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Surely, a 1,000-plus page bill, with budgetary implications of trillions, with massive impact on individual and business taxes, spending on health and nutrition, energy and the environment, and a myriad of other areas, will do little to assuage the sense from voters that their government has run amok. Forget the idea that the Washington swamp is being drained.
Federal government outlays now stand at 23.3% of our GDP — almost onequarter of our national economy. With state and local government consuming another 15%, we’re up to almost 40% of the U.S. economy consumed by government.
Compared to today’s 23.3% taken by the federal government, this stood at 17.5% in 2000 and 14.2% in 1950.
Let’s recall we have a Constitution with a preamble that says its purpose is “to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
Those blessings are flying away, and without bold and courageous action, they will be lost forever.
We have two parties. One, Democrats, for whom big government is the source of our blessings.
The major drivers of today’s runaway government are our entitlement/ welfare programs, that, along with the interest on the federal debt, consume three-quarters of our federal budget. These programs are all legacies of Democratic presidents — Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson and Barack Obama. Unfortunately, Republicans, the party of Lincoln, have been far too complicit over the years, enabling the purveyors of big government. It’s got to stop.
Government cannot be either compassionate or efficient. Only individuals can be and do these things. It’s why those who founded this country knew government must be limited to what individuals cannot do — like national defense.
The only thing everyone agrees about regarding One Big Beautiful Bill is that it is big. Few see it as beautiful. But for the time being, it’s the best that can be accomplished now.
Whatever final form it takes, if Republicans don’t get it passed, Trump will spend the second two years of his presidency with Democrats controlling the Congress.
Entering 2026 with multitrillion-dollar tax increases and no spending cuts, what we get if this bill doesn’t pass, is a scenario that sends Republicans to the back benches.
One Big Beautiful Bill does not solve our problems. But it is a step in the right direction.
Get it passed. And then Republicans must pick up the mantle of true and major reform and take on our entitlement and welfare programs, one by one, and fundamentally reform them so that once again America is fiscally sound and free.
Star Parker is founder of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators. com. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS. COM
