The Big Beautiful Bill: Idealists vs. Pragmatists

“Some People Just Can’t Grasp How Sausage is Made!”

By Richard Allen – July 7, 2025

Just seven months ago, Donald Trump was not yet sworn in as the 47^th President of the United States and there was already a budget controversy in Washington DC regarding support for a Continuing Resolution (CR). The battle lines were drawn, and the fight heated up between what many perceived to be: “We The People” vs. “The Permanent Political Class!” But the battle with Trump wasn’t just between Deep State Democrats and Republicans. The December 2024 battle over the CR or Continuing Resolution to fund the government with stop-gap funding, was between Conservative Republicans and Libertarians – and the more Pragmatic wing of Trump’s own MAGA base. The battle showed the limitations we humans have in self-governing. Strange as it sounds, some of Trump’s most vocal opponents were true believers from his own MAGA Movement. To explain this, you need to understand that our current budget process is just another installment of the collective-fleecing of American Taxpayers to fund the never-ending Pork Projects that send Billions to those who are connected. Being the President-elect, Trump had to take a more pragmatic approach, giving Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, approval to agree to the bloated CR. There were other “priorities” which needed Trump’s immediate focus. Our current government is set up by dishonest Politicians –“selling their influence to the highest bidder” – so they have campaign cash with which to stay in office! This battle took place a full month before Donald Trump was sworn in, but it was a “preview of battles between Pragmatists and MAGA Belieivers to come.” We are now watching this same struggle play out with the “Big Beautiful Bill!”

Let me acknowledge, as “fallen sinners” we’re wired to work to benefit ourselves – and not the well-being of others. Even MAGA Republicans who “talk a good game,” still seek their own good. I also want to acknowledge that there are legitimate issues on both sides. For the “fiscal conservatives” who are worried about runaway Federal spending, there is reason to be concerned with the “Big Beautiful Bill.”  But increasing the deficit by 750 Billion dollars over the next ten years is not an insurmountable negative. Fact is, those projections come from a Liberal “Congressional Budget Office” (CBO), which greatly understated the “growth predictions” in Trump’s first term. I do believe that “growing our way out of debt” is our only possible solution. Those who have fed at the “public trough” for a lifetime, are not going to give up their easy money without a fight. We also heard that the bill provided RINO Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski with a sweetheart deal for Alaska – at the last minute – to secure her vote. I hope my readers realize that “politics has always been a nasty, dirty business.” To encourage us to “trust in our President,” and in his understanding of economic policy, let me further state: I believe he knows what he’s doing. He has prioritized his goals to: Save The Country FIRST!

So, to better explain this, let me share with you a piece of history that involved President Abraham Lincoln, and his efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. This Amendment to our Constitution was badly needed to heal the division between Slavery and the Civil War, but mostly – to prevent re-enslaving African Americans.  Lincoln had a clear vision of what needed to be done, and he was going to do it!  Lincoln was the first American Leader calling us back to “Live out the meaning of our Creeds,” that “All men are created equal, and endowed with certain inalienable rights!” Lincoln was well aware that the war was ending, and with it, “Reunification” of the former States in the Confederacy would change the electorate, likely making the passage of any amendment to permanently end Slavery, highly unlikely. So “honest Abe” was determined to put the Slavery issue behind America – along with the war – and do it quickly! Many Americans may not be aware of the notable parts of this story, but we are blessed that Steven Spielberg made this story into a wonderful movie in 2011 called:  “Lincoln.” I am very pleased to not only give the movie “two enthusiastic thumbs up,” but also to report that historians give this movie high marks for being factually accurate. Here’s a detailed paragraph of the movie’s plot from the “Synopsis and Reviews” website:

“The film centers on Abraham Lincoln’s efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in January of 1865. This amendment would abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, making a pivotal moment in American history. Lincoln understands that securing this amendment is crucial before the Civil War concludes, fearing that his “Emancipation Proclamation” could be overturned. Lincoln and his Secretary of State, William Seward, engage in intense political maneuvering to gather enough votes for the amendment. They target ‘lame duck’ Democrats, offering them federal jobs in exchange for their support. These underhanded tactics highlight the complex and often morally ambiguous nature of politics, even when pursuing a righteous cause.  Complicating matters, Lincoln must balance the demands of the Radical Republicans, who want slavery abolished, with the need to end the war quickly. He authorizes peace negotiations with the Confederacy, a move that threatens to undermine support for the amendment. This creates tension within his own party and forces Lincoln to make difficult choices.”

