From the opening night of the Trump RNC, one of the big pieces of news was an attempted bribe, let’s be direct here, of the American people, or of, at least, the Republican base:
President Donald Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections, prompting questions about how the benefit would work, whether it is legal and where the funds would come from. [WaPo]
You scratch my tummy, I’ll scratch yours. The Republican base has a history of not turning out when the President isn’t on the ticket, and this is well known. Some may respond to the bribe. Some independents may respond as well.
But it’s noteworthy how much this is in keeping with the World of Trump, where wealth rules supreme, morality is virtually ignored, and life is a series of transactions. Can Trump coax votes out of an angry, even desperate, electorate? Will they jump at the chance of getting $5000 of their own money, their own investment in good government?
Or will the anger at the Republicans intensify? Buying forgiveness has a long history of disapproval, even loathing, albeit often performative loathing, in American politics.
My suspicion is that a lot of Americans will look at the long-term consequences of supporting the Republicans, give a long sigh, and support Democrats and independents, instead.
