Featured Video Archive
The Teachers Union Monopoly
Part 5 of John Stossel Special "Stupid in America." … more
Part 5 of John Stossel Special "Stupid in America." NBC's Education Nation Summit: Joe Trippi, Michelle Rhee, & More
Reason TV - Will Democrats turn their newfound zeal for school choice into policies that actually banish unions from the classroom and empower parents and students? Reason.tv's Michael Moynihan went to Education Nation to find out. … more
An Evening with the Mackinac Center: L. Brooks Patterson
An Evening With the Mackinac Center, featuring Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson speaking on "What Michigan's Next Governor Can Learn from Oakland County."
(The program took place at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2010.) … more
Arnold's Last Stand
ReasonTV - HOW THE LAME-DUCK GOVERNOR IS FIGHTING FOR ONE LAST WIN OVER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE UNIONS … more
Saving Lives is Sometimes Illegal
Institute for Justice - Every year, 1,000 Americans die because they cannot find a matching bone marrow donor. Minorities are hit especially hard. Common sense suggests that offering modest incentives to attract more bone marrow donors would be worth pursuing, but federal law makes that a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. … more
Boondoggle in the Motor City: Detroit's Train to Nowhere
Detroit's current "light rail" system has been called a “Horizontal Elevator to Nowhere” and the “least cost-effective transit project in the last 20 years.” So what's the response to this epic disaster of central planning from the political class? To build more, of course.
Reason TV has just released a video about a new Detroit “light rail” transportation system scheduled to be built next year. Here's a quote from one of the most vocal advocates of the program, state Rep. Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak):
“So, we have a limited pool of money? Is that what you’re saying? There’s only so much money in the world, ever?...Well, obviously that’s not true. If that was the case, if we wanted to build a new school in Royal Oak, for instance, we’d say ‘We cannot build another school in Royal Oak because we only have some much money.’” … more
Obama vs. Reagan: Ray Griggs on His New Film, 'I Want Your Money'
In his new documentary, I Want Your Money , which opens nationwide in more than 400 theaters on October 15, Griggs examines the fiscal crisis the U.S. faces today by comparing two iconic presidents—Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan—and their views on the proper role of government. For more information and a list of theaters where the film is showing, visit www.IWantYourMoney.net. … more
Free to Design
Institute for Justice - Florida is ground zero in the nationwide battle to cartelize the interior design industry. … more
Governor Christie: I cannot put NJ Taxpayers on a never-ending hook
The New Jersey governor decides to yank the plug on a $14 billion project. Says New Jersey government has gone for too long “ordering things it cannot pay for…” … more
Freeing Small Farms
Institute for Justice - In Lake Elmo, Minn. farmers are threatened with 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines for selling pumpkins or Christmas trees grown outside city limits. … more
Milton Friedman - Other People's Money
Professor Friedman examines the dynamics of "doing good" with other people's money. … more
Teaching is Not a Crime
Institute for Justice - Anyone in Virginia can do yoga, and anyone can teach yoga. But, incredibly, it is illegal to teach people to teach yoga. … more
The Rick Snyder Interview - Part 2
In part two of an interview with GOP governor candidate Rick Snyder, he sits down with MichCapCon.com managing editor Ken Braun and explains his plans for public employee compensation, closing failing schools, environmental regulation and more. Part one is here
Both the Democrat and Republican candidates were given an opportunity to be interviewed by MichCapCon.com. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, the Democrat nominee, has not yet accepted. … more
The Rick Snyder Interview - Part 1
In part one of an interview with GOP governor candidate Rick Snyder, he sits down with MichCapCon.com managing editor Ken Braun and explains his plans for the state budget, a tax cut for every Michigan business, and the biggest misconceptions about him. Part two will show tomorrow.
Both the Democrat and Republican candidates were given an opportunity to be interviewed by MichCapCon.com. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, the Democrat nominee, has not yet accepted. … more
Christie Announces Sweeping N.J. Education Reform
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is working to institute a series of education reforms; including eliminating tenure and seniority and testing teachers in reading and math. … more
The Story of Randy Bailey
Institute for Justice - Wanna cheer for a regular guy who became a national champion for freedom? Watch brake shop owner Randy Bailey fight for his (and all of our) property rights. … more
GlobalWatt's the Deal?
