The Jason Stapleton Program

After I finished yesterdays show I was trolling Facebook looking for good stories and chatting with some friends in the private FB group (http://www.jasonstapleton.com/facebook), and I came across a video where Neil Cavuto was interviewing a young college student.This young woman was advocating for three things.1. "Free" college tuition for all students.2. That all past student debt be forgiven.3. A $15/hr minimum wage.The video is a MUST WATCH, and I've included the exchange here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmji36q8E4oToday on the show I break down this interview as we discuss just how frustrating it is to debate with someone who denies reality.But we have a great deal to learn as libertarians from the way Neil conducted this interview and how we can begin to change the minds of those we disagree with, even when they deny reality.Then it's on to a more philosophical discussion about who owns government housing and what you should be free to do if you live in one of these rental properties. I think you'll like the discussion.Enjoy!Support the show.

"Today's liberal is tomorrow's perfect slave." That was a quote from Stephen on Twitter in response to today's discussion on college students.To say it is deeply disturbing to watch the future decision makers of this country display a total lack of rational thought is putting it mildly. Gone are the days when our halls of higher learning were filled with men of character, and young men and women were challenged to question their beliefs.These days if you try to suggest a student look at an issue like race from another perspective you're labeled a racist, or a bigot and the student being challenged is likely to complain about feeling "unsafe" before demand a "safe space" where they can hold whatever view they like without the risk of logic being introduced.If we need to see where this leads we need only look across the pond to Germany where police recently raided the houses of 10 people suspected of using "hate speech" on social media.This is not an uplifting episode, but it's one you need to hear. Listen now.Support the show.

Any of you who listen to this show regularly knows that I have been highly critical of Rand Paul, particularly his debate performances.Well, last night Rand hit a grand slam home run. He had me jumping out of my chair and pacing the room as he ran a clinic on the libertarian philosophy.It should come as no surprise when Rand takes a jump in the pools. Last night the man child was gone and what we saw as a strong, articulate and confident leader. I could not have been more excited.Today we'll cover highlights of the debate for those of you who just couldn't suffer through another 2 hours of political tomfoolery.Give the show a listen and don't forget to share this page on Facebook and Twitter!JasonSupport the show.

Today on the front page of Investors Business Daily the paper reported that the SEC has now removed the accredited investor requirement to invest in crowdfunding startups.What that means is, we have killed a small piece of the nanny state that protects you from yourself. Congratulations America! We've moved one step closer to liberty.Also on the agenda is the University of Missouri's recent attack on its leadership and the resignation of its president.What I find even more appealing is how the protesters treated the media trying to report on the situation. For all their talk about peace, equality, acceptance and free speech they have proven yet again that they are nothing but a group of statists that seek to silence (by whatever means necessary) any opposition to their cause.Check out the video.Also, here's a great video from a listener of the show who added his two cents on the anarco-capitalist discussion I had yesterday.Support the show.

Yeah, I know this is going to ruffle some feathers. But I hope those of you listening will understand that this is not about bashing a group of people. It's about sharing with you why I believe what I believe.I am constantly getting questions about why I don't like anarchists. Frankly I have no problem with someone who wants to advocate for an idea of total self-governance. I just don't think it will work. That doesn't make me a hater; it just means I have a different opinion.People also confuse my distaste for "purists" as an attack on those who hold very radical opinions on liberty. This also is a gross misunderstanding. My issue is with how ideas are shared and how we treat others with differing opinions. It's about mindset. If you are one, who sits around constantly looking for something to criticize or correct you are doing far more harm than good. How many people have been turned off from going to church because of the judgemental tool who constantly looks down on, gossips about, or sees it as their job to "correct" the lifestyle of others?In reality what does Christianity teach? Love thy neighbor, turn the other cheek, live a moral and ethical life, serve others....shall I continue?The "purist" spends far too much time tearing others down rather than lifting people up and supporting them as we all move toward the same goal.This is not to say that you must sacrifice your opinion or position. It is not about watering down your beliefs. It is about delivery and the spirit in which you approach issues. That is what I mean when I talk about purists. Perhaps labels are not the correct way to address this issue, but I don't know a better way.So, as you listen to today show understand that I am not criticizing anyone's beliefs. I am simply sharing my view with you in the hopes that we can gain a better understanding of each other.Support the show.

Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, people have been leaving their agrarian and largely sole proprietor businesses and moving into the factories and offices of the industrial age.But since the advent of the internet technology is rapidly providing new opportunities for America to return to its entrepreneurial roots.These changes are not happening without a struggle. Everywhere we look Uber, and Air BNB are disrupting long-established norms and challenging long-held institutional monopolies. For those who see the writing on the wall, opportunity abounds.But what about those that refuse to change? The ones that stay locked into the status quo? I fear they are setting themselves up for disaster.Today on the show we talk a little about this as well as a discussion on the TPP. Turns out the TPP is over five thousand pages and weights over 100 lbs. (I'm sure there's nothing in there we need to worry about.)Democrats denounce it; Republicans support it, and neither one are acting in the best interest of our country.It's a crazy episode, tune in.Support the show.

....said Captain Obvious.Anyone who's tried to dissect the inner workings of an economy can tell you it's confusing. You can read Locke, Smith, Mises, Rothbard, Keynes and still come out just as confused as when you started.Even those who understand economic theory will admit there are many things we just don't understand. There are flaws with every economic argument.I believe this is largely due to the psychological and behavioral complexities associated with human decision. If economics is tricky the inner workings of the mind, the conscious and subconscious is even more complex.Today on the show I talk a little about economics, and the roll behavior plays. I also hand out a dose of reality when it comes to things like business cycle theory.Then it's on to a discussion about healthcare. Darren had an interesting discussion with his health insurance provider that he shares with everyone. My predictions about health insurance in America could not have been more correct.Finally, why is it progressives always seem to try and take the moral high ground when it comes to giving. For some reason, they think taking someone else's money and giving it to the poor is charitable.Well, another hypocritical progressive has been outed. This time, it's MSNBC's own Melissa Harris-Perry.It's a killer show today. Listen NOW!Support the show.

Since its inception I've been talking on the show about the messaging problem, we have as libertarians. I "attack" what I call purists for they're constant and unrelenting divisive speech and uncompromising attitude toward their version of the truth.If we want to truly change the world we live it will take subtle changes and challenges to prevailing belief. It will require we paint a message of hope based on the most appealing aspects of libertarianism. Peace, Tolerance, Individual Liberty, Limited Government and Free Markets.This week Jeffery Tucker wrote a piece at FEE.org outlining the two baths of libertarian thought. The humanitarian and the brutalist. It was one of the best-written pieces I think he's ever written, and I spend some time early on in the show discussing his article and what we can learn from it.Then it's off for a discussion of democratic socialism using the recent insurance Co-op failures selling Obamacare-compliant plans. You can't make this stuff up. All that and more today. Don't miss a minute.Support the show.

Yep, you read that right. Our benevolent benefactors, the grants of our rights and freedoms (read the sarcasm), those who claim to know how best we should be spending our money have spent a whopping 43 million dollars to build one gas station in Afghanistan.When you first read the article one's mind turns immediately to the government's typical ineptitude. But is there something more nefarious at work here? We'll talk about it today.And wouldn't you know it, I was right. Turns out those ice caps that have been melting on Antartica haven't been melting. Quite the contrary. They've been growing at a rate of 82 billion tons per year.Again, you read that right. Since 2001, the Antartic ice caps have gained nearly half a TRILLION TONS of ice. But the best part is what the lead author of the study, (a big time climate alarmist) said about his own report.It's a smashing show today. Listen NOW!Support the show.

I preach a message of independence and self-reliance. One that says I should be responsible for my actions. That my success or failure in my life is largely, if not entirely due to my decisions.You see we are the result of our past decisions. Successful people and I don’t care whether you’re talking about financial success or relationship success; they understand that where they are now is a direct result of the decisions they have made. It is not the result of someone else’s decisions.People do make decisions that affect your life, but it is how you respond to those decisions that ultimately determine your future.Today I want to talk about the success (and failure) I've had in my own life and hopefully inspire you to do great things.JasonSupport the show.