John Stossel: My Newsletter - Mar. 5, 2009
My Newsletter - Mar. 5, 2009
Next Friday, March 13, I have a special, "Bailouts, Big Spending and Bull" , produced in partnership with Drew Carey and Reason Magazine. It will look at: the conceit of the ruling class.
The huge bailout: President Obama has said, "Economists from across the spectrum have warned that if we don't act immediately ? our nation will sink into a crisis." But more than 300 economists say the stimulus spending does more harm than good. I interview some of them and confront Majority Leader Steny Hoyer about why the politicians believe they can spend $300 million of American's money better than we can.
War on the middle class: President Obama says, "Middle-class families are struggling." But don't believe the doom and gloom, wages and living standards have been on the rise for all Americans since the 1950s.
Universal Pre-K: President Obama says, "We need to enroll more children, and we need to start at an even earlier age." That Obama campaign promise sounded wonderful: Let's help sweet little preschoolers get a strong start in school. But should that be the job of our government?
Our border control: Will a giant wall across part of the Mexican border really secure our country? So far, the bad guys just go around the wall or climb over it or cut holes in it.
Private highways: Traffic on your morning commute is only going to get worse. Private highways may be the answer, but some people don't like them.
Medical Marijuana: Thirteen states legalized medical marijuana, but the federal government wants to put the owner of a California dispensary in jail for 100 years.
I'll e-mail more about my special next week.
For this Friday night at 9 p.m. ET, Elizabeth Vargas interviews Siegfried & Roy at their home in Las Vegas and highlights the duo's career and Roy Horn's inspiring recovery, culminating in the performance Feb. 28, 2009, at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
At 10 p.m., we have an hour on consumer issues. It will cover:
How to complain: I report on Bruce Silverman, author of "How to Complain for Fun and Profit". He says he can teach you how to write a complaint letter that will work. We test his approach.
Work at home: Many people are tempted by online ads that promise to earn you good money with no experience necessary. Jim Avila investigates a cruel scam.
Enhanced water: There are now some 150 "enhanced" water products on the market. Some claim they can sharpen your memory and improve your health.
Here's some edited feedback on my recent columns:
Obama the Efficient Goes to Washington:
Terry writes:
I always like to hear Democrats talking about how much money they're going to save the taxpayers.
Michael writes:
The liberal Politicians are very good at spending OUR money. But these liberals are incredibly frugal with their own money. Which is why so many of Obama's appointees were MIA on paying their own taxes.
Making a Bad Bill Worse:
TeeHall writes:
Those outside the US smile and want more one-way exchanges. We are in an economic war and to think we will continue to follow the same path is -- drumroll please -- stupid.
FergusMacLennan writes:
TeeHall - when are you planning on correcting the trade deficit you have with your local grocery store? You buy goods from them all the time; when was the last time they bought YOUR goods?
This unfair trade, these one-way exchanges, they have to STOP!
Fred writes:
Free trade must be fair. I have no problem with free trade. In the US, we have labor laws to prevent child labor. We have safety laws to protect workers from unsafe working conditions. If we believe those laws are good and moral, we should insist that all goods we import are manufactured under those standards.
It would be nice if nobody had to put up with dangerous working conditions and children never had to work. But government can't just legislate these problems out of existence. Trying to do so actually makes things worse, because the unintended consequences: increased unemployment and more children in poverty.
The real way to end these tragedies is to leave the market open and free to innovate. That's why child labor is no longer an issue in the U.S. and work is safer. Workplace injuries, for instance, fell just as fast before OSHA regulations were passed as they did afterwards.
DavidM writes:
If you ranked all the countries of the world from most-free-trade to least, it would match almost exactly the richest to poorest.
Story Ideas:
Robert Servilo writes:
My wife, and about a hundred thousand others in the U.S. suffer from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) a terminal disease proceeded by a great deal of suffering.
My wife is the mother of six children, 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. We all love her very much. That said, we no longer have the luxury of time. You are our last hope.
There is a drug (well known to ALS patients) known as Iplex. It is currently FDA approved for severe short stature in children. It was found by ALS patients in Italy to be effective against ALS. … Our FDA strongly opposes approving Iplex for our terminally ill loved ones.
Our doctors have diligently submitted the paper work to the FDA following their strict procedures. The FDA denied everyone on the basis that "there has been a suggestion of an increase in mortality to patients randomized to placebo." Mr. Stossel, ALS is terminal! This is a drug that they (FDA) themselves approved for dwarfism to be taken by children in the U.S., and one that Italian, French, and English patients use routinely.
