45. Overcoming the Existential Threat of Big Government

In this newsletter, I discuss the latest on the economic and fiscal situations in Texas and America with a focus on the need to save America by ending big government spending, taxing, and regulating.

Hello Friend,

I hope you’re well. I’m thankful that you continue to take the time to read this newsletter where we learn how: Free-market capitalism best lets people prosper.

• Personal take: I was in Dallas last week at the Economic Freedom of North America meetings held by SMU’s Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom and the Fraser Institute. We had a great discussion about the benefits of economic freedom, which is under attack across the nation and globe so we must fight back. Check out this tweet on the benefits of strong institutions that support freedom. This week I’m heading to D.C. to provide practical ways to increase economic freedom through restraining spending and providing tax relief. I enjoy these sorts of trips, but I miss my family. My oldest son who is 7 started crying when I told him that I was going to be away for a few days this week. That crushed me. I look forward to my kids reading these newsletters so they’ll have a better idea of how I always worked toward the Lord’s calling in my life to find ways to let people prosper so they flourish in every way. My wife and I talk about this often, as I’m blessed to have such an amazing woman by my side. Please keep us in your prayers as I continue to pray for you.

• Hot take: What’s the role of government? My view is that government exists to preserve God-given liberty. The biggest existential threat is big governments threatening and destroying freedom. That must end.

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  Freedom is under attack by big-govt politicians. That’s the biggest existential threat. #biden #congress #txlege

  

Now for the latest on Texas, D.C., and COVID-19 in Texas.

TEXAS ECONOMIC AND FISCAL SITUATION

• Lots of good stuff in the latest Ginn Economic Brief on Texas, including last week’s state-level jobs report showing how states that ended the new temporary federal UI payments earlier have faster job growth.

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  Here's my latest take on the improving economic and fiscal situation in #Texas along with what the #txlege can do for more ways to #letpeopleprosper in the third special session. @TPPF texaspolicy.com/texaseconomy/ @GregAbbott_TX @taxreformer @TCCRI @TexasAFP @LIBRETexas #txlege @yct

  

  texaspolicy.comAn insider’s insight on today’s economy: TexasTexans’ livelihood is improving after much destruction from forced business shutdowns by governments in response to COVID-19. Recently, some normalcy returned as the Texas economy was fully opened on March 10, 2021, contributing to less unemployment and an improved civil society. The regular and sec…

• Texas Legislature’s third special session starts. Here’s what you need to know.

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  New piece @TPPF on the #Texas budget and #ARPA funds for the third special. #txlege ought to budget wisely, including providing property tax cuts and paying off UI debt. thecannononline.com/responsible-bu… #txlege @SenJaneNelson @DrGregBonnen @DanPatrick @DadePhelan #congress

  

  thecannononline.comResponsible Budgeting in Texas’ Next Special SessionAt least in baseball, you’re out after the third strike. Baseball is merciful. The Texas Legislature, not so much. At least the fourth legislative session—the third special—gives lawmakers a chance to appropriate money sent to the state by Congress through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act …

• Don't miss this paper with my friend Kendall Cotton at the Frontier Institute on the trends of government spending at the local level in Montana. The ultimate burden of government is how much it spends, so spending trends matter at every level. This is a reason it is important to practice the conservative budget approach.

  Frontier Institute @FrontierMontana

  Missoula taxpayers risk facing an ever-rising tax burden. Why? Because government spending has exploded far beyond the rate population growth. But policymakers have the power to reverse this trend. frontierinstitute.org/reports/the-re… #mtleg #mtpol

  

  frontierinstitute.orgThe Real Missoula Budget: The State of Missoula’s SpendingKey points: Over the last 15 years, Missoula’s spending has increased faster than the pace of population growth plus inflation, at the excessive cost of $198 million to Missoula taxpayers in 2021. The Real Missoula Budget demonstrates the need for government spending restraint and an improved budget…

