Are Americans lazy when it comes to protecting our freedoms? Are we too willing to cede liberties to an aggressive government? How pervasive is the effort to control how we think about a variety of key issues? How is it that Americans have become afraid to fail and therefore don’t even try difficult things as much? A new collection of essays addresses these issues and many others. And we talk with Adam Bellow, the editor of “New Threats to Freedom”.
The Beijing Consensus
For decades, developing nations looked to American democracy and capitalism as the basis on which to build their societies. But now rising nations think they’ve found a better role model – China. What about the Chinese system appeals to aspiring governments? What lessons from the Soviet collapse have China taken to heart? And why is China very vulnerable to internal failure despite its incredible growth in recent years? We ask Stefan Halper, a veteran of the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations and author of “The Beijing Consensus”.
Captured by the Taliban
The Taliban is a radical group that used to control much of Afghanistan. After being routed early in the war, its forces remain a major obstacle to long-term security in the country. Jere Van Dyk of CBS News got an inside glimpse of this group the hard way – as a Taliban prisoner for more than 40 days. How was he abducted? What did he learn about the Taliban? And why did his captors let him go? Jere Van Dyk is here to tell his story, which is chronicled in the new book “Captive”.
Student Loan Crisis, Part 3
Exploding tuition rates are forcing college students to take out massive student loans that leave young adults deep in debt upon graduation. But with no tuition relief in sight, what are some ways to lower the cost of college? Radio America’s Jasen Sokol gets some advice.
Student Loan Crisis, Part 2
Earlier this year, Congress gave the government authority over the student loan industry as part of the “fixes” to the health care bill. But will the surging debt, greater government spending and plans to forgive greater portions of student loan debt combine to burst an already existing bubble in student loans? Radio America’s Jasen Sokol has the story.
Student Loan Crisis, Part 1
The cost of four years in college has exploded in recent years, and the amount of student loan debt has jumped up as a result. Radio America’s Jasen Sokol examines the predicament this places on college students now and for many years to come.
Obama Just Wants a Liberal
Conservative activist and political adviser Ralph Reed joins us to discuss the Elena Kagan Supreme Court nomination. How should Republican senators target their questions? What issues could cause the most controversy? Will Kagan actually say anything? What type of justice does President Obama really want? We also get the scoop on Reed’s upcoming political novel which centers on a contentious Supreme Court nomination.
Poorly Qualified, Very Liberal
Monday marks the start of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. After weeks of reviewing her legal and political record, what will lawmakers focus upon when they question her? What does her record show about the type of justice she would be? And why did the American Bar Association describe her as “well qualified” for the Supreme Court? We ask Robert Alt, senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
Health Care Rationing Underway
During the health care debate, President Obama and Congressional Democrats bristled at the idea their reform plans would trigger health care rationing. We are nearly four years away from full implementation of the plan, but rationing has already begun. Why are doctors refusing to see more Medicare patients than ever? And why will this problem also cripple the rest of the system very soon? And what if anything is Congress doing about this? We ask Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe, who is also a practicing physician.
War and Politics
John Gizzi of Human Events shares the reaction he heard on Capitol Hill to the dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal and the return of Gen. David Petraeus to lead our military operations in the most intense theater of the war on terror. We also get Gizzi’s evaluation of the big primary wins for Tea Party figures in Tuesday’s primaries and how they are likely to fare in November.