TV Liberty

The History of Liberty

2012-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

In this installment of the Exploring Liberty lecture series, Tom Palmer leads a whirlwind tour through human history to document the rise of libertarian ideas, starting with the Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh and progressing through the history of ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Europe, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment thinkers. In part 2 of this lecture Palmer will discuss the resurgence of the authoritarian state in the 20th century and the contemporary rekindling of the ideas of freedom. Two lectures, each about 30 minutes. Part 2 will appear later.

Capitalism & the Family

2011-12-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

Capitalism & the Family from Students For Liberty on Vimeo.

Prof. Steve Horwitz explains how capitalism has changed the nature of the family. About one hour.

Libertarianism and the Left

2011-11-29T19:02:00.000-08:00

Matt Zwolinski explores the common ground between libertarianism and the political left. Given the almost total surrender to the cultural right from some "libertarian" circles this is much needed. About one hour.

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Matt Ridley & Steven Pinker

2011-11-22T22:07:00.000-08:00

Two fascinating authors, Matt Ridley and Steven Pinker discuss Pinker's views on the decline of violence over history. I can't help put notice that the charts Pinker uses for his talk cover periods corresponding with the Age of Enlightenment and the rise of classical liberalism. Reason and liberty have long gone together. Three parts. About 90 minutes in total.

Libertarians and Humility: Milton Friedman

2011-11-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hayek on Social Evolution and Tradition

2011-11-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

About 50 minutes.

Hayek, the Market Order and the Fatal Conceit

2011-10-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

Prof. Steve Horwitz discusses the influence of Hayek in economics and why he is important. About 76 minutes.

The 14th Amendment and Individual Rights

2011-10-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

The awesome people at the Institute for Justice discuss the role of the 14th Amendment in protecting individual liberty. There are a whole gaggle of "libertarians" around the Ron Paul campaign who really need to see this video. About 13 minutes. Excellent

Economic Freedom in America Today

2011-10-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

About 3 minutes.

Love and Obstacles: The Case for Gay Marriage

2011-09-16T22:29:00.000-07:00

David Boies is a founder of and the chairman of the law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner. This year, with Theodore Olson, he successfully argued in federal court for the overturning of Proposition 8, California's ban of same-sex marriage. He previously served as lead counsel to Al Gore in his litigation relating to the 2000 Presidential election and as special trial counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in its successful antitrust suit against Microsoft. In 2004, he published "Courting Justice."

Brian S. Brown is the president of the National Organization for Marriage, a non-profit organization that supports traditional marriage and the faith communities that sustain it. Previously, he served as NOM's executive director and as the executive director of NOM-California. Before joining NOM, he spent five years as the executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, during which time he developed it into one of the largest statewide pro-family organizations in the Northeast.

R. Clarke Cooper is the executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, an organization charged with building an inclusive Republican Party and advocating for gay-rights legislation. He is also the executive director of the Liberty Education Forum, a nonpartisan educational foundation. Previously, he served in the George W. Bush Administration as a diplomat; in his last position, he was an alternate representative to the United Nations Security Council. He is a combat veteran from the Iraq campaign and remains a captain in the Army Reserve.

Cynthia Nixon is an actress who has won two Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. Last spring, at a gay-marriage rally in New York, she announced her engagement to Christine Marinoni. Last fall, she spoke at the National Equality March, in Washington, and this year she has devoted much of her time to Fight Back New York, a political-action committee whose sole purpose is to unseat New York State senators who have voted against marriage equality.

Gene Robinson was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, becoming the first openly gay diocesan bishop in the Anglican Communion. In 2009, he received the Stephen F. Kolzak Media Award from GLAAD. Last January, he delivered the invocation at the opening event of President Obama's inaugural weekend. He is the author of "In the Eye of the Storm" and the subject of the forthcoming documentary "The Truth Will Set You Free."

Jeffrey Toobin is a New Yorker staff writer and the author of, most recently, "The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court."

Matt Ridley on Progress

2011-09-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

A former science and technology editor for The Economist magazine, Matt Ridley is a journalist and best-selling author whose books include Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. His most recent book is The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves.

Matt Ridley discusses the evolutionary process of "ideas having sex," calling it the secret behind human progress. He asserts that "barter was the trick that changed the world" and outlines his argument that life for the average human being is richer, healthier, and kinder than ever. Finally, he discusses whether limited government and rational optimism go hand in hand. About 33 minutes.

Providing Affordable, Quality Healthcare

2011-09-16T22:21:00.001-07:00

Experts and policy makers debate the question: What must America do to provide accessible, affordable, quality healthcare to its citizens? Panelists include Sally Pipes, Mike Fallon, Senator Irene Augilar, and Elinor Christiansen. About one hour.

Economics Facts and Fallacies

2011-09-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

Thomas Sowell has studied and taught economics, intellectual history, and social policy at institutions that include Cornell University, UCLA, and Amherst College. Now a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Sowell has published more than a dozen books, the latest of which is a revised and expanded second edition of Economic Facts and Fallacies.

"Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true. But many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly," states Sowell in his latest book. Here, he demolishes some accepted "facts," ranging from housing ("The biggest economic fallacy about housing is that 'affordable housing' requires government intervention") to race and economics ("Race doesn't account for difference in black-white income") to race and culture ("the current fatherless families so prevalent among contemporary blacks are not a 'legacy of slavery.'") About 33 minutes.

Libertarian Case for Marriage Equality

2011-09-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

44 years ago this month, the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia ended state bans on interracial marriage in the 16 states that still had such laws. Now the courts are once again grappling with denial of equal marriage rights -- this time to gay couples. Robert A. Levy is the Chairman of the Cato Institute and presented the libertarian case for respecting an individual's right to marry whomever they wish at a Policy Forum on marriage equality at Cato on May 18th.

