Even back when a Trump *nomination* was just a horrible dream, norms of civility and collegiality had already been destroyed. Even if there was a possibility that Republicans in Congress would feel some loyalty to their President, Trump drove a stake through its heart by disavowing any obligations to the Republican Party. I'm not even sure when the pretense of an obligation to serve the public disappeared.
The current Congressional norm is "every man for himself" (inclusive language doesn't seem very relevant in this context). If Trump says "repeal PPACA," a legislator who owes his soul to the company store insurance industry is going to be more loyal to his paymasters than to the president.
Back when tax rates were high, it was easy to get rich people to like you by promising to cut their taxes. Now that tax rates are low (I know it doesn't feel that way if you're paying a lot of FICA tax, but that's not an issue for rich people)this isn't much of a way to make friends and influence donors. And when the only people who are subject to estate tax are multimillionaires with REALLY bad lawyers, moaning about the "death tax" doesn't raise much enthusiasm either.
no subject
The current Congressional norm is "every man for himself" (inclusive language doesn't seem very relevant in this context). If Trump says "repeal PPACA," a legislator who owes his soul to the
company storeinsurance industry is going to be more loyal to his paymasters than to the president.Back when tax rates were high, it was easy to get rich people to like you by promising to cut their taxes. Now that tax rates are low (I know it doesn't feel that way if you're paying a lot of FICA tax, but that's not an issue for rich people)this isn't much of a way to make friends and influence donors. And when the only people who are subject to estate tax are multimillionaires with REALLY bad lawyers, moaning about the "death tax" doesn't raise much enthusiasm either.