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TRUMP’S POLITICAL MASTERSTROKE
Powerline ^ | August 8,2020 | BY PAUL MIRENGOFF

Posted on 08/08/2020 2:41:07 PM PDT by Hojczyk

President Trump says he will sign an Executive Order to ease the suffering of those harmed by the pandemic-related shutdowns and to stimulate the economy. Congress has failed to agree on a new package to accomplish these things.

Trump’s Executive Order would include these four components: (1) a payroll tax holiday until the end of the year, (2) an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits until the end of the year, (3) an extension of the eviction moratorium for federal subsidized housing, and (4) a suspension of student loan payments until further notice.

Questions surround the legality of accomplishing at least some of these things via executive order. Trump’s response to that might be, “so sue me.”

There are also questions about the fiscal impact of some of the measures, at least for those who still care about the national debt. In addition, there are questions about the efficacy of a payroll tax cut and the wisdom of extended generous unemployment benefits.

However, as a political matter, Trump’s move looks like a masterstroke. Since the days of FDR, the public has always seemed to approve of presidents who act to ameliorate suffering while Congress diddles. A flurry of activity, even of the futile or potentially counterproductive kind, makes a president look energetic and caring.

In this instance, Trump’s move might well force congressional Democrats to reach a deal. That outcome, too, would be a political win for the president.

(Excerpt) Read more at powerlineblog.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bloggers; debt; deficit; dsj03; medicare; powerlineblog; ssi; trumpeo
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To: NRx

“ We rejected monarchy 246 years ago. I am not inclined to start cheering it now.”

Monarchy? The Republic of 246 years ago is gone. It has been for decades...and you want to keep fighting a battle that was lost by carelessness so long ago?

The battle today is to fight a committed-to-the-death communist revolution, with a massive and you are worried about precedents? We are at kill or be killed. We face a massive fifth column - the Democrat Party - fully backed by foreign enemies China and Iran. It’s time to realize exactly where we are and stop worrying about things that don’t matter any longer. This is survival. If the Democrats win we fall immediately into totalitarianism- communist style - and you definitely won’t be talking about separation of powers or constitutionality then. The Party will be the only law that exists.


141 posted on 08/08/2020 4:20:13 PM PDT by Scott from the Left Coast (Make Orwell Fiction Again)
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To: SomeCallMeTim

You are a downer!....Meh!


142 posted on 08/08/2020 4:20:30 PM PDT by Guenevere (Press On!)
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To: SomeCallMeTim

Go bi*** at Roberts, not Trump. The SC opened the door with the DACA decision. Not fighting back is pitiful, not principled.

That’s in fact how the Ds have won so many times. The wuss-GOP would *never* stoop to so low a level and is perpetually surprised that the left did exactly what they got the GOP to promise not to do.

In short, the bridge is crossed, the line broken, decorum lost and what remains is winning or defeat.


143 posted on 08/08/2020 4:21:07 PM PDT by No.6
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To: SmokingJoe
You are a paid Pelosi troll is that it?

Uh.. yea.. right. I'm troll that's been hiding here for 22 years. Just waiting for the right time.

You'd prefer the federal government to pay Cuomo and DeBlasio tens of billions of dollars as reward for their screwing up the economy of New York?

No. Congress couldn't get it done. Fine. Go out and campaign against them. Try to get enough decent Congress Critters elected to do the right thing.

I don't want a President writing tax law by fiat. Call me crazy.

144 posted on 08/08/2020 4:21:43 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: SpeedyInTexas
What you're missing is: Republicans will JOIN them.

Democrats NEVER opposed King Obama when he did this crap. But, our side will.

145 posted on 08/08/2020 4:23:31 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: SomeCallMeTim

“Call me crazy.”
Allow me. You’re crazy.

No one here is a fan of this necessity.


146 posted on 08/08/2020 4:23:40 PM PDT by moehoward
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To: BenLurkin
I don’t think the President is concerned about a political masterstroke.

I believe he is doing what he truly believes is in the best interest of the American people.


You know how we always joke about 4D chess and all that? I really have come to believe that Trump knows how to play this game. Everything that he has ever done, no matter how seemingly random, that has made even his supposed supporters say "Oh, Trump stepped in it this time!" has played out in his favor, which is to say, in our favor. I think he is employing political masterstrokes in the service of the American people.

