TUESDAY, JANUARY 25th, 2011, 7:30 PM
How Much Public Debt Can We Endure?
Charles Rappleye
Ever since the American Revolution, the U.S. has run debts to finance its policy goals, thanks to a financial system created largely by one man. As the Superintendent of Finance for the rebel American government, Robert Morris instituted debt financing as the best means to pay for the costs of fighting the Revolution. But he was frustrated and confounded by the refusal of many Americans to pay taxes. Successive democratic governments have faced the same problem: citizens aren’t always willing to go along with the high costs of public policy, from wars to Social Security to infrastructure to education. How can the U.S. pay for its policies without losing the support of Americans? Charles Rappleye, author of Robert Morris: Financier of the American Revolution, visits Zócalo to explore what the system created during the Revolution means for today’s taxing, spending, and pursuit of ambitious public policies.
Goethe-Institut Los Angeles
5750 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Located in the Wilshire Courtyard Campus. Enter on Wilshire at Courtyard Place, one block east of Curson. Parking free on site. Please validate your ticket at the Goethe Institut welcome desk.
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