How I made a million dollars in Chicago real estate: I $tole it from you!

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Administrator

image credit: Ken Lund via Flickr (cc)

Successful land speculation is really a matter of capturing for yourself the gains that belong to the community. George Menninger is one of many who have done it. Far beyond any need to earn a living, George now spends some of his time explaining how the bad public policy he exploited not only made him rich, but led to continued poverty, unemployment, and even the current economic meltdown. Come to ask him why he does this and whether he is a traitor to the 1%.

George’s talk, on Wednesday January 18 at 6 PM, is also the first session of our Progress & Poverty course (modern version), which will continue on Wednesdays thru February 15. As with all our courses, the $25 registration fee need not be paid until the end of the first session, and George Menninger will provide a personal and accessible explanation of Henry George’s ideas. You can pre-register here, or just show up. You are also welcome to attend just this session; there is no obligation or expectation that everyone attending will enroll.

April 16 Monday: What has religion to do with political economy?

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Administrator

image credit: Fergal of Claddagh via flickr (cc)

We call this course Economics as if God Cared.

The United States has no formal established church, yet matters of religion keep popping in political campaigns. What has the Judeo-Christian-Muslim religious tradition to do with questions of political economy?

One perspective is to ask how “God” advises us to organize our economic life. According to John Kelly (who created this course) and John Kuchta (who teaches it), the Old and New Testaments give clear directions about how communities and nations should treat landownership, debt, and taxes, to assure both justice and lasting prosperity. The course deals not only with religion and philosophy, but also with actual historical evidence. This term we offer Economics as if God Cared on Fridays at 6 PM, beginning January 13 and continuing each Friday thru February 6, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. As for all our classes, a $25 registration fee covers the entire cost of the course. You can pre-register here, or just show up.

Winter 2012 begins at the Henry George School

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Administrator

Gateway to the Beach Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon

United States Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program office, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Carole Y. Swinehart

This term we’ll offer four courses in seven sections, including our first south suburban class in decades (Progress & Poverty at the Blue Island Public Library.) The schedule includes links to the course descriptions. As always, each course requires only a $25 registration fee, and you’re welcome to sit in on the first session before deciding to make the modest investment.

In addition to classes, we have a range of free events including Bob Jene’s review, from a Georgist perspective, of the economic proposals of the Republican Presidential candidates. Dr. Strangelove will kick off our Saturday movie series on January 21, and there will be a number of other new and/or revised presentations during the term. These will be posted on the events list, among other places.

Poverty will end when people think

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Administrator

Intelligence Awakening Mankind

Image at Rockefeller Center, NYC. Photo credit: WallyG via Flickr (cc)

The mission of the Henry George School is to make available to everyone an education in political economy and social philosophy, based primarily on the works of Henry George. Anyone who understands George’s ideas knows the cause of poverty, and knows what must be done to eliminate it.

But progress depends on widespread knowledge, and our School has very limited resources for making people aware of what we offer. With one exception (who earns a sub-poverty wage), everyone working for the School is a volunteer. Past and present supporters provide us enough for rent, supplies, and very minimal advertising. Additional help is needed to improve the manner in which our message is presented, and make it more broadly known.

December is the traditional time for making monetary donations, and the Henry George School welcomes contributions of any amount. We are recognized as a 501/c/3 charitable organization, so donations can be tax-deductible, and donors can be formally recognized by our membership program(pdf). Donations can be made by credit card, or by check mailed to the School (Henry George School, 28 E. Jackson Blvd #1004, Chicago 60604). Although we do not maintain a corps of smooth-talking gift planners devoted to estate planning matters, we are able to assist in setting up tax-advantaged gifts for those who may be in a position to participate in them.

In addition to monetary donations, we solicit the assistance of volunteers in all aspects of our work. Help is needed with promotion, design, office operations, archives, and all kinds of special projects. Just let us know what you might like to do.

