Why do countries around the world now seem to outstrip the United States in terms of free market philosophies as well as tax issues, from the flat tax to social security? Can the US catch up? During this installment of McCuistion Television, focusing on freedom in America, Dennis McCuistion is joined by three panelists on location at FreedomFest. Discussing the state of freedom in America, Dennis McCuistion is joined by:
- Daniel Mitchell – Senior Fellow at the CATO Institute
- Michelle Muccio – Washington D.C. Representative and Production Associate at The Acton Institute
- Larry Abraham – The late Larry Abraham was the co-founder of PanAmerica Capital Group, Inc. and long-time author and editor of the Insider Report, an international geopolitical investment newsletter with over 10,000 private subscribers, worldwide.
The last twenty-five years of United States history have been successful in leading America towards a smaller government. However, many economists and futurists look with question to the next twenty-five years to determine if, in fact, the trend will continue. There is a rising concern that socialist reforms will begin to take a hold on the free market system that has defined America for centuries.
Panelists discuss the free market system and how the opposing view of making the strong weaker by promoting economic equality is a dangerous approach. History and current affairs have produced clear evidence that the idea of “fair” doesn’t work. Larry Abraham, with his extensive international exposure, expounds on this viewpoint by explaining the international view of America right now.
Wrapping up the conversation on freedom in America, Panelists also discuss the flat tax, social security reform and some of the empirical evidence that supports both. The panelists close the episode on “The State of Freedom in America” with FRTV’s Dennis McCuistion by offering suggestions for viewers to make a difference in these issues today.
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1704 – 07.02.09
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The flat tax, the economy, and government debt. Economist and editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal, Stephen Moore, joins Dennis McCuistion to discuss a changing America in this edition of McCuistion Television. During the course of the dialogue, they discuss likely changes that will occur after the November 2008 elections, the uncertain economic environment, tax policies and the stock market.
In speaking of the 2008 economy, Stephen Moore admits that America has seen great prosperity in the past few years, but the economy of a changing America is slowing down. The reasons rest with the housing market and the weakening value of the American dollar. He addresses how the weakening dollar directly affects the price of food, oil, gas and inflation in general. He goes into deep detail about this, pulling in information regarding ethanol subsidiaries, the use of US farmland and cautions regarding overseas drilling versus taking advantage of the nation’s own natural resources.
Regarding the George W. Bush administration, McCuistion and Moore dialogue about the pros and cons, economically. He speaks on what the administration did right regarding tax cuts and what they did wrong in the way of overspending.
Exploring the subject of the fiscal debt and how taxes and tax revenues play into Government money, Moore offers his suggestions for remedying the tax situation and his support of a flat tax. The flat tax is “a tax system with a constant tax rate.” Moore offers his warnings and advice regarding the rapidly dwindling social security, medicare and medicaid money storehouse.
Ending the conversation on the politics and economic policies of a changing America, Moore offers his suggestions for tax reforms so that the future generations will be okay as the economy changes and the fiscal debt remains enormous. Suggestions he offer viewers include:
- Don’t count on government benefits when you retire. Begin saving money at a young age.
- Rise up and take on politicians and tell them to stop spending enormously.
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01.11.09 – 1711
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