40 Years of Drug Prohibtion

2011-09-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Prof. Jeffrey Miron discusses the failures of drug prohibition. About 6 minutes.

Ayn Rand with Tom Snyder

2011-09-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

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A Class Divided

2011-06-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

Elliott divided her class by eye color — those with blue eyes and those with brown. On the first day, the blue-eyed children were told they were smarter, nicer, neater, and better than those with brown eyes.

Throughout the day, Elliott praised them and allowed them privileges such as a taking a longer recess and being first in the lunch line. In contrast, the brown-eyed children had to wear collars around their necks and their behavior and performance were criticized and ridiculed by Elliott.

On the second day, the roles were reversed and the blue-eyed children were made to feel inferior while the brown eyes were designated the dominant group. What happened over the course of the unique two-day exercise astonished both students and teacher.

On both days, children who were designated as inferior took on the look and behavior of genuinely inferior students, performing poorly on tests and other work. About one hour.

Doomsday Called Off

2011-06-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

In this eye-opening documentary viewers will discover how the most respected researchers from all over the world explode the doom and gloom of global warming. Humans stand accused of having set off a global climate catastrophe by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Once all of these satellites were strung together, we could then look at the temperature change overtime, and the strange thing we found is that there is very little change in the global temperature. And this was a surprise because the surface temperature showed an increase, but this bulk of the atmosphere, the real climate system was not. And that then caused us to realize that the human effects of climate are likely not happening the way we think they are.

The prophecy of doom is clear and media pass on the message uncritically. Now serious criticism has arisen from a number of heavyweight independent scientists. They argue that most of the climatic change we have seen is due to natural variations. They also state that if CO2 is to play a role at all -it will be minuscule and not catastrophic! This story presents a series of unbiased scientists as our witnesses. We will hear their eloquent criticism of the IPCC conclusions illustrated by coverage of their research work. About 45 minutes.

Overdose: The Next Financial Crisis

2011-06-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

When the world's financial bubble blew, the solution was to lower interest rates and pump trillions of dollars into the sick banking system. "The solution is the problem, that's why we had a problem in the first place". For Economics Nobel laureate Vernon Smith, the Catch 22 is self-evident. But interest rates have been at rock bottom for years, and governments are running out of fuel to feed the economy. "The governments can save the banks, but who can save the governments?" Forecasts predict all countries' debt will reach 100% of GDP by next year. Greece and Iceland have already crumbled, who will be next?

The storm that would rock the world, began brewing in the US when congress pushed the idea of home ownership for all, propping up those who couldn't make the down payments. The Market even coined a term, NINA loans: "No Income, No Assets, No Problem!" Enter FannieMae and FreddieMac, privately owned, government sponsored. "Want that vacation? Wanna buy some new clothes? Use your house as a piggie bank!" Why earn money to pay for your home when you can make money just living in it? With the government covering all losses, you'd have been a fool not to borrow.

The years of growth had been a continuous party. But when the punchbowl ran dry, instead of letting investors go home to nurse their hangovers as usual, the Federal Reserve just filled it up again with phoney money. For analyst Peter Schiff, the consequence of the spending binge was crystal clear: "we're in so much trouble now because we got drunk on all that Fed alcohol". Yet along with other worried experts, he was mocked and derided during the boom.

Have you taken out a mortgage, invested capital or bought shares? If you have, likelihood is you lost out in the latest bust. Governments promised decisive action, the biggest financial stimulus packages in history, gargantuan bailouts: but what crazed logic is this, propping up debt with...more debt? This documentary brings an entirely fresh voice to the hottest topic of today. Length, 46 minutes.

If Drugs Were Legal

2011-06-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

The BBC tries to explore what a legal drug system might look like. Planning freedom is always risky but it has some points worth considering. About one hour.

The Cost of the War on Drugs

2011-06-16T20:04:00.001-07:00

A short introduction by FEE as to why the war on drugs is a mistake. About 4 minutes.

Déjà vu all over again.

2011-06-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

The second video is 5 minutes and it a reading of a letter from Mildred Loving about marriage equality.

Here Ted Olson and David Boies discuss their efforts to expand marriage equality.

The Constitutional Case for Marriage Equality

2011-06-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

About 7 minutes, produced by the Cato Institute.

The Case for Marriage Equality

2011-05-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

The 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia ended state bans on interracial marriage in the 16 states that still had such laws. Now, 44 years after Loving, the courts are once again grappling with denial of equal marriage rights — this time to gay couples. Two California couples have filed suit against Proposition 8, the 2008 initiative that limited marriage to opposite-sex couples. The American Foundation for Equal Rights engaged David Boies and Ted Olson to lead the legal challenge. The plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger won in federal district court, and the case is now on appeal. Plaintiffs argue that Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the U.S. Constitution and impermissibly singles out gay and lesbian individuals for a disfavored legal status. The speakers on our panel believe that the principle of equality before the law transcends the left-right divide and cuts to the core of our nation's character.

Featuring the co-counsels, David Boies, Chairman, Boies, Schiller & Flexner and Former Chief Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee; and Theodore B. Olson, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Former Solicitor General. With comments by the co-chairs of the advisory board of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, Robert A. Levy, Chairman, Cato Institute; and John Podesta, President, Center for American Progress. About 90 minutes.

The Moral Landscape • Sam Harris

2011-05-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

About 1 hour 45 minutes. Author Sam Harris discusses the natural origins of morality.

The Constitution of Liberty

2011-04-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Featuring Bruce Caldwell, editor, The Collected Works of F.A. Hayek; Richard Epstein, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law, New York University Law School; George Soros, Founder and Chairman, Open Society Foundations; moderated by Ronald Hamowy, Fellow in Social Thought, Cato Institute. About 85 minutes.

