Transparency Is Important
I’m happy to partner with entities when the goals align. I’m a capitalist, and still a bit of an activist, but always transparent.
I had a time-sensitive offer today to read live copy (an on-air ad read live) from Americans For Prosperity, a group that has done a lot of good in the past and still does a lot of good now.
The proposed copy reads:
“Last November, 77 million Americans made President Trump our 47th president. And the #1 issue on the ballot was the economy. Jobs and wages and work! Under President Biden, the COST of everything – while the ages of hard-working Americans stalled.
Voters remembered Trump’s economy when he was president: they wanted to forget Biden’s.
What drove the economy in Trump’s first term was the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered taxes on hard-working Americans and 30 million small business owners. An explosion of growth followed in every aspect of American life. Wages went up for everyone, most significantly with the working class, minorities and women.
Small business owners thrived as well, investing in their businesses – and their people. And the stock market rose to record levels, too.
Which is why I’m asking that you go (URL) and send a letter to your two elected representatives in the US Senate demanding they make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act PERMANENT.No more delays. NO NEW TAXES. Go to (URL) and let your voice be heard. That's (URL) NOW.”
The missing element wasn’t the URL, which I assume had not yet been solidified, but rather the how. HOW exactly were they planning to do this? Through a rescissions package, pocket rescissions, or by supporting the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which I’ve written about and discussed on air a good bit? The language in the copy was vague so I researched it on my own before giving the sales department an answer.
Since it’s new, little came up, but this did:
The referenced CBS piece is here.
As I discussed in my earlier piece, the tax cuts are temporary. Yes, those exact mentioned 2017 cuts from the TCJA:
“I’ve seen a lot of discussion about tax cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill but not a lot of transparency on how many of those cuts are actually temporary so as to achieve a certain CBO score (reminder: CBO spits out whatever you feed it). A few of the major provisions which expire in 2028 (just in time for the next presidential election):
Standard Deduction Increase: Boosted by $2,000 for joint filers, $1,500 for head of household filers, and $1,000 for others, effective from 2025 through 2028.
Child Tax Credit: Increased to $2,500 from 2025 through 2028, reverting to $2,000 thereafter.
New Deductions: Provisions for tip income, overtime pay, and auto loan interest are also set to expire after 2028.
Control F “temporarily” to confirm that here if you don’t want to take my word for it.
These expirations mean the CBO’s score reflects the revenue loss only for the years these cuts are in place, not beyond. The CBO’s initial estimate pegs the bill’s cost at $2.5 trillion over the next decade in terms of primary deficits. Remember — Democrats and moderate Republicans both believe tax cuts, rather than federal spending, cost.”
I could accept the offer and read the copy urging you to contact your lawmakers to support “tax cuts” that were purposefully structured to be temporary so as to not have to actually cut spending. I would be a sell out if I did that. Others will choose to accept this money and read the copy regardless their position and that’s fine, but I won’t.
Nothing against Americans for Prosperity, as I’ve said, they’ve done a lot of good and I’ve no doubt they’ll continue to do more good. I was happy to work with them against Obamacare back in 2009 in the early tea party days. They saw the importance of grassroots and partnered with many activists to fight back against socialized health care, “cash for clunkers,” and more. They never paid me or paid for ad reads on my show, but they did facilitate travel for canvassing and phone banking. I just simply don’t agree with them on this bill. No one ever agrees 100% on anything, unless you’re a robot.
I didn’t have to write about this, but for the purpose of transparency — because you will hear these ads being read by others, and likely read others posting similar themes — I think you should know when a message has a financial motivation behind it and when one does not. Some may be paid to read this and they may also support the BBB, and that’s fine. I just think it’s important to disclose things like this, especially when a lot of the online activism you today see is absolutely financed, as evidenced by public record.
I’m happy to partner with entities when the goals align. I’m a capitalist, and still a bit of an activist, but always transparent. I’ve yet to agree to do anything like that, but as I said, I’m not against it if the interests align, so long as there exists transparency.
I’m still against the BBB. I’m for the President’s proposed rescissions package, which I will follow closely and discuss more later.
You're absolutely outstanding Dana. You're a blessing because you're a strong woman of faith. Leadership is important. You have it.
I absolutely love your honesty and integrity. Please keep up the good work. BTW, I wrote Rick Scott about not supporting this bill and received a stock non answer back. I sometimes wonder why in hell do I bother since both Democrats and Republicans feed from the same trough. But I guess I am an optimist and like the last line of Gone with the Wind believe tomorrow can be a better day.