New Mexico Sun

Truth! Where oh where are you hiding? Is it even possible for the average citizen to even find the truth about any subject on any news channel or in any newspaper? One thing for certain, you will not hear it from any of your elected officials.

Do our Senators and members of the House of Representatives represent the citizens of New Mexico or the Democrat Party? Can we get an honest answer even when we contact their offices and ask a simple question? How many times does a citizen have to be ignored before they understand that their representatives really do not care about them—only their pursuit for more personal power?

The first question: Have our elected officials actually read “The Big Beautiful Bill,” which is now law? This would be pretty difficult because the law is actually written in such a way as to be completely indecipherable. This is said with first-hand knowledge. Surely this is no accident! In this way, those opposed to the law and those in favor of the law can each put their own spin on it.

One glaring example: the “Big Lie” that “the Big Beautiful Bill” cut Medicaid and the SNAP program. When an elected official was asked to quote the title and section of the law where funds were actually cut, the silence was deafening. Where in the law does it state actual funds were cut?

• Title I: Section 10102 — Modifications to SNAP work requirements for able-bodied adults. There is a difference between work requirements and actual dollars being cut from the program. These work requirements were originally put into effect by President Bill Clinton.

• Title I: Section 10108 — Alien SNAP eligibility. Once you get past the legal language, this simply states illegal aliens are not eligible for SNAP benefits.

• Title VII: Finance — This is where the real substance of the law can be found. This title is very long and very complicated—just reading the index will give you a headache.

1. It extends the tax cuts from President Trump’s first term. The words “Extension and Enhancement” appear in many sections, but the word “Permanent” does not. However, the talking point that the law prevented the largest tax increase in history has validity.
2. Title VII, Chapter 2, Section 70201 — Provides “no tax tips” with limitations. Therefore, saying there is “no tax on tips” is a misleading talking point. Stating this is a very good benefit for workers whose incomes depend largely on tips is valid.
3. Title VII, Chapter 2, Section 70202 — “No tax on overtime” with limitations. Therefore, saying there is “no tax on overtime” is a misleading talking point. Stating this is a very good benefit for hourly workers is valid.

To discuss this point by point would take at least a week’s seminar—and who wants that?

Main Points:

• There are no actual dollar cuts to Medicaid or the SNAP program.
• Work rules have been reinstated and will be enforced.
• If the Big Beautiful Bill had not become law, citizens would have suffered a huge tax increase.
• The increase in the standard deduction and the deduction for Social Security income will greatly benefit the average retiree and middle-class working American.
• There is $50 billion in the law for rural hospitals.
• There is funding in the law for “Downwinders.”
• Do the top ten percent get a break? Absolutely! But keep in mind they pay most of the taxes.
• Do property owners in high-tax states get a break by increasing the federal deduction for state income and property taxes (SALT)? Absolutely!

Truth! The law contains a lot more good than bad for the average American family.

Tom Vaillancourt is a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. He is a retired small business owner and is married with two children and two grandchildren.