Monday, June 30, 2025

Quite A Productive Supreme Court Session . . .




 

One Big Beautiful Bill: Know The Truth!

While Senate Democrats spend the day launching desperate, hollow attacks in a last-ditch effort to block the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the facts speak for themselves. This bill delivers historic tax relief for hardworking Americans. A vote against it is a vote for the largest tax hike in American history — plain and simple. No amount of spin, noise, or misinformation will change that. While they peddle fear, we will give you the facts.

MYTH

 FACT

 

This is just a tax break for billionaires.

 The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history. The President's legislation will put more than $10,000 a year back in the pockets of typical hardworking families. This is the most pro-growth, pro-worker, pro-family legislation ever crafted.

 

OBBB takes from the poor to give to the rich.

 Low-income workers stand to receive the largest percentage reduction in their tax liability. OBBB delivers the largest tax cut in history for working-and-middle class Americans. 

 

OBBB makes life more unaffordable.

 The bill delivers bigger paychecks, expanding take-home pay by over $10,000 per year for a typical family.

 

It hurts low-income families.

 OBBB is the most pro-family legislation ever crafted. It will deliver bigger paychecks, giving more than a $10,000 boost annually to everyday families. We are also expanding Opportunity Zones, expanding childcare access, increasing the child tax credit, and creating newborn savings accounts.

 

This is just a handout to corporations.

 This bill drives a Blue-Collar BOOM with tax relief for workers, support for small businesses, and investments in American manufacturing. OBBB delivers the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history.

 

It leaves American workers behind.

 This is the most Pro-American worker bill in history. OBBB boosts pay for millions—and with no tax on tips or overtime, those working hourly and service jobs receive additional tax relief.

This hurts small businesses.

 OBBB will make the Trump Tax Cuts permanent, including the small business deduction—helping Main Street grow and hire. Failure to pass this legislation would result in a $4 trillion tax hike.

 

OBBB kicks American families off Medicaid.

 As the President has said numerous times, there will be no cuts to Medicaid. OBBB protects and strengthens Medicaid for those who rely on it—pregnant women, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families—while eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. OBBB removes illegal aliens, enforces work requirements, and protects Medicaid for the truly vulnerable.

 

OBBB cuts Medicare.

 Medicare has not been touched in this bill— absolutely nothing in the bill reduces spending on Medicare benefits. This legislation does not make a single cut to welfare programs—it safeguards and protects these programs for all eligible Americans.

 

OBBB will close rural hospitals.

 False. Rural hospitals comprise just 7% of all hospital spending on Medicaid, illustrating that they have not benefited from the massive increase of waste, fraud, and abuse under the Biden Administration. By strengthening Medicaid, we are making more resources available for vulnerable populations and safety net providers, like rural hospitals. We are expanding rural hospital protections, providing targeted funds to rural care, and giving states flexibility to support local providers.

 

People will literally die from this legislation— millions will be kicked off their healthcare.

 This is one of the most egregious deranged attacks from the Left peddling fear over the facts. The OBBB protects eligible Americans on federal welfare – including Medicaid. By strengthening the integrity of Medicaid by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, its resources can be refocused on providing better care for those whom the program was designed to serve: pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, low-income seniors, and other vulnerable low-income families.

 

OBBB will hurt people with disabilities.

 OBBB protects and strengthens Medicaid for Americans with disabilities. Rest assured, those with disabilities receiving Medicaid will receive no loss or change in coverage.

 

This punishes vulnerable Americans with work requirements to receive their benefits.

 Not true. The 20-hour weekly work requirement applies only to able-bodied adults without young children—and promotes dignity, stability, and better health outcomes for families. OBBB restores the dignity of work with historically bipartisan work requirements for able-bodied Americans. We are implementing commonsense, Clinton-era work, volunteer, education, or training requirements with broad bipartisan support.

 

There’s no fraud in Medicaid—Republicans are just taking coverage away from vulnerable populations.

 In the last 10 years, CMS admitted that improper payments for Medicaid have exceeded HALF A TRILLION dollars. In just the past year, taxpayers spent $56 billion on benefits for able-bodied adults abusing the system—and over a million illegal aliens are receiving free health care on the backs of taxpayers. OBBB removes illegal aliens, enacts work requirements for able-bodied adults, and protects Medicaid for the truly vulnerable.

