TAX-REFORM

After brief individual presentations, panelists discuss among themselv es and with the audience a broad spectrum of issues regarding various taxes and tax reform proposals. The discussion includes such issues as privatizing Social Security and Medicare, eliminating income tax with holding, and the merits and demerits of income taxes, consumption taxe s, value added taxes, sales taxes, and taxes on resources that have an inelastic supply. One panelist relates his recent experiences using h is tools as an economist to deal with tax and related issues as a curr ent member of the Canadian Parliament. Another cites practical problem s of implementing tax reform from his long experience advising governm ents, especially in Latin America. A major focus of the exchange of vi ews is on public choice problems involved in passing and implementing a so-called flat tax. However the discussion also deals with economic efficiency and equity considerations and with nearly all other types o f taxes. The discussion includes not only the impact on the country wi thin which tax reform occurs, but international implications, as well.