles and co-pays. That's why an AirMedCare Network membership is so important. As a member, if an emergency arises, you won't see a bill for air medical transport when flown by an AMCN provider. Best of all, a membership covers your entire household for as little as $85 a year. Now, as a listener of our show, you'll get up to a $50 Visa or Amazon gift card with a new membership. Simply visit AirMedCareNetwork.com/reason and use offer code REASON.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Infrastructure Bill Makes Building Back More Expensive appeared first on Reason.com.

On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie cover even more disappointing details of the reconciliation bill.

Discussed in the show:

4:21: The bad policies in the "Build Back Better" bill.

19:07: The Virginia gubernatorial race: What's the significance of it being so close, so suddenly, and apparently a lot over education kerfuffles?

39:05: Weekly Listener Question: Is it consistent with libertarian principles to support public- or private-sector vaccine mandates that don't provide a reasonable accommodation for those that have legitimate concerns?

52:34: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Biden's New Spending Framework Promises To Do Everything but Still Cost Nothing. That Doesn't Make Sense." by Eric Boehm
• "Joe Biden Will Let World Leaders Know He Wants To Spend a Lot of Money on Climate Change," by Christian Britschgi
• "Barack Obama Loves Children So Much He Wants to Make Daycare ALOT More Expensive," by Nick Gillespie
• "What it's like to be on the front lines of the school board culture war," by Anya Kamenetz
• "CNN Poll: Most Democrats favor a bigger bill on social safety net and climate," by Jennifer Agiesta and Ariel Edwards-Levy
• "'Parents' rights' is code for white race politics," by Juan Williams

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Spending Bill Got Smaller, but It's Still Full of Bad Ideas appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie discuss the thorny relationship between individual freedom and coronavirus policy. Plus some tax talk and reconciliation bill updates, all on this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

0:32: Is refusing the vaccine equivalent to "exercising the freedom to kill people"? What at this point is the relationship between freedom and COVID-19 policy?

26:57: Weekly Listener Question: An argument against sales and value-added taxes is that they lead to higher costs of goods that low-income workers rely on. A simplistic viewpoint of taxes and economics dictates that all taxes are eventually paid by consumers. This view implies product prices are adjusted to maintain profitability regardless of whether the tax burden paid to the government is a multiplier on the compensation of labor, value added to the goods, or total sales cost. If that understanding is true, am I missing the argument that any of the taxes are more progressive or regressive on the basis of causing a higher cost of goods? A counterargument could be made that income taxes weigh compensation of labor more heavily against the value of materials when viewed as the total tax burden passed on to consumers. Since the ultra-wealthy don't rely on wages but rather on the growth in value of their businesses and investments, income taxes should affect the wealthy the least. Are these arguments wrong, and are there better arguments out there to help steer the left parties away from income taxes?

36:30: A tax on unrealized capital gains in the reconciliation bill? What could go wrong?

45:59: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Media Try To Cancel In-N-Out Burger Over Refusal To Enforce San Francisco's Vaccine Passports," by Christian Britschgi
• "KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: September 2021," by Liz Hamel, Lunna Lopes, Grace Sparks, Ashley Kirzinger, Audrey Kearney, Mellisha, Stokes, and Mollyann Brodie
• "No, Biden, This Is About Freedom and Personal Choice," by Nick Gillespie
• "When It Comes to Coronavirus, Nobody Knows Anything" (video)
• "Dems plan billionaires' unrealized gains tax to help fund $2T spending bill," by Patrick Reilly
• "Dems Try To Pass Off $10,000 IRS Reporting Threshold as Merely Going After the 1 Percent," by Matt Welch
• "The tax on unrealized capital gains," by Tyler Cowen

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

The post Freedom, Responsibility, and Coronavirus Policy appeared first on Reason.com.

