Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico: The Cost of Dependence

by Alexander Odishelidze, Arthur Laffer

Current policy toward Puerto Rico is costing each American taxpayer $400 a year-a total of $22 billion. This book gives the scandalous history behind one of America's biggest and most expensive tax shelters, the "commonwealth" of Puerto Rico. The authors share the shocking truth about how the American taxpayer is footing a bill for antiquated policy toward this island. Puerto Rican businessman Alexander Odishelidze shares a revealing story of how bad policy is wasting taxpayer dollars and destabilizing the people and region of Puerto Rico, while renowned conservative economist Arthur Laffer bolsters the claims with his undeniable facts and figures. Together they build a convincing case that Puerto Rico must dispense with the chimera of commonwealth and become an independent nation or the 51st state of the United States of America.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004