Friends, today the big, beautiful bill cleared a major hurdle: it won passage in the U.S. Senate. Now the onus is on House Republicans, who of course don't have many votes to spare... I have mixed feelings. The bill contains many elements that will boost the economy, but it's also very costly, and won't in any way advance the cause of fiscal conservatism. In fact, to twist enough senatorial arms to pass it, it was made even more costly, which is no surprise to anyone vaguely acquainted with how politics works. Elon Musk is as outspoken as ever about the bill's detractions, and Trump has retaliated by once again drawing attention to the federal contracts and subsidies that Musk's businesses rely on, and suggesting that DOGE might want to target them for cancellation. Long story short: the passage of the big, beautiful bill is a big political win for Trump, because he has invested so much capital, as it were, in promoting it. Is it, however, a win for the country? I could go either way on that question.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzzzdj15vo
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114776149269773065
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I think there is plenty of time to make amendments and separate pieces of legislation to alleviate some of the faults in this bill. Also, time may prove or disprove the perceived onerous effects of "cuts" in welfare. And if we increase our majorities in Congress in '26 we could have clear sailing in working further deep cuts in Federal spending.
ReplyDeletePresident Trump maintains his economic measures will generate as strong an economy as to justify the cuts he's making. He's been right about the tariffs so far, customs income is increasing.
Enforcing work requirements for those who can work and yet draw welfare is right headed but I don't think much constructive "work" will result. There will be a lot of "no-show" or "just show up" humbug going on. It will take a lot of government employed bureaucracy to supervise its administration. And its a reality that many who have known only welfare are utterly averse to engaging in a fair exchange of work for compensation. I worked with some of them in state prisons.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Wow! "Be still my beating heart". I sat through the last half of the vote and though most well informed people knew how it was going to go it still made me nervous to see us behind at times.
ReplyDeleteWe have one dang good Prime Minister in Mike Johnson. We are blessed with remarkable leaders in all three branches. Hurray for DJT! How well he deserves the satisfaction of this victory. How very much he has redeemed our country already!
Well, more cuts can be passed in future, sure, but handing out candy in the form of tax cuts and greater spending is the EASY part, which Republicans are, by the skin of their teeth, achieving, but slashing the deficit is WAY WAY HARDER, and the GOP doesn't even show much inclination to try. I'll believe it when I see it.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: I think for those who love history this is quite a time; we are living through a great Presidency. Its gotten off to an almost fantastic start and it still has three and a half years to go. If things keep going this way for even part of it we will have gone perhaps a decisive way toward returning our national life to common sense and discrediting those who would recklessly force dreamy "fundamental change " on a country which does not need it. The U.S. is humanly flawed but no country has ever shown a more sincere and often painful resolve to right its wrongs and for that it DOES NOT deserve to be destroyed and remade on the tried and UNTRUE model embraced by the ever more neomarxist , radically dominated, once loyal but now shamefully traduced, dem party!
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: Your doubts are plausible and highly credible. Who could have predicted the progress seen since Jan. 20th? There is no guarantee that this winning streak will continue.
ReplyDeleteBut the gains already achieved are indicative of highly competent and resolved political leadership on the part of this Administration. I fully expect to see a President buoyed by personal redemption and undeniable , ever more widely acknowledged recognition of the success of his policies and his power to enable them, to now turn the heat way up on longtime galling and presumptuous waste of taxpayer dollars.
He has fixed a basilisk eye on the arrogant left's presumption of the justice of spending America's funds on projects, programs and campaigns meant to impune and corrode America in order to bring it crashing down. Vicious and completely wrongheaded assaults on proven American values such as the rule of law and the merit of tradition have for too long been advanced by taxpayer paid America haters in government.
Perhaps finally, those who have since the '60s championed such measures have met their worst nightmare: a canny, streetwise, intensely patriotic and self abnegating President who knows them and cuts them no slack. They thought they were on the very cusp of achieving their terribly wrongheaded dreams in 2016 but a once again brilliantly led America has dealt them staggering setbacks. Oh yes, they are persistent and as always convinced of their unimpeachable justice (witness Booker and Jeffries" prerorations) and they are not to be lightly dismissed but our country now has a substantial chance of finally marginalizing them and their ridiculous and emotionally captured intentions.
RAY TO DR. WADDY AND JACK
ReplyDeleteA Very Happy 4th of July to the both of you.
Ditto to all - Jack
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy from Jack: President Lincoln thought the Declaration to be the most important expression of the principles on which this country is founded.He thought it surpassed the Constitution, though his regard for the Constitution was so profound that he took the U.S. to Civil War to do his duty by it. He incorporated his reverence for the Declaration into the Gettysburg Address; so on July 4 I often think of that too. Of course Lee retreated from Gettysburg on July 4.
ReplyDeleteIf I could take a time trip back to one American historical event it would be the Gettysburg Address. BTW, approximately 2 to 3 thousand Confederate and Union reenactors show up for Remembrance Day as close as possible to Nov. 19 (the date of the Address). We parade through some of the route followed by the parade which preceded the actual Address. I've marched in it and its a thrilling experience; the crowd often wears 19th century garb and throws flowers. Also, our regiment , the Bucktails, once stood honor guard around the traditional spot on which he gave the Address on Remembrance day . On that night every grave sight in the National Cemetary Lincoln hallowed with his incomparable eloquence receives its own candle. I'd highly recommend the event.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: Sure it was close on the GB3 but you know what they say: "a miss is as BAD as a mile". We elected that Congress and they did the will of those who elected them. The losing side has depended for so long on the Federal Judiciary to legislate for them; not any more!
ReplyDeleteNo one is more pleasantly surprised than I am that...Congress passed a law! Miracles do happen, it seems.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most incredible attributes of the Gettysburg Address is its brevity. And this in an age in which long-windedness was generally seen as the soul of wit.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: One of the many remarkable aspects of the Address and its effect is that the prolific orator, Edward Everett, who preceded Lincoln at the dais, immediately acknowledged the greatness of the Address and its superiority to his traditionally two hour presentation. I've read parts of his address and it was pretty good. And he had the whole thing memorized!
ReplyDeleteWow! That sounds like something my grandfather could have done with one lobe tied behind his back, but which I couldn't do to save my life.
ReplyDelete