Bernie Sanders wants better press coverage of the Build Back Better bill? Ask and you shall receive, Sanders. Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie detail the most egregious parts of this giant pile of potential spending. Plus we talk about the Jones Act, all on this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

1:05: The Roundtable sets the record straight after the official White House Twitter account claimed the "Build Back Better Agenda is $0."

33:07–: Weekly Listener Question: I am a Jones Act mariner. While I, and many other American merchant mariners, are pretty libertarian, the Jones Act is the third rail of the maritime industry and turns many mariners away from the libertarian
movement (Cato, Ronald Reagan, and John McCain are not popular among Jones Act Mariners). While I agree with many reforms, like removing the U.S. shipbuilding requirement for Jones Act (that is, domestic) trade, I do not agree with removing the cabotage rules for domestic trade. Airlines, trucking, and trains all enjoy cabotage protections for domestic trade, but it seems that the sights are always on the Jones Act unfairly and the American Merchant Marine. What say you?

39:03: William Shatner went to space!

44:20: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Biden Says $3.5 Trillion Reconciliation Bill Has a Price Tag of 'Zero.' That's Dubious," by Eric Boehm
• "Biden to GOP: 'Get Out of the Way, So You Don't Destroy' the Country," by Matt Welch
• a concerning tweet from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• "Heaton Fixes the Jones Act" (video)
• "Bret Easton Ellis on American Psycho, Hollywood Hypocrisy, and the Excesses of #MeToo" (video)
• "How Government Devastated Minor League Baseball," by Matt Welch

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Biden White House Is Lying About the Democrats' Spending Bill appeared first on Reason.com.

Job numbers are lousier than expected, supply chains are wrecked across several industries, cargo ships are backed up in ports, and Biden is pulling a Trump by insisting we "buy American." On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie try to gauge what the heck is happening with the economy right now.

Discussed in the show:

1:09: Lousier-than-expected job numbers, supply chain failures, and cargo ships backed up. Is this all the new normal?

18:52: Workers' strikes in response to vaccine mandates conflict with Biden's pro-union agenda.

36:28: Weekly Listener Question: In regards to our country's budgeting process, when do each of you foresee the proverbial fiscal can getting kicked off the proverbial fiscal cliff resulting in a new fiscal reality being forced on all of us?

48:00: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Inside America's Broken Supply Chain," by David J. Lynch
• "World leaders reach landmark deal on a global corporate tax rate," by Silvia Amaro
• The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What's Wrong with America, by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch
• "Biden's labor secretary is stumped by the worker shortage," by Dan Primack
• "Fed to the lions: Jerome Powell's 'taper' chase may cost him his job," by Charles Gasparino

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs offers three fully funded graduate degree programs that provide students with a policy toolkit and a sound understanding of the disciplines that shape public policies. Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs community is bound together by a commitment to serving the public good. To learn more about the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, visit spia.princeton.edu.
• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post The Economy Is Weird Right Now appeared first on Reason.com.

This week on The Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie tackle the pending $3.5 trillion spending bill and the also-pending vaccine mandates for students under 12.

Discussed in the show:

1:23: The infrastructure bill that was supposed to be finalized last week (and why no one is talking about it).

22:54: Weekly Listener Question: I get that trains aren't the most efficient way of getting around and require massive tax hikes, eminent domain, etc., but I still want them. How do I reconcile that with being a libertarian? Why can't we get them in places besides New York City?

31:48: Gavin Newsom plans to add the coronavirus vaccine to the list of mandated vaccines for public schools—as soon as it's approved, that is.

49:56: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "What Americans Think About The Fight Over The Debt Ceiling," by Geoffrey Skelley and Mackenzie Wilkes
• "Joe Manchin Is Forcing Congress To Think About the Deficit. Good," by Eric Boehm
• "Joe Manchin Just Cooked the Planet," by Jeff Goodell
• "Vaccine Mandates Coming for K-12 Students," by Matt Welch
• "Public Health Officials Blew Up Their Credibility, and We're Paying the Price," by J.D. Tuccille

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Our Looming Trillion Dollar Doom appeared first on Reason.com.

