Pay Up!

Debunks five myths American conservatives have used for a half-century to justify cutting taxes, especially for corporations and the rich.

This book counters conservative claims that taxes in America are too high, especially on corporations and the rich. It argues that US taxes are not too high, do not damage the economy, do not inevitably lead to excessive government wastefulness, are not unfair, and do not jeopardize Americans' freedom.Since the Reagan era, conservatives in the United States have championed cutting taxes, especially for wealthy individuals and corporations, as the best way to achieve economic prosperity. In his new book, Pay Up!, John L. Campbell shows that while these claims are highly influential, they are also wrong. Using historical and cross-national evidence, the book challenges and refutes every justification conservatives have made for tax cuts – that American taxes are too high; they hurt the economy; they facilitate government waste; they constitute an unfair downward redistribution of income; and they threaten individual freedom – and conversely shows that countries can actually benefit from higher taxes, especially when tax increases fall most heavily on those most able to pay them. Through clear prose and a well-reasoned argument, Campbell's book provides an accessible, engaging, and much-needed perspective on the role of taxes in American society.