The Blathering Businessman

October 27, 2024: Will Trump and Vance Help the Middle Class?

There’s a cynical version of the Golden Rule that says, “He who has the gold makes the rules. And the rule I make is this: even more gold for me.” Curiously, this is a straightforward way to explain wealth inequality in our nation. The mighty influence that corporations and billionaires have in our political system allows them to introduce legislation (make the rules) that keeps more money and power flowing their way (more gold for me). The ensuing runaway social stratification has left the American middle class (you) without much, and without much to say about it. The political agenda to help the middle class, and the political agenda to please the wealthy are, in general, two different agendas.
Donald Trump and JD Vance have promised to help the middle class and American workers. But consider this:

When Donald J. Trump described the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom, as being “much better” than the military Congressional Medal of Honor1, was he trying to offend military service members? Probably not. He was more likely so eager to flatter his billionaire megadonor, Miriam Adelson, that he spoke this huge political gaffe without thinking.

Was Donald Trump trying to insult union workers when he said to Elon Musk,

“You’re the greatest cutter, I look at what you do. You walk in and say, ‘You want to quit?’ I won’t mention the name of the company, but they go on strike, and you say, ’That’s OK. You’re all gone.2'”

Probably not. He was sympathizing so enthusiastically with this billionaire megadonor that he blathered out this hideous blunder.

While Donald Trump was working at a McDonald's restaurant in Pennsylvania, a reporter asked him, “Are you in favor of raising the minimum wage?” Donald Trump answered,

“Well, I think this: I think these people work hard, they’re great, and I just saw something, the process. It’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful thing to see, these are great franchises, they produce a lot of jobs3.”

So, I ask you, do you believe that Trump and Vance have the fortitude and stubborn resolution it will take to address wealth inequality in our nation? Do you think that Donald Trump is better than Kamala Harris on the economy? Unless you are a billionaire, addressing wealth inequality is what will make the economy better for you.

Let’s suppose a bill to address wealth inequality is introduced in congress. What would be in the bill? Reputable economists can present reasonable suggestions about how wealth inequality could be addressed. Let’s suppose these solutions are put in the proposed legislation. It is likely that such a bill would encounter immediate opposition from Republican congress members, so let me ask you this: Do you feel that Trump and Vance will have the guts and courage to stand against their fellow republicans on such a matter?