Pricey enemies

Dear Editor,

Kamala Harris claims that Joe Biden’s one term legacy is superior to that of most two-term presidents. She and running mate Tim Walz label Donald Trump an enemy of freedom. Really?

Biden waged war on American energy independence. Two victims were the Keystone XL pipeline and ANWAR drilling leases. Such actions drove up the cost of fuel. It takes fuel to get goods to market so the cost of virtually everything increased.

Farmers need to fuel their tractors, so food was doubly impacted. Biden raided the strategic petroleum reserves to lower prices for political purposes. An active hurricane season will make us wish those reserves were full.

The resulting inflation and accompanying debt undermine economic freedom for consumers. Biden and his allies have pushed for electric cars and bans on natural gas appliances, limiting freedom of choice.

Vladimir Putin, noting our masochistic energy policies, knew some European nations would depend more on Russia. So Putin happily has more money with which to brutalize Ukraine as we send billions to the non-NATO nation.

Hamas was similarly emboldened by Biden’s disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden “unfroze” huge amounts of Iranian assets which can bankroll terrorist activities.Freedom from fear is vanishing.

Military retirees, such as Gen. Jack Keane and Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg have cited Biden’s weakness as an incentive for our adversaries.

Biden, with feckless Homeland Security Director Mayorkas, has crippled border security. He scuttled Remain in Mexico, Title 42 and the border wall construction. Rounded numbers indicate 10 million have illegally crossed the border. Some were drug smugglers.

About 250,000 Americans have died of fentanyl overdoses in 2022, 2023 and so far this year. Some migrants have committed heinous crimes. Freedom from danger is diminished.

Many migrants are well-meaning, but the numbers are overwhelming schools and municipalities. Tax dollars pour into these situations while citizens’ credit card debt skyrockets.

Biden and Harris condemn Republicans for blocking their “tough” border bill. With a threshold of 2,500 crossings a day, 900,000 could cross annually. Not “tough.”

The weaponization and hypocrisy of their justice system was covered in an earlier letter.

COVID was the fault of the maliciously negligent Chinese communists not of either president.

Harris-Walz may try to sound moderate. Now she backtracks on anti-fracking. I don’t believe that. Note that Pennsylvania ranks second only to Texas in natural gas production. Moderation will vanish if Harris is elected.

Note that Walz let the post George Floyd riots grow as governor of Minnesota and Harris solicited bail money for violent rioters. Biden, Harris and Walz are the real enemies of freedom.

Terry D. Hallock,

Warren

American spirit

Dear Editor,

Viewers of TV’s “Finding Your Roots” are reminded each week why ancestors, with the exception of Africans brought here in chains and Native Americans, left their birth land and came here. The show also reminds us that America is a rich mosaic of ethnic cultures and it reminds us our ancestors were once newcomers.

The ancestors’ leaving the old and moving to the new is similar to America’s Democratic Party’s current generational shift of political leadership now that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voluntarily stepped aside for Hakeem Jeffries and President Joe Biden stepped aside for Kamala Harris.

The enthusiasm and hope behind this political generational shift is historic and reminiscent of the enthusiasm displayed from the newly arrived immigrants.

In both cases, hope, optimism, vision, energy, and willingness to work dominate. A strong, rigorous America requires new ideas and newcomers, from our youth and from the outside. Newcomers are our life blood.

Capitalism requires newcomers. New blood helps with our professional needs and to put food on our table. They become entrepreneurs, work in the hospitality facilities, work in the hands-on industries, apply their creativity, etc. They are essential to maintaining our standard of living. Statistics show they are over-achievers and tend to be more law-abiding than native citizens.

American athletes who participated in the Paris Olympics demonstrated America at our best, in both performance and in America’s diversity of race and ethnic background. Each medal winner proudly draped the American flag upon their shoulders and stood proudly on the medal winners’ stand as the American National Anthem was played. Many wept, even the athletes. Our diversity is our strength.

Democracies also require new ideas and energy, a relevant vision, and willingness to work. Elections give citizens in democracies opportunities to voice their preference – vision moving backward or vision moving forward? Old ideas or new ideas? The younger Democratic leaders and their supporters bring fresh and relevant perspectives. Kamala has restored Reagan-like joy and optimism and her Veep running mate Governor/Coach Tim Walz brings a common sense, “down home” Midwestern personality.

Trump’s bragging about “killing the Conservative GOP Border Bill” that was designed to secure the border and help establish better immigration procedures and Trump’s exaggerating negative facts “immigrants are to be feared” are backward looking.

The American Story is an uplifting, positive story. People the world over covet American freedoms and opportunities. Some risk life and limb in quests to become part of the American mosaic.

Henry Louis Gates hosts “Finding Your Roots” Tuesday evenings from 8 to 9 on PBS. Watch, enjoy, and let the program’s renewal of the American Spirit wash away Trump’s nasty fear and anger of newcomers and of new ideas.

Don Scott,

North Warren