You're right. As for "think incrementally", I've been hearing that BS for the past forty years starting with the GOP slamming down the Regan social agenda because there were "more important things that have broader appeal"
The only incremental thinking that actually works within the DC Bubble is incrementally making sure anything Trump promised doesn't get done. Everything done by executive order can be undone the exact same way and as long as Ryan is the little tin god in charge he's going to make damn sure nothing that can't be undone in a heartbeat gets through Congress.
The US is tossing missiles around, sending carriers around the world, fighting for over a decade in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and meanwhile China is building a solid manufacturing and consumer powerhouse. Oddly enough, China is moving into the same sort of relationship to the US that the US had to the USSR. One nation a manufacturing, innovation, consumer, powerhouse, the other so focused on being a mighty military player that it bankrupts itself.
JMHo
Lest anyone forget, back when Trump wasn't really considered a contender around here I was one of his top fans.