Why He's At 40% And Not 32
President Trump has a tendency to grasp the divisive potential of populist issues. Trade and immigration, even his more informal approach to governing. He gives those who listen to their 'gut' something to latch onto:* Trade. Other countries are stealing our jobs. They pay their workers low wages, ruin their environment, it's not fair to Americans who've lost their good-paying jobs!
* Immigration. More people taking jobs and changing culture.
* Informality. Listen to me cut through the big words and fancy talk.
And how would you one-up Trump?
Trade. The concept of "social dumping" sees low wages, environmental recklessness, etc., in poorer countries as unfair. Propose gradually increasing tariffs on select industries where monies collected go to both the US Treasury and organizations fighting for labor and environmental standards in developing countries. Work these tariffs into future trade agreements.
Because the tariffs are imposed gradually, industries abroad have time to address child labor, for example, and those in this country can anticipate something of a guaranteed minimum price for their product.
Immigration. E - Verify is the US government system that allows employers to check the citizenship status of those seeking work. Combine the naturalization of those already living in the US with a more vigorous use of E-Verify such that most illegal immigration becomes fruitless.
Informality. Transparency in government deliberations would go a long way towards making the public understand the many sides of difficult issues. Talk it out, on stage, with TV cameras, a town hall atmosphere, citizen input, experts around a table, cabinet members and the president leading the discussion. Explain the issue in brief, the pros and cons, the likeliest way forward; then get feedback from the audience. Make it short and sweet. Move on to a different city for the next discussion the following week.
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