[JayGalt]

Time will give us more data to work with. The FC is a mixed bag and whether or not they saved us or even whether the whole drama is playing out a scenario worked out behind the scenes by principals is something I don’t believe we will ever know.

If Trump were more interested in the deal than the specifics it would be because having a deal let him get another part of his agenda in place, gave him leverage to accomplish his tasks. Trump stated that he would not sign a final bill that he did not feel would advance the free market system and saftey net approach he outlined during the campaign. I believe him, you do not.

I think that because he is playing hardball he is shaking up the trees and we will see lots of angst but in the end we will have actual useful legislation come out of Congress rather than the gridlock and partisan trash we have seen. In the mean time he is defunding fluff, cutting regulations and putting Americans back to work. I tend to trust a man like than.

[Yosemitest]

" ... or even whether the whole drama is playing out a scenario worked out behind the scenes by principals
is something I don’t believe we will ever know. ... "

We may not ... but sooner or later EVERYTHING is revealed, because too many people want to be in the "spotlight".
I think that we'll eventually know "WHO proposed WHAT, and WHEN, ... and WHO said 'NO', and WHO said 'YES' ".

" ... leverage ... "

I remember another "Leverager" that was studied in many collages, by the nickname of "Mister Peanut",
and we all know how THAT turned out.

" ... and we will see lots of angst
but in the end we will have actual useful legislation come out of Congress
rather than the gridlock and partisan trash we have seen. ... "

Don't bet on it !

You do NOT have a REAL GRASP of JUST HOW MUCH ...
the "ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS" LOATHE Trump,
and to WHAT EXTENT they'll go to ... to take Trump OUT !