Gail Collins: Hey, Bret, I know you’re a Trump critic most of the time, and no big fan of Elon Musk, but you’re also a champion of lower taxes and spending cuts. Tell me one thing they’re doing that you love. Or at least like.

Bret Stephens: Lots of things. Getting control over the southern border. Strong-arming Mexico into finally surrendering top cartel gangsters to American justice. Finally getting serious about the Houthi threat to global trade. Getting tough on Iran. Abolishing counterproductive D.E.I. programs in the military and other federal agencies. Giving the administration at Columbia University an excellent excuse to get serious about the school’s antisemitism problem. Pushing for an extension of the 2017 tax cuts. Passing a spending bill that avoids shutting down the government (with a brave assist from Chuck Schumer).

If it weren’t for the fact that mentioning all this is like praising a fine meal prepared for me by Chef Hannibal Lecter, I’d almost be happy. I gather you’re mainly focused on the Lecterism.

Gail: Yeah, I see an out-of-control government dedicated to smashing current programs — both foreign and domestic — that have been successful in helping the poor, treating the sick and protecting people in peril.

Bret: Well, there is that.

Gail: An administration, by the way, that often seems to be doing its cost-cutting through inept, undisciplined young Elon Musk minions.

Bret: That, too.

Gail: About Chuck Schumer, by the way. I think we agree that he did the right thing in voting with the Trumpians to keep the government operating. I’ve always liked Schumer and the things he stood for. But should he continue to be Senate minority leader? If so, he has to rally the Democrats around a serious message of reform. And by that I don’t mean tax cuts.