It's not just a cliche: statistics demonstrate clearly that the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. Is there a better way to spread the wealth? Author and political economist Gar Alperovitz shares his plan for wealth equality in his landmark book What Then Must We Do?: Straight talk about the next American revolution. Join City Council member and practicing attorney Marshall Stair for the discussion in Knox County Public Library's Book Sandwiched In, Wednesday, November 20, 12:00 p.m. in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, at 601 South Gay Street.
"While most agree that income inequality has become a significant problem in the United States" Stair says, "few have such creative solutions as Alperovitz proposes in What Then Must We Do."
In a refreshingly conversational style, the author looks closely at what is called the new economy and how it might take shape in America. He calls for an evolution, not a revolution, out of the old system and into the new. That new system would democratize the ownership of wealth, strengthen communities in diverse ways, and be governed by policies and institutions sophisticated enough to manage a large-scale, powerful economy.
Stair was born and raised in Knoxville, attended Tulane University, and then worked in a number of different cities including New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Chicago, and Mexico City. While attending University of Tennessee College of Law, Marshall worked for the U.S. Department of Labor. Since graduation he has practiced a general civil litigation with a focus on employment law at the firm of Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop, P.C.
The public is invited to join the conversation. Bring your favorite sandwich or pick up something from a downtown restaurant. Copies of the books are available at the Library if you'd like to read one before the program.
Books Sandwiched In will continue on December 4, Jerry Burgess, President and CEO of Community Health Alliance, will discuss The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by T. R. Reid.