With Billy Graham’s Death, Many Remember His Legacy

Graham in 1966

The Reverend Billy Graham, who preached before hundreds of thousands in persona during his ministry, as well as to hundreds of millions more through broadcast feeds, died last week on February 21 as the age 99. Graham was born on November 7, 1918 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and began his ministry in the 1940s. He began to be noted for his massive crusades, preaching around the worlds in tents and stadiums, often accompanied by the singer George Beverley Shea, who, by virtue of singing at Graham’s crusades, sang to more people live than any other person in history. Shea died in 2013 at 104.

Graham, who was known for trying to avoid the political battles that other preachers, such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, fought, nonetheless was known for his close relationships with many US presidents, having met every president from Truman to Trump (though he met with Trump in 2013 before he became president). He was known especially for his close relationship with Richard Nixon, a bond which would land him in controversy years later once tapes were revealed of conversations between the two in which Graham said derogatory comments about Jews and their control on the media. Graham had since profusely apologized for his remarks to Jewish leaders.

Graham’s health began to fail in the mid 2000s, preaching his last crusade in New York in 2005, his first being in 1947. Graham continued to make limited appearances, speaking with President Obama in 2010 and attending his 95th birthday party in 2013. Graham had been steadily losing his vision and hearing in the years prior to his death.

Graham was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, who died in 2007. His son Franklin Graham has long been the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization and, unlike his father, has taken a more active role in the political arena and is known as a close ally of President Trump.

Graham’s funeral will take place in Charlotte on Friday. Billy Graham has been lying in the Capitol Rotunda, the first to do so since the late Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) in 2012 and an honor often reserved for only the most honorable Americans, especially in the case of private citizens.

Bombing in Kabul Kills 103, Injures 235 More

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, on January 27, which killed 103 and injured 235 more. The bomb, hidden in an ambulance, was one of the deadliest in recent Afghan history.

The attack comes as the Taliban terrorists are growing their reach in the country. The Taliban has an active presence in 70% of the country, according to a new BBC study, with outright control in 4%. As recently as October 2017, the Taliban only had a major presence in 44%. The Taliban’s struggle comes as the United States has ramped up its efforts to dislodge the group from influence in the country.

Trump’s State of the Union Lays Out New Goals for White House

President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union as President on Tuesday, in which he laid out various proposals going forward along with touting what he views as the successes of his Presidency so far.

In the speech, Trump laid out a number of plans for the next year, most notably plans for massive infrastructure spending and immigration reform. With respect to infrastructure spending, Trump called for a $1.5 billion package which would work to build new and repair existing roads and bridges across the United States. The bill’s high cost would be paid through a combination of federal grants, state grants, and private partnerships.

In the way of immigration reform, Trump called for an end to “chain migration,” in which immigrants can work to bring their extended families to the United States. Trump’s proposal calls for such privileges to be limited to immediate family members. In addition, Trump’s plan calls for a path for citizenship, over twelve years, for the so-called “Dreamers,” who were children when their parents brought them to the US illegally. With this, Trump made clear that border security would need to be assured, most notably through his plan for a wall, at least in part.

Trump also praised the Republican tax bill passed late last year, saying it will increase the disposable income of millions of Americans and stimulate economic growth.

Trump May Push Infrastructure Plan After Tax Bill Win

The Trump administration is signaling that it may be willing to tackle an infrastructure plan following its success in pushing forward its tax plan this month. Moves for increases in infrastructure spending, unlike the GOP attempts at tax reform, have been supported by several Democrats and may have a chance to receive bipartisan support.

Trump may announce his plans for infrastructure in his upcoming State of the Union speech in 2018.

The infrastructure plan may cost upwards of $1 trillion, but will not all come out the federal treasury. A portion will be paid by the federal government, while state and local governments, along with private companies and investors, will also contribute to the projects laid out in any plan.

Increases in infrastructure spending have long been the goal of numerous politicians, Republicans and Democrats alike, with projects including new roads, bridges, terminals, etc. However, concerns over increases to the national debt (already an issue with the recently passed tax bill) could pose an issue, especially with Republicans.

Republicans Pass Tax Law, What It Means for Americans

Republicans passed the first major overhaul to the United States tax code in over thirty years this month, with President Donald Trump saying the plan will “deliver more jobs, higher wages, and massive tax relief for American families and for American companies.”

The plan was pushed by Republican leaders after the GOP Congress wanted to deliver a major piece of legislation before the year’s end, and thus deliver Trump a legislative achievement in his first year, and to pass it while they still held a 52-48 majority in the Senate after they lost a seat as a result of the Alabama special election.

The new law reduces  the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, moving the rate from among the highest in the developed world to more in line with the tax rates of other countries. In addition, it shaves off the tax rate across the board while keeping the seven tax brackets. These cuts to the individual tax rates, unlike the corporate tax rate cut, is temporary and will expire in 2025.

It also caps deductions for local and state taxes at $10,000, which can lead to higher taxes for those living in highly taxed states, such as New York, California, and Illinois.

The bill was unanimously opposed by Democrats in both houses of Congress and was opposed by a number of Republicans in the House who came from highly taxed states.

The new tax cuts are projected to add more than $1 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, accounting for lost revenues stemming from the lower rates but also possible increased revenue as businesses and individuals have more money to invest, thus increasing economic activity.