'Deficit vs debt'
I keep hearing about “inflation” being the fault of this administration. Well, might it be otherwise? From Forbes top 25 business profits for 2023.
• Exxon $36 billion
• Chevron $21.4 billion
• Shell $28.25 billion
• Walmart $85.6 billion
• Food Companies combined $23 billion
Deficit vs debt
Now! In 2016, the Republican administration received a nearly balanced budget and turned over a budget deficit in 2020 of $3.1 trillion, the largest in U.S. history. That was added to the federal debt. A deficit is different than the debt. The debt is cumulative of all administrations while the deficit is what is spent vs. what is taken in by administrations.
The debt is basically borrowed from public retirement funds and bonds, so the question is, “Can we afford another Republican administration in the White House?” If we don’t pay our bills, does that mean we don’t pay back what’s been borrowed from pubic retirement funds (news.northeastern.edu)?
A constitutional crisis occurs when the president is openly disdainful of the rule of law and is undermining Congress’s ability to exercise its lawful oversight (Vox.com).
S. Michael Carlson
Tygh Valley
Extreme regard
Harris? An extremist? Yes! She’s extreme in her regard for the Constitution and for the Rule of Law. She’s extreme in her pursuit of cheaters, tax evaders and felons. She abhors liars, sexists, braggarts, bullies and egotists. So, look out! You might just wake up Nov. 6 and find (I HOPE) an extremist in the Oval Office.
Philip K. Schwartz Jr., MD
The Dalles
Loves new format
I’ve been meaning to give a shout out to Columbia Gorge News for a while now. I used to read Hood River News and The Dalles Chronicle, but I honestly love and prefer the new combined format. It’s great to see various perspectives on similar topics, side-by-side. We are one Gorge community but have unique opportunities and challenges depending on location and I enjoy seeing them all.
Thank you for covering the entire central Gorge and creating a thriving local news outlet. Reading the paper is a highlight of my week.
Pierce Louis
Hood River
'Female only?'
Let's talk about the Hood River County Fair concert entrance. A "female only line," really? Is this the 1940s? Let's get with the times. The civil court would love this.
Megan Orr
Mt. Hood-Parkdale
Protect Social Security, Medicare
As a retired American who relies on Social Security as a partial source of my income and Medicare for my health insurance, I don’t trust the MAGA political party to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Despite Trump’s claims since 2016 that he won’t cut Social Security, each of his proposed budgets included cuts while in office. In March 2024, Trump said a lot could be done to entitlements, including cuts. He has since said he will not cut one cent, but we know that Trump is a consistent liar and is demonstrating what appears to be cognitive decline, so it’s difficult to predict what he will actually do to support these programs.
The MAGA/Rebulican National Convention platform includes a statement about protecting Social Security and Medicare but excludes Medicaid, a program that serves more than 80 million Americans. This exclusion aligns with the Project 2025 goal of eliminating Medicaid, which is interesting given that Trump said he knows nothing about Project 2025. Despite the looming funding issue, Project 2025 says little about Social Security but has much to say about Medicare. It proposes that the private insurance option, Medicare Advantage, become the preferred program. Since this option was offered, there have been many reports of denied medical services, higher out-of-pocket costs, and limited access because of preferred networks. Additionally, the Medicare Advantage insurance companies have overcharged Medicare billions of dollars since their inclusion. Project 2025 calls for eliminating Biden’s regulations designed to curb fraud.
How will Trump handle the billions of taxpayer dollars stolen by insurance companies? In the last month of his presidency, Trump pardoned multiple convicted health executives who were convicted of Medicare fraud and, in several cases, endangered the health and safety of seniors. Trump and his MAGA legislators and judges cannot be trusted to care for the almost 60 million Americans over age 65 and the 80 million dependent on Medicaid.
Sources:
Sue Kusch
White Salmon
Volunteers welcome
Thanks for featuring the power and joy of volunteers, in this case for the benefit of the FISH Food Bank ("Volunteers welcome" in the July 22 Columbia Gorge News).
Volunteering brings all kinds of benefits, making a difference and working together to benefit others. Volunteering for the last 30-plus years with RESULTS (results.org) has meant working together to battle the scourges of poverty in our country and globally, while making life-long friendships. During this time, I have seen child deaths in our world drop from 42,000 a day to less than 14,000. Still too many, and we could use your help. Working on hunger, homelessness and healthcare in our country has been making steady progress, but we could use your help! Try volunteering where you feel you make a difference. The rewards are endless.
Willie Dickerson
Snohomish, Washington
Commented