When Washington Blows Up the Budget, Rural America Pays the Price
There’s a lot happening in Washington right now, and most of it feels disconnected from the everyday struggles rural families are facing. But here’s what is clear: when the federal budget gets blown up, we pay the price — not billionaires, not lobbyists, not the politicians who caused the mess.
A recent analysis from The American Prospect, an independent economic and policy publication, breaks down the new era of spending under Donald Trump. And what they describe isn’t fiscal responsibility. It’s not “America First.” It’s a billionaire-fueled giveaway that leaves working families holding the bill.
The Pattern Never Changes
For more than 40 years, we’ve watched the same scam:
- Republican administrations pass massive tax cuts for billionaires and corporations.
- They increase military spending and expand new agencies.
- The national debt explodes.
- When it’s time to pay the consequences, they point at Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and VA programs and say: “We have to cut spending.”
This year is no different — just more extreme.
A Government for the Ultra-Rich, Not for You
Instead of taking care of working Americans, Trump and his allies are building a government for themselves and their donors:
- A “personal secret police force” with a budget that dwarfs some federal agencies.
- A $300 million golden ballroom, paid for by billionaire donors.
- Unlimited golf trips — on our dime.
- And now Kristi Noem has two private jets,paid for with taxpayer dollars, while rural airports and emergency medical air services struggle for funding.
This isn’t leadership.
It’s a ruling class.
Meanwhile, Families Lose Health Care and Food Assistance
While Trump builds palaces and flies private:
- Medicaid and SNAP are being cut.
- Rural hospitals are closing.
- Veterans are waiting longer for care.
- Prescription drug costs are rising.
Cutting SNAP doesn’t just hurt families. It hurts local businesses.
When SNAP dollars disappear:
- Local grocery stores lose customers.
- Farmers markets lose revenue.
- Small towns lose jobs.
In rural areas, SNAP isn’t a “handout.” It’s an economic engine.
The National Debt: They Break It, We Buy It
Trump’s latest budget explodes the deficit by trillions. Why? Because billionaire donors get tax cuts while programs that serve actual people get slashed.
The result? The national debt is going up by $3.3 trillion—and as Trump’s tax cuts are made permanent, the debt could balloon by $5.5 trillion. In case you haven’t been adding it all up –our total national debt will be over $40 trillion as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill.
Forty Trillion.
And here’s the kicker: Congressman Tom McClintock supports every single one of these policies.
He votes in lockstep with Trump’s budget priorities. He votes to cut SNAP and Medicaid. He votes to protect tax breaks for billionaires.
Rural communities are already struggling. He’s voting to make it worse.
When the Debt Goes Up, Prices Go Up
When the U.S. racks up massive debt to finance billionaire perks:
- Interest rates rise → higher mortgage and equipment loan payments.
- Inflation increases → groceries and gas cost more.
- Borrowing gets harder → fewer small business loans.
That hits rural America first. We feel it most.
The Real Question
McClintock loves to talk about “reducing the deficit.” But here’s all you need to ask him:
Are you voting to cut billionaire tax breaks?
Are you voting to protect working families?
If the answer isn’t YES to both, then he’s not working for us.
He’s working for them.
We Deserve Better
Rural America is not a piggy bank for political vanity projects and billionaire playgrounds. We deserve a government that:
- Invests in our hospitals
- Protects our benefits
- Supports our small businesses
- Respects our tax dollars
Not one that treats us as expendable.
Because the truth is simple:
When Washington blows up the budget, we pay the price.
And it’s time we stop letting them get away with it.