The Reason Roundtable

Who Pays for Medicare for All?

This week, editors Peter Suderman,  Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch are joined by reporter Reem Ibrahim to discuss whether America can afford Medicare for All and the broader Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda. They examine the enormous cost of expanding government-run health care, why taxing billionaires wouldn't come close to covering the bill, and what the experiences of the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other countries reveal about the tradeoffs of universal health care. They also consider whether either major political party is prepared to confront America's growing deficits and looming fiscal crisis. The editors then turn to the DSA's growing influence within the Democratic Party and the pushback from Democrats wary of socialism. They discuss President Donald Trump's efforts to reduce America's military presence abroad, including his decision to pull back from exercises with South Korea, and whether his approach represents a genuine foreign policy retrenchment or simply more erratic decision making. The panel also makes the case for giving children more independence and questions laws that punish parents for letting their kids play outside unsupervised. Finally, a listener asks when, during each panelist's lifetime, the government has been most effective and worked best for the American people. 0:00—Medicare for All and American health care 19:12—The DSA's influence in the Democratic Party 28:58—Trump cancels joint military exercises in South Korea 36:21—Listener question on government effectiveness 46:34—The case for free-range parenting 54:39—Weekly cultural recommendations Upcoming Reason Events The Reason Roundtable's 10th Anniversary—Live in NYC! October 7 Mentioned in the podcast: "The DSA's Agenda Could Cost More Than $200 Trillion—and You'll Be Picking Up the Tab," by Reem Ibrahim "Socialists Claim Public Libraries Are Examples of Their Policies. Don't Believe Them," by J.D. Tuccille "Hong's Swan Song," by Liz Wolfe "It Can Happen Here," by Arnold Kling, David R. Henderson, and Maurice McTigue "Trump's Assault on Judicial Review Undermines a Crucial Safeguard Against Tyranny," by Jacob Sullum "The War on Free-Range Kids Makes The New York Times," by Lenore Skenazy "In Widow's Bay, the Real Monster Is Utilitarianism," by Christian Britschgi The post Who Pays for Medicare for All? appeared first on Reason.com.

Are Socialists Actually Leaving Wokeness Behind?

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's admission that "Woke 1 was crazy" and whether the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) new focus on affordability represents a genuine break from the politics of 2020. They debate whether progressives have actually moved on from the excesses of the pandemic era, whether the DSA's economic agenda is any more workable, and why affordability has become such a potent message on the left. The editors also examine how the cost of living is driving infighting on the right, from the online battle over $20 burritos to the larger splits over tariffs, immigration, and the Iran war. They discuss President Donald Trump's latest attempt to end birthright citizenship and what the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal at Cambridge University says about academia's lingering ideological problems. Finally, a listener asks whether enormous CEO pay packages and widespread layoffs undermine the case for capitalism. 0:00—Ocasio-Cortez says "Woke 1 was crazy" 15:19—Conservatives debate the cost of burritos 28:49—Trump's birthright citizenship order 33:12—Listener question on capitalism 46:08—Arday scandal and resignation 55:54—Weekly cultural recommendations Upcoming events: Nick Gillespie discusses THC, INC., on Tuesday, August 11, in New York City. Tickets are free but must be reserved. Mentioned in the podcast: "The Socialist Surge Revives Failed and Hateful Ideas," by J.D. Tuccille "The 'Affordability' Agenda That Taxes Your Dinner," by C. Jarrett Dieterle "Can You Imagine a Future Where Adults Don't Believe in Socialism?" by Steven Greenhut "Socialist Moment," by Peter Suderman "Abdul El-Sayed Says He's Not a Socialist. His Policy Agenda Says Otherwise," by Robby Soave "Socialists Are Trying To Take Hold of the Democratic Party—and They're Winning," by Zach Weissmueller "The GOP Is Warning About Socialism While Quietly Embracing It," by Veronique de Rugy "Francesca Hong's Hateful Holidays, Burrito Prices, and Woke 1.0," by Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi "A Burrito Costs How Much?" by Eric Boehm "A Viral Tweet Set Off a Discourse on $20 Burritos. Here's the Truth About Inflation," by Reem Ibrahim "Trump's New Birthright Citizenship Executive Orders Are Mostly Theater," by Billy Binion "Trump Issues Another Unconstitutional Executive Order Targeting Birthright Citizenship," by Ilya Somin "The Trump Administration Promises the 'Largest Denaturalization Effort Ever,'" by Billy Binion "Rethinking the Social Responsibility of Business," by Milton Friedman, John Mackey, and T.J. Rodgers "Milton Friedman Accused of Making Corporations Greedy," by Brian Doherty "Phil Magness: Holding Leftists and Libertarians Accountable," by Nick Gillespie "The 1619 Project Unrepentantly Pushes Junk History," by Phillip W. Magness "What The New York Times' 1619 Project Gets Wrong About Capitalism: Phillip Magness," by Nick Gillespie "One Night Only Is a Rare Rom-Com About Regulation," by Peter Suderman The post Are Socialists Actually Leaving Wokeness Behind? appeared first on Reason.com.

