My nephew planned to join me for a round of golf this week, his best intentions, fueled by high hopes, were not to be. I did extend a rain check. It reminded me of the 1959 Oscar winning Original Song, sung by Frank Sinatra in the movie A Hole in the Head. The song gives age old, if silly advice, when we are faced with daunting problems. “Next time you are found, with your chin on the ground, ……Just what makes that silly old ant, think he’ll move that rubber tree plant, anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber tree plant—-and chorus—-but he has high hopes…..once there was a silly old ram, thought he’s punch a hole in a dam, no one can make that ram scram, he keeps buttin that dam….” The song concludes with a positive vibe.
I made a list of the items that caught my attention this week. Most of them are frightening to awful. Our own Governor signed on to support the Big Beautiful Bill even though it spells economic and social disaster for so many citizen’s. A huge tax break is extended and expanded, instead of collecting that money to fund the Government as appropriate. Cutting Medicaid and likely Medicare, significantly increasing defense spending, cuts to FEMA, Education, NPR and PBS, NOAA, VA, NIH, Social Security Infrastructure, as well any DEI linked employment. The grift and self aggrandizing trip to the Middle East resulted in a golden jet for the Felon in charge while he sold his meme coins and falsely claimed those countries will invest $5-7 trillion in our country.
For Idaho the Cuts to Federal programs could be devastating. A $49 million grant was cancelled; $29 million for children’s vaccines, $13.3 million for mental health, and $6.9 million for substance abuse. Emergency food assistance to our State is projected to lose $900,000. Idaho gets $100 million in k-12 government funding and $210 million in Pell Grants. The Big Beautiful Bill will severely cut Medicaid funding match for Idaho’s 89,000 participants which counts as over a $1 billion. This funding has a very positive economic multiplier effect, any loss of funding puts health care coverage at risk and takes away from the GDP of Idaho. I suggest we should let the Governor know what we think of him siding with Trump against Idaho!!
First it was the Haitian’s in Springfield eating dogs and cats, now we are falsely accusing So African President, Cyril Ramaphosa of genocide against white farmers. To add to the total lack of class, this surprise was delivered during an Oval Office meeting. I am sure it did not help that the hypersensitive Orange Wanker could not bribe a jet out of Ramaphosa. Speaking of Jets, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, has budgeted for a Jet for her busy official use. Really, mostly beyond belief.
I attended the Clearfield High School graduation on Thursday for our Great Niece. My hope for the future was strengthened as I listened to the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 and a few of their leaders. This is why I continue the fight to protect Public Education across our country. I was encouraged by a diverse class of students whose common ground was apparent.
The Clearfield group held a moment of silence for the U S military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Keep the ant and ram in mind as we remain committed to protecting our democracy against the best efforts of Project 2025 and our wanna-be-King.
Mike
The Ram
