Make it Make Sense

Some days, the news cycle reads like satire. Today is one of those days. Let’s break it down.

ICE Is Detaining Students Over Opinions

Immigrant college students are being detained by ICE—for writing op-eds. Not threats, not crimes. Just opinion pieces in support of Palestinians. Why? Because 47 has apparently decided that supporting Palestine is automatically antisemitic.

Think about that. A young person uses their voice in a student newspaper—exercising free speech—and gets detained.

Meanwhile…

$400 Million from a Hamas-Friendly Government? Sure.

That same administration is perfectly fine accepting a $400 million airplane gift from a foreign government that supports Hamas. The same Hamas that pushes for the destruction of Israel and encourages violence against Jews around the world.

How can you detain students for their words while cozying up to a government backing a terrorist group that actually is antisemitic?

Make it make sense.

The “Big Beautiful Budget” Hits Low-Income Workers Hard

Now to the “Big Beautiful Budget,” or BBB—currently up for debate in the House. Despite the flashy branding, it’s not delivering what many were promised.

During the campaign, 47 told low-income Americans—especially those working hourly jobs—would see tax relief. No taxes on overtime, no taxes on Social Security income, and no taxes on tips.

Fast forward to now, and the current version of the BBB does none of that.

In fact, for individuals making around $30,000 a year, it may actually increase their taxes. Yes—you read that right. People already stretching every dollar could see a higher tax bill, depending on their filing status and deductions. Oh, and with cuts to Medicaid on top of that? It’s a double whammy.

At the same time, the BBB includes expanded tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations—many of which already pay shockingly little in federal income tax. The SALT cap is being raised in a way that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest Americans.

So where’s the “big beautiful” part? Because it’s definitely not in the numbers if you’re working class.

Make it make sense.

The Nation’s Top Health Official Won’t Recommend Basic Vaccines

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before Congress today. When asked whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles, he said, “Probably.” Then added, “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.”

This is the person responsible for overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, and all major public health efforts across the country. He’s the face of America’s health infrastructure—and he’s telling the public not to trust his advice.

What message does that send in a country still recovering from a pandemic and dealing with ongoing public health challenges?

Again: make it make sense.

There’s a lot more happening. But these three stories—each reported today—stand out because they all share the same theme: confusion, contradiction, and hypocrisy.

We’re detaining students for words, while taking gifts from governments backing terrorism.
We’re selling working-class dreams, but delivering corporate tax breaks.
We’re appointing health leaders who don’t believe in their own role.

And we're supposed to sit quietly and just accept it?

Make it make sense.