John Stossel said he was a “garden-variety liberal” as a college student.

But all of that has changed.

After many years of working for ABC News, Stossel said he realized the regulation he had supported in his reporting “didn’t make life any better.” Now, Stossel, an author and journalist, identifies himself as libertarian and advocates for less government regulation.

The College Republicans brought Stossel to Syracuse University on Monday to speak about government’s role in the free market, in a talk called “Freedom and Its Enemies.” The lecture was held at 7:30 p.m. in Grant Auditorium.

Stossel spoke out strongly against government regulation and hailed the successes of free market capitalism in his lecture.

“Government is like someone who jumps out in front of a parade and claims they led the parade,” he said.

He gave numerous examples of the triumphs of unencumbered capitalism, such as the success of Bill Gates. He said he is often asked why America is prosperous, and attributes the United States’ success to two main factors: the rule of law in protection of property and person and economic freedom.

Stossel accordingly supported some government functions, like protection, but argued for the “limited government of the founders,” as the Founding Fathers intended when writing the Constitution.

He also discussed failed government regulations, providing the example of federal flood insurance.  Stossel showed a picture of a beach house he built that had been decimated by floods three different times.  Each time, he had received federal insurance paid for by taxes to help pay for his repairs.

“Here’s my beach house. I never invited you there, but thanks for paying for it,” Stossel said, prompting laughter from the crowd.

This example hit home with Dimitri Skambas, the vice chairman of the College Republicans. Skambas, a junior economics major, said the lecture provided a different insight on government programs and helped him reconsider federal government spending.

During a Q-and-A, Stossel answered questions about topics ranging from historical issues, such as the Glass-Steagall Act to current governmental concerns like the Patriot Act.

“I don’t know much about politics. Most of it bores me,” Stossel said in response to a question about the current “civil war” among Republicans in government.

Stossel said he supported liberal social theories like the legalization of drugs, but added that he feared more backlash from the Republican community when he became a libertarian. But he said he found a more welcoming community among conservatives, saying that while ABC drove him out, Fox welcomed him.

Mario Morgante, a freshman biology major, said he enjoyed the talk because it was very “insightful.”

“I’m very conservative.  I’m a Republican. And I thought it would be a very nice experience to hear what he has to say,” Morgante said. “I liked the way he talked about the healthcare system and what we can do to change it.”

Stossel ended his speech by calling on students to stand up for what they believe in.

Said Stossel: “I hope that you fight for that freedom that made America possible.”

Published on October 15, 2013 at 2:28 am

Contact: clmoran@syr.edu