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October 16, 2025

Welcome to The Lighthouse, the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute covering politics, economics, current events, and everything in between.

Dear Readers,

The government shutdown has stretched into another week, and major prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket now suggest it could last through the end of October. On that note, Addison Gills argues that it’s not just Congress that’s “shut down”—America’s healthcare system is, too. Burdened by regulatory barriers, hidden pricing, and distorted incentives, it prevents real market competition and leaves ordinary Americans struggling to afford care.

Sam Jenson argues that President Trump's proposed 100% tariff on foreign-made movies would fail to help the U.S. film industry and does not address the root issue of runaway production driven by tax incentives abroad.

James Rushmore discusses how the Biden administration pressured social media companies to remove content during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the Trump Administration has renewed concerns over federal jawboning.

Alvaro Vargas Llosa highlights President Javier Milei’s mounting political and economic challenges in Argentina, including his coalition’s recent electoral defeat and lack of congressional support, pointing out that it is too early to suggest that Milei has already fizzled out.

Finally, Scott Atlas welcomes Victor Davis Hanson back to another episode of The Independent. They discuss Charlie Kirk, political violence, the media, and more.

Enjoy.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor

Top picks this week
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** The Real Shutdown in Your Doctor’s Office ([link removed])
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** Congress may reopen, but America’s healthcare market won’t anytime soon ([link removed])
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** by Addison Gills
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The real shutdown is moral and economic.
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** Movie Tariffs: A Problem Not a Solution ([link removed])
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** by Sam Jenson
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If the President wants to bring jobs back to the entertainment capital of the world, this is not the answer.
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** The Censorship-Industrial Complex ([link removed])
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** by James Rushmore
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Does the federal government have the right to ask social media platforms to remove user-generated content it deems “misinformation”?
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** Is Javier Milei Failing? ([link removed])
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** by Alvaro Vargas Llosa
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It is too early to dismiss Milei’s chances of regaining the momentum he had a few months ago.
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** VIDEO
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** The Left’s Love of Political Violence Is the Threat to Democracy ([link removed])
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Scott welcomes back acclaimed author and historian Victor Davis Hanson to discuss the legacy of Charlie Kirk, and how lenient policies on crime and extreme media hyperbole normalizes and even encourages political violence.
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** FEATURED BOOK
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** A Balance of Titans ([link removed])
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** Peace and Liberty in the New Multipolar World ([link removed])
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** By Ivan Eland
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“Ivan Eland proposes a bold new foreign policy for the United States, one that would encourage other nations to share the burdens of policing the world, saving the United States billions in defense spending and making peace more likely and sustainable.”

—Harvey Sapolsky, professor emeritus of public policy and organization, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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