the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
Race played a huge part in the backlash that got Trump elected. It's not just a R vs. D issue.
CEOs may like the idea of a big tax cut for businesses, but that doesn't mean they'll use the savings to create American jobs.
Just 14% of CEOs surveyed by Yale University said their companies plan to make large, immediate capital investments in the United States if the tax overhaul passes. Capital investments, like building plants and upgrading equipment, can lead to hiring.
Only a slim majority of the CEOs, 55%, said the Republican tax package should be signed into law. The Yale CEO Summit surveyed 110 prominent business leaders of Fortune 500 and Fortune 50 companies last week.
The findings, along with other surveys, suggest that the tax plan may not have the dramatic impact on jobs that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised.
Trump tweeted over the weekend that "TAX CUTS" will lead to "higher growth, higher wages, and more JOBS!" The GOP tax overhaul would slash the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and offer incentives for companies to bring foreign profits back home.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who leads the Yale CEO Summit, said in an interview that it's "astounding" how few companies plan to reinvest their tax savings.
He called the idea of a jobs boom from the tax plan "a lot of smoke and mirrors," especially because the unemployment rate is just 4.1% and companies already have plenty of cash to make investments.
Sonnenfeld declined to name the CEOs who participated in the poll. He said it included "Trump supporters" and former members of the president's now-defunct advisory councils of business leaders.
There are other signs that tax cuts may not spark a hiring boom. Just 43% of CEOs polled in November by the Business Roundtable, a powerful business lobby that has spent millions on ads championing tax reform, said they plan to ramp up hiring over the next six months. That was despite rising confidence that the Republican tax plan would be enacted.
And at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council in November, only a few business leaders raised their hands when they were asked whether the tax plan would lead them to increase investment in the United States. Gary Cohn, Trump's top economic adviser, was surprised.
"Why aren't the other hands up?" he asked from on stage.
Wall Street expects companies will use a big chunk of the tax savings to reward shareholders with fatter dividends and stock buybacks, which makes stocks more attractive. That's one reason stocks have surged all year, putting the Dow in sight of 25,000.
"Markets just love it," Michael Block, chief market strategist at Rhino Trading Partners, wrote in a note on Tuesday.
He said it's "malarkey" to think that cutting corporate taxes will boost spending and wages.
"As we've seen in history, this doesn't raise wages," he wrote. "What it does lead to is richer shareholders."
In 2004, when Congress offered tax breaks for companies to bring foreign profits back home, businesses used much of their cash on share buybacks.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities later concluded that the 2004 tax holiday "did not produce the promised economic benefits" because companies mostly bought back stock instead of investing to grow their businesses.
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that "stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated." Specifically, he said "immediate expensing will have a big impact."
Trump was referring to an element of the legislation that would allow businesses to immediately and fully expense most new capital investments. The provision, which would end after five years, should encourage companies to shell out money on new plants and equipment.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who chairs the Business Roundtable, recently predicted that tax reform will "lead to capital expenditures, productivity and wages," though he cautioned it may take time for workers to benefit.
One concern among the CEOs polled by Yale: the price of the GOP tax overhaul. The Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan scorekeeper for tax bills, estimates the legislation would add about $1 trillion to deficits even after accounting for projectedadditional economic growth.
Seventy-two percent of CEOs said it's "wrong" for the tax package to sizably add to America's mountain of debt.
AT&T excluded
Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T* plans to invest an additional
$1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus
to more than 200,000 AT&T U.S. employees — all union-represented,
non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill
before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays.
“Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to
bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the
industrialized world,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.
“This tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs.
In fact, we will increase our U.S. investment and pay a special bonus to
our U.S. employees.”
the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
Race played a huge part in the backlash that got Trump elected. It's not just a R vs. D issue.
Ummm...but we aren't talking election. Heck race played a huge part as to why Obama got the D nomination and won the election too.
