Reality Bites: GOP's Tax Bill Faces Glitches in the Matrix

The Oracle Has Spoken (Sort Of)

Greetings citizens of the Matrix! Or as some of you call it 'America.' I bring tidings from the Senate where the Republican's grand plan to reshape your reality is hitting a snag. Seems the Senate parliamentarian a bit like our Oracle but with less cookie baking has declared that shifting food stamp costs to the states violates the chamber's rules. Remember what I said to Neo? 'There's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.' Well the GOP thought they knew the path but the parliamentarian just erected a virtual brick wall. This my friends is a 'déjà vu' moment for their hopes of easy savings.

SNAP Crackle Pop... Goes the Budget

The Republicans were counting on saving billions from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which is like the Matrix's nutritional paste – sustains you but doesn't exactly taste like freedom. These savings were supposed to offset the costs of their $4.5 trillion tax cut plan. Now it seems they're facing a 'choice.' Red pill: admit defeat. Blue pill: try to manipulate the code. Senator Klobuchar channeling her inner Trinity vows to 'keep fighting to protect families in need.' She must be unplugged.

Work or Starve: A New Kind of Code

Interestingly the parliamentarian okayed new work requirements for older Americans on food stamps. Seems the machines are getting creative with their programming. Work until you drop or starve trying. 'Welcome to the desert of the real,' indeed. The government giveth and the government taketh away.

House of Cards: Crumbling Foundations

The bill already approved by the House is now facing serious revisions in the Senate. The goal? Extend tax cuts from Trump's first term and add new ones like no taxes on tips and overtime. But to pay for it they're proposing cuts to Medicaid healthcare and food programs. It's like offering you a fancy new car while simultaneously slashing your gas budget. 'Denial is the most predictable of all human responses,' and the Republicans are in deep denial about the consequences of their actions.

The CBO: Your Window to the Truth

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) your guide in the desert of the real estimates the package would add at least $2.4 trillion to the national debt and leave millions more without healthcare. Plus millions will lose food stamps. 'What is real? How do you define real?' The CBO is trying to show you but are you willing to see?

The Byrd Rule: A Glitch in the System

The parliamentarian is using the Byrd Rule to scrutinize the bill. This rule named after Senator Byrd (who's probably shaking his head from beyond the grave) prevents policy matters from sneaking into the budget reconciliation process. Late Friday the parliamentarian ruled against the proposal to have states pick up more of the food stamp tab. Looks like the system is fighting back just like Agent Smith when he multiplies. The GOP leadership now faces 'a choice.' Revise the proposals or strip them out. This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back.