On this Monday's Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie cover Biden's domestic agenda package, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and other ways D.C. exhibits dysfunction.

Discussed in the show:

1:49: Biden's domestic agenda package will allegedly cost "nothing."

27:46: The $778 billion NDAA illustrates D.C. dysfunction.

31:09: Weekly Listener Question: "While attending graduate school, it was obvious to me that people on both the left and the right have authoritarian tendencies. How do we as libertarians deal with people who can see bad instincts or tendencies in the other side but can't see those same instincts in themselves or their side? I feel like pointing out the hypocrisy won't be a productive approach, but haven't been able to come up with a way of bringing it up with friends and acquaintances who exhibit this behavior. What do you think?"

48:26: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Biden Backs Tax on Billionaires' Unrealized Investment Gains," by Laura Davison
• "Biden defends his social agenda bill, saying the cost will be zero," by Seung Min Kim and Tony Romm
• "Democrats Don't Have a Filibuster Problem. They Have a Joe Manchin Problem," by Peter Suderman
• "The Experts Somehow Overlooked Authoritarians on the Left," by Sally Satel
• "Stealthily Wielding Caesar's Sword," by Stephanie Slade
• "Kidnapping, assassination and a London shoot-out: Inside the CIA's secret war plans against WikiLeaks," by Zach Dorfman, Sean D. Naylor, and Michael Isikoff

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Check Your Authoritarian Blind Spot appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie evaluate the border crisis and current state of immigration on this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

00:02: Immigration crisis at the border: What is happening and what are we doing about it?

39:27: Weekly Listener Question: Where do you get your news?

00:45: California's recall process: any takeaways?

51:34: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Biden's Plan To Crack Down on Tax Cheating: Snooping on Everyone's Bank Accounts," by Eric Boehm
• "Biden's 'incomprehensible' travel ban on European visitors widens transatlantic rift," by Adam Taylor
• "Secret Recordings Reveal Officials Discussing 'Filthy' Conditions of 4,632 Immigrant Kids Held in Texas Tent Camp," by C.J. Ciaramella
• "Gov. Newsom Poised To Hold Off Recall Effort," by Scott Shackford

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Why We Can't Get Anywhere on Immigration appeared first on Reason.com.

On today's episode of The Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie commiserate over President Joe Biden's "path out of the pandemic" plan and the latest tax hike proposals.

Discussed in the show:

1:48: Biden's "path out of the pandemic."

26:33: Congress is back in session. Let's talk about these (ridiculous) proposed tax hikes and breaks.

39:27: Weekly Listener Question: As someone who entered the realm of libertarian ideals through growing up in endless wars on terror, drugs, and the like, how do I effectively teach these ideals to my coming child?

51:34: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "Update on required COVID vaccines for postal workers," by the Postal Times
• This tweet from Reason Reporter Eric Boehm on proposed environmental tax breaks
• "Let's Play Horseshoe Theory," by Katherine Mangu-Ward
• "House Democrats Ready Taxes on E-Cigarettes and Cryptocurrency," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown (today's edition of the Reason Roundup, our morning newsletter, which you can subscribe to here)
• "Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy," by Margaret Sullivan

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post How Biden's Vaccine Mandates Degrade Social Trust appeared first on Reason.com.

On this week's edition of the Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie reflect on where they were on 9/11, the subsequent policy shifts we still see today, and the new Texas abortion law.

Discussed in the show:

1:08: How 9/11 influenced our lives.

29:50: Weekly Listener Question: Reason frequently makes the case that, "if Republicans do x, what's to stop Democrats from doing x against Republicans?" However, is that a good argument when Democrats are already doing what Reason claims Republicans should be worried about?

37:50: What the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees' entitlement report tells us.

47:11: Media recommendations for the week.