We are talking about the deficit. And when it comes to the deficit, each side pretends to care when they aren't in power and then do nothing when they are. The 1 time I remember different, D's has the presidency and R's had congress.
CEOs may like the idea of a big tax cut for businesses, but that doesn't mean they'll use the savings to create American jobs.
Just 14% of CEOs surveyed by Yale University said their companies plan to make large, immediate capital investments in the United States if the tax overhaul passes. Capital investments, like building plants and upgrading equipment, can lead to hiring.
Only a slim majority of the CEOs, 55%, said the Republican tax package should be signed into law. The Yale CEO Summit surveyed 110 prominent business leaders of Fortune 500 and Fortune 50 companies last week.
The findings, along with other surveys, suggest that the tax plan may not have the dramatic impact on jobs that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised.
Trump tweeted over the weekend that "TAX CUTS" will lead to "higher growth, higher wages, and more JOBS!" The GOP tax overhaul would slash the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and offer incentives for companies to bring foreign profits back home.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who leads the Yale CEO Summit, said in an interview that it's "astounding" how few companies plan to reinvest their tax savings.
He called the idea of a jobs boom from the tax plan "a lot of smoke and mirrors," especially because the unemployment rate is just 4.1% and companies already have plenty of cash to make investments.
Sonnenfeld declined to name the CEOs who participated in the poll. He said it included "Trump supporters" and former members of the president's now-defunct advisory councils of business leaders.
There are other signs that tax cuts may not spark a hiring boom. Just 43% of CEOs polled in November by the Business Roundtable, a powerful business lobby that has spent millions on ads championing tax reform, said they plan to ramp up hiring over the next six months. That was despite rising confidence that the Republican tax plan would be enacted.
And at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council in November, only a few business leaders raised their hands when they were asked whether the tax plan would lead them to increase investment in the United States. Gary Cohn, Trump's top economic adviser, was surprised.
"Why aren't the other hands up?" he asked from on stage.
Wall Street expects companies will use a big chunk of the tax savings to reward shareholders with fatter dividends and stock buybacks, which makes stocks more attractive. That's one reason stocks have surged all year, putting the Dow in sight of 25,000.
"Markets just love it," Michael Block, chief market strategist at Rhino Trading Partners, wrote in a note on Tuesday.
He said it's "malarkey" to think that cutting corporate taxes will boost spending and wages.
"As we've seen in history, this doesn't raise wages," he wrote. "What it does lead to is richer shareholders."
In 2004, when Congress offered tax breaks for companies to bring foreign profits back home, businesses used much of their cash on share buybacks.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities later concluded that the 2004 tax holiday "did not produce the promised economic benefits" because companies mostly bought back stock instead of investing to grow their businesses.
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that "stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated." Specifically, he said "immediate expensing will have a big impact."
Trump was referring to an element of the legislation that would allow businesses to immediately and fully expense most new capital investments. The provision, which would end after five years, should encourage companies to shell out money on new plants and equipment.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who chairs the Business Roundtable, recently predicted that tax reform will "lead to capital expenditures, productivity and wages," though he cautioned it may take time for workers to benefit.
One concern among the CEOs polled by Yale: the price of the GOP tax overhaul. The Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan scorekeeper for tax bills, estimates the legislation would add about $1 trillion to deficits even after accounting for projectedadditional economic growth.
Seventy-two percent of CEOs said it's "wrong" for the tax package to sizably add to America's mountain of debt.
AT&T excluded
Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T* plans to invest an additional
$1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus
to more than 200,000 AT&T U.S. employees — all union-represented,
non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill
before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays.
“Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to
bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the
industrialized world,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.
“This tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs.
In fact, we will increase our U.S. investment and pay a special bonus to
our U.S. employees.”
