Featured Video Archive
ReasonTV: Union Jobs vs. Children’s Lives – Which Side Are You On?
In politics everyone claims to be on the side of the children, but who really is? Pat DeLorenzo is a parent whose daughter suffers from epilepsy. Like roughly 10,000 other epileptic schoolchildren in California, eight-year-old Gianna suffers from the type of prolonged seizures that, without immediate attention, can result in brain damage or death. After witnessing the response of teachers and school nurses to one of his daughter's life-threatening seizures, Pat DeLorenzo now believes that teachers and nurses care more about protecting union jobs than saving epileptic children. (HT to Greg McNeilly) … more
AFL-CIO President on Employee Free Choice Act
During C-SPAN Newsmakers interview (8-8-10), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka comments on the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act, saying "it's part of the solution to creating an economy that really does work for everybody." He also said he thinks EFCA will be back on the floor by the end of the year, although he said he has no guarantees from members of Congress. … more
How did you tell your wife?
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: “How did you tell you wife you wanted to run for Governor and what does she think about your candidacy?” See the full series and all of the interviews at:www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
The Broken Window Fallacy
This video shows how government spending doesn't really "create" jobs at all. … more
George Will on “Learned Feudalism”
The Cato Institute’s keynote speaker at a recent awards banquet describes the need to resist turning Americans into Europeans. (H/T to Jeremy Moore). … 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
City of Dallas Bans Signs for Small Business
"Under a Dallas law enacted in 2008, businesses are prohibited from putting signs in the upper two-thirds of any window or glass door, and no more than 15 percent of any window or glass door may be covered by signs. The only way to comply with the new ordinance is by putting tiny signs at peoples feet, which is not an effective way to advertise. The law also bans signs that cover more than 25 percent of a buildings facade. Failure to take down the signs means you are at risk to be hit with a fine up to $2,000." (H/T to the Institute for Justice) … more
Arraignment of Hangar42 Studio Suspect
Arraignment hearing for the purchaser of the controversial “Hanger42” film studio near Grand Rapids. On Monday, August 2, the Michigan Attorney General filed charges
against Joseph Peters for “attempted felony false pretenses over $20,000." [See: www.MichCapCon.com/13285]. Mackinac Center investigators first exposed the questionable real estate deal in May. The studio was trumpeted as a success story by the governor in her most recent State of the State address. Please see here for the warrant against Mr. Peters and here for the complaint. … more
Congressman says federal government can do 'most anything'
Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) is confronted at a town hall meeting about health care and the difference between positive and negative rights. … more
Glenn Beck on FDR's New Agencies vs. Obama's
Conservative commentator Glenn Beck compares the amount of new agencies created during FDR's "New Deal" to President Obama's. … more
Net Neutrality for Dummies: Will the FCC control the Internet?
Reason.tv's Michael C. Moynihan takes a skeptical look at the growing push for net neutrality legislation and asks Peter Suderman, a Reason associate editor who is closely following proposals on the topic, why some want the Federal Communication Commission, of all agencies, to regulate the Internet. … more
Chris Christie: No Backing Off
NJ Gov. Chris Christie talks pensions and teacher unions with Neil Cavuto of Fox News. … more
Paul Revere and Today’s America
ReasonTV sits down with the author of a new book about Paul Revere and his relevance to today’s America. … more
Mike Bouchard’s #1 Bill
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says a new policy of personal and economic freedom would be his priority. The five GOP candidates for governor responded when Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked all seven Democrats and Republicans to sit down for a job interview. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Tom George’s #1 Bill
Michigan Senator Tom George said health care reform would be his #1 bill priority. The five GOP candidates for governor responded when Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked all seven Democrats and Republicans to sit down for a job interview. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Pete Hoekstra’s #1 Bill
Congressman Pete Hoekstra says his tax cut, spending cut and tax reform plan would be his most important legislation. The five GOP candidates for governor responded when Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked all seven Democrats and Republicans to sit down for a job interview. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Rick Snyder’s #1 Bill
Businessman Rick Snyder says his proposal to reform state budgeting would be his most important bill. The five GOP candidates for governor responded when Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked all seven Democrats and Republicans to sit down for a job interview. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
The Bull in a China Shop
NJ Gov. Chris Christie sits down to discuss his leadership style with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto. … more
Mike Cox’s #1 Bill
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox says his $2 billion tax cut would be his most important bill. The five GOP candidates for governor responded when Common Sense in Government and Smart Girl Politics asked all seven Democrats and Republicans to sit down for a job interview. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com
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Net Neutrality - Parable of the Ants
Are Google and its allies trying to get the federal government to overturn the rules of price competition? The rest of the ants thinks so... … more
Chet Zarko - RIP
The freedom movement lost a patriot yesterday - Chetly Zarko. A tribute to him is in the center column.
