---
title: "Podcasts | Mike Sinn"
description: "Think By Numbers episodes. Data-driven policy analysis for people who like being angry at government spending."
url: https://mikesinn.com/podcasts
---

# Podcasts

Think by Numbers episodes. Data-driven policy analysis for people who like being angry at government spending.

Audio evidence of my inability to just let things go.

01:30

Podcast

### The Future of US Government Debt

Debt projected to reach 350% of GDP by 2080 if policies continue unchanged. It's not a prediction; it's a math problem with one solution: something breaks.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/debt/debt-to-gdp-forecast-chart/) 

02:24

Podcast

### Historical Examples Show Government Intervention Only Prolongs Economic Downturns

Chile recovered from 1982 crisis in 2.5 years without bailouts. Mexico took 7 years with intervention. Government stimulus is like using a flamethrower to put out a fire.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/economics/historical-examples-show-government/) 

07:57

Podcast

### Bailout Costs $16,000 per Worker

Fed printed $6 trillion for bank bailouts. Stock prices soared, rich got richer, poor can't afford houses. Inflation only 1.5% though.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/john-stossel-bailouts-and-bull/) 

06:27

Podcast

### What Would Have Happened If We Let AIG Fail?

AIG bailout cost $2,000 per household. Goldman gave Obama $43 million, got billions back. Like ordering bottle service except you weren't at club.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/corporate-welfare/what-would-happen-if-we-let-aig-fail/) 

11:39

Podcast

### Government Spends More on Corporate Welfare Subsidies than Social Welfare Programs

US spends $92 billion on corporate welfare vs $59 billion on food stamps. CEOs need help buying medium-sized yachts apparently.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/corporate-vs-social-welfare/) 

02:12

Podcast

### Government Pays Doctors $44,000 to Use an iPad

Government gave doctors earning $200k up to $44k for iPads costing $500\. Took taxes from staff making $25/hour who then lost jobs to the technology.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/healthcare/more-upward-wealth-redistribution-from/) 

10:45

Podcast

### Fun Facts About Iraq

Iraq War cost $3 trillion, enough to end world hunger for 100 years. We chose to make 4 million Iraqis homeless instead.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/military/war/posts/) 

02:11

Podcast

### Voters See 'Corporate Welfare' Programs As A Good Place To Cut Government Spending

70% oppose weapons subsidies, 46% oppose farm subsidies. Government does it anyway. Democracy works perfectly if you order cinder blocks not pizza.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/corporate-welfare/voters-cu-corporate-welfare-programs-as-a-good-place-to-cut-government-spending-rasmussen-reports/) 

04:16

Podcast

### A More Progressive Tax System Makes People Happier

Study of 59,634 people in 54 countries proves progressive taxes make people happier—they report better life satisfaction and respect than flat-tax countries.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/taxes/a-more-progressive-tax-system-makes-people-happier/) 

29:36

Podcast

### GOP Presidential Candidates' Budget Plans EXPOSED!!!

Ron Paul proposed $1 trillion cuts. Romney, Gingrich, Cain only $20 billion each. Real inflation 10% not 3.5%. Hidden tax hits hardest.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/spending-cuts-budget-2012-republican-primary-candidates-compared/) 

20:59

Podcast

### Why Think by Numbers?

70% of voters don't know how much government spends on anything. Your lizard brain beats your rational cortex 206 times per day.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/empiricism-2/why-think-by-numbers/) 

05:19

Podcast

### Financial Sector Costs Us More than Any Other Sector In Economy

Finance jumped from 4% of GDP (1960s) to 8% (2007), costing $2 trillion annually—more than healthcare, construction, food combined. It's computer money-shuffling.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/federal-reserve/financial-sector-costs-us-more-than-all/) 

12:11

Podcast

### Anti-Terrorism Spending 50,000 Times More Than on Any Other Cause of Death

$500 million per terrorism death vs $2,000 per stroke death. You're 3x more likely to be struck by lightning than killed by terrorists.

[Listen now](https://thinkbynumbers.org/government-spending/false-sense-of-insecurity/) 

## Want more content?

[Watch videos](https://mikesinn.com/videos) [Read research](https://mikesinn.com/writing)