Feb 14, 2022
On the Agenda: Heritage is out with a bombshell report that details how Big Tech systematically censors conservatives and lays out what needs to be done to stop these abuses. Today, we’re releasing the latest edition of the Index of Economic Freedom, which ranks every country in the world. And our legal experts point the finger of blame for today’s crime wave where it belongs: at rogue prosecutors. There’s that and much more to explore in this week’s Agenda.
Big Tech’s Totalitarianism and How to Combat It
The problem: A handful of Big Tech corporations now manipulate the flow of information in such an expansive way as to fundamentally reshape the public discourse.

The evidence: Conservatives were once hard-pressed to verify the anecdotal suppression at the hands of these companies. The evidence now paints a clearer picture: Big Tech companies don’t just censor conservatives on their platforms, they’ve blocked conservatives’ attempts to create competing platforms.

The solution: At this point, the only way to fix this Orwellian nightmare is through aggressive reforms. Heritage research fellow and former Facebook employee Kara Frederick lays out exactly how to do that, and exactly why we need to do that, in her latest report.

Go deeper: Learn about what actions are needed here <[link removed]>.
2022 Index of Economic Freedom Shows a Changing World
In the news: Heritage released the 2022 edition of the Index of Economic Freedom today, which rates the overall economic freedom of every country in the world. Unfortunately, this may not be a report card you want to bring home.

The good: For the first time in the Index’s history, the country of Taiwan has earned a “free” rating. Other countries made positive gains as well, like Luxembourg and Estonia.

The bad: The U.S. isn’t doing so hot. Years of overspending and bad economic policies have driven the U.S. ranking steadily downward. President Biden made it worse. In 2021, the U.S. dropped to 25th place, down from 20th place the year before.

The opportunity: “It’s time for the U.S. government to get its fiscal house in order, unleash freedom here at home, and help Americans flourish once again through self-governance,” writes Heritage President Kevin Roberts.

Learn more: Check out the new edition of the Index here <[link removed]>.
Rogue Prosecutors, Not Guns, Are Fueling the Crime Wave
Apparently, crime does pay: Crime rates have been rising in major cities in recent years. But the issue isn’t just the criminals on the streets. It also comes down to rogue prosecutors who are ignoring the law.

A rogue's gallery: District attorneys in some of America’s biggest cities choose to not prosecute certain crimes at all on the grounds that doing so would be racist since, in their eyes, the whole legal system is inherently racist.

The bottom line: “These rogue prosecutors,” write Heritage’s Senior Legal Fellow Cully Stimson and Legal Fellow Zack Smith, “coddle criminals and forget victims and their families in the process.”

Read more: Find out <[link removed]> who these rogue prosecutors are and how they can be stopped here and watch Stimson’s recent appearance on Fox News here <[link removed]>.
With Heritage’s help, Reagan left a legacy of freedom for America. Click here to learn how you can, too <[link removed]>.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2021, Heritage published a comprehensive guide to help policymakers assess the current state of the Chinese Communist Party’s global ambitions. Check out the China Transparency Project <[link removed]>.
HAPPENING AT HERITAGE
Announced today: Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will join The Heritage Foundation as a visiting fellow. Learn more <[link removed]>.
Testimony: Heritage’s Rachel Greszler recently testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee that government policies—not COVID-19—are chiefly responsible for the severe labor shortages in health care and other sectors. Learn more <[link removed]>.
Double Time: Joel Griffith testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs twice in one week. On Feb. 9, Griffith discussed community lending centers, and just one day later, on Feb. 10, he testified on the housing market. Learn more <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE EVENTS
The Threat to Democracy: Defeating Cancel Culture by Defending the Values of the Free World, Monday, 11 a.m. ET. Featuring British Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden.

Register for this event <[link removed]>
BLM: The Making of a New Marxist Revolution, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ET. Featured speakers include:



- Mike Gonzalez, Heritage’s Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Fellow
- Dr. James Lindsay, founder of New Discourses and author of the upcoming book “Race Marxism”



Register for this event <[link removed]>
HERITAGE PODCASTS
This week on “Heritage Explains,” Mike Gonzalez, Heritage’s Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Fellow, talks about the impact of Black Lives Matter. Listen to the episode <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE IN THE NEWS
We Have to Stop Big Tech's Influence Over American Society
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts joined Newsmax to talk about the threat posed by Big Tech and Heritage's new report laying out policy recommendations to hold Big Tech accountable. Watch the interview <[link removed]>.
POLICY PICTURE
Follow The Heritage Foundation <[link removed]> and The Daily Signal <[link removed]> on Instagram.

Email us your thoughts and questions at [email protected] <[link removed]>.

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