This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for August 7th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. The Gaslighting of America, By Caroline Breashears. You’ve heard it before: you’re the victim of political gaslighting. Depending on the news source, the villain might be President Trump, or Governor Cuomo, or Senator Sanders, or Gambian President Barrow. But gaslighted you are.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for August 6th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. Diseases on the Rise While Fighting Covid, by Fiona Harrigan. The battle against COVID-19 has been a grand and tragic balancing act.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for August 5, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. Madness in Melbourne By Jeffrey Tucker. Melbourne, that glorious city in the state of Victoria in Australia, granted me some of the best travel days of my life during two separate trips each lasting a full week.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for August 4, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. My Covid Cri de Cœur By Donald J. Boudreaux Sometimes one’s soul is best served by issuing a cri de cœur. I want to scream and protest against today’s unprecedented long spasm of irrationality and madness.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for August 3rd, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. Why Did Health Care Spending Decline in a Pandemic? By Robert Hughes. Americans spend on health care. In 2019, the total was just over $3 trillion or about 14.3 percent of gross domestic product, measured in nominal terms.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for July 31st, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles U.S. Economy Posts Record Decline During Lockdowns By Robert Hughes Real gross domestic product plunged at a historic 33 percent annualized rate in the second quarter, down sharply from a severe -5 percent pace of decline in the first quarter. Over the past four quarters, real gross domestic product is down 9.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for July 30th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. We Need College Sports This Fall Evelyn O’Byrne. It has been 130 days since the first week of lockdowns in the United States. Sports fans missed the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament (March Madness), as well as the conclusion of both the NBA and NHL seasons.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for July 29th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. The Washington Football Team Should Be Called The Candlemakers By Art Carden. It has been a big few days for team names. The new Seattle NHL team will be called the Kraken, which I find really cool in light of my sons’ interest in the pirate video game Sea of Thieves.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for July 28th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. The Bloodless Political Class by Jeffrey Tucker. Why watch COVID press conferences and briefings by politicians? They are just upsetting. These people seem to have no clue about why the virus is ignoring them.

This is the spoken edition of the American Institute for Economic Research for July 27th, 2020. A longer text version is hosted at AIER.org, along with many other articles. Crazy Liquor Laws by Adam Thierer. After the COVID lockdowns, some state and local governments relaxed liquor carryout and delivery laws to give bars, breweries, and distilleries a chance to weather the forced closings.