Also exclude Wells Fargo, Boeing, Comcast, Fifth 3rd Bank, Fed_ex
Bonuses are great and no one dislikes getting a little pop in the paycheck, but understand that corporations view them as a win/win. They are often used as a substitute for a merit type increase that has a long term positive effect on an employee. So take a $1000 bonus. Sounds great. But think of it this way... if the average salary for Comcast is $55,000 (lower middle class for a family), and you were given a $1000 raise, that's less than 2%. It's a pittance. And worse, the thousand dollars is one time. At least that 2% will be with you next year, the year after and the year after that. Over the past 15 years, increases have been on the order of less than 2.5% per year. Until such time as corporations raise their merit targets from 2.5% to 4/5/6%, the actual effect on ordinary people is still the same... immaterial.
CEOs may like the idea of a big tax cut for businesses, but that doesn't mean they'll use the savings to create American jobs.
Just 14% of CEOs surveyed by Yale University said their companies plan to make large, immediate capital investments in the United States if the tax overhaul passes. Capital investments, like building plants and upgrading equipment, can lead to hiring.
Only a slim majority of the CEOs, 55%, said the Republican tax package should be signed into law. The Yale CEO Summit surveyed 110 prominent business leaders of Fortune 500 and Fortune 50 companies last week.
The findings, along with other surveys, suggest that the tax plan may not have the dramatic impact on jobs that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised.
Trump tweeted over the weekend that "TAX CUTS" will lead to "higher growth, higher wages, and more JOBS!" The GOP tax overhaul would slash the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and offer incentives for companies to bring foreign profits back home.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who leads the Yale CEO Summit, said in an interview that it's "astounding" how few companies plan to reinvest their tax savings.
He called the idea of a jobs boom from the tax plan "a lot of smoke and mirrors," especially because the unemployment rate is just 4.1% and companies already have plenty of cash to make investments.
Sonnenfeld declined to name the CEOs who participated in the poll. He said it included "Trump supporters" and former members of the president's now-defunct advisory councils of business leaders.
There are other signs that tax cuts may not spark a hiring boom. Just 43% of CEOs polled in November by the Business Roundtable, a powerful business lobby that has spent millions on ads championing tax reform, said they plan to ramp up hiring over the next six months. That was despite rising confidence that the Republican tax plan would be enacted.
And at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council in November, only a few business leaders raised their hands when they were asked whether the tax plan would lead them to increase investment in the United States. Gary Cohn, Trump's top economic adviser, was surprised.
"Why aren't the other hands up?" he asked from on stage.
Wall Street expects companies will use a big chunk of the tax savings to reward shareholders with fatter dividends and stock buybacks, which makes stocks more attractive. That's one reason stocks have surged all year, putting the Dow in sight of 25,000.
"Markets just love it," Michael Block, chief market strategist at Rhino Trading Partners, wrote in a note on Tuesday.
He said it's "malarkey" to think that cutting corporate taxes will boost spending and wages.
"As we've seen in history, this doesn't raise wages," he wrote. "What it does lead to is richer shareholders."
In 2004, when Congress offered tax breaks for companies to bring foreign profits back home, businesses used much of their cash on share buybacks.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities later concluded that the 2004 tax holiday "did not produce the promised economic benefits" because companies mostly bought back stock instead of investing to grow their businesses.
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that "stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated." Specifically, he said "immediate expensing will have a big impact."
Trump was referring to an element of the legislation that would allow businesses to immediately and fully expense most new capital investments. The provision, which would end after five years, should encourage companies to shell out money on new plants and equipment.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who chairs the Business Roundtable, recently predicted that tax reform will "lead to capital expenditures, productivity and wages," though he cautioned it may take time for workers to benefit.
One concern among the CEOs polled by Yale: the price of the GOP tax overhaul. The Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan scorekeeper for tax bills, estimates the legislation would add about $1 trillion to deficits even after accounting for projectedadditional economic growth.
Seventy-two percent of CEOs said it's "wrong" for the tax package to sizably add to America's mountain of debt.
AT&T excluded
Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T* plans to invest an additional
$1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus
to more than 200,000 AT&T U.S. employees — all union-represented,
non-management and front-line managers. If the President signs the bill
before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays.
