Misinformation can influence voters; correction is vital. In a recent letter, reader El Sellers made several claims against the Biden administration. Let’s address each claim:
Higher taxes
Trump lowered taxes on the wealthiest, resulting in a shortfall in revenue of over $2 trillion, and adding to his record $8 trillion increase in our debt.
Rates and brackets for 95+% of Americans have remained relatively unchanged since the Obama administration.
More government regulations
“More” regulation requires a value determination; is a regulation good or bad? Most Americans WANT regulations that ensure clean air and water, workplace safety, the purity of prescription drugs and food and produce, and other public goods. Most Americans DO NOT want regulations that get between them and their doctors, between them and being able to vote, or that do things like ban books, or impose someone else’s religion. Republicans are imposing THESE, the “bad” kinds of regulations.
Dramatic inflation
Inflation goes up and down (economists say it’s ideal for inflation to be around 3%). It’s currently going down. In part, inflation is caused by higher costs of doing business (such as TARIFFs would cause, and which Trump is advocating). In part, inflation is caused by price gouging, which can be seen when corporate profits skyrocket, without the price of their products being reduced. Often, this indicates a virtual monopoly; 2-5 companies controlling 80%+ of a market sector. Democrats will address both gouging and monopolies. Trump and his Republicans will NOT.
Critical Race Theory, diversity, equity, inclusion
These are issues which bring out bigotry, hatred, racism, and discrimination; they are not a problem except to those who want to engage in those behaviors.
Wide open borders
The border is a problem. An estimated 35 million immigrants have entered America on Biden’s watch (over 3 million entered on Trump’s watch). President Reagan had a solution to immigration: He granted blanket amnesty to 3 million immigrants. That said, Biden and a bipartisan Congress tried to comprehensively address the border and its problems; TRUMP killed that legislation. If a citizen wants to address border problems by BLAMING -- blame Trump (he actually SAID: “Blame ME”). Not Biden.
High-ranking influence peddling
No idea what this could mean, unless it involves getting $10 million in cash from Egypt’s new dictator, selling real estate at grossly inflated prices to Russian oligarchs, charging the secret service (taxpayers) MILLIONS$ to stay at your own properties, or taking $2 BILLION from Saudis, immediately after leaving “government service.” (Jared Kushner)
Reducing the military
The size of the military has remained stable at just under a half million active-duty troops since the Obama administration (who had troop levels OVER the half-million active duty mark). This, despite Biden being involved in NO foreign wars, while Trump oversaw fighting troops in Afghanistan for his entire term.
So, do your own research, voters. Find out the FACTS, the unbiased truth, on these matters. Don’t believe me, and for dang sure don’t believe El Sellers. You don’t want to be making important choices based on LIES.
Jeff Harrison Buffalo
Bobbing & Weaving: the Artful Dodger
I do not believe that the American general public is stupid. Some national politicians apparently think they are. I watched the early part of this past week’s national debate before shutting it down to read, a necessary step in order to restore a safe level of blood pressure. It was not by any means a real debate, face-to-face with an audience, and an impartial moderator. It was a theatrical exchange of positions on general political points, usually very poorly described.
If in a meeting, a conference, an interview, or a debate you ask someone “What time is it now?” and the person begins to explain how watches and clocks work and how we should never waste time, etc., either (1) he isn’t wearing a watch; or (2) he can’t tell time; or MORE LIKELY, he doesn’t want you to know the true answer.
The very first question asked by the “debate” moderator was whether the people were better off or worse off than they were four years ago. It’s a fairly straightforward question, not tricky, and could have been answered with a yes or a no, followed by a brief explanation of the answer. Like most of the subsequent questions, Ms. Harris ducked, dodged, and rambled about having grown up in a middle-class household, etc. The friendly moderator should have advised to save her speech for summing up and to answer the question. He did not then or ever in the program. The reason for this dereliction of duty as moderator is clear.
If Trump will hopefully agree to a second debate in a genuine objective setting, ignore her insults, stop personal attacks on an impaired opponent and focus on her many weaknesses, be more presidential, etc., he can regain the advantage and win the election. Defeating a political hack who facilitated California’s decline [higher taxes, unaffordable housing, driving away citizens by the thousands, driving away great businesses and industries], supported Black Lives Matter (even after that move-ment had been hijacked by radicals), promoted Defund the Police, fiercely opposed the oil/gas industry (no fracking) . . . the list is sadly almost endless. Earlier this month Harris slipped up and plainly stated that, “I have not changed my values.” How much plainer must it be for us to know that she still is a Californian, woke arch-liberal?
If Americans do not rally and put down this liberal/ woke poison, we could see the end of our country as we have known it. It would be a self-inflicted, fatal wound. God help us, and God bless America!
El Sellers Fairfield
