March 3, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: The government dismantling of Trump’s initial few weeks in office have left many - even his supporters - in shock. Loans to farmers for work already done per their contracts, denied. Hispanic Trump voters thinking the deportations applied to others, missing family members.
Grocery prices Trump promised to lower upon becoming president have risen. And this is only the beginning … The “joke” about Canada becoming the 51st state is not funny to Canadians. The “snowbirds” who come down to sunny Florida and Arizona are leaving in droves - creating a freefall in those rental markets. And if Trump follows through with his plans for tariffs, things will get even worse. We import a lot of lumber and oil from Canada. Though the government may collect and keep the money from those tariffs, the cost is always passed down to the consumer in higher prices. Imagine the cost to contractors trying to build houses with lumber costs 25% higher. Or the prices at the gas pumps 25% higher.
Speaking of higher costs, the prices for fruit and vegetables are about to skyrocket. When the ICE makes enough raids on immigrants - removing some and forcing others into hiding - where do those Trump voting farmers think they will get the labor to do this back-breaking work? Do they really think any of our young “white folks” are going to leave their easy jobs at the McDonald’s drive-thru window for a back breaking day in the hot sun picking fruits or veggies? Not on your life!
When the crops can’t be picked, they are left on the ground to rot. Less fruits and veggies going to market means higher prices and less availability.
Folks, it’s time to wake up to the “King” we elected and his “consort,” Elon Musk. Or maybe it’s really Musk who is King and “Cheetolini” - the Orange Dictator the consort. Either way, this “ruling couple” spells only heartache for our working families and ruin for our democracy. BETH HOUSER Lexington
