Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Ongoing Update

To The Editor,

I love it when conservatives try to make excuses for the inept Trump/Musk administration. Trump made absolute loony promises on the campaign trail. Trump is own worst enemy. He just opens his mouth and says whatever comes to his mind. Unfortunately, many of his supporters believed him and now are an uproar that the price of eggs continues to rise.

Trump stated that on day one he would make prices and inflation go down. He seemed to be in amazement that people used the term groceries. Did not take him long to realize he is not a magician, but half of our country fell for his verbose and lies. All of a sudden some of his supporters says it takes time to change the economy. Here I thought messiah Trump could do anything.

Trump said he would end the war in Ukraine in 24-hours. He not only has failed so far but he had the U.S. change sides and now support Putin and will throw our ally Ukraine under the bus to find favor with Putin. Trump lied straight-up when he said the Ukraine should not have started the war. What!! There is no doubt Putin invaded Ukraine. What is really disturbing even Republican office holders so afraid of Trump will now make all kinds of excuses not to answer straight-up that Russia invaded Ukraine.

All Americans understand that the federal government is too large and there probably is programs and employees that are not needed. There is a way to correct this problem but having a billionaire who does not understand our government in charge of slashing for no other reason than to slash is in an assault on our government. Trump has unleashed Musk because Trump is too lazy to do the work to find ways to be more efficient. It is easier for Trump to have Musk do the cutting without any regard to the operation of our government. It is more important for Trump to golf or attend sporting events where is faithful will provide him with the adulation he desires above all else.

“America First” “No more wars” is what Trump shouted on the campaign trial. Once in office, Trump fights with the Governor of California and tries to hold up financial assistance to the thousands who have lost their homes and businesses from the fires in an effort to extract non related concessions from the state. Trump is busy making statements on the world stage that U.S. should take over the Panama Canal; invade, if necessary, Greenland to take it over even if they don’t want it, make Canada the 51st state.

However, and the most absurd idea is after the ethic-cleansing of Gaza from Palestinians, Trump will take over the area and build a lavish resort where rich people, but not Palestinians, can enjoy. I think Trump may believe that the area which has a very, very long history of war and strife and will just bow down to him and let his empire make billions from the area. This is America First? Can’t help our own state of California rebuild because of the cost but can invade others and spend all kinds of money to play emperor? Talk about WWIII.

Others tout their support for veterans but are silent when Musk and Trump take a chainsaw to employees and programs vital to veterans. On Tuesday, 2/25/25, the VA stopped the cutting of 875 contracts that DOGE planned to take away. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2/27/25:

   “Veterans Affairs was prepared to terminate 875 contracts as part of a government-wide effort to cut costs, led by billionaire Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service. In announcing the moves, Secretary Douglas A. Collins on Tuesday cited as examples payments for professional services, such as executive support, coaching and training. But the contracts on the chopping block also helped cover medical services, fund cancer programs, recruit doctors and provide burial services to veterans, according to internal VA documents reported Tuesday by the Washington Post.”

Because of public backlash for now, the contracts have been saved. But make no mistake, Musk and Trump were ready and willing to take away those funds and would still do it if the public did not object. Where is the outcry on what Trump/Musk are doing to veterans?

Welcome to the new America where compassion and caring is gone. Everyone praising what is going on in our country now will sing a different tune when the cuts come after you including Social Security and Medicare, Medicaid. While many blame the single mother usually other than white for receiving Medicaid, ask any of the nursing homes and assisted living communities in the Vinton area, how many of their residents are on Title 19/Medicaid. Think about that while you are laughing and condemning that single mom.

One more thing. How many children will have to die from measles before people come to their senses. In 2000, measles was declared irradicated. Then the assault on vaccines have been on- going and perpetuated by RFK jr. who now leads HHS. The measles cases in Texas are from the non-vaccinated. How many more children and adults will become ill or die when RFK finishes destroying disease prevention in our country?

Rosemary Schwartz