Jeffrey Roman writes:
I recently finished your book "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity" and loved it. I've also watched your videos at Cato and on Reason.com. I couldn't help but think of your work when I came across an article today [that said D.C. officials are considering restricting light emissions in the city]: It is such an egregious case of nanny-state elected officials grabbing absurd power over the details of our everyday lives that I just had to bring it to your attention. I hope there's something you can do about this. The audacity and presumptuousness in this woman, Mary Cheh, would be laughable if it wasn't real.
Christopher Starling writes:
I have been a fan of 20/20 and lately discovered your book, "Give Me a Break". Thanks not following the crowd of other reporters advancing the leftist agenda. I plan on using episodes of 20/20 in my economics class. Thanks. Some of my videos on economics freedom are available free to teachers at StosselintheClassroom.org.
Dean writes:
I read your book and loved it, and today I stumbled upon another amazingly stupid thing for your list.
I recently purchased a small motorbike for my 8 year old, and wanted to go pick up some parts -- but now I cannot buy anything, and they are no longer selling them … because the metal case of the engine may have traces of Lead…
Due to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, they have had to pull all smaller bikes, because they are used by kids.
I will make sure my son does not eat his motorcycle … just to be sure!
Larry Glazener writes:
Greetings, John, from sunny SW Florida. I'm a resident of Carmel, NY and a FEE supporter who comes down here seasonally.
My wife still can't believe something which occurred today; I immediately thought of relating it to you.
This morning she visited a Naples landmark known as Ritchey's Produce … her plan was to purchase a container of their guacamole, which has always been excellent. She searched the place unsuccessfully, then was informed by the cashier that it's now "illegal" for them to sell their guacamole. Because the business is classified as an "outdoor vendor" or some such thing, a recent law makes it illegal for them to "prepare food."
Based on my wife's experience over the last four winters, their guacamole flew off the shelf because of being prepared daily, and with an excellent recipe. She's certainly not as happy with what she had to buy in her subsequent grocery store stop. Just who's being helped or protected by this regulation???
Collin Johnson writes:
I am a 19 year old freshman at North Park University in Chicago. …After seeing a few of your segments for 20/20 in a government class in high school, I began to think and question the role of government. Thank you for providing thought provoking ideas that has helped shape my political/economical stance to what it is today.
Collin, I thank you back. Thanks for paying attention.
The huge bailout: President Obama has said, "Economists from across the spectrum have warned that if we don't act immediately ? our nation will sink into a crisis." But more than 300 economists say the stimulus spending does more harm than good. I interview some of them and confront Majority Leader Steny Hoyer about why the politicians believe they can spend $300 million of American's money better than we can.
War on the middle class: President Obama says, "Middle-class families are struggling." But don't believe the doom and gloom, wages and living standards have been on the rise for all Americans since the 1950s.
Universal Pre-K: President Obama says, "We need to enroll more children, and we need to start at an even earlier age." That Obama campaign promise sounded wonderful: Let's help sweet little preschoolers get a strong start in school. But should that be the job of our government?
Our border control: Will a giant wall across part of the Mexican border really secure our country? So far, the bad guys just go around the wall or climb over it or cut holes in it.
Private highways: Traffic on your morning commute is only going to get worse. Private highways may be the answer, but some people don't like them.
Medical Marijuana: Thirteen states legalized medical marijuana, but the federal government wants to put the owner of a California dispensary in jail for 100 years.
I'll e-mail more about my special next week.
For this Friday night at 9 p.m. ET, Elizabeth Vargas interviews Siegfried & Roy at their home in Las Vegas and highlights the duo's career and Roy Horn's inspiring recovery, culminating in the performance Feb. 28, 2009, at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
At 10 p.m., we have an hour on consumer issues. It will cover:
How to complain: I report on Bruce Silverman, author of "How to Complain for Fun and Profit". He says he can teach you how to write a complaint letter that will work. We test his approach.
Work at home: Many people are tempted by online ads that promise to earn you good money with no experience necessary. Jim Avila investigates a cruel scam.
Enhanced water: There are now some 150 "enhanced" water products on the market. Some claim they can sharpen your memory and improve your health.
Here's some edited feedback on my recent columns:
Obama the Efficient Goes to Washington:
Terry writes:
I always like to hear Democrats talking about how much money they're going to save the taxpayers.
Michael writes:
The liberal Politicians are very good at spending OUR money. But these liberals are incredibly frugal with their own money. Which is why so many of Obama's appointees were MIA on paying their own taxes.
