JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon went on a rant about the dysfunction in DC during the company’s earnings conference call Friday: The U.S. has become “one of the most bureaucratic, confusing, litigious societies on the planet”

Dimon had been considered for a position in President Trump’s cabinet. He’s been an adviser to Trump too. While there are some things Dimon clearly disagrees with the president on, they are able to work together: “He is the President of the United States. I believe he is the pilot flying our airplane,” Dimon said, “I would try to help any President of the United States because I’m a patriot.”

During the bank’s annual meeting in May, 2016, Dimon reportedly commented on what he thinks the government should work on:

Dimon emphasized the areas he believes are in serious need of fixing, including education, infrastructure, and tax reform.

“Our corporate tax system is driving capital and brains overseas and excessive regulation is reducing growth and business formation particularly for small businesses.”

“THE STUPID SH*T WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN THIS COUNTRY”

“It’s almost embarrassment to be an American citizen traveling around the world and listening to the stupid s— we have to deal with in this country,” Dimon said in response to an analyst question.

“Since the Great Recession, which is now 8 years old, we’ve been growing at 1.5 to 2 percent in spite of stupidity and political gridlock, because the American business sector is powerful and strong,” he said. ‘What I’m saying is that it would be much stronger growth if there were more intelligent decisions and less gridlock.”

The executive of the U.S. banking giant cited travels to countries such as France, Argentina, Israel and Ireland. The U.S. has become “one of the most bureaucratic, confusing, litigious societies on the planet” and “it’s hurting the average American that we don’t have these right policies,” he said.

JPMorgan Chase reported earnings that handily beat Wall Street estimates Friday. However, the bank lowered its forecast for lending revenue.

DC has been in gridlock over the health care bill, which is holding up the passage of new legislation on tax reform. The Senate cut short its August recess by two weeks in order to deal with health care. There are about a dozen Senators opposed to the current bill citing the possibility that this new health care bill is “Obamacare lite”. Senator Rand Paul has voiced strong opposition to this new bill.

Here’s the transcript from Dimon:

Since the Great Recession which is now eight years old we’ve been growing at 1.5 to 2% despite the stupidity and political gridlock. Because the American business sector is powerful and strong and is going to grow regardless of they went to feed their kids and want to buy home they want to do things the same as American businesses what I’m saying is it would be much stronger growth had we made intelligent decisions and that gridlock, and thank you for pointing it out because I’m going to be a broken record until this gets done, we are unable to build bridges, unable to build airports, not graduating.

I was just in France, in Argentina, Israel, Ireland we met with the Prime Minister of India and China it’s amazing to me that every single one of those countries understands that practical policies to promote business growth is good for the average citizens of those countries for jobs and wages and somehow this great American free enterprise system we no longer get it.

My view is corporate taxation is critical to that by the way regarding capital brings overseas, which is why the $2 trillion overseas benefiting all these other countries don’t like that, so if we don’t get our act together we can still grow. It’s just unfortunate but it’s hurting us, it’s hurting the body politic, it’s hurting the average American that we don’t have these right policies. So no in spite of gridlock we will grow at 1 ½ or 2%.

I don’t buy the argument that we are relegated to this effort. We are not this administration can make breakthroughs in taxes and infrastructure ready for reform we have become one of the most bureaucratic confusing litigious societies on the planet it’s almost an embarrassment be an American citizen traveling around the world and listening to the stupid s— we have to deal with in this country and at one point we have to get our act together. We won’t do what were supposed to for the average Americans and unfortunately people write about this like corporations is not corporations competitive taxes are important for business and business growth which is important to jobs in wage growth and we should be making that along to every single one of you every time you talk to a client.

VIA: CNBC

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.