General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDonald Trump's populism is dying
In sum, Trump's emotion-laden campaign promises turn to dust when he actually tries to implement them. In the real world, populism has few concrete, viable solutions to offer the United States. Not surprisingly, when Americans see how it works in practice, they recoil against the mean-spirited anti-immigrant measures, an alliance with anti-democratic kleptocrats and the reverse Robin Hood schemes that widen the inequality gap. Bannon's mumbo-jumbo about "deconstruction of the administrative state" apparently means a healthcare scheme which keeps much of Obamacare's architecture (but favors rich people), enhanced police powers to go after hard-working immigrants and refusal to touch Medicare and Social Security. Populism hence becomes Robber Baron-ism.
Perhaps it took Trump to discredit the whole grab bag of ideas and remind us that putting "America first" means maintaining leadership in the world, keeping markets open and staying true to our values.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-populism-america-first-20170309-story.html
JHan
(10,173 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)But at least she's moving in the right direction.
nikibatts
(2,198 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)Maybe retired
Gothmog
(145,488 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)rockfordfile
(8,704 posts)dalton99a
(81,566 posts)zentrum
(9,865 posts)...most part, it's too late.
They don't care what the "populace" says or feels at all. The populace was only useful to get elected.
They have seized all the power centers of the main institutions. They have almost undone all checks and balance. In one month.
They will "pacify" the populace with a war---that is, they will shut up the majority with some big patriotic violence abroad.
It was a coup.
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)Are DOA. Once his zombies lose their HC they might wake up.
RainAndMoreRain
(54 posts)Not a real one.
Populism = having the rich pay their fair share.
Now that would sell.
George II
(67,782 posts)ananda
(28,873 posts).. his only master is Vladimir Putin.
gordianot
(15,242 posts)You cannot depend just being the other Party. The Democratic Party needs to establish why their choices make a difference. Hope there is enough time.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)Populism tends to be driven by resentment of one kind or another, and resentment is rarely the basis for good policy.
gordianot
(15,242 posts)Messaging needs to be improved.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)JudyM
(29,265 posts)MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)a component of "small government"? RWers never have an answer for this. Surely the founding fathers would have a problem with the US becoming a police state.