[applause] many thanks to senator jim dement who is truly a great american. we are blessed to have him. i am larry kudlow of cnbc. radio and weood have a distinguished panel. essentially, we will try to talk about ideas to promote economic growth, the application of free market principles to promote economic growth. there are a lot of angles to it, subheadings as well. i would say from my own standpoint, domestically, the greatest challenge to america in the next decade is to restore economic growth and to get us back to the post-world war ii trendline which is about 3.5% per year. we have fallen way behind that trendline. in the last two cycles. as much as $4 trillion behind that, maybe two trillion dollars at the low end. to do that, we need to create jobs. mobility, social families, and it stretches over a number of things, taxes, energy, all deregulation including obamacare, spending limits, the dollar and monetary policy plays an important role and trade plays a very important role. i notice senator elizabeth warren who is one of the cochairman of the sa

special welcome to our guests is the current president of the heritage foundation former senator jim dement. >> thank you. merry christmas, everyone. merry christmas to all who are tuning into the heritage network or through c-span. this is a. this is a great day to come together and talk about the power of ideas. we have a super panel here today, and it is our job to help to shape the debate, build consensus around ideas that we will make life better for people all across america. part of part of that process is bringing in people from all walks of life, business, the think tank world and to actually that different ideas and to set priorities as an organization and as a conservative movement. that is a big part of what we are doing. doing. i appreciate steve leading this and ensure larry will completely introduce our panelists. thank you. i cannot think of a better panel. the ideas to do this and to have other guests and all around the country to bring america in and help america see those ideas that really will build a better life. what we want to deliver is a conservative policy reform a

jim demint. please join me in welcoming senator dement. >> thank you, john. merry christmas to all who are tuning in to the heritage network or c-span. this is a great day to come together and talk about the power of ideas. it is our job to help to shape the debate, build consensus around ideas that we will make life better for people all across america and the world. part of that process is bringing in people from all walks of life, experience in the media, business, the think tank world and do affect different ideas and set priorities as an organization. that is a big part of what we are doing. i appreciate steve moore leading this. i am sure larry will introduce our panelists. i cannot think of a better panel. the idea idea is to do this and have other guests to bring america and and help america see those ideas that really will build a stronger country, brighter future, and better life. what we want to deliver to members of congress, presidential candidates, and the country as a whole is a conservative policy reform agenda that focuses on opportunity for