Stephen Dubner

So do you see yourself as someone who's sounding the alarm?

This friendless soul is Jessica Riedel.

This friendless soul is Jessica Riedel.

This friendless soul is Jessica Riedel.

Despite her claim to failure, Riedel is consistently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the most influential economic policy professionals in D.C. She has testified before Congress. She routinely briefs lawmakers in both political parties. And she has two messages. Number one, the federal debt crisis is even worse than you think, and few politicians have the courage to do anything about it.

Despite her claim to failure, Riedel is consistently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the most influential economic policy professionals in D.C. She has testified before Congress. She routinely briefs lawmakers in both political parties. And she has two messages. Number one, the federal debt crisis is even worse than you think, and few politicians have the courage to do anything about it.

Despite her claim to failure, Riedel is consistently named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the most influential economic policy professionals in D.C. She has testified before Congress. She routinely briefs lawmakers in both political parties. And she has two messages. Number one, the federal debt crisis is even worse than you think, and few politicians have the courage to do anything about it.

And number two, just about everything you know about U.S. tax policy is wrong. Today on Freakonomics Radio, federal debt and tax myths. Could we possibly be having any more fun? That starts now.

And number two, just about everything you know about U.S. tax policy is wrong. Today on Freakonomics Radio, federal debt and tax myths. Could we possibly be having any more fun? That starts now.

And number two, just about everything you know about U.S. tax policy is wrong. Today on Freakonomics Radio, federal debt and tax myths. Could we possibly be having any more fun? That starts now.

In December, a month after Donald Trump was elected to his second term, but before he had taken office, Jessica Riedel published a few articles that made me think she would be a good person to speak with and to learn from. First came her piece in City Journal, which is published by the Manhattan Institute. It was called Correcting the Top Ten Tax Myths.

In December, a month after Donald Trump was elected to his second term, but before he had taken office, Jessica Riedel published a few articles that made me think she would be a good person to speak with and to learn from. First came her piece in City Journal, which is published by the Manhattan Institute. It was called Correcting the Top Ten Tax Myths.

In December, a month after Donald Trump was elected to his second term, but before he had taken office, Jessica Riedel published a few articles that made me think she would be a good person to speak with and to learn from. First came her piece in City Journal, which is published by the Manhattan Institute. It was called Correcting the Top Ten Tax Myths.

And then came a pair of op-eds in the Boston Globe. One was called What Conservatives Get Wrong About Taxes. The other, What Liberals Get Wrong About Taxes. I started our conversation by asking for some background on her employer, the Manhattan Institute.

And then came a pair of op-eds in the Boston Globe. One was called What Conservatives Get Wrong About Taxes. The other, What Liberals Get Wrong About Taxes. I started our conversation by asking for some background on her employer, the Manhattan Institute.

And then came a pair of op-eds in the Boston Globe. One was called What Conservatives Get Wrong About Taxes. The other, What Liberals Get Wrong About Taxes. I started our conversation by asking for some background on her employer, the Manhattan Institute.

It's interesting to admit that something is a right-of-center think tank or a left-of-center think tank because I find that so many institutes, there are a bunch on the Right. There are a bunch on the left. Nearly all of them talk about how they aim to be nonpartisan. I just about never buy it. So can you give us a quick buyer's guide to assess the research coming out of institutes like yours?

It's interesting to admit that something is a right-of-center think tank or a left-of-center think tank because I find that so many institutes, there are a bunch on the Right. There are a bunch on the left. Nearly all of them talk about how they aim to be nonpartisan. I just about never buy it. So can you give us a quick buyer's guide to assess the research coming out of institutes like yours?

It's interesting to admit that something is a right-of-center think tank or a left-of-center think tank because I find that so many institutes, there are a bunch on the Right. There are a bunch on the left. Nearly all of them talk about how they aim to be nonpartisan. I just about never buy it. So can you give us a quick buyer's guide to assess the research coming out of institutes like yours?

Let's talk a little bit more about you. How and when did you become interested in tax policy and budget policy? I've read about some US News and World Report challenge to readers to balance the budget that got you enthusiastic. Is that true?