A news service for the people of Michigan from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Featured Video Archive

Milton Friedman 1979

Friedman shows why he is unsurpassed in modern times in defending liberty. He cheerfully decapitates the ideas of a government-controlled economy, over a wide range of examples. … more

We the People: Rule of Law and Liberty

Business men and women today are faced with looming uncertainties about the regulations and taxes the government will come out with tomorrow. Without a set of laws that limit the influence of government, the rules and institutions that we live by are left to the whims of the powerful or influential.

The Founders understood this and integrated institutions such as the separation of powers, federalism, and the Bill of Rights into our framework. The Constitution is the protector of the rule of law, but it has come under attack many times in the last century.

To protect the Constitution, we must first understand the Constitution … more

Economic Freedom in 60 Seconds

How do you explain the incredible power of economic freedom in 60 seconds? This video does just that, showing just how vital economic freedom is to our quality of life. … more

States Should Flatly Reject ObamaCare Exchanges

States that opt to create an exchange can expect to pay anywhere from $10 million to $100 million per year to run it. But if states refuse, Obamacare says the federal government must pay to create one. Why should states pay for something that the federal government is giving away? … more

Green Jobs: What's In A Name?

Do you know what the Obama Administration considers a "green job"? Do you know what "green jobs" even means? The top Department of Labor statistician is questioned by Congress. … more

Mayor Barrett's concession: What you might not have heard on TV

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett concedes to Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin's first ever recall election of a governor. Some in the audience were not happy, believing the concession was too early. Warning: Offensive language … more

Pro-Walker Marine Vet Gets in the Mix at Dem Rally

Pro-Walker Marine veteren getting in the mix at the Democratic rally with Bill Clinton for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on June 1, 2012. Click here for more. … more

Should You Need the Government's Permission to Work?

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing is the first national study to measure how burdensome occupational licensing laws are for lower-income workers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The report documents the license requirements for 102 low- and moderate-income occupations—such as barber, massage therapist and preschool teacher—across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It finds that occupational licensing is not only widespread, but also overly burdensome and frequently irrational. … more

Ecorse: Regaining Control

Ecorse, in the shadow of Detroit, has struggled since 1986 with corrupt public officials and overspending. In 2009, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm elected Joyce Parker as Ecorse city manager. By privatizing most services, restructuring the city's debt and renegotiating union contracts where she could, Ecorse has gone from spending $5 million more a year than it took in to achieving solvency in the face of bankruptcy. "She has been a savior for our city," says city resident William Holmes. … more

Milton Friedman on Free Trade and the Steel Industry

The late economist argues for international free trade. … more

Flipped Classrooms Underline Student Learning

Technology enables schools to rethink the way that they deliver instruction to students, and a recent phenomenon that's catching on is called "flipping the classroom." It works by having students receive direct instruction — often via online videos — outside of the classroom, enabling teachers to devote more time to collaboration, project-based learning, developing critical thinking skills and mentoring students individually. … more

Thomas Sowell - Welfare

Economist Thomas Sowell debates the dynamics of welfare with Pennsylvania Secretary of Welfare, Helen O'Banion (1980) in a discussion that would prove prophetic. … more

The Problem With Allen Park

Allen Park went "all in" on Michigan's film subsidy program. When the deal collapsed, the mid-sized city got stuck with the bill. Adding in skyrocketing public employee legacy costs leaves a recipe for fiscal disaster.

For more information, see reporter Anne Schieber's article at www.MichCapCon.com/16734… more

The Social Security Myth

Using Social Security as his prime example, Milton Friedman explores the idea that the major expansions in government resulted from popular demand. In a speech delivered more than 30 years ago, he directly relates this dynamic to today's health care debate. … more

Thomas Sowell Dismantles Egalitarianism

In this clip from the 1980 special 'Free To Choose,' socialist Frances Fox Piven tangles with economist Thomas Sowell. Sowell discusses the "process" versus aspiration - concluding that whatever the purported social goals of egalitarianism, liberty suffers.  … more

John Stossel's Illegal Everything

The producer of Stupid in America, John Stossel, broadcasts another outstanding documentary. "Illegal Everything" shows how many seemingly commonsense activities are (or may soon be) illegal - including lemonade stands, raw milk, fast food, recording police, and more. … more

Milton Friedman - Freedom vs. Fairness

Dr. Friedman discusses why freedom and fairness sometimes conflict; and how the free market solves this problem. … more

U-M Graduate Students Blue Over Unionization

Are graduate student research assistants at a public university students. ... or government employees? Several hundred GSRAs, many represented by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, U-M deans, faculty and the president object to this movement to unionize. A bill to clarify that students are students and not entitled to unionize awaits the governor's signature. … more

Stealth-Unionization Scheme Bleeds Medicaid

Robert and Patricia Haynes of Macomb Township take care of their adult children — Melissa, 34, and Kevin, 30 — who suffer from hypertonic cerebral palsy and function at the level of six-month-olds. Now, some of the Medicaid assistance that is supposed to go to the Haynes family is being diverted to the coffers of the Service Employee International Union.  … more

