I find the idea that this is all some Machiavellian scheme somewhat reassuring. It would imply a level of competence we haven't seen in conservative leadership

I find the idea that this is all some Machiavellian scheme somewhat reassuring. It would imply a level of competence we haven't seen in conservative leadership (this group in particular) in decades. I mean, it's not like their eventual goal is eating babies or something - they want to grab power & wealth, which they'll do for four years then disappear. I'd pay 1% of the US' GDP to buy them out of that investment gladly. Sadly, Occam's razor shreds this theory. All signs indicate a plain old regressive cadre of incompetence, with everyone who understands how this "government" thing works having run for the hills / private enterprise. :(