Brian Miller - The Self-Made Myth: And the Truth about How Government Helps Individuals and Businesses Succeed

More Praise for The Self-Made Myth

Miller and Lapham have powerfully demonstrated that there is no self-made man or woman. Individual success is absolutely dependent on public contributions to infrastructure, education, health, transportation, the stock market, and other protections of all kinds. If you use a computer, you are using the publics research contributions to satellites, GPS systems, the Internet, and decades of computer science funding. Self-made? Ridiculous.

George Lakoff, author of The Political Mind and Dont Think of an Elephant!

Whether it was my father getting educated on the GI bill or the guy at the Small Business Administration encouraging me, I have always counted my blessings and been aware of my responsibility to give back. The Self-Made Myth reminds us that we should be grateful for all government does to support individual and business success in this country.

Wayne Silby, Founding Chair, Calvert Funds

Small business owners are often put forward as the poster children for antiregulatory, antigovernment, and antitax measures that we dont support and that are frankly eroding the infrastructure that has made this country so great. This powerful and well-written book couldnt come at a better time. I urge anyone who cares about public policy to read The Self-Made Myth and share it widely.

Katharine D. Myers, co-owner, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

The Self-Made Myth could be a political game changer. Powerful, compelling, and well researched, it gives serious meaning to the term community wealth and demolishes what may be the most destructive myth in America. I urge everyone to read it, absorb it, promote it, and share it with friends and relatives.

David Korten, Board Chair, YES! Magazine, and author of Agenda for a New Economy and When Corporations Rule the World

At this critical time in our countrys history, The Self-Made Myths message about the vitally important role of government in the success of individuals, businesses, and the nation is a must-read. Miller and Lapham expose the dangerous and self-serving course espoused by those interested only in furthering their political, personal, or corporate success while pulling up the ladder of opportunity for others.

Frank Knapp, Jr., Vice Chair, American Sustainable Business Council, and President and CEO, South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce

We take for granted the interdependence of successful for-profit ventures and a civil society (laws, taxes, and a shared responsibility for the commons). The Self-Made Myth is an elegant statement of the case and an excellent reminder to put forward the argument or forfeit the future.

Trish Karter, cofounder, Dancing Deer Baking Company

The Self-Made Myth rebuts the idea that the wealthy got rich entirely through their hard work and talent. The public must recognize that none of us can succeed on our own. The wealth the country as a whole enjoys is the result of the physical and social infrastructure we have collectively created; unfortunately, the rules have been rigged so that a small minority gets to enjoy the bulk of the benefits. As Miller and Lapham compellingly argue, this must change.

Dean Baker, economist, writer, and Codirector, Center for Economic and Policy Research

The Self-Made Myth will change the way we think about taxes and policy as we enter a great debate on the role of public investment in the success of business. We have a profound responsibility to our children and grandchildren to invent ways to make sure the new American Dream is an economy with heart. This book is an important tool for getting us there.

Jeffrey Hollender, founder, Jeffrey Hollender Partners, and cofounder, Seventh Generation

The
Self-Made
Myth

And the Truth about How Government Helps
Individuals and Businesses Succeed

Brian Miller

and

Mike Lapham

The Self-Made Myth

Copyright 2012 by United for a Fair Economy

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First Edition

Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-60994-506-0

PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-507-7

IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-60994-508-4

2012-1

Cover design by Ian Shimkoviak/The Book Designers.

Interior design and composition by Gary Palmatier, Ideas to Images.

Elizabeth von Radics, copyeditor.

Mike Mollett, proofreader.

Medea Minnich, indexer.

For Julian and Animay we leave the
world in a better place for you

BRIAN MILLER

For my parents and for the members of
Responsible Wealth, who recognize that their
good fortune is not all their own doing

MIKE LAPHAM

by Bill Gates Sr.

by Chuck Collins

INTRODUCTION
Public Policy and the Success Narrative

CHAPTER 1
The Self-Made Myth

CHAPTER 2
Busting the Myth

CHAPTER 3
The Built-Together Reality of Individual Success

CHAPTER 4
Stories of Success and the Common Good

CHAPTER 5
Policy Implications and the Public Investment Imperative

CONCLUSION
A Call to Action

Brian Miller and Mike Lapham have very effectively debunked the pervasive self-made myth that lies at the core of our public policy debates today. When pundits or candidates describe progressive taxes as punishing success, the implication is that success is achieved by the entrepreneur alone, with little or no help from others. I dont subscribe to that view.