April 12, Thursday, 6 PM: High Cost of Government Revenue

Posted on April 7, 2012 by BobJene

photo credit: Ray Tsang ("saturnism") via flickr (cc)

Take a break from preparing “your” income tax returns to attend this Power Point® presentation looking at the real cost of collecting the income tax. IRS overhead itself represents the direct cost to the government of generating this revenue. Beside that there is the burden put on the taxpayer in filling out his return, the cost of preparers, the cost of representation in case of audit and the dead weight on the economy. The sum of all these costs represents a sizeable portion of the revenue collected. There has to be a better way. Presenter Bob Jene will point one out.

Bob’s main source for this talk is James L Payne’s book Costly Returns.

This free presentation starts at 6:00 PM Tuesday, March 13, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. Further information at 312 362 9302 or bobj@hgchicago.org.

Thursday, January 12: Republican Presidential Candidates and their Economic Advisors

Posted on January 7, 2012 by BobJene

image credit: Donkey Hotey via Flickr (cc)

On Bob Jene will look at eight Republican presidential candiates, analyzing their proposals to “fix” the economy. (Yeah, there used to be more than eight, and by the time of the talk there probably will be fewer than eight, but Bob is working with eight.) He’ll also consider the views of their advisors, and evaluate the proposals from a geoist perspective.

Thursday, January 12, at 6 PM. As always, this talk is free and open to all, at 28 E. Jackson #1004, Chicago. Questions? 312/362-9302.

After the Crash course begins Tuesday

Posted on January 7, 2012 by BobJene

image credit: Todd Mecklem via Flickr (cc)

Traditional Henry George School classes, including Progress & Poverty, help us comprehend how an economy based on justice would never crash the way ours has over the past few years. But now that we’re in a mess, how do we get out?

After the Crash extends and applies Henry George’s analysis to the problem of today: How to help the economy recover and improve opportunity for productive work. The text is Mason Gaffney’s book of the same name, a copy of which is included in the $25 registration fee. Bob Jene is the instructor. Class meets Tuesdays, 6 PM, January 10 thru February 28, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. You can use this form to pre-register, or just show up.

No Farms, No Food

Posted on October 31, 2011 by BobJene

Detail from photo by: t0msk (via Flickr)

Urban sprawl threatens to destroy much valuable farm land. We will look at data from one of the leading national organizations trying to mitigate this damage, The American Farmland Trust (AFT). Among other things they buy development rights from farmland owners to ensure the land’s continued use in agriculture, and facilitate community supported agriculture, which makes family farms more viable. The Georgist fiscal reform encourages more conservative and productive use of all land.

Presentation by HGS instructor Bob Jene, Wednesday November 16, 6 PM at 28 E Jackson #1004. Free. Information at: 312 362 9302.

Fiscal Stimulus?

Posted on October 24, 2011 by BobJene

Photo credit: Lord Jim via Flickr

What is the best policy to revive the economy and improve the incomes of working people? Bailing out insolvent banks, and asking them to lend more money? Taxes on consumption? Simplify the income tax and flatten the rates? Or just print a bunch of money?

HGS instructor Bob Jene knows the answer (which is “no”) and will explain how a real fiscal stimulus could work. Will the Real Fiscal Stimulus Please Stand Up?, Thursday, November 10, 6 PM, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. It’s free, of course, donations welcome to help pay the rent. Need any more information? call Continue reading →

The American Monetary Act

Posted on September 20, 2011 by BobJene

Monday, September 26, 6 PM at 28 E Jackson #1004. Price: FREE.

Even Henry George recognized that a just and prosperous economy requires a proper system of money. The American Monetary Institute has proposed the American Monetary Act (pdf) to address this issue. Bob Jene will examine this proposed Constitutional Amendment, and compare it with Henry George’s ideas on money, as documented in a talk on the subject by AMI President Steve Zarlenga.

For those interested in further discussion on the subject, it is still possible to register for AMI’s Monetary Reform Conference, in Chicago, Sept 29-Oct 2.

High Cost of Government Revenue

Posted on March 10, 2011 by BobJene

Income Tax Dancing School

photo credit: Jaygoldman via Flickr (cc)

This Power Point® presentation looks at the cost of collecting the income tax. IRS overhead itself represents the direct cost to the government of generating this revenue. Beside that there is the burden put on the taxpayer in filling out his return, the cost of preparers, the cost of representation in case of audit and the dead weight on the economy. The sum of all these costs represents a sizeable protio of the revenue collected. There has to be a better way. Presenter Bob Jene will point one out.

This free presentation starts at 6:00 PM Tuesday, March 13, at 28 E. Jackson #1004.