Carolina Journal Radio No. 815: Year-end special revisits intriguing 2018 topics

As we look forward to a new year, Carolina Journal Radio reviews some of the most interesting topics from 2018. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York describe themselves as socialists. But neither one fits the classic definition of “socialist.” Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation senior economist, distinguishes the two politicians from traditional socialists and explains why their policy goals would not lead to institutionalized socialism. More and more elected leaders treat politics as a type of performance. That approach has helped transform American politics. Yuval Levin, editor of National Affairs, is working on a book that explores the transformation. He shared insights from his research during a visit to Raleigh. It’s possible to define “conservative politics” in multiple ways. John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood offered his definition during a speech to the Leadership Institute. Hood explained why his definition follows Margaret Thatcher’s maxim that the facts of life are conservative. Private property rights play a critical role in a free society. The U.S. Constitution focuses attention on protecting those rights. Ilya Somin, professor of law at George Mason University, discussed the Constitution’s property rights protections during a speech this year at N.C. State University. Somin shares themes from that presentation. North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law has restricted new medical facilities and major medical equipment for decades. The idea behind the CON law goes back even further. That’s according to Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst. He discusses the history and explains how the CON law hurts those seeking affordable health care options.