Trump and Pruitt, Making America Polluted Again - Paul Krugman
Efforts to kill Obamacare have failed, at least for now. Tax reform which really means big tax cuts for the rich faces doubtful prospects. Indeed, these prospects may have become even more doubtful thanks to Louise Linton, wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin: Her now infamous Instagram rant may open at least a few voters eyes to the contempt populist Donald Trumps inner circle really feels for the little people.
So many observers are asking whether Trump can restart his stalled agenda. But that turns out to be a bad question, in a couple of ways.
First, Trump doesnt really have an agenda beyond winning. He has instincts and prejudices, but no interest in the details, or even the broad outlines, of policy. For example, its obvious that he never had any idea what was in his own partys health care plan. And he has definitely shown no interest in turning his populist rhetoric into anything concrete.
As a result, whatever personal feuds Trump may have with the Republican establishment, that establishment the same interest groups and ideologues whove been driving G.O.P. positions for decades is setting his administrations policy agenda.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/opinion/trump-pruitt-polluted-climate-.html?emc=edit_th_20170825&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=57435284