Podcasts about taxes and spending

While China's economy has boomed, many people wrongly associate that success with the Chinese government's industrial policies. Intervention has created many problems there—just as it has done elsewhere.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/chinas-industrial-policy-ambition-inefficiency-and-cautionary-tale-america

Among the key men involved in the American Revolution and the following periods, we find an oft-repeated concern that may seem foreign to us today—the threat of standing armies. This reality became concrete in the Newburgh conspiracy in 1783.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/american-revolution-and-danger-standing-armies

Among the key men involved in the American Revolution and the following periods, we find an oft-repeated concern that may seem foreign to us today—the threat of standing armies. This reality became concrete in the Newburgh conspiracy in 1783.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/american-revolution-and-danger-standing-armies

While China's economy has boomed, many people wrongly associate that success with the Chinese government's industrial policies. Intervention has created many problems there—just as it has done elsewhere.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/chinas-industrial-policy-ambition-inefficiency-and-cautionary-tale-america

Mark Thornton replays his Rothbard University lecture on government spending and taxation, using Rothbard's framework of binary intervention to overturn the standard civics-story that taxes are “the cost” of government and spending is “the benefit.” Mark argues both are economically destructive and distortionary, and that treating them as neutral is a category mistake. Drawing on John C. Calhoun's class analysis, he distinguishes net taxpayers from net tax-consumers, explaining how political finance systematically transfers wealth, reshapes production, and undermines saving, family formation, and long-run growth. The lecture closes with a vivid “wagon” analogy: as more people move from pulling to riding, the whole economy slows and eventually stalls.2026 is the Year of Rothbard—Murray's 100th birthday—and we're celebrating by giving away free copies of Keynes the Man through June 30. Grab yours today at https://mises.org/issuesfreeRegister for our upcoming Mises Circle, Why Is the Healthcare System Broken?, June 27 in Windham, New Hampshire: https://mises.org/events/why-healthcare-system-broken-mises-circle-new-hampshire20% off listener offer on the insulated Minor Issues tumbler and three of Mark's books: https://mises.org/MinorIssuesTumbler. Use coupon code Thornton.Be sure to follow Minor Issues at https://Mises.org/MinorIssues

As socialists gain power in American cities and states, they look to destroy the creation of wealth and to tax the wealth-creators into oblivion. We know how these scenarios end.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/crazy-wealth-tax-proposals-california-and-new-york-city

As socialists gain power in American cities and states, they look to destroy the creation of wealth and to tax the wealth-creators into oblivion. We know how these scenarios end.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/crazy-wealth-tax-proposals-california-and-new-york-city

Public goods theory often assumes what it seeks to establish, namely, that the state is the indispensable precondition of production, even though the state itself depends upon prior production for every resource it possesses.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/public-goods-circular-argument

As I see it now, there are really two economies—two distinct systems of producing and exchanging wealth. Or rather, two systems that purport to do these things, though only one of them really produces anything, and the other is organized by a peculiar form of exchange.The first is what is called the trade economy—the one summed up in the phrase "the free market." The other might be called "the tax economy."Original article: https://mises.org/free-market/two-economies

Public goods theory often assumes what it seeks to establish, namely, that the state is the indispensable precondition of production, even though the state itself depends upon prior production for every resource it possesses.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/public-goods-circular-argument

As I see it now, there are really two economies—two distinct systems of producing and exchanging wealth. Or rather, two systems that purport to do these things, though only one of them really produces anything, and the other is organized by a peculiar form of exchange.The first is what is called the trade economy—the one summed up in the phrase "the free market." The other might be called "the tax economy."Original article: https://mises.org/free-market/two-economies

The US fiat monetary regime not only has given us inflation and boom-and-bust cycles, but it also is the main contributor to the out-of-control government spending and debt accumulation.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/causes-uncontrollable-us-public-spending-and-debt

The US fiat monetary regime not only has given us inflation and boom-and-bust cycles, but it also is the main contributor to the out-of-control government spending and debt accumulation.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/causes-uncontrollable-us-public-spending-and-debt

While Republicans have promised robust economic growth to accompany their tax cuts, reality has been different. That is because Republicans increased government spending at the same time, dragging down the economy.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/gop-fiscal-follies

While Republicans have promised robust economic growth to accompany their tax cuts, reality has been different. That is because Republicans increased government spending at the same time, dragging down the economy.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/gop-fiscal-follies

In this article from 1950, Murray Rothbard suggests some of the less bad ways of financing military operations. Hint: monetary inflation and taxing savings and investment are among the worst.Original article: https://mises.org/articles-interest/economics-war

