WASHINGTON, D.C. Sept. 2 (DPI) – The New York Times, in a news report this week, skewered a provision in Trump’s 2017 tax law that enables the wealthy to avoid capital gains on old investments when they pour those funds in newly designated “opportunity zones.”

The Times report took the view that the wealthy are only getting wealthier off the scheme, and that the poor won’t be benefiting all that much, since many of the “opportunity zones” include neighborhoods that aren’t all that poor. The report does note, though, the “Opportunity Zones” were chosen by the states, and not by Washington or the White House.

“But somehow,” wrote one poster, “This writer has turned this program into an Anti-Trump diatribe.”

The tax rule enables those with long-unsold assets – like stock holdings – to sell them and avoid capital gains taxes if they invest in real-estate development projects in the recently designated zones. After a decade the investor may realize substantial tax savings – and be subject to no federal taxation on profits of the new investment.

More than 1,000 reader comments popped up with the report, and most of those howling about the injustice of it all. But a few – including several recommended by Times editors – provided some valuable insights about the tax-avoidance program:

NYT, you are missing the point. Capital gains taxes tend to keep money on the sidelines – investors with capital gains tend to hold on to those investments and thus never pay ANY taxes. This is called Stranded Capital and is largely unproductive. The tax incentive fosters investment in “opportunity zones” by releasing the otherwise stranded capital. The mechanics of the program are sound – it is not necessarily a handout to the rich. You may take exception with whether the “opportunity zones” are well thought out or achieving their intended goal and this is indeed worthy of a discussion. But please stop with the “handout to the rich” narrative. It is a distraction and not a productive use of the NYTs talents.

The Opportunity Zone program is far from perfect as a way to create jobs and rehabilitate blighted neighborhoods. But the focus of this article is to evoke outrage on a tax break for the rich. Did the Times author think that poor people would finance this redevelopment? Almost any incentive to attract large amounts of capital will be targeted at the wealthy—that’s where the money is (apologies to Willie Suttons).

The forlorn downtown of New Rochelle, NY is being revitalized thanks to this program. More than 5,000 rentals are planned or under construction, the vast majority of which are located within walking distance of the train station. Eyesores and vacant lots are being replaced with attractive high-rises. Eventually, most of the vacant stores will be rented, and New Rochelle could become a destination downtown. Yes, we all know that the developers who have the ability to construct 20-story apartment buildings are already wealthy, and will become wealthier, which is the crux of this article. But look at the benefits. And by the way, the New Rochelle mayor and city council, who have been fast-tracking these developments, are all Democrats. But somehow, this writer has turned this program into an anti-Trump diatribe.