Stopping the Disastrous Trump Regime Budget Bill

Insanity and cruelty at the helm -- for now.

Image courtesy Rep. Shontel Brown Instagram.

A government budget is a moral document. It’s a direct reflection of the values and priorities of a nation (or state, county, city). Yesterday, U.S. senate republicans voted to approve a federal budget that would literally rob poor children of food and strip away health care access for millions of low-income Americans.

The republican claim that these cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps) are necessary to rein in unsustainable government spending is the height of hypocrisy given that their budget bill would also provide massive additional tax cuts to billionaires and, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would add another $3.9 trillion to the U.S. national debt.

Pulling from the Voodoo Economics potions and spells book, some republicans are claiming the pain won’t be so bad because the tax cuts for the uber-wealthy will stimulate so much economic growth everyone, including those stripped of health care and food assistance, will benefit. This is a re-spun take on “Trickle Down Economics” that has never worked. In his first term Trump’s budget resulted in an additional $7.2 trillion added to the national debt and the economy lost 2.7 million jobs.

The GOP claims to be fiscally conservative but their record is anything but. The budget they have voted for would be the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the mega-rich in modern U.S. history. The colossal additional debt would further erode and destabilize options for our children and grandchildren’s future.

My partner, former Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber, has published an open letter to OR. Congressman Cliff Bentz, clearly outlining what the senate version of the budget would do to Oregonians. The harm includes 237,500 losing Medicaid coverage and the state losing app. $33.9 billion in federal revenue over the next decade. This is just the damage to one small state. The overall harm the Trump budget would have on all but the wealthy is something never seen before. You can read his full post here.

Trump promised not to cut Medicaid. He lied, again. If you’re a Trump voter who still believes he cares about anyone except himself and his billionaire sycophants I’ll sell you some oceanfront property in Arizona.

A government budget is a values statement. Republicans are clearly and blatantly stating they value power and the uber-wealthy over the wellbeing of all the rest of us. At a time of an unprecedented and exploding gap between the wealthy and the regular people we should be investing in increasing opportunities for upward mobility. Instead, the Trump budget is another step toward a full-blown oligarchy.

Actions we can take:

· Reach out to your republican lawmakers, and even those in neighboring districts, and voice your strong opposition to this disastrous budget bill.

· Join the July 4^th protests and rallies and the large, nationwide day of action on July 17^th.

· Join me on July 4^th, 3pm Pacific Time, via Zoom, to discuss the state of our nation, to consider Sacred Activism as a response, and to hold some time in affirmative prayer toward a healthier way forward.

If you are interested in joining me for the Zoom discussion about our current state and our future, please send me an email and I will send you a link. My paid subscribers will automatically be sent the Zoom link.

Much love,

Cylvia