The most morally reprehensible shift in our nation’s public policies occurred on July 4, 2025. A sweeping set of changes that will reverse social, economic and climate policies was signed into law. Most cynically, the politicians who passed the legislation ensured that these measures would not go into effect until after the 2026 election, fearing for their own chances of reelection.

In terms of economic policies, the legislation guarantees massive tax cuts for the rich while throwing millions of Americans off Medicaid and making it more difficult to receive food assistance. At the same time, we are projecting budgetary deficits contributing over $3 trillion to the existing national debt of $39 trillion. Our debt has now reached an unsustainable level that is equal to our gross national product.

Progressive climate policies that, for many years, contributed to moving toward generating wind and solar power and the electrification of our transportation systems are reversed. Instead, incentives for the production of fossil fuels, like coal and oil, have been restored as we embrace “drill, baby, drill” as our energy policy.

In summary, we are a country already suffering from massive income inequality heavily favoring the top 1%. Powerful effects of climate change, resulting in deaths and property damage, are now routine. These policies will only exacerbate the very worst conditions that undermine the well-being of a once thriving democracy.

Having recently celebrated Independence Day 2025, are we not indenturing our children and grandchildren to a dystopian future?

John Dorrer
Topsham