No Winning Strategy

So first of all. I’m watching the SOTU and watching Trumps arrogant expressions and smug tone and was just imagining the millions of teeth clenching Trump haters screaming at their TVs. Then I thought to myself ,what if someone like JFK said those exact words , would not the vast majority of voters be in agreement? This is why I’m beginning to be a big fan. I used to hate the way he talked and acted, but I now see why it’s so effective, his persona is the shiny object that Trump haters on both sides can’t turn away from. Meanwhile, less obsessive Americans are feeling the hope and change that’s not just a slogan. Which brings me to the main question I have for you all on all sides...

What will the Democrat strategy be in the face a booming economy, higher paychecks, lower unemployment, and zero predicted Armageddon? Pelosii said something like that about the tax bill... do most American voters want to vote themselves a tax hike? What will Democrats promise to undo since they voted against everything that’s making the economy take off, what gets undone that the people in mass will put obove their prosperity?

This is why I know in my bones that most Trump haters would hope for an economic crash as the only way to ensure his exit. I hope I’m wrong though.

_________________
The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.
Charles Bukowski

R.I.P. M.M.T.

SC:
" The prosperity that we are enjoying now has very little to do with the current administration, the economy doesn't change that quickly. "
Do you seriously believe that the economic revival is not due to the Trump Administration's policies. Walk away from your computer and talk with employees and employers in the MMT community to see the effects locally. Talk with me, for instance. I can show you what the Tax Cut and reduce in regulations has done for my business and my employees.

SC,
Very simply, planning ahead. Something that all businesses do or should do. Knowing what the tax law will be and the regulatory environment, similarly, allows me to expand and reward my employees. We are not a government entity, rather we compete in our area of expertise. Suspect what you like, suffice it to say no bonuses of this magnitude where issued during the last 8 years. Did these companies not want the "PR ploy" to curry favor with the administration in office? Closing an unprofitable store is a business decision based on past performance and projected profit/loss. Were you surprised when the Walmart in the Applewood Shopping Center closed its doors? Had you ever gone to this store it would have been obvious that it was not seeing the number of shoppers needed to keep it viable. I do not know the reasons, perhaps the demographics of the are had changed?, perhaps competition from COSCO? The store was unprofitable. Business is not a simple undertaking. Look no further than the Thrift Store in the Pine Junction strip mall.
When Obama was elected, it was obvious, from HIS statements that it was not going to be a climate in which business could grow. Thus we hunkered down and dealt with the burdens of Obamacare, many businesses went to hiring employees part time to avoid the cost of onerous healthcare costs.
With regard to specific policies, again look no further than the reductions in the corporate tax rate. To be sure it will be in next year's filing but again we plan ahead. One should not be reactive, rather PROACITVE in business.
" Frankly, I think hundreds or thousands losing their jobs and their total income outright is much worse for the economy than thousands getting a one-time payout amounting to 1-4 months of salary, don't you?" the only hundreds of people leaving their jobs are government workers.
From CNN Money August 4, 2017
"With July's jobs report, employers have added a total of 1,074,000 jobs during Trump's first six full months in office."
These are hamburger flipping jobs (Joe Biden speaking of employment rates under Bush) NOT today.
Unemployment prior to Trump: please look at the workforce participation rate for the last 8 years. People are now coming back into the market. Anecdotally I see this here in the MMT community, i.e. speaking with new employees who have now re-entered the labor pool.
Finally to your point of the rising stock market. Please look at your 401-k and its increase in the last 12 months. Need I say more?

You either don't remember or don't want to remember all the uncertainty businesses of all sizes had when faced with the Obama administrations impending policies that were going to be harmful to growth. Companies now are excited to know that they won't be raped by bad policies like the ACA, higher taxes, and whatever wealth redistribution BS Obama and Democrats had planned. Trump promised to reduce taxes and regulations prior to the election and that creates some optimism for businesses, something Democrats will NEVER understand.

Sorry Ramage, just read yours and agree, we must be on the same brain wave.

Atlanta Fed estimate of GDP growth tops 5%, doubling

www.marketwatch.com/story/atlanta-fed-es...consensus-2018-02-01
consensus

SC,
I'm confused on why you think it is a only a PR move for companies to give bonuses, wage increases, etc due to the tax cut.

I'm not sure how your business works exactly, or if you have any employees, but if you are an LLC, you likely pay estimated taxes. If your taxes are going to go down over the whole year by 20%, you will pay 20% less with each quarterly payment, correct? What are you going to do with that extra $$? You are under no obligation to pay that out, but your costs of doing business have gone down. Right now there is competition for good employees. Utilizing the extra $$ companies are saving off of their tax payments to give bonuses, and raising wages, adding to comp plans, vacation days, etc is a wise use of those funds. Many companies do have cash on hand to do such things, but not all do. They just know for a fact that their costs will be going down over the next year, and they are hoping the bonuses and raises make a happier team.

You say the economy was doing well before trump, and you would be somewhat correct. Companies couldn't make financial moves under Obama because they never knew what regulation or tax was coming next. Many owners I know are now opening their wallets for expansion, addl employess, addl equipment, etc because they know where their taxes will be for at least 3 more years of trump. They also know they won't have new burdensome regulations while he is in office.

I'm excited to see what our economy will do over the next 3 yrs. I would hope your business will grow along with all of us.



I know your really don't like Trump, but the corporate tax cuts are great for our country and our competitiveness in the world.