“Congress, working closely with the President, took a monumental step to
bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the
industrialized world,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.
“This tax reform will drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs.
In fact, we will increase our U.S. investment and pay a special bonus to
our U.S. employees.”
Also exclude Wells Fargo, Boeing, Comcast, Fifth 3rd Bank, Fed_ex
Bonuses are great and no one dislikes getting a little pop in the paycheck, but understand that corporations view them as a win/win. They are often used as a substitute for a merit type increase that has a long term positive effect on an employee. So take a $1000 bonus. Sounds great. But think of it this way... if the average salary for Comcast is $55,000 (lower middle class for a family), and you were given a $1000 raise, that's less than 2%. It's a pittance. And worse, the thousand dollars is one time. At least that 2% will be with you next year, the year after and the year after that. Over the past 15 years, increases have been on the order of less than 2.5% per year. Until such time as corporations raise their merit targets from 2.5% to 4/5/6%, the actual effect on ordinary people is still the same... immaterial.
Anyone offering an immaterial amount of money please advise, I know some families that really really need it. Anyway, that covers the "bonuses" what about the re-investments?
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
I think reinvestment means "influencing" and "meddling" in businesses.
You're right, these companies/corps (people now) can make PR promises and never deliver. I dont think that the majority of middle classers are concerned with deficits or anything 8 years from now. If we're to believe reports, a very high number of citizens are crippled with debt, cant afford healthcare, live pay check to pay check and dont have even $1,000 saved. If a company increases its tech or expands operations its placing orders for goods/services which puts people to work. Lets get through 2017 then we will worry about 2018 or 2025. The credit cards bills will be rolling in any day now...
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
I think reinvestment means "influencing" and "meddling" in businesses.
You're right, these companies/corps (people now) can make PR promises and never deliver. I dont think that the majority of middle classers are concerned with deficits or anything 8 years from now. If we're to believe reports, a very high number of citizens are crippled with debt, cant afford healthcare, live pay check to pay check and dont have even $1,000 saved. If a company increases its tech or expands operations its placing orders for goods/services which puts people to work. Lets get through 2017 then we will worry about 2018 or 2025. The credit cards bills will be rolling in any day now...
I'm pretty they'll be concerned when republicans next try to gut social security and medicaid to pay for this monstrosity....
Why can't they get anything done despite controlling all branches of government?
And will they survive the trump impeachment/resignation?
Discuss.
We've been busy partying since November of 2016.
Today we start another celebration. It's a great day as tax reform moves forward. Gonna be a great 7-8 years of financial prosperity due to falling tax rates.
Thank you Hillary -- this wouldn't be possible without you being such a loser
Glad to hear you are a wealthy business owner! So nice for you.
Yeah, for sure. It's gotta be nice!
What's it feel like to be up there in the top 1%, Fixer. Lotta nose bleeds?
Definitely not in the 1% -- my family is still getting a healthy tax rate reduction.
Hedge funder? remember when Trump promised to close the carried interest loophole?
ha, I wish I was a hedge funder. I'm just a normal married guy with kids who works hard and pays taxes. My family is far from rich, so it will be great to have a tax reprieve for close to a decade
not all republicans are part of the 1% -- don't listen to the liberal media
How does it go? If you're a Republican you're either a billionaire or an idiot. If you're unsure which you are, check your bank account.
This isn't a tax reprieve. It's a cash grab for the wealthy, and you've been conned. Congratulations, sucker!
so because I have money in the bank -- and will soon have exponentially more money in my account due to lower taxes - I'm an idiot?
money is a good thing. having more of it to use at your own discretion is a net positive.
that list above is cute - nice reliable source you've got there
Im stealing this from someone else, the US Treasury will gladly accept any amount more than is due on your tax return. I suggest making two checks payable, 1 for the taxes due per your 1040 and the other for students, teachers, veterans, seniors, disabled, homeowners, adoptions, 1st responders, chronically ill, just notate that in the memo field. Im sure the Treasury department will spend it wisely.
no thanks. I'm anti-handout. rather keep the money I earn and take care of my family.
the government rarely spends wisely
"Anti-handout"? That's funny.
