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03/27/2018: The Lamppost Theory
Mar 27, 2018

03/27/2018: The Lamppost Theory

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It goes something like this: "Politicians use economics the way a drunk uses a lamppost: for support, not illumination." It's what Princeton economist Alan Blinder is exploring in his new book: Why can't economists and lawmakers seem to understand each other? First though: The Department of Commerce says it's going to ask people about their citizenship in 2020. Several states are suing, and critics say it could keep some folks from talking to census takers. Today we'll look at the potential consequences of undercounting. Plus: Mark Zuckerberg said he'd testify before Congress about the Cambridge Analyitica scandal, but he doesn't plan to talk to the United Kingdom Parliament. We'll look at the European perspective on Facebook's latest controversy.

Segments From this episode

The census adds a citizenship question for the first time since 1950

Mar 27, 2018
Every 10 years, the government takes an accounting of us. Ideally, every one of us. And that population count — the U.S. Census — determines a lot of things, like how many seats your state has in the House of Representatives, and how much federal money is doled out to local communities for important services […]

It goes something like this: “Politicians use economics the way a drunk uses a lamppost: for support, not illumination.” It’s what Princeton economist Alan Blinder is exploring in his new book: Why can’t economists and lawmakers seem to understand each other? First though: The Department of Commerce says it’s going to ask people about their citizenship in 2020. Several states are suing, and critics say it could keep some folks from talking to census takers. Today we’ll look at the potential consequences of undercounting. Plus: Mark Zuckerberg said he’d testify before Congress about the Cambridge Analyitica scandal, but he doesn’t plan to talk to the United Kingdom Parliament. We’ll look at the European perspective on Facebook’s latest controversy.

Music from the episode

Favorite Song Sinkane
Leila - Poolside Remix Miami Horror, Poolside
TV Queen Wild Nothing
1994 Jason Aldean