President Trump signs his "big beautiful bill" today. It seems like a milestone moment right now but will soon be forgotten. That is the way it goes with politics. Hakeem Jefferies set a new record for talking the longest on the senate floor, another footnote for the history books. This crisis has passed, in more than one way. Now we can all wait for the reporting of everyone dying and being denied by the Democrats and all the winning and improvements made by the Republicans. And that is just the long and short of that. I smile as so many pretend they understand what is in that bill, I make no pretense concerning that, I really don't know at all. Many of those legislators fell asleep while the clerk was forced to read the entire bill and while Jefferies made his speech, so I'm saying they don't really know either. Of course that isn't new, we all know you have to pass the bill to know what is in the bill. They will read the portions that interest them later on, whatever may prove beneficial to their careers.
So, here it is Independence day 2025 and the republic remains. I don't think any of those founding fathers would believe that if they were here today, their opinions would certainly be quite different. I'm thinking they would be appalled at many of the decisions that have been made regarding exactly what the constitution says. I'm thinking they would say, "shall not be infringed" is quite clear, a simple declarative statement and how could you think otherwise? I'm also thinking that they would tell you , you can't place yourself under the jurisdiction of the United States. The United States reserves the right to identify you as an illegal alien if you are in my country illegally. You are not entitled to anything but basic human rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I'll let you live, giving you the liberty to get out of my country and pursue your happiness elsewhere. That's what you are entitled too.
My great grandfather Christian Reichart was born on this day in Greenport on Long Island in the year 1870. His father emigrated from Bavaria and arrived at Castle Rock New York in 1856. That was before Ellis Island was a thing. He arrived and passed his "inspection" that included physical health, mental health, and whether he had a sponsor, a job, and a place to live. Following that he took all the necessary steps to gain citizenship in his new country. And yes, he declared himself an American, proudly after receiving his naturalization certificate. He served in the Union army during the civil war. Great Grandfather Christian was born an American, born to American parents. His heritage was Bavaria but his home was America. He wasn't German, he was American.
It was taxes that drove the colonists to revolt. Those colonists had been more or less self governing for a long time before that tea party. It's true the crown was the official government. Still, on the local level, the day to day stuff, the colonists pretty much made the rules. If was only when the King began making monetary demands on those colonists to pay for wars the King had fought and lost that the big trouble began. It was taxation without representation! And that, that is tyranny! What is tyranny? It's defined as a cruel and oppressive government. That was explained fully to the King when he was sent the Declaration of Independence. They listed 29 specific instances of this cruelty and oppression. They included this statement: In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: "Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
Today the president is proclaiming the largest tax cut in American history as part of the big beautiful bill. The sides are divided regarding this. The one side saying it only benefits the billionaires and the other saying it provides relief to the masses. The truth lies somewhere in between. As I said I'll make no pretense that I understand what is in that bill or what the eventual effect may be. I do know that it takes money to make money so if it is helping the billionaires that will help us all. I say that because it isn't the poor people building businesses and paying wages. That takes money. I just find it interesting that here we are, 250 years later and still arguing about taxes. And one political party is accusing the other of tyranny. Well, we did have a no kings day just a few weeks ago as a reminder of that. They were saying that 250 years ago as well. Not much changes in the world. Happy fourth of July.
You know we have only had one president named Bill. Really William, but he went by bill.
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