The Decline and Triumph of Classical Liberalism

2011-04-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

Prof. Stephen Davies discusses the decline of classical liberalism This lecture is about 47 minutes.

This second lecture by Prof. Davies discusses the role classical liberalism played in politics and how it helped inspire the abolition of slavery, the extension of the franchise and international trade. Lecture is about 52 minutes followed by about 3o minutes of Q&A.

Ayn Rand and Classical Liberalism

2011-04-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

Prof. Jennifer Burns discusses the role of Ayn Rand within the classical liberal tradition.

Are we running out of resources?

2011-02-28T18:16:00.000-08:00

America's War on Sexual Rights

2011-02-11T22:16:00.000-08:00

Has the conservative agenda come to dominate the national and international conversation on sexual rights?

Obama's victory and the vote against abortion bans in Colorado and South Dakota brought some sexual rights back from the edge of a political precipice, but others remain in the balance.

Join scholars, journalists, and policy makers to talk about how we can help the new administration change policies and reframe national and international thinking on sexual rights.

Participants include Dagmar Herzog, author of Sex in Crisis: The New Sexual Revolution and the Future of American Politics and Professor of History, Lynn Paltrow, Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Nation columnist Katha Pollitt, and Faye Wattleton, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women.

Discussant: Rosalind Petchesky, author of Sexuality, Health and Human Rights and Distinguished Professor of Political Science. Moderated by Michelle Fine, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Graduate Center, CUNY - City University of New York. About 90 minutes.

Gun Control on Trial

2011-02-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

Recently the Supreme Court had its first opportunity in seven decades to address one of America's most impassioned constitutional debates: Does the right to possess firearms, as stated in the Second Amendment, apply to individuals?

Yes, the Court ruled, it does.

And, with that decision, the District of Columbia's handgun ban--one of the most controversial in the nation--was ended.

In Gun Control on Trial, journalist Brian Doherty tells the full story behind the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller ruling. With exclusive, behind-the-scenes access throughout the case, Doherty's new book takes readers on a remarkable journey--through the legal, scientific, and historical debates; the political battles; and the myths about gun control that have become widespread.

How is the District's new registration process working?

How will the Heller precedent impact the firearm regulations in other American cities? About 70 minutes.

Free to Booze: Repealing Prohibition

2011-02-11T22:09:00.000-08:00

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, thus ending our nation’s failed experiment with Prohibition. Organized crime flourished during Prohibition, but what were the other effects of the national ban on alcohol?

How and why was it repealed? Michael A. Lerner, author of Dry Manhattan: Prohibition in New York City presents the history of Prohibition, and a panel featuring Glen Whitman, Asheesh Agarwal, and Radley Balko discuss Prohibition's lasting impact. About 2 hours.

The Constitutional Legacy of the New Deal

2011-02-11T22:03:00.001-08:00

A panel of legal scholars discuss the lasting impact of New Deal policies on the Constitution.

They highlight how every branch of the government, from the legislative to the executive to the judicial, has seen increased power derived from New Deal policies. About 75 minutes.

Would We Better Off Without Religion?

2011-02-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

While the world's religions have inspired stunning acts of creation, they also have been implicated in some of the darkest deeds in human history.

If God cannot be blamed for such moments of evil, His priests and prophets at least have a case to answer.

So what might they say? That religion is unfairly blamed -- and that we should look to other factors? Admit that there are problems but argue that on balance the good outweighs the bad? That there is no alternative; that people need religion like they need air? About 100 minutes.

Is There a Free Market Alternative?

2011-02-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

At the White House summit on health care reform, President Obama said, "If there is a way of getting this done where we're driving down costs and people are getting health insurance at an affordable rate, and have choice of doctor, have flexibility in terms of their plans, and we could do that entirely through the market, I'd be happy to do it that way."

Are there free-market reforms that can meet those goals? Can the market reform health care? About 70 minutes.

Censoring You: The Limits of What You See and Hear

2011-02-11T21:38:00.001-08:00

If you google "Tianamen Square" in China, no results pop up. Stateside, the FCC doesn't want you to hear George Carlin saying certain words on the radio or see Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunctions, whereas violent movies and video games have been generally tolerated.

How does limiting access to information shape you? And, who's watching the watchers?

The Commonwealth Club's uncensored panel discusses who decides what we hear, if they can be trusted, and what we can do about it. About one hour.

Jefferson and Mason: From Toleration to Freedom

2011-02-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

Bill Barker has enjoyed portraying Thomas Jefferson in a variety of settings over the past twenty years. He first came to Williamsburg in the spring of 1993 to perform as Jefferson in a film made to honor Ambassador and Mrs. Walter H. Annenberg. He has continued to appear as Jefferson for Colonial Williamsburg, and assists in the development of Jefferson programs for the Foundation.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bill's interest in Thomas Jefferson reaches back to his youth. He enjoys researching the American world Jefferson knew with an interest in the role the man played and continues to play in our American identity.

Bill received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history, from Villanova University and attended the University of Pennsylvania for a brief time.

Attracted to the stage at an early age he became a professional actor, director and producer. He was cast as Jefferson in many different venues including the musical, 1776. Bill is the same height, weight and general appearance as Mr. Jefferson.

Mark Sowell

Mark Sowell is an actor and impersonator of George Mason.

About 80 minutes.

Breaking Down Healthcare Reform

2011-02-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

Richard Epstein, professor of law at The University of Chicago, discusses the current proposal for healthcare reform.

He points out inconsistencies in what is been promised and what is in the bill, and makes suggestions for a more efficient health care system. About 30 minutes.

Marriage Equality: A Debate

2011-02-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

With a potentially precedent-setting legal challenge to California's Proposition 8 working its way through the federal court system, the National Constitution Center presents a timely program on the issue of same-sex marriage. Last November, California voters approved the Proposition 8 ballot measure, amending their state Constitution to ban marriages between same-sex couples. A lawsuit filed on behalf of two gay couples wishing to marry has attracted national attention.

