To the Editor:

In last week’s area newspapers I read a letter spouting more of the former President’s monotonous recitations about out-of-control inflation, out-of-control spending of money we don’t have, the immigrants at our southern border, and a newcomer to the group, that we make use of the resources that God has given us.

In my lifetime, the average annual inflation rate has been a negative number only twice — in 1955 and 2009. Earlier years with zero or negative rates were six years in the 1920s, seven years in the 1930s, and once again in 1949. Also, we have experienced an average double-digit inflation rate only four years — 1974, 1979, 1980, and 1981.

When I accepted a teaching position in Morgan in 1978, we were expected to live in Morgan. There was not much to rent, so we bought a house. My dad was a Realtor and helped us backdate the purchase agreement because the mortgage rate (9.75%) was increasing to double digits. It was my second year of teaching, and I had a wife and two children.

Remember the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, when farm interest rates hit 21.5%, farms failed, banks foreclosed (and bankers were shot), farms were sold at public auctions, land prices fell, businesses closed, and families were forced off the land. The federal government responded with the Food Security Act of 1985 (Farm Bill), and Chapter 12 Bankruptcy was introduced in 1986.

Common people are now benefiting from several of President Biden’s programs. The PACT Act has expanded benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Following the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan through 2024 has provided direct payments, child tax credits, extended unemployment insurance, and more. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act rebuilds roads, bridges, and tunnels; provides safe drinking water and expanded broadband; and more. The CHIPS Act helps with tax credits, loans, and grants to build and staff semiconductor research and development in our country. The Inflation Reduction Act reduces junk fees and overdraft charges, lowers prescription drug and health insurance costs, provides rebates for home energy efficiency, and more.

And let’s not forget about continued record-low unemployment and record-high performances in the stock market. But still the Right will complain that their money doesn’t go as far as when the former President was in office.

Over Memorial Day weekend, the airline industry (TSA) reported a record 2.95 million passengers flying on Friday, May 24. In addition, AAA estimated 43.8 million people traveling at least 50 miles for the holiday weekend. That’s a lot of people spending a lot of money that they supposedly don’t have.

The southern border…yes, it’s a problem which has been exacerbated by the former president’s meddling with his acolytes. Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring the bipartisan bill to the floor of the House for a vote.

Finally, “we…make use of the resources that God has given us…” Who are “we” and “us” and to what resources is the writer referring?

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus concludes, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

“The least of these my brethren” – I think that’s the “we”/”us” that all of us should be hoping will prosper from God’s largesse.

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan