Trump Negotiations 101: Cut Meals on Wheels

Everyone is taking the bait.  Trump does not actually want to cut "Meals on Wheels."

Democrats stand to get snookered.

 Republican officeholders stand to look reasonable and compassionate. 

Government entitlement-haters get to think they are listened to.

Most important:  Trump gets more of what he really wants.

Democrats need to understand: it is just a negotiating position, setting the stage for "reasonable compromise."

Democrats do need to understand the reality that in fact a lot of people like the Trump budget, as is.  Trump presented a budget document that was intended to appeal to a political base that wants money spent on the military rather than programs to help lazy, handout-seeking people who are sponging off them.  It is a Trump promise kept--cut payments to the supposed undeserving.   A great many Americans receive government money in one form or another.   They consider themselves fully justified (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Disability payments, Mortgage interest deductions, Accelerated Depreciation, farm price supports, Pell Grants, solar energy tax credits, electric car rebate, etc.) but they simultaneously consider the money given to others to be unjust and abusive, especially if it goes to people unlike themselves economically or racially.  

"Jaws Drop": Exactly the Headline Trump Wants

A great many people persist in thinking that undocumented immigrants get free everything, from housing, food stamps, phones, healthcare.  It isn't true.  They don't qualify for any of those.  The fact that the presumption persists shows how powerful is this idea.  So the Trump initiative in cutting Planned Parenthood, Public TV, Public Radio, the Councils for the Arts and the Humanities, the EPA, after school meals for school children, the State Department, foreign aid all fit into a pattern of promises kept to that wide constituency who opposes money sent to constituencies of liberal elitists.

Don't worry:  Congress will save it.

By having Mulvaney speak publicly that he was concerned for the struggling taxpayer, not just the struggling housebound senior, he confirmed Trump's promise to cut benefits for the undeserving.  Trump looks tough.

And now, of course, Trump will get overruled by the Congress.   GOP officeholders who want to sound tough on spending--but who are still need to sound reasonable--now have an easy example for their compassion and common sense.  They will vote to save Meals on Wheels.  It gives them political cover.  It allows them to cut other programs, each of which have their constituencies and detractors, but they will appear "balanced" since at least they supported Meals on Wheels.

Democrats need to avoid focusing on this one.   If they aren't careful Democrats will "win" the battle to save Meals on Wheels.  Winning would be bad!  That would position Trump as "meeting Democrats half way" which is what Trump wants.  Cutting the EPA and State Department and American "soft power" but saving Meals on Wheels is not "half way."  

Remember, this is a negotiation and Democrats should try to be as good at it as is Trump. The more Democrats talk about the value of Meals on Wheels the better for Trump and the worse for them because it is their weakest argument; it shifts the midpoint and balance of the negotiation.  Opposing the Meals on Wheels cut assumes that it was serious and realistic, and that it set a midpoint for cuts.  

Democrats should focus on the big programs that provide widespread public benefit including American soft power, the EPA protection against cancer, etc.  Let Republicans save Meals on Wheels.  Democrats should scoff that Republicans have to fight to save it and not lift a finger lest they legitimize Trump's gambit.

Democrats should not defend Meals on Wheels.  They should publicly laugh at Republicans for having to save it, thus preserving the area of reasonable give and take.   But what if Republicans don't save Meals on Wheels?   Democrats should be so lucky.