Henry George School of Social Science, Chicago, Illinois

Bob Jene compares the geoist fiscal reform to the TARP bailout, “Fair” Tax, Flat Tax, Bush tax cuts, and government money creation. Each proposed or attempted solution to the great recession will be given.  Attendees will rank the proposed measures to get out of the recession on a scale of 1 to 10 based on eight criteria.

At the Henry George School, 30 E Adams #1207, 6PM on Monday April 15.  Free and open to everybody, donations welcome.

Due to a schedule conflict, Bob Jene is unable to present “High Cost of Government Revenue” on Monday, March 25.  A new date will be announced.

You probably already know that America’s tax system, and especially the personal income tax, is a cause of frustration and wasted effort (beyond the poverty which would be caused even by a simple tax on earned income.)

This power point presentation by HGS instructor and Administrative Director Bob Jene looks at the actual cost of collecting that tax. The IRS overhead itself represents the direct cost to the government in generating this revenue. Beside that there is the burden put on the tax payer in preparing his return, and the distortion of decisions due to

In the case of an audit there may be cost of representation before a tax court. There is a vast amount of human resources wasted on this activity for the revenue generated.

Bob will also mention types of taxation that are more efficient, fair and beneficial than the personal or corporate income tax, sales tax, service tax, payroll tax, utility tax, excise tax, and most of today’s other taxes. You can learn more about these in Henry George School courses.

Monday March 25, 6 p.m. at the Henry George School, 30 E Adams #1207.  Free, donations welcome.

At this session PEBC concludes its discussion of Henry George, Jr.’s The Menace of Privilege. We’ll focus on Books VI thru IX, including discussion of how Privilege controls not just land, but the press, the university, the churches, and of course the government itself, making poverty and war unavoidable.

The reading is less than 200 pages of smooth-flowing text produced by a skilled journalist.  The book is 108 years old, but the issues resonate today and tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 20, 6 PM at 30 E Adams #1207.  If you have questions, or would like to let us know you’re coming, call 312/450-2906, or email Bob Matter.

Sean Connery stars as a leader of the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish mineworkers in Pennsylvania in the 1870s, who battle their exploitation by mine owners with violence. This 1970 American film, based on a 1969 novel by Arthur H. Lewis, also stars Richard Harris and Samantha Eggar.  Set just a decade prior to Henry George’s Labor in Pennsylvania, this social drama tells the story of an undercover detective sent to a coal mining community to expose the Mollies, and his will to achieve social justice. Martin Ritt — USA — 1969 — 123 mins.  (description adapted from Wikipedia)

Shown at the Henry George School, 30 E Adams #1207, starting 2 PM on Saturday March 9.  Refreshments and discussion follow.  For information contact the School at 312/450-2906 or email Bob Matter.

What George Menninger did was completely legal. He stole over a million dollars.  Many people do it, perhaps including some of your neighbors, so if George hadn’t then someone else would have.

You and fellow Chicagoans have already paid George so he is far beyond the need to earn a living. Now he volunteers some of his time as an instructor at the Henry George School.  At this presentation you’ll learn exactly what he stole, how he did it, and how the community could have prevented it.  You’ll also learn the costs of continuing larceny, in terms of poverty, unemployment, violence, and high cost of living.

Tonight’s presentation is entirely free and without obligation. At the conclusion, if you choose, you may enroll in the Progress & Poverty course George teaches over the following four Wednesday evenings.