Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Understanding and Unlocking State-Level Growth Potential in Malaysia CONNECT WITH US bit.ly/WBMYblogs @WB_AsiaPacific @WorldBankMalaysia worldbank.org/malaysia | ifc.org | miga.org Understanding and Unlocking State-Level Growth Potential in Malaysia © 2026 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Interne ...

There aren't a lot of functioning democracie around the world that work this way, where you can basically have millionaires and billionaires bankrolling, whoever they want, however they want. In some cases undisclosed. And what it means is ordinary Americans are shut out of the process. That's what it means.The warnings about billionaires hijacking American elections. Your voting power date back to President Obama there discussing the Supreme Court gutting what were legal limits on just how much billionaire ...

A comprehensive new report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) portrays a stark transformation of the American economy over the last four decades, revealing a deepening divide where the wealthiest households have dramatically expanded their economic footprint while the middle class has steadily lost ground. According to the data, which spans from 1979 through 2022, the distribution of national income has skewed heavily toward the very top. The report reveals the top 1% of households grew th ...

The author’s grasp of the fine gradations of income was the product of experience, not just imagination https://t.co/ahze4Mc0bB ...

Well, one of the biggest problems here, ma, is you actually have in this health care issue, you have three things coming together. You have affordability, obviously, because Americans can't afford their healthcare. That's number one.Number two, you have the issue of the rich getting richer. You look at what executives make uh and why they make it and how much they make it. Private health insurance companies making more money every year.And third, and this is a real problem, uh you you you look at uh what wh ...

Productivity & Wealth Distribution - Productivity gains in more normal times tended to accrue proportionally to both workers and owners [1] - In recent decades, productivity gains have disproportionately gone to the owners [1]

Political Strategy & Analysis - The Democratic coalition has expanded to include both moderates and socialists [1] - Winning candidates share the characteristic of understanding and addressing the specific issues relevant to their communities [2] - Candidates are aiming to replicate successful strategies for the 2026 midterms [3] - A key strategy involves candidates authentically representing themselves, allowing voters to see themselves reflected in politics [12] - Showing up in unexpected places and engaging with diverse communities is crucial for building broad support [13][15] Campaign Tactics - Focus on affordability as a key issue that resonates with voters, even when public safety is perceived as the top concern [7][8] - Avoid applying the same playbook to every candidate; allow candidates to "cook" and be themselves [10][12] - Showing up in places people didn't expect is important [13] - A "both end strategy" involves campaigning on policies while also pushing back on Trump's broken promises [17][18] - Address the root causes of political issues, such as income inequality, rather than solely focusing on individual figures like Donald Trump [18]

Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk's political involvement has negatively impacted Tesla's car sales, yet the company's stock has increased significantly, leading Musk to seek a substantial pay package that could make him the first trillionaire in history [1]. Group 1: Shareholder Meeting and Voting - Shareholders will vote on Musk's pay package at Tesla's annual meeting in Austin, Texas, with the outcome potentially granting him a significant amount of stock [1]. - The vote has generated intense debate, with some pension funds opposing the package due to concerns over the board's loyalty to Musk and the perceived recklessness of his behavior [2]. - Musk has the ability to vote his own shares, which constitute 15% of the company, thereby improving his chances of securing the pay package [4]. Group 2: Support and Criticism - Supporters argue that Musk is essential for Tesla's future, envisioning a world dominated by self-driving Tesla cars and humanoid robots, and claim that the pay package is necessary to keep him focused [3]. - Critics, including some pension funds, have labeled Musk's behavior as reckless and argue that the proposed compensation is excessive [2]. Group 3: Pay Package Details - The pay package was first introduced to shareholders in September, detailed in a 200-page filing, which also includes other proposals such as investments in Musk's other company, xAI [5]. - To receive the full compensation, Musk must meet several ambitious operational and financial targets, including delivering 20 million Teslas over the next 10 years and producing one million robots [6].

Election Analysis - The election turnout is considered extraordinary, potentially the largest in 30 to 40 years [2] - A key message is the need for a government that represents working people and the middle class, addressing issues like housing, child care, transportation, and healthcare affordability [4] - Voters care about affordability, particularly the cost of housing [6] - The idea that everyone should be able to afford housing is not radical [7] Economic Commentary - The top earners in America have never had it so good, while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck [5] - There is significant income and wealth inequality, with one person owning more wealth than the bottom 52% of American society [8] - Giving a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the 1% and throwing 15 million people off healthcare is considered a radical idea [8]

Economic Outlook - The U.S. is facing a significant debt issue, with spending around $7 trillion and revenue approximately $5 trillion, leading to a deficit of $2 trillion annually [2] - The reliance on growth to manage this deficit is seen as a risky bet, particularly with the need for lower interest rates to stimulate both growth and asset prices [3] Income Disparity - There is a growing divide in productivity and economic opportunity, particularly between the top 1-10% who are tech and AI-sensitive and the bottom 60% of the population, which is becoming less productive [4][5] - The wealth gap is exacerbated by the fact that the top tier owns the majority of stocks, leading to questions about income distribution and tax revenues [6][7] Political Climate - The current political environment is characterized by significant conflict, with a breakdown in the democratic system of compromise, affecting governance and economic policies [10][11] - This political instability contributes to uncertainties regarding taxation and economic conditions, influencing where individuals choose to live and invest [12]