Category Archives: Events

Feb. 22, 2012 – Political Economy Book Club continues with Wealth of Nations

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Building on site where Adam Smith wrote Wealth of Nations
Building on site where Adam Smith wrote Wealth of Nations

source: Wikimedia Commons

Our Political Economy Book Club continues its discussion of Book I of Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations”.  This session covers the second half of Book I (chapters 10 & 11). “The Wealth of Nations” is available for free download at http://www.gutenberg.org/. Feel free to participate even if you haven’t yet read the book and are simply interested in economics. Bob Matter leads the discussion. Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012, 6 PM, at 28 E Jackson #1004. Free, donations welcome.

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Feb 11 Movie: The Cartel

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Henry George School photo

This documentary on much-needed education reforms is a clear-headed, gripping indictment.  Using New Jersey as a case study, director Bob Bowdon lays out why one of the country’s most expensive school districts has one of the highest dropout rates and lowest standardized test scores.  The problem is corruption, union bureaucracy, and reactionary politics.  “Where the film really comes alive is in its giving a human face to those affected by the state’s thuggish education system” (Slant Magazine).  Bob Bowden–  USA — 2009 — 90 minutes.

This free presentation in our Curious Georgists go to the Movies series starts 2 PM on Saturday, February 11, at 28 E Jackson #1004.  More info at 312 362 9302 or bobj@hgchicago.org.

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Jan 21 (Sat) 2 PM: Dr. Strangelove

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Peter Sellers in one of his three Dr. Strangelove roles
Peter Sellers in one of his three Dr. Strangelove roles

source: Wikimedia Commons

Curious Georgists Go to the Movies present Dr. Strangelove.

You need to have a unique (and twisted) sense of humor to find nuclear holocaust entertaining, but director Stanley Kubrick does a marvelous job of balancing his truely bizzare humor with the gut-wrenching terror felt in the Cold War era.

The political satire stars Peter Sellers portraying three roles, including the title role of Dr. Strangelove, as well as the U.S. President and Group Captain Mandrake, a British soldier under the command of the insane General Ripper (Sterling Hayden). Believing politicians to be unable, and untrained to deal with the growing Russian threat during the Cold War, Ripper breaks protocol and attempts to initiate nuclear war with Russia.

– Neil Wertanen

Refreshments and discussion will follow. At 28 E. Jackson #1004, 2 PM Saturday January 21.  Free, donations welcome.

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

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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.

 

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

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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.

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Winter 2012 begins at the Henry George School

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Gateway to the Beach Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon
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.

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Wednesday: The Political Economy Book Club reads Adam Smith

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Credit: Kris Krug via Flickr (cc)

An inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, generally referred to by its shortened title The Wealth of Nations, is the magnum opus of the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith. First published in 1776, it is a reflection on economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and argues that free market economies are more productive and beneficial to their societies. The book is a fundamental work in classical economics. Henry George disputed some of Smith’s reasoning, but described him as the “founder” of the science of political economy.

This session will discuss the first half of Book I.

Political Economy Book Club meets 6 PM Wednesday, December 14, at 28 E. Jackson #1004. Free, donations, welcome.

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

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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.

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High Cost of Government Revenue

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Income Tax Dancing School
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 Wednesday, December 7, at 28 E. Jackson #1004.

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