Excellent and realistic analysis of the BBB. I still have trouble reconciling Elon’s opposition to it as a libertarian; the others I can accept since they have been like that. I continue to value Elon’s immense contributions to our world. It bothers me that he practiced what it is the most important aspect of the BBB - increasing debt for the right causes to stimulate growth. His companies would not survive without it.
Thanks Barry, and yes that’s a good point. It’s a very different thing if you take a loan to build something that then generates much more income, compared to wasting the money you’ve borrowed.
Fantastic overview! There have been so many views and opposing views from my conservative friends and family on BBB during which I had an intuitive feeling that they were all focused on the wrong things. You have masterfully put into words what I couldn't. We must immediately fix the crises we've inherited from Biden that are right in front of us, and then later deal with the outlandish debt. Thank you!
Brilliant as usual! I loved the way you explained that while there aren’t enough spending cuts, at least we are spending money on what will benefit average Americans, not corrupt NGOs and “religious” charities. No more wasted money on USAID that has been a grift from day one (friends who worked for USAID said it was a corrupt cesspool…they both left in dismay). As a Catholic I have been disgusted for YEARS with the USCCB (Catholic bishops) becoming little more than an arm of the Democrats, stealing money from taxpayers and giving it to “immigrants” (I refer to them as invaders)
As to Rand Paul and Elon Musk, they are purists in the worst sense with single minded focus on “the bottom line.” Perfection is the enemy of the good and too often they forget that. It reminds me of the 2016 campaign where a dear friend railed against DJT because he wasn’t a principled conservative. I said Don, there is another name for “principled conservatives” LOSER! Further Donald Trump is a pragmatist. He does what works in real life, not in some Think Tank.
God bless America and God bless our President. Happy days are here again!
Thanks very much, and yes pragmatism is at the core of Trump’s appeal and delivery. Abstract theoretical principles can sound great on paper but if they don’t cut it in a pragmatic way, if they don’t deliver real benefits, they aren’t much use. I also think direction of travel is so vital.
I have no idea who is "right" on the BBB. I know I support President Trump and I believe the BBB is a start on fiscal conservatism that is absolutely needed. Is it the be-all and end-all? No. Is it a good start? Certainly Yes.
Remember on this 240th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, that it took this long for the USA to get this messed up. Give it a little while to recover. Don't be a child continuously asking "are we there yet?" and throwing a tantrum when the answer is no. We're on our way. Be satisfied that we've taken the first step to recovery.
How is it “cruel” to ask able bodied adults to work or volunteer just 20 hours to receive Medicaid. Or be a citizen or legal resident. Democrats are deranged!
As always “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!” Sanity returns. No sane nation rewards sloth and criminality. No successful nation funds insanity. The lunacy of the Biden reign of terror is being reversed. Happy Glorious Fourth!
Thanks very much, I really appreciate the kind words. I’d happily relocate to the US tomorrow if it was just me to think about, but I have older relatives we are very close with that would find it much harder to move there, sadly.
Have them visit Florida, and join in at the Villages, or along the coast with thousands of other New England refugees who prefer basking in the sun to frigid winters. Summer heat and humidity are easy to endure in sunhats, tshirts, shorts, and sandals. 😉
“For many, many years part of the frustration with traditional Republican leaders from the grassroots of the party is that they didn’t get anything done.” Hahaha — yes, in a beautiful nutshell.
Yeah, really terrific article from start to finish. Great analysis — the shift in spending focus will be much bigger than the libertarian naysayers think(and I’m a libertarian… for now). Your take on Rand Paul, Musk, and Massie are dead on… and yes, the Rhinos (especially the Bushes) and Obama-era dems were on different sides of the same bed and it screwed us all. I’ll trust Trump first and foremost and pray for more cuts in the BBB2.
The guest on Tucker talked about the beginning of neocon. They were democrats turned republican, at first mostly Jews, then joined by others. I remember this, Commentary wrote an article on it.He called them Trotskyites, Jews do lean communist so it fits. That makes Neocons the same as the communist wing of the democrats, they were just pretending to be capitalist or it’s a blend, I don’t know how that works. That explains why the Republicans never once undid any policy put in by Democrats
Excellent and realistic analysis of the BBB. I still have trouble reconciling Elon’s opposition to it as a libertarian; the others I can accept since they have been like that. I continue to value Elon’s immense contributions to our world. It bothers me that he practiced what it is the most important aspect of the BBB - increasing debt for the right causes to stimulate growth. His companies would not survive without it.
Thanks Barry, and yes that’s a good point. It’s a very different thing if you take a loan to build something that then generates much more income, compared to wasting the money you’ve borrowed.