False Choices: Why a sound plan for economic recovery would not raise taxes, not cut government services, and not increase debt

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Administrator

Photo Credit: Cycloru via Flickr (cc)

“Responsible” politicians and pundits say that we face a tradeoff among higher taxes, reduced government services, and more public debt, lest current trends lead to ruinous inflation resulting in all three. Those aren’t the only choices, and certainly not the best ones, asserts HGS instructor Chuck Metalitz. Raising taxes on production leads economies to a downward spiral, but shifting taxes off of production can bring prosperity while raising needed revenue. And if public debts have become too big to pay, then perhaps it is best not to pay them. The problem is that holders of privilege largely escape taxation, while keeping the rest of us ignorant of the fundamentals of political economy.

Tuesday, December 13, 6 PM at 28 E Jackson #1004. Free, donations welcome.

What the Rich Own…

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Administrator

image credit: Penywise at Morguefile

…and how they can be made to share it.

Attempts to “tax the rich” have led us to exempt about half the population from paying federal income tax, while creating all kinds of other levies that discourage production while falling heavily on working people. But if we look at who “the rich” really are, and where most of their income originates, we see that, rather than focusing on the amount of a person’s income, we could instead look at the source. Producing goods or services that people want– that increase the overall satisfaction in the community– is fundamentally different from securing, protecting, and manipulating privilege. Chuck Metalitz will explain what privilege is, how it causes wealth to be concentrated in a small part of the population, and what could be done about it. 6:00 PM at 28 E. Jackson #1004. Free, donation welcome.

Last chance this year for Progress & Poverty

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Administrator

photo credit: kenfagerdotcom via flickr

Our last Progress & Poverty course of 2011 is an afternoon class, starting Thursday, Nov 17, 2:30 PM, at 28 E. Jackson. This is the modern version, just five class sessions to understand the nature of wealth and the principles which determine who gets it– and who doesn’t.

Instructor for this section will be Bob Jene. As always, you’re welcome to sit in on the first session before deciding whether to register and pay the $25 fee. The fee covers the entire course and includes a double-money-back guarantee. You can pre-register here. Call or email if you have questions.

Of course we’ll teach Progress & Poverty again starting in January.

Economic Cycle Tour — Saturday

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Administrator

Photo Credit: Vincent Desjardins

This bicycle tour will look at the city parks developed on both banks of the Chicago River. We will cycle through the intense development of the old Chicago Dock and Canal property on the north side of the river facilitated by the $35 million bascule bridge on Columbus Drive which made the property much more accessible. This was all on the taxpayers’ dime. Finally we will stop at Trump Tower before heading back. Bob Jene is your guide.

Bring your own bike to this free cycle tour which departs 28 E. Jackson at 1 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2011. For further information contact Bob Jene at 312 362 9302 or bobj@hgchicago.org.

Yes, you can still learn fundamentals of political economy this year

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Administrator

Many Occupy Chicago protesters already understand some basic principles

Henry George School photo

We have one more section of Progress & Poverty, Thursdays beginning November 17 (except Thanksgiving). See the schedule here and course description here. More sections will be offered in 2012, of course.

Another option is on-line instruction thru the Henry George Institute. HGI assigns an individual instructor for each student, and some of these instructors are the same folks who teach at various Henry George Schools. Individual tutorials in Chicago can also be arranged.

If geography is your constraint– you can’t get to downtown Chicago for classes– consider sponsoring a Progress & Poverty course in your neighborhood. You secure a location and help promote the class. We provide an instructor and materials, and can also furnish limited funds to defray site costs and local advertising. Contact us if you’d like to explore this option.

Invisible Robbery Tour– Saturday

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Administrator

photo credit: Chuck Metalitz

It’s not just traditional Chicago/Illinois corruption that robs working people of the wealth they make. Even squeaky-clean governments customarily allow a privileged few to levy a toll on the rest of us. This can’t be prevented in a democratic society as long as most of us don’t understand what we’re being robbed of.

Originally designed as a field trip for Progress & Poverty students, the Invisible Robbery tour is a guided walk around Chicago’s loop. You’ll see the value that you, all of us, create by our very presence. Then there’s the additional value that we pay for thru our taxes. We’ll see where it goes, consider where it could go, and note the potential. We’ll also say hello to Occupy Chicago.

The Saturday October 15 tour departs 28 E Jackson #1004 at 1 PM, returns about 3. Dress for the weather, and expect to walk about a mile and a half. Tour guide is HGS instructor Chuck Metalitz. This Invisible Robbery Tour is still free. Details here, or call 312 362 9302.