If we’re serious about
Holiday shopping
President Biden could give all Americans a substantial holiday gift by lifting all tariffs for the balance of his term. Reducing prices on all imports right at the peak of holiday buying would help everyone’s wallet as well as mood. It would also make for an unavoidably noticeable contrast if/when the once and future president puts the program into place that he’s been babbling about.
Chuck Schumer could do the same by confirming the 47 judges whose nominations are outstanding. There’s time, just barely, if Schumer shows a level of energy and concern that have, so far, been missing in his performance. It might also earn him a shot at being minority leader after Jan. 3.
Schumer and John Thune could complete the tri-fecta by unanimously (or nearly so) refusing to confirm the most egregious of the nominees for cabinet and cabinet-level positions.
There is yet hope, and we must not let go of that. As long as we stand together and communicate, here, in person, and using every other form of interaction available to us, we can accomplish anything and the opposition will defeat themselves by their inability to understand anything other than the drive for personal power.
The Gaetz pick is really interesting.
I think people sometimes seriously underestimate that power of Trump's lizard brain.
I think he understands that he is at PEAK power right now because he has all of these government jobs to hand out. But his political power will begin to wane as every elected official begins thinking about the inevitable reconning coming in 2026 AND the fact that Trump won't be on the ballot in 2028.
Thune winning the secret ballot for Majority leader was huge. McConnell still runs that show in part because he has a huge pot of money that he can use to reward those who stick with him and punish those that don't. Cruz, for example, complained bitterly that McConnell didn't "spend a dime" in Texas. Yup, McConnell made him an example of what happens to those who step out of line.
So Trump has tossed down the gauntlet with the Matt Gaetz nomination and will use that to test the level of support that he really has in the Senate. If the Senate refuses to give up their power to review appointments, then the Gaetz confirmation process will be a CIRCUS. And Trump will be able to use that circus to support his claim that his agenda in being blocked by McConnell. How that fight turns out will likely lay the foundation for how the next two years are going to go.
Great letter, Dave.
I have hope. I really do believe in karma. Sometimes, too often, it just takes too long.