Letter to the Editor: Big, ugly bill will hurt far more people than it helps

Dear editor:

My dear friends in the Republican party, are you aware of what the big ugly bill will do?

It will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit because the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts in the measure do not fully offset the $3.7 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, on top of the $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that will become permanent for the rich. 

Because of this law, Medicare will be cut by $500 billion.  Why? Because this law requires that if Congress passes legislation that blows a hole in the federal deficit, Medicare will be cut. It means nearly 70 million older Americans — low income, vets, disabled persons and rural communities — will lose benefits and find it harder to access needed care.

They cut LIEAP. It is important to note that the administration aim was to fire the entire staff of LIEAP, which they did, affecting 6.2 million people, according to the New York Times. So people will freeze to death or die of heat stroke. 

Meals on Wheels is being cut. Really, Meals on Wheels for our elderly, vets and disabled.

They are literally making it harder for people to access care, but hey, the rich need their tax breaks. One you haven’t thought of is tariffs on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies which could lead to supply chain disruptions, increased costs which you can bet on and potentially limit access to essential medicines and supplies. 

They are cutting SNAP benefits so the elderly, disabled, vets and children will lose food benefits. 

In Wyoming, they are going after public education funds to cut. Didn’t they just lose a case that they weren’t funding public education enough? The Freedom Caucus is licking their lips on how they will defund public education; it will be our kids in rural communities who will be hurt the most. 

They are going after libraries. I will say it again. If you don’t want your child to read something, let your libraries know. But when you try telling everyone else what their children can read, well, there is a problem. They also want to fine libraries $50,000 if this legislation goes through. Ridiculous. 

See the pattern? 

Respectfully 

Lynn Meier

Basin