Big trouble is looming for a one-time key aide to former Gov. Mike Easley. So what does the 51-count federal indictment allege? Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson digs into the allegations and describes the play-to-pay scheme investigators are looking at – from extortion to bribery to money laundering. Then we turn our attention to the ongoing debate over public charters schools. North Carolina government leaders would rather risk the loss of federal education grant dollars than remove the statewide cap of 100 charter schools. That concerns charter school advocates, who discussed the issue during a recent news conference in Raleigh. You’ll hear highlights from Darrell Allison of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, Todd Ziebarth of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, educational consultant Grova Bridgers, and charter school founder and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot. The statewide cap is just one of the challenges charter schools face in the years ahead. John Locke Foundation education policy analyst Terry Stoops sees others. He outlines key challenges, including cuts linked to the state’s ongoing budget crunch. That’s followed by a look at the market economy and what occurs when government intervenes to ‘help.’ Max Borders, executive editor of the Free To Choose Network, says much of our political debate is plagued by misuse of what he labels ‘socioeconomic metaphors.’ Borders explains why treating society as a machine to be run, fixed, or ‘stimulated’ creates problems for setting the most appropriate government policies. And finally, we get perspective from John Locke Foundation president John Hood on what’s next in the health care reform debate, now that congressional leaders have received a message from voters in Massachusetts. Scott Brown was elected to the Senate to hold the seat occupied for decades by the late Ted Kennedy. Hood offers his recommendations for a way forward to address legitimate concerns over health insurance and health delivery without sacrificing a free market that ensures competition and options.