Is Democratic Socialism Going National?

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Associate Editor Liz Wolfe to discuss whether democratic socialism is gaining ground beyond the coasts and what the rise of candidates like Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed means for the future of the Democratic Party. Next, the editors discuss President Donald Trump's decision to restart talks with Iran and the continuing political fallout from the conflict. They then debate the proposed Warner Bros.-Paramount merger and whether the government should intervene to block it. Finally, the panel revisits the COVID-19 response in the wake of Anthony Fauci's appearance before Congress and asks what lessons, if any, America has learned from the pandemic. 0:00—Democratic socialism goes national 26:57—Trump restarts talks with Iran 34:28—Listener question on Warner Bros.-Paramount merger 53:07—Fauci's appearance before Congress 1:04:39—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Friends Like These," by Liz Wolfe "Study Says Foxconn Deal Cost Wisconsin $20 Billion in Lost Economic Growth," by Veronique de Rugy "Trump Backs Down From Yet Another Empty Threat to Iran," by Matthew Petti "12 States Sue, Call Paramount–Warner Bros. Merger an Antitrust Violation," by Joe Lancaster "Paramount's Acquisition of Warner Bros. Wouldn't Be the End of Hollywood or Press Freedom," by Jack Nicastro "Mergers and Disquisitions," by Nick Gillespie "Don't Sweat Comcast/NBC, Either," by Matt Welch "The 2024 Campaign Was an Embarrassment for Elite Media," by Matt Welch "Reasons not to sweat AOL-Time Warner--and other megadeals," by Nick Gillespie "Another Merger That Didn't Require Antitrust: Time Warner to Ditch Time," by Matt Welch "What Anthony Fauci's Defenders (and Critics) Get Wrong," by Robby Soave "Anthony Fauci Refuses to Answer Rand Paul's Questions After Diary Disclosures Go Viral," by Robby Soave and Amber Duke "At Senate Hearing, Fauci Takes the Fifth To Avoid Accounting for Inconsistent Statements About a Lab Leak," by Christian Britschgi "What Anthony Fauci's Diary Reveals About COVID," by Robby Soave "We Will Regret Not Taking the Economic Effects of Mass Quarantine More Seriously," by Nick Gillespie "In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a Web Slinging Superhero Grows Up," by Peter Suderman The post Is Democratic Socialism Going National? appeared first on Reason.com.

