The most likely explanation of his actions, which have provoked a crisis in the region (and pushed Qatar into the arms of Iran) is<br />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.<br />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<br />and businesses don’t seem to be pricing in the risk of really disastrous policy.<br />Normally, we would consider it ridiculous to suggest<br />that an American president could be so ignorant of crucial issues, and be led to take dangerous foreign policy moves with such crude inducements.<br />In North Carolina, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield has filed for a 23 percent rise in premiums, but declared<br />that it would have asked for only 9 percent if it were sure that cost-sharing subsidies would continue.<br />Wrecking the Ship of State -<br />After Donald Trump’s surprise election victory, many people on the right<br />and even in the center tried to make the case that he wouldn’t really be that bad.<br />It’s still unclear whether Republicans will ever be able to pass a replacement for Obamacare (although it is clear<br />that if they do, it will take coverage away from tens of millions).
