Wade had ended differently, argues Largent, the United States would have 23 million more taxpayers to pay as we go.
It was important to Largent that the amount of potential tax payers was conveyed. 
mnli hypothesis: It was important to Largent that the amount of potential tax payers was conveyed.  premise: Wade had ended differently, argues Largent, the United States would have 23 million more taxpayers to pay as we go.