Letters to the editor Feb. 18
‘Have a nice day’ response
Let’s see, Mr. Goodman (letter to the editor Jan. 27) went to town to run errands and heard “have a nice day” 35 times and he’s criticizing it? Just because we don’t all agree doesn’t mean we can’t wish a person well. I personally think that it’s a great tribute to the wonderful people who live here, that they endeavor to be so nice to a stranger. Being grateful makes your life a lot nicer.
—Sharon Salyer, Kila
$22 trillion deficit
While the entire USA is all wrapped up in what is happening on our southern border, our country has just surpassed the $22 trillion deficit. We are heading off the financial cliff and both sides of the aisle really don’t seem to care. But when we get to the point of spend $1 trillion a year just on interest, our productivity will cease as a nation.
We have between 11 and 22 million people in this country who don’t belong here. They are receiving food stamps, medical assistance and we’re also paying to educate their kids. Just stop and think about that for a moment: people in the country illegally are costing you and me $155 billion a year and what are we getting for it? “Saint Peter don’t you call me ‘cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to the company store.”
Nevermind we’re all going to die in 12 years from climate change, if we do not stop this out-of-control spending, this nation will no longer be in existence in 10 years. For our debt Level will exceed our Gross National Product Level.
Congress has got to be made to stop spending on programs that do nothing to benefit the citizens of this country.
—Jim Garvey, Kalispell
2020 candidate
The 2020 campaign is already underway. The Iowa caucus takes place next February and the field is starting to take shape. This year the Democratic primary will be watched closely, not only by Democratic voters, but also by independents like myself and others who are looking for an alternative to President Trump.
Like many Americans, I was dissatisfied with both major parties’ nomination for president in 2016, and I am more invested in this year’s primary election than ever. Amongst the large field, Andrew Yang is the candidate that stands out to me. A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Andrew Yang recognizes the economic issues facing Middle America that led to the election of Trump, and he presents new proposals that look forward to the future rather than backward.
Due to the rapid development of automation and artificial intelligence, jobs are being replaced at a rate higher than the industrial revolution. Automation is likely to replace many clerical workers, call center employees, manufacturing jobs, as well as people within the trucking industry and the many businesses and communities that are supported by truckers stopping.
In response to this growing problem, Andrew Yang proposes a plan called “The Freedom Dividend.” The Freedom Dividend would be a monthly stipend of $1,000 to every citizen over the age of 18 and would be paid for by a tax on the growth of a company due to the replacement of jobs by automation and artificial intelligence. This wouldn’t be a permanent solution, but it would allow people to alleviate debts, start businesses, and put that money back into the economy.
Andrew Yang explains his plan and the many benefits of it better than I can on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, which is available on YouTube and on his website.
—Ian Wheeler, Kalispell