Louis Rukeyser

Financial Conference

Over 100 NPC and Society of Professional Journalists members were at the all-day, 2nd Annual Financial Writers Conference, Oct. 20. Luncheon speaker Louis Rukeyser, celebrating 25 years as host of the PBS show "Wall $treet Week With Louis Rukeyser", recalling the start of the show, said since people then thought economics and finance too dull and complicated for a TV show, he termed it about money.

Along with lots of his well known wit and humor, Rukeyser had some serious comments. His three main rules for the show: speak English not jargon, know the subject and don't take yourself too seriously. Responding to questions, he said he doesn't make predictions himself because people will think the show is phony. "It's not a tip show." His guests are the best he can find, but are not perfect. Talk of default should be avoided. "The faith and credit of the United States should not be played with." He feels the flat tax would be helpful to the economy, saying growth comes from less taxes and fewer regulations.

Speaking at one of the earlier conference sessions, Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) had said the flat tax had little chance of being enacted, pointing out serious flaws he sees in its economic basis.

National Press Club Record, Volume XLV, No. 39. Oct. 26, 1995.

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