The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

Catastrophe is impacting millions. The NYT said that the failure by Trump and the GOP-led Congress to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits has already resulted in about 1.2 million, including over 22,000 Wisconsinites, losing healthcare coverage. “But insurance companies, state officials and industry analysts are reporting that many more have lost (ACA) coverage now that people are facing long-term higher costs. … Many insurers and analysts are estimating overall declines of about 20 percent, dropping to around 19 million from the 24 million who were covered under the ACA last year. Other indications suggest there could be even larger potential losses by the end of the year …” (NYT). 

Similarly, the Associated Press (AP), in a scathing expose, reported that 4.3 million are no longer receiving food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP). Agriculture Secretary Rollins said the extreme reduction was due to cracking down on fraud and a “better economy.” However, “experts discount those factors, saying the primary driver of the decrease was more likely new legislation (Big Beautiful Bill or BBB) that changed how the program runs” (AP). As to a “better economy,” trust your eyes and pocketbook. The illegal, ill-conceived Iran War has resulted in soaring gas, diesel and fertilizer prices, increasing the high cost of food, crushing consumers and farmers.

“This isn’t a blip in the market. It is engineered suffering. Chaos, confusion and stress are no longer policy outcomes – they are a way of governing” (National Catholic Reporter). The Wisconsin Medical Society in September warned of the consequences of not extending ACA tax credits: “Extending … will continue to lower premiums across income levels, mitigate financial barriers to care, and sustain enrollment in the marketplaces. Allowing them to expire would reverse these gains, increase the uninsured rate, and raise uncompensated care costs for hospitals and physician practices nationwide.” Similarly, Wisconsin Catholic bishops implored Wisconsin members of Congress not to cut healthcare coverage and SNAP.

All Wisconsin GOP members of Congress ignored Wisconsin doctors and bishops. But the public backlash to their enthusiastic support for the BBB prompted Wisconsin Republicans to double talk and disingenuously refer to the BBB as the Working Families Tax Cuts Bill. They pretend that the bill did not primarily cut taxes for the wealthy and slash healthcare coverage and food assistance. Similar to their unwarranted optimism and relentless cheerleading for the Iran War.

The Iran War is no “excursion” as Trump calls it. Over 400 U.S. casualties and thousands of other dead and wounded in the Middle East. Out-of-control inflation and recession loom. But Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson, head in the sand, opposes even voting on the war, saying it “shows us divided” (NPR). And Wisconsin GOP 3rd CD Representative Derrick Van Orden told Defense Secretary Hegseth, “I trust your judgment” (NYT). What have Hegseth and Trump gotten right about the Iran War? Absolutely nothing, a disaster.

No one is coming to save us except ourselves. Please take nothing for granted. Vote Democratic on November 3. 

Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.