May 23 Wed Real Estate 4 Ransom

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Administrator

What role did real estate play in the crashing of the global economy? Bigger and different than you might think, says this new Australian documentary by Karl Fitzgerald and Gavin Emmanuel. Shot over 5 years, it focuses an economics lens on many of the big picture issues world politics are grappling to deal with. The 40 minute documentary looks at whether genuine freedom has been delivered by the democratic system.

We’ll show the film at 6 PM on May 23, at 28 E Jackson #1004. There will be time for questions and discussion, and of course refreshments. The event is free, and donations are welcome.

May 12 2PM Saturday: Admirable Crichton (free movie)

Posted on April 19, 2012 by BobMatter

from the 1902 stage play

source: Wikimedia

Kenneth More stars as William Crichton, the highly knowledgeable and efficient butler in the London household of the Earl of Loam (Cecil Parker) and his family. Though Crichton is the true master of the household, he knows his place, honouring the tightly regulated social structure of late-nineteenth century England.

On a trip on the Earl’s steam yacht to the South Seas, the family and its servants are shipwrecked. The family become marooned on a desert island, and only Crichton proves to have the skills and resourcefulness to keep everyone alive. Within a few months, the social order has been reversed: Crichton, who becomes affectionately known as ‘Guv’, takes control of affairs, while his former employers become his willing and eager servants. [from Wikipedia]

Based on J M Barrie’s 1902 stage play of the same name. The U. S. release was titled “Paradise Lagoon.” Lewis Gilbert — UK– 1957 — 94 minutes

Presented at 2 PM on Saturday May 12, in our Curious Georgists go to the Movies series. free (donations welcome) with refreshments and discussion following the film.

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.

Sat April 14, Movie: Lord of the Flies

Posted on April 7, 2012 by BobMatter

image credit: Andy Martini via flickr (cc)

Lord of the Flies is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding about a group of British boys stuck on a deserted island who try to govern themselves, with disastrous results. Its stances on the already-controversial subjects of human nature and individual welfare versus the common good earned it position 68 on the American Library Association’s list of the 100 most frequently challenged books of 1990–1999. (from Wikipedia)

Two feature films of this story have been made, in 1963 and 1990. We’ll watch the original 1963 black and white version directed by Peter Brook which was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

At 28 E Jackson #1004. Movie at 2:00, followed by discussion and refreshments. All are welcome and admission is free, with donations welcome. For further information contact Bob Jene at 312 362 9302, or Bob Matter rjmatter@gmail.com.

April 10 Tuesday 6 PM: How I made $1,000,000 in Chicago real estate: I $tole it from you

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Administrator

Photo credit: Anders Sandberg 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 Tuesday April 10 at 6 PM, is also the first session of our Progress & Poverty course (modern version), which will continue on Tuesdays thru May 8. 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.

Feb 11 Movie: The Cartel

Posted on January 29, 2012 by BobMatter

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.

Jan 21 (Sat) 2 PM: Dr. Strangelove

Posted on January 16, 2012 by BobMatter

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.

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.

Wednesday: The Political Economy Book Club reads Adam Smith

Posted on December 8, 2011 by BobMatter

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.

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.