Thursday, November 07, 2024
Political Mayhem Thursday: Now with even more mayhem!
Was I surprised by the outcome of the election? Yes, I was. Do I have some predictions about what comes next? Also yes:
-- First, the world isn't ending. And we have about two and a half months left of the Biden Presidency (remember him?) that could be very consequential-- if Biden is active and engaged. That could be a very big "if."
-- Second, some of the things Trump described doing "on day one" are just impossible to implement. For example, mass deportations would require huge amounts of personnel to carry out, and they just aren't available "on day one." Day 560, maybe... but even then it would be a hugely expensive and disruptive project and it could be we stop hearing about that for a while.
-- Third, the Elon Musk/Donald Trump relationship is inherently unstable. They both love the limelight, and Trump will be loath to share it. If they turn on one another, it will be a battle royal.
-- Fourth, the one thing Trump seems most likely to do is to cut taxes. He did that last time, after all, rather than build the wall and get Mexico to pay for it (among other things he talked about a lot in the campaign). Certainly, those tax cuts could juice the economy for a while, but it will also spike the national debt. But.... I seem to be the only person in America who pays attention to the national debt.