Arthur Laffer, Jerad Bernstein to Debate Tax Reform at Forum Sponsored by Common Ground Committee and 92St Y

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Common Ground Committee, a non-profit group dedicated to promoting civil discourse on controversial policy issues, is holding a public forum Sunday, February 12, at 7:30pm on the topic, “Rethinking Taxes.” The 92nd Street Y in Manhattan will host the forum as part of its Campaign for the American Conversation.

“We expect the forum to generate thoughtful discussion on key philosophical questions affecting the political debate over tax reform in this Presidential election year”

A distinguished panel of experts on tax policy will take part in a spirited but civil debate expected to help inform the public on an important issue facing Congress this year. Jared Bernstein, senior fellow at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, served as Economic Policy Adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden. Arthur Laffer , a former economic advisor to President Reagan, is widely known as the inventor of the Laffer Curve. Gail Chaddock, Congressional Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, will discuss the prospects for congressional action on tax reform. Panel moderator John Yemma is editor of The Christian Science Monitor, a publication noted for balanced, in-depth reporting on global events. The Committee has identified The Monitor as uniquely suited for this role as a publication devoted to seeking truth, whose motto is “To Injure No Man, but to Bless All Mankind.”

“We expect the forum to generate thoughtful discussion on key philosophical questions affecting the political debate over tax reform in this Presidential election year,” says Bruce Bond, president of the Common Ground Committee. Like two earlier debates the Committee held, this forum represents a bold idea: a spirited debate where panelists are encouraged not just to make their own points but to find areas of common ground. A facilitator will help the participants recognize points of agreement.

The non-partisan Common Ground Committee was established in 2010 to stimulate informed opinion on critical issues without engaging in provocative expression or inflammatory discourse.

“Too often,” according to Bond, “discussions on matters that affect the lives of all Americans take place in a vitriolic style that seeks to score points rather than enlighten the public. We hope to counter this trend by presenting a series of debates aimed at presenting the ‘light’ of truth rather than the ‘heat’ of anger. It is our intent that this light might stimulate progress toward finding the common ground on which citizens can make informed decisions and take intelligent action.”

92nd Street Y is a world-class non-profit community and cultural center that connects people at every stage of life to the worlds of education, the arts, wellness, and Jewish life. Campaign for the American Conversation is a series of talks and events that gives Americans the tools to deepen their civil engagement, make wiser voting decisions and build a healthier society. This campaign year, 92Y is presenting outstanding conversations from its stage and from behind the scenes. We are also partnering with organizations like the Common Ground Committee to bring videos and interviews with top politicians, journalists, economists and activists to as broad an audience as possible.

A video recording of the event will be posted on the Committee’s website shortly after the event. The Committee anticipates holding future events on important topics and welcomes donations for this and future events at its Web site.

Tickets for the event and more details can be obtained online at http://www.commongroundcommittee.org or at www.92y.org