How Do You Gauge the Impact of Washington on Your Finances?

Mark Riepe is joined by Michael Townsend, managing director of legislative and regulatory affairs at Schwab, to discuss the cognitive and emotional biases that influence political decision-making, the gap between campaign promises and legislative realities, and the complexities surrounding federal debt and entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. 

Their conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the legislative process, the impact of affective forecasting on political perceptions, and the disconnect between political actions and market performance. Michael also highlights the challenges of addressing long-term issues in a short-term political environment and the need for investors to filter out noise and focus on their long-term goals.

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The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

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