The Big Beautiful Bill and the 'Rich Men North of Richmond'

I was under the illusion that, with Donald Trump back in charge and the wind at his back, Washington Republicans might actually take off the gloves, say eff-it, and take on the swamp. With the failures inherent in the Big Beautiful Bill, it appears I was wrong. I don’t blame Trump. This abysmal betrayal of the American people was written in the halls of Congress.

The Republicans in Congress talk a good game, but when it comes to actually doing what they say they’re going to do, it turns out they’re really snake oil salesmen. Not that this is new. Remember when they ran on killing Obamacare throughout Obama’s presidency, then bungled it when Trump became president?

We’re now watching that same treachery play itself out in real time, and it involves the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that just passed the House. This monstrosity ostensibly does a number of good things.

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First and foremost, it extends Trump’s 2017 taxes that were set to expire. It also increases spending on border security, and, apparently, it cuts federal support for Planned Parenthood. All of these are good things, but they’re the equivalent of trying to save the Titanic by emptying water over the side one bucket at a time while a thousand gallons of water pour into the hull every second.

What this bill doesn’t do is cut spending or cut the deficit. Indeed, it puts the deficit on overdrive, just as interest rates on government debt seem to be heading upward. The president’s advisor, Stephen Miller (who is one of the smartest guys in Washington), has pushed back by pointing out that spending cuts didn’t balance Reagan’s tax cuts.

A small part of this problem has to do with the calendar. This budget began to be written back in December after it became clear the GOP would have both houses, but before they were technically in complete control. As such, this Frankenstein started being put together long before DOGE showcased exactly how dysfunctional the federal government is. But that’s no excuse. It’s been over 4 months since that Elon Musk-managed vehicle started highlighting problems.

This One Big Beautiful Bill Act demonstrates exactly why the federal government is as screwed up as it is. They say that you can’t turn around a ship on a dime, and that’s true. But there’s a difference between turning on a dime and setting a course, full speed ahead, for the closest iceberg.

WHAT I HATE ABOUT THIS BILL:

This bill literally adds $2.5 trillion to the government’s debt and runs a deficit larger than Biden’s last one! At the same time, it basically allows the government to go on with business as usual. There are no major cuts to spending. There is no elimination of departments. There is no substantial paring of regulation. There’s basically the same budget compiled by the Democrats, RINOs, and the administrative state every year, with infinitesimal changes except for the taxes.

This bill doesn’t reflect the will of the people; it reflects the will of the establishment and the swamp.

Well, President Ronald Reagan signed the Social Security Amendments of 1983, which introduced taxation on Social Security benefits for higher-income recipients. This decision was part of a bipartisan effort to address Social Security’s financial stability, as the program was facing solvency challenges at the time.

In the early 1980s, Social Security was at risk of running out of funds. The Greenspan Commission, appointed to study the issue, recommended taxation as a way to strengthen the program.

The amendments made up to 50% of Social Security benefits taxable for individuals earning above $25,000 and couples earning above $32,000

The tax was part of a broader compromise between Democrats and Republicans to ensure long-term sustainability of Social Security.

While Reagan was known for tax cuts, this move was seen as a necessary step to keep Social Security solvent. Later, in 1993, President Bill Clinton expanded the taxation threshold, increasing the taxable portion to 85% for higher-income recipients.

It’s only NOW that we’re starting to talk about CUTTING TAXES ( not totally eliminating taxes ) on social security recipients.

I'd like to propose Trump adopt the old Constitution Party plan of: POTUS + 1/3 + 1 of Congress.

That is, announce a veto of any and all bills with unconstitutional provisions including any spending at all for unconstitutional activities (such as funding PBS or the Dept. of Education). Then let the ball sit in leftist's court. All we need to do is maintain 1/3+1 of Congress, meaning we can afford to lose quite a few RINOs. Whenever they put forward a bloated bill, just point out the objectionable elements and why they are illegal, and throw it back into the leftists court.

The media will whine and cry like they always do, but by publishing explicitly what is wrong with each bill it will be clear to the public where the problem lies and what needs to be done to move forward. The pressure, despite media efforts, will be on the Dems/RINOs to cave.

I’m on vomit watch for how sick I feel about the apparent failure to do the one thing that must be done: CUT SPENDING!!!!

However, according to Steven Miller and others, there is a package of “rescission bills” coming in the next week which will have more of the DOGE cuts. Wait and see....as usual....I don’t expect a trillion dollar cut, but hopefully we’ll see something in the hundreds of billions at a minimum.

Messaging could have been a lot better if this is true: letting folks know earlier that the DOGE cuts have to be done via a second legislative procedure. Pray it is true.

The bigger achievement will be to restore regular order, gone now for decades.

Does nobody remember (how old must one be?) that most constitutional of processes, Regular Order, without which, practically speaking, exactly no spending control by Congress is possible?

Trump and Johnson will restore regular order.

Then, complain all you want about overspending. Because only then will a functioning foundation have been restored for the creation and enforcement of sane, rational, fiscal year budgeting.

It would seem that we are watching the slow death of this once great country. Most here will be familiar with Scott Pressler— he worked doggedly for the last year or more to register new Republicans in swing states. Here is what he posted today on X:

“I’m on the ground every single day talking to voters.

“If Republicans don’t get their act together to codify President Trump’s agenda — DOGE, No Tax on Social Security — you will lose the midterm elections.”

He’s likely correct. Scott and many others put their ass on the line to help get Trump back in the White House. I personally was very outspoken on social media, FB in particular, and I know I lost friends over it, in some cases friends of many many years.

To see the Republicans in Congress totally drop the ball is just really hard to swallow. They were given a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to make REAL CHANGE that is so drastically needed. But NO.... they are so addicted to the gravy train that they are willing to just kick the can down the road, as always.

Elon Musk and DOGE teed it up for them, and they intentionally have walked up to the tee and taken an intentional whiff.

The way I see it, the Republicans are actually WORSE than the Democrats. At least the Democrats are up front about what they want to do. The Republicans always TALK a good game— to get elected— but once in office they betray their voters again and again and again. I for one am SICK OF IT!!!

It’s been a good run.... sadly, I fully expect our country to devolve into a socialist hell-hole. This was our one chance to stop it, and it looks like it ain’t going to happen.

(Oh, but wait.... “trust the plan”.... If I’m proven to be wrong about all the “Q” stuff, I’ll be the first to admit it, but I’m not holding my breath.)

“Trump and Johnson will restore regular order.”

Yeah... and free beer tomorrow! There is always an excuse about why we have to wait just a few more months. Never changes, and Johnson will never restore regular order. They are waiting Trump out and going back to normal.

We might get a nibble here or there, but they ignored DOGE and are giving Trump zero assistance on the tariffs or the judicial insurrection.

They are kneeling on the ball and will lose the house in 18 months. And they are fine with that.

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