Featured Video Archive [Michigan Capitol Confidential]

Nathan's Hot Dog Stand Back in Business

Aug. 24, 2012

Who pays the most for minimum wage?

On July 24, 2012, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) rallied to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.55 an hour. In Michigan, there is currently an effort to raise the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour by 2015. It would be the highest in the country. The Mackinac Center's Director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative, Michael LaFaive, explains why raising the minimum wage would hurt employees and businesses. … more

Aug. 20, 2012

My American Experience

LIBRE's Executive Director, Daniel Garza, tells of his American Experience as a first generation American - his story includes hardships, perseverance, family cohesion, hard work, and prosperity achieved in a free country that allows each of us to dictate our destiny. … more

Aug. 13, 2012

Gov. Christie: Please Don't Send Me Any More Money To Hire More Public Employees

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he doesn't want the federal government sending more money to the states for a variety of reasons. … more

Aug. 8, 2012

The Best of Milton Friedman

On the 100th anniversary of the birth of famed free-market economist Milton Friedman, here he is at his best. … more

Aug. 1, 2012

City Shuts Down Teen's Hot Dog Vendor Cart

In Holland, Mich., a 13-year-old entrepreneur thought he would be able to sell hot dogs and financially help his family with the purchase of a food cart. Unfortunately, city zoning officials have shut down his business, based on an ordinance that prohibits competition to brick-and-mortar restaurants from mobile food vendors. The Mackinac Center's own Anne Schieber investigates. … more

July 25, 2012

Public Pensions — Lemons, Leaky Basements and a Losing Bet

Public pensions sound dull and complex. The failure to manage them properly, however, can lead to massive debt, fiscal insolvency and a weakened economy.

In Michigan, the public school retirement program is underfunded by $22.4 billion. As elected officials debate the best way to eliminate this ongoing liability, the Mackinac Center’s Dan Armstrong explains the issue … more

July 17, 2012

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

July 6, 2012

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

July 2, 2012

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

June 21, 2012

Featured Video Archive