Democrats will catch the car

Trump just called his base stupid. That may keep them away from the polls in 2026 and 2028. In 2017, they wrapped him in cotton. This time, he really has to govern. This means he has to actually make deals if he wants his agenda passed - or be graceful when it cannot be. He is learning on the job this time.

Still, an alienated MAGA base means that the neoliberal Democrats - the ones who raise money to win elections - now have to worry about what happens the rest of the time. It means they have to raise taxes on business, interest and capital gains (which the populists will want to) and do so by compromising with Republicans at a rate between 25% and 29%, with capital gains taxed a point of sale rather than at the end of the year - so 26% will be adequate.

More importantly, they need to work on wage equity. Not just minimum wages of $14.50 for a 26 hour, 4 day week - with a $1000 child tax credit and a $13.25 student/stay at home parent/long term unemployment insurance rate; but also by changing how inflation is compensated.

People do not earn cost of living increases - and awarding them on a percentage of income basis has some people starve while others by their second EV and McMansion. Government contractors, employees and beneficiaries need to accept an equal dollar per hour increase - which private industry will likely replicate because they are cheap.

This will hit the donor base of the Dems harder than they expect - but that is the choice between fundraising and governing. This is what happens when you catch the car.