This weeks links:

• "Conservatives Should Worry About the Texas Abortion Law Too," by Damon Root
• "Rep. Peter Meijer Is 'Furious' at the White House's Afghanistan 'Lies'," by Matt Welch
• "Social Security Will Be Insolvent in 12 Years," by Eric Boehm
• "Key Medicare Fund Will Be Insolvent in Just Five Years," by Peter Suderman
• Plus, subscribe to Reason to get get an early read of Brian Doherty's October issue cover story on the Patriot Act.

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post How 9/11 Actually Changed Everything appeared first on Reason.com.

On the latest Reason Roundtable, Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie talk about how to live with the coronavirus given what we've learned over the last two years.

Discussed in the show:

1:48: How can we learn to live with COVID-19?

20:34: Upcoming school policies under coronavirus.

33:07: Weekly Listener Question: Aren't you missing a huge opportunity to advance the party by not placing the blame for the Afghanistan fiasco squarely on the shoulders of the 97 percent of Americans who continue to vote for Democrats and Republicans?

42:28: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "See the Data on Breakthrough Covid Hospitalizations and Deaths by State," by The New York Times
• "Society Will Never Be Free of COVID-19—It's Time to Embrace Harm Reduction," by Jeffrey A. Singer
• "K-12 School Reopening Trends," by Burbio
• "To Stop War, America Needs a Third Party," by Matt Taibbi
• "A Calif. elementary school teacher took off her mask for a read-aloud. Within days, half her class was positive for delta," by Ariana Eunjung Cha

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Learning To Live With Coronavirus appeared first on Reason.com.

The original lineup is back! Matt Welch is joined by Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie to discuss the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and the FDA's full approval of Pfizer's vaccine. All this and more, on The Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

1:33: The U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

23:30: The FDA fully approves the Pfizer vaccine. Does that mean employers can mandate the vaccine?

36:32: Weekly Listener Question: Why so glum, chums?

51:03: Weekly media recommendations.

This week's links:

• "America's Disastrous Drug War Is Finally Unravelling" (video)
• "George Hotz: From Self-Driving Cars to Robots That Cook and Clean" (video)
• "Plastic, Perfected," by Ronald Bailey
• "Impending Defeat for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," by Ronald Bailey

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post There Is No FDA-Approved Vaccine for Warmongering appeared first on Reason.com.

With our regular host on vacation, Peter Suderman takes the lead on this Monday's Reason Roundtable, joined by Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and special guest Eric Boehm. The Reasoners reflect on the latest in Afghanistan, discuss deficits and infrastructure, and answer your questions about vaccine mandates.

Discussed in the show:

2:06: A debrief on the situation in Afghanistan

24:08: Last week was Infrastructure Week! Now what?

38:48: Weekly Listener Question: "Like many libertarians, probably including yourselves, I'm a vaccinated person who is opposed to the idea of government mandates to get vaccines and other medical interventions, where 'mandate' implies 'get it willingly, or armed agents of the state will come strap you to a table to administer it.' That idea doesn't seem to be gaining real traction in the states yet, but a rash of recent government decrees has me wondering how much choice people are really being given. First, we have governments acting in their capacity as employers to tell public employees 'get jabbed or get fired.' Second, we have the beginnings in NYC and L.A. of barring unvaccinated people from much of public life and business by government decree. Am I crazy to think these are just backdoor vaccine mandates, and if they are, how can libertarians push back on the notion that the mere lack of armed enforcement makes them OK?"

55:16: Media recommendations for the week.

This week's links:

• "In desperation, U.S. scours for countries willing to house Afghan refugees," by Idrees Ali, Humeyra Pamuk, and Jonathan Landay
• "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Is a Sham," by Peter Suderman
• "A Black Market in COVID-19 Vaccination Cards Was Inevitable," by J.D. Tuccille
• "Can Private Employers Mandate COVID Vaccines?" by Josh Blackman
• Photo of Roundtable listener gift

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.
• Living in a digital age where your personal data are always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur, by going to Sekur.com.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post What Happens When an Endless War Ends? appeared first on Reason.com.

