Failures
The United States government is the largest financial institution in the universe. We have the most vehicles, most airplanes, road signs, etc. The 1984 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), codified in title 48 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations controls all acquisitions of goods and services. These rules have a constitutional basis, such as needing Congressional appropriations, and the 14th Amendment equal protection of the law. Most every corporation and business has a “mission statement” which talks about maximizing shareholder wealth, etc.
The government has a vastly different mission statement, beginning with “We, the People,” and includes values like forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, promoting the general welfare, pursuing common defense, and securing the blessings of liberty. Nothing about shareholder wealth!
Everyone has a right to submit a bid (equal protection of the law)! However, the contract award goes to the lowest-priced, responsive bidder. Responsive bidders must show competence, financial strength, and technical capability. Successful bidders must further the “equal protection” concepts, such as paying prevailing wages, buying American, and involving small subcontractors owned by women and minorities. The “boiler plate” contract also requires meeting OSHA, EPA, and other aspects of justice, and promoting general welfare.
When Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney became vice president, he illegally (outside the FAR) awarded an $8 billion, no-bid contract to its subsidiary, Kellog, Brown, and Root, to provide support services in the Gulf War. The contractor was incompetent, resulting in the electrocution of over a dozen soldiers in separate showering incidents.
Trump’s incompetent FEMA illegally contracted with White Fish Energy in 2017 to restore Puerto Rico’s electrical system damaged by Hurricane Maria. White Fish Energy was unqualified and failed to restore the powergrid! All FEMA could provide was Trump tossing paper towels.
Trump is turning a $1.8 million, shimmering blue reflecting pool into a $13 million algae swamp for the 250th celebration. It is not “draining the swamp” as he promised. His ignorance, incompetence, and corruption are bribery and extortion.
Contrast Cheney and Trump’s escapades with clearing Baltimore Harbor’s wrecked Francis Scott Key Bridge. Using all the capabilities and constraints of the FAR, Corps of Engineers contractors efficiently and effectively cleared the channel in 27 days!
Carol Earl
The Dalles
Democracy destroyed
While I have no hope that the president will ever change and become a caring human being, my true hope is that the people who support him, and continue to support him despite everything, will soon see that he is bent on destroying our democracy. If he is able to strip away the 14th Amendment, which has stood solidified since 1868, he can attempt to strip away any other Constitutional right we have. It saddens me to the core that this administration has made its mission to punish people for just existing. You take away healthcare, housing, infrastructure, common decency and play political games with people’s lives and livelihoods. There are numerous news articles about farmers who are losing their entire way of life, but are willing participants in their own destruction. The American people deserve better. Someone who truly cares about everyone, not just himself and his billionaire friends. Donald Trump has never had to work a day in his life — his father was a wealthy real estate developer. He has a sense of entitlement that is crushing this country.
Nicole Cowart
The Dalles
Warren for sheriff
When voting for a new sheriff, there is no substitute for current, boots-on-the-ground experience. That is why Tony Warren is uniquely qualified to lead our county’s law enforcement. He stands out as the only candidate in this race who is actively working in law enforcement today.
While other candidates rely on past achievements or outside experience, Tony is in uniform right now as a detective sergeant with the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. He actively manages cases, navigates current state laws, and works directly with our deputies every single day. Law enforcement has changed drastically over the last few years. Tony does not need to learn the contemporary realities of the job on day one — he is living them right now.
An active officer understands the immediate needs of our neighborhood patrols and the technical demands of modern casework. Tony Warren’s active duty gives him a vital edge in leadership, safety strategy, and real-time community engagement. Please join me in supporting the candidate with active, current experience. Vote Tony Warren for sheriff.
Keith Hutton
Dallesport
History
Recent letters to Columbia Gorge News, with respect to the justifications for mid-east history and attacks, substantiate the adage “A little learning is a dangerous thing!” One can conclude religion is the dominant factor in causing such a bellicose planet.
Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions all have the same deity-sharing prophets of the Old Testament, Christ, and Mohammad. In Genesis, God creates the universe. All God creates is good. Yet in the first-generation, Cain being an herbivore is not good while God blesses Able as a carnivore? A generation does not pass until Cain slays Able. That conflict has not yet ceased. Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhist, and Indigenous deity find justification for mayhem.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis shows the earliest human discovered is Lucy. She lived in Africa about 300,000 years ago. This shows we are all descendants of a Black person! Jericho is not the birthplace of civilization. Incas in South America, Aztecs in Mexico, Cahokia, Kennewick Man, and others are all earlier civilizations. Adam, Eve, Cain, and Able are not the first. A fundamental truth, whatever one believes, has no effect on what is!
Mediterranean Hebrews dispersed for multiple reasons. The Roman Empire is the dominant reason; however, the Hebrews, like Mexicans, pilgrims, and Asians, were looking for better lives. Mohammad assumed his place in the seventh century. Muslims propagated throughout the Mediterranean. Hebrews moved away; Muslims filled the vacuum.
European Christians were aghast! Kings like Richard the Lion Hearted launched multiple crusades. Most generated deep animosity, which remains alive and fervent. The Holy Roman Empire morphed into Austro-Hungarian Empire. Victory in World War I reconfigured the eastern Mediterranean. World War I victory is the fuse to ignite World War II. Hitler’s “Christianity” justified Jewish annihilation.
Jewish survivors and the world made amends for the Holocaust by creating Israel out of Palestine. Palestinians had nothing to do with the Holocaust. Just as the Jewish people vow “never again!”, the Palestinians are vowing “Never!” It is intractable conflict not ordained by God!
Dim Wit Don, Coward and Thief, is the prima dona in this 2,000-plus year-old forever-war!
Terry Armentrout
The Dalles
Wealth inequality
Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace. Hard work should provide stability and opportunity, yet many full-time workers live paycheck to paycheck. At the same time, large corporations and the wealthiest Americans often benefit from tax loopholes and economic policies that widen the gap between rich and poor.
Historically, federal income tax rates for the top earners in 1965 were 70%. Today, the top federal rate is 37%, and the top corporate rate is 21%, a decrease from over 52% in the 1960s. These massive decreases in tax rates on the rich and corporations occurred under the Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations.
Extreme inequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. A healthy economy depends on a strong middle class, fair wages, affordable education, and equal opportunity.
We should support policies that empower workers, ensure fair taxation, expand access to healthcare and education, and create economic opportunity for everyone, not just those at the top.
America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly. It is time to address wealth inequality before the divide grows even larger. Please reach out to your elected officials and demand that they increase taxation of the rich and corporations to make it more equitable for all Americans, and pay down our massive Federal debt.
Jon Miller
The Dalles
Con game
If you’re among the Donald Trump supporters beginning to suspect you’ve been conned, you’re not alone.
According to a FOX News poll released in May, Trump’s approval among non-college educated white voters has plunged 44 points, from plus 36 early in his term to negative 8. Among rural voters, his support has dropped 34 points, from plus 20 to negative 14.
Trump talks a good line about supporting law enforcement officials, but he just strong-armed the Department of Justice into giving him a $1.7 billion slush fund, part of which is intended for the people who assaulted police officers and vandalized the U.S. Capitol.
He brags about “draining the swamp,” but he and his family and friends have raked in billions through bitcoin manipulation and meme coins, stock trades, bets in the prediction markets, and “investments” from Middle East sheiks. He says he’s the farmers’ best friend, but according to the American Farm Bureau, farm bankruptcies on his watch have risen 46%.
He claims to care for the American people while obsessing about a golden ballroom, an enormous arch, and repainting a reflection pool. His photo appears on passports, the Department of Justice building, and 24-carat gold commemorative coins. At night, he rage-posts against perceived enemies. During the day, he falls asleep at meetings and events. Meanwhile, the average American’s monthly gasoline bill has increased from $38 to $45, and the cost of groceries continues to increase.
Donald Trump has betrayed America. No wonder his approval ratings have collapsed.
Rick George
White Salmon
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