David Boies, one of the leading lawyers in the case, is joined in a conversation by Keith Boykin, anti-marriage advocate Maggie Gallagher and Glenn Stanton. Margot Adler moderates. About 1:45.

The Rise of America's Surveillance State

2011-02-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

Shane Harris, a reporter for National Journal, talks about The Watchers: The Rise of America's Surveillance State.

Harris charts the rise of America's surveillance state over the past 25 years and highlights a dangerous paradox: he argues the government's strategy has made it harder to catch terrorists and easier to spy on civilians. About 55 minutes. To order The Watchers go here.

Nomad: From Islam to America

2011-02-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

The controversial author, feminist activist and politician, Ayaan Hirsi Ali comes to Melbourne. A vocal and prominent critic of Islam, Ali has been celebrated and criticised for her work and writings. A former member of the Dutch House of Representatives, she has campaigned passionately for conflict resolution, ethics and world citizenship. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2005, her memoir Infidel has been praised as profoundly affecting and powerful. The followup, Nomad, tells the stirring story of her search for a new life as she tries to reconcile her Islamic past with her passionate adherence to democracy and Western values. About 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Overtuning Proposition 8

2011-02-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

David Boies has been deeply involved in some of the most prominent legal disputes of the past two decades. From serving as special counsel to the Justice Department in the United States v. Microsoft trial to representing Vice President Al Gore in the Bush v. Gore case following the 2000 presidential election, Boies' legal experience is extensive and varied.

Currently, Boies and former Solicitor General Theodore Olson are working to overturn California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. In a recent interview with Salon.com, Boies asserted that overturning this legislation will "improve the lives of gay and lesbian couples...it will not in any way harm heterosexual marriage." In 2010, Boies was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. Boies will provide a behind-the-scenes look at his most well-known cases, including Prop. 8, and provide insight into what it takes to challenge the status quo and make legal history. About 70 minutes.

Why Voting Just Encourages Politicians

2011-02-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

With more than 1 million words of trenchant journalism under his byline and more citations in the Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotationsthan any living writer, O'Rourke has established himself as a premier political satirist. He is the best-selling author of 12 books, includingParliament of Whores, Give War a Chance, Eat the Rich, The CEO of the Sofa, Holidays in Hell, Peace Kills and On the Wealth of Nations. BothTime and The Wall Street Journal have labeled O'Rourke "the funniest writer in America." On the eve of the release of his highly anticipated new book, Don't Vote, join us as O'Rourke unleashes his wit on our nation's capital and its larger-than-life inhabitants. About one hour.

Marijuana Economics

2011-02-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Will California become the first state to legalize the production and sale of marijuana? November ballot measure Proposition 19 would allow local governments to choose whether and how to regulate and tax marijuana. Some are concerned about legalization's effect on consumption and public health, while others tout the potential boon to city and state coffers. Besides the jaw-dropping estimated retail price decrease from $400 to $38 per ounce, nothing is really certain about the potential impact of Prop 19. Advocates of both sides argue the pros and cons of pushing pot through the legal pipeline.

Peter Thiel on the Economic Situation

2011-02-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

Peter Thiel argues that a book published in France in 1968, Le Defi Americain (The American Challenge) has a lot to say to us in the United States in 2008 and discusses why the U.S. has failed to rise to the heights predicted by its author, J. J. Servan-Schreiber.

In explaining what's wrong with the U.S. economy, Thiel points out that, although we have benefited from growth that is both extensive (e.g., free trade) and intensive (e.g., technology), we have not featured enough of each.

He asserts that the credit crisis of 2008 has nothing to do with the failings of the free market but rather is a by-product of government entanglement, nurtured by the motors of economic growth working less well than expected. Remember while much of what Sowell says is of interest to libertarians, he is NO libertarian. About 38 minutes.

The Housing Boom and Bust

2011-02-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

Thomas Sowell analyzes the recent housing boom and bust, beginning with the underlying economic causes that artificially inflated housing costs in certain markets. He points the finger directly at political decisions in Washington -- particularly involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- that enabled and promoted the financing of an unsustainable housing bubble in which the collapse of prices in a few inflated markets rapidly evolved into a national crisis.

Sowell challenges the accepted wisdom of modeling a recovery based on the New Deal, which he asserts did little to help -- and perhaps even extended -- The Great Depression. Finally, he disputes the value of the recent stimulus package and argues against Obama's health-care and energy initiatives. About 34 minutes. Thomas Sowell's book can be purchased here.

How Exchange Has Improved the Human Race.

2011-02-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

A former science and technology editor for The Economist magazine, Matt Ridley is a journalist and best-selling author whose books includeGenome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. His most recent book is The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves.

Matt Ridley discusses the evolutionary process of "ideas having sex," calling it the secret behind human progress. He asserts that "barter was the trick that changed the world" and outlines his argument that life for the average human being is richer, healthier, and kinder than ever. Finally, he discusses whether limited government and rational optimism go hand in hand. About 33 minutes.'

Is Obama a Socialist?

2011-02-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

An author, journalist, and social anthropologist (PhD Harvard), Stanley Kurtz is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and a contributing editor to National Review Online. His latest book is Radical-in-Chief: Barack Obama and the Untold Story of American Socialism.

"President Obama is a socialist!" The explosive charge has been made, rebutted, and laughed off since the 2008 campaign. In Radical-in-Chief, Kurtz asserts that the charge is not off base and backs up his assertion with a detailed examination of President Obama's past from his college days to his Chicago associations with Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.

He details the gradualist, socialist strategy of Obama’s mentors and answers the key questions at the heart of this issue. "What difference does it make what Barack Obama believes? All that need concern us is what he does. Isn’t that right?" ABout 37 minutes.

