The Big Brutal Bill: An Introduction

 

You might have heard about something called the "One Big Beautiful Bill." The name sounds harmless—maybe even hopeful. But the reality inside its 1,100+ pages is anything but. That’s why I’m calling it what it really is: The Big Brutal Bill.

This legislation is a sweeping overhaul of public life. It slashes healthcare programs, rewrites immigration enforcement (and it not limited to undocumented immigrants), weakens civil rights protections, undermines public education, and strips away environmental rules. It is not about helping families or creating opportunity. It’s about power, control, and profit—at the expense of the rest of us.

Much of the bill comes straight from the Project 2025 playbook. This isn’t a conspiracy theory or exaggeration. It's a documented policy agenda, now put into legislative form. The bill’s language is full of vague terms, broad discretionary power, and new enforcement tools that can be turned against communities that are already marginalized.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll break it down section by section. I’ll also write to Senators McCormick and Fetterman each time, with a message that explains why every part of this bill is dangerous—especially for Pennsylvania.

If you’re overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, start with this: The Big Brutal Bill is real. It is moving forward. And we can’t afford to ignore it.

To join me in writing to your senators, you can do that by letter or email or even more easily through Resistbot. 

You can also sign my petition at https://resist.bot/petitions/PJGKPH 

Foreign Aid: More Than Just Charity

I began this blog in 2013 to document my family's experience of planning and fundraising for a church mission trip to Honduras. I went on to visit Honduras 5 more times with the idealism of "making a difference", and over the course of our preparations, our teams became dedicated to the additional ideal of doing no harm. Ensuring our trips didn't contribute to "toxic charity", were not just for us to feel good about ourselves but would hopefully make meaningful long term differences in the lives of the people we were serving. 

With all that in mind, it can't be any surprise to anyone that I am an advocate of governments of
powerful nations providing compassionate aid—food, medicine, or disaster relief—to "the least of these". However, I am not naive enough to ever believe this government aid is entirely altruistic, and it is certainly not a Christian calling they are following. 

And sure, sometimes it is an act of generosity, particularly when a terrible natural disaster hits a country. But the full picture? It’s a lot more complicated. Foreign aid isn’t just about helping people. It’s about shaping the world in a way that benefits the United States.

That might sound cynical, but it’s reality. The US government isn’t writing billion-dollar checks out of the goodness of its heart. It’s making investments—investments in stability, influence, and strategic advantage. 

The Difference Between Personal Giving and Government Aid

Most of us, when we give, do so from a place of compassion. Whether it’s donating to a food bank, sponsoring a child in another country, or tithing through our church, we give because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Maybe it’s faith, maybe it’s morality, maybe it’s just being a decent human being.

But government foreign aid? That’s not coming from the same place. It may do good, but it’s not driven by sympathy. It’s calculated.

Take the example of US aid sending condoms to Gaza. At first glance, it sounds absurd. In a region torn apart by war, was birth control really the priority? But the reasoning behind it wasn’t about compassion—it was about strategy. Reducing unintended pregnancies in an already unstable region could, in theory, lower humanitarian strain and long-term instability. The same goes for US funding of gender studies in parts of Asia and the Middle East. It’s framed as supporting equality, but the underlying goal is often about shaping cultural attitudes in ways that align with American values.

Why Does the US Give So Much?

At its core, foreign aid is about control. Countries that receive US aid are more likely to align with American policies, vote with the US in international organizations, and open their markets to American businesses. And if the US steps back? China and Russia are more than happy to step in.

It’s also about preventing crises before they start. 

When countries collapse—whether from war, poverty, or corruption—those problems don’t stay contained. Instability leads to mass migration, extremist recruitment, and economic fallout that can ripple far beyond the borders of one struggling nation. By keeping certain regions afloat, the US is often preventing bigger problems down the line.

One of the clearest examples of this is education, particularly for girls. Studies have shown that when girls are educated, poverty rates go down, economies improve, and—importantly—terrorist recruitment drops. A 2018 World Bank study (1) found that increasing girls’ education in fragile states significantly reduced the likelihood of conflict. Groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria specifically target girls' schools because they know that an educated population—especially one where women play a role—threatens their control.

