John Makin

Professor Ornstein discussed the book he co-wrote with John H. Makin, "Debt and Taxes: How America Got into Its Budget Mess and What to Do About It," published by Times Books Random House. The book details the history, economics and political science of taxes and the national debt. He pointed out that ... (more)there is much less corruption in the federal government now than in the previous 200 years. However, the public perceives that there is more corruption because of improved communications of all kinds. He suggests that the federal government must somehow gain the trust of U.S. citizens. Only then will taxpayers accept the "pain" of decreasing the national debt.