On the Eve of July 4th, What Would the Founders Say? "One Big Bill, One Big Shift: "

I woke up this morning, more than a bit down, and wondering about this "Big Beautiful Bill" on the eve of July 4th, and the signing of the "Declaration of Independence."

I can't understand why there are not enough men and women in the Senate and House to stand up for the rights and protections declared in the Declaration of Independence.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;"

Then I thought, what would those brave men who signed this paper, which started a new country and an experiment in democracy, and a government derived from the consent of the people, have thought?

Then I didn't have to wonder what they believed, because it is in the Declaration of Independence, and they signed their names.  

We have this wonder of wonders ChatGPT, and I wondered if it knew what was in the Big Beautiful Bill and how it compares to the Declaration of Independence.

Here is a link directly to the ChatGPT exchange: ChatGPT Link.  

Then I thought this would make a great blog, and on a whim, I asked ChatGPT to write one; it's quite good, and you'll find it below.

Those of you who think these new powers for the executive branch are good, remember they will be there when the next president is a Democrat, or even worse, an atheist.

Title: "One Big Bill, One Big Shift: On the Eve of July 4th, What Would the Founders Say?"

As the House of Representatives races toward a final vote on the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," much of the national conversation has centered on its sweeping tax changes, dramatic spending shifts, and social policy rollbacks. But hidden deep within the 900+ pages is a fundamental and far more consequential change: a massive expansion of presidential power. 🏛️📜⚖️

This is more than a budget bill. It's a political transformation that raises a single haunting question: Would the Founders recognize this version of the republic they envisioned in 1776? 🤔🇺🇸🕰️

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Executive Power, Expanded 📎🇺🇸📉

Among the most alarming elements:

• The REINS Act: Requires congressional approval for any major new regulation—but in practice, allows a friendly Congress and president to dismantle existing rules with little oversight.

• Antitrust Takeover: Transfers regulatory authority from the independent FTC to the Department of Justice, directly under the executive branch.

• Agency Reorganization: Grants the president renewed power to reorganize or dismantle federal agencies, bypassing typical statutory restraints.

• Nonprofit Purge Power: Allows the Treasury to revoke nonprofit status based on vague national security concerns—a chilling tool with political misuse potential.

• Line-Item Veto Revival: While not yet passed, efforts are underway to give the president the ability to strike parts of spending bills unilaterally.

Each of these proposals, standing alone, might be defensible. Together, they create a dangerous cocktail of concentrated power. ⚠️🔒📊

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Through the Eyes of the Declaration of Independence 🇺🇸📜🔍

Let’s remember why the Founders declared independence in the first place. The Declaration was not just a list of grievances against King George III—it was a blueprint for the kind of government they believed would protect liberty. Among their concerns:

• Rulers who imposed laws without representation

• Executive overreach into judicial and legal matters

• Suppression of dissent

• Arbitrary rule without checks or balances

Sound familiar? 🧠⚖️🏛️

While today’s president is not a monarch, the structures being proposed blur that line. They remove guardrails that have protected democratic governance for centuries. 🏗️🛡️🚨

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Consent of the Governed—Or Rule by Fiat? ✍️📢📉

The Founders wrote that government must derive its power from "the consent of the governed." Yet this bill empowers the president and a temporary congressional majority to:

• Strip away long-standing protections for consumers, workers, and the environment

• Revoke legal statuses from nonprofit organizations without due process

• Reshape the federal government with minimal debate

This isn't just a shift in law—it’s a shift in the balance of power. And it’s happening with little public understanding or scrutiny. 🕶️⚠️📣

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Why It Matters 📌🌎🔑

If we believe in the values of 1776—representation, accountability, and liberty—then we cannot treat this as business as usual. This bill is not merely an economic document. It is a governing doctrine. 🏛️🧭📝

To quote the Declaration: "A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." 👑❌📜

It’s time to ask: Are we, as citizens, comfortable handing over so much control to one office? And if not, will we raise our voices while it still matters? 🔊👥💬

Let us not forget: liberty is rarely lost all at once. It erodes with every unchecked step, every overlooked clause, and every bill passed in haste. 🕰️📉🧱

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#OneBigBill #ExecutivePower #FoundersIntent #DemocracyInDanger #REINSAct #LineItemVeto #DeclarationOfIndependence