The Reason Roundtable sounds various alarms at the Biden administration's capricious re-upping of the scientifically unsound, pragmatically bass-ackward, and philosophically rotten eviction moratorium. Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie also talk about the awfulness of vaccine passports, the permanence of "temporary" government programs, and other contemporary irritants.

Discussed in the show:

1:09: The eviction moratorium is bad, mmkay? We explain all the reasons why, while trying to limit instances of the word Constitution to like, seven.

32:15: Weekly Listener Question: I just heard about NPR's new ethics policy. My first thought was, they are throwing objectivity out the window. But my second thought was that they are just throwing out the *illusion* of objectivity that many of us didn't believe anyway. What say you, oh, Roundtablites?

43:23: Vaccine passports are bad, mmkay? We discuss the tech snafus, the privacy concerns, and the unrequited Blue State lust for lockdownery.

56:05: Weekly media recommendations.

This week's links:

• "Biden Admits New CDC Eviction Moratorium Runs Counter to 'the Bulk of the Constitutional Scholarship,'" by Damon Root
• "After Claiming It Didn't Have the Power To Impose a New Eviction Moratorium, the Biden Administration Imposes a New Eviction Moratorium," by Christian Britschgi
• "The Third Amendment Lawyers Association (ÞALA) Opposes Eviction Moratorium," by Eugene Volokh
• "The Deeply Flawed Studies Behind the Eviction Moratoriums," by Aaron Brown and Justin Monticello
• "The Victims of the Eviction Moratorium," by Jim Epstein

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data is always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Eviction Moratorium Madness appeared first on Reason.com.

With two Reason Roundtable regulars on vacation, Reason's Liz Wolfe and Stephanie Slade join Katherine Mangu-Ward and Peter Suderman to discuss the latest disastrous moves in COVID-19 regulations and infrastructure talks.

Discussed in the show:

2:22: COVID-19 messaging from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and government leaders is all over the place. Do we need any of it?

34:22: Is bipartisanship hindering infrastructure?

47:03: Weekly Listener Question: Is it unfair to claim anarchists are just cynics trying to be cool?

52:09: Weekly media recommendations.

This week's links:

• "It's Time to Rethink What the 'End' of the Pandemic Looks Like," by Jack Shafer
• "A Confusing Message," by David Leonhardt
• "Why Are There New Crypto Rules in the Infrastructure Bill?" by Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data is always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Do We Need the CDC? appeared first on Reason.com.

The Reason Roundtable kicks this Monday off with a COVID-19 check-in: Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie cover everything from White House COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci's latest statement, bribing people to get the vaccine, and re-upping mask mandates.

Discussed in the show:

1:11: Fauci is warning that the U.S. is going in the wrong direction, and President Joe Biden has recommended masks for children under 12 years old. Where do we draw the line on government intervention for the sake of our health?

31:24: Weekly Listener Question: It's slowly eroding, but it's still common to refer to left progressives in America as "liberals." In the last podcast, for example, Suderman referred to the Democrat legislative agenda as comprising a "liberal" wish list. Given the accelerated retreat from the principles of liberalism on the left, even to the point of disdaining the word itself sometimes, isn't it time for classical liberals and libertarians to take the title, and certainly never grant the honorific to either extreme on the right or left. I know the pedantic idealism here is in tension with using pragmatic descriptions that most people will understand, but at some point the balance tips over.

45:06: Weekly media recommendations

This week's links:

• "Breakthrough Covid, in Perspective," by David Leonhardt
• "New York will require city workers to be vaccinated or tested weekly by mid-September," by Emma Fitzsimmons and Sharon Otterman
• "Language: Liberating Liberal," by Nick Gillespie
• "America Is Getting Unvaccinated People All Wrong," by Ed Yong

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data is always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Government Shouldn't Stop People From Doing Self-Destructive Things appeared first on Reason.com.

