Economy Quote by Michael Hudson
“Mr. Trump wants to turn the U.S. economy into the kind of real estate development that has made him so rich in New York. It will make his fellow developers rich, and it will make the banks that finance this infrastructure rich, but the people are going to have to pay for it in a much higher cost for transportation, much higher cost for all the infrastructure that he’s proposing. You could call Trump's plan "public investment to create private profit". That's really his plan in a summary.”
About This Quote
Source Article: "The Economics of Public Investment", 2019
Trump’s plan turns public infrastructure spending into profit for developers and banks, shifting costs to citizens via higher fees.
In simple terms: Public funds are used to enrich private interests, raising costs for users.
Key Takeaway
Beware of policies that privatize public benefits.
Themes
economics
public policy
inequality
urban development
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analysis
warning
When to use this quote
- city planning
- tax policy
- public debate
- community advocacy
Key Concepts
public‑private partnership
cost shifting
infrastructure financing
tax burden
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly benefits from the infrastructure?
- How can citizens protect against hidden costs?
A Different Perspective
Such schemes can exacerbate socioeconomic disparities.
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