

Let People Prosper
Vance Ginn, Ph.D.
What works best to let people prosper? Join leading free-market economist Vance Ginn, Ph.D. as he works to understand this question through weekly interviews with interesting people on Tuesdays and weekly economic updates on Fridays. His insights build on past lessons, being president of Ginn Economic Consulting, and contributing to more than 15 think tanks while formerly teaching economics in academia and serving as chief economist of the White House's OMB. Dr. Ginn is a Christian, husband, father of three kids, classical liberal, and rock drummer who resides near Austin, Texas.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2023 • 42min
How Progressive Policies Threaten Texas' Future w Texas State Rep Brian Harrison
Today, I'm joined on episode 67 of the "Let People Prosper" show by Texas State Representative Brian Harrison (R-TX).
Please share this on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).
We discuss:
1) His fascinating experience serving as the former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration amid the pandemic and his efforts to preserve individual liberty and medical freedom;
2) His thoughts on how Texas' state and local governments responded to the pandemic; and
3) The biggest threats facing Texas' liberty today, including high spending and burdensome property taxes, lack of school choice, and more.

Oct 20, 2023 • 12min
SLOWEST Home Sales Since 2010! Will the Fed Keep Interest Rate Hikes on Pause?
Thank you for listening to the 31st episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news.
Please share thie episode on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).
Today, I cover:
1) National: Economic uncertainty from dysfunction in Congress, home sales slide to the slowest since 2010, and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicates extended pause in interest rate hikes;
2) States: Texas continues to debate passing Universal School Choice, and data on California and New York's spending shows that increased state spending does not necessarily decrease poverty or improve schools, and;
3) Other: Recap of last week's excellent podcast with guest Ben Murrey from Independence Institute discussing the importance of maintaining Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, and a sneak peek of my upcoming podcast episode with special guest Texas State Representative Brian Harrison.

Oct 16, 2023 • 32min
Why Colorado's Proposition HH Is NOT Tax Relief, But MORE Spending Burden w Ben Murrey
Today, I'm joined on episode 66 of the "Let People Prosper" show by Ben Murrey, director of the Independence Institute's Fiscal Policy Center:
We discuss:
1) What he learned about the transactional nature of relationships on Capitol Hill during his 7 years working in D.C. alongside U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX);
2) What Republicans can learn from Democrats about collaborating together for the greater good; and
3) How Colorado's Proposition HH on the ballot now, which would reduce tax refunds and further weaken the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), and why legislators should instead pass Sustainable Colorado Budgets and use surpluses to reduce and eliminate total income taxes.
If you enjoyed the show, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, please check out my website (www.vanceginn.com) and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

Oct 13, 2023 • 12min
Inflation TRUTH, Weekly Earnings DECLINE, Will Texas FINALLY Pass School Choice?
Thank you for listening to the 30th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news.
Please rate this show 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).
Today, I cover:
1) National: The unfortunate human and economic costs of the Hamas-Israel war, Republicans nominate new US House speaker, latest CPI report shows that inflation remains high and will until the Fed cuts its balance sheet and Congress spends less, and real average weekly earnings decline;
2) States: Texas began a special session this week in efforts to tackle School Choice, vaccine mandates by businesses, and border security, and the Legislature is considering a large education funding increase which should be rejected and just pass Universal School Choice; and
3) Other: I discuss my opportunity to speak as a keynote at East Texans for Liberty meeting (reach out to me if you’d like me to speak at your event or be a guest on your show), latest interview on the Cato Daily Podcast, new commentary published by AIER on Hong Kong's declining economic freedom, and recent essay at Online Library of Liberty on what Homer taught us about the perils of big government.

