Food deliveries interrupted while rich may get tax cut

Food deliveries interrupted while the rich get ‘fed’

An article headlined “USDA cuts to land on 31K in East Tennessee” reported that 21 tractor-trailer loads of food won’t be delivered to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee in the next 90 days and that USDA’s funding source is “under review.” Recently that phrase has meant the Trump administration is slashing, if not terminating, programs. Meanwhile, Congress is preparing a budget resolution that will cut SNAP and Medicaid. This double-edged sword means those at the lowest end of the income spectrum face greater food insecurity.

As part of a coalition of churches in the Oak Ridge area, I am privileged to drive a box truck full of Second Harvest donations to a remote community center servicing Scott and Morgan counties. Eager volunteers unload that truck in 15 minutes and all the food is distributed within an hour or two. This lifeline happens at food banks across the area every day.

Our friends’ and neighbors’ lives are “under review.” Urge your U.S. representatives and senators to vote NO to cuts to essential programs to fund tax cuts for the ultra-rich.

Anne Child, Oak Ridge, 37830

Trump risks U.S. economy to bolster his fragile ego

Consideration of likely economic outcomes is needed before sweeping changes to policy are promulgated. Donald Trump’s edicts are based on the attention that it garners or how it inflates his overly sensitive and fragile ego.

He believes that he is a “master deal maker” and that his tariffs will drive other countries to the bargaining table where he will tip any trade imbalance in his favor. Other countries will do their homework and will send people who have read a book or two on economics.

The effects: Under 104% tariffs, imports and Chinese exports collapse. A slight rise in U.S. production (import substitution effect) may occur; however, startup costs and other barriers to entry will keep this low. Consumer prices with rise sharply. A minimum 8% increase in the Consumer Price Index will occur. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will shrink 4% or more.

Doug Kimzey, Farragut, 37934

Trump’s tariffs combine ignorance and malice

Candidate Donald Trump claimed to be a “stable genius.” In addition to asking about his IQ, we should be very concerned about the large and frequent gaps in his knowledge, which are constantly on display. One of his major disabilities is his ignorance, and he has apparently decided to stay that way rather than admit that there is important information that he needs to learn.

The present crisis created by his misguided tariff policy is an excellent example. He seems incapable of learning that his tariffs are not paid by other countries, but rather are a tax on American consumers. Very smart people are often guilty of willful ignorance when learning new information requires that they admit that they have been wrong.

There is an area in which President Trump exhibits a degree of brilliance, and that is in using the power of his office to devise creative new ways to harm everyone against whom he holds a grudge.

P. L. Rowlett, Knoxville, 37934

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