This video is vintage Chet. The Michigan Board of Canvassers is meeting in July 2005 to decide whether the people of Michigan should have the right to vote on a ballot initiative. A Democrat board member calls a time out... and then rushes out to talk things over with the head of the Michigan Democratic Party. Chet thought free citizens had a right to know this strange activity was taking place in their building. The politicians thought otherwise. RIP. … more
The 10 percent Federal Pay Cut
Congressman Jason Chaffetz, R-UT, explains to Larry Kudlow how to trim the cost of the federal workforce. … more
Help Wanted: Governor - Mike Bouchard
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 responded. These are the videos where they answer rapid-fire policy questions on four issues. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
The Pension Tsunami
ReasonTV talks with the head of the Pension Tsunami website: "The whole idea of the pension was to provide public servants with a decent retirement. It wasn't to make them wealthy, to allow them to retire younger and with more money and be able to go off and play golf while the rest of us supported them." … more
Help Wanted: Governor - Tom George
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 responded. These are the videos where they answer rapid-fire policy questions on four issues. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Help Wanted: Governor - Mike Cox
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 responded. These are the videos where they answer rapid-fire policy questions on four issues. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Help Wanted: Governor - Rick Snyder
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 responded. These are the videos where they answer rapid-fire policy questions on four issues. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
Help Wanted: Governor - Rep. Pete Hoekstra
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 responded. These are the videos where they answer rapid-fire policy questions on four issues. See the full series and all of the interviews at: www.GovernorWanted.com. … more
June 2010 Nanny of the Month Winner
Nanny of the Month for June 2010: Ladies' Night Foe James Kirkpatrick! - Reason TV … more
John Lennon Slams Socialism & Presidential Hero Worship
H/T to Shikha Dalmia … more
Jobs Killed in American Samoa After US Congress Imposes Minimum Wage Hikes
60 Minutes - American Samoa is already a relatively poor country, but a Congressional act has made it much worse. … more
Santelli: Stop Spending! Stop Spending! Stop Spending!
The CNBC reporter argues with senior economics reporter Steve Liesman that the government can't spend the nation into prosperity. … more
Morgan Freeman on 'Black History Month'
The actor discusses racial issues in America. … more
Are stadium subsidies a taxpayer rip-off?
ReasonTV looks at whether taxpayers should help provide wealthy team owners with a place to play. … more
Obama v. Clinton on the Individual Mandate
Senator Obama, D-IL, making a solid case against the individual mandate for health care. … more
"America always comes back. We ARE exceptional..."
CNBC's Rick Santelli explaining what the tea party movement can do for the nation. … more
I Wanna Be A Union Boss!
A parody commercial of a fictional board game called, "I wanna be a union boss!" (HT www.UnionFacts.com) … more
Thanks Union Bosses!
Parody commercial about the effects of unions. (HT www.UnionFacts.com) … more
Christie: Students Trapped By "Selfish, Greedy" & "Disgraceful" Teacher Unions
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie goes after teacher unions over school choice. (HT Real Clear Politics) … more
The History of 'An Energy-Independent Future'
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| An Energy-Independent Future | ||||
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Rush Limbaugh explains net neutrality
Radio talk show host says one goal behind the push for net neutrality is an effort by "the regime" to control free speech. … more
How Filmmakers Can Get Special Tax Breaks
Former state Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, describes the 40 percent refundable special tax credits that are given out by state government to filmmakers. See related story in center column: "YouTubes Praising Special Tax Breaks for Filmmakers Getting Yanked." … more
Hangar42 deal 'looked promising'
WOODTV8 - Even the director of the Michigan Film Office thinks giving a $10 million special tax favor to a Grand Rapids film studio would be a bad idea. … more
"We made a profit. Off the state."
| Noah Seifullah discusses using tax incentives |
Imam Noah Seifullah, an aide to Michigan state Rep. Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids, explains his role in a real estate deal involving Michigan's program for special film tax favors and the embattled Hanger42 studio in West Michigan. (H/T to Chris Knape of Grand Rapids Press) … more
"I don't sense executive command..."
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews spend ten minutes trashing the President's Oval Office speech on BP oil leak. … more
Funding Questions Surround Hangar42 Studios Deal
State officials mum on details surrounding possible $45 million project touted by Gov. Granholm in State of the State address. Today's story discusses this issue. … more
A Teachers' Strike in Paradise
ReasonTV - In April 2010, 2,200 teachers went on strike for three days after the school board imposed a 10 percent pay cut. The children who attended school during the strike had to walk past their teachers who, instead of preparing for class, were marching in front of the school with picket signs reading "It's not about the money" and "We'd rather be teaching." … more
The Greecing of America
The repercussions from Greece's fiscal crisis are starting to ripple around the world. But are lessons being learned? Bankrupting America explains in simple terms what is happening.
