This is in response to John Bos’ columns of Aug. 26 and Sept. 16. The Recorder may not have a liberal bias, but some editorial writers do. Almost daily, there is an anti-Trump, anti-conservative opinion article.
Some even compared Donald Trump to Satan or suggested border guards might some day “machine gun migrants” at the border. Some of the many columns by Bos have been well written. However, in most of them an anti-Trump/conservative statement is thrown in blaming Trump supporters for whatever the column was about.
During Trump’s presidential period, we had low inflation, low gas and grocery prices, record low unemployment, especially with minorities, respect for the United States from other countries, the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab countries, energy independence and the border, not perfect, but under control. I, like many, did not like his personal tweets. But I have to look at things he accomplished and the status of our country during his presidency.
John Guenther’s Sept. 19 column on President Joe Biden [“How can I vote for Biden? Let me count the ways”] stated that “even if the election of Biden meant a worsening economy for you as an individual … this is a sacrifice worth enduring.” I cannot disagree more on this. I am retired on a fixed income, with an increase of at least 50% more for my groceries, electricity, gas, and heating oil under Biden. I have also seen the reduction of 20% on my IRA retirement funds under Biden.
I do not feel that I should now be held responsible to sacrifice, especially to pay for others, including undocumented immigrants.
With about 5 million new undocumented immigrants in the last two years under Biden’s open border policies, we, as U.S. citizens, are expected to pay for their housing, food, medical, education, etc. Massachusetts, as well as other liberal states, have declared state of emergencies on this issue.
Massachusetts has approximately 6,000 refugees and undocumented immigrants to care for. With more 10,000 per day crossing the southern border, what will Massachusetts do when the present number is increased to 20,000 and how much will it cost us state citizens to pay for them?
I would like the billions being spent on supporting undocumented immigrants and refugees to be spend on our own citizens to address such issues as poor schools, homelessness, crime and drug treatment. It is pointed out that Congress, under both Republican and Democrat presidents, has not done anything to address and improve the immigration policies and laws. This needs to be done.
Biden has now chosen to ignore the Supreme Court and is continuing to try to furnish student loan forgiveness. Per an email from our U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern on Aug. 28, the high court struck down loan forgiveness for up to $20,000 for 43 million students. The Biden administration then announced it would forgive student loans for 804,000 students, amounting to $39 billion. Like many of us, I paid for my college education and assisted with my sons’ education. I do not feel that I should now be responsible for someone else’s education.
The national debt is now approximately $32 trillion thanks to the Biden administration and previous administrations of both parties. We need to stop the government from any more excess spending or I fear that as a country we are performing financial suicide. Why isn’t the government responsible for a balanced budget, just like every one of us and companies are required to do?
So to answer John Bos’ question, even though I personally want another candidate than Trump, I will support Trump if he is the Republican candidate. I want to get back to a good economy, low inflation, control of our borders, and the country being energy independent.
To address one of Bos’ concerns, the majority of the people, from conservatives to liberals, want to improve the climate change situation. The country has reduced our carbon footprint by over 25% in the last decade. We need to get some of the worst polluters, like China and India, to do much more. However, we cannot force our country and poorer countries to impact their economies to force green energy policies. The country needs more than solar and wind to supply our energy demands. At this time we still need oil and gas.
These are my reasons to vote for Trump or another Republican candidate and for the betterment of our country.
Bill Richardson lives in Northfield.