 

SNAP work requirements are unnecessary.

 Only 28% of able-bodied adults on SNAP work. OBBB promotes work, responsibility, and restores SNAP to serve the truly needy. SNAP enrollment remains high even in a strong economy, including millions of able-bodied adults who could work. In fact, almost three-quarters of able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP have no earned income. The mission of the program has failed. SNAP was intended to be temporary help for those who encounter tough times—we are strengthening this program to serve those who need it most.

 

Illegal aliens don’t get federal benefits.

 Illegals burden taxpayers with billions in costs for free health care and welfare benefits. OBBB ends Medicaid and SNAP fraud and ensures these programs serve only eligible Americans.

 

OBBB doesn’t actually end taxes on Social Security.

 OBBB delivers historic tax relief to seniors, with a new tax deduction that, combined with other deductions, ensures the average Social Security beneficiary will pay zero taxes on Social Security.
 
OBBB increases the deficit.

 
 The OBBB reduces deficits by roughly $2 trillion by increasing economic growth and cutting waste, fraud, and abuse across government programs at an unprecedented rate. This legislation delivers historic levels of mandatory savings. President Trump’s pro-growth economic formula will reduce the deficit, increase wages, deliver American jobs, and drive down the cost of living.

 

But the CBO says….

 The Crooked Budget Office has a terrible record with its predictions and hasn’t earned the attention the media gives it. The CBO misreads the economic consequences of not extending the Trump Tax Cuts. The OBBB delivers real savings that will unleash our economy and prevent the largest tax hike in history resulting in historic prosperity, while lowering the debt burden.

 

There’s too much ‘pork’ in this bill.

 There’s no pork in the bill. Every single provision in the OBBB is a campaign promise the American people elected President Trump to deliver. The only new spending in the bill is to secure the homeland of the United States and save American sovereignty — which is fully paid for by increased visa fees on foreigners.
 
OBBB won’t strengthen national security.

 
 OBBB delivers on President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda by funding the Golden Dome missile defense system and modernizing our military to prioritize lethality and readiness. It fully equips our warfighters with the resources they need while modernizing and revolutionizing our equipment and technology.
 
OBBB helps ‘Big Oil’ and locks up U.S. energy resources.

 
  
Quite the opposite. It unleashes American energy, refills the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and repeals the Green New Scam policies. OBBB unleashes clean, American-made energy, and will reduce the cost of living for Americans nationwide.

 

Manufacturing jobs will still go overseas.

 OBBB delivers 100% expensing for new domestic factories, revitalizes Opportunity Zones, and incentivizes companies to keep jobs in America.

 

It neglects rural America.

 This bill invests in rural communities, expands market access, and delivers historic support to farm families. OBBB provides the certainty America’s farm families need to continue operating and producing the affordable, safe, and abundant supply of food, fuel, and fiber that our nation relies on.

 

SNAP is being gutted and cutting food stamps for families causing them to go hungry. 

 OBBB protects and strengthens SNAP. Right now, almost three quarters of able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP have no earned income and the fraud rate is high. The mission of the program has failed: SNAP was intended to be temporary help for those who encounter tough times, now it’s become so bloated that it is leaving fewer resources for those who truly need help. We are committed to preserving SNAP for the truly needy.

 

Republicans are shutting Democrats out of the legislative process.

 This is not a partisan bill—Democrats shut themselves out by supporting higher taxes, open borders, and giveaways to illegal immigrants. OBBB delivers on Republican promises to lower taxes, secure the border, cut spending, and put Americans first.

 

OBBB border package is not necessary since President Trump has secured the border.

 We must ensure that the invasion we witnessed as a nation under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris never happens again. OBBB’s historic investment in our border security ensures we permanently secure our border and protect our homeland by finishing the border wall, hiring 10,000 new ICE officers, and funds efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl.

As The Big Holiday Weekend Approaches . . .


 

No Name Pops Is Now The Philly Pops!

New Name For A Treasured Philly Gem!

