08-07-2025
Trump's Big Bill Is Now Law. What Was Learned?
To the Editor:
Re 'Three Lessons From the Big, Awful Bill,' by Jason Furman (Opinion guest essay, July 7):
I'm afraid that Professor Furman drew the wrong lessons from this bill. Its passage had nothing to do with the quality of ideas, experts or even economics. It was all about greed (for power and money) and fear (of President Trump).
The legislators' constituents or the fate of the country meant nothing in the face of the Big, Awful Tyrant in the White House.
Susan BodikerWashington
To the Editor:
Jason Furman is wrong to think that the way the Republicans brought us the worst piece of legislation in modern times holds a lesson for Democrats.
It's easy to put together legislation that enriches the rich, brings cruelty to the vulnerable and is fiscally irresponsible. It's what Trump supporters do. It's much harder to craft legislation that helps bring about economic growth that can be widely shared among all Americans and do good for the world.
The lesson here is more simple: Whatever debates Democrats are having between more centrist and progressive elements pales in comparison to the damage we do when we don't get out the vote to prevent Republicans from taking power.
Richard DineSilver Spring, Md.
To the Editor:
Maybe there's only one lesson from President Trump's hugely horrific bill: Legislating works very differently when there is a large dose of authoritarianism in the body politic.
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