There have long been many competing visions of the Democratic Party, but Chuck Schumer has had the most coherent one: a party of the rich and well-connected that combines high tax rates with generous loopholes and large subsidies. This is how Democrats create their version of the complex rigged game that attracts and enriches their party’s donors.

Schumer is relentless in trying to realize this vision, and a pandemic is a perfect opportunity for it. Congress will consider another bill to aid families, workers, and businesses harmed by the coronavirus and the lockdowns, and so, of course, Schumer is lobbying to stick in a special tax cut for the wealthy.