 It’s a new day for one of Philadelphia’s most iconic musical legacies. On July 1, The No Name Pops is reborn as the Philly Pops.


After two transformative years as The No Name Pops, the fiercely independent orchestra formed by the musicians of the former Philly Pops, is officially stepping into a bold new chapter. The ensemble is embracing a familiar name, launching a dynamic new brand, and premiering a new Music Director, 34 year-old Australian Chris Dragon, with a bold vision for the future.


Gifted the name by the family of legendary conductor and pianist Peter Nero, the revitalized Philly Pops is not a return of the old organization—it’s a rebirth. With new leadership, new governance, new partnerships, and a forward-thinking, musician and patron-centric philosophy, the Philly Pops of today is gritty, bold, and unmistakably Philly.


As part of this historic transition, the Pops unveils a new logo and brand identity brought to life by Masters Group Design, reflecting a future that’s vibrant, diverse, and unapologetically audience-driven. The launch campaign is appropriately titled “Philly Pops: [re]Born to Perform.” It includes a logo containing a piano-like image (in respect for Music Director Emeritus Peter Nero) with bold, whimsical letters, celebrating the orchestra’s roots while signaling an innovative path forward.


At the center of this rebirth is Chris Dragon, the internationally acclaimed conductor who takes the helm as Music Director on July 1. Known for his electric energy and genre-defying artistry, Dragon is ready to lead Philly’s most fearless musicians into a new era. “This is about building something lasting — something open, something created by the musicians, for this community,” said Dragon. “We’re not looking backward. We’re looking right at Philly’s future, filled with vitality, joy and heart."


A Real Philly Story


Founded in 2023 after the former Philly Pops ceased operations, the new organization quickly found its footing under the name, The No Name Pops. In just two short years, the ensemble performed on stages, and in schools, parks, and neighborhoods, connecting with people and communities across the region.  At the core of the organization are the musicians themselves, who embody the Pops in everything they do.


Jonathan Fink, one of the founding musicians of the No Name Pops, who serves as Vice President of the Board, couldn’t be more pleased about the future of their orchestra. He said, “The most gratifying part for me has been getting back to performing with our musicians. I am so proud of our new board and that it’s musician-friendly and financially responsible. We are truly creating something. Playing on July 3rd will be a homecoming of sorts for us. I can't wait to do that show again!”


And Michael Kellerman, President of the Board of Directors, is equally thrilled with the Pops’ rebirth, saying “"Reimagining this beloved musical tradition with fresh purpose has been a dream challenge. Our extraordinary musicians, passionate audience, and this great city and region inspire us daily—creating a virtuous cycle that propels us forward as we proudly reinvigorate the Philly Pops name, deepen our presence in the community, and bring new experiences to life."


Whether playing pop, soul, jazz, classical, hip-hop, or film scores, the Philly Pops makes music that brings people together and gets them out of their seats. It believes that orchestral music belongs to everyone, a belief that powers every performance and every decision. From offering free tickets to students and families, to curating diverse and inclusive programming, to lifting up Philly talent on every stage—this is music with purpose.


“I couldn’t be more thrilled to say: we’re coming home,” says Executive Director Matt Koveal. “Today we officially reclaim the name that has always been ours in spirit, the Philly Pops. This isn’t just a name change, it’s a return to our roots, legacy, and our continued deep connection to the city we love.”


About Chris Dragon: Chris Dragon’s career has been a whirlwind of innovation and energy. Growing up in Perth, Australia, he quickly developed a passion for music and conducting. He honed his skills at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the University of Tasmania, before going on to create his own orchestra and earn a spot in the Symphony Services International Conducting Development Program. Dragon has studied with legendary conductors such as Paavo Järvi, Neeme Järvi, and Fabio Luisi, and has worked with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world.


As the Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony, the newly appointed Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony, and Music Director of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Dragon’s high-energy performances have dazzled audiences at renowned venues across the globe. He has also collaborated with such iconic artists as Wu-Tang Clan, Joshua Bell, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Folds, Boyz II Men, and Danny Elfman. His guest-conducting engagements include appearances with the San Francisco Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Sydney Symphony, with upcoming performances with the Nashville Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Recent highlights include his debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and performances with Nathaniel Rateliff at Walt Disney Concert Hall.


