Category: News and Politics
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How to defeat tax reform (short version)
(This is the short version of a longer blog post.) Here are two easy ways to help defeat this proposed tax reform legislation: 1. Contact these seven Senators on Twitter to voice your concerns: Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski John McCain @SenJohnMcCain Jeff Flake @JeffFlake Rand Paul @RandPaul Susan Collins @SenatorCollins Bob Corker @SenBobCorker Ron Johnson @SenRonJohnson…
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The clear and simple path to defeat this tax reform bill
**A short version of this blog post is posted here.** The post was updated 11/15 to reflect Senator Johnson’s opposition. Republicans in Congress have an obligation to their ultra-wealthy backers to pass a tax reform package that the majority of Americans do not want. While most of us recognize that tax reform is a good thing and…
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18 reasons to oppose the tax reform bill
The U.S. Congressional tax reform plan is still evolving and its effects are still under analysis. Yet it is already easy to take a stand against the bill form a high level analysis of public policy principles as outlined in #1 to #5 below. Objections to specific effects on taxpayers are listed starting at #6.…
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Effect of election on NJ small businesses
New Jersey is now the seventh state where Democrats control both the executive and legislative branches. What does that mean for us with small businesses here? This is more than just a local wall against trumpism. It directly translates to increased tension and a lack of coöperation between the federal and state government. The news…
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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…