Jim Sherbert Lecture Series

Benjamin Franklin said, “...in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". Governments tax citizens, industry, and foreign nations for two reasons: to increase income and to assert control. We will examine the history of taxation and how America has funded its spectacular growth. We will delve into the theories behind various tax strategies and the impact and consequences of each. We will attempt a look into the future that includes the examination of debt and how taxes will play a role in assuring America’s long-term solvency.

The practice of medicine has been around for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that the world began to fully understand how diseases and infections originated and could be controlled. In 1950 global life expectancy was 46 years, today it is over 73 years. In the U.S. it has gone from 69 to nearly 80 years. We will explore the evolution of medicine and take a close look at the structure and function of the medical industry today and the future effects of such influences as artificial intelligence.