Shrinking Government, Growing Prosperity with Richard Stern | Let People Prosper Ep. 145

​How much government is too much? In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I sit down with Richard Stern, Director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at the Heritage Foundation, to discuss the moral and economic urgency of cutting government spending, restoring community, and reclaiming freedom.

Richard shares his journey from a progressive upbringing to becoming a free-market champion, shaped by a background in engineering, a calling to public service, and a deep belief in individual agency and faith.
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(0:00) – Introduction 
(2:16) – From progressive roots to economic liberty
(6:34) – The role of faith and economic worldview
(10:44) – Lessons from student government
(16:10) – Behind the scenes of government budgeting
(26:53) – Shrinking the size and scope of government
(32:55) – The truth about tax burdens
(41:27) – Trade, tariffs, and the case for reform
(56:12) – Why faith and freedom go hand in hand