Playworld

by Adam Ross

“If it moves,” Sam said, “they tax it. If it keeps moving, they regulate it. And if it stops moving, they subsidize it. But not Reagan, I guarantee it.” In response to which Elliott shook his head and said, “The only authentic form of trickle-down economics is the president’s character.”

But of this, I was sure: open up the borders, get rid of the tariffs, manufacture overseas to reduce your labor costs and increase your margins. Deregulate all of it, and then it’s just an equation. You, the government, you cut my taxes to swell the middle, even if the middle isn’t what it used to be, and guess what? The middle’s less will become my more, and the only solution when the economy tanks will be to tax me even less, while I laugh all the way to the bank. These next few decades—it’s going to be like having a bucket when it rains. Because if you’re rich in this great country, you’re in like Flynn. You’re rich, first. You’re not Jewish or Muslim or yellow or brown. You’re rich, and you’re safe. Safe from the very place you call home.”