Breitbart's Legacy

"I want the left to know they screwed with the wrong guy." … more

The Vote Pump

Bill Whittle explains the unsustainable problem of government. "To spend $10, our government taxes for $6 and borrows $4. And when they actually spend that $10, $4 buys the actual government and $6 goes to people to buy votes with."  … more

Top 3 Myths About the Great Depression and the New Deal

Historian Stephen Davies names three persistent myths about the Great Depression. Myth #1: Herbert Hoover was a laissez-faire president, and it was his lack of action that lead to an economic collapse. Myth #2: The New Deal ended the Great Depression. Myth #3: World War II ended the Great Depression.  … more

Home Health Care Forced Unionization

Vincent Vernuccio explains the union's latest method of forcing home healthcare and daycare workers into their unions. This story was broken in Michigan by Michigan Capitol Confidential. For more information, click here… more

Want To Save Endangered Species? Hunt Them!

(CBS News) -- The scimitar horned oryx . . . the addax . . . the dama gazelle - three elegant desert antelope that you'd hope to see on a journey through Africa, except that their numbers are dwindling there. Which is why Lara Logan went to Texas -- yes, Texas. There, on large grassland ranches, some exotic species that are endangered in the wild have been brought back in large numbers. But there's a catch: a percentage of the herd is hunted every year by hunters who pay big money for a big catch. The ranchers say this limited "culling" gives them the money they need to care for the animals and conserve the species. But animal rights activists don't buy that argument, claiming the hunts are "canned" and that hunting is wholly inconsistent with conservancy. … more

Public School Official Says Parents Don't "Necessarily" Know What School Is Best For Their Children

Debbie Squires of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association speaks to the House Education Committee.

"Educators go through education for a reason. They are the people who know best about how to serve children. That is not necessarily true about an individual resident. Not saying that they don't want the best for their children, but they may not know what actually is best from an education standpoint." … more

Landmark Right-to-Work Bill Passes Indiana House

On Jan. 25, 2012, the Indiana House passed a right-to-work bill by a safe margin. Now signed by Gov. Daniels, this legislation makes Indiana the 23rd state to make it illegal to require a worker to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Here is the scene from when the bill was passed, as well as responses from the House leadership, union protestors and everyday Indiana citizens. … more

Milton Friedman - School Choice

January 23-29, 2012 was 'School Choice Week'. Professor Friedman spells out his recipe for fixing America's educational system. … more

Reason TV: What We Saw - National School Choice Week Kick-Off, New Orleans

January 23-29, 2012 is School Choice Week. "I think we ought to give our children the best we possibly can and I think we're moving in that direction," says renowned political operative James Carville. "Yes, I'm very excited about it." … more

National School Choice Week 2011

January 23-29, 2012 is 'School Choice Week'. The week is a bi-partisan coalition of organizations across the country who continue to push for more educational opportunity. Here are some highlights of National School Choice Week 2011. … more

Indiana Right-to-Work Still Stalled

It was another day at the Indiana State House. Another commemoration on the inside, more noise on the outside. The House can't vote on a bill unless 67 of 100 lawmakers show up to form a quorum. Indiana Democrats didn't show up...again. … more

Indiana GOP Leader Discusses Right-to-Work "Threats," "Propaganda"

Indiana House Democrats failed to show up to a full house session, stalling action of Indiana's Right to Work bill. House Speaker Republican Brian Bosma vows to fine each member failing to show up $1000 a day and will deduct the amount from lawmakers' paychecks. The House was adjourned until Monday at 11:30. One Democrat who spoke on the floor said his party will be there. Democrats want the issue considered in a voter referendum. Republicans say this is simply a delay tactic. … more

A Digital Learning Success Story

In Suttons Bay public schools, they are discovering that online learning is more adaptive, aiding those who struggle and boosting all students. Their program is so effective that other districts are adopting it for their own classrooms. … more

Indiana Lawmakers Discuss Right-to-Work Bill

A Republican says unions will "do anything" they can to stop the bill while a Democratic lawmaker hints that there may be a statewide referendum.

Republican State Sen. Jim Banks and Democratic State Rep. Scott Pelath discuss the right-to-work bill being debated for Indiana.

To see more coverage of this issue, click here… more

Businessman Says Michigan Needs to Become Right To Work

A longtime businessman says now that Michigan has gotten rid of the Michigan Business Tax and its surcharge (see here), it's high time elected leaders take a good hard look at how the state's labor climate impacts whether or not businesses decide to come to Michigan. … more

Freedom to Work

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on right-to-work. … more

A Guide to the American Federal Debt

A satirical short film taking a look at the national debt and how it applies to just one family. … more

Cronyism in America

Professors Don Boudreaux (George Mason University), Susan Dudley (George Washington University) & Bradley Schiller (University of Nevada-Reno) discuss the causes & solutions to Cronyism in America.