Oct 9, 2023 • 21min
The TRUTH About Tolerance: Why Public Discourse is Crucial for The Soul of Civility with Alexandra Hudson
Today, I'm joined on episode 65 of the "Let People Prosper Show" by Alexandra (Lexi) Hudson, writer, speaker, and founder of Civic Renaissance.
We discuss:
1) Why respecting human dignity is paramount for civil societies and how America has gotten away from it;
2) How to show genuine respect and tolerance in our politically correct culture and the importance of honoring public discourse; and
3) The perils of "tone policing" and more principles for living civilly as detailed in her new book, "The Soul of Civility."
If you enjoyed the show, please rate it five stars, leave a review, and share it on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, please check out my website (www.vanceginn.com) and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

Oct 6, 2023 • 14min
U.S. House Speaker KICKED OUT! Why Gov Could Pass Sustainable Budgets & MISLEADING Jobs Report
Thank you for listening to the 29th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news.
Today, I cover:
1) National: No government shut down as Congress passes a continuing resolution budget, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy kicked out with a new speaker to be voted in next Wednesday, presidential candidate Nikki Haley bashes excessive government spending and signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge as all candidates should, and latest jobs report reveals overall weakness;
2) States: Americans for Tax Reform released its Sustainable Budget Project for states that I helped author and Texas will have another special legislative session this Monday to discuss passing Universal School Choice; and
3) Other: My latest op-eds, including one published by The Wall Street Journal with Grover Norquist on the national and state spending problems, and another published by The Daily Caller on why the FTC suing Amazon over antitrust concerns is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media!
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (www.vanceginn.com) or Substack newsletter (www.vanceginn.substack.com)

Oct 2, 2023 • 39min
The Hidden Truth of Medicaid: How U.S. Gov. Harms Health Care | LPP 64 w Naomi Lopez
Today, I'm joined on the "Let People Prosper Show" by Naomi Lopez, consultant and senior fellow at The Goldwater Institute.
We discuss:
1) Pros and cons of taxpayer-funded health care and whether it is a human right;
2) Problems with Medicaid and how it is putting doctors and patients at a disadvantage; and
3) The crucial roles of free market competition and technology in quality, affordable health care.
If you enjoyed the show, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, please check out my website (www.vanceginn.com) and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

Sep 29, 2023 • 12min
Will the Federal Government SHUT DOWN? + Student Loans & TX School Choice | TWE 28
Thank you for listening to the 28th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news.
Today, I cover:
1) National: Whether or not the U.S. federal government will shut down, will student loan payments start soon, and how legal immigrants are helping combat the U.S. labor shortage;
2) States: North Carolina adopts Universal School Choice, why Texas should do the same along with addressing property taxes, and why Louisiana desperately needs tax reform; and
3) Other: My latest podcast episode with Taylor Barkley discussing abundance and digital parenting laws, and a sneak peek of next Monday's episode with Naomi Lopez on health care policy.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (www.vanceginn.com) or Substack newsletter (www.vanceginn.substack.com)

Sep 25, 2023 • 42min
Will Online Safety Bills Protect Minors? | LPP 63 w Taylor Barkley
Today, I'm joined on the "Let People Prosper Show" by Taylor Barkley, director of technology and innovation at the Center for Growth and Opportunity.
We discuss:
1) The critical roles of accessible energy and technology for abundant living among Americans;
2) How Americans feel about “big tech” companies and AI according to recent polls and;
3) Pros and cons of digital parenting through online and social media safety bills for minors.
If you enjoyed the show, please rate it 5 stars, leave a review, and share it on social media.
For show notes, thoughtful insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more, please check out my website (www.vanceginn.com) and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

Sep 22, 2023 • 12min
Average 30-Year Mortgage Rate is HIGHEST Since 2000 | TWE 27
Thank you for listening to the 27th episode of "This Week's Economy," where I briefly recap and share my insights on key economic and policy news.
Today, I cover:
1) National: Shocking findings from the Fraser Institute's newest "Economic Freedom of the World Report," especially as it relates to the U.S. and Hong Kong, the Fed not raising interest rate target, and the average 30-year mortgage rate reaching its highest since Nov. 2000;
2) States: A new report highlighting how Louisiana could become "the next big thing” with tax reform and responsible budgeting, and why Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) is under attack; and
3) Other: My recent articles on the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Google and Constitution Day.
Please like this video and subscribe to the channel if you enjoyed this podcast!
For show notes, thoughtful economic insights, media interviews, speeches, blog posts, research, and more at my website (www.vanceginn.com) or Substack newsletter (www.vanceginn.substack.com)


