An American Renaissance: A Strategy for the 1980's

by Jack Kemp

A congressman examines the American tax system and argues for tax reforms, viewing tax cuts as the most effective means toward spiritual, economic, and political rejuvenation

Genres: Politics, Economics

207 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1979

About the author

Jack French Kemp was a Republican American politician and a collegiate and professional football player. He served nine terms as a congressman for Western New York's. He was the Republican Party's nominee for Vice President in the 1996 election, where he was the running mate of presidential nominee Bob Dole. Kemp had previously contended for the presidential nomination in the 1988 Republican primaries. He also he served as Housing Secretary in the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Kemp was a professional quarterback for 13 years.

Reviews

[Steve Hager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this with the discussion ofissues similar to those today.

[Red Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very influential book at the time, and Kemp had a big impact on the Reagan administration and the growth of the Republican Party. He focused on economic issues and freedom (combining the 2 ideas to cut taxes), and less on social issues, though he criticized welfare programs that discouraged work, pointing out that if you were receiving welfare, and then your income dropped if you took a job, this was like a 100+% marginal tax rate.

Critical of "revenue sharing," which is the federal government taxing, then giving that money back to the states.

Quotes George Gilder: "For those who doubt the decisive role of genius, courage, and chance in history, the future always appears impossible; they can see no way for free nations to escape a fate of decline, decay, and coercion, as their growing populations press against a closing frontier."

[Sambasivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thoughts of the author are crystal clear. This is a well structured book. Roots for the realisation of American dream by expanding prosperity levels. Reduce taxes and incentivise growth. Reduce inflation and make the currency linked to gold. Considering that this book was written in 1979, one can see that the US did not take this route. Nevertheless a good read.