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The End of Prosperity

How Higher Taxes Will Doom the Economy--If We Let It Happen

About The Book

Arthur Laffer -- the father of supply-side economics and a member of President Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board -- joins economist Stephen Moore of The Wall Street Journal editorial board and investment advisor Peter J. Tanous to send Americans an urgent message: We risk losing the exceptional standard of living that has made us the envy of the rest of the world if the pro-growth policies of the last twenty-five years are reversed by a new president.

Since the early 1980s, the United States has experienced a wave of prosperity almost unprecedented in history in terms of wealth creation, new jobs, and improved living standards for all. Under the leadership of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, Americans changed the incentive structure on taxes, inflation, and regulation, and as a result the economy roared back to life after the anti-growth, high-inflation 1970s.

Now the rest of the world is following the American economic growth model of lower tax rates, more economic freedom, and sound money. Paradoxically, one country is moving away from these growth policies and putting its prosperity at risk -- America.

On the eve of a critical presidential election, Laffer, Moore, and Tanous provide the factual information every American needs in order to understand exactly how we achieved the prosperity many people have come to take for granted, and explain how the policies of Democrats Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi can cause America to lose its status as the world's growth and job creation machine.

The End of Prosperity is essential reading for all Americans who value our nation's free enterprise system and high standard of living, and want to know how to protect their own investments in the coming storm.

About The Authors

Arthur B. Laffer, Ph.D. is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. A member of President Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board for both of his two terms, he invented the Laffer Curve and triggered a world-wide tax-cutting movement in the 1980s. Dr. Laffer received a B.A. in economics from Yale University and received a MBA and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.

Stephen Moore, an economist and policy analyst who founded and served as president of the Club for Growth from 1999 to 2004, is a member of the Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal and a Senior Economics Writer at The Journal.

Peter J. Tanous, President and a director of Lynx Investment Advisory, is the author of numerous books about finance and investing, including Investment Gurus.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Threshold Editions (October 14, 2008)
  • Length: 352 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781439100929

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Raves and Reviews

"At a time when economies around the world are going wobbly, this insightful and timely book reminds us of the principles and the policies which America will need to employ to restore stability and prosperity." -- Lady Thatcher , prime minister of the United Kingdom 1979-1990

"This book focuses on the greatest economic issues of our time. While I have very different views, it's through careful debate and full understanding that we can make progress. This book is a must-read." -- Joe Kennedy, former congressman from Massachusetts

"Fair warning! No one can say, 'No one told us this would happen.' Art Laffer, Steve Moore, and Peter Tanous have done just that with this brilliantly insightful book. Read it -- and act!" -- Steve Forbes

"Frankly, I think supply-side economics is snake oil. But you should know how three of its smartest proponents try to defend it in this influential and important book." -- Robert Reich

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