• Institutions Matter: Why Do People Move from Red to Blue States? Opportunity

  

U.S. ECONOMIC AND FISCAL SITUATION

• TPPF joins others in the Save America Coalition to reject the big-government nonsense in D.C. Learn more here:

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  Reject #Democrats reconciliation package that tries to fundamentally change and bankrupt America. #SaveAmerica @TPPF @A1Policy @FreedomWorks @CPInst @amrenewcitizen @KevinRobertsTX @StephenMoore @russvought @adam_brandon @edwardcorrigan

  

  americafirstpolicy.comAFPI ANNOUNCES NEW COALITION TO SAVE AMERICA | America First Always

• I explained this nonsense on the Jacki Daily Show (Blaze) recently.

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  Don’t miss my interview with the one and only ⁦@JackiDailyHost⁩ ⁦@theblaze⁩ on the latest nonsense out of Washington with including a pilot program for a vehicle miles traveled tax in the $1.2T American (Anti-)Jobs Plan. Reject this bad idea.

  

  podcasts.apple.com‎The Jacki Daily Show: Feds To Track Your Travel?; UN Says Climate Catastrophe Highly Unlikely | V. Ginn, Ph.D. (TPPF); D. Reuter on Apple …Could your every motorized move be tracked by the federal government? If D.C. has its way, it could. Former White House adviser Vance Ginn, Ph.D., the chief economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, elaborates on the hidden plan in the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that would monitor – an…

• Data show income mobility continues to be upward.

  Mark J. Perry @Mark_J_Perry

  NEW GRAPHIC: Yes, the US middle-class is shrinking....because Americans are moving UP into higher income groups!

  

• Bidenflation is hurting low-income workers most and building back broker.

• Bad Biden policies are contributing to rising energy prices.

• More evidence that the American (Anti-)Families Plan is a disaster per the Tax Foundation.

WHAT’S UP WITH COVID-19 IN TEXAS AND BEYOND

• Latest on the COVID-19 situation in Texas. More on TX DSHS Covid-related data here. Remember the first two major waves in Texas had restrictions in place, but people often forget and hospital data aren’t always the best.

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lifted state restrictions on March 10, 2021, and blocked local restrictions on May 21, 2021. Things are improving in this Wave #3 without shutdowns and mandates. Must choose freedom over fear and control.

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  NEW 9/19/21 #COVIDTX19 Rt=0.62, 7-day avgs, hospitalizations=Better Wave #3 Available staffed beds=13.2% (#Austin=13.4%) Case-Fat Rate: Wave #1=2.5%, #2=1.84%, #3=1.68% Since 03/2020: Fat/Pop=0.2%, Case/Pop=11.1%, CFR=1.85% Freedom > Fear/Control @TPPF @GregAbbott_TX #txlege

  

  

  

  

  

  Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

  NEW 9/14/21 #COVIDTX19 Rt=0.74<1 + 7-day avgs suggest current Wave #3 has peaked Available staffed beds=12.6% (#Austin=13.2%) Case-Fat Rate: Wave #1=2.5%, #2=1.8%, #3=1.5% Since 03/2020: Fat/Pop=0.2%, Case/Pop=10.8%, CFR=1.8% @TPPF @GregAbbott_TX @therealarod1984 #txlege https://t.co/DqQ4vdhdq0 https://t.co/nQnVz4aChw

Closing Thoughts

Few say things better in my opinion than the one and only Milton Friedman.

Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

Capitalism > Socialism #MiltonFriedman #txlege

My prayers this week are focused on the following verse:

Vance Ginn @VanceGinn

#JesusIsLord

Thank you for reading and sharing this newsletter. I pray that we put our hope in the Lord and His Word so that we are ready for life’s many challenges as this helps us grow and prosper. Many blessings to you and yours, and have a prosperous week.

Vance Ginn, Ph.D. | www.vanceginn.com | #LetPeopleProsper