Paul Ryan and The Donald tried to pass a healthcare bill that nobody liked. When the bill ran into trouble with the Freedom Caucus, Ryan threw in a few changes to win their support. That did not work either. The Donald learned that healthcare reform is complicated. He is now moving to tax reform. David Brooks provides an overview on tax reform. Trump campaigned as a populist but Paul Ryan, and the rest of the Republican Party, are stuck in the past. They continue to believe that cutting taxes for the rich will stimulate the economy and make everyone happy. Ryan's tax plan is as anti-populist as the failed healthcare plan. Brooks believes that Trump will learn that tax policy, like healthcare policy, is complicated. Ryan/Trump hope that they can pass a tax reform bill early this summer and get a big win. They are more likely to suffer another big loss. That is not a good way to get ready for the 2018 election.
Paul Ryan has taken the position that he is the policy guy for the Republican Party. He had the press believing this for many years by proposing policies that would reduce the federal budget deficit by making huge cuts in popular entitlement programs. The NYT used to be in that camp. The NYT editors have finally learned that Ryan is an empty suit. Trump once argued that Ryan's policy plans cost Romney the 2012 election. He changed the game by campaigning on a platform that protected popular entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. That helped him to win the GOP primaries. Trump is now stuck with the policy guru in the House. Unfortunately Ryan is stuck in the 1980's.
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