… more
Fmr. Allen Park official says he was fired for blowing the whistle on film incentive program
ALLEN PARK (WXYZ) - So far, Unity Studios hasn’t been the feel-good story everyone hoped for. The real life drama playing out in Allen Park could be a screenplay of its own, starring the city officials that helped land Unity Studios and its film school, and the Hollywood producer they recently threatened to evict. … more
Christie: Not About Teachers
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie describes how the New Jersey teachers' union leaders hurt teachers, kids and taxpayers. … more
Halt The Assault on the Union Pension Bailout
Halt The Assault's Brett McMahon went on Fox Business News to discuss the bill that would bailout failing union pension funds with tax dollars. … more
Gingrich to Michigan: Change or Die
In a speech to the Mackinac Policy Conference, Newt Gingrich challenges Michiganders to embrace real change or continue to decay. He also outlines a series of bold solutions to create jobs and prosperity in Michigan. … more
Paul Ryan on MSNBC: "Let's have an honest debate"
Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks on MSNBC about the health care bill from last July. Even though FedCare eventually passed, Representative Ryan offers up a case for what "real reform" in health care would look like. … more
Lights, camera, inaction for Allen Park's Unity Studios
ALLEN PARK (WXYZ) - "A movie producer promising 3,000 jobs and almost $150 million in investments. A downriver city eager to reinvent itself, and hungry for economic development. It seemed like a match made in Hollywood, but as Action News Investigator Heather Catallo tells us, this is a story that’s not following a script." … more
Chris Christie tackles some tough questions
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gets in a heated exchange about education funding. … more
U.S. attempting to regulate the Internet
Net Neutrality: Should companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter pay the full fare for the content that they put on the Internet? … more
Fox News Discusses GOP Support for 'Union Bailout'
Several Republican congressional members are co-sponsoring a bill that critics say would "bailout" union pensions. … more
Stimulus Debate
Grover Norquist from Americans for Tax Reform weighing in with Larry Kudlow on whether or not the stimulus helped the economy. … more
Teachers' union general counsel explains why the union is an effective advocate
As the parent-body of the Michigan Education Association, the National Education Association holds an annual Representative Assembly. After 41 years as the union's top education lawyer, Bob Chanin closes his last assembly as general counsel by explaining why the union is an effective advocate. … more
Embezzler gets Michigan tax credit
WOODTV8 - In March, RASCO CEO Richard Short, a convicted embezzler, managed to snag a $9.1 million business tax credit from the state. … more
Graduation with Al Gore
University of Tennessee graduates learn what is wrong with the world from a former Vice President. … more
Pelosi: ObamaCare allows artists to avoid the consequences of quitting their jobs.
(HT: CNS News.) … more
The Government Can
A song by comedian Tim Hawkins on the "power" of the government. (H/T to Sandra Goodfliesh) … more
CNN's Situation Room Analyzes Senate Race in Utah
CNN explains that Utah's tea partiers and the Club for Growth took U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett down because of his fiscal liberalism and in spite of his social conservatism on abortion, gay marriage and other issues. (H/T Club for Growth)
Today's main story is about how the Club for Growth evaluated Michigan's Congressional team. … more
Milton Friedman on Unions
Dr. Friedman discusses how the image of unions has changed over time. … more
Ann Arbor.com video: Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits
Gov. Granholm answers question about the Michigan Economic Development Corp. offering a tax credit to a company run by a known crook. She then brags that the MEDC has made Michigan the third best state in the country for attracting facilities. … more
N.J. Gov Chris Christie Says a Combative Tone is Needed to Shrink Government and Taxes
Fannie and Freddie: Too Complicated To Address?
Paul Kanjorski appears on CNBC and says that Fannie and Freddie are too complicated to address. The two mortgage giants have now cost taxpayers $145 billion (and counting) to bail them out. CNBC analyst Rick Santelli responds, "You think taxpayers that go to work to pay the money you are subsidizing, it will end up a half a trillion, do you think they think complicated is an excuse?" (h/t Blog Prof: www.theblogprof.blogspot.com) … more
Patrick Wright Discusses the Latest on the Day Care Unionization Case
Head legal counsel Patrick Wright on the latest Loar v. DHS filing - The state ducks the central question in the case. … more
Food: There's Lots Of It
Is the world running out of food? … more
Ghostbusters: "I like the university!"
