Forgotten Again

“The bill is investing heavily in the wealthy and their children — by boosting the value of their stock portfolios, creating new loopholes for them to avoid tax on their labor income, and cutting taxes on massive inheritances. At the same time, it leaves low- and middle-income workers with even fewer resources to invest in their children, and increases the number of Americans without health insurance.”

Remember the “forgotten men and women” who were “left behind” by the economic recovery? The folks who believed that only Donald Trump could step in and do something? Based on what the Senate passed last night, they were forgotten again. Maybe worse than forgotten, they may have been obliterated.

The Senate’s version of tax reform is going to be incredible for people like me – I make my living in the investment market, cater to wealthy people, own a business and have large holdings in stocks. I’ll be fine. But this wasn’t supposed to be about helping people like me – the 20% of households who own 80% of the stock market – it was supposed to be about everyone else.

I doubt they were forgotten. It looks like they were forsaken.

You know who wasn’t forgotten? Steve Schwarzman at Blackstone. Neither were Bain Capital, KKR, the Carlyle Group or any of the other enormously wealthy private equity firms.  They’ve navigated the Trump tax debate flawlessly, preserving their carried interest loophole and possibly benefitting even further if the pass-through tax rate drops along with the corporate rate.

I don’t think there’s anything on earth or in the stars that can kill the hedge fund industry’s preferential tax structure. Thanks to Citizens United, these people have an unlimited and unchecked ability to dominate both political parties with donations and the promise of future donations.

Back to last night. There’s a possibility that last night’s preliminary step toward final legislation will take the number one issue facing America and balloon it into Rubenesque proportions. Economic inequality, which largely drove voters to lose their minds and cotton to candidates like Bernie Sanders and Trump, could explode over the next few years as a result of fiscal stimulus targeted almost precisely at the part of the economy that doesn’t need it. The fact that the people who do need the most help could end up paying for that is perhaps the sickest, most cruelly ironic joke that’s ever been told.

Unless you believe in magic, which I don’t. And remember, I’m speaking here against my own immediate self-interest. I’m not stupid and this isn’t virtue signaling – I genuinely believe the economy is better when participation is broader and not as concentrated as it’s been. Obama attempted to solve this but he failed. Trump is not even trying. He’d sign anything brought to his desk at this point, just to say he did it.

Please read this and digest it.

The Republican tax bill will exacerbate income inequality in America (Vox)

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. Forgotten Again – Financial Solutions commented on Dec 02

    […] “The bill is investing heavily in the wealthy and their children — by boosting the value of their stock portfolios, creating new loopholes for them to avoid tax on their labor income, and cutting taxes on massive inheritances. At the same time, it leaves low- and middle-income workers with even fewer resources to invest in their children, and increases the number of Americans without health insurance.” Remember the … Source: http://thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  2. pinewswire.net commented on Sep 22

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  3. bitcoin investment uae commented on Sep 30

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Information here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  4. convertidor de btc a dolar commented on Sep 30

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 72339 additional Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  5. photo booth rental philadelphia commented on Oct 07

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  6. Omicron optics commented on Oct 14

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you will find 29510 more Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  7. click here commented on Dec 14

    … [Trackback]

    […] Information on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  8. Azure DevOps commented on Dec 18

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 16642 more Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  9. Functional Testing commented on Dec 20

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  10. LG FA168DAB manuals commented on Jan 20

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  11. fake breitling watches commented on Jan 23

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]

  12. bandar 77 commented on Jan 23

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you can find 93236 additional Information on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2017/12/02/forgotten-again/ […]