On December 11, 2014, Senate Finance Committee member Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., introduced S. 3005, the Progressive Consumption Tax Act of 2014, which calls for the adoption of a 10 percent VAT. The adoption of a VAT would have far-reaching effects on the economy, including the Social Security...

Seguro Popular (SP) was introduced in 2002 to provide health insurance to the 50 million Mexicans without Social Security. This paper tests whether the program has had unintended consequences, distorting workers’ incentives to operate in the informal sector. The analysis examines the impact of...

"Argues that incoherent social programs significantly contribute to poverty and little growth. Proposes converting the existing social security system into universal social entitlements. Advocates eliminating wage-based social security contributions and raising consumption taxes on higher-income...