If you drive a car on roads, if you use the bus, or subway, or train, if you walk on side walks, if you make use of any public utilities like, oh, electricity and water, if your kids go to school, if you ever call on police or paramedics, if you ever go to a public park or playground, if you're a homeowner and claim the mortgage interest credit, if you claim the child tax credit..... then yes, you're getting "hand-outs". But it's only the other guys that get hand-outs; what I get is well-deserved.
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
You think that less than 2% pre tax on a one time basis is material? You must be a sucker too.
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
I think reinvestment means "influencing" and "meddling" in businesses.
You're right, these companies/corps (people now) can make PR promises and never deliver. I dont think that the majority of middle classers are concerned with deficits or anything 8 years from now. If we're to believe reports, a very high number of citizens are crippled with debt, cant afford healthcare, live pay check to pay check and dont have even $1,000 saved. If a company increases its tech or expands operations its placing orders for goods/services which puts people to work. Lets get through 2017 then we will worry about 2018 or 2025. The credit cards bills will be rolling in any day now...
Great call. All these investments should bring our 4% unemployment down to 3.999% while ballooning the deficit by a trillion dollars, making it difficult for any new social investments. Should work out great for the middle class.
the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
you don't see a problem that the party that has spent the last 35 years saying "we will not vote for anything that increases deficits, increases the debt, or does not pay for itself through other cuts" passing a bill that raises the deficit, raises the debt, and does not pay for itself as a problem?
these are the people that opposed obama at every single turn because he was a black man.
all of these republicans can go get fucked. they just voted their job away. trump is gonna be a lame duck when the blue tsunami hits in 2018. if mueller does not get to him beforehand.
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
you don't see a problem that the party that has spent the last 35 years saying "we will not vote for anything that increases deficits, increases the debt, or does not pay for itself through other cuts" passing a bill that raises the deficit, raises the debt, and does not pay for itself as a problem?
these are the people that opposed obama at every single turn because he was a black man.
all of these republicans can go get fucked. they just voted their job away. trump is gonna be a lame duck when the blue tsunami hits in 2018. if mueller does not get to him beforehand.
How about when the tea partyers in congress refused to vote for disaster relief unless it had an offset? Yeah.. that was a funny one...
This party sure has big balls to say that the FBI conspired to get Clinton elected.
Right, because announcing an investigation in to a bunch of emails a week before the election would surely result in victory. They loved it at the time, but now they were working on behalf of Clinton. Keep flipping.
This party sure has big balls to say that the FBI conspired to get Clinton elected.
Right, because announcing an investigation in to a bunch of emails a week before the election would surely result in victory. They loved it at the time, but now they were working on behalf of Clinton. Keep flipping.
Many conservatives have decided that the best way to deal with Trump’s personality is to pretend it doesn’t matter. CreditZach Gibson for The New York Times
Tax cuts. Deregulation. More for the military; less for the United Nations. The Islamic State crushed in its heartland. Assad hit with cruise missiles. Troops to Afghanistan. Arms for Ukraine. A tougher approach to North Korea. Jerusalem recognized as Israel’s capital. The Iran deal decertified. Title IX kangaroo courts on campus condemned. Yes to Keystone. No to Paris. Wall Street roaring and consumer confidence high.
And, of course, Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court. What, for a conservative, is there to dislike about this policy record as the Trump administration rounds out its first year in office?
That’s the question I keep hearing from old friends on the right who voted with misgiving for Donald Trump last year and now find reasons to like him. I admit it gives me pause. I agree with every one of the policy decisions mentioned above. But I still wish Hillary Clinton were president.
How does that make sense? Can I still call myself conservative?
The answer depends on your definition. Here’s one I’ve always liked: “The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society,” said the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan. To which he added: “The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself.”