For more information, check out www.EconomicFreedom.org.  … more

Why the Stimulus Failed

High, persistent unemployment and a sluggish economy underscore what all but the most-dedicated partisans know to be true: The president's 2009 stimulus program was a massively expensive bust.

Understanding why the stimulus failed is an important step in understanding how the government can—and cannot—goose economic recovery.  … more

Golden Ticket

Like many charter public schools in Michigan, South Arbor Charter Academy must hold a lottery to distribute its limited classroom slots among an overwhelming number of applicants. In this video, the parents of some 556 student-hopefuls vie for just 26 slots at this achievement - and values - focused school. … more

Do Good-ers Who Do Harm

All too often people who are well-meaning and have good intentions end up creating results which are the opposite of the very thing they are trying to fix. Milton Friedman discusses the efficacy of "affecting to trade for the public good," as Adam Smith put it.  … more

Occupy Wall Street & Capitalism: A Professor's Response

The Occupy Wall Street movement expresses valid frustrations, but do the protesters aim their accusations in the wrong direction?

Economics Professor Chris Coyne draws the distinction between crony capitalism and legitimate capitalism. Crony capitalism is government favoritism fueled by handouts and is responsible for the plight of the 99%. Legitimate capitalism, on the other hand, uses competition to align consumer and producer interests and serves to improve everyone's standard of living. … more

Thanksgiving: Overcoming Socialism

The Plymouth Colony was established as a communal society -- an experiment in socialism. No one had an incentive to work, so disease and famine forced the pilgrims to adopt liberty and capitalism. The result? Much for which to be thankful!

To learn more, read "The Lost Lesson of Thanksgiving." … more

Fox Business: Loving Parents or Union Workers?

Fox Business Network picks up the Michigan Capitol Confidential story about Robert and Patricia Haynes, who discuss the Michigan law that forces them to join a union because they care for their kids with cerebral palsy.

The original story can be read here: www.MichiganCapitolConfidential.com/16001… more

The State Against Blacks

We have always been told that big government programs help minorities and poor people. It's intuitive to think that affirmative action, the minimum wage, and welfare make life better for people living in poverty. In Times Square, people tell Stossel: "Well of course there should be a minimum wage! There should definitely be affirmative action!" But this week Stossel and economist Walter Williams report that what we think we know is wrong. … more

The SEIU in Michigan: Home Health Aides

In 2005, as part of a nationwide push to increase membership using government subsidies as a source for union dues, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) organized Michigan's home health aides. As a result, tens of thousands of the state's independent, private-sector workers found themselves belonging to a government employees' union, with dues skimmed from their clients' Medicaid subsidy checks.

This video features Frank, a disabled adult with severe cerebral palsy, and his health aide, Judi, who's outraged that government money meant to help Frank is instead going to a union she wants no part of.

 … more

Mackinac Minute: Recent Education Reform

Mackinac Center Director of Education Policy Michael Van Beek discusses the introduction of recent bills to reform education in Michigan. Among proposed legislation is the so-called "Right to Teach" bill, as well as a bill that removes the limits on the number of online charter schools in the state. … more

Michigan Charter School Wars

In Sept. 2011, Michigan basketball standout Jalen Rose opened a new charter school in his hometown of Detroit. He's one of the few to be able to do so under current state law that limits the number of charter schools in the state. Michigan lawmakers can change that. They have before them several bills to address education reform. Among them, a bill to lift the "cap" on charter schools in Michigan to give students more educational opportunities. This attempt is not a first. Twice over the past dozen years, legislators failed to approve lifting these restrictions. Both times, by just a few votes. Are legislators destined to repeat history?

For more information, click here… more

School Opportunity in Detroit: Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

After a successful professional basketball career, Jalen Rose is setting his sights on becoming an education entrepreneur. In 2011, the former University of Michigan basketball standout and Detroit native opened a brand new charter school — the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. Expectations are high here, but Rose says he's committed to giving these high school students an opportunity to succeed.

“I’m a Detroit native and I know that unions are Big Business. All adults know that. Based on the number of schools, the number of kids, the number of dollars that flow through that situation. But a lot of the people that are standing on the table with that argument can’t necessarily pose the reason why that’s valid other than money. Look at the numbers of graduation rates that we have here lately: 30 percent for 9th graders graduating. In Detroit we have 47 percent of the adults that are functionally illiterate. So there is obviously something that is not happening in the right manner.” … more

Our Kids Deserve the Best and Brightest Teachers

Democrat Rep. Tim Melton of Auburn Hills explains what it means to treat teachers like professionals. … more

Michigan School District Bucks Spending Cuts Trend

Many school districts in Michigan claim state budget cuts have forced them to make drastic reductions in programs and course offerings. This is not the case in Oxford Community Schools, which has added sports teams, doubled its entire fine arts program and created an orchestra and world language programs.  … more

Civil asset forfeiture is one of the greatest threats to private property rights in our nation today. Law enforcement can take your property without even charging you with a crime.

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