THREE MARTINI LUNCH: JUNE 17, 2014

Jim and Greg discuss Hillary's latest absurd statement, the U.K. re-opening its embassy in Iran, and John Kerry's clueless focus on the ocean and budding bromance with Leonardo DiCaprio.



Bill and Hillary Clinton: The Crony Capitalists in Chief

"Americans see a grim future for themselves, their children, and their country," National Journal's Ron Fournier wrote last week after House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's (R-VA) primary defeat. "They believe their political leaders are selfish, greedy, and short-sighted - unable and/or unwilling to shield most people from wrenching economic and social change."

Fournier then quotes from a 2013 memo written by former Clinton White House political director Doug Sosnik about the rising populist sentiment in America:

Americans' long-brewing discontent shows clear signs of reaching a boiling point. And when it happens, the country will judge its politicians through a new filter - one that asks, "Which side of the barricade are you on? Is it the side of the out-of-touch political class that clings to the status quo by protecting those at the top and their own political agendas, or is it the side that is fighting for the kind of change that will make the government work for the people - all the people?"

Unfortunately for Democrats it is becoming increasingly clear which side of the barricade their 2016 nominee will be on. Bloomberg reports today (emphasis added):

Bill and Hillary Clinton have long supported an estate tax to prevent the U.S. from being dominated by inherited wealth. That doesn't mean they want to pay it.

To reduce the tax pinch, the Clintons are using financial planning strategies befitting the top 1 percent of U.S. households in wealth. These moves, common among multimillionaires, will help shield some of their estate from the tax that now tops out at 40 percent of assets upon death.

In other words, while mouthing support for taxing the rich through higher estate taxes, the Clintons are hypocritically doing all they can to avoid the current estate tax rates themselves. No wonder the American people believe their "political leaders are selfish, greedy, and short-sighted."

Also read:

Surprise: Clintons exploiting loopholes to bypass high estate taxes...which they strongly support, natch

Does Hillary Regret Her Actions in that 1975 Rape Case?