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"good people too"
Todays' culture is politically charged to label most everything and everyone as a winner or a loser, as good or bad. Of course the characteristic(s) and character to earn such titles is often subjective, if defined at all. These titles may be bestowed primarily on the basis of association, and less often on merit.
When grandfather Siersbeck was a pastor he would introduce parishioners to visiting family before and between Sunday services. His introduction would invariably start with "and here are good people too". After many visits to his congregation, and numerous introductions, we never, ever met "not so good" people. It wasn't thought this was because grandfather skillfully avoided any "loser" introductions. Rather, it represented the faith that because of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection on Easter we all can be introduced and loved as good people too. In this instance association and relationship was the merit.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
Tesla and Elon
Few examples better represent the capricious nature of being a winner or loser than Tesla and Elon Musk. Five years ago Republicans claimed Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) were prone to spontaneously ignite. They also claimed it was huge government EV subsidies and incentives, coupled with fossil fuel vehicle ownership penalties, that made Tesla a winner. It was asserted that Tesla had neither earned its market position nor substantially delivered on the promise to reduce fossil fuel use since most electricity comes from fossil fuels. Democrats claimed that Tesla, and it's owner Elon Musk (who didn't win any election) deserved such largeness from Uncle Sam. This was because climate change/fossil fuel use were existential threats. Elon knew what he was doing today, to assure a better future for tomorrow. Now, titles of winner or loser have mysteriously reversed. Republicans believe Elon knows what he is doing today to assure a better future. Democrats are igniting Teslas and threatening the EV owners in protest of their fallen son Elon. Best any one can logically figure on this change, it is about association.
NGOs
Nongovernment Organizations or NGOs (between 1 & 2 million in the US) were probably below the radar of many US citizens. People have more recently heard of NGOs because a few have been connected with hot topics of the day (e.g., boarder crisis). Officially, NGOs are to be independent and operate outside of government control/influence. Many NGOs may so function. In practice, the US government (Executive and agencies) may determine NGO winners and losers through funding allocation. Funding can be substantial, but precarious when not enumerated by bill or statute. Where taxpayer dollars go within some NGOs has itself become a hot topic. There are allegations that NGO funding may be political (e.g., with exorbitant salary payoffs). Spending for some is alleged to not be transparent or well documented; oversight may be poor or nonexistent. It is not surprising that sometimes all that is learned when there are questions about what happened to taxpayer money is, "annnnd it's gone". Seems like the fervor about maintaining the separation of church and state, could be partially redirected towards maintaining the separation of the State and NGOs. Maybe NGO's that have over relied on taxpayer dollars for funding shouldn't be surprised to now learn "annnnd it's gone".
Free Trade or Tariff
Similar to Tesla and Elon, Democrats and Republicans seem to have swapped positions on tariffs and whether they are good or bad. When Democrats were the party of the union workers (think steel, automotive, etc.) tariffs were justified as critical to offset the 'cheap' labor in other countries with lower costs of living. Incidentally, select tariffs helped curry the vote for Democrats. Republicans generally endorsed free trade and considered tariffs a tax. Ronald Regan pushed some tariffs as part of his trade policy, but argued they stifled ingenuity and market place innovation. That was then. Now, the real questions (pros/cons) on tariffs are ignored in political and international hissy fits. Much of the resulting acrimony is the direct cause of Trump's 'ready, fire, aim" approach to tariffs. Those that insist tariffs are about immigration and drugs, righting a wrong, stimulating US business growth or encouraging trade negotiations may have TDS (Trump Devotion Syndrome). Trump more logically seems to be testing what will favorably stick to the political wall and/or curry the most votes. It's a bit of a flyer.
Taxpayers aren't the only ones taking a bath, yet Bennett and Kinley have much more fun.