Exactly what will it take to make North Carolina more prosperous with a growing economy and plentiful job opportunities? John Locke Foundation President John Hood explains the results of his analysis of more than 500 scholarly research papers on the subject. He concludes that economic freedom is the key and that the Left’s policy prescriptions are seriously flawed. Next, today’s politicians could learn plenty of valuable lessons from a president who served in office more than 80 years ago. That’s the opinion of Amity Shlaes, director of the 4 Percent Growth Project at the George W. Bush Center. Shlaes’ latest New York Times best-seller tells the life story of former President Calvin Coolidge. She shares highlights from her research into Coolidge’s legacy. To understand today’s political debates, it’s useful to review a 25-year-old book from economist Thomas Sowell dubbed “A Conflict of Visions.” Rick Henderson, managing editor of Carolina Journal, explains why Sowell’s classic 1987 text remains relevant in 2013. That’s followed by a look at a key leader in history: Margaret Thatcher. When the former British prime minister died earlier this year, the world lost one of its most important political leaders. John Blundell, visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, former director general at the Institute of Economic Affairs, and a Thatcher biographer who knew and worked with the “Iron Lady,” discusses her legacy. And finally, we look at next steps for tax reform in our state. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research Roy Cordato offers recommendations for reforms legislators should pursue, and he recaps why the changes made this session will lead to long-term economic growth.
Carolina Journal Radio: Highlights From 2013
Related
Carolina economy solid, not spectacular
How has North Carolina’s economy been performing lately? Let’s focus on four standard measures: unemployment, jobs, incomes, and gross domestic product. Last week, the US Census Bureau released its latest jobs report. It’s based on two surveys. The household survey polls hundreds of North Carolinians and generates, among other statistics, the unemployment rate. The establishment...
New evidence confirms taxes matter
Ever since Republicans won control of the North Carolina General Assembly in 2010 and began reforming the state’s tax code, progressive critics have argued that taxes play little to no role in shaping economic outcomes. Indeed, they argue that the economic benefits of state expenditures outweigh any potential benefits from tax reduction. The logic of...
Adding fruits to our constitutional diet
Some N.C. Supreme Court Justices have taken a special interest in protecting North Carolinians' "enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor."
Locke’s Jon Sanders documents problems, offers alternatives to occupational licensing
Jon Sanders, director of the Center for Food, Power, and Life at the John Locke Foundation, testifies Wednesday about occupational licensing before the N.C. House Regulatory Reform Committee.