So when the US funds girls' education programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Africa, it’s not just about helping. It’s about long-term strategy. The hope is that educated girls grow into women who contribute to more stable societies—societies that are less likely to fall into extremism or violent conflict.

Follow the Money

A lot of foreign aid isn’t even leaving US borders. Much of it comes with conditions that require countries to buy American goods, hire American companies, or adopt economic policies that benefit the US. This isn’t new—it’s been a strategy since the post-WWII Marshall Plan, when the US helped rebuild Europe not just out of goodwill, but to create stable trade partners and prevent the spread of communism.

Foreign aid builds business opportunities. It builds alliances. And it builds leverage. That’s why it’s rarely cut, no matter who’s in office.

So Why Shut It Down?

That’s why the sudden closure of the USAID website, employees being told to stay home, and the agency being described as "a ball of worms" is so concerning. It raises a question that should matter to every American—especially those who benefit most from global stability. Why would the world’s richest man, someone whose wealth depends on international trade and a functioning global economy, fail to understand the value of foreign aid?

Because if USAID is messy, if it's inefficient, then the answer is to fix it—not to shut it down. The US has used aid as a tool for influence and control for decades, and abandoning it doesn’t mean the world stops needing it. It just means someone else—China, Russia—steps in to fill the void.

More Than Meets the Eye

None of this means foreign aid doesn’t do good. It absolutely does. It feeds people, provides life-saving medicine, and rebuilds communities after disasters. But it’s not pure altruism. It’s an investment—one designed to serve a much bigger purpose.

So, the next time someone suggests cutting foreign aid to save money, it’s worth asking: at what cost? Because in global politics, when one country steps back, another steps forward. 

Sources:
(1)  2018 World Bank study "Missed Opportunities: The High Cost of Not Educating Girls 
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/07/11/not-educating-girls-costs-countries-trillions-of-dollars-says-new-world-bank-report 

[Images were created by AI]

How to Prepare for the Impact of Farm Policy Changes

How to Prepare for the Impact of Farm Policy Changes

Farmers across the country are facing significant challenges due to recent policy changes. In addition to uncertainty surrounding grants and loans, two major shifts are making it even harder for them to stay afloat:

1. Tariffs and Trade Issues – We can expect an impact either in the cost of food or the tax-payer subsidies to farmers. During the 45th administration, tariffs led to reduced international purchases of U.S. agricultural products. This caused financial losses for farmers, and the government had to step in with hundreds of millions in extra subsidies to offset the damage.
2. Executive Order on Inflation Reduction Act – Last week, the 47th administration signed an executive order modifying the Inflation Reduction Act, cutting climate-related grants that helped farmers manage flooding, erosion, drought, and irrigation needs.

Why This Matters

Farmers in the Midwest and around the nation are under extreme distress. According to PBS and
multiple other sources, the suicide rate is highest among farming populations due to financial pressures, physically demanding labor, unpredictable crop yields, and limited access to mental health services.

Additional pressures are expected due to:

• Increased ICE raids, which could further disrupt the agricultural workforce.
• Tariffs on food imports from Mexico and Canada, which may drive up grocery costs and reduce available food supplies.
• Retaliatory tarriffs on our agricultural goods will impact them further.

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What Can We Do?

Contact Your Representatives

One of the most effective ways to push back against harmful policies is to contact your federal and state representatives.

• Urge Congress to reinstate climate grants that help farmers adapt to extreme weather conditions.
• Encourage state legislators to ensure that your state's farmers still have access to critical funding.

Find your representatives here:

• U.S. Senators & Representatives – www.congress.gov/members
• Pennsylvania State Legislators – www.legis.state.pa.us

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Prepare for Food Supply Disruptions

Whether you're new to growing food or looking to expand your skills, now is a good time to prepare:

✅ Learn to Grow Your Own Food

• A book my husband loved when he began our little homestead 20 years ago was "Country Wisdom and Know How" and has been republished in 2017 with up to date information and resized to fit on a shelf! As much as I love an ebook, this is one of those references I do recommend as a real book. 
• Join a Master Gardener Seed to Supper program, which offers low cost (free for certain income levels) courses on basic gardening skills. In my area, Butler County Extension will host one this spring.
  • Penn State Extension (Butler County) – https://extension.psu.edu/butler-county
• Consider container gardening or raised beds if you have limited space or even ask neighbors if you can use a plot of their land for free or a small fee. 