About The Philly Pops: The Liberty Bell Pops, founded in 2023, dba originally as The No Name Pops and now as Philly Pops, is a versatile ensemble composed of the former musicians of the pre-2023 Philly Pops with a mission to respect the legacy of Music Director Emeritus Peter Nero and deliver authentic, exceptional musical experiences in the Philadelphia region. Led by its new Music Director Christopher Dragon and featuring world-class soloists, the Pops continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse repertoire. It melds tradition with an innovative approach unbound by musical genre for concert experiences that entertain and empower the entire community. For more about The Philly Pops, visit phillypops.net.


Liberty Bell Pops, dba The Philly Pops, has no affiliation either legally or artistically with Encore Series, Inc., the management company of the former Philly Pops.

A Very Special Message For The Fed Chair!




 

NJ Dems Approve Tax Hikes, Bloated Budget!

Following New Jersey Democrats’ passage of a massive $58.8 billion budget, Republican State Leadership Committee Communications Director Mason Di Palma released the following statement:  

“New Jersey residents are frustrated with the high cost of living and the continuous onslaught of new taxes and regulations that burden working-class families. Tonight, Trenton Democrats pushed through a nearly $60 billion budget filled with new taxes and increased spending, showing indifference to the challenges faced by residents of the Garden State. New Jersey deserves leadership that prioritizes affordability and addresses the concerns of its people. State Republicans are committed to slashing taxes, axing regulations, and fighting for a better future for all New Jerseyans.” – RSLC Communications Director Mason Di Palma

Background  

New Jersey Democrats' budget contains some jaw-dropping figures:

  • At $58.8 billion, it is the largest budget in state history
  • The budget is over $2 billion higher than the fiscal year 2025 budget
  • Increased taxes on online gambling, sports betting, cigarettes, and more
  • Increased fees on property sales

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Oh, My! How Times Have Changed!


 

GOP Beware: Why The Mamdani Threat Is Real!

It's been said that Republicans fall into line while Democrats fall in love. And Republicans are solidly in line behind President Trump while what's left of the Democrat party now seems to be falling in love with --  Zohran Mamdani!

Who'da thunkit? This guy came out of nowhere, so he'll soon disappear, right? Wrong!

True, Mamdani (a state assemblyman and New York Democrat mayoral nominee) is certifiably fringe. After all, he’s a self-proclaimed socialist and an ardent proponent of radical policies such as rent cancellation, police defunding, and the end of capitalism as we know it. But those who dismiss him do so at their own peril.

You see, Mamdani is not merely an activist who got lucky at the ballot box. He is a symbol, a strategist, and—perhaps most alarmingly—a growing national voice for a radical realignment of American values. Republicans—and all Americans who care about national strength, democratic pluralism, and the U.S.–Israel alliance—had damned well better take Mamdani seriously and view him as a threat.

Remember, Mamdani's not just pushing progressive domestic policies. He’s becoming the face of a movement that seeks to unravel longstanding bipartisan consensus on America’s role in the world, and in doing so, he is giving a slick, social media–friendly platform to radical views that reek of antisemitism. 

An Emerging Radical with a Strategy

Sadly, Mamdani appears to be the vanguard of a far-left insurgency that is gaining ground where it often matters most—in local elections, on college campuses, and in the minds of disillusioned younger voters. And his full-throated communistic policies are combined with tactical agility and dogged effectiveness.

Make no mistake about it: Mamdani has the potential to become what Clinton was in his time and Obama in his: the face and the voice of a movement that captures the imagination of a growing generation of voters and translates into a seismic political shift. All the elements are there.

Mamdani speaks with the confidence of a revolutionary and the skill of a modern influencer. His savvy use of Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter has made him not only a legislator, but a cultural force. Mamdani uses memes, music videos, satire, and stylized skits to simplify and glorify radical ideas. He's a master of the well-timed phrase, the potent slogan, the intoxicating grin and the quick, targeted jab at any and all opponents. He’s made policy look cool—and that should deeply concern Republicans and centrists alike.