The Democrats Have a Socialism Problem

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss whether the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) growing influence reflects a serious governing vision or a political movement driven more by symbolism than workable policy. They discuss the DSA's platform, the future of Medicare for All, and what the rise of democratic socialism could mean for the Democratic Party ahead of the midterms. They also examine President Donald Trump's decision to hit pause on military action against Iran, discuss former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan's return to politics, and make the case for deregulating peptides. Finally, they answer a listener question about what The Odyssey says about liberalism. 0:00—Do Democrats have a socialism problem? 12:53—The DSA's policy agenda 25:31—Trump pauses Iran strikes 32:10—Listener question on The Odyssey 43:56—Deregulating peptides 50:22—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "Zohran Mamdani Tells Jon Stewart Socialism Is Just Having a Library," by Robby Soave "For Thousands of New York City Apartment Buildings, the Math Doesn't Math," by Christian Britschgi "The DSA, MAGA, and the New Policy Nihilism," by Peter Suderman "Nobody Likes Red Tape, Not Even Mamdani," by Meagan O'Rourke "Mamdani's Zombie Apartment Nightmare," by Christian Britschgi "Waltz: Interceptor Shortage Is Biden's Fault, Fake News, and Illegal To Discuss," by Matthew Petti "Pentagon Death Numbers," by Liz Wolfe "Trump Can't Just Pretend Iran War Casualties Don't Count," Joe Lancaster "Trump's Newest Tariffs Are Likely Illegal Too," by Eric Boehm "Tariff Man," by Peter Suderman "Disillusioned Revolutionaries: Many Founders Died in Despair About the American Experiment," by Matt Welch "The Energy Department Admits the OMB Canceled Grants 'Solely' To Punish Trump's Political Opponents," by Jacob Sullum The post The Democrats Have a Socialism Problem appeared first on Reason.com.

Is the War in Iran Spiraling Out of Control?

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss the escalating war with Iran and whether President Donald Trump has any way to bring the conflict under control. The panel examines the deaths of American service members, rising gas prices, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the lack of a clear objective for a war that has continued despite repeated attempts at ceasefires. Next, the editors discuss Trump's new tariffs on Brazil and the increasingly incoherent use of trade policy to pursue unrelated political goals. They then examine Trump's primetime address on election security and whether his efforts to change election rules ahead of the midterms should be taken seriously. The panel also considers the growing popularity of democratic socialism, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political appeal, and why voters who support free markets may still embrace socialist politicians. Finally, a listener asks whether fears about artificial intelligence amount to a moral panic. 0:00—Iran war intensifies 12:53—Brazil tariffs and trade war escalation 27:56—Trump's primetime address 38:34—Listener question on AI moral panic 47:44—Mamdani's rising popularity 55:08—Weekly cultural recommendations Mentioned in the podcast: "The Iran War Is Back, Sort Of," by Matthew Petti "As U.S. Starts 'New' Iran War, Lawmakers Want Answers About Deadly Elementary School Strike," by Meagan O'Rourke "Meet the New War," by Liz Wolfe "America Has a Huge Trade Surplus With Brazil. Trump Just Put 25% Tariffs on Brazilian Goods Anyway," by Eric Boehm "Trump's Attacks on Free Trade Have Actually Made It More Popular With Voters," by John Mueller "The Most Corrupt Presidency in American History, by the Numbers," by Matt Welch "Election Vulnerability," by Liz Wolfe "Trump Threatens To Revoke ABC and NBC Licenses for Not Broadcasting His Election Speech," by Joe Lancaster "Election interference by foreigners: An assessment," by John Mueller "AI Is the Democratic Party's Next Villain," by Eugene Volokh "Labor Unions Hate Robots—and It's Stopping Democrats From Delivering on Affordability," by Peter Suderman "The Age of Stupid—and Self-Serving—AI Regulation Is Here!" by Nick Gillespie "Is AI Really Taking All the Jobs? Anthropic Co-Founder Jack Clark Reveals the Data," by Nick Gillespie "Working Class Hero," by Liz Wolfe "The 'Free Market' is More Popular than 'Capitalism,'" by Ilya Somin The post Is the War in Iran Spiraling Out of Control? appeared first on Reason.com.