Optimist Economy

<p>Listener Max did his grad thesis on pay transparency laws in Colorado and found that they narrowed the gender wage gap by 8 cents on the dollar. But some big-name economists reported that such laws can actually reduce wages. So what’s the deal? Kathryn’s answer during our October Q&amp;A was so overlong and multipart that we jokingly called it, “The Max Show.” So here it is, as a mini-episode. </p><p>Holiday shopping for the optimists in your life? Check out our shirts and hats at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://optimisteconomy.com">optimisteconomy.com</a></p>

<p>Your drunk uncle calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Your crypto-bro cousin thinks tariffs make China pay. Your grandfather blames working women for tanking wage growth. Economist Kathryn Edwards takes on a dozen hostile dinner-table challenges to help optimists everywhere prepare for dinner table debate. Robin plays every annoying relative you've ever argued with. <em>Pass the [expletive] gravy. </em></p><p></p><p>Ready to rep Optimist Economy with a shirt, hat or tote bag? Hit up our new website and merch store at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://optimisteconomy.com">optimisteconomy.com </a></p><p></p><p>Take the listener survey first to get a code for a free Original Optimist sticker: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey">https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey </a></p>

<p>Optimist Economy got its start almost exactly one year ago with a phone call that began, <em>"Hear me out…"</em> Thirty-two episodes later we ask, <em>“What have we done?” </em>Mostly we conditioned ourselves to keep our eye on the ball – the better U.S. economy and future that are possible – through a lot of very bad news days. In the background, we both moved. Kathryn kept a lot of pregnancy symptoms hidden. We incorporated a nonprofit. And somehow, we managed to drop a new episode every Tuesday. Thanks to all our listeners for being our spiritual sponsors on this journey. </p><p><strong>Take Our Listener Survey!</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey">https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey</a></p>

<p>Why is anyone’s health insurance tied to their job? It's because of a superintendent in Dallas, World War II wage freezes, a 1953 tax code quirk, and decades of inertia. This accident of history costs America $384 billion a year in tax breaks to corporations for providing coverage. And what do we get for that? A system that locks people in jobs they'd otherwise leave, suppresses wages of those who look "expensive to insure," and disadvantages small businesses that can't afford gold-level health plans. In a different historical timeline, President Harry S. Truman’s 1945 national health plan would've given us universal coverage, paid medical leave, and government-funded medical schools. But of course we’re not living in that timeline.</p><p><strong>Take Our Listener Survey!</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey">https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey</a></p>

<p>In the final Q&amp;A of the season, economist Kathryn Edwards answers listener questions on recent universal basic income experiments, legislative budgeting tricks, and the value of more aggressive IRS auditing. She also explains what eradicating the minimum wage exemption might mean, particularly for disabled and incarcerated workers. We also discuss what people actually do for money when they stop job hunting. Fair warning: this one runs long and the keeping it f-bomb free resolution lasted about five minutes.</p><p><strong>Take Our Listener Survey!</strong> Help us plan for Season 2: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey">https://tinyurl.com/op-econ-survey</a></p>