His Pro-Palestinian Agenda Isn’t Just Controversial—It’s Dangerous

Beneath all the Mamdani charm, danger lurks  -- particularly in his rhetoric and activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is perhaps the most outspoken pro-Palestinian voice in New York’s legislature, a state with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. And his positions regularly cross the line from criticism of Israeli policy into inflammatory, divisive language that echoes longstanding antisemitic tropes. 

Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of apartheid and ethnic cleansing—rhetoric echoed from Hamas and other terror-supporting organizations. He was one of the most prominent voices behind efforts to defund and dismantle economic partnerships between New York and Israeli institutions, even aligning with groups that openly question Israel’s right to exist.

And he’s done more than make incendiary speeches—he has sponsored and endorsed legislation and policy statements that should leave many Jewish New Yorkers feeling targeted, alienated, and unsafe. His social media presence frequently amplifies accounts and organizations that have defended Hamas, minimized the October 7 massacre, or framed Jewish self-determination as colonialism.

Don't be surprised when Mamadani tries to soften his language and his stance in the coming months as we move toward the general election and, by all means, don't be fooled by it.

Because, for many, this isn’t just politics—it’s personal. His positions contribute to an increasingly hostile atmosphere for Jewish students, business owners, and families who find themselves vilified for supporting Israel while at the same time hate crimes against Jews increase across the country.  Frighteningly, Mamdani's been getting away with all this --  so much so that, incredibly, he even boasts pockets of support within the Jewish community itself.

Antisemitism in a New Cloak

How does he do it?

What makes Mamdani particularly dangerous is that he cloaks his antisemitism in the fashionable language of “anti-colonialism” and “human rights.” Believe it or not, this academic rebranding of age-old prejudices has gained traction among Gen Z voters, many of whom do not have the historical literacy to recognize what’s really being sold to them.

To be clear: legitimate criticism of Israel is not, in and of itself, antisemitism. But Mamdani consistently crosses that line—erasing Israeli lives and legitimacy while defending or excusing the violence of groups who openly call for Jewish destruction. And not just the left but now even the Democrat establishment, has largely given him a pass. Why? Because his style, savvy, and performative moralism give him cover and it's all cloaked in the slick, passionate "newness" that Democrats have always craved.

A Growing Threat to Bipartisanship

Think about it: for generations, support for Israel and condemnation of terrorism transcended party lines. But now Mamdani and those in his ideological sphere are effectively chipping away at that consensus. They are replacing it with a worldview in which America is always the oppressor, Israel is always the villain, and terrorism is rationalized as “resistance.”

That view is gaining traction not just in activist circles but increasingly within the leadership class of the Democratic Party where few if any are willing to challenge Mamdani. If his momentum continues unchecked, make no mistake about it, this then is the new foreign policy platform—and domestic agenda— of the Democrat Party

Republicans: Take the Threat Seriously

This isn’t about one assemblyman in Queens. It’s about about a man who's poised to become Mayor of one of the world's center of capitalism. It's about a rising ideology that’s taking hold, using slick tools, compelling moral narratives, and a deep resentment of American and Western institutions. In our instant gratification, media saturated age Mamdani is winning hearts and minds with his camera-ready charisma and his ability to boil complex issues into viral clips.

The Republican Party must respond not with mockery but with strategy. First, by exposing the double standards and toxic alliances behind Mamdani’s rhetoric. Second, by fighting back with a modern conservative vision that speaks to young voters’ desire for meaning, justice, and purpose—without sacrificing core GOP principles and values.

And we must also refuse to cede the digital battlefield. Mamdani and his peers are fluent in the languages of memes, aesthetics, and algorithmic warfare. Republicans have made great strides in this realm, particularly under President Trump but we've got to be even more nimble, more adaptable and redouble our efforts in this terrain—because that’s where the next generation is forming its worldview. 

The Bottom Line

Mamdani may seem like a curiosity to some. But he’s not. He’s a warning. His blend of radical ideology, antisemitic rhetoric and social media fluency makes him a national figure to watch—and a threat to counter. Because if his movement continues to grow unchecked, America as we know it will be lost.