Faith with a side of Politics

As I consider the ‘accomplishment’ of this past weekend, July 4th’ I came across a particular verse of scripture that seemed fitting for this particular piece of legislation and for whom it was written:

1 Timothy 6:18-19

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. ¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

The context of this scripture is Ephesus, being a wealthy city which we can only surmise the church of Ephesus had wealthy members. To whom much is given, much is required. It is a blessing if you have great wealth. Many people have said money is the root of all evil, but this is only a half truth. God does not condemn you because you have great wealth but rather if you place more trust in the wealth you have than in the provider who gave it. It’s the love of money which He has a problem with.

How do those who have great wealth put trust in something that could be here today and gone today?How do you not have compassion and use your wealth to do good? to give generously to those in need? I mean really in need. I am not talking about your donor friends who already have as much wealth as you do or more.

The accomplishment I speak of which occurred over this past weekend is the signature legislation of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Let’s start with the name first. If I were someone who knew nothing about politics, the name alone would provide me with no indication of this bill’s purpose. This is possibly intentional and if I were someone who didn’t care about the things which go on around me then I would not even do any research to find out what the bill is about. I mean certainly by the name alone one would surmise the bill is wonderful because it includes the word beautiful, right?

I would implore you to dig a little deeper. This is a budget reconciliation bill passed by the 119th Congress focusing mostly on tax cuts and federal spending. This bill was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025.

Let’s just look at how many pages this bill is, 1,082 pages. One thousand eighty-two. I want to know what Congressman or Senator actually read the whole thing. I’ll wait.

This bill extends the tax cuts from 2017 to make them permanent. The Republican establishment historically does not like when you spend government money on something in the federal budget but have no plans on how to pay for it. Generally those would have been your historical establishment Republicans. These new age Republicans don’t want you to cut anything like oh I don’t know DEFENSE SPENDING in order to balance the federal budget.

Think about this. In your own household budget, if you continue to spend without adjusting based on your income, what is likely to happen? You are going to overdraw your checking account and you end up in the hole. Well honey, we are already in the hole and then some with this bill.

The Child Tax Credit? Oh wait, thats not permanent. It only lasts until 2028. I wonder what happens in 2028? Oh yes, we have another election. Sounds like something to blame on the next administration as to why this is not permanent.

Senior Tax Deduction of $6,000; well it can only be taken for single filers with an adjusted gross income up to $75,000 or couples making up to $150,000 for tax years 2025 to 2028. So not permanent either.

Oh and that car interest deduction? Only for cars assembled in the United States and it phases out for those incomes over $100K…and only if you itemize!

What about that no tax on tips? Well there is a caveat to that campaign promise too. Those with tip income up to $25,000 and it phases out for incomes above $150K…again only for tax years 2025 – 2028. Again I wonder what’s happening in 2028?

But what about changes to student loans? This monstrosity of a bill reduces the number of income-based repayment plans beginning in July 2026. Experts state many borrowers will see higher monthly payments under the new repayment plans the administration is proposing. The difference with the old versus the new? There will be a minimum monthly payment. Sounds like many student loan borrowers will have a credit card with the government.

What else? it lowers the limit on graduate loans, eliminates the Federal Grad PLUS program, and caps Parent PLUS borrowing. Basically they want you to move to the private sector with your graduate borrowing. Thats not really solving the issue now is it?

Oh wait, I forgot one of the best parts!!! Trump accounts…I can’t believe they are calling it that. This is a tax favored account for newborns, but only born between 2025 and 2028. They get a paltry $1,000. Ummm a lifetime raising a child versus $1,000. Something is not adding up here.

And here are some more cuts. To our nations healthcare program. Medicaid. This is a program for low income, disabled, and some of our most senior Americans. This will also affect those who have paid into the Affordable Care Act, or for those who have no idea what that is -> Obamacare.

-Work requirements. Let me be frank. The pace of corporate profits versus the pace of offering employees a living wage has not and I repeat has not kept in lockstep. So if you think paying someone $15/hr and they should be able to pay for groceries, child care, AND healthcare, then my dear I have a bridge to sell you. A bridge to insanity.

These work requirements will lead to eligibility checks every 6 months. Have you ever dealt with paperwork for the federal government? I rest my case. This is why the pundits and everyone else keeps saying people are going to be kicked off of their insurance. The administrative burden is going to skyrocket.

The real toll of this bill is the human one, which as a Christian hurts me to my soul. To see republicans cheering the devastation they have caused breaks my heart. Its my hope we can start to pick up the pieces of what used to be the heart and soul of America, and learn to love each other again.