Joining me now to talk about this is Independent Institute senior fellow and former Federal Reserve Board nominee Judy Shelton. Uh Judy, let me just jump to it. Let's talk first about whom you are favoring among the five candidates on the short list and then we'll get to who you do not think should get the job.>> Well, I think Kevin Hasset would be an excellent choice. Uh we just heard in that answer that um he's not willing to say exactly what he will do over the next six months. Yeah.>> But I think the th ...

Group 1: Healthcare and Legislation - The Democrats' primary goal in keeping the government shut down is to deny President Trump and Republicans any success, particularly in healthcare reform [1] - The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has caused premiums to skyrocket, with a reported 169% increase since its implementation, which is 4.3 times the rate of inflation [1] - There is a call for reforms to the ACA, including the elimination of zero premium policies that have led to fraudulent sign-ups costing billions [1] Group 2: Political Operations and Accountability - The Biden Justice Department's Operation Arctic Frost involved subpoenas for personal phone records of GOP lawmakers, indicating a partisan dragnet targeting Republicans [2] - There are allegations of a conspiracy against President Trump involving various high-profile figures from the Obama administration, with calls for accountability [2] - The use of intelligence agencies and law enforcement to target political enemies is described as a serious crime, with implications for those involved [2] Group 3: Trade and Economic Policy - U.S. Commerce Secretary is in Brussels discussing trade negotiations with the EU, focusing on tariffs and the regulatory environment for tech companies [3] - The Trump administration aims to encourage the EU to embrace digital markets to attract more investment, contrasting with the EU's current regulatory approach [3] - The administration is also working on a model for AI chip sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, ensuring that advanced technology remains secure [4] Group 4: International Relations and Military Strategy - The U.S. is increasing military activity near Venezuela as part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking and terrorism linked to the Maduro regime [6] - The administration is applying pressure on Venezuela to change its behavior, with military options on the table if necessary [6] - Ongoing negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict are complicated by territorial disputes and the need for security guarantees for Ukraine [6]

Economic Growth and Inflation - The capital goods orders for September came in at a positive 0.9%, significantly higher than the expected positive 0.2% [1] - There is a combination of strong growth and lower inflation, as indicated by the September wholesale inflation number being less than expected [2] - The current economic environment is described as a "supply side revolution" driven by tax cuts and sound monetary policy [9][23] Tax Policy and Business Investment - The rapid implementation of tax cuts is leading to increased business investment, contrasting with the slower effects seen during Reagan's administration [6][7] - There is a proposal for a payroll tax cut to incentivize production rather than direct checks to individuals, emphasizing the importance of work incentives [11][15] - A potential reconciliation bill could include cuts to capital gains tax and payroll taxes, which may enhance economic growth and government revenue [20][21] Global Economic Trends - There is a growing trend in Latin America towards free market policies, with countries like Chile and Colombia moving away from socialism [16][18] - The desire for better living standards and job opportunities is driving this shift, which could have significant implications for regional economic stability [18] Supply Side Economics - The discussion emphasizes that increasing the supply of goods and services is essential for affordability and controlling inflation [23][24] - A stable dollar is crucial for investment, as it ensures that the value of earnings remains consistent over time [25]

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve's decision-making process regarding interest rates is currently uncertain, with a divided board on future actions, particularly for the December meeting [1][2][5] - Interest rates have been cut below 4% for the first time since 2022, indicating a significant shift in monetary policy [2][12] - Inflation rates remain above the Fed's target, with the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing a 3-month change of 3.6% and a 12-month change of 3.0%, both against a target of 2% [4][5] Group 2 - The labor market is showing signs of weakness, with significant layoffs announced by major companies like Amazon and UPS, raising concerns about job creation [19][20] - The Fed's focus on job stability is critical, as there are indications that the labor market is not generating sufficient new jobs [17][21] - Deregulation and tax cuts are viewed as essential for stimulating economic growth and job creation, with a call for policies that support business expansion [12][22]