Letters to the editor Aug. 10

No so beautiful

I was appalled to read Sen. Steve Daines editorial in the Daily Inter Lake on July 27 (Big Beautiful Bill a win for Montanans). He claims that the “Big Beautiful Bill” will save the American people from a $4.5 trillion tax increase.  

That may be true, but if Congress let Trump’s tax cuts expire this money could have been used to pay down the national debt. As it stands, according to the Congressional Budget Office, our national debt under Trump will increase $2.7 trillion.  

Didn’t the Republicans who we sent to Washington, D.C., promise to lower the national debt? Simple math would indicate that if Congress had let Trump’s tax cuts expire we could have used that income to trim the budget $1.8 trillion. That would have been a step in the right direction. 

Although the national debt increased during the Biden administration, at least we have something to show for it in the form of infrastructure. It is interesting to note that our congressional delegation is taking credit for all of our infrastructure improvements, but not one of our current members voted for the Inflation Reduction Act.

Daines also bragged that the “average” Montanan would save $3,000 dollars in taxes next year. The average savings might be $3,000 but that number is very misleading. Does Daines not understand mathematics or is he being a snake oil salesman trying to deceive the electorate? Although the average may be $3,000, the majority of the population saves no where near $3,000 because the average is so skewed by the mega tax savings of the rich. How about stating the median tax savings which would be a much more accurate indicator? Simply put, the rich prosper and the poor pay. Daines figures the electorate isn’t smart enough to figure this out and therefore makes his deceptive claims.

Lastly, “The Big Not So Beautiful Bill” eases environmental laws, regulations and encourages the use of fossil fuels. I know Daines and Trump don’t believe in global warming and that it is being caused by greenhouse gases. The trouble is global warming is not a religion that you either believe in or don’t believe in. If you look at the data and science there is no doubt about the main causes of global warming.  

However, if Trump and Daines don’t want to hear the truth they call that data fake or manipulated data. That way they don’t have to address the true problem which shows they obviously don’t care about our health or well-being or that of future generations.

Come on, Sen. Daines, how about being honest, tell the truth, and represent your constituents instead of your rich friends and yourself.

That would be a breath of fresh air.

— Fred Longhart, Kalispell