✅ Preserve Your Food

• Learn to can, dehydrate, and freeze-dry produce to store for the long term.
• Look into food preservation classes at your local extension office or community center.
  • National Center for Home Food Preservation – https://nchfp.uga.edu
    

✅ We love our chickens, and thankfully, not every HOA or township has banned keeping them in every neighborhood. Raising backyard chickens is a great way to ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs and, in some cases, meat. They also provide excellent compostable material in the form of manure and help control pests in the yard. 

If you’re new to keeping chickens, Backyard Chickens has a ton of information on budget-friendly coop setups and how to care for your flock:

• Backyard Chickens Community & Guides – https://www.backyardchickens.com

✅ Stock Up on Long-Term Food Storage

• Consider ReadyWise food kits, which have a 25-year shelf life. Costco is running a sale through February, and they continue to support DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in their business practices.
  • ReadyWise Food Kits – https://readywise.com
  • Costco Emergency Food Supplies –https://www.costco.com/emergency-food.html
  • Amazon Readywise Kits -  https://amzn.to/40K19QA
    
    

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Final Thoughts

These policy changes will have long-term consequences for food security, pricing, and farming communities. We can support our local farmers, push for smarter policies, and take proactive steps to make sure our own households are prepared for whatever comes next.

[Images created with AI]

The Shifting Ground of Immigration

 The Shifting Ground of Immigration

Laws Change. That’s What Makes Immigration Insecure.

Immigrants know that laws can change. It’s what makes being an immigrant a little insecure. One can be perfectly legal and on the path to citizenship when something shifts.

To be fair, I’ll share an example from the Biden administration: at one point, a new rule required citizenship applicants to provide proof of having received the COVID vaccine. (When I moved here in 2003, I had to prove I didn’t carry tuberculosis—the law evolves.)

Why I Chose to Apply for Citizenship in 2015

I applied for my citizenship in 2015. There were several reasons that particular timeframe mattered to
me. Initially, I’d planned to do it between 2017 and 2018—when my existing green card was up for renewal and before my daughter turned 18, so she could legally gain citizenship with me.

But 2015 was also a moment when the political landscape shifted. At the time, there were still many Republican candidates in the primary race. Trump talked endlessly about immigration, and it wasn’t just about people crossing the border illegally. It was also about Syrian refugees.

Some of you may remember—some of you may have been among those who posted quite vehemently that they were not welcome. Some people I knew weren’t shy about the racial slurs they used toward them.

Trump’s Rhetoric and the Fear It Created

Trump spoke about changing immigration laws—who was "legal" and who was not. At the time, many people were still laughing at him. Even some who would later vote for him admitted how awful he was.

But people like me—people whose lives could change with a stroke of a pen—weren’t laughing. We were afraid.

Someone once said to me,
“You don’t have to worry. He doesn’t mean people like you.”

People like me? White? English-speaking? Christian? I fit in with the social norms, so I’m okay?

But Syrian refugees weren’t illegal, so the adage “We only mean illegal immigrants” didn’t hold up.

You can’t claim it’s only about illegal immigration when you’re freaking out over legal Middle Eastern immigrants. There’s more at play here, whether you admit it or not.

Legal Today, Illegal Tomorrow?

So why did I apply for citizenship in 2015? Because I knew there was a risk.

I feared Donald Trump, and I feared people who spoke out of both sides of their mouths. Would they stand up for me if a law changed and suddenly my visa was no longer valid?

Very doubtful.

A Constitutional Right Under Attack

Today, I watch with horror as a long-held constitutional right to citizenship is being deeply attacked—birthright citizenship.

If that can be taken away without the checks and balances woven into the fabric of the Constitution, then you can be damned sure any other right can be, too.

Any.

For me, having a “safe” green card wasn’t safe enough anymore. I became a citizen in 2015 because I didn’t trust Trump, even before he was the candidate.

It turns out, I was right not to trust him.

Who Will Stand Up When Legal Becomes Illegal?

And today, I feel betrayed by the many people who cheer these law changes.

I feel betrayed by former church friends who smile and say,
“It’s only the illegals.”

