What I Asked Steve Forbes Today

Today, I had a conversation with Steve Forbes, Dr. Barbara Kolm, and Preity Üpala about the state of the global economy, government interference in markets, and the challenges ahead for investors.

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Dear Fellow Expat:

This morning, I directed a panel of global economists and political activists whose passions are economic freedom and human progress. The panel consisted of Steve Forbes, Austrian economist Dr. Barbara Kolm, and Preity Üpala, a former investment banker turned Hollywood actress and entrepreneur.

At the panel's start, my first question was directed to Forbes. I noted – as I’ve done here - that the United States has dropped like a stone on the Heritage Economic Freedom Index from 8^th to 25^th over the last 15 years.

“Steve,” I asked, “what happened, and how do we right this ship?”

His answer might surprise you…

Forbes Pulled No Punches

The publishing honcho came out swinging: “It’s the government,” he said. He quickly began discussing the current regulatory environment that tells businesses what to do and how to do it.

The term should sound familiar: dirigisme.

But when I asked Forbes – where in the world one might find hope regarding economic policy, inv…