PREVIEW

Downsizing the Federal Government (Book/ Paperback)

Product Overview

Most federal programs are unnecessary, actively damaging, or properly the responsibility of the states or the private sector. This book examines a huge range of programs that should be cut to balance the budget and reduce taxes.

From the Back Cover

"In an era of rapid technology change and business innovation, the federal government remains a bloated and duplicative dinosaur. Chris Edwards brilliantly shows us how to downsize its operations and makes a convincing case that 'less is more' when it comes to government. This is the blueprint for reform that should be read by every American interested in policy and every candidate for Congress and the presidency." --Donald Lambro, Chief Political Correspondent, Washington Times

"In this important new book, Chris Edwards provides fresh insights to understanding a Washington establishment that has grown far too big. He presents a bold and detailed plan to reduce the size of the government and take a first step to restoring America's heritage of liberty. Every taxpayer should read this book." --John Berthoud, President, National Taxpayers Union

"Yes, government is fat and this book prescribes a radical diet, plus surgery, to get its weight down. Many will take offense at some of the proposed spending cuts, but the need for America to start living within its means cannot be denied. Read this book to see how deep our fiscal hole is and one brave and bruising way out." --Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)

"A responsible program-by-program set of proposals to get the federal government within reasonable limits. Utopian, indeed, but only to those who are blind to the dystopia that looms." --James M. Buchanan, Nobel Laureate in Economics

"One of the great disappointments of Republican rule is the failure to get spending under control. In this well-researched book, Chris Edwards shows one way, and there are others. Such proposals need to be taken seriously to put the federal budget on a sustainable path." --James C. Miller III, Director, White House Office of Management and Budget, 1985-1988

"Most conservatives wave their arms about cutting spending, but do nothing. Chris Edwards has finally shown how it can be done." --Isabel V. Sawhill, Vice President and Director, Economic Studies, Brookings Institution

About the Author(s)

Chris Edwards is the director of tax policy studies at Cato and editor of www.DownsizingGovernment.org. He is a top expert on federal and state tax and budget issues. Before joining Cato, Edwards was a senior economist on the congressional Joint Economic Committee, a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and an economist with the Tax Foundation. Edwards has testified to Congress on fiscal issues many times, and his articles on tax and budget policies have appeared in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and other major newspapers. He is the author of Downsizing the Federal Government and co-author of Global Tax Revolution. Edwards holds a B.A. and M.A. in economics, and he was a member of the Fiscal Future Commission of the National Academy of Sciences.