The 1600: Before Abundance, Democrats Need To Show Competence

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The Insider’s Track

Good morning,

I do not think highly of most politicians, if you couldn’t tell, and believe as a general rule that you need to be something of a sociopath to go into national politics. But I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for my senator, Chuck Schumer—mostly just because he lives nearby and I see him around. The guy is a worker, always out pressing the flesh, kissing babies, meeting constituents. There’s regularly protesters outside his apartment here in Brooklyn, and he never whines or complains about it… unlike most other elected officials who blow a gasket anytime they’re forced to actually engage with the public they ostensibly represent. I respect that. But it’s time for Chuck to retire.

Schumer was on ‘The View’ yesterday defending his decision to roll over on the government shutdown showdown last week. The interview came just before Nancy Pelosi said this when asked about Schumer caving to Senate Republicans on the spending plan: “I myself don’t give away anything for nothing.” Ouch.

But what got my attention from ‘The View’ appearance was when Schumer started talking about Americans’ feelings about taxes. Speaking of the American taxpayer, he said in a kind of patronizing tone:

“You know what their attitude is, ‘I made my money all by myself. How dare your government take my money from me?’ … They hate government, government is a barrier to people. A barrier to stop them from doing things.”

I thought this was a striking thing to hear from the man who is, in effect, the current leader of the Democratic party.

Americans tolerate paying taxes predicated on the belief that their hard-earned money is going toward the public good, for a better future for their kids—or at least toward something tangible. We Americans get slandered around the world as a bunch of fat, lazy, selfish slobs. But we’re actually some of the most generous, tolerant people on the planet. We are cool with our taxes going to welfare and social programs for the less fortunate—because we know that could be us one day, and these are our fellow citizens who need a hand. We understand that our prosperity as a nation is dependent on everyone getting a fair shake. What we are less cool with is handing out our money to pointless government programs and NGOs, as is the Democrat way.

Here in New York, which has some of the highest taxes in the country, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see where those tax dollars are going. On our two-block walk to school yesterday, my daughter and I encountered one guy having a psychotic breakdown and dodged another guy smoking a huge blunt, all as we stepped over the usual mountains of trash on the sidewalk (aside: if you’re already smoking weed at 8:30 on a Tuesday, you need to reevaluate some things). One crosswalk was blocked by an idling NYPD patrol car, while a cop sat inside mindlessly scrolling his phone. Later, on my way to work, I watched a woman in an $800 Canada Goose jacket casually beat the subway fare. When the train showed up (late), I was immediately greeted by a migrant woman going car-to-car selling candy with her baby strapped to her back—a now common (and heartbreaking) sight here in the Big Apple.

This is more than just the typical post-pandemic breakdown in the social contract. Democrats like Schumer need to understand that the cities and states in which they control all levers of power, the quality of life has deteriorated—while the cost of living has only increased— so much that even once bleeding-heart libs like myself are finding it increasingly difficult to justify the price of raising our families here. How do they expect to earn enough votes to govern the country when the places they do govern operate at DMV levels of competence, even with a tax base that would make most other countries envious?

There’s a new book out from Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, two very smart centrist liberals from the NYT and Atlantic, respectively, called Abundance. The thesis of the book is essentially what I am lamenting here. Democrats have so lost the plot, catering to their left flank, identity politics and special interest groups, that they have forgotten how to do the basics of governing. Klein and Thompson argue in the opening pages that “we need to build and invent more of what we need for the future we want.” This sounds like a great blueprint for the party’s comeback, but I would start even more basic: deliver a world where my tax dollars pay so that my toddler can walk to school without fear of being accosted or getting a contact high.

Once you prove you can do that, I might support you again.

The Rundown

Zelensky Sees Timeline for End of Ukraine War, Will Speak to Trump Today

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in 2025 with a “decent peace.” Speaking in Finland, Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees to prevent future aggression. “Otherwise, Putin will return with war,” he warned. Zelensky and Donald Trump are set to speak later today following the U.S. president’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more from Newsweek’s Shane Croucher.

Also happening:

Exclusive—DOGE stimulus check update: The creator behind the proposal to issue $5,000 ‘DOGE dividend’ checks to American taxpayers told Newsweek that legislation is “coming very soon.” James Fishback, CEO of Azoria investment firm, revealed ongoing discussions with lawmakers and expressed optimism that a formal bill will be introduced shortly. Read more.
Roberts rebukes Trump: Chief Justice John Roberts dismissed calls for impeaching federal judges after President Trump urged the removal of a judge who ruled against his deportation policies. Roberts’ statement was met with MAGA backlash and at least two members of Congress have announced plans to introduce impeachment articles against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. Read the full story.
Trump’s tariffs: U.S. business leaders and trade organizations have expressed anxiety over the potential impacts of President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The duties are expected to increase costs for industries from construction and automotive to producers of appliances and consumer goods. Here’s how the industry is reacting.
JFK files released: The Trump administration released the remaining files related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy Jr., containing roughly 80,000 pages. “The release of these records is long overdue,” Trump said in his January executive order. Read the documents here.