Another tax break application just doesn't add up
An ongoing investigation by the Mackinac Center into a preferential tax deal that was granted to a maker of solar panels in Saginaw has revealed that the company may have "misrepresented" information that was "critical" to the company receiving special help from state government as part of the company's decision to move to Michigan rather than Texas. … more
The Story of Susette Kelo
Institute for Justice - A brief take through Susette Kelo's historic fight against eminent domain abuse. … more
Governor Christie: Put Up or Shut Up
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie calls out Republicans: "The bigger government gets, the more difficult it is to change it and to manage it...If [Republicans] win the Congress, we have to put up or shut up. We failed the last time." (HT to Real Clear Politics) … more
Chris Matthews 'Tweaks' Obama
MSNBC host Chris Matthews points out the difference between tax cuts and welfare. … more
Working Stiffed
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
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Film Incentive Trouble
WXYZ - A news report from Tuesday highlights a new Senate Fiscal Agency report showing the Michigan film incentive program causing a real drain to the state's resources. For Michigan Capitol Confidential coverage of this story, click here. … more
Charles Murray TV
Dr. Murray has come up with a novel plan for the reform of health care, social security, and welfare. His ideas are definitely worth listening to. … more
Charlton Heston for Right to Work
A former union man himself, the late actor was a strong proponent of right to work laws. … more
Cops on Camera
Cato Institute - We all have to deal with the opportunities and challenges presented by widespread video technology. The same is true for police. But law enforcement might prefer that cameras not be a part of their interactions with citizens. … more
CNBC Debate on Net Neutrality Regulation & Pricing Freedom
CNBC Power Lunch debate: Should the government or the free market set the price of getting on the Internet? (H/T Bruce Walker of IT+Telecom News) … more
Politics from Oz
An ad for a candidate for Congress who is running against Nancy Pelosi skewers both political parties and campaign finance laws. … more
Legacy
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “When your time in office is done, what will you want people to say about you?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Policy Questions
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to a variety of policy questions. See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
New Jersey Governor Responds to Teacher During Town hall
N.J. Governor Chris Christie responds to a teacher's question during a town hall meeting and discusses the teachers' union and the need for shared sacrifice. … more
Trucks and Planes
Federal Express opposes what they say is a congressional effort to tilt the package delivery market in favor of UPS and against the consumer. FedEx says this is a "Brown Bailout." UPS is a unionized, FedEx is not. This is one of several videos that attempt to explain the controversy. For more, see www.BrownBailout.com … more
Political Work, Public Employees?
During 2008, WDIV-TV caught state workers on camera fighting the recall of their boss, Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Twp. Questions were raised about whether he was using a public payroll to do his private political work. Now, a political consultant is asking Dillon’s office to investigate whether another lawmaker is doing this. See also today’s main story. … more
Brown Bailout: The 1997 Teamsters Strike
Federal Express opposes what they say is a congressional effort to tilt the package delivery market in favor of UPS and against the consumer. FedEx says this is a "Brown Bailout." UPS is a unionized, FedEx is not. This is one of several videos that attempt to explain the controversy. For more, see www.BrownBailout.com … more
Teachers Unions Take on LA Times
Fox Business Network - 'The Cartel' director Bob Bowden debates Alan Colmes on efforts by teachers unions to block information on teacher performance being made public. … more
Flight Fight
A Michigan pilot says while presidential flight restrictions are nothing new, they have recently expanded. And while intended to thwart security breaches, the restrictions instead thwart his ability to make a living. … more
August: Porker of the Month
"Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today named Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) August Porker of the Month for sponsoring legislation that could give federal funding to his daughter's nonprofit organization, which promotes overseas wildlife protection for cheetahs." … more
Background Check, Anyone?
On May 13, 2010, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm released a series of public service announcements warning Michigan residents about investment scams. The 30-second radio ads encourage people to do background checks before giving any money to a purported investor.
Just two months earlier, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved a $9.1 million tax credit for a convicted embezzler who was on parole (http://www.mackinac.org/12345).
Background check, anyone? … more
California Pension Problems
A California town of 91 gives out pensions of over $500,000. Stuart Varney of Fox Business talks pensions with the Reason Foundation’s director of research. … more
Patterson Calling for Grand Jury Investigation into Tea Party Filings
Fox-2 in Detroit: Potential jail time for the alleged ringleader of a scheme to put fake “Tea Party” candidates on the ballot in Oakland County. … more
Stimulus: Real or Fake?
Joke-telling robots, expensive walking tunnels, Blackberries for smokers, and training American prostitutes to drink responsibly. Can you tell which of these government spending projects are real or fake? … more
Courage
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “Describe a time you stood up for what you believed in and it cost you something politically. What happened? How did you respond? What was the outcome?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Free the Monks & Free Enterprise
Institute for Justice - Under Louisiana law, it is a crime for anyone but a licensed funeral director to sell "funeral merchandise," which includes caskets. To sell caskets legally, the monks of Saint Joseph Abbey would have to abandon their calling for one full year to apprentice at a licensed funeral home, learn unnecessary skills and take a funeral industry test. They would also have to convert their monastery into a "funeral establishment" by, among other things, installing equipment for embalming human remains. … more
Leading in Crisis
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “Describe a time you had to lead in a crisis. What happened? How did you respond? What was the outcome?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
The New Orleans School Voucher Program
ReasonTV: “Before Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005, Orleans Parish public schools were failing miserably. After the storm shut down the public school system completely, there was little reason to be optimistic. But then something amazing happened.” – HT to http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/ … more
10th Amendment
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “What, specifically, will you do to demonstrate your support for the 10th Amendment of of the US Constitution?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Paul Ryan on Entitlements
Congressman Paul Ryan (WI-01) and David Walker of the Peter G Peterson Foundation discuss the urgent need to get our fiscal house in order on CNBC's Squawk Box. For more on Paul Ryan's comprehensive plan to tackle our entitlement crisis, please visit: www.americanroadmap.org … more
Only One Bill
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “If you could pass only one bill during your first term in office, what specifically would it say?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
John Stossel's Broken Window Fallacy
ABC's 20/20 shows how government spending cannot create jobs. … more
Favorite Job
Michigan’s Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked the seven candidates for governor to sit down for a job interview. The five GOP candidates – including Rick Snyder - responded. Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon did not. This is Mr. Snyder’s response to the question: “What was your favorite job and why?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
This video profiles Madison-Carver Academy and Cornerstone Health High School, two public charter schools in the City of Detroit. Both schools make use of blended learning, which allows each student to move at his or her individual pace through coursework.
