Reader rebuts Trump supporter

To the editor:

This is rebuttal to the letter of Jan. 30, 2018, “Letter to the editor was misinterpreted.”

I will make a point, by using the definition of editorial, as stated at dictionary.com: an article in a newspaper or other periodical or on a website presenting the opinion of the publisher, writer or editor. This is a case, an editorial or opinion piece, in which the opinion of the writer is allowed, whether there are facts included or not. The Commercial Review is filled with quality stories, and full of facts, even if the editorials and opinion pieces may not be.

The word bias, defined by dictionary.com: a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned. Everyone has their inclination, their own opinion. That is what makes us all different.

We can involve facts, as did Paul Waldman, in his opinion piece did, in the same issue of The Commercial Review, with his piece: “Trump Boom is mostly hype.” He expressed that the so called Trump Boom is not what it appears, as the economy grew by a mere 2.3 percent, the lowest since 2010. He, also, expressed that Trump raves about the stock market growth, which was up over 20 percent in 2017, but grew 30 percent in 2013. 

It is easy for many to want to forget the great growth we had under the previous administration, during which the Republicans blocked every policy that former President Obama attempted to get passed through the Congress. Our economy grew at a huge rate, considering the recession that he pulled us out of, and that economy is still booming, and growing, despite Mr. Trump's claims that it is all his doing. 

Where are all the promised jobs, and the great pay? Mr. Waldman pointed out that there have been a mere 500 coal jobs created, for what the President said would be a renewed business. Carrier laid off 600.

Walmart is an example of the pay increases “due to the tax cuts.” Some states were raising their minimum wages to $11 per hour, on Jan. 1, 2018, so Walmart chose to make it a minimum in all stores, as well as to give bonuses of up to $1,000 to qualifying employees. The next day, they chose to close 154 stores, which would more than pay for the raises and bonuses. They, also, announced that they would eliminate a position, co-manager, which could result in more unemployed people and more savings for the corporation. 

The tax cuts will not begin showing on employees’ checks, until mid-February, due to the IRS not getting out new W-4s until then. Those tax cuts, for the majority, are to expire in 2025.

I've yet to read about the economy booming so much that peoples' children are moving out of their parents' homes. There may be a few more jobs, but no job creation boom as yet. The young people would have had to of been employed for several months, in order to have managed to save up the funds needed to move out, on their own, as well as to pay the insurance premiums they will need for their health insurance. That isn't a one or two paycheck change, for most people.

When I was young, there were news anchors, which all respected, and listened to, by the names of Walter Cronkite and Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. I don't think they would stand a chance in today's world, as we have changed too much. They only spoke of what was happening, in a non-biased manner, as news was their business.

Daniel E. Chase

Portland