Conservatives used to believe in their truth. Want to “solve” poverty? All the welfare dollars in the world won’t help if two-parent families aren’t intact. Want to foster democracy abroad? It’s going to be rough going if too many voters reject the foundational concept of minority rights.
This is the fatal mistake of conservatives who’ve decided the best way to deal with Trump’s personality — the lying, narcissism, bullying, bigotry, crassness, name calling, ignorance, paranoia, incompetence and pettiness — is to pretend it doesn’t matter. “Character Doesn’t Count” has become a de facto G.O.P. motto. “Virtue Doesn’t Matter” might be another.
But character does count, and virtue does matter, and Trump’s shortcomings prove it daily.
Maybe you think the Russia investigation is much ado about nothing. Yet Trump brought it on himself every step of the way, from firing James Comey after the former F.B.I. director wouldn’t swear fealty, to (potentially) admitting to obstruction of justice with that tweet about Mike Flynn’s firing. Or maybe you regret the failure to repeal Obamacare. But that had something to do with the grotesque insults Trump lobbed at John McCain, the man whose “nay” vote sank repeal.
Look at every other administration embarrassment (Scaramucci) or failure (the wall, and Mexico paying for it) or disgrace (the Charlottesville equivocation). Responsibility invariably lies with the president’s intemperance and dishonesty. That puts Republican control of Congress in play. It also risks permanently alienating a millennial generation for which the G.O.P. will forever be the party of the child-molesting sore loser and the president who endorsed him.
Now look at the culture of governance. Trump demands testimonials from his cabinet, servility from Republican politicians and worship from conservative media. To serve in this White House isn’t to be elevated to public service. It’s to be debased into toadyism, which probably explains the record-setting staff turnover of 34 percent, according to an analysis from the Brookings Institution.
In place of presidential addresses, stump speeches or town halls, we have Trump’s demagogic mass rallies. In place of the usual jousting between the administration and the press, we have a president who fantasizes on Twitter about physically assaulting CNN. In place of a president who defends the honor and integrity of his own officers and agencies, we have one who humiliates his attorney general, denigrates the F.B.I. and compares our intelligence agencies to the Gestapo.
Trump is normalizing all this; he is, to borrow another Moynihan phrase, “defining deviancy down.” A president who supposedly wants to put a wall between the U.S. and Latin America has imported a style of politics reminiscent of the cults of Juan Perón and Hugo Chávez.
Conservatives may suppose that they can pocket policy gains from a Trump administration while the stain of his person will eventually wash away. But as a (pro-Trump) friend wrote me the other day, “presidents empower cultures.” Trump is empowering a conservative political culture that celebrates everything that patriotic Americans should fear: the cult of strength, open disdain for truthfulness, violent contempt for the Fourth Estate, hostility toward high culture and other types of “elitism,” a penchant for conspiracy theories and, most dangerously, white-identity politics.
This won’t end with Trump. It may have only begun with him. And Trump’s supporters may wind up proving both sides of Moynihan’s contention: not just that culture is what matters most, but that politics can still change it — in this case, much for the worse.
Wonder what some posters (like @EdsonNascimento) from the Tax Reform thread think about this? Seems some thought that big business would actually follow through on those promises about wages and hiring....
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
Wonder what some posters (like @EdsonNascimento) from the Tax Reform thread think about this? Seems some thought that big business would actually follow through on those promises about wages and hiring....
Trickle down economics! The drizzling shit is trickling down the pant legs of CEOs and dumping on the workers. Deplorable.
"I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
the republican party has lost all high ground and credibility when it comes to being the party of fiscal responsibility. they pledge to not add to the debt or the deficit. every one of them can go fuck themselves. they have no credibility left. adding 1.5 trillion to the debt is exact opposite of what they always preach.
debt and deficits only matter when black democrats are in power i suppose.
