how should one react to left populism by executive order? i think this is really hard. 1/

should one applaud him for at least making a clear attempt to finally deliver for people, rather than throwing up his hands, mumbling “Congress” and overselling the very modest reforms Congress permits? but then we are buttressing lawless authoritarianism, trading a “win” for losing everything. 2/

should one stand defiantly on procedural and “democracy” grounds, denounce the lawlessness, de facto present oneself an ally of rapacious pharma? 3/

maybe the right position is “support the idea, denounce the implementation, challenge Congress to make it law”. 4/

but the if Congress does finally deliver pharma price restraint in response to Trump’s bombasts, it’d be a huge victory, a real achievement for the administration. how does one weigh elevating the worst people in the world against providing a very real victory for the public? /fin