This manic Monday The Reason Roundtable tackles President Joe Biden's wild accusations against Facebook, plus the larger debate around misinformation, social media, and government regulations. Join Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie to hear them discuss:

1:52: Facebook "killing people," and what to do about social-media misinformation

30:19: Weekly Listener Question: "In search for a single point of focus to stand in representation of the multiple reasons for my vaccine hesitancy I have failed many times. If there is an alternative and logically consistent hypothesis, blessed by the CDC, and accepted by those who oversee the mainstream narrative I would be glad to know what it is."

36:16: Biden administration's 3.5 trillion double plus new new deal.

48:24: Weekly media recommendations

This week's links:

• "The Panic Pandemic," by John Tierney
• "The Government Should Stop Telling Facebook To Suppress COVID-19 'Misinformation'," by Robby Soave
• "Magical Thinking Abounds in New Budget Deal Discourse," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
• "Biden Charges Facebook With Homicide, While His Surgeon General Recommends 'Legal and Regulatory Measures' To Suppress COVID-19 'Misinformation'," by Jacob Sullum

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data is always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• Imagine an app where you can get unlocked access to reliable news sites. An app that filters out fake news and clickbait but still shows you every story from multiple perspectives to counter bias. Where good news, as in positive stories, is highlighted—so you don't become despondent. And where journalists dig through news from around the world to find stories you wouldn't normally see. That's what an innovative Australian startup called Inkl has come up with. The service unlocks more than $12,000 of premium news for $100 a year. If you go now to inkl.com/podcast, they'll give you an additional 25 percent discount, so you can get a whole year's worth of headache-free news for just $75.

Audio production by Ian Keyser.
Assistant production by Regan Taylor.
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve.

The post No, Biden, Facebook Isn't Killing People appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and Nick Gillespie break down why this weekend's private space flight is ultimately good for society, and then discuss President Joe Biden's executive order, the antitrust push, and social security. All this and more on this Monday's Reason Roundtable.

Discussed in the show:

1:00: Richard Branson's space flight.

22:23: Biden's executive order is trying to put nutritional labels on the internet (among other things).

34:21: Weekly Listener Question: If you look at the U.S.'s COVID response, the moralistic core was that those of very low risk from it (healthy people under 50, kids) were expected to have their lives derailed to protect those who were of higher risk (the unhealthy and old). This tradeoff came with significant consequences to the livelihoods and education of primarily younger Americans and largely went unquestioned in media. What lessons can we take from this as we stare down the barrel of entitlement insolvency? Will then unquestioned morality be the young must pay the taxes or higher interest rates to make sure retirees maintain their standard of living?

49:22: Weekly media recommendations.

This week's links:

• "Joe Biden's Executive Order on 'Promoting Competition' Covers Everything From Farmers Markets to Net Neutrality," by Elizabeth Nolan Brown
• "Trump Can Win His Case Against Tech Giants," by Vivek Ramaswamy
• "Billionaires in Space: How Musk, Bezos, and Branson Could Save Humanity" (video)
• "Wally Funk, Trailblazing Female Pilot, Will Join Jeff Bezos on Spaceflight," by Isabella Grullón Paz

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today's sponsors:

• Living in a digital age where your personal data is always under attack, your online privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Did you know there is a way to protect your information and privacy without worrying about Big Tech mining and stealing your private data? Introducing Sekur—an encrypted instant messaging and secure email service hosted in Switzerland, where the world's strictest data privacy laws are applied. Take back your privacy and online security with Sekur by going to Sekur.com.
• If you feel something interfering with your happiness or holding you back from your goals, BetterHelp is an accessible and affordable source for professional counseling. BetterHelp assesses your needs and matches you with a licensed therapist you can start talking to in under 24 hours, all online.

Audio production by Ian Keyser
Assistant production by Regan Taylor
Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post Space Liberation! appeared first on Reason.com.