Category Archives: Free presentation

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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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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What the Rich Own…

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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.

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No Farms, No Food

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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.

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Fiscal Stimulus?

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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 →

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Economic Cycle Tour — Saturday

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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.

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