Public Education a Relic of the Industrial Age

2011-02-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

Sir Ken Robinson is an expert in creativity, innovation, and human resources. He works with governments in Europe, Asia, and the United States, and with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and cultural organizations. Robinson led a national commission on creativity, education, and the economy for the UK government and was central in forming a creative- and economic-development strategy as part of the Northern Ireland peace process. Formerly, he was professor of education at the University of Warwick. He discusses how the need for public education is changing. About 75 minutes.

Robert Nozick on Civil and Economic Liberties

2011-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

In an interview, philosophy professor Chris Frieman discusses the work of 20th century philosopher Robert Nozick. In this segment, he describes how Nozick's endorsement of civil liberties led him to support similar liberties for economic decisions. About 2 minutes.

The Roots of Freedom in Ancient Greece

2011-02-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

In an interview, philosophy professor Mark LeBar discusses how core ideas in classical liberal thought, such as individualism, sociability, and justice, originated in Ancient Greece. About 4 minutes.

Opportunities as a Solution to Poverty

2011-02-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

In an interview, philosopher David Schmidtz discusses the social conditions necessary for alleviating poverty. Opportunities to trade and to better one's life, through voluntary relationships in a world of peace, lead to mutually beneficial outcomes for everyone. About 3 minutes.

A Philosopher's Take on Political Bias

2011-02-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

Chris Freiman, a philosophy professor at the College of William and Mary, describes the phenomenon of "confirmation bias": how people look for evidence to confirm their existing beliefs. He shows how confirmation bias plays an important role in citizens' voting decisions. About 4 minutes.

Equality and Respect

2011-02-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

Philosophy professor Aeon Skoble asks, "What do we mean when we talk about equality?" In this lecture, he discusses the theory of natural human rights and its extension to positive / negative political rights. Filmed at the 2006 IHS seminar "Exploring Liberty" at Princeton University. About 65 minutes.

2011-02-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

History professor Rob McDonald of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point gives a lecture on the conflict between the ideals of the American Revolution, such as individual liberty, and unfortunate realities of the time, such as slavery. Filmed at the 2006 IHS seminar "Exploring Liberty" at Princeton University. About one hour.

Incentive and Institutions

2011-02-11T18:36:00.000-08:00

From the IHS Vault: Economics professor Howie Baetjer of Towson University discusses how institutions, both public and private, affect the incentives that individuals face. These incentives impact the issues people care about, such as wildlife conservation. Filmed at the 2006 IHS seminar "Exploring Liberty" at Princeton University. About 75 minutes.

2011-02-11T18:33:00.001-08:00

Economics professor Howie Baetjer of Towson University explains how the market process generates improvements in the human condition. In particular, he highlights how profit & loss serve to help people channel their activities in creative and socially useful directions. Filmed at the 2006 IHS seminar "Exploring Liberty" at Princeton University. About 55 minutes.

2011-02-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

Economic Freedom and Growth

2011-02-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

Economics professor Josh Hall describes how greater economic freedom leads to higher incomes and more economic development over time. When governments allow citizens the freedom to trade, own property, create businesses, and contract with others, the income of average citizens grows over time. This effect can be observed internationally when comparing countries, as well as domestically when comparing states in the US. About 3 minutes.

Economic Freedon and a Better Life

2011-02-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

Economics professor Josh Hall explains how freedom leads to greater prosperity. 3 minutes.

What is Classical Liberalism

2011-02-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

Dr. Nigel Ashford lays out the 10 core principles of classical liberalism. 7 minutes.

Popular Sovereignty and the Health Insurance Mandate

2010-10-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

The Friedrich A. von Hayek Lecture is an annual lecture series sponsored by the New York University Journal of Law & Liberty, which focuses on the analysis of law from a classical liberal perspective. This year's lecturer was Randy E. Barnett, the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Legal Theory of Georgetown University Law Center. The lecture is titled "Commandeering the People: Popular Sovereignty and the Health Insurance Mandate." About 1:23 long.

Terror as Stimulus?

2010-04-01T00:15:00.000-07:00

Just over 2 minutes.

Ten Rules for Dealing with the Police

2010-04-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

82 minutes

Dr. Israel Kirzner: Morality, Efficiency and Markets

2010-01-21T22:10:00.000-08:00

Dr. Kirzner challenges the idea that while markets may be efficient they are immoral. About one hour.

Beyond Efficiency from FEE on Vimeo.

Realizing Freedom with Tom Palmer

2010-01-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

Tom G. Palmer on Realizing Freedom -

To purchase Tom's book, at a steeply discounted price, go to our friends at Laissez Faire Books.

Climategate: Even the Finns are asking questions.

2010-01-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

A television program from Finland looks at what was revealed in Climategate. In Finnish with English subtitles. About 30 minutes.

Saving Globalization

2010-01-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

New Zealand's former prime minister, Michael Moore, discusses globalization and his new book, Saving Globalization. The book can be ordered from our friends at Laissez Faire Books for $19.95. Moore is a former socialist who has moved considerably but who still has some affection for his mistaken ideas of the past.

An Ayn Rand Moment

2009-11-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Two major new books on Ayn Rand testify to the continuing impact of America's most influential novelist of ideas. Sales of Rand's books have been impressive for 66 years — more than 25 million — and have recently surged, perhaps in response to the dramatic increase in government intrusion into the free market. Rand remains a major influence on both libertarian and conservative communities, and these two new studies illustrate the growing scholarly interest in her impact. Jennifer Burns, a professor of history at the University of Virginia, looks at the development of Rand's ideas and her alliances — and clashes — with other intellectual and political figures. New York writer Anne Heller draws on original research in Russia, dozens of interviews with Rand's relatives and acquaintances, and previously unexamined archives to develop the first complete and independent biography. Please join us for a forum and book signing. About one hour. The best source to buy these books, as usual, is Fr33minds.com. Ayn Rand and the World She Made can be ordered here. And the Burns book, Goddess of the Market, may be ordered from this page, Fr33minds on average, tends to be cheaper than Amazon or Laissez Faire, and profits go into furthering the libertarian philosophy.

