Color me amongst the dubious of the about-to-be-minted House Democrat majority doing anything reasonable – let alone productive.
Democrats Load “Subpoena Cannon” With 85+ Trump Targets:
“House Democrats plan to probe every aspect of President (Donald) Trump’s life and work, from family business dealings to the Space Force to his tax returns to possible ‘leverage’ by Russia, top Democrats tell us….
“Top Democrats, who had largely avoided the subject during the campaign, now tell us they plan to almost immediately begin exploring possible grounds for impeachment….
“Two of the most powerful incoming chairs tell ‘Axios on HBO’ that they are plotting action far beyond Russian interference in the 2016 elections.”
So if you voted for Democrats…well, sorry, you’re a fool. But if you did it in the hopes of advancing the interests of the American people – or for any reason other than you want them to waste two years on wild Trump goose chases – well, you’re a sucker and a fool.
During the run up to the election, the Leftist media (please pardon the redundancy) did their very best to hide from Americans the Democrats loading their subpoena cannon.
And pretended the Donkeys instead planned to do, you know, actual governing.
Democrats as Dealmakers? Where Pelosi Might Work with Trump
If Dems Regain House, Pelosi, McConnell Could Make Deals
House Democrats Seek Deals With Trump
Then the Democrats won the House. Trump, for his part, was magnanimous and optimistic.
Trump Congratulates (Nancy) Pelosi after Democrats take House Majority
Donald Trump Endorses Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House
Trump Vows ‘Beautiful’ Deals with Democrats
I’m thinking Trump’s optimism – was exceedingly fleeting.
Newly Empowered, House Democrats Plan to Launch Immediate Investigations of Trump
Nancy Pelosi: (Robert) Mueller Doesn’t Have to Indict Trump for Congress to Impeach Him
So the House Democrat majority intends to spend LOTS of time drilling dry scandal holes. Excellent news.
What about, you know, actual policy?
President Trump has spent the last two years very successfully renegotiating US trade deals with nations throughout the world – for the very much better.
Trump’s New Trade Deal with Canada and Mexico is Winning Early Praise
Trump and EU Officials Agree to Work Toward ‘Zero Tariff’ Deal
Get that “zero tariff?” It is more – and more important – than just that:
“‘We agreed today, first of all, to work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers and zero subsidies on non-auto industrial goods,’ Trump said to applause from several House and Senate members present.”
So it’s not just no tariffs – it’s zero-zero-zero. Zero tariffs, zero import limits and zero domestic subsidies. None of those things – is a very, very good thing.
The soon-to-be House Democrat majority does not appear to want to let these successes stand. And it looks like they intend on opposing any similar successes going forward.
Fate of Trump Trade Agenda Likely to Rest with Democrats:
“Emboldened by reclaiming the House for the first time since 2010, Democrats may be disinclined to help Trump enact his trade agenda.”
Democrats’ House Victory Complicates Trump’s Trade Agenda:
“Losing a GOP House majority spells significant trouble Trump’s agenda on several other fronts….”
Why would House Democrats oppose Trump’s improvements of US trade deals?
For reasons political – and policy.
Political:
Democrats just claimed their House majority – on a platform that was nigh exclusively “We Loathe Trump.”
Their freakazoid Left base wants Democrats to “Resist!” Trump – not work with him. He’s literally Hitler, after all.
Any signs of Democrat cooperation with Trump – would be met with violent anger from the freaks who elected them. Because these freaks – are violently angry. Constantly. Incessantly. It’s their thing.
Policy:
Democrats LOVE huge government. The more government – the merrier Democrats are.
But more government – is the antithesis of Trump’s zero-zero-zero trade agenda.
Zero tariffs – means no government taxes. Zero import limits – means no government command and control. Zero subsidies – means no government money for cronies.
So it is inordinately difficult to see the soon-to-be Democrat majority – doing anything helpful on Trump Trade.
It is unfortunately easy to see the soon-to-be Democrat majority – doing many things unhelpful on Trump trade.
Here’s hoping Democrats’ desire to keep their majority – by at least pretending not to be completely insane – at the very least tempers their ardor.
Here’s hoping Democrats at the very least adhere to Broadway producer Martin Gabel’s admonition:
“Don’t just do something – stand there.”
This first appeared in Red State.