[https://synopsisandreviews.com/lincoln-synopsis-review-plot-summary/]

Wow, much of that paragraph could be written regarding the current crisis over Trump’s  “Big Beautiful Bill!”  The bulk of the movie shows the deal-making, bribes and arm-twisting it took to get the votes needed to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. This is not just a well-made and entertaining movie. The plot mirrors President Donald Trump’s dilemma today: “How to hold to my principles and the principles of the MAGA Movement, while still accomplishing badly needed reforms in the political arena – where nothing is principled, fair or righteous!”  There are several Republicans, call them the current Radicals who are steadfast against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” threatening to vote against their own party and the President, because the Bill violates their principles, and the goals of the MAGA Movement.  Recently, several Congressmen from the Freedom Caucus such as Andy Biggs, Rand Paul, Tom Massie, Chip Roy and several others have made it clear that “they are not going to vote yes” for the reconciliation Bill that is coming back from the Senate. So I’m clear, I too believe in the principles of “smaller government,” including cutting waste, fraud and abuse. But I also see the President is prioritizing his most important goals, knowing that he will be able fix the other things in time!

I can almost immediately hear this cadre’ of faithful and principled Republicans say: “Yea, we’ve heard this all before, go along and play with me today and later on we’ll fix it.”  Then nothing ever gets fixed, and we keep repeating the same mistakes.  They do have a point, but only concerning the promises of Presidents from the Marxist-Democrat Party and wishy-washy RINO Republican Presidents. How well we remember George H.W. Bush’s “read my lips, no new taxes.”  But my question to these faithful MAGA Republicans is: “Has Donald J. Trump ever lied to you?  Or, does he keep his campaign promises?” I think they’d all have to admit: “Yes, he does keep his promises, every one of them that can be humanly accomplished.” So, until we are able to elect additional principled Republican Statesmen to both houses of Congress – men and women who are concerned for the “public welfare,” and not “lining their own pockets” – Trump has to work with the players currently involved!  This is what Lincoln had to do as well. And by working with the faulty people in the system that existed in 1865, he finally delivered the United States of America from the injustice of Slavery! Slavery plagued the U.S. since our inception. We did have a chance to fix it after we defeated Britain and ratified the U.S. Constitution, but sadly, our founding fathers “kicked the can down the road.” The cost was a colossal war, brother fighting against brother, 750,000 killed and injured, and devastation to property and unity!

This age-old warfare between the “Idealists and Pragmatists” is nothing new. This is one of the reasons that beneficial and lasting reforms are so hard to come by. There are far too many men and women fully invested in the “status quo,” who are not willing to “rock the boat” – no matter what the long-term benefit is to others. I do like the quote by former President, Richard M. Nixon in the graphic.  And he is quite right! Often Idealists struggle forever to accomplish “what should be” – but they never accomplish anything.  President Nixon observed they are impotent.  But those who are “forever Pragmatists,” are in danger of “going along to get along,” accomplishing nothing meaningful. I do believe that Donald J. Trump is the definition of a “Pragmatic-Idealist.”  You can’t look at what he has accomplished in less than six months, and tell me that he doesn’t have “core principles” that are guiding him. At the same time, the Donald doesn’t hold grudges toward those with whom he’s had honest disagreements. He’ll work with anyone if it helps the citizens of the United States! He is really a “One-Issue-President.” The issue for him is: “What’s best for America?”

This “single-minded” focus on what was in the country’s best interest, was clearly the devotion that Abraham Lincoln gave to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. It was his last great accomplishment before being assassinated. In many ways, this amendment paved the way to Reconstruction and our first attempt to “free African Americans from the tyranny of Slavery.” I say first attempt, because the Party of Slavery, the Democrats, have worked for more than a century to keep their Slaves. Immediately after the war, the Dixiecrats and their Military Wing – The Ku Klux Klan – did everything possible to keep Freed Black Slaves from voting or entering into full participation in society. Since the “Great Society” of Democrat President Lyndon Baines Johnson was enacted, Democrat policies and leadership has put African Americans back into Economic Slavery in the Inner Cities of America.  In fact, the Welfare Policies of LBJ and Democrat Governors and Mayors, have done more damage to the Black Family than Slavery ever did.

For those of you who love God’s Word, let me remind you of another great leader, Josiah, King of Judah. He was a principled man, who also accomplished great things to bring about a reformation and revival in Judah. His efforts to bring Israel back to their founding documents (i.e. the Bible), was the springboard for all of Josiah’s reforms. And like Abraham Lincoln centuries later, Josiah faced fierce resistance from the “lawless” men and women in Israel who were comfortable with disobeying God, rejecting Biblical authority, and not keeping the Sabath or Laws of God. Sadly, Josiah left the Kingdom to an unfaithful son, Jehoahaz, also called Shallum. In the end, Josiah’s reforms – while purposeful and right – did not last.  That dilemma faced Abraham Lincoln in his day and faces Trump today. The corruption of sinful men and women is a constant and powerful force – moving toward destruction. By passing the Thirteenth Amendment, Lincoln went a long way to permanently freeing the Slaves. And Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will only be a great first step toward Making America Great Again!  The best reform that we should all be praying for, is a return to righteousness, justice and brotherly love.  Let’s Make America God’s Again!

Soli Deo Gloria!