A well articulated opinion. Sadly, Ms Wente grossly underestimates the power of the vast hordes of broader public sector employees and their Unions to mobilize the vote for whoever is promising the status quo for them. So long as they are kept in the lap of luxury, with all the attendant 5-star perks that others can only dream of, no party preaching fiscal restraint can ever win. Exactly what Justin did, promising to spend more.
For all of Trumps darker sides, his pro economy pro business model is slowly starting to appeal to voters of all stripes, except perhaps the extreme socialists. It would be nice of other mature economies can emulate Trumponomics minus the unpleasant elements like anti trade, anti [legal] immigrant policies.