Manhattan Institute economist Brian Riedl joins us for a 30 minute crash course on the federal debt, budget, and taxes. We cover budget gimmicks in the Democrats' $3.5 trillion spending bill, misconceptions about the Child Tax Credit and wealth taxes, government shutdowns and debt ceilings, and what happens when the 100+ trillion dollar debt avalanche hits the American economy.

Brian Riedl is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, focusing on budget, tax, and economic policy. Previously, he worked for six years as chief economist to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and as staff director of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth. Follow him on Twitter at @Brian_Riedl.