In this article from 1950, Murray Rothbard suggests some of the less bad ways of financing military operations. Hint: monetary inflation and taxing savings and investment are among the worst.Original article: https://mises.org/articles-interest/economics-war

Both progressives and conservatives show a complete unwillingness or inability to distinguish between those who got rich by genuinely creating value by serving others and those who are getting rich by expropriating wealth through force.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/progressives-and-conservatives-are-wrong-about-taxing-rich2026 is the Year of Rothbard—Murray's 100th birthday—and we're celebrating by giving away free copies of Anatomy of the State through May 31. Grab yours today at https://mises.org/gabfreebookBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at https://Mises.org/GB

It took centuries to end the idea that taxes kept the privileged class in comfort and financed their wars. But now we're told taxes = civilization.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-daily/taxation-robbery

One of the legacies of Keynesian thought is the belief that war is “good for the economy.” While war may help enable employment, nonetheless, its overall legacy is destructive, and even the jobs war “creates” are economically undesirable.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/myth-wont-die-war-good-economy

3-30-2026: Wake Up Missouri with Randy Tobler, Stephanie Bell, John Marsh, and Producer Drake

The TSA stories, especially at Atlanta, are illustrations of interventionist non-intervention: non-delivery of promised, paid-for, and monopolized service.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/atlanta-tsa-and-test-case-interventionist-non-intervention

The TSA stories, especially at Atlanta, are illustrations of interventionist non-intervention: non-delivery of promised, paid-for, and monopolized service.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/atlanta-tsa-and-test-case-interventionist-non-intervention

This week, Bob walks through Javier Milei's 2026 address to the World Economic Forum, explaining the Austrian and neoclassical ideas behind Milei's defense of capitalism—from Rothbard and Kirzner to Pareto efficiency and the welfare theorems.Related:Bob's Breakdown of The Intra-Austrian Debate over Milei: Mises.org/HAP539aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

This week, Bob walks through Javier Milei's 2026 address to the World Economic Forum, explaining the Austrian and neoclassical ideas behind Milei's defense of capitalism—from Rothbard and Kirzner to Pareto efficiency and the welfare theorems.Related:Bob's Breakdown of The Intra-Austrian Debate over Milei: Mises.org/HAP539aThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob lays out California's proposed 5% wealth tax on billionaires, using it to explain why taxes on wealth are especially destructive, how different tax structures change incentives, and what recent migration data says about people voting with their feet.Related:Data on 2020–2024 State-to-State Migration: Mises.org/HAP538a"Where Americans Choose to Move and Where They Leave": Mises.org/HAP538bPoliticians don't build prosperity. Entrepreneurs do. Join Keith Smith, Caitlin Long, Ryan McMaken, Per Bylund, and Timothy Terrell for our first event of 2026: Mises.org/OKCHAThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Bob lays out California's proposed 5% wealth tax on billionaires, using it to explain why taxes on wealth are especially destructive, how different tax structures change incentives, and what recent migration data says about people voting with their feet.Related:Data on 2020–2024 State-to-State Migration: Mises.org/HAP538a"Where Americans Choose to Move and Where They Leave": Mises.org/HAP538bPoliticians don't build prosperity. Entrepreneurs do. Join Keith Smith, Caitlin Long, Ryan McMaken, Per Bylund, and Timothy Terrell for our first event of 2026: Mises.org/OKCHAThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Statists love to claim that government services would be better if only they were “fully funded.” However, given their nature, government services always will be seen as “underfunded” no matter how much money politicians throw at them.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/are-government-services-underfunded

Statists love to claim that government services would be better if only they were “fully funded.” However, given their nature, government services always will be seen as “underfunded” no matter how much money politicians throw at them.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/are-government-services-underfunded

For all of the demands for reparations for blacks, the schemes so far have been unworkable and would not address the real wealth gaps between black and white Americans.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/reparations-are-welfare-scheme-and-would-have-no-effect-racial-wealth-gaps

For all of the demands for reparations for blacks, the schemes so far have been unworkable and would not address the real wealth gaps between black and white Americans.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/reparations-are-welfare-scheme-and-would-have-no-effect-racial-wealth-gaps

In his inaugural speech, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared an end to “rugged individualism” and the embrace of “the warmth of collectivism.” New Yorkers are about to find out that collectivism will not produce what they need to have better lives.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/warmth-collectivism-beginning-mamdani-era

In his inaugural speech, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared an end to “rugged individualism” and the embrace of “the warmth of collectivism.” New Yorkers are about to find out that collectivism will not produce what they need to have better lives.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/warmth-collectivism-beginning-mamdani-era

Dr. Mark Brandly examines what's genuinely hard and what's overstated about Gen Z's economic situation, arguing that inflation, regulation, and a bloated welfare–bureaucratic state are driving their struggles, and urging students to learn economics and join the fight for liberty.Recorded at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 1, 2025.

