Category: News and Politics
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2 reasons to support the tax reform bill
I published a blog post titled “18 reasons to oppose the tax reform bill“. The reasons for opposition are overwhelming and compelling. Yet the tax reform bill is not all bad news. There are two positive points in the proposed law: The reform bill substantially lowers taxes on large international corporations. Most people agree that…
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First impressions of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
FOR ME AND MY CLIENTS: I calculated my own taxes under the tax reform proposal and it’s not a tax cut for me. It’s a wash. I don’t see tax cuts for my middle income self-employed clients but I haven’t taken the time to do calculations yet. New Jersey clients will be hurt by the…
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“Current events in compensation and benefits planning”
Twenty years ago I taught a CPE course in my 2nd floor office in suburban Narberth PA called “Current events in compensation and benefits planning”. It was approved for CPE credit by the PA Bar Association, the PACPA and the PA Insurance Department It was surprisingly popular and the 12 chairs in the conference room…
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‘Tuna tail’ public opinion after tax reform?
The president’s most recent public approval rating according to the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll: I noticed that the graph looks like a fish. Looking ahead, we will see the impact of the tax reform proposal reflected in the next public opinion poll. If this tax reform proposal is as unpopular as I think it will be…
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A note on populism and civility
For more than 30 years I’ve been an active consumer advocate for health care reform. My message has been the same over the years. We are on an unsustainable path that is increasingly hurting ordinary Americans. The solutions are available but we lack the leadership to implement them. Over my career I’ve helped more than…
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The most powerful speech of the 21st century
George W. Bush delivered this speech on Oct. 19, 2017 at the at the “Spirit of Liberty: At Home, In The World” event hosted by the George W. Bush Institute in New York City. It is simply the best speech from a national leader that I’ve heard in my adult lifetime. He addresses how to…
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The ultimate cost of opposing corruption
In the spring of 2016 the world learned about the “Panama Papers”, more than a million leaked documents from powerful law firm Mossack Fonseca that showed money laundering and corruption of hundreds of the wealthiest families in the world. The leak report titled “The Revolution Will Be Digitised” exposed the ways that financial corruption is…
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15 basic facts about methane and the environment
I’m probably among the small portion of people who follow or care about methane news. There has been more news about thane in the past two weeks than in decades previous. The topic is complex and controversial. This post is an attempt to lay out basic facts that e do know and agree on without…
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Eight reasons why we must keep the estate tax
Update 10/9/2017: It now appears certain that Republicans will abandon their effort to repeal the estate tax due to public accumulated public resistance. It is important for the United States to keep the estate tax in place for a wide range of public policy, social equity and financial reasons. I have long promoted the basic…
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Shocking Legislative Scam Proposed by Senators; Endorsed by President
Is is shocking and horrifying to read that 48 United States Republican Senators and the president of the United States have pledged their vote to a secret proposed legislative scam known as the ‘Graham-Cassidy bill’ that: They have not seen or read Is not available in written form for public review Can only be passed…