Ummmm not black democrats, only democrats. Oh...or it matters to democrats when a republican is in the white house. That's the thing, it matters to everyone at different times...but only when they don't have the power to fix it. Once they have the power, they no longer care.
you don't see a problem that the party that has spent the last 35 years saying "we will not vote for anything that increases deficits, increases the debt, or does not pay for itself through other cuts" passing a bill that raises the deficit, raises the debt, and does not pay for itself as a problem?
these are the people that opposed obama at every single turn because he was a black man.
all of these republicans can go get fucked. they just voted their job away. trump is gonna be a lame duck when the blue tsunami hits in 2018. if mueller does not get to him beforehand.
Not sure where you got that idea. Yes I see a huge problem with it. I already stated the republican party is dead (the old GOP). I think it nuts....and I'm tired of politicians never doing what they say they want to do when they finally have the power. It's disgusting.
I read the article but "I believe" it doesn't say anything about 1000s of layoffs? I see 12% cuts in Indiana which are 42 positions certainly not 1000s. should "I believe" the headline.....
AT&T, touting bonuses and investment fueled by tax reform, quietly lays off thousands
Comments
These crooks wanna let orange bafoon off the hook I hope they get him to fire Muller let Washington burn down , GOP is afraid of him ...
We are talking about the deficit. And when it comes to the deficit, each side pretends to care when they aren't in power and then do nothing when they are. The 1 time I remember different, D's has the presidency and R's had congress.
Over the past 15 years, increases have been on the order of less than 2.5% per year. Until such time as corporations raise their merit targets from 2.5% to 4/5/6%, the actual effect on ordinary people is still the same... immaterial.
Anyway, that covers the "bonuses" what about the re-investments?
What's a reinvestment? Is it updating a plant with better technology and robotics that will eventually bring in higher paid engineers and reduce the total workforce on a 1:5 ratio? Reinvestment is ambiguous. What does it mean?
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
You're right, these companies/corps (people now) can make PR promises and never deliver. I dont think that the majority of middle classers are concerned with deficits or anything 8 years from now. If we're to believe reports, a very high number of citizens are crippled with debt, cant afford healthcare, live pay check to pay check and dont have even $1,000 saved. If a company increases its tech or expands operations its placing orders for goods/services which puts people to work. Lets get through 2017 then we will worry about 2018 or 2025. The credit cards bills will be rolling in any day now...
If you drive a car on roads, if you use the bus, or subway, or train, if you walk on side walks, if you make use of any public utilities like, oh, electricity and water, if your kids go to school, if you ever call on police or paramedics, if you ever go to a public park or playground, if you're a homeowner and claim the mortgage interest credit, if you claim the child tax credit..... then yes, you're getting "hand-outs". But it's only the other guys that get hand-outs; what I get is well-deserved.
Paul Ryan Slits Auto Mechanic’s Throat To Kick Off GOP Purge Of Working Class
https://politics.theonion.com/paul-ryan-slits-auto-mechanic-s-throat-to-kick-off-gop-1821475569GOP Leaders Celebrate Decisive Win Over Americans
https://politics.theonion.com/gop-leaders-celebrate-decisive-win-over-americans-1821450809The Republican Party Has Bowed, Completely, to the Mad King
They're now running interference in the Russia probe and kissing the Trumpian ring.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a14478536/republican-party-trump-russia/
these are the people that opposed obama at every single turn because he was a black man.
all of these republicans can go get fucked. they just voted their job away. trump is gonna be a lame duck when the blue tsunami hits in 2018. if mueller does not get to him beforehand.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Makes no sense at all. What a waste of time.
Why I’m Still a NeverTrumper
Tax cuts. Deregulation. More for the military; less for the United Nations. The Islamic State crushed in its heartland. Assad hit with cruise missiles. Troops to Afghanistan. Arms for Ukraine. A tougher approach to North Korea. Jerusalem recognized as Israel’s capital. The Iran deal decertified. Title IX kangaroo courts on campus condemned. Yes to Keystone. No to Paris. Wall Street roaring and consumer confidence high.
