It has now been three weeks since Donald Trump stunned the political world by winning the presidency. At Shift, we’ve used the time since to explore some election lessons learned, from the Democrats’ much-desired state income tax still being a political loser to Jay Inslee proving to have no coattails to help other Democrats on the ballot.
Another lesson coming clearly into view is that the Democrats’ strategy for the next four-to-eight years will be to use Trump’s presidency to scare the public into accepting bigger government and higher taxes below the federal level.
A prime example of that tactic surfaced in the Seattle City Council’s desire to institute a “head tax” on every employee in the city. A lawyer representing unions was featured in a Seattle blog, saying the “head tax” push is necessary because “as we enter a period of great uncertainty about the extent to which workers’ rights will be eroded at the federal level in the coming years, the City of Seattle continues to be at the forefront of progressive cities enacting local measures.”
At the national level, some of Bernie Sanders former campaign staff started ourrevolution.com to try and capitalize on the fear that his supporters have for Trump (and Hillary Clinton for that matter). On their web site, they declare that “attacks on the rights of immigrants, people of color, indigenous nations, LGBTQ communities, working class or religious minorities will be met by resistance and solidarity by our movement.”
Clearly losing elections based on trying to tie every Republican candidate to Trump has not dissuaded some liberals from keeping that particular strategy going. Expect to see it played out in campaigns and tax-raising efforts near you!
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