Issues, Choices and Trade-Offs in Election 2008
Even a real-world economist can’t tell you who is the best candidate for president or Congress. But he can help you identify the key issues we face and the key questions we should ask in deciding which candidates to support. Pioneer Press columnist Ed Lotterman explored key national issues in five public lectures in spring 2008 keyed to the election.
April 7 Taxes and the Federal Budget
Should we replace the income tax with a flat tax on consumption? Should we abolish the estate tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax? Should the Bush tax cuts be made permanent or immediately reversed?
April 21 Energy and the Environment
How important is it that we be “energy independent?” What should we do to limit greenhouse gas emissions? Can we improve air and water quality, and what will we have to pay?
May 12 Stimulus Plans and “the Recession” What, if anything, can a president or the Congress do to make an economy recover from a recession or to grow faster in the long run? What should the Federal Reserve do, and what can elected officials do to facilitate the Fed’s role? Is this a short-term or long-term problem?
May 19 Social Security and Baby Boomer Retirement
Baby Boomers will begin to retire during the next presidential term. How could Social Security be changed to make it more sustainable? Do we need changes in private retirement systems? Or is it more important to simply leave a stronger economy to our grandchildren? If so, how?
June 2 Health Care
What can be done to extend health coverage to everyone? Can we reduce health care costs? What role should government and private markets play in financing health care? How can we motivate people to live healthier lifestyles?
Location
All lectures began at 7:30 pm at the History Theatre, 30 East Tenth Street in downtown St. Paul. Please note, the History Theatre is NOT the Minnesota History Center!
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