Making a Bad Bill Worse:
TeeHall writes:
Those outside the US smile and want more one-way exchanges. We are in an economic war and to think we will continue to follow the same path is -- drumroll please -- stupid.
FergusMacLennan writes:
TeeHall - when are you planning on correcting the trade deficit you have with your local grocery store? You buy goods from them all the time; when was the last time they bought YOUR goods?
This unfair trade, these one-way exchanges, they have to STOP!
Fred writes:
Free trade must be fair. I have no problem with free trade. In the US, we have labor laws to prevent child labor. We have safety laws to protect workers from unsafe working conditions. If we believe those laws are good and moral, we should insist that all goods we import are manufactured under those standards.
It would be nice if nobody had to put up with dangerous working conditions and children never had to work. But government can't just legislate these problems out of existence. Trying to do so actually makes things worse, because the unintended consequences: increased unemployment and more children in poverty.
The real way to end these tragedies is to leave the market open and free to innovate. That's why child labor is no longer an issue in the U.S. and work is safer. Workplace injuries, for instance, fell just as fast before OSHA regulations were passed as they did afterwards.
DavidM writes:
If you ranked all the countries of the world from most-free-trade to least, it would match almost exactly the richest to poorest.
Story Ideas:
Robert Servilo writes:
My wife, and about a hundred thousand others in the U.S. suffer from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) a terminal disease proceeded by a great deal of suffering.
My wife is the mother of six children, 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. We all love her very much. That said, we no longer have the luxury of time. You are our last hope.
There is a drug (well known to ALS patients) known as Iplex. It is currently FDA approved for severe short stature in children. It was found by ALS patients in Italy to be effective against ALS. … Our FDA strongly opposes approving Iplex for our terminally ill loved ones.
Our doctors have diligently submitted the paper work to the FDA following their strict procedures. The FDA denied everyone on the basis that "there has been a suggestion of an increase in mortality to patients randomized to placebo." Mr. Stossel, ALS is terminal! This is a drug that they (FDA) themselves approved for dwarfism to be taken by children in the U.S., and one that Italian, French, and English patients use routinely.
Jeffrey Roman writes:
I recently finished your book "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity" and loved it. I've also watched your videos at Cato and on Reason.com. I couldn't help but think of your work when I came across an article today [that said D.C. officials are considering restricting light emissions in the city]: It is such an egregious case of nanny-state elected officials grabbing absurd power over the details of our everyday lives that I just had to bring it to your attention. I hope there's something you can do about this. The audacity and presumptuousness in this woman, Mary Cheh, would be laughable if it wasn't real.
Christopher Starling writes:
I have been a fan of 20/20 and lately discovered your book, "Give Me a Break". Thanks not following the crowd of other reporters advancing the leftist agenda. I plan on using episodes of 20/20 in my economics class. Thanks. Some of my videos on economics freedom are available free to teachers at StosselintheClassroom.org.
Dean writes:
I read your book and loved it, and today I stumbled upon another amazingly stupid thing for your list.
I recently purchased a small motorbike for my 8 year old, and wanted to go pick up some parts -- but now I cannot buy anything, and they are no longer selling them … because the metal case of the engine may have traces of Lead…
Due to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, they have had to pull all smaller bikes, because they are used by kids.
I will make sure my son does not eat his motorcycle … just to be sure!
Larry Glazener writes:
Greetings, John, from sunny SW Florida. I'm a resident of Carmel, NY and a FEE supporter who comes down here seasonally.
My wife still can't believe something which occurred today; I immediately thought of relating it to you.
This morning she visited a Naples landmark known as Ritchey's Produce … her plan was to purchase a container of their guacamole, which has always been excellent. She searched the place unsuccessfully, then was informed by the cashier that it's now "illegal" for them to sell their guacamole. Because the business is classified as an "outdoor vendor" or some such thing, a recent law makes it illegal for them to "prepare food."
Based on my wife's experience over the last four winters, their guacamole flew off the shelf because of being prepared daily, and with an excellent recipe. She's certainly not as happy with what she had to buy in her subsequent grocery store stop. Just who's being helped or protected by this regulation???
Collin Johnson writes:
I am a 19 year old freshman at North Park University in Chicago. …After seeing a few of your segments for 20/20 in a government class in high school, I began to think and question the role of government. Thank you for providing thought provoking ideas that has helped shape my political/economical stance to what it is today.
Collin, I thank you back. Thanks for paying attention.