The End of Prosperity: How Higher Taxes Will Doom the Economy--If We Let It Happen

by Stephen Moore, Arthur B. Laffer, Peter J. Tanous, et al.

Book Overview

Arthur Laffer -- the father of supply-side economics and a member of President Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board -- joins economist Stephen Moore ofThe Wall Street Journaleditorial board and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416592385
• ISBN13: 9781416592389
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Threshold Editions
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The alternative solution

Laffer, Moore, and Tanous have written a book in defense of supply economics and the underlying Laffer curve. Covering such topics as taxes, tariffs, green policy, they make a clear concise case for their solutions to create a healthy economy. Utilizing a combination of historical data along with economic logic and common sense, they explode some common economic myths that are current being propagated. They juxtapose the results from the current proposed solutions with their solutions to the current financial crisis by using historical government data. To paraphrase the best line in the book that is relevant to a lot naysayers is, "They are using a false premises to come to an inappropriate conclusions." A minor problem is their comparison of flat vs. fair tax. I did not think that they drew a sharp enough contrast between them. If you are looking for a better solution to our current problems, this is the book to read.

Most Informative Book with Deep Perspectives

The End of Prosperity is possibly the most informative book I have ever read and I recommend that everyone should read it. The name is unfortunate, but the authors are economists, not writers of fiction. The book describes the ups and downs of the American economy over the past hundred years with colorful stories illustrating how political actions affect the health and well-being of the population and its economy. It is relatively easy to read and does not require that you be an economic professional to understand it. It is the first literary piece that I have ever read that clearly describes the causes of the Great Depression. The book is not written along any party line which is refreshing. It encompasses an understanding of sociology to predict and motivate human behavior. Another very exciting aspect to this book is the fact that it was published last October, 2008. It references current politicians which makes it incredibly informative. We are facing a grim reality with respect to our economy here in California and when you get to the chapter on California, hold on; there is nothing in it we don't already know, but it will make you blue. Move on though because the next chapter is terrific. It is the success story of other nations and their incredible recovery to prosperous economic conditions, like the "Miracle of Ireland." Please read the book from the beginning, or you probably won't understand it and you will miss the interesting stories like the plight of the Beatles and Rolling Stones when they were making so much money and the British government was taxing them at a rate of 95%. There are other comprehensive stories that will light up your understanding of events that took place when you were younger and perhaps did not have enough perspective to truly integrate their meaning. When I first read the book I found the Foreward to be a bit confusing. Don't let that put you off. I suggest starting at Chapter 1 and you will be amazed at its clarity. When you finish the book you may, or may not agree with all of it, but I assure you that you will be far more educated and that is precisely what we need more of in this country, educated people who will take the time to study the facts and elect intelligent and wise leaders. The end of the book does finally speak about how to grow and protect your assets, but it is anti-climactic by comparison to the understandings you will gain earlier in the book.

Readable and packed with timely info

Everyone in Congress should be reading this book TODAY as they ponder how to deal with the financial mess we are in, and the looming bankruptcy of our nation. Lots of clear and simple lessons have been learned in the past 75 years of economic policy, all of which are highly relevant to our current situation. What a great book!

This is a bi-partisan book, and a 'must read' for all who truly care about the future of America

(Note: I own and have READ all of this book) (...) This is a bi-partisan book, and a 'must read' for all who truly care about the future of America. Not often that I suffer that particular effect, but this book leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling. The future sounds a bit scary. Very well written, with a wry sort of 'quietly despairing' humor that entertained me frequently. Good prose. Often dry and witty. I will give you a short review first, and then a long review. Take your pick. That tells you perhaps I took the issues this book raises seriously. (Disclaimer: I don't want to upset anybody. Don't get mad. I'm just offering a working class grunt's opinion. I apologize for any perceived mockery of the Great Ones, the Federal Elite, who -of course- know what is best for me, and how best to spend my money for me.) Short review: Well written. Bang up to date. Touches intimately on political decisions and ATTITUDES, past and ongoing, that affect us all. Quite funny-sad-infuriating at times. Highly qualified writers/economists. You can argue if you want to that they are bone-headed wrong, dumb schmucks from the Rabid Right, but you can't deny they are shakers and movers. These three boys have been in the thick of it all for a long time. If you care about America, about people and their jobs and families, then -please- just for this one book, lay any and all prejudices and political bias to one side. Stop. Take a deep breath, and plow right on in. With an open mind. Again, I'm not suggesting you should agree, but PLEASE, at least quietly consider the issues. They are of monumental importance to us real, live, breathing little human beings. If you know of a book that directly opposes this book's conclusions, I'd like to hear any suggestions... Long review: At issue, front and center, in this seminal work is the economy, and government intervention. Capitalism, free markets, laissez faire versus the Federal Government regulators, federal deficits, public works, taxation, monetary policies, etc. It asks searching questions. When did it work? When did it not work? When was the economy sound? When not? Who damn well screwed it up? The greedy Rich? Left wing idealogues? Utopian reformers from Cloud Cuckoo land? Well meaning, sincere, but sadly misinformed politicians? Corrupt and lazy politicians, who couldn't (can't) be even BOTHERED to study economics, and who didn't (don't) give a damn, as long as they themselves were (are) all right, got (get) the votes, and got (get) re-elected? A gaggle of pompous Harvard trained politico career lawyers with a fee-feeble understanding of buh-basic economic principles? (okay, okay, I embellished that one a bit) Which President was the sharpest? Who was the absolute dumbest? How does the economy work? What keys on the economic piano should you hit, and when should you hit them? Can you achieve success just by hitting the right individual notes, or must you learn to play the right combination of notes, and hi