“People ask how I can be a conservative and still want higher taxes. It makes my head spin, and I guess it shows how old I am. But I thought that conservatives were supposed to like balanced budgets. I thought it was the conservative position to not leave heavy indebtedness to our grandchildren.”

American writer, lawyer, actor, economist, comedian, and commentator

Ben Stein is an American writer, lawyer, actor, economist, comedian, and political and economic commentator. Born Benjamin Jeremy Stein, he first worked as a speechwriter for U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, then moved into entertainment, where his dry manner and steady delivery became part of his public image. He is known for playing the economics teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, hosting Win Ben Stein's Money, and appearing as Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and Son of the Mask. He also co-wrote and starred in Expelled, a 2008 film that drew criticism for presenting intelligent design claims. His work often sits at the meeting point of politics, economics, and comedy.