The most likely explanation of his actions, which have provoked a crisis in the region (and pushed Qatar into the arms of Iran) is
that the Saudis flattered him — the Ritz-Carlton projected a five-story image of his face on the side of its Riyadh property — and their lobbyists spent large sums at the Trump Washington hotel.
And it’s true that while Wall Street has lost some of its initial enthusiasm for Trumponomics — the dollar is back down to pre-election levels — investors
and businesses don’t seem to be pricing in the risk of really disastrous policy.
Normally, we would consider it ridiculous to suggest
that an American president could be so ignorant of crucial issues, and be led to take dangerous foreign policy moves with such crude inducements.
In North Carolina, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield has filed for a 23 percent rise in premiums, but declared
that it would have asked for only 9 percent if it were sure that cost-sharing subsidies would continue.
Wrecking the Ship of State -
After Donald Trump’s surprise election victory, many people on the right
and even in the center tried to make the case that he wouldn’t really be that bad.
It’s still unclear whether Republicans will ever be able to pass a replacement for Obamacare (although it is clear
that if they do, it will take coverage away from tens of millions).