The Neo-Conservatives

2009-10-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Former British diplomat Jonathan Clarke joins host Harry Kreisler for a discussion of the impact of the neo-conservatives on U.S. foreign policy. He traces their emergence, the evolution of their ideas, and weighs the long term implications of their ascendancy in the administration of President George W. Bush. About one hour.

Health Care debate at Whole Foods

2009-10-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

About 5 minutes.

Evolution, progress and economics.

2009-10-07T09:52:00.001-07:00

Matt Ridley, an Oxford-educated zoologist, turned to journalism in 1983 when he got a job as The Economist's science reporter. He soon became the magazines Washington correspondent and eventually served as its American editor.

Ridley has written several acclaimed books that combine clear explanations of complex biology with discussions of the sciences implications for human society. In the reason.tv interview, Ridley discusses some of the themes in The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature; The Origins of Virtue: Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation; Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters; and Nature via Nurture: Genes, Experience, & What Makes Us Human; as well as his forthcoming book which seeks to understand how and why human progress happens.

Paul Feine and Alex Manning interviewed Ridley in the Milton and Rose Friedman Reading Room at Chapman University in Orange, California. About 9 minutes.

Free Speech Under Assault

2009-09-10T19:22:00.001-07:00

1984

2009-09-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

George Orwell's classic tale about Big Brother.

Harrison Bergeron

2009-09-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Here is the 1995 version of the film Harrison Bergeron, based on the short story by Kurt Vonnegut. I happen to like this film and thought the scriptwriters did a good job of filling out Vonnegut's very short story into a feature length film. A new version of the story is hitting some of the film festivals. It is entitled 2081. Laissez Faire Books has already spoken to film producers about having copies of the new version for sale. So watch www.lfb.org for more information on that. About 100 minutes and worth it.

Globalization is Good

2009-09-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

The world is an unequal and unjust place, in which some are born into wealth and some into hunger and misery. To explore why, in this controversial Channel Four documentary the young Swedish writer Johan Norberg takes the viewers on a journey to Taiwan, Vietnam, Kenya and Brussels to see the impact of globalisation, and the consequences of its absence. It makes the case that the problem in the world is not too much capitalism, globalisation and multinationals, but too little. About 50 minutes.

The Government Can

2009-08-31T20:41:00.001-07:00

An amusing musical look at the magical powers of government.

Stewart Brand on new heresies

2009-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

For the most part Brand's new heresies are pretty good. His fear about global warming, in our humble opinion, is wrong. But his support for nuclear power is not. His understanding of the dynamics of informal cities and markets is spot on. His notice of the plethora of private schools in the slums of the world is important. His support for genetic modification is good. Brand seems to be channeling Hernando deSoto, James Tooley, Petr Beckman and Ron Bailey. About 17 minutes. Mr. Brand will, no doubt, be viciously attacked for speaking the truth.

The Welfare State We're In

2009-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

In the controversial book The Welfare State We're In, James Bartholomew argues that the welfare state in Britain has resulted in a generation of badly educated and dependent citizens, leading to lives of deprivation for thousands and undermining the original intent behind its creation in the 1940s.

Has the welfare state really led to more harm than good? What does this imply for the ever-expanding welfare state in the United States? About 112 minutes

Liberty and Immigration

2009-05-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Jason Riley, of the Wall Street Journal, makes the case for a libertarian policy on immigration. Riley is the author of Let Them In. Copies of Riley's book can be ordered from Laissez Books at a discount. Go here to order.

The Case Against Intelligent Design

2009-04-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ken Miller discusses the tactics and ideas of the Intelligent Design crowd. About 2 hours.

Capitalism is good for charity

2009-04-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dan Pallotta, the originator of the bike-a-thons for raising funds for AIDS-related issues discusses how capitalism can be put to work for charity and how government is stopping it. In his groundbreaking new book, Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential , Pallotta makes the case that the nonprofit sector needs to be deregulated so that it can directly harness the energy of capitalism and the profit motive in pursuit of philanthropy. The book can be ordered from Laissez Faire Books, 1 866-686-7210.

Spending our Future

2009-04-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

About three minutes.

The "Silent" Ninth Amendment

2009-03-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

Daniel Farber discusses the Ninth Amendment in Retained By the People: The "Silent" Ninth Amendment and the Constitutional Rights Americans Don't Know They Have.

The Bill of Rights ensures all Americans free speech, the right to trial by jury, and many other important rights. Do additional rights exist, and is the government obliged to recognize them? Is there a right to privacy? To engage in homosexual acts? To marry? Legal scholar Daniel Farber says the express purpose of the Ninth Amendment was to recognize "unenumerated" rights such as these. Yet this amendment has never been the basis for a Supreme Court decision.

Simply put, the Ninth states that human rights precede government. The law does not grant these rights and therefore has no authority to take them away. Advocates of "original intent" who demand that the courts recognize only the limited set of rights explicitly listed in the constitution are in fact advocating the opposite of what the Framers intended - they had the foresight to realize they could not possibly anticipate every issue that might arise or what values their descendants would find worthy of protection.

Providing critical new support for controversial Supreme Court decisions dealing with abortion, homosexuality, and the right to travel between states, Farber's view doesn't neatly track any political agenda, including his own, making his conclusions challenging for both liberals and conservative. About 45 minutes.

