Achieving objectives

In the closing days of 2017, President Trump and the GOP successfully passed “the greatest tax cut America has ever witnessed.” While this is not quite true, it is a pretty big one, more than

$1 trillion.

U.S. and foreign companies and America’s most wealthy enjoy most of the benefits of this tax cut. The lower and middle classes also receive a tax cut quite meager by comparison.

The stated idea behind this tax cut is to free up vast sums of money for companies and individuals to expand their businesses, increase wages and create new ventures. More jobs for American workers is the goal. In addition, all of this will boost our economy to the extent that the gains will offset the borrowed trillion-plus loan making all this possible. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, suppose it just doesn’t work out that way. Let’s say the national debt increases because the major beneficiaries of the tax cut failed to do what was expected of them. The GOP, ever mindful of never increasing the national debt, will need to act. Will they say we made a mistake with that tax cut? We must raise taxes to keep our nation from going deeper into debt. Unlikely.

They will propose that we must cut spending. The defense budgets? Never! Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the VA, low-hanging fruit for them, will be their targets. So now you have it, their roundabout way to reach two GOP objectives near and dear to their hearts—repaying their political contributors and reducing or eliminating America’s social safety nets.

So, cut this letter out of the paper, tape it to your refrigerator for future reference, and send a copy to grandma. BILL FARRELL Bella Vista