Hello Ward 3, and all of Westfield…First, I want to join you in the mourning of Barbara Bush. She had such an independent spirit that loved children, raised a billion dollars to fight cancer, and to provide for literacy resources that she must be remembered, and the courage to accept that she did not want to be on life supports.
On the national side of things; the bro-mance between Putin and Trump must come to an end. After self-declaring himself to be the toughest President on Putin, he again refused to place more sanctions on him! The only ones were those proposed by Obama and supported by Congress, and even that was delayed. Putin has spied on our naval base at New Port; his jets buzz our in open territory and waters, spied on us, our corporations, and hacked his way into our electoral system, subverted Americans into believing really fake news manufactured in his Troll Farms, has done so to other countries as well. Remember several years ago Putin shut down Estonia with a cyber-attack, and prevented the Republic of Georgia from defending itself. And, he has been a part of the slaughter of over 200,000 Syrians. Putin enabled Syria to hide and again use chemical warfare. Trump even warned them of the attack on their chemical resources???? If that is tough I would hate to see what he would do to be nice to them! Oh, remember how critical Trump was about Obama publically talking about planned withdrawals from Afghanistan….But, warns publically about a surprise attack. I can see how people can be loyal to the person they hired to be our president but, the price of this loyalty is a bit too much for me. But, you hired him, he is your problem… The impact on the local level of his tax cuts, and now his proposing more budget cuts is going to hit us hard with cuts in Environmental Protections, in Consumer Protections, in Science Research, and others that directly impact us, as the continuing increase in the cost of gas, and imports.
Reality Check…we need a new economic plan. As we are, we cannot compete with their low wages, lack of environmental, banking, real estate, and worker benefits costs. I realize Mr. Trump grew up in a nearly lawless (deregulated) for private world, where you can buy the Judicial, and the government; and where if you mess up you declare bankruptcy, get government assistance to do it all over again. My big American baffle for today is: how can all of these working Americans feel sorry for billionaires to the degree that we subsidize them, supplement their needs… Hamiltonian Federalism held that those who profited the most were the most responsible to pay it back by paying the most taxes, and supporting ways and means for others to more up the economic ladder. Read your Federalist Papers if you doubt me. Another, near laughable that is most sad is when everyday Americans complain about “government interference” in business. That is an Old World myth where it did happen. Business and government have been partners from the beginning of our nation. What you see as interference is in two parts: 1 to protect the interests and needs of the many, and 2. Legislation brought by lobbyists that in real reality bolsters corporate interests. And, worst of all prevents impedes, obstructs, deters competition. What they say they do not mean. They talk about Free Trade but stop internal and external competition. And, if you do go back to our economic origins: Adam Smith and John Mill; they wrote how competition lowers prices, makes for better goods, and new products/inventions.
And, lastly, on that those Red states are the ones most dependent upon Federal welfare benefits; I want to see how that plays out as we cut those areas. Oh, he wants to replace Food Stamps, with Brown Bag government determined what your family can eat…. Love it (sarcasm). We already see how those Red States keep their taxes low, by low pay for teachers, and having the Fed (us, the real tax payers) pay for. Add in the redundant military installations that we also pay for to supplement their income???? I remember when in the military, and any Vet who was stationed in the South can tell you: you had Southerners enlisting, where they could, now, earned more money a month than any one in their family. Oh yah, they take care of their own, as long as it does not cost anything. They believe in the family, as long as they can fend for themselves, and know their place, did what they were told. That did not apply to just Black Americans; why put out money for ignorant White Trash and hick farmers. And, remember that Southern States were the last to make public education mandatory, in the1960’s. Not, sorry but the BS that is spreads is enough to cover every farm field in America. I better quit for now…oh let me end on a positive: Congrats to our schools, teachers, administrators, and SUPER-intendent for all the positive recognition they have EARNED. Hey folks we could live in a Red state where that can not happen, unless the teachers paid out of pocket to have it happen…. ….I remain faithfully yours, Former Ward 3 City Councilor, Brian Hoose. [email protected]