The Conflict Between Faith and Reason

2009-03-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

Believing the Unbelievable: The Clash Between Faith and Reason in the Modern World with Sam Harris speaking at the 2007 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Some of the most inspired and provocative thinkers, writers, artists, business people, teachers and other leaders drawn from myriad fields and from across the country and around the world all gathered in a single place - to teach, speak, lead, question, and answer at the 2006 Aspen Ideas Festival. Throughout the week, they all interacted with an audience of thoughtful people who stepped back from their day-to-day routines to delve deeply into a world of ideas, thought, and discussion.

2009-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Iraq End Game with Ivan Eland and David Henderson.

A recurring question found in most public opinion polls and on the 2008 presidential campaign trail: What will be the end-game for the U.S. in Iraq? How will U.S. decisions about continued engagement affect Iraq itself, and the Middle East? About 80 minutes.

Thomas Sowell on Economics

2009-03-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

Peter Robinson speaks with Thomas Sowell about his new book Economic Facts and Fallacies in which Sowell exposes some of the most popular fallacies about economic issues.

Sowell takes on the conventional thinking on a wide swath of America's economic life, from male-female economic differences to income stagnation, executive pay, and social mobility to economics of higher education. In all cases he demonstrates how economics relates to the social issues that deeply affect our country. About 30 minutes.

The Cult of the Presidency

2009-03-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Author Gene Healy on The Bipartisan Romance with the Imperial Presidency.

Gene Healy, author of The Cult of the Presidency: America's Dangerous Devotion to Executive Power, discusses how the role of the President has changed from the vision of the Framers of the Constitution and the obstacles to returning it to its narrow, constitutional function. About 45 minutes.

Protecting Private Property

2009-03-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

Richard Epstein on Supreme Neglect: How to Revive the Constitutional Protection for Private Property.

Law Professor and Hoover Fellow Richard Epstein discusses how modern constitutional law regarding private property rights differs from traditional common law practices dating back hundreds of years - laws which the framers of the Constitution based their philosophy on government's jurisdiction over private property. About 45 minutes.

The Really Inconvenient Truths

2009-03-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Iain Murray talks about his book The Really Inconvenient Truths: Seven Environmental Catastrophes Liberals Don't Want You to Know About--Because They Helped Cause Them. (Available from Laissez Faire Books, 1 866-686-78210.

In his book Mr. Murray recounts instances where the policies of liberal environmentalists have harmed the environment and where the free-enterprise private-property policies of conservatives can provide solutions.

The Coming Century of Liberty

2009-03-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

A key figure in the libertarian movement, David Boaz surveys what he sees as the threats to freedom from the Bush administration and the current presidential candidates.

Though he is frustrated with many of the candidates' positions, he remains optimistic about the future of civil and economic liberties.

But he says that the future of freedom requires that Americans devote considerable effort to preserving and protecting these rights. About 67 minutes.

Marriage Equality and Proposition 8

2009-03-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

Proposition 8 would change the California State Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

In this emotion-laden issue, supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are grappling with whether amending the constitution to strip rights from some Californians is wise policy.

What is the impact on families and society as a whole? About one hour.

Thomas Sowell: A Conflict of Visions

2009-03-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

Thomas Sowell describes the critical differences between interests and visions. Interests, he says, are articulated by people who know what their interests are and what they want to do about them. Visions, however, are the implicit assumptions by which people operate.

In politics, visions are either "constrained" or "unconstrained." A closer look at the statements of both McCain and Obama reveals which "vision" motivates their policy positions, particularly as they pertain to the war, the law, and economics. About 40 minutes.

Too many laws?

2009-03-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

In recent years British society has become increasingly litigious. Both the government and the public increasingly turn to the law to resolve problems.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has beaten even his predecessor’s record, introducing 2,823 new laws during his first year in office.

This is the highest record for law-making by anyone at Number 10, and 40% higher than the annual average created by Margaret Thatcher. Meanwhile, disputes between neighbours, and often trivial harassment cases, are increasingly likely to come to court.

This legalistic approach to social and political problems is causing disquiet, however. Critics question whether fines or imprisonment are always the answer to interpersonal problems.

Questions are being raised about the impact new laws are having on British justice, and the individuals’ relationship to the state and to each other. The use of the law for political ends is also said to be corrupting the criminal justice system, with the abolition of double jeopardy (so that the accused can now be tried twice), proposals to increase the detention without trial of terrorist suspects to 42 days and the rise of race and religious hate laws.

A drive to increase the conviction rate in cases such as rape, the increased prominence of the victim in harassment law and the trial process are also attracting criticism as well as support.

Are we overburdening the law with social and political problems, and undermining it in the process? About one hour.

What To Do About Climate Change.

2009-03-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

A Cato Institute Capitol Hill Briefing featuring Indur Goklany, author of The Improving State of the World and a new Cato study, "What to Do about Climate Change," and delegate to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Patrick J. Michaels, Senior Fellow in Environmental Studies, Cato Institute, and contributing author and reviewer of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. About 45 minutes.

Dustin Black on Harvey Milk

2009-03-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

Summary
While in college in the mid-90's, Dustin Lance Black first viewed Rob Epstein's documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. He thought, "I just want to do something with this, why hasn't someone done something with this?"

A chance introduction to the late supervisor's former aide and disciple Cleve Jones brought Black into the circle of Milk's political family where he met with another of Milk's former aides, Anne Kronenberg, as well as former San Francisco Mayor, Art Agnos.
It was then he began to write a feature film screenplay encompassing the events of Milk's life.

Mr. Black grew up in a Mormon household in San Antonio, Texas. In 2000, he wrote and directed The Journey of Jared Price, a romance film, and Something Close to Heaven, a coming-of-age short film.

In 2001, he directed and was a subject in the documentary On the Bus about a Nevada road trip taken by six gay men. In 2006 he was hired as the only Mormon writer on the HBO drama series Big Love which is set in Salt Lake City and explores the life of a Mormon polygamous family.

Covers Prop 8, same-sex marriage and similar issues.

