The U.S. government makes student loans because our economy benefits enormously: Improved human capital. Higher earnings for taxpayers. Innovation and productivity gains. (Side note: Education has also been a $50 billion per year “export” because so many international students come here.) Meanwhile, colleges are basically getting blank checks for whatever tuition prices they pull out of the air. So there’s all this upside for the government and cash flowing to colleges, but student borrowers are left holding the bag. We can do better, and in a way that preserves what makes the American college experience great for students and the country.

Support us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber here, or by making a contribution at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

Complete show notes with links to articles and data at optimisteconomy.com.

You can also find Optimist Economy on:

• TikTok
• YouTube
• Instagram

Kathryn answers listeners’ economic questions, with Robin’s stopwatch running. In under an hour, we cover risks to U.S. economic data, college tuition, taxes, bonds, degrowth, mortgages, tariffs vs. income taxes, wealth concentration, and why the future can’t be built on lies. Finally, for those of you not from Wisconsin, do you know how to pronounce Waukesha? Because Robin sure didn’t. And apparently it’s not Wauke$ha, either.

You can also find Optimist Economy on:

• TikTok
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Substack

Support us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber, or by making a contribution at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

Child care is exhibit A that not everything can be solved by private marketplaces. It is too expensive and too scarce — and nothing will change that fact. (Maybe you’ve heard someone say that preschool costs more than state university tuition? True in 38 states.) Even among those who think that there’s a role for the government to play in early childhood care, there are still very strong disagreements about what public support should look like and who it should go to. This is a sequel of sorts to our conversation last week about U.S. birth rates last week and the demographics that might force big policy changes in the years to come.

You can also find Optimist Economy on:

• TikTok
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Substack

Support us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber or at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy