The power to destroy: How the antitax movement hijacked America

Debates about tax policy are older than the republic itself. As early as the 1970s, an antitax movement took root in the U.S., and it continues to influence the country’s economic and social landscape today. In a new book, “The Power To Destroy: How the Antitax Movement Hijacked America,” Professor and Author Michael Graetz describes the dangers of this movement and why it threatens the country’s prosperity.

On April 3, Brookings and the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center hosted an event to examine the antitax movement, opening with a presentation from Graetz. Graetz then joined Steven Dean (BU Law), Douglas Holtz-Eakin (American Action Forum), and Vanessa Williamson (Brookings) to examine this issue in detail from a variety of perspectives. David Wessel (Brookings) moderated.

Viewers joined the conversation and asked questions of the speakers by emailing [email protected] and on X/Twitter using the hashtag #PowerToDestroy.

Registration is required to attend an event in person and guests at Brookings are required to attest to their state of health before attending. Visitors may not enter the building if they are feeling ill for any reason, have any symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and do not yet meet the criteria to resume normal activities based on current CDC guidance, or have been advised by their healthcare professional or otherwise to not enter any space where some persons may not be vaccinated.