Medicinal Marijuana and Minors

2009-03-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

Should medical marijuana be kept from minors at all costs? Why is it that pharmacists can dispense amphetamines without getting busted, but legal operators who dispense medical marijuana face prison time? Why do armed federal agents persist in raiding California?

With its sun, surf and small town atmosphere, California's San Luis Obispo County is a good place to grow up. Seventeen-year-old Owen Beck played football and soccer for a local high school, but one day his thoughts abruptly turned away from sports and school. Doctors told Owen he had bone cancer, and would have to begin chemotherapy right away.

The young athlete suffered another blow—doctors would have to amputate his leg to try to keep the cancer from spreading. Chemotherapy attacked Owen's cancer and his body, leaving him bald, gaunt, and vomiting the food he needed to recover. The amputation introduced Owen to a bizarre, new agony called phantom pain, and although doctors gave him powerful medication, nothing helped.

But might a new kind of pharmacy offer new hope? A medical marijuana dispensary had recently opened in the nearby city of Morro Bay. More than a decade earlier, California voters legalized medical marijuana and Morro Bay's mayor and Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dispensary, and its owner Charlie Lynch.

Owen's parents knew the idea of giving medical marijuana to a 17-year-old strikes many people as scandalous. Local Sheriff Pat Hedges even asserts that allowing medical marijuana is "not in the best interest of a community that prides itself on providing a healthy, family environment."

But the Becks weren't concerned about what other people thought; they were focused on helping their son. So with a written doctor recommendation in hand, they purchased medical marijuana for their teenage son. The new medication eased Owen's pain and nausea like nothing else had, and the Becks grew fond of Charlie Lynch, who would sometimes refuse payment because, says Steve Beck, "He was just a compassionate kind of a guy."

But one day, Owen's life took another abrupt turn. Federal agents and local sheriff deputies raided Charlie Lynch's dispensary, and seized nearly everything inside, including Owen's medicine. "He had a prescription from a doctor at Stanford, and they took his stuff!" says Debbie Beck. Federal agents cuffed Lynch, and put him behind bars. Even though state and local laws allow for it, medical marijuana is still illegal under federal law. And because he had clients like Owen who were under age 21, Charlie Lynch faces heightened penalties. In California the average first-degree murder serves 20 years behind bars; Charlie Lynch could face a sentence as long as 100 years in prison.

Drew Carey for Reason.tv, about 10 minutes.

Mexicans and Machines

2009-03-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Candidates love scaring voters about foreigners who are taking their jobs.

Sometimes the threat comes from China, Japan, or outsourcing to India. Today, it’s NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement—you know, all those Mexicans taking our jobs.

Senator Barack Obama joins the likes of CNN’s Lou Dobbs in decrying NAFTA. So many free trade foes fret about cheap foreign labor, yet they rarely holler about competitors who will work for far less than any foreigner. Politicians don’t pay much attention to it, but—from Terminator to Ice Pirates—Hollywood films have been warning us about humanity’s inevitable war against the machines.

“Now, think about it,” says Reason.tv host Drew Carey. “How are we supposed to compete against something that doesn’t get paid, doesn’t get health insurance, and never goes on breaks?”

Today, we don't need human workers to book our travel, do our banking, or file our taxes. From factory workers to symphony conductors, countless workers are locked in battle with soulless job stealers known as computers, websites, and robots.

“No job is safe from the robot threat!” warns Carey. Of course, the warning is more than a little tongue-in-cheek. There’s no need to take a sledgehammer to a robot, because, although technology shakes up the labor market, it ends up giving us higher living standards as well as more and better job opportunities.

Like technology, trade gives us more good stuff than bad—yet Americans are likely to cheer technology and fear trade. No doubt TV talkers and White House wannabes will keep stoking our fears of foreigners until voters and viewers stop buying it—or until robots snag their jobs, too. Drew Carey for Reason.tv. About 8 minutes.

Who needs the nanny state?

2009-03-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Whether you love it, hate it, or have never thought about it, chances are some politician wants to ban it. "Welcome to the Nanny State Nation," says reason.tv host Drew Carey. "Where the government minds your own business."

Saggy pants, fire places, plastic bags, light bulbs, poker—it's all been banned somewhere. Same with owning swine or fowl, feeding pigeons, owning pit bulls, and chomping on trans fats, a naughty little substance that makes food taste better.

Of course, smoking's been banned in all sorts of places—indoors, outdoors, near doors, beaches, casinos, even private homes. America's smoking ban craze began in California. So many bans start there.

"But is New York City the new California?" asks Carey? Smoking, trans fat, aluminum baseball bats, straddling a bike, wearing in-line skates or drinking coffee on a subway—the Big Apple bans them all.

Even if we don't particularly like something we should be wary of banning it because every ban is backed up by the force of law. Plus, would you want to live in a nation that bans everything that offends someone?

Carey wonders when so many of us turned into "ban-happy busybodies," and compliments the British on their more civilized approach to bans.

Drew Carey for Reason.tv, abour four minutes.

Earmarks: Pork Barrel Politics

2009-03-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Taxpayers are shelling out over $17 billion for more than 11,000 Congressional earmarks in FY 2008. One such project is a $1.6 million earmark in this year’s defense spending bill. The money is going to the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI), a program that searches for evidence of life elsewhere in the universe.

That alien pork project is just one example of how elected officials use earmarks to funnel federal tax dollars back to powerful interests in their districts. While politicians and a few of their most well-connected constituents benefit from earmarks, the costs fall on individual taxpayers. Since 1991, Americans have paid over $271 billion for pork projects.

In this new Reason.tv video, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla) - who is known as the Senate's "Dr. No" for his aggressive opposition to earmarks - explains how taxpayers are being fleeced by Washington's insatiable appetite for pork. About 5 minutes.