The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is pleased to host monthly Issues & Ideas Luncheons in Lansing. These luncheons, which feature experts on a diverse array of subjects, offer a forum that enhances and broadens the policy debate to include theoretical and philosophical ideals-and suggestions for achieving them. These luncheons, designed to reinforce policy-makers' understanding of the principles of sound economics and the free society, offer a unique opportunity that is open to all legislative staff, policy specialists, and other interested friends.

JANUARY ISSUES & IDEAS LUNCHEON

"Investor Politics: The New Force That Will Transform American Business, Government and Politics in the 21st Century. "

DATE: Friday, January 18, 2002
TIME: 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
PLACE: The Parthenon Restaurant
227 S. Washington Square, Lansing
COST: $5.00

The 20th century was a period of unrivalled growth of state power and expenditure. Can the big government genie be put back in its bottle? In his new book, "Investor Politics: The New Force That Will Transform American Business, Government and Politics in the 21st Century," John Hood says it can.

Hood, chairman and president of the Raleigh, N.C.-based John Locke Foundation, says the unprecedented growth of personal investment has created a political constituency political leaders ignore at their peril. About half of all Americans now own stocks and bonds through IRAs, 401(k)s, and other financial devices. "Polls show that personal investment in corporations changes one's view of the economy, world events, and public policy toward taxes, government spending, regulation, and protectionism," Hood says.

On Friday, Jan. 18, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy will host Hood as speaker for its first Issues and Ideas Luncheon for the new year. Hood will map out a realistic strategy for shrinking the welfare state by encouraging personal savings accounts through Social Security privatization, tax-free savings accounts, and other investment tools. He believes Americans must stop looking to Washington and begin to look instead to investment and wealth creation on Wall Street and Main Street as the guarantors of their retirement security, their health security, their job security and their children's futures.

The luncheon begins promptly at 12:00 noon. Please make reservations for yourself and any guests by noon on January 16, 2002, by calling the Mackinac Center at (989) 631-0900 or send your e-mail to: rsvp@mackinac.org .