The Political Con of Donald Trump

Donald Trump has consistently demonstrated himself to be a master of deception. Throughout his career as a businessman, he has left a trail of disillusioned investors who suffered financial losses in his ill-fated ventures, all while he profited handsomely. From students who invested thousands in his defunct educational programs to countless unpaid contractors, Trump’s history is riddled with examples of exploitation. Even during his current presidential campaign, he continues to market overpriced gold sneakers and Trump Bibles manufactured in China.

However, perhaps Trump’s most consequential con has been his political persona: he has artfully crafted an image of himself as a distinct breed of Republican, an advocate for the working-class American. This self-portrait has proven effective, particularly in garnering substantial support among working-class people of color. Yet, the troubling display of racism witnessed at his recent rally in Madison Square Garden in New York — where a comedian opened with derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico and made a racially insensitive joke about a Black man — could undermine that support as the campaign approaches its finale.

The reality is that where Trump’s policy proposals diverge from traditional Republican orthodoxy, they often do so by being even more antilabor and favoring the wealthy elite than the party’s historical stance.

Background on Economic Ideology

To understand the broader context, it is essential to recognize that since the 1970s, the two primary political parties in the United States have diverged significantly in their economic ideologies. Generally, Democrats advocate for increased taxes on the wealthy alongside a stronger social safety net, while Republicans promote lower taxes for corporations and affluent individuals, often offset by cuts to social programs.

The Case of Kamala Harris

In this landscape, Kamala Harris embodies a conventional Democratic stance. She has put forth proposals for tax increases predominantly targeting high-income Americans, while simultaneously advocating for expanded tax credits for families with children. Additionally, her initiative to broaden Medicare to encompass home health care for seniors represents a monumental advancement for millions of families in need.

An Aside: I find it perplexing that some individuals assert that Harris has not provided sufficient policy details. It seems to me that these critiques stem from a desire to appear balanced or fair, rather than a genuine concern for policy transparency.