From today’sĀ NYTĀ article on Trump’s economic policy speech:
“But the economic agenda Mr. Trump described included many traditionally Republican policies that offer little to no direct benefit to working-class Americans, while giving a considerable financial boost to the wealthiest.
For example, Mr. Trump called for ending what Republicans label the ādeath tax.ā He did not mention that the estate tax currently exempts the first $5.45 million for an individual and $10.9 million for a married couple ā meaning that only the very wealthy pay even a dime. If Mr. Trumpās net worth is as large as he has says, his heirs would have a great deal to gain from eliminating the estate tax; the typical displaced steelworker or coal miner, or even a relatively prosperous retiree, would have nothing to gain.”
If disaffected workers want to make gains, they should not vote for someone who will institute “labor” reforms that make the already wealthiest American even more wealthy, while leaving workers themselves farther behind. The only way American workers will be able to make gains is by advocating for and passing labor reform that improves wages, while limiting the income gains of the wealthiest Americans who, let’s face it, already have enough to get them by comfortably.