Fantastic overview! There have been so many views and opposing views from my conservative friends and family on BBB during which I had an intuitive feeling that they were all focused on the wrong things. You have masterfully put into words what I couldn't. We must immediately fix the crises we've inherited from Biden that are right in front of us, and then later deal with the outlandish debt. Thank you!
Thanks Dagny. I’m glad you agree. 😀
Brilliant as usual! I loved the way you explained that while there aren’t enough spending cuts, at least we are spending money on what will benefit average Americans, not corrupt NGOs and “religious” charities. No more wasted money on USAID that has been a grift from day one (friends who worked for USAID said it was a corrupt cesspool…they both left in dismay). As a Catholic I have been disgusted for YEARS with the USCCB (Catholic bishops) becoming little more than an arm of the Democrats, stealing money from taxpayers and giving it to “immigrants” (I refer to them as invaders)
As to Rand Paul and Elon Musk, they are purists in the worst sense with single minded focus on “the bottom line.” Perfection is the enemy of the good and too often they forget that. It reminds me of the 2016 campaign where a dear friend railed against DJT because he wasn’t a principled conservative. I said Don, there is another name for “principled conservatives” LOSER! Further Donald Trump is a pragmatist. He does what works in real life, not in some Think Tank.
God bless America and God bless our President. Happy days are here again!
Thanks very much, and yes pragmatism is at the core of Trump’s appeal and delivery. Abstract theoretical principles can sound great on paper but if they don’t cut it in a pragmatic way, if they don’t deliver real benefits, they aren’t much use. I also think direction of travel is so vital.
Yes, he is a pragmatist, thank God.
I have no idea who is "right" on the BBB. I know I support President Trump and I believe the BBB is a start on fiscal conservatism that is absolutely needed. Is it the be-all and end-all? No. Is it a good start? Certainly Yes.
Remember on this 240th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, that it took this long for the USA to get this messed up. Give it a little while to recover. Don't be a child continuously asking "are we there yet?" and throwing a tantrum when the answer is no. We're on our way. Be satisfied that we've taken the first step to recovery.
And God bless the United States of America!
Yeah — everyone wants it fixed today when it will take years.
Such is the nature of representative republic.
Purists really never get anything done. If someone makes 5 out of 10 issues progress they are a roaring success in today's politics.
As much as I liked a lot of what both Bernie and Donald said, my only real question is what did you actually get done?
Now the problem comes to sustaining the "getting things done government" vs simply cycling back to the do nothings.
US Attorney Jeff Childers has a very supportive and insightful take on OBBB in his latest newsletter: https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/sledgehammer-friday-july-4-2025-c.
Spot on.
How is it “cruel” to ask able bodied adults to work or volunteer just 20 hours to receive Medicaid. Or be a citizen or legal resident. Democrats are deranged!
As always “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!” Sanity returns. No sane nation rewards sloth and criminality. No successful nation funds insanity. The lunacy of the Biden reign of terror is being reversed. Happy Glorious Fourth!
You have a deep and solid understanding of American politics and sensibilities! And a stupendous way of articulating it.
(Not to say you don’t have the same understanding of the UK as well. 😉 )
I praise the day I was pointed to your substack!
We would welcome a new wave of immigration from the Mother Country, as you flee the same injustices in the UK we originally left to escape.
Thanks for another great read!
Thanks very much, I really appreciate the kind words. I’d happily relocate to the US tomorrow if it was just me to think about, but I have older relatives we are very close with that would find it much harder to move there, sadly.
Ahh, yes. Very much understood.
Have them visit Florida, and join in at the Villages, or along the coast with thousands of other New England refugees who prefer basking in the sun to frigid winters. Summer heat and humidity are easy to endure in sunhats, tshirts, shorts, and sandals. 😉
“For many, many years part of the frustration with traditional Republican leaders from the grassroots of the party is that they didn’t get anything done.” Hahaha — yes, in a beautiful nutshell.
Yeah, really terrific article from start to finish. Great analysis — the shift in spending focus will be much bigger than the libertarian naysayers think(and I’m a libertarian… for now). Your take on Rand Paul, Musk, and Massie are dead on… and yes, the Rhinos (especially the Bushes) and Obama-era dems were on different sides of the same bed and it screwed us all. I’ll trust Trump first and foremost and pray for more cuts in the BBB2.
Thanks Sal. I’m glad that it rings true for a libertarian reader. 😀
The guest on Tucker talked about the beginning of neocon. They were democrats turned republican, at first mostly Jews, then joined by others. I remember this, Commentary wrote an article on it.He called them Trotskyites, Jews do lean communist so it fits. That makes Neocons the same as the communist wing of the democrats, they were just pretending to be capitalist or it’s a blend, I don’t know how that works. That explains why the Republicans never once undid any policy put in by Democrats