Dr. Robert Murphy explains why America's chronic trade deficits trace to Nixon's 1971 gold exit—not China—and how a popular reading of Triffin's “dilemma” confuses the issue.Sponsored by Dan Johnson and Randee Laskewitz.Recorded at the Mises Supporters Summit in Delray Beach, Florida, on October 17, 2025.

President Trump has proposed a 50-year mortgage for new homebuyers, ostensibly to make housing more affordable. Actually, this financial instrument will make housing more costly and do nothing to address the root of this entire problem: the artificial housing shortage.Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/50-year-mortgages-wont-make-housing-more-affordableBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at https://Mises.org/GB

In this lecture from the 2025 Mises Institute Supporters summit, Ryan looks at how the modern state is built on the rapid rise of taxation in recent centuries. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

In this lecture from the 2025 Mises Institute Supporters summit, Ryan looks at how the modern state is built on the rapid rise of taxation in recent centuries. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

The justices that Trump appointed to the Supreme Court have shown a recent intolerance for the kinds of semantic leaps his administration is relying on to justify its tariffs. Will they remain consistent or fall in line behind the president?Read the article here: https://mises.org/mises-wire/trumps-tariff-power-grabBe sure to follow the Guns and Butter podcast at https://Mises.org/GB

Ryan McMaken takes a deep dive on food stamp spending, food stamp recipients, and how Big Ag and other industry lobbyists fight to keep food stamp spending flowing and increasing. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Ryan McMaken takes a deep dive on food stamp spending, food stamp recipients, and how Big Ag and other industry lobbyists fight to keep food stamp spending flowing and increasing. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Dr. David Gordon explains why the leading philosophical defenses of taxation—from Rawls's difference principle to Nagel & Murphy's “myth of ownership”—collapse, and why natural rights still say taxation is theft.Sponsored by Jane Shaffer, in Memory of Butler Shaffer.Recorded at the Mises Supporters Summit in Delray Beach, Florida, on October 17, 2025.

In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob unpacks Lerner's Symmetry Theorem—the classic result that, under tight conditions, an import tariff is equivalent to an export tax. He applies the framework to recent 100% China‑tariff headlines, explaining why the dollar might strengthen in theory yet sometimes weakens in practice once retaliation and policy signaling are factored in.The Human Action Podcast on Trump's Tariff Strategy: Mises.org/HAP522a The Lerner Symmetry Theorem: Mises.org/HAP522bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

In this episode of the Human Action Podcast, Bob unpacks Lerner's Symmetry Theorem—the classic result that, under tight conditions, an import tariff is equivalent to an export tax. He applies the framework to recent 100% China‑tariff headlines, explaining why the dollar might strengthen in theory yet sometimes weakens in practice once retaliation and policy signaling are factored in.The Human Action Podcast on Trump's Tariff Strategy: Mises.org/HAP522a The Lerner Symmetry Theorem: Mises.org/HAP522bThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Hayek for the 21st Century. Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree

Ryan and political scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen talk about how taxes, war, and the state are all part of a centuries-old formula for impoverishing the productive class while enriching the government class. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

Ryan and political scientist Joseph Solis-Mullen talk about how taxes, war, and the state are all part of a centuries-old formula for impoverishing the productive class while enriching the government class. Be sure to follow Radio Rothbard at https://Mises.org/RadioRothbardRadio Rothbard mugs are available at the Mises Store. Get yours at https://Mises.org/RothMug PROMO CODE: RothPod for 20% off

In both cases, the use of nationalism and patriotism by Brazilian governments reveals a recurring strategy: appealing to national pride to divert attention from self-inflicted crises.Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/ambiguous-nationalism-patriotism-brazilian-politics

If education and career skills are what you want, a college or university may be a waste of your time and money.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/four-reasons-why-college-degrees-are-becoming-useless

If New Yorkers wanted to help students by paying for their tuition, they would have already done so on their own.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/busting-free-college-myth

Bob hosts economist Daniel Lacalle to analyze the controversial Big Beautiful Bill. Daniel explains why, despite its imperfections, the bill represents a vital first step toward curbing government spending and protecting private-sector prosperity from excessive state intervention.Daniel's Article, "The Big Beautiful Bill Is Much Better Than You Think": Mises.org/HAP504aThomas Massie's X Exchange on the Hidden Costs of the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504bBob's Recent Blog Post on the BBB: Mises.org/HAP504cThe Mises Institute is giving away 100,000 copies of Murray Rothbard's, What Has Government Done to Our Money? Get your free copy at Mises.org/HAPodFree