A lot of people, even on this forum, are extremely impatient with everything that needs to be done. Trump should have saved the economy, rebuilt the country and ended communism by the end of his first year!!! What has he been doing?!?!?!? This country didn't get into the sorry state that it is in in four years, nor ten, nor forty, and it isn't going to get out of it in four years either.

I really do see this as a chess game, and while many people are saying Attack! Attack with the queen! Just go straight in! Trump is looking at the board and saying "Nope. That's how you lose."
147 posted on 08/08/2020 4:25:04 PM PDT by fr_freak
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To: McGavin999

“Payroll Taxes” isn’t very specific...guess I have to wait until I have time to read the details in the EO. Thanks for the heads up.


148 posted on 08/08/2020 4:25:10 PM PDT by Drago
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To: datura
and you being inconvenienced is the real issue.

It's no extra work for me at all. The issue is: I don't want Presidents writing tax law with EO's.

149 posted on 08/08/2020 4:25:16 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: Hojczyk

DJT gave the RINO Pubbies and the Nancy/Chuck clown show every chance for a deal...

Those chowderheads blew it...


150 posted on 08/08/2020 4:26:06 PM PDT by MCEscherHammer
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To: SomeCallMeTim

If a court knocks it down, it goes up the chain. People will be even more pissed if a court stops them from getting immediate relief during a crisis.


151 posted on 08/08/2020 4:26:18 PM PDT by doug from upland (Why the hell isn't Hillary Rodham Clinton in prison yet?)
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To: blackberry1

“The whole Covid scheme was hatched to take him and the US down. He’s called their bluff and raised em some. The new game begins after Nov.”

BINGO..... we have a winner folks.


152 posted on 08/08/2020 4:29:17 PM PDT by LastDayz (A blunt and brazen Texan. I will not be assimilated.)
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To: fhayek
If they sue and win, the President will campaign that it is the Democrats who are against government aid to the Covid unemployed. If they lose, Trump will claim all the credit. If they come back to negotiate, they will have to cave.

Sad that this is the state of our current political discourse. But, if sides are to be chosen, I know which side I'm on.

153 posted on 08/08/2020 4:29:34 PM PDT by glorgau
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To: SmokingJoe
Say, I haven't seen you on the unconstitutional compulsory lockdowns and masks threads, to complain about mask diktats being enforced by power drunk Dem governors and mayors have I? Why complain about Trump's executive orders now?

I haven't noticed a great many such threads. Of course, I think these Democrat Governors are grossly over-reaching. A few legislatures have stepped up and challenged them. Not nearly enough. Quite a few judges were over-ruling them.. until John Roberts et. al. jumped in the mix.

I think this is a mistake. We'll see how it plays out.

154 posted on 08/08/2020 4:30:17 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: SomeCallMeTim
and will be knocked down in the courts

On what basis. The SC DACA decision that let an illegal EO stand because CJ Roberts was again had to be the cleverist dick ever to hold a position on the SC? Is he going to overturn his own precedent?

You see the liberals, and I include Bobs, the Compromised, here, have themselves in a wringer. Are they going to sue?

155 posted on 08/08/2020 4:31:00 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Hojczyk

Either it happens without challenge OR the donkeys due to prevent Trump’s relief measures from being implemented.

Your move Pelosi. LOLOLOL!!!!!


156 posted on 08/08/2020 4:32:02 PM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: yukong

Great post!! BTTT!!


157 posted on 08/08/2020 4:33:02 PM PDT by musicman (The future is just a collection of successive nows.)
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To: Recovering Ex-hippie
please share us all the better ways to do this than the way Trump is doing it

How about: Going out and winning an election and then following the constitution? There IS a right way to change tax law. This, it NOT it.

How thrilled are you going to be when Trump does the same thing to grant citizenship to all the DACA kids. That's coming... he's already said so.

158 posted on 08/08/2020 4:33:57 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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To: DoodleDawg

Again I believe you are mistaken. I thought I read that he stated if he is reelected he will “forgive” the deferment.

That being said, I could have misinterpreted his comments.

You seem to prefer having those who need this help, due to circumstances out of their control, suffer.

Why is that?


159 posted on 08/08/2020 4:34:29 PM PDT by Pox (Eff You China. Buy American!)
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To: xenia
I think that day has passed. Reading comments..

I think you're right. People don't care anymore whether the constitution is followed. And, our SCOTUS sure as hell doesn't care. So, why should we?

This cannot end well.

160 posted on 08/08/2020 4:37:19 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
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