But when the laws shift and legal suddenly becomes illegal, you’ll say it’s all for the greater good.

Or am I wrong?

Will you stand up for us when proposed changes outlined in Project 2025 are rolled out?

You’ll tell me,
“But Danielle, it’s the law. I have to report the broken law.”

And I wonder—when did you lose your empathy? When did you lose your love for the least?

The Least Among Us

As I’ve said before, the least doesn’t always mean those without money or a home.

It also means those without legal protection, without hope, without job security.

But in return, you, too, have lost something. More than you realize.

Compassion.
Understanding.
Love.

So I pray that today, you are blessed—with a deep sense of compassion, justice, kindness, hope, and reality.

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What Do You Think?

How do you feel about the way immigration laws can change overnight? Have you or someone you know been affected by shifting policies?

Let’s talk about it in the comments. I welcome open, honest, and respectful conversations.

If this post resonated with you, consider sharing it. The more we discuss these issues, the harder it becomes for those in power to quietly erode rights that affect real people.

The Fire That Burns Without Consuming: Activism, Empathy, and Resilience

When I started this blog in 2013, my guiding scripture was Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." That hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s become more urgent.

Right now, the least of these includes all the people it always has—the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the downtrodden. But today, it feels like the category has expanded exponentially. When rights are stripped away, when entire groups are pushed back into oppression and 60-year-old protections are written out of the law, we are surrounded by the suppressed. And for those of us who see it, who feel it deeply, it’s impossible to look away.

The America I Thought I Knew

Before I moved to America in 2003, I believed that Americans had it all. Sure, I knew there were problems—poverty, homelessness, political tensions—but I had this idea that at its core, America was a land of security and opportunity. Where people felt a depth of patriotism that meant people fought and worked to make the country better for all. The country that, for all its faults, still believed in fairness.

There were a few things that rocked my beliefs. The shock of the expensive medical system hit me first. I still remember the first time I saw a hospital bill—you mean people actually go bankrupt just for getting sick? They lose insurance when they lose their job—and they can lose their job due to sickness??

Then came the moments of overhearing casual racism spoken so freely, like it was nothing. Someone used a racial slur in front of me without batting an eye, assuming I'd naturally agree with them. And the women’s rights issues—especially in the workplace—felt like something from another era compared to what I was used to in Europe.

But over the past 20 years, I’ve also watched real progress. Tangible progress. Laws demanding equal pay for equal work. Stronger protections against workplace discrimination. A growing recognition that diversity in higher education isn’t just some feel-good ideal—it actually benefits society.

So how is it that now, in 2025, I’m watching these hard-won gains be unraveled?

What Happens When the Floor Drops Out?

I used to believe that even if things got bad, the core of who we are as a country—the foundation of democracy, of basic decency—would hold. I don’t know if I believe that anymore. Or at least, I no longer take it for granted.

People I once thought loved America deeply—loved the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice—have shocked me. It turns out, they love a man much more. And as he tears at the fabric of the Constitution, stretching it beyond its limits, testing who will actually stop him, I feel something tearing at my own soul as well as that of the nation, and at the morals of people I once admired.

Because it isn’t just a political crisis. It’s a moral one. A spiritual one. It’s about who we are as a nation, but also who we are as neighbors, as friends, as coworkers. And as activists.

The Burden of Seeing Clearly

I know I’m not alone in feeling the weight of this moment. The exhaustion doesn’t just come from fighting—it comes from witnessing. From seeing the truth while others deny it. From feeling like you’re screaming into the void while so many around you pretend nothing is wrong.

Empathy has always been a double-edged sword. It’s what calls us to action, but it’s also what makes this all so heavy. How do you keep going when it feels like the same battles must be fought over and over? When the same warnings go unheard? When justice never seems to arrive in time—or worse, when it feels like justice has walked out building and might not be back?

Holding the Fire, Not the Ashes

I don’t have an easy answer. But I do know this: I refuse to let the fire die. Not because I have endless energy, not because I’m some unwavering source of hope, but because letting it go out isn’t an option. Letting this happen is. not. an. option.