And, of course, Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court. What, for a conservative, is there to dislike about this policy record as the Trump administration rounds out its first year in office?
That’s the question I keep hearing from old friends on the right who voted with misgiving for Donald Trump last year and now find reasons to like him. I admit it gives me pause. I agree with every one of the policy decisions mentioned above. But I still wish Hillary Clinton were president.
How does that make sense? Can I still call myself conservative?
The answer depends on your definition. Here’s one I’ve always liked: “The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society,” said the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan. To which he added: “The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself.”
Conservatives used to believe in their truth. Want to “solve” poverty? All the welfare dollars in the world won’t help if two-parent families aren’t intact. Want to foster democracy abroad? It’s going to be rough going if too many voters reject the foundational concept of minority rights.
This is the fatal mistake of conservatives who’ve decided the best way to deal with Trump’s personality — the lying, narcissism, bullying, bigotry, crassness, name calling, ignorance, paranoia, incompetence and pettiness — is to pretend it doesn’t matter. “Character Doesn’t Count” has become a de facto G.O.P. motto. “Virtue Doesn’t Matter” might be another.
But character does count, and virtue does matter, and Trump’s shortcomings prove it daily.
Maybe you think the Russia investigation is much ado about nothing. Yet Trump brought it on himself every step of the way, from firing James Comey after the former F.B.I. director wouldn’t swear fealty, to (potentially) admitting to obstruction of justice with that tweet about Mike Flynn’s firing. Or maybe you regret the failure to repeal Obamacare. But that had something to do with the grotesque insults Trump lobbed at John McCain, the man whose “nay” vote sank repeal.
Look at every other administration embarrassment (Scaramucci) or failure (the wall, and Mexico paying for it) or disgrace (the Charlottesville equivocation). Responsibility invariably lies with the president’s intemperance and dishonesty. That puts Republican control of Congress in play. It also risks permanently alienating a millennial generation for which the G.O.P. will forever be the party of the child-molesting sore loser and the president who endorsed him.
Now look at the culture of governance. Trump demands testimonials from his cabinet, servility from Republican politicians and worship from conservative media. To serve in this White House isn’t to be elevated to public service. It’s to be debased into toadyism, which probably explains the record-setting staff turnover of 34 percent, according to an analysis from the Brookings Institution.
In place of presidential addresses, stump speeches or town halls, we have Trump’s demagogic mass rallies. In place of the usual jousting between the administration and the press, we have a president who fantasizes on Twitter about physically assaulting CNN. In place of a president who defends the honor and integrity of his own officers and agencies, we have one who humiliates his attorney general, denigrates the F.B.I. and compares our intelligence agencies to the Gestapo.
Trump is normalizing all this; he is, to borrow another Moynihan phrase, “defining deviancy down.” A president who supposedly wants to put a wall between the U.S. and Latin America has imported a style of politics reminiscent of the cults of Juan Perón and Hugo Chávez.
Conservatives may suppose that they can pocket policy gains from a Trump administration while the stain of his person will eventually wash away. But as a (pro-Trump) friend wrote me the other day, “presidents empower cultures.” Trump is empowering a conservative political culture that celebrates everything that patriotic Americans should fear: the cult of strength, open disdain for truthfulness, violent contempt for the Fourth Estate, hostility toward high culture and other types of “elitism,” a penchant for conspiracy theories and, most dangerously, white-identity politics.
This won’t end with Trump. It may have only begun with him. And Trump’s supporters may wind up proving both sides of Moynihan’s contention: not just that culture is what matters most, but that politics can still change it — in this case, much for the worse.
#maga
AT&T, touting bonuses and investment fueled by tax reform, quietly lays off thousands
https://www.indystar.com/story/money/2018/01/02/t-touting-bonuses-and-investment-fueled/992690001/
AT&T, touting bonuses and investment fueled by tax reform, quietly lays off thousands
"I'll believe" it when I see it!