The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
July 4th is a national day of celebration for all Americans, marking our independence from colonial rule. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (over time expanded to all Americans) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” That’s the America we love. However, Trump and the GOP exploited July 4th for an egotistical photo op signing of a draconian, heartless bill.
The GOP-led Congress narrowly passed the “Big Beautiful Act”, to kneel before Trump on July 4th, sullying our sacred day. Cruel, duplicitous Republicans enacted “the most dramatic reductions in safety net spending in modern U.S. history” (Washington Post).
17 million, including 276,175 Wisconsinites, will lose Medicaid or Affordable Care Act private insurance health care coverage (Congressional Budget Office). Millions, including 90,000 Wisconsinites, will lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program coverage or see reduced benefits (NYT). Moreover, tuition aid for middle and working class college and university students was slashed. And, climate change funding was eviscerated.
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The above cuts partially pay for tax dodges for the super-rich. The Yale University Budget Lab said: “The right way to understand this bill is it is the largest wealth transfer from the poorest Americans to the richest Americans in modern history.” But most of the tax dodges will be paid for by adding $trillions to the national debt.
Then on the eve of July 4th the U.S. halted air defense assistance to Ukraine as Russian aerial attacks escalated. Ukraine is fighting to maintain its independence from Russian colonialism. Our fight for independence was secured by France. If the French had halted their military aid we might have lost our fight for independence. Moreover, Putin won’t stop at Ukraine. Reagan must be weeping.
Meanwhile, Trump (and the GOP) demean and vilify millions of unauthorized immigrants in America: “They’re poisoning the blood of our country” … (and) “I don’t know if you call them people.” An unauthorized Mexican immigrant landscaper was beaten and detained by federal agents. He is the father of 3 U.S. Marines! To be clear, I support secure borders, legal immigration and a citizen pathway for most unauthorized immigrants (no criminal acts after crossing previously unsecured borders, must learn English, pay fines and taxes).
Listen to Wisconsin Catholic bishops. They released a pastoral letter on immigration: “In U.S. law, every person, regardless of immigration status, has certain fundamental human rights, which can never be infringed.” A press release emphasized the bishops support “lawful enforcement of immigration laws … (and) comprehensive immigration reform.” The bishops said: “Immigration policy must achieve a proper balance between migrant rights and sovereign rights. … Our nation will continue to face challenges without implementing immigration policies that are balanced and humane. Mass deportation of millions of people is not the answer.”
We are Americans, proud of our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. July 4th reminds us to rededicate ourselves to those principles.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
