Could Trump Accounts Actually Work?

The Declaration's Most Radical—and Consequential—Idea

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, host Paul Mueller sits down with historian Brad Birzer to explore the ideas that gave birth to the American experiment. Together, they examine what made the Declaration such a revolutionary document, why its principles remain relevant nearly two and a half centuries later, and the radical claim at its heart: that all people are created equal and possess rights that no government can rightfully take away. Mueller and Birzer discuss the intellectual influences behind the Declaration, the courage required to sign it, and the enduring importance of natural rights, self-government, and human dignity. They also reflect on how the Declaration transformed political thought around the world and why its message continues to shape debates about liberty today. Join us for a timely conversation about the most radical—and important—idea in the Declaration of Independence.

Could Trump Accounts Actually Work?

Host Paul Mueller is joined by AIER scholars Tom Savidge and Dave Hebert to discuss one of the most intriguing and controversial provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill: Trump Accounts. The program would provide government-seeded investment accounts for children, with supporters arguing that it could expand ownership, encourage long-term wealth building, and foster a stronger culture of saving and investing. Are Trump Accounts a meaningful step toward an ownership society, or are they simply another government program destined to fall short of its promises? Paul, Tom, and David debate the merits and drawbacks of the proposal, examining everything from financial literacy and intergenerational wealth to government incentives, philanthropy, and the future of retirement security. Along the way, they spar over whether giving every child a stake in the market could strengthen capitalism, encourage broader participation in wealth creation, and reshape the relationship between citizens and the economy.

Economics Is for Everyone

In this episode of The Economist Next Door, host Paul Mueller is joined by Tom Savidge and Julia Cartwright of the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER), along with Richard Morrison of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), to explore how basic economic thinking shows up in everyday life. Using accessible, real-world examples—from wedding dresses and tuxedos to sneakers, thrifted fashion, housing regulations, and consumer choice—the conversation highlights how trade-offs, discounting, incentives, and social norms shape ordinary decisions. It moves from household economics to broader policy debates, including regulation, market variety, and the unintended consequences of quality standards in housing and consumer goods. The episode makes clear that economics, at its core, is not merely a technical discipline for experts, but a practical framework for understanding how people make choices under scarcity, constraints, and competing values in daily life.

Congratulations, You Own Your Home. Sort Of.

In this episode of The Economist Next Door, host Paul Mueller speaks with economist Vance Ginn about one of the most contentious issues in state and local fiscal policy: property taxes. Ginn argues that property taxes pose a fundamental challenge to private ownership, since homeowners must continue paying taxes on their property even after paying off their mortgage. The conversation explores alternatives to the current system, including the possibility of replacing property taxes with broader sales taxes. Ginn outlines a reform framework that emphasizes spending restraint, tax base broadening, and a gradual "buy-down" approach to reducing reliance on property taxes over time. Mueller and Ginn also discuss how different tax structures shape government behavior, interstate competition, and housing markets, as well as the trade-offs between stability in revenue and economic distortions. Could a consumption-based tax system offer a more transparent and less burdensome foundation for funding local government? Listen and find out!

America's Student Debt Crisis, Explained

In this episode of The Economist Next Door, Paul Mueller is joined by fellow American Institute for Economic Research scholars Jeff Degner and Dave Hebert to examine the economics behind America's student debt crisis. The conversation explores how decades of federal aid and subsidized student loans helped fuel tuition inflation, reshape university incentives, and transform higher education into a debt-driven consumption economy. The scholars discuss credential inflation, luxury campus amenities, signaling theory, Austrian business cycle theory, and the unintended consequences of government intervention in higher education. They also examine why so many students leave school with debt but no degree, how colleges use price discrimination, and whether reforms such as shorter degree programs, income-sharing agreements, and AI-driven education tools could lower costs and improve outcomes. No PhD required.