The debate over President Obama’s economic stimulus plan has introduced the phrase ‘Keynesian economics’ into the vocabulary of the average American. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research Roy Cordato says the revival of the theory, and its enshrinement in the president’s policies is bad Keynesian approach lifted the U.S. out of the Great Depression is still very much alive. Cordato also explains why supply side economics, rather than demand side economics (the Keynesian approach) is the appropriate policy to pursue. Then we turn to the federal debate about legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act, which is causing concerns among some members of the North Carolina General Assembly. The legislation, also known as the ‘card-check’ bill, would take away a worker’s right to a secret-ballot election when union organizers push for unionization of a business. N.C. House Minority Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake), and Sen. Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg), explain how the legislation could hurt the Tar Heel state. The card-check bill is also generating concerns among many North Carolina business owners. Bruce Clark of Capital Associated Industries explained his opposition to the bill during a recent Americans for Prosperity rally in Raleigh. You’ll hear his comments. That’s followed by a look at how best to lift poor countries out of poverty. Freedom will work much better than foreign aid, says New York University economist William Easterly. He shared his comments during a recent North Carolina lecture. Easterly recaps some of the key themes from that presentation and from his book, The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good. And finally, we focus on the North Carolina constitution and a new effort to educate Tar Heels about its contents and importance. Troy Kickler, director of the North Carolina History Project, explains the founding principles that are enshrined in the document and why it has relevance to North Carolinians today. He also discusses the new lecture series, which will feature renowned scholars and jurists discussing constitutional ideals and principles in three events across North Carolina.