So we do what we can to keep going. We rest when we need to. We lean on each other. We grieve, because there is grief in watching what we love be dismantled. But we don’t let the grief consume us. When you feel that happening: Stop. Breathe. And practice whatever it is you need to do to reset yourself. 

Maybe faith means believing that even now, the work matters. Maybe it means trusting that even when we step back, others will step forward. Maybe it means remembering that the least of these—whoever they are, wherever they are—have never been abandoned by God, even when the world turns against them.

America may be burning, but we Americans do not have to burn with it.

And I don’t know what happens next. But I know we will not face it alone.

Coping in Dark Times: How Empathetic People Can Stay Engaged Without Burning Out

The weight of the world feels heavy right now. It’s not just the headlines—it’s the relentless wave of policies that strip away rights, dignity, and safety from entire communities. For those of us who feel deeply, who cannot turn away when we see injustice, these moments can feel crushing.

The temptation to withdraw is real. But we know that silence and apathy are what allow harmful systems to thrive. The challenge, then, is this: How do we stay engaged without losing ourselves in exhaustion and despair? What are some ways we can work for good while preserving and protecting our own hearts and minds?

1. Channel Emotion into Action

Empathy is a powerful force, but on its own, it can become paralyzing. The antidote? Action.

• Call your representatives – Even when it feels pointless, it matters. Flood their offices with calls, emails, and letters. Make them hear us.
• Donate where it counts – Organizations like the ACLU and RAICES are on the front lines. Even small contributions add up.
• Volunteer – Whether it’s supporting local food banks, crisis hotlines, or advocacy groups, direct action gives us back a sense of agency.
• Protect your community – If your state or town is enforcing harmful laws, look for ways to counter them. Help people register to vote, offer transportation to important meetings, or support legal defense funds.

Channeling grief and rage into action gives us momentum. 

And momentum is what keeps movements alive.

 

2. Set Boundaries with News Consumption

Staying informed is necessary, but drowning in an endless news cycle? That only fuels despair.

• Schedule your news intake – Limit it to once or twice a day. Doomscrolling at midnight will not help anyone.
• Follow solution-oriented sources – Instead of just consuming the worst of the worst, follow activists and organizations that offer tangible ways to fight back.
• Unplug when needed – It’s okay to step away. The world will still be here when you return, and you’ll be stronger for taking a break.

3. Find Community & Support

We are not meant to carry this alone.

• Lean on like-minded people – Join local activist groups, attend protests, or just have deep conversations with friends who understand.
• Engage in mutual aid – Offer what you can and accept it from others too—whether that’s a meal, a ride, or even just time.
• Seek professional support if needed – If the weight of it all is too much, therapy can be a life raft. There is no shame in needing help to keep going.

Hope is built in community. Find yours, and hold onto it.

4. Ground Yourself in Joy & Resilience

Oppressive systems rely on our exhaustion. Our joy is resistance.

• Prioritize what nourishes you – Gardening, yoga, reading, music—whatever reminds you that life is still worth fighting for.
• Celebrate small wins – Every lawsuit that blocks a harmful law, every activist who makes a difference—these moments matter.
• Reconnect with nature – Even a short walk in fresh air can remind you that the world is bigger than this moment of despair.

5. Keep the Long View in Mind

This is not the first time humanity has faced oppression. And it will not be the last.

• Learn from history – Movements have faced dark times before, and they have survived. So will we.
• Mentor and educate – Talk to younger generations. Teach them what’s happening. Equip them to carry the fight forward.
• Vote, always – And help others do the same. Elections alone won’t save us, but they are a tool we cannot afford to ignore.

6. Care for Each Other

Compassion must extend to ourselves and those around us.

• Take breaks together – Plan a lunch, a coffee, a walk—where politics and news are off-limits. Give yourselves space to breathe.
• Check in on friends – A simple text, a kind gesture. Let them know they are not alone.
• Engage in collective decompression – Join a yoga class, start a book club, watch a comforting movie together. Anything that reminds you of life outside the fight.
• Allow yourself to feel joy – Not as an escape, but as fuel. Love, laughter, and rest are not luxuries; they are survival tools.

We Keep Going

None of this is easy. The grief is real. The rage is justified. The exhaustion is valid.

But we are not powerless. And we are not alone.

We fight. We rest. We care for each other.

And then we fight again.