In the hit 1980s film "Ghostbusters," Ray explains the difference between working for the university and working in the private sector. … more
The Thugs of Redford Township
“Thugs of Redford Township” is a video posted during the spring of 2008 by a group petitioning for signatures supporting a recall election against House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Twp. It shows what the recall supporters believe to be the township supervisor, police department and others abusing their power and obstructing the petition gathering process. See related story - “MichCapCon.com Flashback: Total Recall” … more
Overpopulation: The Making of a Myth
This video takes a fresh, humorous approach to the demographic issues facing the world today. … more
PA Tax Amnesty TV ad: "We Know Who You Are"
A threatening TV commercial running in Pennsylvania has a shockingly Orwellian feel to it. The ad features a woman describing in detail the house of someone who owes Pennsylvania back taxes. … more
Visualizing Obama's Budget Cuts
How much is the $100 million dollars in budget cuts compared to the federal budget as a whole? This video imagines the budget as $100 in pennies to provide the answer.
Margaret Thatcher on Socialism
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's last stand in the House of Commons: Defending her record and teaching her critics a lesson about freedom and prosperity. … more
Reason.tv's Nanny of the Month For January 2010
Past Reason.tv Nannies of The Month have included New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (anti-salt, smoking, trans fat, you name it), a New York state senator who wanted to ban fish pedicures, and a Phoenix pol who banned churches from feeding the hungry on their own property.
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Carly Fiorina on the California Budget Crisis
California Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina argues the state needs to cut spending and should not receive a bailout. … more
"All options are on the table"
Two chairmen of the President’s "debt commission” are quizzed about the president's campaign promise not to raise taxes on the middle class. … more
SNL: 2010 Public Employee of the Year Award
Finalists include Markeesha Odom, twice named Missouri's "Surliest and Least Cooperative" State Employee. (H/T Carpe Diem) … more
Penn Jillette and John Stossel discuss health care on FOX's Glenn Beck
Penn Jillette and John Stossel join Glenn Beck to discuss health care, the nanny state, Canada and more. … more
Power of the Market - The Pencil
Milton Friedman uses a pencil to explain how the operation of the free market promotes harmony and world peace. … more
Reason Saves Cleveland: Privatize It
"Should cities be in the business of running businesses ranging from convention centers to farmer's markets?
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Taxes: The Price We Pay For Civilization
"Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society," said legendary Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. If he's right, it's certainly worth asking whether we're getting what we pay for. … more
New Jersey's 'Failed Experiment'
The Journal Editorial Report discusses New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie taking on the state's most powerful union, the teachers, asking them to take a pay freeze that they refuse to accept. … more
Sights and Sounds of a Lansing Tea Party
From the Lansing Capitol Tax Day Tea Party protest, April 15, 2010. … more
Daniel Hannan MEP: The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government
Daniel Hannan is a Conservative MEP for the South East of England and author of The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain. Here, he takes on the bailouts and nationalization of parts of the British government. … more
NJ's Gov. Christie Leading the Way in Fiscal Responsibility
The Wall Street Journal recently detailed what is happening in the state of New Jersey: A $10.7 billion budget deficit.
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Reason TV: Budget Deficits for Dummies
What could a $1.4 trillion budget buy for you? Reason TV explains. … more
Tea partiers in Grand Rapids aim beyond November and are angry at both political parties
WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids … more
UPS vs. Fed Ex
What can unionized UPS do for you? Reason TV explains how to use federal power to smash your competition and drive up the cost on customers. … more
Reason Saves Cleveland: Fix The Schools
Cleveland's public schools are failing to prepare students for their futures and as a result, all parents who can afford to have been fleeing to the suburbs for decades.
Yet some urban schools, like Think College Now in Oakland, California are finding out that a combination of administrative autonomy and accountability can lead to amazing results.
To watch the whole series of "Reason Saves Cleveland," please click here. … more
3 Reasons Health Care Reform Won't Cut The Deficit By One Thin Dime
One of the main selling points of health care reform was that it would cut the federal deficit by a supposed $143 billion over the next decade and a trillion-plus dollars in the one after that.
But not only will the legislation not cut one thin dime from the deficit, it will also certainly cost far more than the $940 billion in new spending already on the table for at least three reasons. … more
O'Reilly vs. Sharpton on Tea Party Racism
Allegations of tea partiers shouting racist slurs have arisen, but did it really happen? … more
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.
Michigan has one of the most burdensome licensing requirements. Our state forces people to take classes and pay money to the state for things like painting, floor sanding, cutting hair and low-level carpentry. Few other states require that.
