A Review of How America was Tricked on Tax Policy: Secrets and Undisclosed Practices by Bret N. Bogenschneider

What the paper says

The book challenges conventional economic doctrine on taxes and tax policy; the author proposes an alternative approach to tax policy premised on science and scientific evidence. Each of the five chapters of the book covers a specific area of the policymaking process and suggests approaches for its improvement. It begins with a list of classic deceptions or “tricks” offered by economists that are widely used in policymaking to deceive the public on tax policy. One striking deception of tax policy is the misconception that working people are less intelligent than the wealthy and, therefore, are prone to bad economic decisions. As the key takeaway from the book, policymakers are expected to not blindly follow the recommendations of economic advisors trained on outdated economic theories. Instead, any policy advice should be guided by science and undergo a rigorous review by tax practitioners and representatives of different backgrounds, training, and experience, especially low-wage workers who may be forced into difficult economic decisions related to food choices and health. In today’s modern society, new tax policies should aim for more sustainable taxation that secures the wellbeing of all citizens and ensures that not only the “little people” pay taxes.