Post-election, only one man counts in the New Day of the Trump era; that man (Paul Ryan) has the sole authority to bring spending bills before the House, the only constitutional body which can initiate government spending. That legislative authority, and the Speaker's sole authority to bring before the House bills to spend and distribute $3.2 trillion dollars in federal revenues makes Paul Ryan the most powerful revenue czar in public or private life. If he can secure the collaboration of the Senate, given Trump's inattention to details and nuances, his power will be virtually unchecked.
Never in modern times has any one individual been on the precipice of such enormous power. He can reshape America's freedoms and public life; determine its global influence, chart its future, and lift or oppress its workers and families through legislation that spends and regulates a budget equivalent to the world's fourth (after China and Germany) largest GDP. The federal budget ranks fourth in the world!
How will Ryan use his absolute power? Will he challenge China's trillion dollar infra-structure project, the One Belt, One Road project linking 60 countries on 3 continents in trade by building trans-continental railroads and new port facilities around the Indian Ocean? Will he foster the collaboration that gives China's Pearl River region one percent of global GDP? Will he fund successful models like Pearl River's and Research Triangle (NC) to grow jobs in a managed environment that trims excess and reinvests--or simply transfer funds to the rich? His chairs and committees have the power to add zeros that actually increase revenue streams and direct their distribution.
Keep your eye on the man who has the real prize—and who faces dispirited (some Democrats) and inept (Trump) resistance. That resistance must surely strengthen to protect America's progress (67 straight months of job growth/low interest rates/stable social security/lower energy costs) by putting workers prosperity and security above wealth.
