It's Time To Dial Down Our Response To Trump Chaos

[DonViejo]

Froma Harrop

May 8, 2018 3:27 am

For Donald Trump’s critics, it’s tempting to jump on every juicy reveal regarding the president’s sex romps. The swirl of accusations, denials, contradictions, backstabbing and confusion does keep us entertained. Today’s story revolves around the hush money sent to porn actress Stormy Daniels. And the unconfirmed report of a tawdry frolic with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel — what Trump calls the “golden shower thing” — still hovers.

Though amusing on some levels, these seeming confirmations of low character nonetheless act as stimuli setting off stress responses. They also take attention off more serious crises, such as the collapse in health coverage, exploding deficits and a potentially catastrophic trade war.

And though the sex stories come off as sordid, what the president does with consensual adults is ultimately his business. The one concern is the extent to which such interactions may have resulted in breaking campaign finance laws — or, more terrifying, help our Russian adversaries undermine our democratic institutions. Let special counsel Robert Mueller and other investigators look into the parts that matter.

It is Trump’s practice to hide his unpopular actions in clouds of confusion. The apparent goal is to disorient the public as to what’s really going on. Whether flogged on purpose or not, the relatively unimportant storylines of carnal adventure make for a very effective distraction.

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http://www.nationalmemo.com/its-time-to-dial-down-our-response-to-trump-chaos/

[kentuck]

1. Is it even possible?

The chaos cannot be controlled.

[yallerdawg]

2. I stand with Stormy Daniels!

What can make this all go away? Please. please, please!

"A resignation!"

[karynnj]

3. Good advise, but very hard to follow

It is of no value to "prove" that Trump is a disgusting, creepy person, with few (if any) redeeming characteristics. His base likely sees all of that, but also sees that THEY are winning. The more we are seen as the source of these ugly stories, the easier it is for them to argue them as "fake news".

As importantly, it makes it harder for them to come to the realization that THEY are not winning - they are not in a better position. Their healthcare is worse, programs that directly or indirectly helped them are losing funding. They did not get a lot (if anything) from the huge tax cut program, but ultimately they might see that they are asked to sacrifice to prevent the deficit from exploding -- while the tax cut beneficiaries keep much of their gains.

More likely, they won't try to fix the deficit before 2020. Think cynically. The huge deficit IS a stimulus package, albeit a poorly targeted one voted in at a point where the economy was about 7 years into an expansion. (Remember how they fought the stimulus package when the economy was close to the cliff. THAT is when a stimulus package is justified.) Currently, all those borrowed dollars are "goosing" the economy. That wages for many are STILL NOT INCREASING to the degree that they did in past expansions just shows the structural problems - that will be exasperated when the economy cycles downward, which at some point it will.

I agree that we are better off speaking of real issues. However, I am more pessimistic than I ever have been. Given the wide gap between the "tribes". I don't see any way the center expands. Trump has succeeded in pushing the groups further apart than they ever have been. Of course, this started before Trump, but it is more clear than ever that there is not a common vision of what the US stands for. Worse, it is like all disagreements have been reduced to all caps tweets.